European Union

Her comments come just days after Italy, Bulgaria, Malta, and Czechia all supported Belgium's calls for the EU to seek alternatives to the 'reparations loan'

In today's edition: Tobacco, abortion, and compulsory licensing

In today's edition: McGrath talks video games, influencer marketing, cyber reporting platform

Turning the heating on, staying at home, and making plans for the new year. As we get ready to enjoy the holiday season, here’s how low temperatures can keep us warm this Christmas.

Barón Crespo v Parliament
Additional voluntary pension scheme: the actions of 405 former Members of Parliament or their legal successors challenging the reduction of their additional pension by half are dismissed

In today's edition: Biotech, Mercosur, pesticides

Nathan Gill was sentenced to 10 years in prison last month after admitting having been paid around £40,000 ($53,000) to make pro-Russian statements in the European Parliament

However, top Germany auto industry group slammed what it said were ill-conceived measures

Wednesday 17 December

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Wednesday 17 December

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Tuesday's vote marks the first budget adopted without using article 49.3 of the constitution since 2022

In Wednesday’s edition: EPP-ECR, rebates grab, Spuntino, returns hubs, Mercosur

Europe is facing a fast-escalating wave of digital, interconnected fraud. ACCA’s new report warns that weak governance, siloed controls and rising ESG risks are widening the gap between detection and action – and leaving organisations dangerously exposed

The internet was never valuable because it was efficient. It mattered because it was a raucous, unpredictable global conversation where people could recognise one another. It now belongs more to machines

Several EU countries are looking beyond higher taxes, focusing instead on restricting cross-border tobacco trade

Fraud risks are rising, but Brussels still leans on “cumbersome” administrative system that struggles to recover money 

Europe has arrived at an orbital crossroads that will determine our future in space. But European leaders cannot hesitate to go big on defence in, and from, space

Valdis Dombrovskis avoided saying whether the bloc could move ahead without Bart De Wever's consent

Ministers argued that if “innovative solutions” are to move beyond concept stage, the EU must put real cash behind them – and fast

This study examines the political, economic, and regulatory barriers hindering the creation of a European single market for defence. Despite growing recognition within EU institutions of the need for integration to enhance efficiency, competitiveness, and readiness, progress remains constrained. Political obstacles — diverging threat perceptions, sovereignty concerns, reliance on the United States, and lessons from Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine — emerge as the primary impediments, shaping downstream economic fragmentation and limiting the impact of existing regulatory tools. Economically, the persistence of nationally segmented industries, duplication, and reluctance to aggregate demand undermine scale and interoperability, while many industrial actors remain neutral or sceptical of deeper integration. Regulatory frameworks such as the Defence Procurement Directive exist but are inconsistently applied due to Member States’ discretion and exemptions. The study highlights conceptual ambiguities surrounding the very definition of a 'single market for defence', which further complicates consensus–building. It concludes that political convergence is a prerequisite for meaningful progress and recommends mapping stakeholder perspectives, clarifying strategic priorities, harmonising standards, engaging stakeholders transparently, and incentivising demand aggregation as essential steps toward advancing integration.
Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP