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Business news and information from the European Union

23 EU states launch new era for European defence cooperation — 14 November 2017, 22:48 CET

23 EU Member States - though not the United Kingdom - signed an historic pact Monday to cooperate more closely in future on security and defence in the wake of Brexit and Russian aggression.

Brussels mulls action to protect public from fake news — 14 November 2017, 22:48 CET

The EU Commission launched a consultation on fake news and online disinformation Monday, setting up an expert group representing academics, online platforms, news media and civil society groups.

2017 eurozone growth fastest in a decade — 13 November 2017, 18:58 CET

The eurozone economy is set to grow at its fastest pace in a decade this year, the EU Commission forecast in its Autumn Economic Forecast Thursday, with real GDP growth substantially higher than expected.

EU carbon market reform deal falls short — 13 November 2017, 16:46 CET

A tentative deal to redesign one of the EU’s key climate policies, the Emissions Trading Scheme, was reached by the EU institutions Thursday, but it was not welcomed by environmental groups.

New EU gas rules could staunch Russian pipeline — 10 November 2017, 00:05 CET

Changes to the Gas Directive proposed Wednesday to ensure that all major gas pipelines entering EU territory comply with EU rules could prove an obstacle to the Russian-backed Nord Stream 2 project.

Inequality still a challenge for education in Europe: report — 09 November 2017, 22:44 CET

While Europe's national education systems are becoming more inclusive and effective, a new report also confirms that educational attainment still largely depends on their socio-economic backgrounds.

Weekly rest period allows for flexibility, rules EU Court — 09 November 2017, 21:51 CET

A worker's weekly rest period can be granted on any day during each seven-day period, and does not necessarily have to be granted the day following six consecutive working days, the EU Court ruled Thursday.

EU sets out new 2030 targets for clean cars — 08 November 2017, 17:08 CET

The European Commission proposed new targets for EU fleet-wide average CO2 emissions of new passenger cars and vans Wednesday, in a bid to accelerate transition to low- and zero emission vehicles.

EU on track for 2020 CO2 emissions targets — 08 November 2017, 13:49 CET

Greenhouse gas emissions in the European Union were reduced by 23% between 1990 and 2016, while the economy grew by 53% over the same period, according to the latest Commission report.

Paris is Europe's most innovative city 2017 — 07 November 2017, 23:16 CET

The city of Paris was awarded the 2017 European Capital of Innovation Tuesday, with a prize of EUR 1,000,000 granted under the EU's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme.

Brussels presents sustainable fishing plan for 2018 — 07 November 2017, 18:14 CET

The European Commission presented Tuesday its proposal for next year's fishing quotas in the Atlantic and North Sea, which EU Member States are due to agree at the December Fisheries Council.

UN climate talks begin with call to accelerate action — 07 November 2017, 18:11 CET

The 2017 UN climate change conference got under way Monday, aiming for speedier, more ambitious global action on climate change and put the world on a safer, more prosperous development path.

EU Globalisation Fund proves its worth — 01 November 2017, 23:36 CET

An EU report on the performance of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund, published Wednesday, affirms its role in providing support to people losing their jobs as a result of globalisation.

Landmark EU-Cuba agreement enters into force — 01 November 2017, 23:01 CET

Provisional application of the European Union's first ever agreement with Cuba, which began 1 November, covers political dialogue, cooperation and sector policy dialogue as well as trade cooperation.

Brussels to probe UK tax scheme for multinationals — 29 October 2017, 23:52 CET

The EU Commission opened an in-depth probe Thursday into a UK scheme that exempts certain transactions by multinational groups from the application of UK rules targeting tax avoidance.

EUR 30bn earmarked for EU research projects 2018-2020 — 29 October 2017, 23:52 CET

The EU announced its work programme for research and innovation funding over the period 2018-2020 Friday, with EUR 30 billion earmarked for supporting scientific excellence under Horizon 2020.

New rules to protect investors and EU economy from bad loans — 26 October 2017, 23:41 CET

The EU gave the final approval Thursday to new rules which mean packaged loans converted into securities will have to be made less complex and more transparent before selling them on to investors.

No tax break for bridge, as it's not a sport: EU Court — 26 October 2017, 22:56 CET

Bridge is not a 'sport' and cannot be exempt from the EU's VAT Directive, the European Court of Justice court ruled Thursday, though it does come under the concept of 'cultural services'.

EU top Court affirms freedom of establishment — 26 October 2017, 00:12 CET

An EU Member State cannot impose mandatory liquidation on firms that transfer their registered office to another state, the European Court of Justice affirms in a ruling upholding freedom of establishment under EU law.

EU votes in stricter limits on exposure to carcinogens at work — 25 October 2017, 23:35 CET

Stricter EU rules to better protect workers from exposure to carcinogens at work - which could help save up to 100,000 lives in the next 50 years - won the EU Parliament’s final approval Wednesday.

MEPs demand phasing out of glyphosate weedkiller — 25 October 2017, 23:04 CET

The European Parliament voted Tuesday for immediate restrictions on the use of controversial glyphosate-based herbicides, leading to a full ban on use of the substance by December 2022.

Ministers agree position on EU posted workers directive — 25 October 2017, 23:04 CET

EU ministers agreed a compromise Monday on the posting of workers directive, allowing posted workers to generally benefit from the same rules governing pay and working conditions as local workers.

Go-ahead for new entry/exit system for EU borders — 25 October 2017, 23:02 CET

The European Parliament gave the go-ahead Wednesday to a common electronic entry/exit system to register entry and exit data of non-EU nationals crossing the external borders of EU Member States.

MEPs want EU-wide protection for whistleblowers — 24 October 2017, 23:20 CET

Whistleblowers acting in the public interest deserve proper protection and support, MEPs said Tuesday as they called for an EU-wide protection plan giving legal protection against retaliation.

Safer sea travel as EU adopts rules on passenger ships — 24 October 2017, 13:39 CET

Tougher safety rules and standards for passengers ships in Europe were given the final go-ahead by EU ministers Monday, as they adopted three directives to simplify and improve passenger safety.