Investigation
EU commission appeals Dieselgate ruling
The Court of Justice of the EU annulled legislation which relaxed toxic emission limits for cars. EU commissioner Bienkowska said the commission will appeal.
News in Brief
- Swedish MEP calls for discussion on Orban in EPP
- EU countries back copyright reform
- Germany keeps EU commission in dark on Dieselgate
- New details emerge on Slovak journalist murder
- UK lobbies Germany on Saudi arms ban
- EU agency forced to pay London rent after Brexit
- British PM to batter against EU wall on Brexit
- Hungary and Slovakia strain EU line on Jerusalem
EU says Hungary's anti-Juncker campaign is fake news
The European Commission has branded the latest campaign by the Hungarian government as 'fake news', after Orban's government accused Juncker of pressing ahead with migration proposals that threaten the country's security.
Opinion
Trump right for once: Europe should take back foreign fighters
EU countries and US should take every opportunity to shrink the group of wandering Islamist fighters in the Middle East and neighbouring regions.
Juncker: Orban should leave Europe's centre-right
EU commission president said EPP should expel Hungary's Fidesz, after Orban's government ran a campaign accusing Juncker of migration "conspiracy theories".
College of Europe alumni ask rector to cut Saudi ties
College of Europe rector, Jorg Monar, denies the academic institute is lobbying MEPs for the Saudis. Former students demand the Bruges-based campus cut ties with the regime.
Interview
EU should clarify rules for plant burgers and lab meat
Chatham House research fellow Laura Wellesley discusses her new report, which looked at how alternative meat products are regulated. 'It's not about everybody becoming vegan,' she said.
'No burning crisis' on migrant arrivals, EU agency says
The overall number of migrant arrivals to Europe has dropped for a third consecutive year. But Frontex, also known as the European Border and Coast Guard agency, warns against complacency.
'No evidence' ECB bond-buying helped euro economy
Models used to claim ECB policy have boosted eurozone economy were discredited by economists who inserted random figures.
Italian populists could be second biggest force in EU parliament
The next EU parliament will better reflect the political reality in member states: more populists, and fewer traditional, centrist MEPs, according to new data.
Merkel defends Russia ties, ridicules Trump on cars
Russia could be a Cold War-type "partner" for Europe, German leader Angela Merkel has said, but Donald Trump's car tariff ideas were "scary".
British MPs condemn Facebook CEO's misrule
Cambridge Analytica scandal exposed "profound failure of governance within Facebook", British MPs said, while blaming Zuckerberg for his contempt for democratic scrutiny.
Opinion
EU's chance to step up on Hungary and Poland
Viktor Orban of Hungary and Poland's Jaroslaw Kaczynski seem to share the idea that the rights of some may come at the expense of the rights of others, and public institutions should serve the majority, and not all citizens.
Exclusive
ESA pushback against new EU space agency plan
The European Space Agency, which is independent of the EU, has asked the European Commission not to rename an EU agency as the similar-sounding European Union Agency for the Space Programme.
Sluggish procedure against Hungary back on table
EU probes into Hungary and Poland on rule of law and democracy are back on the agenda of EU affairs ministers - but with little guidance from the Romanian presidency, without a clear idea where the procedures are headed.
Opinion
Could Finnish presidency fix labour-chain abuse?
There can be no more excuses for business. They will be held for responsible for their failure to take action to prevent the risk of human and labour rights through their supply chains.
Agenda
Brexit and trip to Egypt for Arab League This WEEK
Brexit talks will continue in Brussels, as UK PM Theresa May's government is trying to find a way out of the political impasse at home. Murdered Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi's fiancee will speak at the European Parliament next week.
Belgian spy scandal puts EU and Nato at risk
A Belgian intelligence officer has been accused of working for Russia, amid long-standing security fears in Brussels - the home to EU and Nato institutions.
Stakeholders' Highlights
- Milestone for Nordic-Baltic e-ID
- EU bank urged to free itself from fossil fuels and take climate leadership
- Roundtable: Muslim Heresy and the Politics of Human Rights, Dr. Matthew J. Nelson
- Turkey suffering from the lack of the rule of law
- Soft Drinks Europe welcomes Tim Brett as its new president
- Nordic ministers take the lead in combatting climate change
- European Parliament takes incoherent steps on climate in future EU investments
- Kyrgyz authorities have to immediately release human rights defender Azimjon Askarov
- Seminar on disability and user involvement
- International appetite for Nordic food policies
- New Nordic Innovation House in Hong Kong
- Nordic Region has chance to become world leader when it comes to start-ups
Latest News
- EU commission appeals Dieselgate ruling
- 'No burning crisis' on migrant arrivals, EU agency says
- 'No evidence' ECB bond-buying helped euro economy
- Juncker: Orban should leave Europe's centre-right
- College of Europe alumni ask rector to cut Saudi ties
- EU says Hungary's anti-Juncker campaign is fake news
- Trump right for once: Europe should take back foreign fighters
- EU should clarify rules for plant burgers and lab meat
EU Parliament demands Saudi lobby transparency
A resolution demanding Saudi Arabia release prisoners and stop gender-based violence was passed by over 500 MEPs on Thursday in Strasbourg. They also demanded greater transparency over Brussels-based lobbying for the Saudis, following an EUobserver exclusive.
Saudi Arabia, but not Russia, on EU 'dirty money' list
The EU has stigmatised Saudi Arabia and four US territories on "dirty money" - but let Azerbaijan and Russia off the hook.
EU agrees draft copyright reform, riling tech giants
After marathon talks, EU negotiators agree on provisional copyright reform, requiring companies to filter content to prevent unauthorized work on their platform. Online platforms and open-internet advocates warn it will hurt the free flow of information.
Rutte warns EU to embrace 'Realpolitik' foreign policy
'The EU needs a reality check; power is not a dirty word," Mark Rutte declared, in a speech on foreign policy in which he explicitly ruled out a European army.
Calls for Tajani's resignation over Slovenia, Croatia row
The European Parliament's Italian president referred to Croatia and Slovenia as former Italian regions at the weekend, sparking outrage. Although Antonio Tajani apologised, somer former leaders and MEPs are now calling for his resignation.
Germany bound to apply EU rules to Russia pipeline
Germany will need to make sure EU rules are being followed by Russia's controversial Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, currently under construction, it was decided in negotiations between EU institutions on Tuesday evening.
Opinion
Brussels and Washington need clarity from Tymoshenko
Yulia Tymoshenko's contradictory politics raises questions about the direction she would lead Ukraine if she is elected president in March 2019.
MEPs maul Italian leader for 'ugly' politics
Italy's new leaders have behaved in an "idiotic ... spiteful ... [and] ugly" way, MEPs told "puppet" prime minister Giuseppe Conte in Strasbourg on Tuesday.
Renewables roll-out needs faster pace to reach EU goal
In 2017, 17.5 percent of the EU's energy consumption came from renewable sources, while the target is 20 percent by 2020. Brexit may actually help achieve that target - but only through a statistical sleight-of-hand.
US warns Hungary on Chinese and Russian corruption
The US has warned Hungary that Chinese and Russian "corruption" posed a national security threat, but Budapest hit back with accusations of "hypocrisy".
Barnier: UK has to move on Brexit
No breakthrough emerged from the meeting between the top EU and UK negotiators on Monday evening in Brussels. Michel Barnier urged the UK to move on its red lines to help clinch a deal, with 45 days left until Brexit.
Rights watchdog warns MEPs on Morocco trade deal
MEPs are set to rubber-stamp a trade deal with Morocco to fish off the disputed coastline of the Western Sahara. Human Rights Watch have stepped in to point out the deal could be in breach of international law.
Study: EU spends 18-20% of budget on livestock farming
A new report from the environmental group said that between €28.5bn to €32.6bn of the European Union's subsidies for farmers supports the livestock sector.
EU leaders out of touch with normal people, Poland says
The European Parliament elections in May will show that EU officials in Brussels, and French president Emmanuel Macron, are out of touch with average Europeans, according to the Polish prime minister.
Feature
Romania enlists priests to promote euro switchover plan
Romania is due to join the single currency in 2024 - despite currently only meeting one of the four criteria. Now the government in Bucharest is enlisting an unlikely ally to promote the euro to the public: the clergy.
Germany to keep final say on Russia pipeline
Germany alone will decide whether to enforce EU law on its new gas pipeline with Russia, after France caved in during last-minute talks.
Stakeholders' Highlights
- Theresa May: “We will not be turning our backs on the Nordic region”
- Open letter to Emmanuel Macron ahead of Uzbek president's visit
- Raising key human rights concerns during visit of Turkmenistan's foreign minister
- State of the Nordic Region presented in Brussels
- The vital bioeconomy. New issue of “Sustainable Growth the Nordic Way” out now
- The Nordic gender effect goes international
- Paula Lehtomaki from Finland elected as the Council's first female Secretary General
- Nordic design sets the stage at COP24, running a competition for sustainable chairs
- In Kenya, a motorway funded by the European Investment Bank runs over roadside dwellers
- Company Law Package: Making the Best of Digital and Cross Border Mobility,
- Civil Society Worried About Shortcomings in EU-Kyrgyzstan Human Rights Dialogue
- The European Soft Drinks Industry Supports over 1.7 Million Jobs
Stakeholders' Highlights
- Jointly Building Belt and Road Initiative Leads to a Better Future for All
- Civil society asks PACE to appoint Rapporteur to probe issue of political prisoners in Azerbaijan
- Social Mobility – How Can We Increase Opportunities Through Training and Education?
- Energy Solutions for a Greener Tomorrow
- What Kind of Europe Do Children Want? Unicef & Eurochild Launch Survey on the Europe Kids Want
- Nordic Countries Take a Stand for Climate-Smart Energy Solutions
- China: Work Together for a Better Globalisation
- Nordics Could Be First Carbon-Negative Region in World
- Life Is Possible for Patients with Severe Asthma
- Common-Sense Approach Needed for EU Energy Reform
- Nordic Region to Lead in Developing and Rolling Out 5G Network
- China-EU Economic and Trade Relations Enjoy a Bright Future
