Новости за 08.05.2024

The EU’s multi-billion lending arm announced on Wednesday (8 May) changes to its long-standing policy not to invest in military products, by waiving restrictions on dual-use investments.

The EU is preparing for swift approval of a long-stalled trade agreement with the Mercosur bloc – Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay – post-June's European Parliament elections, according to Rupert Schlegelmilch, Brussels’ top negotiator.

After expressing dissatisfaction with the rectruitment procedure led by the European Commission, the food safety Authority board decided to reappoint Bernhard Url, director since 2014, to allow the process for the selection to restart and be completed next year.

While the current EU member states need a specific day as a reminder that belonging to the bloc bears advantages, for those outside, every day is ‘Europe Day’.

Google search data suggests reduced interest in June's EU elections compared to 2019, with the centre-right EPP group much more frequently searched for than its main centre-left rivals.

Europe takes pride in the export of rule of law and democracy, but has done quite the opposite by supporting corrupt regimes with woeful human rights records, turning a blind eye to their misdeeds when it suits, argues Joël Ruet.

Private equity and venture capital are drivers of economic growth and job creation in Europe, contributing to sectors vital for the continent's sustainable development, writes Eric de Montgolfier.

The European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC) has raised the alarm at the ten-fold increase in whooping cough (Pertussis) on the continent in the past year, renewing calls to step up vaccination as the best defence.

France is testing a pest-repelling fragrance as an alternative to EU-banned neonicotinoids, insecticides harmful to bees and other pollinators, as growers grapple with a lack of alternatives to chemical pesticides.

The Commission will assess if there is a need to incentivise EU countries to shorten the time for the reclamation of irregular payments, a spokesperson said after the European Court of Auditors (ECA) highlighted the lengthy process to return improper disbursements to the EU budget.

At the end of April, the World Health Organisation completed a comprehensive analysis of the Expanded Programme of Immunization (EPI) which marks its 50th anniversary. The study estimates that 154 million lives have been saved by vaccines. Looking ahead, does we need an EU Immunisation strategy?

Forests play a vital role in climate change adaptation and mitigation. They act as carbon sinks and preserve biodiversity and ecosystems. Yet, climate change is increasingly causing extreme weather conditions, and damages such as wildfires, windstorms and floods are harming forests all over Europe.

Rescuers rushed to evacuate people stranded by devastating floods across the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul on Tuesday (7 May), with 90 reported dead and desperate survivors seeking food and basic supplies.

The world just experienced its hottest April on record, extending an 11-month streak in which every month set a temperature record, the European Union's climate change monitoring service said on Wednesday (8 May).

In today’s edition of the Capitals, find out more about a third of Portuguese not intending to vote in the European elections, Denmark and Sweden agreeing to strengthen their defence cooperation, and so much more.

With Vasil Bozhkov of the new CENTRE party announcing Tuesday that he will head his party’s list for early national elections, he joins Delyan Peevski of the Turkish minority party DPS as the second influential Bulgarian politician to head a national election list while also being on the US sanctions corruption list.

Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to see empires and autocracies back in Europe, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told the European Economic Congress in Katowice.

Slovakia wants to act as a bridge between Azerbaijan and the European Union, said Prime Minister Robert Fico as he made his first trip outside the EU since his re-election last year, visiting Azerbaijan in the hope of supporting the Slovak economy and strengthening bilateral relations.

The European Union on Tuesday (7 May) condemned Chad's failure to allow nearly 3,000 civil society members financed by the EU to observe the presidential election.

Former Catalan president and leader of the right-wing separatist party JxCat, Carles Puigdemont, confirmed on Tuesday that he would return to Catalonia after the regional elections even if the police arrest him, as he did not entirely rule out a possible alliance of ideologically opposed separatist forces.

A survey has found that around a third of Portuguese voters do not intend to vote in the European elections, citing a lack of available information about the various electoral programmes.

Italy said on Tuesday (7 May) that planes used by charities to track migrant boats in difficulty would no longer be able to fly from airports on the islands of Sicily, Pantelleria and Lampedusa that are close to the shipping routes.

The HTA Regulation was intended to streamline how the value of medicines is assessed, but by overburdening the process, it risks making patients wait for new therapies. Now is the time to come together to ensure we can realise the potential of the EU HTA reform for patients.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni insists on tackling migration by increasing cooperation with North African countries as she visited Libya’s two rival administrations on Tuesday, while human rights activists call for Italy to stop financing Libyan militias.

Denmark and Sweden have decided to strengthen their defence cooperation, including joint procurement of military equipment and cooperation in the Baltic Sea region, with Danish and Swedish defence ministers Troels Lund Poulsen and Pål Jonson signing a memorandum of understanding on Tuesday.