European Union

„Der Gerichtshof stellt fest, dass Haustiere nicht vom Gepäckbegriff ausgenommen sind“, so der EuGH in seiner Entscheidung.

Despite significant progress on the supply side, the EU market for zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) is growing more slowly than anticipated across all vehicle segments, including cars and vans (LDVs), as well as medium- and heavy-duty trucks, buses and coaches (HDVs). For example, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the share of electric vehicle sales increased […]

The decision allows Adriatic fishers to harvest clams with a diameter of at least 22 millimetres, compared with the EU-wide limit of 25

What is the most pressing challenge for humanity in an era of uncertainty and transformation? While answers to this question may vary, poverty tops the ballot.  Last year 733 million people went to bed hungry—one in every eleven—while 1.1 billion survived on less than $2.15 a day. Eradicating this scourge has become a shared global mission.  […]

By Dr Himanshu Pathak
HYDERABAD, India, Oct 16 2025 (IPS)

When crops fail, people move not by choice, but by necessity. As families are displaced by droughts and failed harvests, the pressures do not always stop at national boundaries. In short, hunger has become one of the most powerful forces shaping our century.

From the Sahel, the vast semi-arid belt stretching across Africa from Senegal to Sudan and the Horn of Africa to South Asia’s dry zones and Southeast Asia’s coastal farmlands, climate shocks are undermining food production and disrupting communities across the Global South.

In the Sahel, prolonged drought and poor harvests, among other factors, are driving migration north through Niger and Mali toward North Africa and, for some, across the Mediterranean.

Across South Asia, recurrent floods and heat stress have displaced millions in India and Bangladesh, while in Southeast Asia, rising seas are forcing coastal farmers and fishers inland.

These pressures are magnified by rapid population growth, especially in the Sahel, where the population is projected to more than double by 2050, placing immense strain on already limited arable land.

The same story is unfolding across the globe. In Central America’s drought-stricken Dry Corridor, years of crop failure are pushing families to leave their farms and migrate north in search of food and safety.

Safeguarding the right of people to remain where their families have lived for generations, now depends on enabling communities to produce more food from every hectare, even as conditions grow harsher.

This World Food Day (October 16), we must view food security not only as a humanitarian concern, but through the prism of peace and stability.

History shows that when people cannot feed their families, societies fracture and conflicts occur. The world’s most strategic investment today is in the hands that grow our food and not in walls or weapons.

By investing in climate resilient crops such as the drought and heat tolerant varieties developed by the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and expanding access to scientific innovation and improved seeds, we enable communities to withstand climate shocks, secure their livelihoods, and remain in their traditional lands instead of being forced to migrate by a crisis not of their making.

These positive impacts are already visible, but they must now be scaled up dramatically to match the magnitude of the challenge.

The World Bank estimates that up to 216 million people could be forced to migrate within their own countries by 2050 as climate impacts intensify most of them in Africa and South Asia.
Investing in resilient food systems in the Global South is one of the most effective and humane strategies for ensuring regional and ultimately global stability.

The UNDP estimates that every dollar invested in sustainable agriculture today saves seven to ten dollars in humanitarian aid and migration management later.

At ICRISAT we witness this every day. Across Africa and Asia, we work with governments and communities to turn drylands, some of the harshest farming environments on Earth, into zones of opportunity.

In India’s Bundelkhand region, stretching across southern Uttar Pradesh and northern Madhya Pradesh our science-led watershed interventions have turned what were once parched and deserted wastelands into thriving, water-abundant croplands.

In Niger, climate-resilient seed systems are now transforming uncertainty into productivity. From drought-tolerant sorghum and pearl millet to digital tools that guide farmers on planting and water management, science is helping people stay and thrive where they are.

These few examples show that solutions exist. What is missing is scale and that requires more sustained investment.

Developed nations have both the capacity and the self-interest to act. Supporting food systems in the Global South should also be seen as insurance against instability.

A world where millions are forced to move in search of food and water will be a world without stability anywhere.

FAO’s 2025 World Food Day theme, “Hand in Hand for Better Food and a Better Future”, captures what this moment demands, a deeper investment in science that make a real difference, and genuine partnership.

Across the Global South, collaboration is already strengthening through the ICRISAT Center of Excellence for South-South Cooperation in Agriculture as nations share knowledge, seeds, and strategies to build resilience together.

Yet the North, too, has a vital role to play in recognition that hunger and instability anywhere can threaten prosperity everywhere.

The future of food security, peace, and climate resilience must be built together.
As the climate crisis tightens its hold, the world must choose, act now to strengthen the foundations of food and farming, or face the growing cost of displacement and unrest.

This World Food Day let us remember that peace, like harvests, depends on what we sow today.

Dr Himanshu Pathak Director General, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT)

IPS UN Bureau

 

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Excerpt:

Dr Himanshu Pathak is Director General, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT)

‘Never again shall we allow Russia to manipulate Europe’s energy market,’ says French socialist MEP

Spokespersons for Parliament and for the political groups will hold a briefing on the 20 - 23 October plenary session, on Friday at 11.00 in Parliament’s Anna Politkovskaya press room.

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Spokespersons for Parliament and for the political groups will hold a briefing on the 20 - 23 October plenary session, on Friday at 11.00 in Parliament’s Anna Politkovskaya press room.

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Spokespersons for Parliament and for the political groups will hold a briefing on the 20 - 23 October plenary session, on Friday at 11.00 in Parliament’s Anna Politkovskaya press room.

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

The upcoming Grids Package is an opportunity to ensure the EU framework is adapted to a decentralised energy future. While the Grid Action Plan successfully delivered on its action points, challenges still need to be addressed to sufficiently support grids.

‘We need to move beyond the idea that smoking or unhealthy diets are solely matters of personal responsibility,’ Romana Jerković told Euractiv

Until now, Commission officials had declined to comment on how the €131 billion cash pot would be split between the defence and space sectors

The prosecution had asked for a sentence of six years and four months for the crime, which is punishable by up to 21 years in prison in Norway

Written by Clare Ferguson.

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and Sergey Tihanovski– recently freed after five years of imprisonment for his political views and his defence of democracy in Belarus – are due to make a formal address to Parliament on Wednesday. The European Parliament awards the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to individuals or organisations for their outstanding achievements in defending human rights and fundamental freedoms. Parliament has long supported Belarusians in their struggle against repression, calling for the immediate release of all political prisoners, and awarded the 2020 Sakharov Prize to the Belarusian democratic opposition, led by Tsikhanouskaya following her husband’s imprisonment. Belarusian political prisoner Andrzej Poczobut is on the shortlist of nominees for the prize in 2025, together with Mzia Amaglobeli from Georgia, another imprisoned journalist fighting for freedom. Following statements from the Council and Commission on Wednesday, Members are set to debate the situation in Belarus, where human rights have deteriorated since the fraudulent 2020 presidential elections.

In its role of EU budgetary authority, Parliament is due on Wednesday to debate amending the Council’s position on the draft EU budget for 2026. The EU borrowed heavily to support European citizens and businesses recover from the effects of the COVID‑19 pandemic, and now needs to finance the repayments for the Next Generation EU instrument. At the same time, funding is urgently needed for the EU’s new competitiveness, research and defence priorities. The Committee on Budgets (BUDG) proposes to increase the 2026 budget for these priorities, rather than transferring expenditure for such flagship programmes to financing the loans. The vote on the file will set Parliament’s position for the next step in the procedure, which will be the convening of the Conciliation Committee.

In its role in ensuring the EU budget is spent according to the rules, Parliament postponed its decision on granting budget discharge to the European Council and the Council, criticising the Council’s continued refusal to cooperate. After reviewing the situation, Parliament’s Committee on Budgetary Control (CONT) recommends Parliament again refuses to grant discharge for 2023, with the vote set for  Wednesday. Parliament has already granted discharge to all decentralised agencies, bodies and joint undertakings for 2023 – except for the EU Asylum Agency (EUAA). On Wednesday, Members are due to to reconsider granting discharge, based on a CONT proposal, and to vote on a resolution criticising delays and obstruction at the EUAA regarding financial and general management, as well as raising concern about accountability at the agency.

In advance of the COP30 climate change conference in Brazil, Parliament’s Committee on Environment, Climate and Food Safety (ENVI) has tabled a motion for a resolution on Wednesday. The committee urges the parties to reaffirm their commitment to limit global warming to 1.5°C and a maximum of 2°C. To maintain this ambition, ENVI also recommends more frequent stocktakes and submissions on nationally determined contributions (NDCs). The committee highlights the need to tackle debt crises and simplify access to climate finance for climate-vulnerable countries. It also regrets that the Council failed to agree an EU NDC before the deadline set by the United Nations.

Parliament will also focus on measures to protect the environment nearer to home on Tuesday. Members are first expected to adopt Parliament’s position for interinstitutional negotiations on a proposed forest monitoring law and to renew the standing EU expert group on forests and forestry. Under the joint committee procedure, Parliament’s ENVI and Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) Committees voted to reject the proposed increased monitoring of forests and forestry activity, on the grounds that it duplicates existing systems and would increase red tape. However, the committees support the continuation of the expert group but would nevertheless clarify its role.

Healthy soils are the basis of most agricultural production, as well as providing carbon storage, yet EU soils are in poor condition. On Thursday, Members are scheduled to consider an agreement reached by the co-legislators on a proposed soil monitoring law that should ensure the good health of this essential element for life in the EU. The new law would allow EU countries to support those who work on the land, with flexibility to take account of local conditions. It also addresses contamination, notably pollutants such as pesticides and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and requests a public register of contaminated sites within 10 years.

Meanwhile, microplastic pollution has reached much of our environment, from the sea to our own bodies. On Thursday, Parliament is set to consider an agreement reached between the co-legislators on proposed action to halt the loss of plastic pellets that contribute to this pollution, especially at sea. The pellets are used to manufacture plastic products and are often released into the environment during transport or industrial processes. Parliament’s negotiators have succeeded in imposing pictograms and warning statements when handling plastic pellets, and the agreement sets penalties for endangering people’s health.

At present, if someone commits a serious driving offence in an EU country, only the country that issued their licence can disqualify them from driving. To reduce such impunity and reckless driving in the EU, Members are due on Tuesday to consider a provisional agreement on EU-wide enforcement of driving disqualifications. The text aims at disqualifying drivers across the EU for drink-driving, speeding, drug-impaired driving, and conduct causing death or serious injury, with the provisions to be integrated into the Driving Licences Directive. As this directive is due for revision, to bring it up to date with today’s goals and technology, Members are also scheduled to vote on Tuesday on a provisional agreement endorsed by the Transport and Tourism committee. The new law would enable digital driving licences and an EU-wide accompanied driving scheme for young drivers. All professional drivers will have to undergo a medical check to obtain or renew a licence, but EU governments will decide for other drivers.

On Tuesday, Members are due to consider a provisional agreement reached with the Council on additional procedural rules for treating cross-border enforcement of the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The text agreed by the Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) negotiators retains the proposed early-scoping exercise to speed consensus between supervisory authorities on cross-border GDPR cases, and new rules on hearing parties to the procedure. To settle issues quickly, an early resolution procedure and a simple cooperation procedure have also been introduced.

Turning to their own house on Tuesday, Members are due to debate a provisional agreement with the Council of the EU on revising the rules regarding the statute and funding of European political parties and European political foundations. Lengthy negotiations have resulted in a text, endorsed by Parliament’s Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO) that reinforces safeguards against foreign interference and ensures financial stability, aimed at improving transparency and visibility.

Quick links to all our publications for this plenary session:

• The situation in Belarus five years after the fraudulent presidential elections
• Parliament’s reading of the 2026 EU budget
• Discharge for the 2023 budget: European Council and Council
• Discharge for 2023 budget: EU Asylum Agency
• COP30 climate change conference in Brazil
• European forests
• Soil monitoring and resilience
• Microplastic pollution from plastic pellet losses
• Union-wide effect of driving disqualifications
• Revision of the Driving Licences Directive
• New GDPR procedural rules for cross-border cases
• Recasting the rules applicable to European political parties and foundations

The goal is to beef up countries' capabilities to protect their space assets, including satellites powering comms, observation, and navigation

Unions have staged two general strikes against the reform this month, with thousands of workers protesting against a measure

Newsletter - 20-23 October 2025 - Strasbourg plenary session

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Draft legislation adopted on Thursday seeks to protect the Union’s interests from the weaponisation of energy supplies by the Russian Federation.
Committee on International Trade
Committee on Industry, Research and Energy

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Draft legislation adopted on Thursday seeks to protect the Union’s interests from the weaponisation of energy supplies by the Russian Federation.
Committee on International Trade
Committee on Industry, Research and Energy

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

The award ceremony will take place at 18.00, on Tuesday 21 October 2025, at the European Parliament in Strasbourg (Daphne Caruana Galizia Press Room).

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP