European Union

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…

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EU countries agree temporary €3 flat customs fee for small imported parcels

EU countries agreed on Friday to impose a €3 tax on all parcels under €150 entering the bloc, an attempt to curb the growing dominance of Chinese e-commerce platforms such…

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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…

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Revealed Papers Indicate U.S. Interest in Prompting Select Members to Part Ways with the EU

The United States, led by President Donald Trump, aims to persuade four EU countries to follow the UK's example and leave the EU, according to a longer leaked version of…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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Russia’s Medvedev says EU seizure of frozen assets could be tantamount to justification for war

Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, said on Thursday that if the European Union takes frozen Russian assets, then it may be considered by Moscow as tantamount…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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,…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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,…

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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…

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UPDATED: EU says it could admit new members by 2030, praises Montenegro, Albania, Ukraine

The European Commission said on Tuesday that the EU could welcome new members as early as 2030 as it praised Montenegro, Albania, Ukraine and Moldova for their progress on reforms…

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Ukraine committed to EU accession but should do more on rule of law, Commission draft says

Ukraine is showing "remarkable commitment" to joining the EU, but must reverse recent negative trends in the fight against corruption and accelerate rule of law reforms, the European Commission said…

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US Commerce Secretary Lutnick invited to Brussels for trade talks

The European Union has invited U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to Brussels on Nov. 24 for talks with the bloc’s trade ministers, a Danish official familiar with the situation told…

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56% of citizens support EU enlargement, new Eurobarometer poll shows

While EU enlargement is gaining new political momentum, a new poll indicates that more than half of Europeans support the process. To be precise, 56% of citizens approve of opening…

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EU considers more flexible climate target in hunt for deal, draft shows

European Union countries are negotiating proposals to give industries a more flexible path to meeting climate goals, a draft EU document showed, as the bloc attempts to win support from…

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Three Policy Divides That Could Derail Europe’s Social Media Crackdown

Getting kids to spend less time on social media is now a major priority for politicians across the European Union. But countries are far from being on the same page…

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EU pledges financial aid to Ukraine but demurs on Russian assets plan

EU leaders agreed on Thursday to meet Ukraine's pressing financial needs for the next two years but stopped short of explicitly endorsing the use of Russian frozen assets to give…

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UPDATED: Ukraine: EU Proposal for using frozen Russian assets ‘fully legal and fair’

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged European Union leaders on Thursday to agree as soon as possible on a plan to use frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine. Zelenskyy, who is…

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Europe adopts 19th sanctions package against Russia, including LNG import ban

EU countries on Thursday formally adopted a 19th package of sanctions against Russia for its war against Ukraine that includes a ban on Russian liquefied natural gas imports. The 27…

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EU leaders to show support for Zelenskiy at Brussels summit

European leaders aim to put on a show of support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Brussels on Thursday after a rollercoaster few days that saw Donald Trump announce and…

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Plastic packaging waste in the EU: 35.3 kg per person

In 2023, 79.7 million tonnes of packaging waste were generated in the EU, or 177.8 kg per inhabitant. While this marks a reduction of 8.7 kg per capita compared with…

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Merz, Macron, Meloni urge new EU drive to cut red tape

The leaders of 19 European Union countries have urged the bloc to launch a new drive to "review, reduce and restrain" legislation to make the EU more economically competitive, according…

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EU Weighs Partial Membership Plan to Ease Enlargement Deadlock

New countries could join the European Union without full voting rights, in a move aimed at easing opposition from leaders such as Hungary’s Viktor Orbán to Ukraine’s membership. The proposal,…

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EU chief tells Serbia to act on reforms

The European Union’s top official on Wednesday told Serbia’s populist leader to “get concrete” about its proclaimed goal of joining the 27-nation bloc, including implementing sanctions against traditional ally Russia.…

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Europe’s new biometric border checks: what do non-EU travellers need to know?

The European Union is preparing to dispense with passport stamps in favour of a new digital border management system. Australians and citizens of other non-EU countries travelling to Europe from…

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Hungary found to have sent agents to spy on EU

A report published in the Belgian newspaper De Tijd on Thursday revealed that the Hungarian intelligence service has for years been using a secret spy network in the European Union…

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Moscow Warns of ‘Serious Escalation’ if U.S. Sends Tomahawks, Pledges Reply to EU Curbs

The Kremlin said Tuesday it was awaiting clear signals from Washington on a possible U.S. supply of Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine, while also warning that Russia would respond to…

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Europe Tightens the Net on Moscow’s Shadow Network

EU governments have agreed to restrict the movement of Russian diplomats within the bloc, responding to a surge in sabotage attempts that intelligence agencies say are often directed by spies…

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Europe has essentially become irrelevant: Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu

Europe has been absent from a ceasefire plan between Israel and Hamas because it has "basically caved in to Palestinian terrorism (and) radical Islamist minorities," Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu…

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EU Leaders Back Plan for ‘Drone Wall,’ Eye Frozen Russian Assets for Ukraine Aid

EU leaders gathered in Copenhagen gave "broad support" to proposals to ramp up the development of drone and anti-drone technology and to use immobilised Russian assets to loan money to…

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UPDATED: Europe Vows Unity Against Russian Provocations Amid Calls to Cut Red Tape

European leaders pledged to resist Russian attempts to sow discord while debating how to strengthen the bloc’s economic competitiveness and reduce regulatory burdens, during talks in Copenhagen on Monday. European…

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EU housing plan to tackle speculation, short-term rentals

Brussels’ upcoming plan to take on the EU’s housing crisis will include measures curbing real estate speculation, Housing Commissioner Dan Jørgensen announced Monday. "There is no room in Europe for…

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EU steps up ‘drone wall’ talks after Russian incursions

Talks are intensifying about a so-called drone wall to protect Europe's eastern borders from the Kremlin after a series of airspace violations by Russian warplanes and unmanned aerial vehicles. Seven…

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Finland says no to more joint EU debt

Finland is opposed to a European Commission proposal that the European Union be able to take on more joint debt, Finance Minister Riikka Purra said on Friday. The European Commission…

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EU Commission proposes suspending free-trade arrangements on Israeli goods

The European Commission on Wednesday proposed suspending a trade arrangement affecting about 5.8 billion euros ($6.87 billion) of Israeli exports due to the Gaza war, although the measure does not…

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UPDATE: EU won’t discuss new Russia sanctions package on Wed, no new date set

The European Union's 19th package of sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine was removed from the agenda of a meeting of EU government representatives in Brussels on Wednesday,…

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Russia warns Europe: we will go after any state which takes our assets

Russia on Monday warned it would go after any European state that sought to take its assets after reports that the European Union is looking for new ways to leverage…

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Von der Leyen Urges Strategic Autonomy for Europe in Face of War, Rising Tensions

The European Union’s most powerful official warned Wednesday that Europe is battling against a series of threats posed by Russia, new global trade challenges and even other major world powers…

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Montenegro hopes to join EU and euro zone in 2028

Montenegro hopes to join the European Union and the euro zone in 2028, Prime Minister Milojko Spajic said on Tuesday, in what would mark some progress in the EU's stalled…

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Majority of Online Gambling in Europe Found to Be Illegal

Illegal gambling operators control 71% of the European Union’s online betting and casino market, with revenues reaching €80.65 billion, as regulators struggle to crack down on cryptocurrency casinos and illicit…

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EU pushes for reduced US autos tariff from August 1 as joint text limits exemptions

The European Union will work to ensure lower U.S. tariffs on its car exports are applied retroactively to August 1, the bloc's trade chief said on Thursday, as the transatlantic…

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EU’s Costa Ukraine’s membership process must go forward

European Council President Antonio Costa said the process to make Ukraine a member of the European Union needs to advance and Europe has to be part of future peace negotiations…

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