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Europe News

What Europeans ask of the EU: The strangest citizens’ initiatives

Since 2012, ECIs have ranged from requests for a complete ban on animal farming to a pitch for the European anthem to be sung in Esperanto.

Europe News

Are European Citizens' Initiatives missing the mark?

Despite being designed to give citizens a voice in EU policymaking, the European Citizens’ Initiatives are struggling to gain traction, with only 10 out of 144 proposals receiving a response from the European Commission.

Europe News

German officials worry 'trusted flaggers' may curb free speech

Politicians and experts alike have criticised Germany's reporting centres for confusing opinion with hate speech, as concerns continue to rise over state-funded "trusted flaggers".

Europe News

The two faces of Ursula: Reinvention or deception at the EU's helm?

As Ursula von der Leyen beds down for her second term as European Commission president - almost unrecognisable from her first - many are wondering if she has truly changed course, or is simply revealing her true colours?

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Europe News

Cruel summer turns up heat on Ursula von der Leyen’s second mandate

From a motion of censure to a lopsided trade deal, the events of July threaten to derail the trajectory of Ursula von der Leyen's second term in office.

Economy

White House keeps tariff pressure on EU car industry

The US executive order published on July 31 imposes 15% tariffs on EU products, as outlined in the agreement reached by the US and EU presidents. However, it doesn't lower tariffs on cars, which remain at 25%.

Europe News

Temu joins EU's growing list of online platforms under investigation

The list of online platforms under investigation for potential breaches of the EU’s Digital Services Act continues to grow, with the latest addition being Chinese site Temu. In total, 14 proceedings have been opened against 10 platforms, targeting issues from product safety to protection of minors.

Economy

The EU holds its breath as 1 August US tariff deadline looms

The EU Commission expects the US to keep its word and implement new tariff rates agreed on Sunday. Without a joint statement, it hopes that forthcoming US executive orders will provide relief to sectors heavily impacted since the start of the trade dispute.

Business

Not even the EU knows if wine and spirits will be hit by US tariffs

With less than a day to go before the new EU-US tariff regime takes effect, the European Commission still doesn’t know for sure if the wine and spirits sector will be exempt.

Economy

Macron says the EU-US trade deal's not yet done

With the ink barely dry on the trade deal between the EU and the US, the French president called for continued negotiations and, if necessary, the implementation of rebalancing measures.

Europe News

Poland's €45bn defence loan bid makes up third of EU total

More member states may decide to request loans before the formal deadline in late November.

Europe News

EU fails to agree Israeli suspension from research fund over Gaza

EU member states could not rally the support necessary to suspend Israel from the Horizon Europe fund in response to the war in Gaza. The proposal needed a qualified majority of member states to pass it. But two of the largest countries - Germany and Italy - said they need more time to examine it.

EU Decoded

The battle over the EU's €2 trillion budget has begun

The European Commission has proposed a €2 trillion long-term budget which would controversially merge agricultural and cohesion funds. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen defended the move as effective, but critics have warned it could undermine rural and regional development.

Europe News

EU and US spin conflicting versions of trade deal

The European Commission and the White House are making contradictory claims about the content and scope of the EU-US trade deal.

Economy

US-EU trade deal wards off tariff escalation but threatens growth

The 15% rate removes Trump's threat of a 30% tariff. But it effectively raises the tariff on EU goods from 1.2% last year to 17%.

Europe News

Five things we don't know yet about the EU-US trade deal

The EU and the US struck a long-awaited agreement on Sunday, establishing a 15% tariff on EU exports, with certain sectors exempted. However key details remain unclear.

Europe News

'Best we could get': Brussels defends EU-US deal as criticism mounts

"This is clearly the best deal we could get under very difficult circumstances," said Maroš Šefčovič, the European Commissioner for Trade.

Brussels, My Love?

The battle for the EU budget - who wins, who loses?

In this edition of our weekly talk show, participants discuss the launch of the EU budget deliberations, attempts to raise taxes on tobacco and alcohol and the major escalation in Europe's scrutiny of the fast fashion business model.

Europe News

Taxpayer group calls for criminal probes of two ex-Commissioners

A taxpayer group has called for criminal investigation into alleged unlawful payments by former commissioners to environmental NGOs. The allegations revive controversy surrounding NGO payments.

Health news

EU Commission unlocks health funds but leaves civil society reeling from cuts

After months of delay, the European Commission has finally published its long-awaited 2025 budget programme for health, but civil society organisations say the delay and funding cuts have already caused lasting damage, forcing layoffs and halting key activities.

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