With the active support of Europol’s European Counter Terrorism Centre, the Spanish National Police (Policía Nacional) has arrested in Barcelona and Madrid five suspected members of an Islamic State cell. The suspects – all Algerian nationals, are believed to have been preparing a terrorist attack. The police swooped on the members of this terrorist cell after […]
Read MoreMeet the 2021 Nobel Prize Laureates
We look back at the Nobel Prize winners in 2021. In this 2021 edition, we have six Europeans among the winners: Germany’s Klaus Hasselmann and Italy’s Giorgio Parisi in Physics; Germany’s Benjamin List and Britain’s David W.C. MacMillan in Chemistry; Russia’s Dmitry Muratov who has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize; and the Netherlands’ Guido […]
Read MoreSMEs weight in EU’s international trade in goods
In 2019, 99% of importing enterprises in total trade (intra-EU and extra-EU) were small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), while this share was only slightly lower for exporting enterprises (98%). For both importing and exporting enterprises, this value remained almost unchanged between 2015 and 2019. Micro enterprises represented the highest share of importing enterprises (77%), significantly higher than […]
Read MoreReport hate crime, support victims
Significant barriers to reporting hate crime across the EU hinder victims’ access to protection and justice, finds a new report of the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA). Many victims do not report attacks, as it is too difficult or they do not trust the police. FRA calls on EU countries to encourage hate crime […]
Read MoreUse of artificial intelligence by the police: MEPs oppose mass surveillance
To combat discrimination and ensure the right to privacy, MEPs demand strong safeguards when artificial intelligence tools are used in law enforcement. In a resolution adopted by 377 in favour, 248 against and 62 abstentions, MEPs point to the risk of algorithmic bias in AI applications and emphasise that human supervision and strong legal powers […]
Read MoreEconomic costs of heatwaves to increase five-fold by 2060
Scientists calculate that heatwaves, due to their impact on human productivity, are causing significant damage to Europe’s economy. New estimates show that the negative impact is set to increase sharply in the next decades. The number of days with extreme heat doubled in Europe between 1960 and 2017. Climate change projections estimate that heatwaves will […]
Read MoreNew online tool to support teacher digital skills
On World Teachers Day, the European Commission is launching an online tool to help teachers to review and get feedback on how they are currently using digital tools and technologies. The tool, ‘SELFIEforTEACHERS’ is designed to support primary and secondary teachers to understand their current situation regarding how they use digital technology in their work. […]
Read MoreFirst ever EU strategy to combat antisemitism
Commission presents first-ever EU Strategy on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life Today, the European Commission is presenting the first-ever EU Strategy on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life. With antisemitism worryingly on the rise, in Europe and beyond, the Strategy sets out a series of measures articulated around three pillars: to prevent all forms of […]
Read MoreUrgent measures needed to protect victims of partner violence in custody battles
Protecting women and children from violence paramount when establishing custody and visitation rights Alarming number of femicides and infanticides after gender-based violence is reported Victims need access to legal protection, financial support and emergency accommodation MEPs say child custody disputes constitute a form of gender-based violence when used by violent partners to continue to harm […]
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