The European Commission has announced its initial €1.9 billion humanitarian aid budget for 2026, at a time when 239 million people need assistance and major donors are cutting funding. Commissioner for equality, preparedness and crisis management, Hadja Lahbib, brings this commitment to Davos today, seeking to mobilise private sector finance and innovative solutions that can complement public funding and […]
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MEPs propose new legal framework for innovative companies
A single set of pan European harmonised rules should deepen the single market and boost cross-border investment. With 492 votes in favour, 144 against and 28 abstentions, MEPs adopted a series of recommendations on Tuesday that will feed into the Commission proposal for a new legal framework supporting companies in the EU that is expected […]
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The European Commission announces the members of the third Platform on Sustainable Finance
The European Commission has published the list of members for the third term of the Platform on Sustainable Finance. The Platform will advise the Commission on issues related to the EU taxonomy and the EU sustainable finance framework in general. Following a call for applications in July 2025, the Commission appointed 28 members and 16 […]
Read MoreEU measures to tackle shortages of essential medicines
Investment to boost production capacity in Europe and increase autonomy “Buy European” to support production Promoting joint public procurement between Member States Drug shortages are often due to production difficulties The regulation will cover antibiotics, insulin, vaccines and medicines for chronic diseases Parliament adopted proposals to improve the availability and supply of essential medicines in […]
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Commission seeks feedback on the Ocean Observation Initiative
The European Commission has launched a call for evidence to shape the European Ocean Observation Initiative, one of the cornerstones of the European Ocean Pact. The initiative will improve access to actionable marine knowledge for everyone who relies on the ocean and make Europe a global leader in ocean observation and the development of related technologies. […]
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EU tourism nights at record 3.08 billion in 2025
In 2025, the estimated number of nights spent at tourist accommodation establishments in the EU reached 3.08 billion, exceeding the previous year by 61.5 million, or 2%. The growth in tourism nights was mainly driven by an increase in nights spent by international guests (+46.1 million), while the nights spent by domestic guests saw growth at a slower pace (+15.4 million). […]
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High Seas Treaty enters into force: A milestone for ocean conservation
The High Seas Treaty, formally known as the Agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), enters into force on 17 January 2026. The European Union and its Member States are celebrating this significant milestone in ocean conservation and sustainable use of Ocean. This landmark agreement provides a framework for the common governance of about half of our planet’s surface and 95% […]
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Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad: Council prolongs restrictive measures for another year
The Council last January 16 decided to extend by one year, until 20 January 2027, the existing restrictive measures against those who support, facilitate or enable violent actions by Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ). Those designated are subject to an asset freeze and EU citizens and companies are prohibited from making funds available to them. Individuals […]
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Council paves the way for creation of AI gigafactories
On 16 January, the Council adopted an amendment to the Regulation governing the activities of the European High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking (EuroHPC Joint Undertaking), extending its objectives to facilitate the creation of artificial intelligence (AI) gigafactories in Europe and to include a specific pillar on quantum technologies. The amended Regulation enables the development and […]
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