David Sassoli called on EU leaders to deliver on promises on the travel certificate and tackle inequality in the recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. The President of the European Parliament made the plea at the start of the European Council on 24 June. He told the heads of state and government there was the prospect […]
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New VAT rules for e-commerce in the EU
New value added tax (VAT) rules for online shopping came into force this week. This development comes in the context of efforts to ensure a more level playing field for all businesses, simplify cross-border e-commerce and introduce greater transparency for EU shoppers in terms of prices and choice. The EU VAT system was last updated […]
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Unique exoplanet photobombs Cheops study of nearby star system
While exploring two exoplanets in a bright nearby star system, ESA’s exoplanet-hunting Cheops satellite has unexpectedly spotted the system’s third known planet crossing the face of the star. This transit reveals exciting details about a rare planet “with no known equivalent”, say the researchers. The discovery is one of the first results from ESA’s Cheops (CHaracterising […]
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EU Guidelines for the Cultural and Creative Sectors
The Commission today published EU guidelines to ensure that activities in the cultural and creative sectors are safely resumed across the EU. Now that the epidemiological situation is improving and vaccination campaigns are going faster and faster, Member States are gradually reopening cultural venues and activities. The aim of the guidelines published today is to […]
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New R&D project to focus on interoperability standards for unmanned systems
The implementation of INTERACT (‘Interoperability Standards for Unmanned Armed Forces Systems’), a project selected under the 2019 call for proposals for the EU Preparatory Action on Defence Research (PADR) managed by EDA, was officially launched at an online kick-off meeting on 21 June 2021. The aim of this 1.5 M€ project, financed by the European Commission, is […]
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Universal access to sexual and reproductive health
EU countries should ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health. MEPs urge member states to protect and further enhance women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights in a report adopted on Thursday. With 378 votes in favour, 255 against and 42 abstentions, plenary states that the right to health, in particular sexual and reproductive […]
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Average car emissions kept increasing in 2019, final data show
Average emissions from new passenger cars in Europe increased for the third consecutive year in 2019, reaching 122.3 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometre (g CO2/km), according to the European Environment Agency’s (EEA) final data. Data about newly registered vans show a stable trend. New EEA data set baseline for emission reductions in heavy-duty vehicles. The EEA […]
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EUROPEAN AGENDA: Education and Culture
The European Union, through its various institutions and agencies, continues to propose support measures in the field of culture and education, focusing on the well-being of Europeans and increased educational opportunities throughout the Member states. These days the focus has been on digitalization and the budget for education and culture. To this effect, we […]
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“The Hungarian bill is a shame”, Von der Leyen
Statement by European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, on the new Hungarian bill that discriminates against people based on their sexual orientation: This Hungarian bill is a shame. I have instructed the responsible commissioners to send a letter to express our legal concerns before the bill enters into force. This bill clearly discriminates against […]
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