News

Advocacy Lab Content

ESG requirements are making metals more sustainable, industry says

Est. 8min

New metal production practices prompted by revised expectations from governments and investors are already affecting countries like Indonesia. However, there are concerns about rising costs and a lack of regulatory coordination.

Health 12-06-2024

Italy opposes reference to ‘safe and legal abortion’ in G7 draft communiqué

Est. 2min

Italy is blocking the text of a G7 draft communiqué on the importance of preserving and ensuring effective access to safe and legal abortion and post-abortion care.

Germany presents new military service model to start conscription from next year 

Est. 3min

After months of teasing the reintroduction of conscription, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius on Wednesday (12 June) presented a new military service model for Germany, saying he wants to start recruiting 5,000 conscripts a year from 2025. 

Agrifood 12-06-2024

EU countries endorse ban of Bisphenol A in food packaging

Est. 2min

EU member states have backed a proposal to ban Bisphenol A (BPA) in food and drink packaging, to protect the health of citizens and ensure “the highest food safety standards,” the European Commission said on 12 June.

Politics 12-06-2024

Macron attacks ‘extremes’ and conservatives as he enters campaign race

Est. 4min

Emmanuel Macron lashed out at political extremes and the conservative leadership’s decision to ally with the far-right, dubbing them “anti-Republican,” in a two-hour long press conference on Wednesday (12 June) that marked the president’s first steps in the snap elections campaign.

German car industry association (VDA) president Hildegard Müller warned that the European Commission's move "further increases the risk of a global trade conflict.”
Electric vehicles 12-06-2024

German car industry, government react against EU EV tariffs as BMW faces 21% duty 

Est. 4min

The German car industry association VDA and senior government ministers criticised the EU’s preliminary tariffs on China-made electric cars announced today (12 June), which will also hit European companies producing in China, such as BMW and Dacia. 

Politics 12-06-2024

Greece’s mainstream parties in crisis mode after EU elections

Est. 4min

Each of New Democracy, Pasok, and Syriza are faced with inner turmoil due to disappointing European election results for all of Greece's political parties.

Hungary strikes opt-out deal, says won’t obstruct NATO’s aid to Ukraine

Est. 3min

After a day of “difficult” negotiations, Hungary confirmed on Wednesday (12 June) that it will not hinder future NATO military aid to Ukraine, but was also promised the right not to take part in such efforts.

Economy 12-06-2024

UPDATE: EU-China tensions flare up as Chinese government backlashes against EU tariffs announcement

Est. 4min

The EU will put additional tariffs on electric cars produced in China, the European Commission announced on Wednesday (12 June), as preliminary result of a anti-subsidy investigation showed prices being distorted by Chinese state support.

Health 12-06-2024

WHO identifies four sectors responsible for 2.7 million deaths in Europe

Est. 9min

In this week's Health Brief we look at how the dust has settled following the European Parliament elections in terms of MEPs likely to be involved in health.

Migration 12-06-2024

Meloni’s battle with migrant rescue NGOs increasingly ends up in court

Est. 5min

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's battle with migrant rescue charities is increasingly ending up in court, with judges often siding with NGOs but not yet calling the law into question.

Elections 12-06-2024

Greek PM hints at cabinet reshuffle after EU vote disappointment

Est. 2min

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis hinted at a cabinet reshuffle on Tuesday, saying "corrective measures" were required after his centre-right party performed less well than expected in the European Parliament election.

Migration 12-06-2024

Austria far right calls for EU ‘remigration’ commissioner

Est. 2min

Austria's far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) on Tuesday (11 June) called for the government to name an EU "remigration" commissioner after winning the EU elections in the Alpine nation.

Politics 12-06-2024

EU elections second round in France

Est. 8min

In today’s edition of the Capitals, find out more about former Catalan president Puigdemont's return to Spain remaining unclear as the country's controversial amnesty law comes into force, Czech far-right party admitting failure in EU elections, and so much more.

Global Europe 12-06-2024

Israel official says Hamas changed ‘all meaningful parameters’ for Gaza ceasefire deal

Est. 5min

Hamas on Wednesday (12 June) said its "positive" response to a US ceasefire plan for the eight-month-old war in the Gaza Strip opened a "wide pathway" to reach an agreement, but the outlook remains uncertain.

Politics 12-06-2024

Romanian far-right party entering EU parliament for the first time eyes ID

Est. 3min

The far-right SOS Romania party, founded just three years ago, most closely aligns with the far-right EU group Identity and Democracy (ID), according to Diana Şoșoacă, the leader of the party that will send two of Romania's eight far-right MEPs to the new European Parliament.

Politics 12-06-2024

Bulgarian president blocks common Bucharest Nine position on Ukraine

Est. 4min

Bulgarian President Rumen Radev, known for his long-term opposition to sending aid to Ukraine, blocked the adoption of a common position on the provision of military aid to Kyiv at the Bucharest Nine forum in Riga on Tuesday. 

Global Europe 12-06-2024

US to widen sanctions on sale of semiconductor chips to Russia

Est. 3min

The US government plans on Wednesday (12 June) to announce wider sanctions on the sale of semiconductor chips and other goods to Russia, with the goal of targeting third-party sellers in China, sources familiar with the plans said.

Politics 12-06-2024

Czech far-right party admits failure in EU elections

Est. 2min

The Czech Freedom and Direct Democracy (ID) party will convene a committee within the next two weeks to analyse its disappointing performance in the recent European elections, party leader Tomio Okamura announced on Tuesday.

Politics 12-06-2024

Poland pays tribute to soldier killed in border attack

Est. 3min

Sirens blared across Poland during the funeral of a soldier who died last week after being stabbed by a migrant at the border with Belarus - serving as another example of hybrid activities taking place all across NATO, according to Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

Politics 12-06-2024

Slovak government delays ‘hot-button’ issues until autumn

Est. 3min

As the summer recess of the Slovak parliament approaches, the ruling coalition announced on Tuesday that it will postpone until September the controversial laws on foreign agents and environmental impact assessment, as well as the dispute over the new speaker of parliament, which the coalition parties are contesting.

Politics 12-06-2024

Portuguese president notes shift in country’s position on Palestine

Est. 3min

President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa said Portugal’s official position on the Palestinian question is changing, reminding protesting students that Portugal had recently adopted an official position in favour of Palestine's entry into the UN as a full member.

Politics 12-06-2024

Puigdemont’s return unclear as Spain’s controversial amnesty law comes into force

Est. 5min

Spain's controversial amnesty law, pardoning Catalan separatists responsible for illegal actions between 2011 and 2023, officially came into force on Tuesday, but the expected return of former Catalan president Carles Puigdemont to Spain remains uncertain, as on the same day a Spanish judge announced that an arrest warrant for the separatist leader remains in force.

Agrifood 12-06-2024

Elected lawmakers set to shape the EU’s agrifood policy

Est. 4min

Euractiv’s agri-food hub has identified all incoming lawmakers likely to influence agricultural policy over the 2024-2029 mandate.