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Slovakia to allow approval of new EU sanctions on Russia on Friday, PM Fico says

Slovakia will stop blocking the approval of the 18th package of European Union sanctions against Russia on Friday, Prime Minister Robert Fico said. Fico said on Thursday Slovakia had achieved…

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EU Struggles to Tackle Widespread Noise Pollution, Health Risks Mount

Despite growing awareness and regulatory efforts, environmental noise remains a persistent and underestimated public health threat across the European Union, impacting millions of citizens and contributing to thousands of premature…

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European Commission proposes EU budget of €1.816 trillion

The European Commission has proposed a central EU budget of €1.816 trillion for the seven-year period from 2028 after days of fraught internal negotiations. That figure would represent an increase…

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What MEPs and Parliament’s parties want from the EU budget

Each political group is seeking to safeguard at least one flagship priority within the EU's long-term budget, and is prepared to defend it to the bitter end. As the European…

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EU council sanctions individuals, entities responsible for destabilising Moldova

The European Council said in a statement that it had imposed sanctions on seven individuals and three entities "responsible for actions aimed at destabilising" Moldova, whose leaders are bidding to…

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EU fails to approve new Russia sanctions, ball now in Slovakia’s court, says EU foreign chief

The European Union did not approve the 18th Russia sanctions package on Tuesday, the EU's foreign chief Kaja Kallas said after a meeting with EU foreign ministers in Brussels. She…

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EU targets Boeing, bourbon for potential tariffs on US goods

The European Commission is targeting 72 billion euros ($84.1 billion) worth of U.S. goods - from Boeing aircraft and bourbon whiskey to cars - for possible tariffs if trade talks…

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Von der Leyen to dilute budget plan to stave off Commission rebellion

The threat of internal revolt in the European Commission has pushed its president to back down and promise more money to poor regions than previously intended when she presents her…

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Five EU states to test age verification app to protect children

France, Spain, Italy, Denmark and Greece will test a blueprint for an age verification app to protect children online, the European Commission said, amid growing global concern about the impact…

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Trump demands more concessions as EU holds off on US tariff countermeasures

The European Union said on Sunday it would extend its suspension of countermeasures to U.S. tariffs until early August and continue to press for a negotiated settlement as U.S. President…

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Citizens’ attitudes towards corruption in the EU in 2025

The latest edition of the Eurobarometer survey offers a comprehensive insight into how corruption is perceived and experienced across the European Union. Conducted regularly since 2005, this survey examines a…

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EU population hits record 450 million on another migration boost

Migration into the European Union pushed its population to a record 450.4 million people last year, offsetting a natural population decline for the fourth straight year, EU data released on…

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Frontex says illegal crossings into EU down 20 percent in first half of 2025

Illegal crossings into the European Union fell to 75,900 in the first half of 2025, according to the EU’s border agency. In a press release, Frontex attributed the 20 percent…

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EU weighs suspending Israel ties over Gaza crisis

Suspending part of the EU-Israel Association Agreement could be on the cards over reports the country isbreaching its human rights obligations in Gaza. A leaked draft of the European Union’s list of potential…

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EU announces 2.3 billion euros in Ukraine reconstruction support

The European Commission announced 2.3 billion euros ($2.7 billion) in support to Ukraine on Thursday to help it rebuild after the damage caused by Russia's full-scale invasion.The funds include 1.8…

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European Union Acts on Interpreter Concerns Linked to Zelenskyy’s Protection

The European Commission has dismissed an interpreter hired by the European Union to attend major summits alongside world leaders over concerns of a potential security breach. In a statement to…

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UPDATED: Von der Leyen wins vote of no-confidence

Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday survived a no-confidence vote in her leadership of the European Commission. A majority of members of the European Parliament, who voted on a motion…

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European Commission unveils strategy for storing food, medicine, generators and raw materials

The EU should develop stockpiles of food, medicine, generators and raw materials to be better prepared for a military invasion, pandemic or natural disaster, the European Commission has said. Outlining…

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EU examines US proposal of 10% tariffs but concerns remain on sectoral tariffs

A preliminary agreement is expected by Wednesday, according to sources, with implementation planned by 1 August. Negotiations are accelerating to secure exemptions from a baseline 10% tariff in some strategic…

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Von der Leyen defends herself over ‘Pfizergate’

Ursula von der Leyen publicly defended herself for the first time over text messages she exchanged with a vaccine chief at the height of Covid-19 — describing some accusations against her as…

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EU and Germany push for a new World Trade Organization

A proposal, introduced by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, has sparked considerable attention. Speaking at the end of a summit of EU leaders…

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Dublin System 2024 in Review: Fewer Requests, Comparable Transfers

In 2024, EU countries sent 151 830 outgoing requests to transfer the responsibility to examine asylum applications to other EU countries, and implemented 16 455 outgoing transfers. Compared with the previous year,…

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Moldova urges EU to advance membership talks to counter Moscow

Moldova wants to start membership negotiations with the European Union in earnest before a September election to counter Russian disinformation in the country about the EU, Deputy Prime Minister Cristina…

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Von der Leyen to face European Parliament confidence vote next week

The MEP proposing the motion of censure claims he has collected enough signatures to start the process. If officially confirmed, the debate and vote will be held during the July…

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Security, competitiveness top priorities as Denmark takes on EU Presidency

Denmark has taken over the rotating six-month presidency of the EU Council, prioritising security and competitiveness amid rising geopolitical tensions and internal divisions. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned that Europe…

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Denmark’s key priorities for upcoming EU presidency

Denmark has set its sights on boosting European competitiveness, safeguarding climate ambitions, and strengthening security as it prepares to take over the rotating presidency of the European Union next week.…

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EU alliance with Pacific rim could lead to WTO redesign, von der Leyen says

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said cooperation with Pacific rim countries could serve as a basis to redesign the World Trade Organization (WTO), which is struggling for relevance…

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European Parliament to stop Belgium ‘tarnishing’ MEPs’ reputations

The European Parliament is to take steps to shield lawmakers from being named by Belgian police publicly during criminal investigations, following criticism their reputations are being dragged through the mud…

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‘Double standards’: Spain slams EU inaction on Israel deal

In the wake of a damning EU review of Israel's human rights record in Gaza, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez slammed his colleagues for not moving to suspend a trade…

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EU received ‘latest’ trade proposal from US, von der Leyen says

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Thursday the EU had received the "latest U.S. document" for further negotiations on tariffs but did not reveal details of Washington's…

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EU to canvass leaders at summit on resolving US tariff conflict

European Union leaders are to tell the European Commission on Thursday if they want a quick trade deal with the United States at the cost of Washington getting better terms,…

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Switzerland to explore defence procurement pact with EU

Switzerland will enter into exploratory talks with the European Union on a non-binding partnership to take part in arms procurement projects, the government said, as the neutral alpine nation seeks…

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European Parliament presses air passenger carry-on baggage fees revolution

MEPs from the transport committee on Tuesday approved an amendment on air passenger rights that gives people the right to travel with carry-on hand baggage weighing up to 7 kilograms…

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Canada signs defense pact with EU

Scrambling to reduce Canada's dependence on the Donald Trump-led U.S., the country's Prime Minister Mark Carney on Monday signed a security and defense partnership with the European Union. The aim…

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Euro zone finance ministers recommend Bulgaria adopt euro in 2026

Euro zone finance ministers recommended on Thursday that Bulgaria become the 21st member of the euro zone starting January 1, 2026, backing earlier positive assessments of the country's readiness from…

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Denmark to push for Ukraine’s EU membership during presidency

Denmark will continue preparing Ukraine for EU membership in the face of Hungary blocking negotiations, when the Nordic country takes over the presidency of the European Council from July 1,…

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EU accuses China’s AliExpress of ‘systemic failure’ over illegal goods

The European Commission has accused the online retailer AliExpress of a “systemic failure” to prevent the sale of illegal and dangerous goods on its platform, as Brussels steps up its…

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Brussels drafts law outsourcing EU climate efforts to poorer countries

A draft European Commission proposal would allow limited use of international carbon credits to help meet the EU’s 2040 climate target of reducing emissions by 90% compared to 1990 levels.…

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EU Parliament to criminalise AI-generated child abuse material

EU lawmakers have voted by a landslide to criminalise AI-generated child sexual abuse material (CSAM), in one of the strongest cross-party agreements seen in recent years. The new directive also…

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EU fines Greece €400M over farm aid debacle

The European Commission has hit Greece with a fine of nearly €400 million for mismanaging EU farm funding and inadequate controls. Brussels has ordered Athens to forfeit €392.2 million in…

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Not the time to mess with EU-US trade, EU’s Costa says

Europe and the United States should focus on how the bloc takes more responsibility for its defence rather than creating economic uncertainty through trade tensions, European Union President Antonio Costa…

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Sweden eyes EU fireworks ban

Sweden is asking the European Union for help in cracking down on … fireworks. Two Swedish ministers have warned top EU officials of a rapid shift by criminals in Sweden…

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EU puts Monaco on money laundering blacklist

The European Union has added Monaco to a list of countries it considers at high risk of money laundering and terrorism financing, putting the ultra-wealthy Mediterranean principality alongside the likes…

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EU’s new Russia sanctions to target energy sector and banks

The European Commission proposed on Tuesday an 18th package of sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, aimed at Moscow's energy revenues, its banks and its military industry. The…

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Slovakia will block EU sanctions on Russia that hurt Bratislava’s interests

Slovakia will block any European Union sanctions against Russia that damage the country's interests, Prime Minister Robert Fico said on Sunday. His remarks come after the Slovak parliament on Thursday…

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Lagarde insists she’ll complete her term at ECB

European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde pushed back against suggestions that she may vacate her post early to preside over the World Economic Forum, the glitzy annual gathering of elite…

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Bulgaria disrupts European Parliament’s bill on North Macedonia EU accession

Bulgarian politicians have pressured the European Parliament into delaying a report on European Union accession for North Macedonia, accusing a lawmaker in charge of the report of being too close…

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EU asks members to improve water efficiency

The European Union executive has called on member countries to help improve water efficiency across the EU by at least 10 percent by 2030, as the bloc prepares for the…

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EU looks to impose sanctions on Putin simultaneously with US, says von der Leyen

The EU is ready to team up with the U.S. to impose simultaneous sanctions against Russian President Vladimir Putin to pressure him toward peace negotiations, European Commission President Ursula von…

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Bulgaria meets criteria for joining eurozone from 2026

The EU gave the green light on Wednesday for Bulgaria to adopt the euro from 1 January 2026, meaning it will become the 21st member of the single currency area.…

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Budget cuts hit European Parliament communications department

The European Parliament is bracing for cuts within the institution’s sprawling communications department as some staffers now fear their jobs are in danger. The Parliament has for years contained one…

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Criteria to adopt the euro currency as Bulgaria awaits EU decision

The European Commission will decide on June 4 if Bulgaria can enter the euro zone and become the bloc's 21st member from 2026. European Union countries aspiring to adopt the…

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In riposte to Vance, Germany’s Merz says Europe stands for freedom

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Thursday said Europe was prepared to fight if necessary for its core values of freedom and democracy, in an explicit riposte to the Trump administration's…

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Trust in European Union at highest since 2007

Trust in the European Union and its institutions has risen to an almost two-decade high, a report released on Wednesday shows, as U.S. President Donald Trump upends global trade and…

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European Union lifts economic sanctions on Syria

European Union countries on Wednesday passed legislation to lift all economic sanctions on Syria except for those based on security grounds. To facilitate the rapid reconstruction of the war-torn country,…

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EU Unveils Black Sea Strategy to Boost Military Mobility, Counter Russian Threat

The EU unveiled a new Black Sea strategy on Wednesday that will allow the region to better transport heavy military gear as the Russian threat looms over Eastern Europe. “Security…

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EU to approve Bulgaria’s euro bid

The EU will shortly approve Bulgaria’s bid to adopt the euro as early as Jan. 1, 2026, making it the 21st member of the bloc’s currency union. After years of…

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