Comuniq.EU

EU Commission retreats on plan to ban new combustion engine cars

Plans to ban the sale of new combustion engine cars in the European Union from 2035 have been thrown into uncertainty after the European Commission proposed a significant softening of…

Read More Here

MEPs agree on new rules on the screening of foreign investments to prevent security risks

Under the new rules informally agreed by the European Parliament and Council foreign investments in sensitive sectors such as defence, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, critical rawmaterials and financial services will be…

Read More Here

EU set to yield to pressure from automakers as it rethinks 2035 combustion car ban

Europe’s struggling carmakers are looking to Brussels for relief when the European Commission unveils an automotive package on Tuesday, potentially softening the effective 2035 ban on new combustion engine cars.…

Read More Here

EU financial firms should reduce dependency on US tech, Dutch supervisor says

European banks and financial firms should take steps to reduce their heavy reliance on US technology providers for critical digital services, according to a senior national supervisor. Steven Maijoor, chair…

Read More Here

EU ‘veggie burger’ ban stalls after talks collapse

Brussels’ battle over whether plant-based foods can be sold as “veggie burgers” and “vegan sausages” ended the year in stalemate on Wednesday, after talks between EU countries and the European…

Read More Here

EU set to indefinitely freeze Russian assets, removing obstacle to Ukraine loan

The European Union looked set on Friday to indefinitely freeze Russian central bank assets held in Europe, removing a big obstacle to using the cash to help Ukraine defend itself…

Read More Here

EU pushes Ukraine membership bid forward despite Hungary’s objections

The European Union on Thursday handed Ukraine a long list of reforms needed to join the bloc, determined to push the process forward despite the ongoing war and objections from…

Read More Here

Greek finance minister elected as Eurogroup president

Greek Finance Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis was elected as president of the Eurogroup — a move that would have been unthinkable just 10 years ago when the country was in the…

Read More Here

Turning screws on Russia should not impact legitimate maritime sector, say Cyprus and Malta

Discussions on the need to tighten sanctions on Russia, including the possibility of a blanket ban on providing maritime services, should not be at the expense of legitimate businesses in…

Read More Here

Forbes Names World’s Most Powerful Women of 2025

Forbes has released its annual ranking of the World’s 100 Most Powerful Women, spotlighting leaders whose decisions shape economies, technological advancement and global policy. The 2025 list underscores how women…

Read More Here

EU Council, Parliament agree on foreign direct investment regulation

The European Union Council and the European Parliament on Thursday reached a provisional agreement on a regulation to screen foreign direct investment, in a move to strengthen the bloc's ability…

Read More Here

New fugitives added to revamped EU Most Wanted website

The EU Most Wanted website has been revamped, with a new visual identity and enhanced functionality making it easier than ever for the public to help bring dangerous fugitives to…

Read More Here

EU countries back migration crackdown

EU countries on Monday signed off on sweeping new plans to reform how the bloc deals with migration. The measures, approved at a meeting of EU justice and home affairs…

Read More Here

EU hits X with €120 million fine over breaking digital rules

The European Union has fined Elon Musk's social media platform "X" €120 million ($140 million) with breaching its transparency rules laid out in its Digitial Services Act (DSA). "Deceiving users…

Read More Here

Ex-EU official Mogherini quits college post amid fraud probe

Federica Mogherini, the former foreign policy and security chief of the European Union (EU), resigned from her role as rector of the College of Europe. Mogherini and two other suspects…

Read More Here

Between Rearmament and Reality: Poll Exposes Europe’s Strategic Vulnerability

Over two-thirds of Europeans believe their country would not be able to defend itself militarily against a Russian attack, a new poll has revealed just days after Vladimir Putin said…

Read More Here

EU updates asylum guidance for Syrian refugees a year after fall of Bashar al-Assad

The European Union issued updated guidance for asylum applications by Syrian nationals on Wednesday that reflects new conditions in Syria a year after the fall of former long-time leader, Bashar…

Read More Here

Europe urged to boost efforts to combat bird flu threat as outbreaks surge

European countries should step up efforts to combat bird flu threats amid an “unprecedented” number of outbreaks this autumn, health authorities have warned. Avian influenza is exploding among wild birds…

Read More Here

Malta At The Bottom of EU Femicide Table; Latvia Dominates, Africa Worst Worldwide

Newly released Eurostat figures underline the stubborn resilience of gender-related killings across Europe, even as the continent continues to consider fresh legal remedies. In the European Union, women are killed…

Read More Here

European Commission Strives to Preserve Institutional Credibility Amid Diplomacy Scandal

Ursula von der Leyen is separating herself from the corruption allegations engulfing the EU’s diplomatic service, with staffers saying it is a non-issue for the Commission chief. After Belgian authorities…

Read More Here

EU Commission to unveil new economic security doctrine amid mounting global risks

The European Commission is set to introduce a new economic security doctrine aimed at anticipating trade threats and taking a more strategic approach to the EU’s existing trade tools. The…

Read More Here

Police detain former EU foreign policy chief Mogherini in fraud probe

Belgian police have detained former EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini and senior diplomat Stefano Sannino as part of a major fraud investigation involving the European External Action Service (EEAS)…

Read More Here

EU Commission to push further simplification in legislative agenda

The EU will press ahead with efforts to make legislation more business-friendly despite criticism that it undermines social and environmental safeguards, Valdis Dombrovskis, Commissioner for simplification, said. Speaking to euractiv.…

Read More Here

China’s military firms struggle as corruption purge bites, report says

Revenues at China’s major state-owned military companies fell sharply last year as sweeping corruption investigations stalled procurement and delayed major weapons contracts, according to new research by the Stockholm International…

Read More Here

EU governments back measures to ease banking rules

EU governments are close to backing measures that would ease safeguards on securitisation, a financial practice widely linked to the 2008 crisis. According to officials involved in the talks, Treasury…

Read More Here

Brussels tells Ukraine: Convict corrupt officials if you want to join the EU

Kyiv must prosecute corrupt figures in politics and business if it wants to join the EU, a top Brussels official warned, as pressure builds on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy over…

Read More Here

Europol aided France, Spain, Italy, and Romania disrupt human trafficking organized crime networks

In two joint operations conducted this month, Europol supported France and Spain as well as Italy and Romania in disrupting large-scale organised crime groups involved in human trafficking and sexual…

Read More Here

16.6 million packages of fake and harmful toys taken off EU markets

Fake toys are poisoning, deafening and injuring children across Europe, while causing major losses to the EU economy. 26 countries, coordinated by Europol, co-led by France, Spain and Romania, and…

Read More Here

EU Parliament pushes for age limits on social media to safeguard minors

The European Parliament called on Wednesday for the European Union to set minimum ages for children to access social media, to combat a rise in mental health problems among adolescents…

Read More Here

UPDATED: Von der Leyen: ‘We now have a starting point’ on Ukraine peace deal

Ursula von der Leyen welcomed talks on a Ukraine peace deal led by U.S. President Donald Trump and said Europe considers there is now “a starting point” on a plan…

Read More Here

EU court says same sex marriage should be recognised throughout bloc

The EU's highest court ruled on Tuesday that same sex marriages must be respected throughout the bloc and rebuked Poland for refusing to recognise a marriage between two of its…

Read More Here

EP Building glows in orange to mark International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

The European Parliament building in Strasbourg was illuminated in orange to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The choice of colour symbolises a commitment to…

Read More Here

Calabria third-top region in EU for risk of poverty

Calabria has emerged as the European Union’s third-most affected region for risk of poverty, according to new figures released Monday by Eurostat. The data point to a structural challenge that,…

Read More Here

How the EU plans to crack down on low-value e-commerce goods from China

European finance ministers have agreed to bring forward to next year customs duties on low-value parcels to crack down on cheap Chinese e-commerce imports from online platforms like Shein and…

Read More Here

EU’s Kallas announces sanctions over militia group’s atrocities in Sudan

The bloc’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas issued a stark statement on behalf of the European Union condemning the ongoing atrocities committed by Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces paramilitary group following their…

Read More Here

EU proposes ‘military Schengen’ to speed troop movements

EU member states will have just three days in peacetime and six hours in emergencies to allow other European military troops and equipment to cross their borders under a new…

Read More Here

Belgium’s deputy PM in pole position to lead Eurogroup

Belgian Deputy Prime Minister Vincent Van Peteghem has emerged as the immediatefavoriteto lead a powerful group of eurozone finance ministers after the shock resignation of Eurogroup President Paschal Donohoe. Five…

Read More Here

Ukrainians, Europeans must be on board with any plan to end war, EU ministers say

European foreign ministers said on Thursday that any plan to end the war in Ukraine must include Ukrainians and Europeans after the U.S. floated a framework that would involve Kyiv…

Read More Here

Ireland’s Donohoe resigns as finance minister and Eurogroup chief to join World Bank

Paschal Donohoe resigned as Irish finance minister and Eurogroup president on Tuesday to take up a senior World Bank role, a surprise move that will leave the coalition government without…

Read More Here

Spain and Germany gun for top job at European Central Bank

The starter’s gun is about to fire on the race to succeed Christine Lagarde as European Central Bank president in 2027, and two heavyweight countries who have never held the…

Read More Here

Brussels Weighs Role for Kyiv’s Troops in Safeguarding the Union’s External Frontiers

If the fighting in Ukraine is ended with a peace deal, Ukrainian troops could be sent to help defend the EU's eastern borders against Russia, Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius said…

Read More Here

EU ministers agree faster crackdown on China parcels that could hit Shein, Temu

European finance ministers agreed on Thursday to bring forward to next year customs duties on low-value parcels arriving in the bloc to crack down on cheap Chinese e-commerce imports, in…

Read More Here

EP votes to scale back dramatically sustainability reporting

The European Parliament has voted to dramatically scale back the scope of EU green reporting and due diligence rules, a move that, if adopted, would likely exempt nearly all Maltese…

Read More Here

“Four Espressos in a Can”: Agius Pushes for Energy Drink Regulation for Minors

MEP Peter Agius has called for regulation on the sale of energy drinks to minors, warning that their high caffeine and sugar content pose serious health risks to young people.…

Read More Here

Where Workers Gained Most: EU Salary Growth Hits 5.2%

In 2024, the average annual full-time adjusted salary across the Eurostat-measured EU rose to €39,800, marking a robust increase of 5.2 % from the €37,800 recorded in 2023. This is…

Read More Here

Russian assets most effective way to finance Ukraine, von der Leyen says

EU member states have three options to fund Ukraine's financing needs, with a reparations loan based on immobilised Russian assets as the most effective option, EU Commission President Ursula von…

Read More Here

EU plans new intelligence ‘cell’ amid rising global threats

Ursula von der Leyen's European Commission is laying the groundwork for a new intelligence coordination cell in Brussels. The initiative is still at a “very early, conceptual stage,” but the…

Read More Here

Leftist MEPs welcome ECJ decision to upholds EU Minimum Wage Directive

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has ruled that the EU directive on adequate minimum wages remains valid, rejecting Denmark’s challenge that the bloc had overstepped its powers by legislating…

Read More Here

Von der Leyen offers minor concessions on EU budget to win over centrist MEPs

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has introduced a series of modest adjustments to her proposed €2 trillion EU budget, aimed at easing tensions and preventing a parliamentary backlash.…

Read More Here

EU backs global carbon market alliance to crack down on CO2 emissions

The European Union has called on other nations to adopt carbon pricing mechanisms and develop carbon markets as tools to finance global climate action. The appeal, launched ahead of the…

Read More Here

Biggest polluters skip COP30 for Europe to pick up climate bill

The leaders of the United States, China,and India, the world’s top three polluters — will not attend COP30 in Brazil, leaving the European Union to shoulder much of the global…

Read More Here

EU to focus on housing needs in year ahead – EC President

Housing will take centre stage on the European agenda in the months ahead, with EC President Ursula von der Leyen announcing several initiatives to tackle soaring costs across the EU. “Affordability is…

Read More Here

EU Parliament to tackle sustainability rules again this week

The European Parliament’s centrist coalition faces a tense week as lawmakers prepare for a crucial vote on cutting EU red tape for businesses, a proposal that has exposed deep divisions…

Read More Here

Inside the new repairability scores for smartphones and tablets in the EU

By Christoforos Spiliotopoulos, Scientific Researcher, Joint Research Centre (JRC) More and more electronics are being sold in the EU, contributing to waste generation. According to Eurostat, the amount of electrical…

Read More Here

Commission unveils €3bn plan to scale up green fuels for aviation and maritime transport

The European Commission has announced a €2.9 billion plan to boost investments in sustainable fuels for aviation and maritime transport by 2027, aiming to curb carbon dioxide emissions from these…

Read More Here

EU set to further tighten visa rules for Russians

The EU is preparing to further tighten visa rules for Russian citizens, effectively ending the issuance of multi-entry Schengen permits in most cases, three European officials told POLITICO. The move,…

Read More Here

EU agrees weakened climate target in final-hour deal for COP30

EU climate ministers agreed a 2040 climate change target in the early hours of Wednesday after watering down the goal in last-minute negotiations, as they raced to clinch the deal…

Read More Here