Interview
Israel's EU ambassador: 'No clean way to do this operation'
Palestinians in south Gaza will have to flee to new safe zones, Israel's EU and Nato envoy tells EUobserver, as the war enters its next phase.
Opinion
Dubai's COP28 — a view from the ground
Discussion of the biggest existential threat humanity has ever faced is barely mentioned on billboards or signage in Dubai — yet visitors are made aware quite quickly that t world rugby sevens tournament is imminent.
Opinion
'Pay or okay?' — Facebook & Instagram vs the EU
Since last week, Mark Zuckerberg's Meta corporation is forcing its European users to either accept their intrusive privacy practices — or pay €156 per year to access Facebook and Instagram without tracking advertising.
Latest News
- Israel's EU ambassador: 'No clean way to do this operation'
- Brussels denies having no 'concern' on Spain's amnesty law
- Dubai's COP28 — a view from the ground
- Germany moves to criminalise NGO search-and-rescue missions
- Israel recalls ambassador to Spain in new diplomatic spat
- Migrant return bill 'obstructed' as EU states mull new position
- Paris and Berlin key to including rape in gender-violence directive
- What are the big money debates at COP28 UN climate summit?
Brussels denies having no 'concern' on Spain's amnesty law
The Spanish government remains secretive about its negotiations with pro-independence Catalans, but claims the EU Commission has "zero concerns" about their proposed amnesty law for Catalan separatists. The EU executive denies that.
Germany moves to criminalise NGO search-and-rescue missions
Draft laws in Germany aimed at tackling irregular migration could lead to the prosecution of NGOs for rescuing endangered refugees and migrants at sea — triggering concerns among human rights lawyers.
Migrant return bill 'obstructed' as EU states mull new position
EU states may drop their 2019 position on a bill on returning rejected migrants and instead put forward new ideas that include "innovative solutions" to work around illegal pushbacks.
Israel recalls ambassador to Spain in new diplomatic spat
In a new diplomatic spat between Tel Aviv and Madrid, Israel recalled its ambassador to Spain Rodica Radian-Gordon — after comments made by Spanish prime minister Pedro Sánchez.
Paris and Berlin key to including rape in gender-violence directive
Inter-institutional negotiations on the EU directive to combat violence against women have stalled over the inclusion of rape in the text — which member states such as Germany and France say is outside the EU's remit.
Analysis
What are the big money debates at COP28 UN climate summit?
The most critical UN climate conference (COP28) ever will run from Thursday to mid-December — with talks on climate commitments and climate finance expected to determine the success of this year's summit.
EU offers Turkey upgrade, as Sweden nears Nato entry
The EU has offered Turkey almost all it wanted in return for ratifying Sweden's Nato entry, amid signs the saga is drawing to its climax.
Russia loses seat on board of chemical weapons watchdog
Russia lost its seat on the board of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons for the first time in the organisation's history — while Ukraine, Poland, and Lithuania were elected to the executive council.
Finland's closure of Russia border likely violates asylum law
Finland's closure of its land border crossing points with Russia likely violates both international and EU asylum laws, warns the executive director of the Finnish Refugee Council.
Opinion
The EU's 'no added sugars' fruit-juice label sleight-of-hand
The Food Information to Consumers package would have finally regulated the health or nutrition claims companies make on their products, claims like "heart-healthy" "30-percent less fat" or "no added sugar". Legislation on these claims is now 15 years overdue.
EU belittles Russia's Lavrov on way to Skopje talks
Europe's top diplomat won't meet Russia's foreign minister in Skopje, even though the Russian is getting special permits to bypass EU sanctions to reach there.
Member states stall on EU ban on forced-labour products
More than two years after the EU Commission first proposed a law on forced labour, inter-institutional negotiations have not started because member states cannot reach agreement — risking the text's adoption before the 2024 European Parliament elections.
EU calls for increased fuel supplies into Gaza
The EU has called for an increase in fuel supplies to Gaza and a faster screening process for trucks crossing the Rafah border.
People-smuggling profits at historic high, EU concedes
The European Commission says migrant smuggling has never been so profitable or so deadly — despite a decade of policies and so-called action plans to crush the trade.
Stakeholders' Highlights
- Artist Jessie Kleemann at Nordic pavilion during UN climate summit COP28
- COP28: Gathering Nordic and global experts to put food and health on the agenda
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- Fostering health system resilience in fragile and conflict-affected countries
EU bets big on fossil hydrogen and carbon storage
The EU Commission presented a list of 166 energy and power projects on Tuesday that will lay the foundation for Europe's future energy system.
Opinion
My experience trying to negotiate with Uber
After working with people in unusual employment situations for a decade, I thought I had seen it all as a union organiser. Then I began dealing with Uber.
Opinion
Key battlegrounds in EU's new media legislation
After months of intense and often volatile debate, the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) is near completion. What are the key battlegrounds?
EU 'shocked' by Israel's war-time settler surge
EU and Arab states have redoubled calls for the creation of a Palestinian state after the war, while voicing outrage at new Israeli settlements.
Platform workers could face 'robo-firing' under EU's AI rules
The platform workers directive, currently under negotiation, could create "ambiguity" on the processing of personal data by the platform and would also violate the GDPR by including the use of so-called robo-firing, research shows.
Wilders faces tough road to power, despite election triumph
The resignation of Gom van Strien, the 'coalition scout' of the populist Dutch leader Geert Wilders on Monday, illustrates the challenges his PVV party faces in forming a government.
Analysis
How will the EU's carbon border tax affect Africa?
Ahead of the COP28 Summit, African leaders challenge CBAM, the EU carbon border tax, which comes into effect in early 2024.
Opinion
What's Slovakia's Fico up to over Ukraine?
It is high time for Slovak PM Robert Fico to realise that any display of compliance or even understanding towards Moscow constitutes a threat to what Fico calls the "national-state interest of Slovakia", writes the former prime minister of Slovakia.
Investigation
Who is Kris Roman, the Kremlin's man in Belgium?
In Flanders, Russia's access to the Belgian far-right is facilitated by Kris Roman. What is far less known are his more than decade-long connections with Russian intelligence.
Agenda
UN climate talks and passengers' right in focus This WEEK
The two-week UN climate talks (#COP28) will kick off on Thursday. Earlier this week, the EU Commission will unveil a proposal to improve passengers' rights and Nato foreign affairs ministers will meet in Brussels.
Interview
Why populism appeals to less brainy EU voters
People who voted for Brexit tended to be less clever, research shows, in findings that also shed light on the appeal of EU populists, such as Dutch politician Geert Wilders, who won elections this week.
Strikes across Europe squeeze Amazon on 'Black Friday'
On one of its most profitable retail days of the year, Black Friday, online giant Amazon faces a wave of protests and demonstrations in more than 30 countries demanding better wages, fair tax payments and greater accountability for the planet.
Danish pork firm sued for 'greenwashing' in legal first
Denmark witnessed this week its first 'greenwashing' litigation, against pork producer Danish Crown A/S, in what seems to be the first lawsuit against a European food producer over climate claims.
Opinion
'Loss and Damage' reparations still hang in balance at COP28
There is still work to be done — especially when it comes to guaranteeing the Global North's participation in financing Loss and Damage, and ensuring the Global South has representation and oversight on the World Bank's board.
Finland forces Russia-incoming asylum seekers north of Arctic Circle
Asylum seekers arriving by land in Finland from Russia will now be required to lodge applications some 300km north of the Arctic Circle at the remote Raja-Jooseppi border post.
'Fucking furious': MEPs urge action on gender violence
MEPs across the political spectrum united on Thursday to send a clear message: a robust directive on violence against women is needed — and the Council must unblock the negotiations before the end of the mandate.
Stakeholders' Highlights
- The European Commission launches the ‘ImagineEU’ competition for secondary school students in the EU.
- The Nordic Region is stepping up its efforts to reduce food waste
- UNOPS begins works under EU-funded project to repair schools in Ukraine
- Georgia effectively prevents sanctions evasion against Russia – confirm EU, UK, USA
- Global interest in the new Nordic Nutrition Recommendations – here are the speakers for the launch
- 20 June: Launch of the new Nordic Nutrition Recommendations
