Mared Gwyn Jones

Europe Decoded

The EU's deep-sea dilemma as neighbours plan to mine the seabed

In parts of the ocean so deep that light cannot penetrate, billions of fist-sized rocks called polymetallic nodules containing copper, nickel, iron, manganese, cobalt and rare earths lace the seabed.

01/09/2023

Europe News

EU weaning itself off Russian gas despite LNG imports uptick: Brussels

Fossil fuels imports from Russia have fallen dramatically, the European Commission stressed on Thursday, following reports that the bloc's purchases of Russian liquified natural gas (LNG) are up 40% compared to pre-war levels.

31/08/2023

Europe News

EU working on plans to sanction Niger coup leaders - Borrell

The EU is working on plans to sanction the military leaders who seized power in Niger in July, the EU’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said Wednesday.

30/08/2023

Europe News

Von der Leyen proposes Hoekstra as EU Commissioner for climate action

European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen has proposed outgoing Dutch Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra for the post of EU Commissioner for climate action.

29/08/2023

Europe News

Bosnia and Herzegovina elections 'undemocratic' - Human Rights Court

Elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina - an EU candidate country - are undemocratic and entrench the privileged position of dominant ethnic groups, the European Court of Human Rights ruled on Tuesday.

29/08/2023

Europe News

Poland asks EU Court of Justice to cancel three EU climate policies

The Polish government has filed legal challenges against the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union, claiming that three EU climate policies threaten energy security and fail to protect the wellbeing of citizens.

28/08/2023

Europe News

EU must be ready to accept new members by 2030 - Charles Michel

The European Union must be ready to enlarge by 2030 if it wants to remain "credible", European Council President Charles Michel said Monday at the Bled Strategic Forum in Slovenia.

28/08/2023

Europe News

Dutch government nominates Wopke Hoekstra as EU Commissioner

Outgoing foreign minister Wopke Hoekstra was named Friday as the Dutch government's nomination for EU Commissioner, after EU climate chief Frans Timmermans resigned to run in the upcoming Dutch elections.

25/08/2023

Europe News

NGOs demand review of EU emission reduction targets

The annual emission allowances (AEAs) set by the European Commission for EU member states lack ambition and are in breach of EU environmental law, according to CAN Europe and the Global Legal Action Network (GLAN).

24/08/2023

Economy

The ECB’s rate-hike dilemma as eurozone business activity falls

As eurozone businesses face sharp declines in outputs and new orders, experts believe the European Central Bank (ECB) faces a complex challenge as it decides whether to continue its cycle of interest rate hikes in September.

24/08/2023

Europe News

Record number of abusive SLAPP lawsuits in 2022 - report

The number of abusive lawsuits against journalists and human rights defenders increased to a record 161 in 2022, according to a new report published Wednesday by the Coalition Against SLAPPs in Europe (CASE).

23/08/2023

Europe News

Frans Timmermans resigns from key EU climate job to run for Dutch PM

Frans Timmermans, the man tasked with spearheading the EU's ambitious climate policies, has resigned from the Commission to return to Dutch politics in the hope of becoming the country's next prime minister.

22/08/2023

Europe News

EU sends more firefighting planes to Greece as wildfires rage

The EU is today sending a further five firefighting planes and one helicopter to Greece as devastating wildfires burn in the north east of the country.

22/08/2023

Europe Decoded

Explained: The EU’s handicap in the race for raw materials

The EU is highly dependent on third countries for the raw materials needed to engineer its energy transition and digital transformation.

08/08/2023

Europe News

TikTok to face EU fine over processing of children’s data

TikTok will face a fine over its handling of children’s data in the EU following a decision made Friday by the European Data Protection Board (EDPB).

04/08/2023

Europe Decoded

What the Niger coup means for Europe’s relationship with the Sahel

Niger was seen as the last bastion of democracy in the Sahel region. The ousting of its democratically elected President is a harsh setback for EU efforts to address the double-edged challenge of security and development in the region.

04/08/2023

Europe News

Over 2,300 Ukrainian patients so far evacuated to EU hospitals

The EU has coordinated the medical evacuations of more than 2,300 Ukrainian patients to European hospitals since the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

03/08/2023

Europe News

'Impartial probe needed' to explain Greek shipwreck's discrepancies

An independent and impartial investigation is urgently needed to clarify the stark disparities between the accounts of the survivors of the deadly Pylos shipwreck and those of the Greek authorities, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch said on Thursday.

03/08/2023

Economy

EU, eurozone unemployment rates remain at historic low in June

The European Union's unemployment rate remained stable at its historic low of 5.9% in June, according to Eurostat.

01/08/2023

Europe News

Millions in the EU still unable to afford internet

Millions of EU citizens were last year unable to afford a connection to the internet, according to new data released on Tuesday by Eurostat.

01/08/2023