EURACTIV News
To unions’ dismay, EU Parliament backs new rules on tour bus driver breaks
The European Parliament agreed its stance on new rules defining the minimum rest periods for tour bus drivers on Tuesday (12 December), earning applause from industry and criticism from workers’ groups.
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The Brief – Another lost year for energy efficiency
At COP28, international leaders once again fell short of embracing energy efficiency targets, representing perhaps the biggest missed opportunity of the decade. Meet energy efficiency, the magical millions of hard-to-grasp levers that allow us to do more while consuming less...
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EU parliament approves its first report on mental health
In a plenary vote on Tuesday (12 December), MEPs voted in favour of an own-initiative report calling for more direct funding for mental health action and identification of high-risk populations.
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MEPs call for new rules on digital platforms’ addictive design
The European Parliament adopted with a broad majority the initiative to make digital platforms less addictive at its plenary session in Strasbourg on Tuesday (12 December).
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Breaking the silence: France and Germany are failing women [Promoted content]
Shame on German and French governments for letting down all women and girls in Europe! The European Women’s Lobby appeals to the Governments of France and Germany to reconsider their disgraceful decision to reject - once again - the proposal of including a consent-based definition of rape in the Directive on violence against women and domestic violence. Their decision to reject the Spanish Presidency’s compromise proposal based on the wording of the Istanbul Convention is blocking the negotiations and putting the whole Directive at stake.
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France unveils plan to up investments in nuclear fusion, natural hydrogen
France will give the green light to new investments in nuclear fusion, natural hydrogen, energy storage and carbon capture, President Emmanuel Macron announced on Monday (11 December).
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Fact Check: Fake BBC clip on Ukrainian politician selling arms to Hamas
The BBC did not publish a video claiming that a Ukrainian politician sold arms to Hamas as suggested by images circulating online that carry BBC branding and cite investigative group Bellingcat, the Reuters Fact Check team has found.
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COP28: A call for strategic water action in Europe [Promoted content]
The 28th United Nations Climate Change conference just wrapped up in Dubai. 118 nations pledged to triple renewable energy by 2030. But what about their water dependency? The water crisis still needs to be tackled. Globally, 69% of the publicly...
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‘Chip alliance’: South Korean president kicks off Dutch trip
South Korea's president kicked off a visit to the Netherlands Tuesday (12 December), hoping to forge a "chip alliance" between the two global semiconductor powerhouses amid growing tech tensions with China.
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It’s time for a European Constituent Moment
National leaders must agree to open a new European convention to reform the EU treaties and deliver on the recommendations made by the Conference on the Future of Europe.
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EU ministers determined to advance pesticide law despite uncertainty
Most EU agriculture ministers have voiced their resolve to continue work on the EU’s contentious pesticide regulation, despite the European Parliament voting against the file and further negotiations on it.
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How European countries are implementing new cybersecurity framework
EU countries are implementing the updated Network and Information Security Directive (NIS2), in force since January, with varying degrees of progress. To provide an overview of the state of play, Euractiv interviewed Nicolas Sonder and Mailin von Knobelsdorff, PwC experts on cybersecurity.
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Call for a responsible use of the term ‘probiotic’ in Europe [Promoted content]
The International Probiotics Association Europe (IPA Europe) is deeply committed to promoting the responsible use of probiotics in food and food supplements. In this statement IPA Europe asks for an evaluation of the current understanding of the term ‘probiotic’ in the EU and to set up clear criteria to prevent the indiscriminate use of the term 'probiotic' and its potential misinterpretation. The full text is available here.
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Greek NHS fails to meet mission due to mismanagement: survey
Guided by political criteria, the Greek National Health System (NHS) has failed to meet its mission due to significant mismanagement, a new policy paper published by the influential Greek think tank diaNEOsis reveals.
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Sweden explores increased state control over healthcare
Can a full or partial nationalisation of the health services be a cure for Sweden’s health care crisis? A Swedish parliamentary investigative committee is now trying to find an answer.
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Member states scrambling to secure steady flow of diabetic drug
Germany is considering an export ban on Ozempic, an antidiabetic medicine that has been flying off the shelves in pharmacies not only for its effectiveness in managing glucose levels of people living with Type 2 Diabetes but also for its weight-loss properties.
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Time for the EU to take ownership of the Serbia-Kosovo process
In the Western Balkans, good things happen when the West is resolute, and the opposite is true when there is drift or apathy sets in. EU leaders would do well to bear this in mind when they meet for the EU-Western Balkans summit this week, write Michael Keating and Senad Šabović.
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CO2 storage: Keeping the bar high for the oil and gas industry
As EU policymakers enter final negotiations on the Net-Zero Industry Act, they should secure ambitious provisions for CO2 storage. In particular, Article 18 must be safeguarded to ensure oil and gas producers are held accountable for developing carbon storage, writes Matteo Guidi.
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LIVE NOW! Decarbonising shipping – What role can climate labels play?
While maritime transport plays an essential role in the EU economy and is one of the most energy-efficient modes of transport, it is also a large and growing source of greenhouse gas emissions. Projections show that these emissions could increase...
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IMF board approves $900 million for Ukraine as Zelenskyy visits
The IMF executive board on Monday (11 December) approved a $900 million disbursement for Ukraine from its $15.6 billion loan program, hours before IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
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