European Union

Facebook announced on Wednesday it would start enforcing a ban on support for white nationalism and separatism from next week. The ban comes less than two months before European elections in May, when some 350 million European citizens will have the right to go to the polls. People searching for certain terms on Facebook and Instagram will be directed to a website founded by former violent extremists.

MEPs and EU government representatives failed to reach an agreement on the appointment of the bloc’s first chief prosecutor on Wednesday (27 March), following disagreements over the potential hiring of Romania’s former anti-corruption chief Laura Codruţa Kövesi. The talks were the second...

While Germany and Eastern European countries continue to oppose raising the EU’s 40% emission reduction target for 2030, a new analysis insists the bloc will actually manage at least 50% cuts under a business-as-usual scenario taking into account the latest coal phase-out pledges.

International rights advocates criticised the European Union on Wednesday (27 March) for abdicating its humanitarian responsibilities after the bloc agreed to withdraw ships patrolling the Mediterranean for migrants attempting the perilous voyage. After much wrangling, the EU agreed this week...

The Austrian government wants to introduce a uniform hourly wage of €1.50 during the first three months following an asylum application. However, opposition parties and charities vehemently oppose this. EURACTIV Germany reports.

British Prime Minister Theresa May failed to sway hardline opponents of her European Union divorce deal on Wednesday (27 May) with an offer to quit, but parliament's bid to agree an alternative fell short, leaving the Brexit process as deadlocked as ever.

Although the European Commission and machine manufacturers sing the praises of digitalisation in agriculture, others point to the risk of creating new dependencies for farmers on multinationals. EURACTIV France reports.

MEPs are debating and voting on their report on the European Peace Facility - a proposal from Federica Mogherini that would, among other things, enable the EU to "train and equip" foreign government militaries, including with lethal weapons.

The EU proposes to partly finance its ambitious climate goals in less wealthy Member States through the cohesion and regional development policy. But how much of this funding can really be dedicated to the transition of the power sector in a country like Poland?

Theresa May made her final roll of the dice on Wednesday (27 March), offering to resign if MPs back her Brexit Withdrawal Agreement, in another tumultuous and confusing day in Westminster.

The EU issue a declaration reaffirming that it does not recognise Israeli sovereignty over the occupied Golan Heights.

A large majority of MEPs (560 in favour, 35 against, 28 abstaining) on Wednesday voted in favour of legislation which will ban the use of plastic in throw-away items like cutlery. The new rules will also require that as of 2030, plastic drink bottles should consist of at least 30 percent recycled plastic. Additionally, 90 percent of those throw-away bottles in the EU should be collected for recycling by 2029.

MEPs supported a political compromise for new environmental rules on the car industry on Wednesday. An overwhelming majority, 521 MEPs, voted in favour, with 63 voting against, and 34 abstaining. The new regulation will require carmakers to reduce emissions from cars they produce by 37.5 percent by 2030, compared to 2021. Additionally it contains a range of measures aimed at stimulating production of greener cars.

MEPs face a crucial decision. Will they take heed of the global outcry from the climate strikes, or will they water down key financial regulation to tackle environmental and human rights abuses, ask Rachel Owens and Lis Cunha.

On Tuesday (26 March), the European Parliament largely backed a detailed report on financial crimes and tax avoidance in the EU. The text set a clear roadmap to tackle those issues. However, the plan is far from likely to be implemented.

As British MPs are poised to give an advisory vote on possible Brexit alternatives, EU Council chief Donald Tusk has called on Theresa May's government to listen to those who British citzens want to stop Brexit.

After European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker ignored their previous calls, MEPs called on Tuesday (26 March) on the next Commission to review the controversial appointment of Martin Selmayr as secretary-general of the EU executive.

Illegal settlers are more free to travel to and trade with the EU than Palestinians who are living at home, posing unanswered questions on EU visa and trade policy.

Western Balkan countries, which have set their sights on EU membership, are still propping up coal power with large public subsidies worth more than €1.2 billion, a new report revealed on Monday (25 March). The subsidies are not in line with EU regulations or decarbonisation efforts.

The evidence is clear: to secure a thriving future for people and planet we need to collectively transform our eating patterns towards healthier, more plant-rich diets. The EU’s common agricultural policy (CAP) can facilitate this transition. But several misunderstandings hinder progress.