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EU opens formal proceedings against TikTok under Digital Services Act

By Foo Yun Chee BRUSSELS, (Reuters) - The European Union will investigate whether ByteDance's TikTok breached online content rules aimed at protecting children and ensuring transparent advertising, an official said,…

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EU foreign ministers approve deployment of Red Sea naval mission

European Union foreign ministers have granted final approval for a naval mission aimed at safeguarding international shipping in the Red Sea area. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European…

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Germany seeks more EU sanctions against Russia over Navalny’s death

By Piotr Lipinski and Bart H. Meijer BRUSSELS, Feb 19 (Reuters) - Germany will propose new sanctions against Moscow over the death of jailed Russian activist Alexei Navalny, Foreign Minister…

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UPDATED: EU’s von der Leyen wins backing for second term from Germany

Germany's centre right CDU party nominates Ursula von der Leyen as EU election candidate Von der Leyen still needs pan-European centre-right umbrella group (EPP) backing EPP ahead in polls despite…

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EU foreign ministers approve the Aspides mission in the Red Sea

The EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels has approved the launch of the new EU Aspides operation to protect Red Sea shipping from attacks by Houthi rebels in Yemen, Italian…

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EU, UK announce joint effort on migration

The EU and the U.K. have completed talks ahead of a new blueprint to crack down on illegal migration. The two parties will release details of the new cooperation agreement,…

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European Commission outlines upcoming defence strategy proposal

By Julia Payne The European Commission will present a defence industrial strategy proposal in three weeks, commission president Ursula von der Leyen said, and will also open a defence innovation…

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EU privacy watchdogs urged to oppose Meta’s paid ad-free service

By Foo Yun Chee BRUSSELS, (Reuters) - Europe's privacy enforcers should oppose Meta Platforms' paid no-ads subscription service launched in Europe last November because it requires users to pay a…

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Google to launch anti-misinformation campaign ahead of EU elections

By Martin Coulter LONDON (Reuters) - Google is preparing to launch an anti-misinformation campaign across five countries in the European Union (EU), the company told Reuters ahead of the bloc's…

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Euro zone finance ministers eye stock exchange mergers, document shows

By Huw Jones LONDON, Feb 15 (Reuters) - The European Union should consider tackling barriers that prevent stock exchanges from merging to help deepen the bloc's capital market or risk…

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EU Commission cuts 2024 euro zone growth forecast, sees smaller inflation

By Jan Strupczewski BRUSSELS, Feb 15 (Reuters) - The euro zone economy will grow slower than expected this year after price growth eroded purchasing power and high ECB interest rates…

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How climate change affects Europe’s farmers

By Kate Abnett Farmers protesting across Europe have taken aim at EU environmental rules, which they say are adding to a pile of burdens on the sector, from low consumer…

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US, EU discuss Russia sanctions ahead of Ukraine war’s second anniversary

By Daphne Psaledakis and Gabriela Baczynska The U.S., EU and other partners discussed Russia sanctions at a meeting in Brussels this week ahead of the two year anniversary of the…

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EU mulls easing merger rules for telecoms, Big Tech to help pay network costs

EU regulators may ease their rules against mobile telecoms mergers and broaden telecoms rules to get Big Tech and others to help fund the rollout of 5G, according to a…

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EU to step up efforts for more carbon markets worldwide

The European Union will increase diplomatic efforts to help countries outside the bloc to launch carbon markets in the hope of fostering international trade of CO2 emissions, the bloc's climate…

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EU lawmakers back political deal on artificial intelligence rules

Two key committees of lawmakers at the European Parliament on Tuesday backed a provisional agreement on landmark artificial intelligence rules ahead of a vote by the legislative assembly in April.…

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All for one, one for all, Poland’s Tusk says in message to U.S

There is no alternative to the partnership between Europe, NATO and the United States for facing mounting security risks, Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on Monday, as fears grow…

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EU agrees on looser fiscal rules to cut debt, boost investments

By Foo Yun Chee EU member states and MEPs struck a preliminary deal on Saturday to ease the bloc's stringent fiscal rules, giving governments more time to reduce debt as…

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European Commission to open investigation into TikTok

(Reuters) - The European Commission will open an investigation into TikTok in the coming weeks over concerns that changes the firm made to comply with the bloc's Digital Services Act…

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EU countries back truck emissions law after German hold-up

By Kate Abnett and Markus Wacket European Union countries voted to pass a law to reduce emissions from trucks, after late demands by Germany had threatened to sink the policy.…

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Euro zone wage growth to peak early in 2024, path further ahead unclear -new ECB tracker

Euro zone wage growth is likely to peak early this year but the path further ahead remains uncertain, a new forecasting tool developed by the European Central Bank showed on…

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EU’s Vestager doubts if Big Tech will fully comply with landmark EU rules

EU antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager on Thursday voiced doubts as to whether Big Tech will fully comply with landmark EU rules aimed at reining in their power and ensure a…

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EU tells Hungary its ‘sovereignty’ law violates EU law

Feb 7 (Reuters) - The European Commission on Wednesday said it had told Hungary that its law on "protecting national sovereignty", which the ruling Fidesz party said was necessary to…

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EU: conditions to complete Mercosur trade deal not met yet

By Kate Abnett STRASBOURG, Feb 7 (Reuters) - The conditions that would allow the EU to conclude a trade agreement with the Mercosur group of South American countries have not…

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Czech government to evaluate merits of joining ‘euro waiting room’

PRAGUE, Feb 7 (Reuters) - The Czech government will evaluate the merits of joining the ERM II exchange rate mechanism, a currency flotation band that aspiring countries must spend two…

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Labour minister: Germany to abstain on EU supply chain law vote

Germany will abstain from a vote on a European law that aims to require large companies to take action if they find their supply chains employ child labour or damage…

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EU cautious on idea of using Russian frozen assets as collateral

By Jan Strupczewski Belgium has proposed to Group of Seven (G7) countries to use immobilised Russian central bank assets as collateral to raise debt for the reconstruction of Ukraine, but…

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EU seeks to agree key path towards green industry goals

European Union policymakers began final negotiations on Tuesday on new rules to promote local production of equipment for solar and wind power, fuel cells and other clean technologies and ensure…

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EU cautions against trade measures to support solar sector

The European Union needs to take into account its ambitious targets for solar power deployment before it considers any measures to curb imports of photovoltaic panels, wafers and other components, a…

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Portugal wants EU Recovery Fund to become permanent investment tool

The European Union must transform its pandemic recovery fund into a permanent instrument for structural investments to face competitiveness challenges that can only be overcome on an EU scale, Portugal's…

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Sources say no new import bans in next EU Russia sanctions package

By Julia Payne The European Commission will not add any new import bans in its next package of sanctions on Russia, EU diplomats said, as a 13th package proposal takes…

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Greens pick veteran MEP duo to lead EU campaign

The European Green Party chose two of its most prominent EU lawmakers to steer its campaign for the European Parliament election in June. German MEP Terry Reintke and Dutch MEP…

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EU concerned by “domino effect” of Israel-Hamas War

EU Foreign Affairs chief Josef Borrell calls for parties to help halt escalation of the conflict in the Middle East, and the EU is worried that Israel might extend the…

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EU agrees new push to repair, not replace, defective consumer goods

BRUSSELS, Feb 2 (Reuters) - Consumers will be given greater rights to have goods such as washing machines and smartphones repaired under new rules agreed by the European Union and…

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Orban to join Meloni’s group, ECR, after EP poll

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said his rightwing Fidesz party will join the Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group led by his friend and rightwing Brothers of Italy (FdI) party chief…

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France now backing EU AI rules, EU source says ahead of bloc endorsement

By Foo Yun Chee BRUSSELS, Feb 2 (Reuters) - France is now backing landmark European Union rules governing artificial intelligence subject to strict conditions, an EU diplomatic source said on…

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UPDATED: EU agrees $54 bln in new aid for Ukraine as Hungary falls in line

By Charlotte Van Campenhout, Andrew Gray and Andreas Rinke BRUSSELS, Feb 1 (Reuters) - European Union leaders unanimously agreed on Thursday to extend 50 billion euros ($54 billion) in new…

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UPDATED: Farmers’ anger spreads in Europe, governments promise help

Farmers descend on Brussels as EU summit takes place Greek farmers carrying coffin protest death of agriculture Roads between Spain and Portugal blocked Protests spread in Europe By Erol Dodrudogan…

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Over a third of EU firms adopt AI, bringing digital goals in reach

STOCKHOLM, Feb 1 (Reuters) - More than a third of European businesses adopted artificial intelligence in 2023 as use of generative AI surged, a report commissioned by Amazon Web Services…

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EU pushes for higher uptake of two key cancer-preventing vaccines

BRUSSELS, Jan 31 (Reuters) - The European Commission is recommending measures EU countries should adopt to increase the uptake of two vaccines that prevent viral infections that can cause cancer,…

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UPDATED: EU leaders propose annual debates on Ukraine aid to win over Hungary – draft

BRUSSELS, Jan 31 (Reuters) - European Union leaders will propose on Thursday holding an annual debate on a planned 50 billion euro ($54 billion) aid package for Ukraine in an…

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Italy, France, Greece vying to lead EU Red Sea ‘Aspides’ mission

Italy, France, and Greece are vying to lead the new EU Aspides mission to protect Red Sea shipping from Houthi attacks, a senior European official said Tuesday.The final choice will…

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EU options for granting aid to Ukraine, and what Hungary wants

European Union leaders will meet in Brussels on Feb. 1 to try again to agree on granting Ukraine new financial aid as Kyiv fights against Russia's invasion. Last month, Hungary…

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Euro zone economy stagnates as Germany struggles

The euro zone's economy stagnated last year, weighed down by an industrial malaise in Germany, its former powerhouse, data showed on Tuesday. The 20 countries that share the euro barely…

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Scholz calls for 15% corporate tax rate in EU countries

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called on the European Union to complete its creation of a banking and capital markets union so the bloc can compete with the U.S. and China for…

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Potential Muscat immunity will not be impediment to justice – Casa

MEP David Casa has warned former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat that should the latter seek to shield himself with parliamentary immunity, he would be at the forefront in ensuring the…

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EU moves closer towards stronger AML package

The European Union has inched closer towards a deal on a new anti-money laundering package, following a key agreement reached between the Council and the European Parliament. The institutions described…

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EU reinforces tight limits on crypto firms from outside bloc

By Huw Jones LONDON, Jan 29 (Reuters) - Crypto companies based outside the EU will only be able to directly serve customers within the bloc under very limited conditions to…

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Hungary open to using EU budget for Ukraine aid package, Orban’s adviser says

BUDAPEST, Jan 29 (Reuters) - Hungary signalled its readiness on Monday for a compromise allowing a proposed European Union aid package for Ukraine to be financed from the bloc's budget…

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UPDATED: EU reviews funding for UN Palestinian agency after Israeli allegations

Jan 29 (Reuters) - The European Commission said on Monday it would review whether it could continue to fund the U.N. Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA) in light of the allegations…

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EU’s centre-right expects to nominate von der Leyen for second term – EPP’s Caspary

BERLIN (Reuters) - The European Union's main centre-right alliance will nominate Ursula von der Leyen for a second term as European Commission president at a congress in March if she…

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EU Council boss Charles Michel pulls out of EU election race

By Andrew Gray BRUSSELS, (Reuters) - Charles Michel, the president of the council of European Union leaders, on Friday abandoned a run for a seat in the European Parliament in…

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Europe must not weaponize euro, ECB policymaker warns

RIGA, Jan 26 (Reuters) - The euro zone should not weaponize its own currency in a global conflict as that could ultimately undermine it, an influential European Central Bank policymaker…

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EU teams up with several European ports in war on drugs

By Charlotte Van Campenhout The European Union together with European port authorities on Thursday launched a new public-private alliance to boost expertise and information sharing to help tackle drug smuggling…

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Right-wing populist surge predicted for EU election

The populist right will surge at the EU election in June, a new poll for the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) forecasted. The poll, published Wednesday, suggests big gains for…

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Euro zone banks expect rebound in mortgage applications – ECB

Euro zone banks expect a small rebound in the demand for mortgages and loans to companies early this year as a slump in lending shows early signs of moderating, a…

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EU draws up economic security plans, with mind on China

The European Commission will set out plans on Wednesday to bolster the European Union's economic security through closer scrutiny of foreign investment and tighter controls on exports and outflows of…

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