European Union

EU launches major tech push to break US and China dependence

The European Commission has presented a sweeping tech sovereignty package to boost homegrown technologies and reduce dependency on American and Chinese companies. Whether it will make a meaningful difference —…

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Socialist group presses defector to relinquish Parliament leadership role

The European Parliament’s Progressive Alliance of Socialists & Democrats wants Pina Picierno, who recently quit their group, to resign from her post as Parliament vice president. “While we acknowledge that…

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All EU members greenlight first step in accession talks, Ukraine PM says

All members of the European Union agreed to open talks with Ukraine and Moldova on the first cluster of issues in their ‌accession talks, Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said…

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European Parliament and Council Seek Compromise on Passenger Rights Package

Co-legislators from the European Parliament and the Council of the EU paused negotiations on the air passenger rights reform on Wednesday morning without reaching a deal, but agreed to resume…

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GO Launches EU-Funded Upgrade of Malta’s Strategic GO-1 Submarine Cable Link

GO p.l.c., Malta’s leading telecommunications provider, today announced the launch of the MOGOSC project (MOdernisation of the GO-1 Submarine Cable), a strategic infrastructure upgrade that will significantly enhance Malta’s connectivity…

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EU paves way to allow migrant deportations to centres outside bloc

European Union lawmakers and governments agreed on Monday on new rules allowing countries to send ‌migrants ordered to leave the bloc to centres in third countries, a move that has…

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Iceland’s parliament votes to hold referendum on EU accession talks in August

Iceland's parliament on Thursday voted in favour of holding an August 29 referendum to begin European Union accession talks, supporting the government's two-step plan that could lead to membership in…

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Kallas warns against ‘trap’ over European negotiator debate with Moscow

European Union foreign ministers said on Thursday that Russia would not decide who represents Europe in any future negotiations over Ukraine, as the bloc sought to present a united position…

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Ukraine’s parliament ratified loan agreement with EU

Ukraine's parliament ratified ‌on Thursday a €90 billion ($104 billion) loan ⁠agreement with the European Union with 298 votes, well ‌ahead ⁠of the 226 votes required ⁠for a majority. The…

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EU governments clear US trade deal legislation

European Union governments cleared legislation on Wednesday to remove import duties on many U.S. goods, an EU source with knowledge of their meeting said, a move that should avert President…

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France, Italy and Spain urge EU to toughen and hasten trade defences

France, Italy, Spain and two other EU countries are pushing for the European Union to revamp trade measures to defend itself more effectively against excessively cheap imports that threaten to…

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EU fails to agree on migrant returns law

EU negotiators on Thursday failed to back rules to increase deportations from the bloc amid continued disagreement on a start date. Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner has referred to the returns…

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German leader Merz pushes associate EU membership model for Ukraine

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has suggested making Ukraine an "associate member" of the European Union to bring it closer to the bloc before it completes the process of qualifying for…

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EU Commission Considers Sweeping Overhaul of Departments Managing Funds

Every European Commission department that handles EU cash could be in the firing line as part of President Ursula von der Leyen’s restructuring plans, according to five officials familiar with…

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Slovakia: MEPs demand action to protect EU values and the EU budget

In a resolution adopted on Wednesday with 347 votes for, 165 against and 25 abstentions, MEPs say they are deeply concerned about the deterioration of respect for democracy, the rule…

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EU advances negotiations on migrant returns deal

The EU is closing in on a plan designed to increase the number of failed asylum seekers leaving the bloc. Described by Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner as the “missing piece”…

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EU activates crisis mechanism to monitor hantavirus outbreak

The Cyprus Presidency has activated the EU’s Integrated Political Crisis Response (IPCR) arrangements as part of efforts to monitor the hantavirus outbreak that has prompted increased vigilance among member states.A…

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Mario Draghi awarded 2026 Charlemagne Prize for services to European unity

Former European Central Bank president and former Italian prime minister Mario Draghi has been awarded the 2026 International Charlemagne Prize of Aachen, one of Europe’s most prestigious honours recognising contributions…

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Final stretch begins for Montenegro on road to European Union entry

Montenegro’s EU bid moved a step closer to the finish line on Wednesday as EU officials began working on the accession treaty that would bring the Western Balkan country into…

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Britain to strengthen ties with the EU in new legislation

Britain will introduce legislation to strengthen its ties with the European Union, as Prime Minister Keir Starmer prioritises mending economic relations with the bloc as he tries to stay in…

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EU energy ministers to mull domestic gas drilling amid security concerns

European Union energy ministers are expected to discuss domestic natural gas drilling during an informal meeting in Cyprus on 13 May, against a backdrop of rising oil and gas prices…

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European Union rejects proposal for Gerhard Schröder to mediate Russia-Ukraine conflict

Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder is unfit to represent Europe in any peace talks to end the Russia-Ukraine war, the EU’s chief diplomat Kaja Kallas said Monday. Russian President Vladimir Putin…

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Europeans celebrate unity, values and democracy on Europe Day 2026

On 9 May, Europeans will celebrate Europe Day. This year marks the 76th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration, which laid the foundations for the European Union as we know it…

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EU reaches tentative deal on simpler AI rules

European Parliament and Council negotiators reached a provisional agreement early Thursday on changes to parts of the European Union’s Artificial Intelligence Act as part of the bloc’s digital omnibus package.…

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MEPs advance overhaul of social security coordination system

The European Parliament’s Employment and Social Affairs Committee has endorsed a provisional agreement with EU member states on updated rules coordinating social security systems across the bloc. The agreement was…

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Meta to expand teen safeguards to 27 EU countries, Facebook safeguards in June

Meta Platforms will expand technology safeguards for teen accounts to 27 European Union countries and ‌to Facebook in the United States, the U.S. tech giant said , as it seeks…

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EP Opens Submissions for Sixth Edition of Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism

The European Parliament on 4 May opened submissions for the sixth edition of the Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism, an annual award recognising outstanding reporting that upholds the European…

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UK set to enter talks to join the European Union’s $105.9 billion Ukraine loan

Britain is set to enter talks to join the European Union's 78 billion ‌pound loan ($106 billion) to Ukraine, the government said, in a further sign of deepening European defence…

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EU kickstarts Mercosur pact to counter US trade hit

The European Union and South American bloc Mercosur will implement on Friday a contentious free trade agreement that the EU in particular hopes will benefit exporters and calm critics, even…

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How the EU Agrees and Pays for Its Long-Term Budget

European Union governments and institutions are heading for a bitter battle over the bloc's 2028-2034 budget, as fresh defence and competitiveness demands vie for funds against more traditional farm and…

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EU Steps Up Support for Ukraine, Warns of Prolonged Energy Strain From Middle East Conflict

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Wednesday the European Union will press ahead with financial and military support for Ukraine while bracing for extended economic fallout from the…

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Facebook, Instagram charged with breaching rules, must do more to protect kids below 13, EU says

Meta Platform' Facebook and Instagram were charged on Wednesday with breaching landmark EU tech rules and must do more to prevent children ‌under 13 from accessing both social networks, EU…

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Malta Among EU Leaders in Young Entrepreneurship as Eurostat Reports Sharp Rise in Teen Business Owners

New Eurostat data shows that Malta is one of the European Union’s strongest performers in youth entrepreneurship, with young business owners aged 20–29 making up 10.5% of the national workforce—the…

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European anti-fraud office opens investigation into Peter Mandelson

The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) said it had opened an investigation into Peter Mandelson, ‌Britain's former ambassador to the U.S. and an ex-EU politician under scrutiny over his ties to…

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EU prepares to clash with US again over shipping carbon levy

European Union countries agreed on Friday to keep pushing for a ‌global price on shipping's CO2 emissions in U.N. talks next week, setting up another potential clash with the United…

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EU to prepare blueprint for mutual assistance pact, amid NATO doubts

EU leaders have asked officials to prepare a blueprint for how the bloc's previously obscure mutual assistance clause would work, host Cyprus said at a ‌summit on Friday, amid doubts…

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EU Institutions agree Roadmap to achieve “One Europe, one Market” by end of 2027

The Presidents of the European Parliament, the Council of the EU, and the European Commission have signed a Joint Declaration committing to the “One Europe, One Market” roadmap, aimed at…

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EP President Metsola to EU leaders: “Europe cannot face a new era with an old budget”

At the Informal Meeting of Heads of State and Government in Nicosia (Cyprus),President Metsola focused on three topics: The situation in the Middle East and its impact on energy prices,…

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EU loan throws Ukraine a lifeline but more help needed for war

The approval of a 90-billion-euro European Union loan throws Ukraine a lifeline, averting deep cuts to public services, but Kyiv may need more money to meet its military needs this…

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EU Commission stepping up coordination to avoid jet fuel shortage

The European Union (EU) on Wednesday announced a set of policy agendas aimed at easing the energy crisis triggered by the war in the Middle East. The European Commission presented a toolbox of measures named…

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Belgians advised to have enough supplies to last 72 hours

Belgium’s National Crisis Centre has launched a nationwide campaign urging citizens to be ready to cope independently for up to 72 hours in the event of an emergency. The initiative…

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Europe’s response to the Iran war energy crunch

The European Commission will publish a package of measures on Wednesday seeking to offset surging energy prices, as countries grapple with the biggest shock to energy markets in history from…

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Number of immigrants in EU reaches record high of 64.2 million in 2025

The number of immigrants residing in the European Union climbed to a record high of 64.2 million in ‌2025, up about 2.1 million from a year earlier, according to a…

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EU expects positive decisions on 90 billion euro loan to Ukraine on Wednesday

The European Union's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said she expected "positive decisions" on the 90 billion euro ($105.94 ‌billion) loan for Ukraine to be made on Wednesday. This month's…

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ECJ limits detention for rejected asylum seekers to 18 months

The European Court of Justice has ruled that rejected asylum seekers in the Netherlands must be released from detention after a maximum of 18 months, clarifying that this period covers…

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Airlines cancel flights, ground planes as jet fuel shock hits Europe

The jet fuel crisis caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz is forcing major European airlines to cut flights and ground planes amid a looming supply crunch. International…

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EU needs energy union to compete with US and China, Eurogroup chief says

A European energy union is a prerequisite to other reforms that the European Union is planning to stay competitive against the U.S. and China, Kyriakos Pierrakakis, the chairman of the…

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Cyprus maritime push aligns with Maltese MEPs’ ongoing ETS island clause initiative

Cyprus has reaffirmed its commitment to shaping a fair and resilient European transport framework, with a particular focus on maritime connectivity for island states, in a position that runs broadly…

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EU Parliament President calls for EU–UK reset a decade after Brexit

Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, has called for a strategic reset in relations between the European Union and the United Kingdom, arguing that a decade after Brexit, the…

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“Deaf” wins the 2026 LUX Audience Award

The European Parliament, together with EU citizens and MEPs, has awarded the 2026 LUX Audience Award to Spanish director Eva Libertad for her film Deaf. The prize reflects the Parliament’s…

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EU age verification app ready as Europe moves to curb children’s social media access

The EU's age verification app for online platforms is ready and will soon be ‌available to use, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Wednesday, as member states…

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Portugal rejects separate European army

Portugal is against the creation of a separate European army and instead backs strengthening and modernising its armed forces within the U.S.-led NATO alliance, the country's defence minister said, contrasting…

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Italy says EU should consider pausing budget rules if Iran crisis persists

European Union authorities should consider a temporary suspension of budget deficit rules if the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran flares up again, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni told parliament on Thursday. Meloni…

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EU welcomes US-Iran ceasefire, urges efforts to create lasting agreement

EU leaders on Wednesday welcomed the two-week ceasefire agreed by the United States and Iran. "I welcome ‌the two-week ceasefire the US and Iran agreed last night. It brings much…

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Britain eyes summer deadline for EU reset deal

A deal to re-align key parts of the U.K. economy with the European Union is on course to be reached by the early summer, according to the minister in charge…

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Friedrich Merz: Most Syrians to Leave Germany Within Three Years

Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that he and the Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa hope that 80% of the Syrians in Germany will return home in the next three years. During…

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New department at Europol to step up the fight against migrant smuggling

Europol has launched its new European Centre Against Migrant Smuggling (ECAMS), stepping up the European Union fight against migrant smuggling networks that are threatening the lives of hundreds of thousands…

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