Breaking news

Business news and information from the European Union

EU sets out new proposals to save NI Protocol — 14 October 2021, 22:14 CET

The European Commission proposed Wednesday a number of bespoke arrangements to respond to the difficulties that people in Northern Ireland have been experiencing because of Brexit.

EU agrees 2022 fishing quotas for Baltic Sea — 13 October 2021, 22:46 CET

EU fisheries ministers reached a political agreement Tuesday on next year's total allowable catches and quotas per member state for the ten most commercially important fish stocks in the Baltic Sea.

EU offers 60,000 free travel passes to 18-20 yr-olds — 13 October 2021, 22:44 CET

The EU is to provide free travel rail passes to 60,000 Europeans aged from 18 to 20 years through its DiscoverEU initiative that gives the opportunity to discover Europe through learning experiences.

Nitrates continue to pollute Europe's water: report — 12 October 2021, 18:16 CET

A European Commission report on nitrate pollution based on 2016-2019 data shows little progress over the last decade, with nutrient pollution from agriculture still a serious concern for many EU states.

EU Blue Card to attract highly skilled workers to Europe — 11 October 2021, 18:45 CET

The EU Council and Parliament gave their final approval Thursday to the revised Blue Card Directive, a new scheme to respond to skills shortages and attract highly skilled workers from outside the EU.

Wine, fruit, veg sectors to receive additional EU aid — 07 October 2021, 18:31 CET

Support measures for the wine sector adopted by the EU Wednesday include increasing support for harvest insurance and mutual funds, and extending by a year the flexibility measures already in place.

EU agrees position for COP26 climate summit — 07 October 2021, 18:27 CET

The EU agreed its position Wednesday for the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, stressing the need for urgency and for a just and fair climate transition across the world.

EU strategy to combat rising antisemitism in Europe — 06 October 2021, 22:47 CET

With antisemitism on the rise in Europe and beyond, the European Commission presented Tuesday the first-ever EU strategy on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life.

EU looks to protect journalists against abusive lawsuits — 06 October 2021, 18:01 CET

The EU Commission launched a consultation Monday on action against abusive lawsuits lodged against journalists to prevent them informing the public and reporting on matters of public interest.

European airlines agree to speedier cancellation refunds — 05 October 2021, 18:59 CET

16 major airlines committed Thursday to better information and timely refunds for passengers whose flights are cancelled, following dialogue with the EU Commission and national consumer authorities.

EU calls on VW to fully compensate consumers over 'Dieselgate' — 30 September 2021, 21:23 CET

Six years after the 'Dieselgate' scandal broke, the EU Commission called on German car manufacturer Volkswagen to compensate EU consumers for misleading them over vehicles' emission standards.

EU looks to crack down on migrant smugglers — 30 September 2021, 21:22 CET

Releasing a report on migration and asylum Wednesday, the EU Commission put forward a renewed EU action plan against migrant smuggling and tougher sanctions for employers of illegal migrants.

Go-ahead for EUR 5 billion Brexit adjustment reserve — 29 September 2021, 21:12 CET

The EU Council gave its final approval Tuesday to a fund of five billion euros aimed at helping Member States' hardest hit regions tackle the negative impact of the UK's withdrawal from the European Union.

Brussels proposes common USB-C charger for electronic devices — 29 September 2021, 00:25 CET

The Commission put forward legislation Thursday to establish a common charging solution for mobile phones, hailing it as an important step against e-waste and consumer inconvenience.

Insurance review to boost investment in Europe's recovery — 28 September 2021, 18:02 CET

A review of EU insurance rules ('Solvency II'), adopted Wednesday by the Commission, should help insurance companies scale up long-term investment in Europe's recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

EU falling behind on sustainable investments: auditors — 23 September 2021, 18:42 CET

The EU is not doing enough to channel money into sustainable activities, its auditors said Monday, with the transition to a net-zero emission economy requiring significant private and public investment.

'Wise persons' start work on future of EU Customs Union — 22 September 2021, 23:46 CET

The EU Commission announced Friday the launch of a new special group tasked with identifying innovative solutions for the most pressing challenges that face the EU's Customs Union.

EU fund to help mitigate the impact of Brexit — 20 September 2021, 21:58 CET

With trade between the EU and the UK increasingly affected as a result of Brexit, a EUR 5 billion fund is set to support people, companies and countries affected by the UK's withdrawal from the European Union.

EUR 7 billion call for key European infrastructure projects — 19 September 2021, 17:17 CET

A call for proposals launched yesterday under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) for Transport programme is making EUR 7 billion available for European transport infrastructure projects.

EU puts forward fishing quotas for Med and Black Seas in 2022 — 19 September 2021, 16:42 CET

A plan for fishing opportunities for 2022 in the Mediterranean and the Black Seas, set out Friday by the EU Commission, reflects its ambition for achieving sustainable fisheries in these two sea basins.

Von der Leyen calls for stronger EU defence cooperation — 15 September 2021, 18:05 CET

In her 'State of the Union' address to the European Parliament Wednesday, Commission president Ursula von der Leyen called on EU member states to step up cooperation on security and defence.

Strengthened EU export controls target dual-use technologies — 15 September 2021, 18:05 CET

New export controls, which entered into force Thursday, will reinforce the EU's response to the threat of 'dual-use technologies' such as cyber-surveillance that can be misused for human rights violations.

EU seeks financial penalties for Poland over judiciary reforms — 09 September 2021, 17:04 CET

The EU Commission sought fines for Poland at the European Court of Justice Tuesday to ensure compliance with two key rulings last July aimed at protecting the independence of Polish judges.

New EU energy labels for lighting products come into force — 09 September 2021, 17:03 CET

A new energy label started appearing on lamps sold across the European Union as from 1 September, helping consumers to get clearer, more helpful information on the energy efficiency of lamps.

70 pct of EU adult population now fully vaccinated — 07 September 2021, 15:56 CET

The European Union reached an important milestone Tuesday when it announced that 70 per cent of its adult population - over 256 million adults - have now received a full vaccine course against COVID-19.