European Union

The latest investigative report by EURACTIV Bulgaria journalist Valia Ahchieva has exposed fraud in the use of EU agricultural funds in the country, part of a widespread criminal scheme which she has flagged to the attention of the European Public Prosecutor Laura Kövesi.

The European Parliament has created a "Daphne Caruana Galizia prize" for what the Green group called "outstanding journalism revolving around the principles and values of the European Union". The €20,000 annual prize will be awarded by a panel of independent journalists, for the first time in October 2021. It honours a Maltese investigative journalist who was murdered in 2017 and whose killers have still not been brought to justice.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky will meet top EU officials in Brussels on Tuesday in the first physical bilateral summit in the EU capital since the pandemic began. They will discuss the conflict with Russia in east Ukraine, amid ongoing ceasefire violations, as well as the "state of reforms" in Kiev, amid EU concern over backsliding on anti-corruption reforms, despite Ukraine's ambition to one day join the European club.

The EU has bought 15 surveillance drones for Belarusian authorities, prompting alarm they could be used against pro-democracy protesters.

Ireland's coalition leaders met public health officials on Monday to discuss their recommendation for an effective national lockdown for four weeks, which they believe is the "only opportunity" to get infection rates "back under control". However, the Irish government ruled out moving the country to Level 5 coronavirus risk, the Irish Times reported. Level 5 would also mean that only essential shops would be open.

Video and photos on social media showing dead octopuses, seals and other inert sea life revealed what seems to be a major marine pollution incident in Russia's far east Kamchatka peninsula, the BBC reported on Monday. The environmental NGO Greenpeace called it "an ecological disaster" as preliminary analysis have detected oil products and phenol in the water. Meanwhile, locals have complained of vomiting, fever, rashes and swollen eyelids after swimming.

The new Commission Climate Plan increases uncertainties and gives us a rude awakening on carbon removal, writes Mark Preston.

The parliament wants €38.5bn extra for key programmes, which is less than their previous request of around €100bn. Negotiations continue on Thursday, but the budget and recovery could still get stuck on the rule-of-law issue.

The European Commission said on Monday that to date it has had 159 cases employees testing positive for Covid-19. "Up to this morning, we have had 159 positive cases within the European Commission staff," said a EU commission spokesperson. The announcement follows the self-imposed quarantine of European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, who has tested negative after meeting an infected person last week at a meeting in Lisbon.

The European Court of Justice is due to decide whether the Belgian data protection watchdog can pursue legal action against Facebook - after the social media network was found guilty of breaching Belgian privacy legislation some five years ago.

On current progress, closing the gender pay-gap in France will take over 1,000 years, according to new research by the Brussels-based European Trade Union Confederation.

As president of a news organisation operating across Eurasia, I witnessed the reality of non-independent media in central Asia or in Vladimir Putin's Russia. Yet this trend is now becoming more commonplace in parts of the European Union.

Chances are you have never heard of nonwovens before, but you are surrounded by them at this very moment; in the seat underneath you, the suit you’re wearing, as part of the insulation or roofing of your home or workplace,...

MEPs stressed that Council’s recent proposals did not go far enough to create a practical instrument linking the EU’s funds to the respect of rule of law.
Committee on Budgets
Committee on Budgetary Control

Source : © European Union, 2020 - EP

MEPs stressed that Council’s recent proposals did not go far enough to create a practical instrument linking the EU’s funds to the respect of rule of law.
Committee on Budgets
Committee on Budgetary Control

Source : © European Union, 2020 - EP

Facebook and Belgium’s privacy watchdog sparred on Monday at Europe’s top court over which data protection authority has the power to police the U.S. social media giant in a case that could escalate its privacy fights across the EU.

COVID-19 has put strains on all sectors of the economy, but while short-term work schemes and social safety nets have prevented crisis levels of unemployment throughout Europe,  the pandemic's impacts have not been distributed evenly.

From 9.15, MEPs are to assess the results of the special European Council meeting, in particular on escalating tensions between Turkey and its EU neighbours.

Source : © European Union, 2020 - EP

From 9.15, MEPs are to assess the results of the special European Council meeting, in particular on escalating tensions between Turkey and its EU neighbours.

Source : © European Union, 2020 - EP

President Sassoli expressed condolences to the families of the victims of Storm Alex, at the opening of the 5-8 October part session in Brussels.

Source : © European Union, 2020 - EP