EU Top News
EU competition concerns put halt to Siemens-Alstom rail merger
The EU Commission put a halt to Siemens' proposed acquisition of Alstom Wednesday, saying remedies to concerns that it would harm competition in markets for railway signalling systems and high-speed trains were insufficient.
New plans for accessing health data across EU borders
The Commission presented a set of recommendations Wednesday for the creation of a secure system that will enable citizens to access their electronic health files across EU Member States.
EU cuts forecasts for economic growth amid global uncertainties
Trade tensions and the possibility of a disruptive Brexit are likely to contribute to a slowdown in Europe's economy in 2019, the European Commission said in its Winter Economic Forecast, outlined Thursday.
EU vehicle emissions laws improved since Dieselgate, but challenges remain: auditors
EU laws on vehicle emissions have been improved since the Dieselgate scandal, but challenges remain, according to a new Briefing Paper from the European Court of Auditors, published Wednesday.
EU president Tusk bemoans lack of anti-Brexit leadership
50 days before Britain is due to leave the EU Council president Donald Tusk said many British and Irish people who wished for a reversal of Brexit lacked effective leadership and the political force to remain.
Brussels welcomes speedier Facebook, Twitter responses to hate speech
89 per cent of flagged content is removed by tech giants Facebook, Microsoft and Twitter within 24 hours and 72% of the content deemed to be illegal hate speech is removed, the EU reported on Monday.
New EU derivatives rules to reduce costs and regulatory burdens
The EU Parliament and states reached political agreement Tuesday on rules applying to non-financial counterparties, small financial counterparties and pension funds using financial derivative products.
EU imposes steel tariff-rate quotas from 2 Feb
The EU Commission imposed definitive safeguard measures on imports of steel products on Friday, taking effect on 2 February, and replacing the provisional ones in place since July 2018.
EU company law set to go digital
EU co-legislators agreed Monday on new rules to make it easier to establish a business electronically and promote online operations throughout a company's lifecycle through the use of digital tools.
EU-Japan free trade zone opens for business
The EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement entered into force on 1 February, allowing businesses and consumers across Europe and in Japan to take advantage of the largest open trade zone in the world.
EU mulls options for a more sustainable Europe by 2030
A Reflection Paper published Wednesday by the EU Commission looks at options to deliver the Union's commitment on UN Sustainable Development Goals, including on the Paris climate change agreement.
EU urges tech giants to step up fight against fake news
The EU Commission called on tech giants including Google, Facebook and Twitter Tuesday to intensify their efforts to crack down on disinformation in the run up to the 2019 European elections.
New EU property regime for international couples in force
New EU regulations establishing clear rules applicable to property regimes for international married couples or registered partnerships in cases of divorce or death apply as of Tuesday.
CETA investor dispute system 'compatible with EU law'
The investment dispute mechanism of the free trade agreement between the EU and Canada (CETA) is compatible with EU law, an advocate-general of the EU Court said Wednesday in an Opinion.
EU agrees provisional deal to strengthen consumer rights online
The EU institutions reached a draft deal Tuesday on new rules to make it easier and safer to buy and sell both goods and digital content across borders - including software, streaming or game downloads.
EU states agree better protection for whistleblowers
The EU is moving towards guaranteeing a high level protection to whistleblowers across a wide range of sectors, following agreement Friday by EU states' ambassadors.
Erasmus+ pivotal role in building inclusive Europe
More people than ever before are taking part in the Erasmus+ student exchange programme, the number of projects supported continues to grow, and the programme is becoming more inclusive, says a report.
EU agrees better work-life balance for parents and carers
The EU institutions reached a provisional agreement Friday on a proposal to improve access for working parents to work-life balance arrangements such as leaves and flexible working arrangements.
No backstop, no consent to UK Withdrawal Agreement, say MEPs
MEPs made clear Thursday that the European Parliament would not give its consent to a UK Withdrawal Agreement which did not include the backstop-insurance against a hard border in Ireland.
EU-Japan data sharing agreement comes into effect
The EU Commission adopted Wednesday an 'adequacy decision' which allows personal data to flow freely between the European Union and Japan on the basis of strong protection guarantees.