The great cultural and gastronomic wealth of European cities and towns attracts, every year, a multitude of tourists, both from inside and outside the European Union. We analyze the data on tourism in the EU in recent years. Europe has a lot of great places to travel and explore. The great cultural and gastronomic richness […]
Foreign language learning increases among EU students
The majority of pupils in primary and secondary education in the EU study at least one foreign language: in 2021, this consisted of 86.3% of pupils in primary education, 98.5% of students in lower secondary and 91.0% in upper secondary education. In 2021, 61.0% of students in upper secondary general education (ISCED level 34) studied […]
EU calls for greater market access and fair competition at EU-China High-Level Dialogue
European Commission Executive Vice-President, Valdis Dombrovskis, and Vice Premier of the State Council, He Lifeng, co-chaired today the 10th EU-China High-level Economic and Trade Dialogue (HED). The HED is the main platform for the EU and China to discuss economic and financial matters, as well as trade and investment cooperation. Specifically, the two sides discussed […]
Up to €1.7bn of EIB finance for new solar power plants in Spain, Italy and Portugal
The European Investment Bank (EIB) has approved framework financing of up to €1.7 billion for Solaria to support the construction of some 120 photovoltaic power plants. Mostly located in Spain, as well as Italy and Portugal, they will have a total capacity of approximately 5.6 GW and will produce an estimated 9.29 TWh a year. […]
Commission re-imposes €376.36 million fine on Intel for anticompetitive practices in the market for computer chips
The European Commission has re-imposed a fine of around €376.36 million on Intel for a previously established abuse of dominant position in the market for computer chips called x86 central processing units (‘CPUs’). Intel engaged in a series of anticompetitive practices aimed at excluding competitors from the relevant market in breach of EU antitrust rules. […]
According to the European Environment Agency, more action needed to reduce effects of chemical pesticides in the EU
The widespread use of pesticides is a major source of water, soil and air pollution, leading to loss of biodiversity and promoting pest resistance. Human exposure to chemical pesticides is linked to chronic diseases such as cancer, heart, respiratory and neurological diseases. The EEA’s new information note How pesticides impact human health and ecosystems in […]
European Chips Act enters into force
the European Chips Act enters into force. It puts in place a comprehensive set of measures to ensure the EU’s security of supply, resilience and technological leadership in semiconductor technologies and applications. Semiconductors are the essential building blocks of digital and digitised products. From smartphones and cars, through critical applications and infrastructures for healthcare, energy, defence, communications […]
Sakharov Prize 2023: the nominees
The nominees for the 2023 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought – the European Parliament’s human rights prize – have been announced. Each year Parliament awards the Sakharov Prize to honour exceptional individuals and organisations defending human rights and fundamental freedoms. In 2022, the winners were the brave people of Ukraine, represented by their president, […]
EU releases €140 million to support the Afghan people, in particular women and girls
The European Union has agreed to release €140 million of basic needs and livelihoods assistance in the fields of education, health, agriculture and women’s economic empowerment in Afghanistan. The decision to release funds, previously frozen since December 2022 in response to the Taliban’s decision to ban women from working in NGOs, comes after six months […]