EU Top News
EU issues EUR 176m call for AI, data, cloud projects
The European Commission launched a set of calls Friday worth over EUR 176 million in the areas of artificial intelligence, data, cloud to edge infrastructure, deployment of digital public services and digital skills.
Brussels hits Apple with EUR 1.8 bn fine over music streaming
The European Commission fined Apple over EUR 1.8 billion Monday for abusing its dominant position on the market for distribution of music streaming apps through its App Store.
Booking, ByteDance, X set to become EU Internet gatekeepers
Internet platforms Booking, ByteDance and X could be subject to new EU rules on gatekeeper platforms, after notifying the EU Commission they potentially meet Digital Markets Act thresholds.
EU tightens data rules for short-term rentals
The European Parliament adopted harmonised requirements Thursday on how data related to short-term rental services such as Airbnb, Booking.com and Expedia should be collected and shared.
Brussels queries Meta on No Ads Facebook subscription options
The EU Commission sent American tech giant Meta a formal request Friday to provide more information under the Digital Services Act over subscription for no ads options for both Facebook and Instagram.
EU launches EUR 1 bn call for alternative fuels infrastructure projects
The EU Commission launched a call for proposals Thursday under the Connecting Europe Facility for Transport Programme, making EUR 1 billion available to support the deployment of alternative fuels supply.
Poland fulfills rule of law milestones to unblock EU funding
The EU Commission moved to unlock some EUR 137 billion of EU funding for Poland Thursday, following efforts made by the Polish government to strengthen the rule of law and judicial independence.
MEPs back updating of EU rules on driving licences
Mobile driving licences, self-assessment of fitness to drive and better awareness of pedestrians are some of the changes to EU driving licence rules agreed by the European Parliament Wednesday.
MEPs seal deal to restore degraded ecosystems
The European Parliament adopted a law Tuesday which sets a target for the EU to restore at least 20 per cent of the EU’s land and sea areas by 2030 and all ecosystems in need of restoration by 2050.
Suppliers offer almost 100bcm of gas to European consumers in first tender
The first tender with a new mid-term product for joint EU purchasing of gas under the EU's AggregateEU programme closed Tuesday night, with offers for a total volume of 97.4 billion cubic metres (bcm) of gas.
New WTO rules to simplify services trade in force
Trade in services received a boost Tuesday with the entry into force of new World Trade Organization rules aimed at facilitating and simplifying global trade in services.
Euro-Parliament extends list of environmental crimes
MEPs extended the list of environmental crimes Tuesday to include illegal timber trade, depletion of water resources, and serious breaches of EU chemicals legislation and pollution caused by ships.
EU adopts 13th package of sanctions against Russia
Two years on from Russia's brutal invasion of Ukraine, the EU adopted Friday its thirteenth package of sanctions against Putin’s regime, those responsible for perpetuating its war and those lending it their support.
23 pct of EU enterprises engaged in online sales in 2022
22.9 per cent of EU enterprises conducted sales online in 2022, according to figures released Monday by Eurostat, 0.1 per cent higher compared with 2021 and 6.5% higher that in 2012 (16.4%).
EU adopts instant 10-second payments regulation
The EU Council adopted Monday a regulation that will make instant payments fully available in euro to consumers and businesses in the EU and in EEA countries.
EU reaches deal on mobile machinery rules for public roads
The EU institutions reached provisional agreement Thursday on harmonised road safety requirements for the circulation of self-propelled machinery such as lawnmowers or bulldozers.
UK signs deal with EU to cooperate on illegal immigration
The UK agreed a deal with the EU Friday for a long-term framework for close cooperation with the EU's border agency Frontex to tackle illegal migration and cross-border crime.
EU-Russia trade remains at low levels
EU trade with Russia has been strongly affected by import and export restrictions imposed following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, dropping considerably below levels prior to the invasion, Eurostat reports.
EUR 233m EU funding for eco projects across Europe
The EU is investing over EUR 233 million in twelve strategic environmental projects benefitting nature and biodiversity, climate change and air quality, the EU Commission announced Thursday.
Electricity from renewable sources up to 41% in EU in 2022
Renewable energy sources made up 41.2 per cent of the European Union's gross electricity consumption in 2022, according to figures released Wednesday by the EU's statistics agency Eurostat.