Green News Fate of Nature Restoration Law could be decided in Budapest With seven of the EU's 27 members planning, after months of highly politicised debate, to oppose or abstain over a new law to restore degraded ecosystems to health, Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán's right-wing government could find itself with the deciding vote on Friday. 20/03/2024
Europe News Brussels poised to send billions from frozen Russian assets to Ukraine Windfall revenues from hundreds of billions in central bank assets held at Euroclear Belgium set to help arm and reconstruct the war-torn nation. 20/03/2024
Tech News Commission to look for head of AI Office when law is fully approved Recruitment for technical and policy roles at the office already begun last month. 20/03/2024
Green News Lawmakers vote to include shipping in plastic pollution rules Decision to consider maritime transport will be discussed next week by EU environment ministers. The draft bill also features penalties linked to an environmental fund designed to tackle microplastic pollution. 20/03/2024
Europe News Free-trade with Ukraine extended for one year with safeguards for bloc’s farmers Lawmakers clinched a political deal on year long renewal of a free trade scheme with Ukraine adding ‘emergency brakes’ for sensitive agricultural commodities in the aftermath of farmers’ protests. 20/03/2024
Europe News Court quashes sanctions on F1 driver Nikita Mazepin An economic freeze on the driver in response to the Ukraine invasion wasn’t justified merely because he was the son of Russian oligarch Dmitry Mazepin, judges said. 20/03/2024
Green News Commission backs use of farmland for aviation fuel production In a bid to cut the climate impact of flying, the European Commission says agricultural land can be used for aviation biofuel production, providng it does not interfere with food and feed production or damage soils. But questions have been raised over whether sufficient safeguards are in place. 19/03/2024
Tech News Cybersecurity investment needs to be doubled, EU official says The commission earmarked €214m for cybersecurity for 2024. 19/03/2024
Green News Critical materials mining approved despite green fears Latest EU legislation opens the door to mining activities for critical raw materials across the bloc though some lawmakers wanted more protection for local communities. 18/03/2024
Europe News Biotech strategy launch, Newsletter This week's key events presented by senior health reporter Gerardo Fortuna 18/03/2024
Health news Exclusive: Commission eyes Biotech Act to boost bloc’s life science sector The EU executive is to announce new measures, including establishing a Biotech Hub, paving the way for a legislative initiative designed to ease biomanufacturing approvals across the bloc, according to a leaked document seen by Euronews. 18/03/2024
Tech News South Korea, Europe to strengthen cooperation on 6G, chips research This month's meeting is the second held under the Digital Partnership launched in 2022. 15/03/2024
Health news Deal on landmark health data space clinched in the eleventh hour European lawmakers agreed on a pioneering bill easing exchange and access to personal health data across the EU – with some privacy safeguards on data sharing to non-medical third parties. 15/03/2024
Green News Governments agree packaging waste law despite trade concerns Belgium, current holder of the rotating EU Council presidency, has forged agreement between governments over new rules to tackle the growing problem of discarded packaging materials, overcoming the European Commission's concerns over trade diplomacy. 15/03/2024
Green News ROUNDUP: Key energy and environment votes in parliament Lawmakers backed a number of energy and environment files during the European Parliament plenary held in Strasbourg from March 11-14, with some legislative files ready for EU Council approval and others remaining in the pipeline for the next EU mandate. 15/03/2024
Europe News Governments support stripped-down corporate due diligence law After weeks of uncertainty, new EU rules on sustainable supply chains seem likely to pass into law. 15/03/2024
Green News Ireland defends its handling of peat bogs Dublin talks of progressive improvement in habitat quality on raised bog in special areas of conservation despite the recent EU executive lawsuit. 14/03/2024
Health news Parliament approach to IP rights amid health crises raises critics An EU-wide mechanism to override IP rights to deliver live-saving medicines during crises will prove tricky to enforce if amendments proposed by MEPs are retained, intellectual property rights experts warn. 14/03/2024
Tech News AliExpress probed under DSA, LinkedIn gets request for information The commission already started two formal investigations under the EU’s platform rules. 14/03/2024
Green News Exclusive: Due diligence thresholds tripled in bid for last-ditch deal Member states are running out of time to agree a sustainable supply chains law before June elections, but prospects have been thrown into doubt by a parallel fight on packaging waste. 14/03/2024