The European Commission has launched the Semiconductor Alert System, a new pilot system to monitor the semiconductor supply chain. The pilot allows stakeholders to raise awareness on any critical disruption along the semiconductors’ value chain and helps the Commission to gather information needed to establish a precise assessment of risks and to quickly react to any potential crisis situation via the European […]
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The General Court of the European Union annuls Germany’s €6 billion bailout of Lufthansa
The Commission committed several errors, in particular, by considering that Lufthansa was unable to obtain financing on the markets for the entirety of its needs, by failing to require a mechanism incentivising Lufthansa to buy back Germany’s shareholding as quickly as possible, by denying that Lufthansa held significant market power at certain airports, and by […]
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European Parliament gives green light to EU accession to Istanbul Convention
On Wednesday, Parliament approved the EU’s accession to the Convention on preventing and combating violence against women. Six years after the EU signed the Istanbul Convention – the first legally binding international instrument on preventing and combating violence against women and girls – it has still not been ratified because of the refusal of […]
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EU is one step closer to first Artificial Intelligence rules
To ensure a human-centric and ethical development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Europe, MEPs endorsed new transparency and risk-management rules for AI systems. On Thursday, the Internal Market Committee and the Civil Liberties Committee adopted a draft negotiating mandate on the first ever rules for Artificial Intelligence with 84 votes in favour, 7 against and […]
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European Commission raises EUR 9 billion in new issue for recovery fund and Ukraine
The sixth syndicated transaction for 2023 by the European Commission, which issues EU-Bonds on behalf of the EU, raised €9 billion today in a dual-tranche deal. Two tranches were included in it: a new 3-year line with a due date of October 5, 2026, for which €5 billion were issued, and a tap of a […]
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The European Parliament calls for better controls on the implementation of recovery funds, citing the case of Spain
On Wednesday, the European Parliament approved the implementation of the EU’s 2021 budget for most of the EU institutions, except the European Council. Most of the EU’s expenditure is managed by the European Commission, whose budgetary performance was approved by the European Parliament with 421 votes in favour, 151 against and 5 abstentions. In 2021, […]
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EU launches Humanitarian Air Bridge to provide essential supplies to Sudan
In view of the rising humanitarian needs due to the raging conflict in Sudan, the EU launched a Humanitarian Air Bridge transporting critical supplies to our humanitarian partners in Port Sudan. The 30 tonnes of essential items, including water, sanitation and hygiene as well as shelter equipment were transported from the warehouses of the United […]
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Twelve ways to prevent and counter violent extremism according to CORDIS
The EU was established with the aim to provide common ground, literally and metaphorically, for its members to thrive in a stable and secure environment, being ‘united in diversity.’ The emergence of violent extremism, populism and radicalisation undermines European cohesion, unsettling the Union’s foundations and fostering insecurity among its citizens. For some, different ideological traditions […]
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Secure, affordable and clean energy in times of crisis?
Europe is meeting an increasing share of its energy needs through renewable energy, but remains dependent on oil and gas. Given the rapid changes in energy prices, the focus on home heating this winter and the commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, there is a need to save energy, diversify its sources, accelerate the transition […]
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