MEPs urge the Commission to secure fertiliser supplies, take measures to lower prices and increase the EU’s strategic autonomy on fertilisers. Parliament calls for a long-term EU strategy for fertilisers and another for soil nutrients by June 2023, in a resolution adopted by show of hands on Thursday. Russian gas, used in fertiliser production, contributes […]
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MEPs back deploying new EU satellites to protect government communications
A €2.4 billion budget will enable the EU to set up the new Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite (IRIS²); Europe’s first multi-orbital satellite constellation. The new satellites will provide a secure communications infrastructure for EU government bodies and agencies, emergency services and European delegations around the world. The scheme will ensure the […]
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EIB lends Zunder €40 million to accelerate the electrification of transport in Spain
The European Investment Bank (EIB) and Zunder, an operator of independent electric vehicle (EV) ultrafast charging infrastructure in Spain, have signed a EUR 40 million loan to finance the installation of a network of fast and ultrafast chargers along the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) in Spain. The project complies with the EU’s sustainable transport and […]
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European Commission announces €11 million in humanitarian aid to Central America and Mexico
The Commission has announced today €11 million in humanitarian aid for Central America and Mexico on the occasion of the “High-level Solidarity Roundtable in support of the 2023 Northern Central America Humanitarian Response Plans”, which took place in Geneva. The funding will focus on: €3.5 million will support the addressing of the humanitarian consequences of […]
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Violence against women: European Parliament insists on ratification of the Istanbul Convention
The European Union must ratify the Convention on preventing and combating gender-based violence from 2021, according to a European Court of Justice ruling, Parliament insists. In a resolution adopted by 469 votes in favour, 104 against and 55 abstentions, the plenary stressed that the Istanbul Convention remains the international standard and the key instrument […]
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European Parliament approves end of combustion cars by 2035
On Tuesday, Parliament set new targets for reducing CO2 emissions for new passenger cars and light commercial vehicles, which is part of the “Target 55” package of measures. The European Parliament voted by 340 in favour, 279 against with 21 abstentions to approve a deal with the Council that will revise CO2 standards for new […]
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European Chips Act: the EU’s response to the semiconductor shortage
In a world facing a crisis due to lack of semiconductors, the European Chips Act aims to secure the EU’s supply by boosting domestic production. Since late 2020, there has been an unprecedented shortage of semiconductors around the globe. The semiconductor supply chain is very complex and vulnerable to events such as the Covid-19 outbreak. […]
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European Commission proposes tougher CO2 emission standards for trucks and buses
The European Commission has presented ambitious new CO2 emission targets for new heavy duty vehicles from 2030. These targets will help reduce CO2 emissions in the transport sector, as trucks, city buses and long-distance buses generate more than 6% of the EU’s total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and more than 25% of greenhouse gas emissions […]
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Member States update EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes
On 14 February 2023, EU Member States agreed on the latest update the EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes. Following the update, Annex I of the EU list is made up of 16 jurisdictions due to their lack of commitment to improve their tax good governance or due to the lack of progress […]
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