EU - CDE News - The Dispatch

Young translators at EU schools – Commission opens registration for 2020 translation contest

The European Commission announced the launch of its annual translation contest for secondary school students from across Europe, Juvenes Translatores. Schools from all EU countries will be able to register…

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Mediaset can now join single broadband network project in Italy

Italian media group Mediaset could join the single broadband network that the government wants to create, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said on Saturday, adding that rules on telecoms ownership in…

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EU foreign policy chief: ‘US sanctions on International Criminal Court are unacceptable’

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the US' sanctions on the International Criminal Court's prosecutors are 'unacceptable and unprecedented'. The measures seek to "obstruct the court's investigations and judicial…

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Greece reports first coronavirus case in one of island’s largest camp

A 40-year-old man has tested positive in one of the largest migrant camps in Greece, reports said. The man, originally from Somalia, is living at the Moria camp in Lesvos.…

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EU: Bulgarian Greens leader ‘violently arrested’ during peaceful demonstration

Borislav Sandov, co-chair of Zeleno dvizhenie (Bulgarian Greens), was “violently arrested” while taking part in a peaceful demonstration in front of the Bulgarian parliament, the European Greens said. Three other members…

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EU foreign policy chief in Libya to insist on peace talks

The EU's High Representative Josep Borrell was in Libya yesterday to resume political dialogue in an effort to end conflict in the country. He met with the Prime Minister of…

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France Foreign Minister blames UK for stalemate in Brexit talks

France’s foreign minister on Monday blamed the stalemate in Brexit talks on what he called Britain’s intransigent and unrealistic attitude. Negotiations between Britain and the European Union on future relations…

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Johnson signals that a Brexit Deal became ‘very difficult’

Boris Johnson has signalled that the UK is currently heading towards a no-deal Brexit as progress in negotiations with the EU has become "very difficult", The Independent reports. The prime minister's spokesperson said an agreement…

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353 migrants disembark in Italy

Over 300 migrants are set to disembark in Pozzallo, after Italy agreed to take in the rescue boats Louise Michel and Sea-Watch. The boat, funded by British artist Banksy had…

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Advisors warn that EU’s microplastics ban needs to be smaller

A draft EU ban on microplastics would allow industry to use even smaller particles in cosmetics, detergents and paints, which could be more damaging than the tiny pieces of plastic…

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EU will be able to recall vehicles if they breach EU emissions limits

The European Commission will be able to recall vehicles and potentially revoke their roadworthiness certifications if they breach EU emissions limits, under new rules that apply from Tuesday and aim…

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ComuniqEU – Foreign Affairs – EU welcomes Libyan ceasefire, calls for resumption of full oil production

by Keith Zahra From CorporateDispatch PRO EU welcomes Libyan ceasefire, calls for resumption of full oil production The EU has welcomed the Libyan ceasefire announced earlier this week. In a…

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EU looking into legal action against Cyprus citizenship-investment scheme

EU justice commissioner Didier Reynders said that he was looking into the possibility of legal action against Cyprus over the country's citizenship-through-investment scheme, Al Jazeera reported. Talking to the broadcaster,…

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Brexit is far from over for the UK and EU member states

When it comes to Brexit, Brussels is still hoping for the best, but expecting the worst. The seventh formal round of post-Brexit talks ended last week in a familiar stalemate and mutual…

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EU considering sanctions against Turkey over oil drilling in East Med

The EU is considering imposing economic sanctions against Turkey over its gas drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean while urging Ankara to engage in a dialogue, the bloc’s foreign policy…

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EU secures AstraZeneca’s potential COVID-19 vaccine

The European Commission has made a 336 million euro ($396 million) downpayment to British drug maker AstraZeneca to secure at least 300 million doses of its potential COVID-19 vaccine, a…

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Merkel tells Russia to investigate suspected poisoning of Kremlin critic – UPDATED

Updated 1411 - Russia refutes calls for investigation The Kremlin said on Tuesday it saw no need for now to investigate the circumstances leading up to opposition politician Alexei Navalny's…

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Malta: EU Commission proposes €244 million in financial support for Malta

The European Commission has presented proposals to the Council for decisions to grant financial support of €81.4 billion to 15 Member States under the SURE instrument through which Malta can…

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Irish EU Commissioner Hogan ‘regrets and apologises’ breaking rules only after pressure from PM

EU Trade Commissioner Phil Hogan is standing his ground in a spiraling Irish political scandal that centers on a packed golf society soirée attended by top politicians in an apparent…

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Comuniq.EU – Banking

by Keith Zahra The European Central Bank has told banks not to pay any dividend payments until at least January and urged them to be “extremely moderate” when setting…

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Comniq.EU – Health

by Keith Zahra European regulators could be in a position to approve the first vaccine against Covid-19 this year, after a flurry of trials by pharma companies leading the…

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EU welcomes Israel – UAE agreement

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell welcomed a deal to normalize relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates partly brokered by the United States, Politico reports. But Borrell also…

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EU to impose new sanctions on Belarus

Germany's foreign minister said on Friday the European Union will impose new sanctions on Belarusian officials responsible for cracking down on protests triggered by a disputed election last Sunday. President…

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EU commission to support 23 new research projects on coronavirus pandemic

The Commission will support 23 new research projects with €128 million in response to the continuing coronavirus pandemic. The funding under Horizon 2020, the EU's research and innovation programme, is…

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EU Governments rolling back wage support despite cloudy outlook

Government around Europe have generally continued to push for a re-opening of the economy, insisting that they can no longer afford to pay the same levels of wage support as…

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CiNext – Five days of Europe

There was courtship and accusations of betrayal, there were confessions to the camera and off-mic dealings. It may sound like the latest episode of a reality show, but the dramatic…

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Top EU, US female politicians push Facebook to protect women from threats on social media platform

Facebook must step up and protect women in politics from threats of violence and sexism and hate on its platform, said a letter to the company from female members of…

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Greening Aviation: Commission launches public consultation on sustainable aviation fuels

The European Commission has launched a public consultation on measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the aviation sector. The Commission is currently assessing different policy options to boost the development…

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Euro zone retail sales return to pre-pandemic levels

The volume of retail sales in the euro zone rebounded in June to levels recorded in February before lockdowns, official estimates showed on Wednesday, completing a recovery that began in…

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EU Budget: what’s in it for Europe and Malta

by Keith Zahra European Union leaders reached a deal on a package of measures to boost their economies after the coronavirus pandemic, agreeing to borrow and spend hundreds of…

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EU-Vietnam trade agreement enters into force

EU exports to Vietnam will be taxed less of this month. This is the immediate effect of the entry into force of the EU-Vietnam trade agreement that will ultimately scrap…

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Germany objects to border closures but considers testing returnees from high-risk areas

Despite growing concerns on holiday-makers returning to Germany infected with coronavirus, top German officials remain opposed to closing the EU's internal borders for tourist travels. Following an increase in cases…

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China and EU to speed up negotiation on investment agreement

China and the European Union will accelerate negotiations in order to conclude a China-EU investment agreement by the end of this year, Chinese Vice Premier Liu He said on Tuesday. China and the EU will also continue…

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EU stimulus package to slightly improve growth prospects

Euro zone economic growth next year will be slightly stronger than previously thought, according to a Reuters poll of forecasters taken after European Union leaders agreed on 750 billion euros to support economies…

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European efforts to secure potential COVID-19 vaccines hit snag over price and payment methods

European efforts to secure potential COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer, Sanofi and Johnson & Johnson are mired in wrangles over price, payment method and potential liability costs, three EU officials told Reuters.…

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Joint European debt must not become a common thing – Bundesbank President

A decision by European leaders to issue joint debt to finance coronavirus aid for weaker member states should remain an exemption and not serve as a blueprint for future budget challenges, Bundesbank…

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Was there a Plan B if EU budget talks failed? – Charles Michel talks to POLITICO

Sitting once again on the Terrace Where It Happened, Charles Michel confessed he had no Plan B if leaders had failed to reach a budget deal, according to POLITICO, It transpires,…

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EU eyes COVID-19 vaccines at less than $40, shuns WHO-led alliance

The European Union is not interested in buying potential COVID-19 vaccines through an initiative co-led by the World Health Organisation as it deems it slow and high-cost, two EU sources told Reuters, noting…

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EU Council deal restricts Europe’s ability to step into the next decade – EPP

The deal reached by European leaders earlier this week will not be enough to strengthen the EU's role in the coming decade. According to the centre-right EPP Group, the EU…

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EU recovery plan will stimulate mergers between European banks – Santander

The European leaders' agreement on a massive stimulus plan for their coronavirus battered economies should help kick-start cross-border consolidation in Europe and complete the European banking union, Santander Chairman Ana Botin said. "What…

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Historic EU deal was all about European solidarity – French Foreign Minister

France's foreign minister dismissed accusations by far-left lawmakers that President Emmanuel Macron had struck an EU economic recovery deal that sold Paris short, saying on Tuesday (July 21) it was "historic" and showed European solidarity.…

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European Parliament negotiators react to EU Summit compromise: a positive step for recovery, more need in long-term

Commenting on the conclusions of the 17-21 July EU summit, EP negotiators welcome the recovery fund but warn that their agreement to the long-term EU budget cannot be taken for…

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Malta: Malta secures €2.25 billion in EU budget and coronavirus recovery funds

Malta has received its largest ever EU funds allocation, €2.25 billion, for the financial period of 2021-2027. Abela negotiated a package worth €2.25 billion that includes €1.923 billion from the…

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First Covid-19 vaccine could be available by year-end, says EU Medicines regulator

European regulators could approve the first vaccine against Covid-19 this year, after a flurry of trials by pharma companies leading the race showed promising results, Bloomberg said. The portal quotes…

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Historic EU deal: What does it mean for the future of the Union and its Member States

European Union leaders reached a deal on Tuesday on a package of measures to boost their economies after the coronavirus pandemic, agreeing to borrow and spend hundreds of billions of euros in the next few…

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Brexit will split financial markets, says Bank of England appointee

Brexit will make markets less efficient but it won't be disastrous for Britain's economy, an appointee to the Bank of England's Financial Policy Committee (FPC) said on Monday. Britain left…

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EU approves renewable energy generation in Ireland

The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a scheme to support electricity production from renewable sources in Ireland. The measure will contribute to the EU environmental objectives…

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EU Summit enters record 5th Day (Updated)

European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen said that European citizens are waiting for a strong recovery plan. The world is watching us. After 4 days of intensive negotiations, it’s…

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Malta: Institutional reform giving Malta moral authority in EU budget negotiations – Abela

The institutional reforms implemented by the government in the past months are giving Malta a stronger moral authority in difficult EU-level negotiations on a €1 trillion budget, Robert Abela said.…

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Dutch PM singled out for stalling negotiations at EU Summit

As EU negotiations over a coronavirus recovery fund and a new budget for the bloc ran into an impasse, Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte was singled out by one leader this weekend…

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EU needs ambitious financial deal more than fast one

It is better for European Union leaders to agree an ambitious financial aid package for the bloc rather than to have a quick deal at any cost, European Central Bank…

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Malta: Institutional reform giving Malta moral authority in EU budget negotiations – Abela

The institutional reforms implemented by the government in the past months are giving Malta a stronger moral authority in difficult EU-level negotiations on a €1 trillion budget, Robert Abela said.…

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Apple tax win flags EU problem of enemies within

by Aimee Donnellan via Reuters Breakingviews The victor of a battle can still end up losing the war. But Apple’s win in a legal case over $15 billion of…

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Deadlock- Eu Council Update

Update 0000h : A stand-off between EU leaders at a summit in Brussels on Saturday threatened to derail plans for a massive stimulus fund to breathe life into their coronavirus-hammered…

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Top EU court ditches transatlantic data transfer deal

Europe's highest court ruled on Thursday that a transatlantic data transfer deal is invalid because of concerns about U.S. surveillance in a decision that could disrupt thousands of companies that…

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EU plans clampdown on pro-corporate tax systems to aid recovery

The European Commission on Wednesday unveiled plans to clamp down on tax regimes seen as unduly beneficial to big corporations in a move it said would aid Europe's recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. European…

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Time is pressing on EU leaders to agree budget, recovery fund -Merkel

Time is pressing on EU member states to reach a deal on proposals for a long-term budget and a stimulus plan, Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Tuesday, adding that Germany would push for a…

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