From 12 to 14 January, the European Commission is hosting a meeting ofthe Global Health Security Initiative (an informal network of G7 countries and organisations) in Brussels, with the aim of strengthening public health preparedness and addressing new global health risks. The meeting will discuss new and emerging health threats, as well as the group’s […]
34 arrests in Spain during action against the ‘Black Axe’ criminal organisation
The Spanish National Police (Policía Nacional), in close cooperation with the Bavarian State Criminal Police Office (Bayerisches Landeskriminalamt) and with the support of Europol, has conducted an operation against the international criminal organisation ‘Black Axe’. The action resulted in 34 arrests and significant disruptions to the group’s activities. Black Axe is a highly structured, hierarchical […]
Internships – Vulcanus in Japan
The programme consists of industrial placements for EU/SMP-COSME students. It starts in August and ends in March of the following year (8 months) in order to accommodate the academic year in EU Member States. This programme aims to improve and stimulate industrial co-operation and better mutual understanding between Japan and the EU. The students follow: […]
Commission proposes to support dismissed workers in the car industry in Belgium
The European Commission has proposed to mobilise €7.5 million from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers (EGF) to help 3,414 workers dismissed after the closure of carmaker Audi’s plant in Brussels. In February 2025, Audi stopped producing the Q8 e-tron car model in Brussels and closed its plant. As a consequence, several suppliers of Audi […]
EU and Jordan deepen partnership with first-ever Summit
Last January 8, the EU and Jordan are marking a key milestone in their long-standing relationship with a first-ever bilateral Summit. The EU was represented by President von der Leyen and President Costa, and Jordan by His Majesty King Abdullah II. The leaders took stock of the implementation of the EU-Jordan Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership (SCP) […]
Internships – EU Delegations’ Traineeships
The European External Action Service (EEAS) is the European Union’s diplomatic service. It helps the EU’s foreign affairs chief, the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, to carry out the Union’s Common Foreign and Security Policy. Who can apply Traineeships are offered under 4 different pillars: funded traineeship for young graduates with less than one year […]
New measures to boost circular economy and strengthen Europe’s plastic recycling
The European Commission has unveiled a first set of pilot actions to accelerate Europe’s transition to a circular economy, with a particular focus on the plastics sector. By optimising the recycling of plastics, these measures will further unlock the potential of the Single Market and enhance the EU’s economic security, strategic autonomy, competitiveness and environmental sustainability. This […]
EU agriculture ministers meet to focus on securing EU food security and sovereignty
Last January 7, EU agricultural ministers met in an extraordinary meeting, on the invitation of the European Commission and Minister Maria Panayiotou for the Cypriot Presidency of the Council. The Commission was represented at this meeting by Commissioners Hansen, Šefčovič and Várhelyi. Recognising that agriculture is crucial for European sovereignty and that the EU agri-food sector is key […]
Commission registers European Citizens’ Initiative on ‘Ethics, Transparency and Integrity for European Political Parties’
Last January 5, the European Commission has registered a European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI), entitled ‘Ethics, Transparency and Integrity for European Political Parties’. The initiative invites the Commission to “devise a European model of ethical governance based on transparency, integrity and shared responsibility”. To this end, the organisers call for the Commission to “propose a legislative […]