The European Commission has launched a public consultation inviting all interested parties to comment on draft targeted amendments to the rules on small amounts of aid to the agricultural sector (‘Agricultural de minimis Regulation‘). All interested parties can respond to the public consultation until 21 July 2024. The proposed amendment The Agricultural de minimis Regulation exempts small amounts from State […]
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European Central Bank lowers interest rates by 25 basis points
The Governing Council today decided to lower the three key ECB interest rates by 25 basis points. Based on an updated assessment of the inflation outlook, the dynamics of underlying inflation and the strength of monetary policy transmission, it is now appropriate to moderate the degree of monetary policy restriction after nine months of holding […]
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CJEU Judgment: the Court upholds the Commission’s decision authorising the solvency support fund for strategic Spanish undertakings
Ryanair had challenged that decision, relating to an aid scheme amounting to €10 billion. In July 2020, Spain notified the European Commission of an aid scheme to set up a solvency support fund. The beneficiaries were (non-financial) strategic Spanish undertakings experiencing temporary difficulties as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. That aid scheme provided for […]
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Is the clock ticking on AI?
Renowned AI experts call on world governments and tech giants to take action now on AI risks. “Probably none of us will have a job,” Elon Musk stated about AI when speaking remotely at a leading tech conference in Paris on 23 May. The billionaire hasn’t been shy about referring to AI as his biggest […]
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EU fully supports Biden’s three-phase Gaza plan
The European Union gives its full support to the comprehensive roadmap presented by President Biden, that would lead to an enduring ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all hostages and a surge of humanitarian assistance to Gaza. The EU appreciates the determined efforts by the US, Egypt and Qatar in facilitating negotiations to bring an […]
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CJEU Judgment: McDonald’s loses the EU trade mark Big Mac in respect of poultry products
The General Court holds that McDonald’s has not proved genuine use within a continuous period of five years in the European Union in connection with certain goods and services. Supermac’s and McDonald’s, an Irish and American fast-food chain respectively, are involved in a dispute regarding the EU trade mark Big Mac. That trade mark had […]
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European elections: EU institutions prepared to counter disinformation
The EU institutions are playing their part to defend the European elections on 6-9 June against disinformation and information manipulation targeting European democracy. The European elections are a flagship of European democracy. As documented by e.g. the European Digital Media Observatory, disinformation actors from inside and outside the EU seek to undermine the integrity of the […]
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Life+ Nature Guardians’ project from Spain and Portugal receives LIFE 2024 Citizen Award
During EU Green Week, the Commission announced the winners of this year’s LIFE Awards. The LIFE Awards recognise the most innovative, inspiring and effective projects funded by the EU’s LIFE Programme in three categories: nature protection, circular economy and quality of life, and climate action. Selected from LIFE projects across the EU, this year’s winners […]
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Eurostat: do you know in which EU country people work the longest hours?
In 2023, the actual weekly working hours for people aged 20-64 in their main job, in the EU, averaged 36.1 hours. A closer look at EU countries reveals notable differences. The longest working weeks were recorded in Greece (39.8 hours), Romania (39.5), Poland (39.3) and Bulgaria (39.0). By contrast, the Netherlands had the shortest working […]
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