The European Commission has issued informal guidance on the compatibility with EU competition rules of a sustainability agreement for the joint purchasing and the setting of technical specifications for electric container-handling equipment used in ports. This would accelerate the shift from diesel to electric equipment in EU ports, contributing to reducing CO2 emissions. This informal guidance […]
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Parliament condemns Russia’s brutal attacks on Ukrainian civilians
In a resolution, MEPs strongly condemn Russia’s ongoing war crimes in Ukraine, expressing firm support for the investigations of the International Criminal Court. The text, approved on Wednesday by 507 votes in favour, 77 against, and with 45 abstentions, states that Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which was launched in February 2022, has shattered peace […]
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EU sets new methodology to clarify rules for low-carbon hydrogen and fuels
Last July 8, the European Commission reaffirms its commitment to supporting the development of a hydrogen market by introducing a comprehensive greenhouse gas emission methodology for low-carbon hydrogen and fuels, as set out in the Hydrogen and Gas Market Directive. This methodology complements the existing ones on renewable hydrogen and renewable fuels of non-biological origin (RFNBOs), completing […]
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EU strengthens crisis readiness and health security
The European Commission launched last July 9 two initiatives under its Preparedness Union agenda: an EU Stockpiling Strategy and a Medical Countermeasures Strategy. Both are designed to improve access to essential goods for European citizens and societies, businesses and economies – ensuring continuity of essential goods and lifesaving medical supplies at all times, in particular during crises such as […]
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Commission registers European Citizens’ Initiative on the right to food
Last July 8, the European Commission registered the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) entitled ‘Food is a Human Right for All! Guaranteeing healthy, just and sustainable food systems’. This initiative calls ‘on the EU to make the right to food a reality’ and integrate it into the EU legal framework. The organisers consider that the ‘EU […]
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28 ‘Ndrangheta associates arrested for drug trafficking and violence
Europol has supported Italian law enforcement in dealing a heavy blow to the ‘Ndrangheta criminal organisation. In an action day conducted on 8 July 2025 across Italy, Spain and Albania, special intervention teams have arrested 28 suspected criminals of Italian and Albanian nationality. Among the individuals taken into custody is an Italian national from the […]
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New EU rules to make the automotive sector more sustainable
On Monday, the Environment and Internal Market Committees adopted their proposals on new EU rules to cover the entire vehicle lifecycle, from design to final end-of-life treatment. The regulation would apply to cars and vans one year after its entry into force (five years for buses, heavy-duty vehicles, trailers, motorcycles, quads, mopeds and minicars). There […]
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Commission proposes €23 billion payment to Spain under NextGenerationEU
Last July 7, the Commission positively assessed Spain’s fifth payment request for 23 billion under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), the centrepiece of NextGenerationEU. This assessment is a significant step towards the disbursement of EU funds to support Spain’s economic growth and resilience efforts. The Commission found that Spain delivered reforms and investments that will benefit citizens and businesses, focusing […]
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House prices and rents continue to rise in early 2025
In the first quarter of 2025, house prices in the EU rose by 5.7%, while rents increased by 3.2% compared with the same quarter of 2024. Compared with the fourth quarter of 2024, house prices increased by 1.4% and rents by 0.9%. Between 2010 and the first quarter of 2025, house prices in the EU increased by […]
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