Eunews
Articles about Eunews
Meno tasse per i ricchi, meno soldi alle famiglie: nell’Italia di Meloni crescono le disuguaglianze
La relazione 2026 sull'Europa sociale e del lavoro fotografa un'Italia a disuguaglianze crescenti, che critica il governo in carica
EU trade in electric and hybrid cars is on the rise
Brussels – It’s now official: electric and alternative-fuel engines are becoming increasingly common in the European Union. According to Eurostat, the EU’s statistical office, in 2025 the EU imported 45.1 billion euros of hybrid and electric cars, a 4 per cent increase from 2024 (43.4 billion euros). Exports reached 64.7 billion euros, a 10 per cent increase from the previous year (58.7 billion euros).
Multi-annual budget: Ireland defends its proposal
Brussels – Ireland supports the negotiated compromise – the so-called ‘nego-box’ – on the EU’s multiannual financial framework (MFF 2028–2034), drawn up during its term as President of the Council of the EU. It matters little that some Member States, the European Parliament, the European Commission, the Committee of the Regions, and the agricultural and industrial sectors do not agree with the proposed solutions.
Meloni, Merz and De Wever write to Costa, urging faster investments
The Prime Minister: “If we do not develop structural, long-term solutions, we risk becoming increasingly at the mercy of emergencies”
Montenegro moves closer to the EU, closes three negotiation chapters on the economy, statistics and social policy
Brussels – Three steps forward for Montenegro in the process of joining the European Union. Today (12 October), the EU and Podgorica provisionally closed three negotiation chapters concerning economic and monetary policy, statistics, and social and employment policy, the Council of the EU said in a press release.
Kallas: Abbattuti siti web dove russi reclutavano mercenari
Brussels – There is one overriding priority: to counter the network of mercenary soldiers controlled by the Kremlin. For this reason, “we have taken down dozens of websites and hundreds of adverts” linked to a network recruiting mercenaries (without their knowledge) in Africa. The announcement was made today (12 October) by the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, at a press conference on the sidelines of the Foreign Affairs Council meeting held today in Luxembourg.
Von der Leyen launches the Anti-Gold-Plating Pact: an end to national rules that are stricter than those laid down by the EU
Brussels – The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has proposed a “Pact against gold-plating”, that is, against Member States adding further requirements to national legislation beyond those laid down by EU law. The proposal is set out in a letter to Heads of State and Government sent today (12 October), which refers to the announcement made in last month’s State of the Union address.
Russia: measures taken against 77 individuals in connection with the Duma elections
Brussels – The European Union stands in solidarity with the occupied territories of Ukraine, not only when they are theatres of war, but also when they are the venues for illegitimate elections. Today (12 October), the EU Council announced
Fisheries: report on the WestMed plan for management in the Mediterranean approved
Brussels – The report on the WestMed plan for fisheries management in the western Mediterranean has been approved. This was announced by Giuseppe Lupo, MEP for the PD and a member of the Committee on Fisheries: “The approval of the report on the WestMed plan is an important step towards fisheries management in the Mediterranean that balances the protection of marine resources with employment and the future of coastal communities.”
Budget: EU criticises Dublin’s cuts. Costa calls for an agreement
Brussels – Following the European Parliament, the Regions and farmers, it is now the European Commission itself that is speaking out today (12 October) against the cuts set out in the new proposal (the so-called “Nego-box”) put forward by the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union on the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2028–2034. It is calling for “a budget that matches the Union’s ambitions.”
Russia: EU sanctions imposed on nearly 1,600 companies and individuals. Kallas
The EU’s High Representative, while expressing her satisfaction, has criticised the US: “A very productive meeting; now is not the time to ease sanctions on Moscow.” The issue of frozen Russian assets has resurfaced
Damage caused by Cyclone Harry: 74.9 million from the EU Solidarity Fund to Italy
Brussels – Italy will receive €74.9 million from the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) to address the damage caused by Cyclone Harry, which struck the country alongside Malta in January 2026. This was announced by the European Parliament, which explained that the Committee on Budgets approved the allocation on Monday with 34 votes in favour, none against and no abstentions.
The EU Council establishes the support mission in Lebanon
Brussels – The Council of the European Union today (12 October) adopted a decision establishing a European Union support mission in Lebanon (EUSM Lebanon) under the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). The mission will have an initial mandate of three years.
Cohesion: Commission and Committee of the Regions still divided
Brussels – While there is agreement and a united front against budget cuts, the European Commission and the European Committee of the Regions (COR) continue to hold differing views on the direction of cohesion policy. The press conference marking the start of the European Regions Week held by the Vice-President of the EU executive, Raffaele Fitto, and the President of the CoR, Kata Tüttő, highlights all the limitations of today’s Europe, characterised by differing visions and institutions that are disconnected from one another.
Defence: EU Council approves the AGILE programme
Brussels – The Council of the EU also gave its final approval. Today (12 October), the Council formally adopted the regulation establishing the programme for agile and rapid innovation in the defence sector (AGILE). With a budget of 115 million euros, the instrument provides “rapid, agile and targeted” financial support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) – including start-ups and scale-ups – engaged in developing defence products.
4.43 million Ukrainians under temporary protection in the EU
Brussels – At the end of August, 4.43 million people who fled Ukraine as a result of Russia’s war of aggression were granted temporary protection in the EU, according to Eurostat, the European Union’s statistical office. Temporary protection is an exceptional procedure offering immediate protection to displaced persons who are unable to return to their home countries due to war, violence, or human rights violations.
Ukraine: Trump makes deals with Putin. EU: “We will continue on our own path”
Brussels – Moving forward without paying too much attention to others’ choices. The European Union condemns US President Donald Trump’s decision to strike a deal with Vladimir Putin’s Russia, and is responding with greater firmness. The Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg begins with a display of unity of purpose, aimed at undermining the Kremlin’s resistance. “We are moving forward on our own path,” said the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, on her arrival.
Glucksmann wins the Social Democratic Left’s primary
Brussels – The leader of the Place Publique party and MEP (S&D), Raphaël Glucksmann, has won the social-democratic left’s primary election in France. With 66.13 per cent of the votes, he comfortably beat the secretary of the Socialist Party (PS), Olivier Faure (14.48 per cent), yesterday (11 October).
Strada, Corrado, Zan (PD): “The EU must defend the CPI from US attacks”
Brussels – “The time for words, for ‘we deplore’ and ‘we condemn but at this stage we prefer dialogue’ is over,” says MEP Cecilia Strada (PD / S&D) following the announcement of new US sanctions against the International Criminal Court.
US sanctions against CPI: the EU comments: “Regrettable”
Brussels – The United States has announced sanctions against the International Criminal Court (ICC) – following numerous threats – and the European Union has come out in defence of the court, assuring that it will take all necessary measures to ensure its continued operation. Washington’s decision, as announced by the US Treasury Department, comes at the very same time as the award of the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize to Navanethem “Navi” Pillay, a South African lawyer and former judge at the ICC and United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
China, Šefčovič in Beijing: Initial agreement reached
At the end of his visit to the Chinese capital, the European Commissioner welcomed the signing of a joint declaration and the agreement on three key points, including the issue of rare earths
Scuderi (AVS): “Tax windfall profits to fund investment”
Brussels – Taxing windfall profits to enable investment in healthcare, schools, education, energy, industry, and housing. This is the appeal that Benedetta Scuderi, MEP for the Green and Left Alliance, made today (9 October) on the programme “Coffee Break” on La7, just a few hours before the Ecofin’s decision to mandate the European Commission to assess the possibility of taxing energy companies’ windfall profits. “A budget deviation to make investments is absolutely necessary.
Panama and Vietnam removed from the EU’s blacklist of tax havens
Brussels – Panama and Vietnam have been removed from the European Union’s blacklist of tax havens. The Ecofin Council issued an update today (9 October) The list now comprises eight countries and territories. The half-yearly review takes into account the progress made in international tax cooperation and the commitments made to comply with European and international standards.
Energy companies’ windfall profits: Ecofin mandates the Commission to introduce taxes
Brussels – Taxes on the windfall profits of oil and energy companies: the EU has decided to try to introduce them. It will not happen immediately, as further technical and legal work is required, but “the Commission has been given a mandate to explore the possibility of taxes on windfall profits”, announced Simon Harris, Ireland’s Minister for Finance and current chair of the Ecofin Council by virtue of the Irish Government’s current presidency of the Council of the EU.
Energy, circular economy, transport and finance: these are the topics to be discussed at the Connact Autumn workshop
Boosting European competitiveness. The event, which will be attended by European policy-makers and Italian stakeholders, will take place at the European Parliament on 13 October
Financial markets: Ecofin curbs ESMA’s supervisory powers, drawing criticism from the European Commission and the ECB
The ministers for the economy and finance reached a compromise on the single supervisory mechanism that satisfies only national governments, thereby cementing the EU’s role as an organisation serving the interests of the Member States. Albuquerque: “A weakened package with less ambition; a deplorable agreement.” Lagarde: “I share these concerns.”
ESMA: EU Council approves Carlo Comporti as Chair
Brussels – It’s official: the Council of the European Union today (9 October) formally appointed Carlo Comporti as Chair of the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA). His term of office will begin on 1 November 2026, lasting for five years, and may be extended once. Comporti is currently a commissioner at the National Commission for Companies and the Stock Exchange (CONSOB) and a member of both the Supervisory Board and the Management Board of ESMA.
Sìkela urges greater private investment for the development agenda
Brussels – “The development agenda has seen its budget cut by more than 23 per cent year-on-year,” and “we cannot bridge this gap with public funds alone,” said the European Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jozef Síkela, at a press briefing on the sidelines of the informal meeting of EU development ministers held today (9 October) in Dublin, Ireland.
Eurostat: 92 per cent of travel takes place within the EU
Brussels – Europeans are continuing to travel, but without straying too far from home. According to data released by Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Union, in 2025, EU residents made 1.2 billion personal and business trips, 1.4 per cent more than in 2024. Of these, 848 million took place within the country of residence (70 per cent), while 264 million took place in another Member State (22 per cent). In total, 92 per cent of journeys remained within the EU’s borders.
Recovery Fund, EU Court of Auditors: Member States committed irregularities to secure funding
Brussels -Irregularities and changes to project timelines to “make the numbers add up”, thereby concealing poorly planned measures financed by Recovery Fund resources: Member States are alleged to have adjusted their stated intervention and reform targets to finance their National Recovery and Resilience Plans (NRRPs) and conceal foreseeable failures. This is the allegation in the EU Court of Auditors’ special report on the implementation of the budget in 2025. A comprehensive document states that “Several CIDs (Council Implementing Decisions,
Materie prime critiche, l’UE seleziona 46 nuovi progetti
The initiatives cover 15 of the 17 raw materials considered strategic by the EU: eight relate to extraction, 11 to processing and 19 to recycling, and involve 16 Member States
Giansanti: “The EU should provide flexibility and an ambitious budget”
The president of Confagricoltura, re-elected as head of COPA, has called for “a special Temporary Framework” to allow countries to take action to prevent the rise in energy and fertiliser costs
EU begins talks on taxing energy companies’ windfall profits
Brussels – A tax on the windfall profits of energy companies to tackle rising fuel and energy prices: the EU is attempting to introduce it and has launched a debate at the Member State level. It is not yet clear if or when this will be achieved, but the debate has officially begun. It is the Commissioner for Climate Action, Wopke Hoekstra, who is putting the proposal on the table at the Ecofin Council in Luxembourg. “We will hold an exploratory debate,” he said upon his arrival to take part in the proceedings.
Costa: “Negotiations on the MFF are entering a decisive phase”
In his traditional letter of invitation to the 27 EU leaders, the President of the European Council warned: “Against a backdrop of growing geopolitical uncertainty, our next meeting will have a strong focus on the economy”
The EU is weathering the winter despite below-average gas stocks
Brussels – Despite the energy crisis, the European gas system continues to cope. Once again, The Gas Coordination Group’s assessment of the situation has yielded a positive outcome. Although storage levels are “below historical levels”, the winter report from the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Gas (ENTSOG) confirms that the EU system is “flexible enough to meet demand” this winter. The analysis covers a six-month period, from early October 2026 to late March 2027.
Call for further flexibility proves unpalatable to the Eurogroup
Brussels – There is discontent within the Eurogroup over Italy’s request for further flexibility to tackle the energy crisis. The issue of additional leeway will be on the agenda at today’s (8 October) Eurogroup meeting in Luxembourg, but there will be no conclusions. This is a reassuring development, at least for the so-called “frugal” countries, but it is not enough to allay the ever-present fears of wasteful spending and rising debt.
Ecolabel UE, 81 per cento dei consumatori reputa sostenibile
Brussels – European consumers’ trust in the Ecolabel UE, the EU’s official eco-label, is growing, as is their willingness to buy products certified as more sustainable. This is what emerges from the latest Eurobarometer survey, published to mark World Ecolabel Day, highlighting an increase in both awareness of the label and its use in purchasing habits.
EESC: post-purchase information on energy labels
Brussels – Providing a comprehensive overview of the entire product life cycle and improving transparency and accessibility through digital tools. This is what the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) made clear to the European Commission regarding the new energy labelling scheme.
ECB set to pause: “Further interest rate rises could affect growth”
Brussels – Following the latest rise in interest rates decided at the September meeting, the European Central Bank may be considering a pause, possibly a prolonged one. This is less a matter of speculation than a necessity to safeguard the eurozone economy. The reason is that, as the ECB’s Executive Board concludes, “a further rise in long-term interest rates could adversely affect growth.“ This is probably one of the key passages in the minutes of the meeting of 10 September, when interest rates were raised.
Europe is financing Ukraine’s defence industry. What comes next?
The latest disbursement reflects a broader change in European military support. Alongside transfers from existing inventories and orders from established suppliers, EU financing is supporting weapons production within Ukraine
Canada: the EU exported goods worth 48.8 billion
Brussels – Canada remains an important trading partner for the European Union. According to Eurostat, the EU’s statistical office, in 2025 the EU exported goods worth €48.8 billion to Canada, while imports stood at 33 billion. During the same period, the trade surplus – the positive difference between a country’s exports and imports – stood at 15.8 billion. Compared with 2024, exports (48.2 billion) increased by 1.2 per cent and imports (28 billion) by 18 per cent.
EU: green light for the national escape clause for Italy
Brussels – The European Commission has given the go-ahead to Italy’s request to activate the national escape clause. The dossier now passes to the Council for final approval. The announcement was made today (8 October) by the spokesperson for the European Commission, Balazs Ujvari, during the daily press briefing.
Pigs and poultry: EU simplifies emissions rules
Brussels – Common rules, reduced administrative burdens and simplified measures for large-scale pig and poultry farms. The European Commission adopted today (8 October) new rules set out in the Directive on industrial and livestock emissions, which establish minimum standards across the EU to reduce ammonia, nitrogen and phosphorus emissions, which are responsible for air and water pollution and ecosystem damage.
Droughts and floods: EU grants 134.8 million euros to Spain and Romania
Brussels – The European Union is mobilising 134.8 million euros to support Spain and Romania in their recovery from the natural disasters that struck the two countries in 2025. The funds will be channelled through the EU Solidarity Fund (EUSF) to cover part of the costs of emergency operations and recovery efforts in the affected areas. Spain will receive 120.5 million euros to address the damage caused by the prolonged drought, extreme heatwaves,
EU Council extends sanctions against Russia
Brussels – The Council of the European Union decided today (8 October) to extend the individual restrictive measures against those responsible for Russia’s destabilising actions abroad by one year, until 9 October 2027, in light of Russia’s continued and intensified hybrid activities, including Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) against the EU and its member states and partners.
Green homes: ECB warns support is needed for low-income households
Brussels –Focus on climate change and climate policies: the effects of the former are uneven, and the latter, if not adequately supported by targeted measures, risk exacerbating disparities, inequalities, and poverty. This is the message in the European Central Bank’s analysis of climate-change-driven inequalities and why the EU should take them into account.
A letter from two outgoings
Macron and Merz ask von der Leyen for a trade flick knife that opens at the touch. With consequences for power inside the Union, for the 2027 appointments, for the open account with Beijing, Washington and Moscow
Socialist mayor of Liège imposes emergency order: all demonstrations banned for at least 9 days
Brussels – No more demonstrations in Liège. There has been no response to the demands of the young people and adults taking part in the demonstrations. However, there was a swift response to the local police’s proposal: as of this morning and for at least nine days, any gathering of more than three people on the streets of the Belgian city is banned.
Mobile frequencies: Labriola criticises AGCM opinion, calls for industrial policy
Brussels – TIM’s chief executive, Pietro Labriola, criticised the AGCM’s ruling on the renewal of mobile spectrum usage rights, accusing the Authority of moving in the opposite direction to that indicated by the European Union to accelerate the digital transition. In a post on LinkedIn, the executive argues that the issue “goes far beyond spectrum.”
MFF 2028–2034: EU Court of Auditors warns new own resources needed
The Luxembourg auditors warn that without an agreement on new sources of revenue there will be tougher choices and less ambition. A reminder about spending errors, which are on the rise, and a call for better control systems
Energy prices: Eurogroup snubs Italy on flexibility
Brussels – How to respond to rising energy prices? The Eurogroup is attempting to find a unified, consistent, orderly, and coordinated response to a problem that everyone must address, during a meeting that will not alter the current state of play. Firstly, as European sources indicate, no operational conclusions are expected from today’s meeting (8 October); secondly, because the budgetary rules cannot be changed. “How long can the regulatory framework maintain its credibility if it proves to be flexible in every single practical situation?”
Young people in the EU are more likely to take part in physical activity
Brussels – It’s a well-known fact: sport is good for your health, and it seems that young people in the European Union have realised this. According to Eurostat, the European Union’s statistical office, in 2025, 73.1 per cent of people aged between 16 and 29 in the EU engaged in physical activity at least once a week, while the proportion amongst the total EU population – everyone aged 16 and over – stood at 61.6 per cent. The most marked differences were found amongst young people who take part in sport several times a week.
EU budget: capital cities oppose cuts to the MFF for cohesion
Brussels – The European Union’s multiannual budget is not merely an accounting exercise, but the instrument through which Brussels funds its priorities and translates them into concrete actions on the ground.
Farewell to Barbara Spinelli, journalist and former MEP
Brussels – The journalist, essayist and former MEP, Barbara Spinelli, has died at the age of 80. The announcement was made today (7 October) by her family, while Il Fatto Quotidiano, for which Spinelli had been a contributor since 2016, reported the news.
China: the EU shifts its focus from dialogue to a firm stance: “Use trade defence instruments”
The European Parliament has approved the recommendation on the policy to be pursued towards Beijing. Diplomacy takes a back seat, with pressure taking priority
Kubilius: “Let the Parliament and the Council approve the ‘military Schengen’”
Brussels – Next year, “Russia will spend an amount equal to, or even slightly greater than, the combined total of all EU Member States, namely between 500 and 550 billion euros.” The Council and the European Parliament “must understand this and act accordingly, including at national level, particularly with regard to military mobility.” This was stated today (7 October) by the European Commissioner for Defence, Andrius Kubilius, in Hamburg (Germany) at a conference on “Schengen – military logistics and transport”.
Student protests in France: NewsGuard identifies fake videos circulated to exaggerate the chaos and violence
Brussels – As student protests spread across France, NewsGuard has identified four examples of fake news that use videos taken out of context to exaggerate the scale and violence of the movement. Three of the videos, the organisation explains, have nothing to do with the ongoing protests.
Francia in piazza, le proteste oltre la scuola
Brussels – France is taking to the streets, but the protests go beyond education. The focus is on an increasingly fragile social model, cuts to public spending and a future that many young people feel is closing in on them. Since mid-September, thousands of secondary school pupils have been blocking French schools to protest against overcrowded classrooms, a shortage of teachers, dilapidated buildings and excessively long school days.
The drone battlefield is reshaping combined arms
Operation Vivaldi has reportedly recovered around 150–250 square kilometres of territory. It is testing how combined-arms manoeuvre might work when persistent surveillance makes traditional force concentration increasingly dangerous
Vittorio Di Bucci sworn in as the new Registrar of the EU Court of Justice
Brussels – Change at the top of the Registry of the Court of Justice of the European Union: today, at the institution’s headquarters, the formal ceremony is being held for the swearing-in and the assumption of office of Vittorio Di Bucci. The Court announced that the Italian judge succeeds Alfredo Calot Escobar, who had held the post since 6 October 2010 and has resigned.
More than 38.3 million Europeans struggled to afford a meal in 2025
Brussels – Eating is becoming a luxury, and for European Union citizens, it is increasingly a source of sacrifice and forced dieting. According to Eurostat data released today (7 October), in 2025 8.5 per cent of people could not afford a meal containing meat, chicken or fish (or a vegetarian equivalent) every second day. Translated into actual people, this 8.5 per cent amounts to over 38.3 million: a vast number of men and women of all ages having to cope with the high cost of living.
EU Parliament approves toll discounts for low-emission trucks and buses
Brussels – The European Parliament has given its final approval to the updated rules on road tolls for low-emission heavy goods vehicles, which will remain in force until 30 June 2031. The plenary vote saw 475 in favour, 96 against and 70 abstentions.
EU Parliament welcomes Hamas hostage Omri Miran
Brussels – The European Parliament’s plenary session paid tribute to the 1,195 victims and 251 hostages of the Hamas attacks on 7 October 2023, welcoming Omri Miran, who was abducted on that day and held hostage by the terrorist group for 738 days. “Today marks three years since the Hamas terrorist attack in Israel on 7 October 2023. Nearly 1,200 people were killed, and 251 were taken hostage. I therefore ask you to join me in welcoming Omri Miran to the Chamber, who was taken hostage and spent 738 days in captivity.
European Union disburses 1.24 billion to Ukraine for drones and missiles
Brussels – The European Union is steadfast in its support to strengthen Ukraine’s defence capabilities. The European Commission today disbursed 1.24 billion euros as part of the loan to support Ukraine as part of the 90 billion euros package the EU approved to assist Kyiv during the two years 2026 and 2027. Specifically, the allocation relates to the “defence component” of the loan and will cover the supply of drones, their components and missiles manufactured in Ukraine.
2028–2034 Budget: EPP MEPs oppose Merz and his party
Brussels – The European Union’s draft multiannual financial framework (MFF 2028–2034) is causing discontent within the European People’s Party (EPP), where divisions and rifts are emerging between the parliamentary group, the party and its leaders.
Eight EU countries are calling for a ‘ban’ on new nicotine products
Brussels –A ban on new nicotine products entering the market, a wide-ranging ban on flavors, and the option for Member States to ban nicotine pouches. This is the approach that eight EU countries are calling for in the revision of the Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) and of the Tobacco Advertising Directive (TAD).
Terry Reintke and Nicolae Ștefănuță re-elected as co-chairs of the Greens group
Brussels – The European Greens parliamentary group has confirmed Terry Reintke and Nicolae Ștefănuță as co-chairs. The two had already held the post and have been elected for a further term until the end of the parliamentary term.
Europeans divided over new EU budget revenue measures
According to the survey by the research firm formed through a partnership between SWG and OpinionWay, the Commission’s proposal to generate new revenue for the common coffers is well received in Italy and Spain
Europeans hope for Netanyahu’s downfall, Polling Europe Euroscope finds
The findings of the regular survey carried out by the research company formed through a partnership between SWG and OpinionWay
4 nuovi Paesi, l’UE da ripensare e prepara l’allargamento
The use of qualified majority voting – which reduces the weight of unanimity in certain areas – and the gradual integration of candidate countries, even before their accession, are the two major innovations on which the European Commission is focusing in order to expand the EU’s borders
EESC: the EU must invest in new construction methods
The Irish Presidency of the Council has asked the Economic and Social Committee to draw up an opinion on a structural issue
Peter Hegemann, winner of the 2026 Nobel Prize in Medicine, has received EU funding for his research
Brussels – Biophysicist Peter Hegemann, whose work has also been supported by European funding, has won the 2026 Nobel Prize in Medicine alongside Karl Deisseroth and Georg Nagel. Their work has revolutionised neuroscience, making it possible to control the activity of neurons using light.
Technical standards for businesses: the proposed regulation could lead to savings of 300 million
The initiative forms part of the competitiveness agenda. A greater focus on SMEs, with the European Commission granted the power to take the initiative. Séjourné: “Those who set the requirements shape the technologies and markets of tomorrow”
Housing Plan: Socialists: “The EPP must not negotiate with the far right”
Brussels – There’s no getting around it: if the Socialists (S&D) want to get their proposals on affordable housing through, they must seek support from the European People’s Party (EPP). During a press briefing held today (6 October) on the sidelines of the European Parliament’s plenary session in Strasbourg, the group’s chair, Iratxe García Pérez, urged the group led by Manfred Weber not to give in “to the temptation to negotiate this legislative proposal with the far right in order to weaken it.”
Spain: Weber hopes the Partido Popular will win
Brussels – “The first step is to give citizens a voice. My message today is that if Alberto (Núñez Feijóo, ed.) is strong, if the Partido Popular is even stronger, then there will be no need for any influence from more radical forces, nor will these be decisive.” These were the words of Manfred Weber, MEP and chair of the European People’s Party (EPP) group, during a press briefing today (6 October) in Strasbourg, on the sidelines of the European Parliament’s plenary session.
European Parliament lifts Matteo Ricci’s (PD) immunity
Brussels – The European Parliament has lifted the immunity of Matteo Ricci, an MEP from the PD. The Democratic Party politician, who is currently vice-president of the European Parliament’s Transport Committee, is at the centre of a judicial investigation known as the “Affidopoli” inquiry, concerning alleged irregular contracts awarded by the Pesaro City Council during the period in which he was mayor of the city (May 2014–June 2024). The plenary vote follows the procedure to lift his immunity, which was initiated last June.
Eurostat: 11 Italian regions fail the employment test
Brussels – Europe is edging closer to its 2030 employment target. Still, Italy continues to show a deep regional divide, according to data released today (6 October) by Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Union. In 2025, the employment rate for people aged between 20 and 64 in the EU rose to 76.1 per cent, just 1.9 percentage points short of the 78 per cent target set by the European Pillar of Social Rights.
Defence: Strasbourg plenary approves AGILE programme
Brussels – The European Parliament’s plenary session has approved AGILE, the pilot programme proposed by the Commission in March 2026 with a budget of 115 million euros to support the development and market entry of innovative defence technologies, ranging from artificial intelligence to unmanned systems. Between 20 and 30 projects are planned for 2027.
Eurostat: EU posts a hi-tech surplus. Record exports of 566 bln euros in 2025
Brussels – The European Union is strengthening its position in the global trade of high-tech products and ended 2025 with a surplus of 32.4 billion euros. This marks the second consecutive year in the black following four years of deficits, between 2020 and 2023, according to the latest Eurostat data. In 2025, EU countries imported high-tech products worth 534.1 billion euros and exported 566.5 billion euros, resulting in a surplus of 32.4 billion euros.
Multi-annual budget: Parliament and Commission warn leaders about ‘excessive’ cuts
Brussels – Beware of cuts – excessive ones, that is. On the delicate issue of the EU’s multiannual financial framework (MFF 2028–2034), heads of state and government have received a joint warning from the Commission and the Parliament. It is not a new warning, but one centred on a word that seems to be becoming the linchpin of the whole issue: “excessive”.
Natural gas, refineries, and networks: von der Leyen’s plan to tackle high energy prices
Brussels – The energy crisis continues to take its toll, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, is well aware of this. That is why she announced measures in the European Parliament to safeguard the entire EU, its businesses, and its households. First and foremost, she confirmed her intention to postpone the rules on the trade in natural gas: “We will give flexibility to exporters for one more year on methane”, she told MEPs. This flexibility, she assures, “saves additional costs at a moment of crisis.”
A tribute to Anna Politkovskaya at the Strasbourg plenary
Brussels – “My grandmother wrote of Russia under Putin as a country where violence has gradually become systemic and indifference the norm.” These are the words with which the political activist Anna Victoria Politkovskaya chose to remember her grandmother, the journalist Anna Stepanovna Politkovskaya, at a tribute held yesterday (5 October) on the sidelines of the European Parliament’s plenary session in Strasbourg.
Reading and science skills among 15-year-olds in the EU are declining
Brussels – It is a fact: the basic skills of 15-year-olds in the European Union are declining and continue to do so. The European Commission published today (5 October) an EU analysis on the results of the 2025 international PISA survey, organised by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). The study assesses pupils’ skills in three key areas: reading, mathematics, and science.
Macron and Merz: new EU powers to protect the single market
Brussels – A safeguard mechanism which, if necessary, would lead to the immediate exclusion from the European single market of third countries seeking to prevent the restoration of fair conditions of competition. Signed by Emmanuel Macron and Friedrich Merz. The request, put forward in a letter from the French President and the German Chancellor to the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, aims to give Brussels a powerful economic weapon in the event of escalating trade disputes.
EU to allocate 130 million for anti-drone systems at external borders
Brussels – The European Commission is allocating a further €130 million under the Financial Support Instrument for Border Management and Visa Policy (BMVI) with the aim of stepping up support for Member States’ capabilities to counter drones. The initiative, announced during the Justice and Home Affairs Council on 1 October, forms part of the EU’s efforts to strengthen border surveillance and improve the response to emerging security threats.
Brazil: PD MEPs condemn Zuckerberg’s interference in the presidential elections
Brussels – Lula again, or Bolsonaro once more – but the younger one? Brazil will need a run-off to choose its president, in an election dominated by low turnout (21 per cent of voters abstained in the first round) and irregular behaviour on social media, which has sparked an outcry in Europe. The day of reckoning will be 25 October, when the second round will determine whether Brazil remains under Labour leadership or whether power returns to the far right.
Europe Is Spending More on Defence. But Is It Building a European Defence?
Bruxelles – European defence spending is rising at a remarkable pace. According to the European Defence Agency (EDA), EU Member States spent €418 billion on defence in 2025, equivalent to 2.2 per cent of GDP. That figure is expected to continue rising significantly over the coming years. The increase is important. Russia’s war against Ukraine
EU unlocks 157 million for Moldova’s growth plan
Brussels – The European Union’s support for Moldova’s reform process remains unwavering. The European Commission today (5 October) has disbursed €157 million to the government in Chișinău as part of the Moldova Growth Plan, a major package of financial support and reforms promoted by the EU for the period 2025–2027, with a total value of €1.8 billion. Today’s tranche, the third, was disbursed during the tenth EU-Moldova Association Council.
Industrial producer prices up 1.9 per cent
Brussels – Industrial producer prices are rising. According to Eurostat, the EU’s statistical office, industrial producer prices rose by 1.9 per cent in August 2026 from the previous month in both the eurozone and the European Union. In July 2026, prices had risen by 1.6 per cent in the euro area and by 1.4 per cent in the EU. Over the course of a year, between August 2025 and August 2026, the increase stood at 8.2 per cent in the eurozone and 8 per cent in the EU.
Moldova wants to join the EU by 2029; Kallas says Transnistria is not a problem
Brussels – Moldova in the EU, complete with reunification with Transnistria. In Brussels and Chișinău, people are discussing the future with conviction – and perhaps a touch of levity. Because there is a territory claimed by Russia, a factor that was not taken into account at all at the end of the 10th meeting of the EU-Moldova Association Council.
EU teaching staff is ageing
Brussels – 5 October is World Teachers’ Day, but within the European Union the teaching profession is under strain, particularly when it comes to generational renewal, with some countries – including Italy – where half of all teachers are already over 50. According to Eurostat, the EU’s statistical office, 5.3 million teachers worked in primary and secondary schools across the EU, up by 36,500 in 2024 compared with 2023. Of these, the majority are women (72.9 per cent), while men account for the remaining 27.1 per cent.
Weekend Round-Up War in Ukraine Brief - Europe
Ukraine needs more air defence. But it also needs weapons capable of striking Russian launch sites, drones capable of intercepting cheaper Russian threats, satellite capability to find targets, and functioning energy infrastructure to sustain the country through winter
Sitting a metre away from Putin. A reportage account of a dictator
Brussels – Just one metre away from one of the most dangerous men on the planet. Stefano Polli was the last Italian journalist to meet Vladimir Putin since the start of the invasion of Ukraine, in a three-and-a-half-hour interview conducted with a very small group of European journalists in June 2024.
Spain heads to the polls for snap election on 29 November; Sánchez challenges the right on housing and social rights
Brussels – Spain is set to go to the polls on 29 November for snap elections announced by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who is calling on citizens to vote to openly challenge the People’s Party, a political group in the EPP family in Europe.
G7 on oil: “We will release 100 million barrels”
Macron has given assurances that the move does not constitute a concession to President Trump’s demands. Among the other measures adopted are a commitment not to impose restrictions on energy exports between countries and a call for all producers to refrain from imposing bans that could exacerbate tensions in the markets
Giansanti unanimously re-elected as head of COPA
Giansanti unanimously re-elected as head of COPA; Lollobrigida: “A guarantee for the agricultural sector.” Zingaretti (PD): “An important recognition”
North Macedonia: EU seeks to break the deadlock
Brussels – A first step towards breaking the deadlock between Skopje and Sofia over the issue of recognition of Bulgarian minorities in North Macedonia could come next week. This would pave the way for the Western Balkan country’s path towards the EU. The announcement was made by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, during the visit to Skopje, where she met the North Macedonian Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski.
EU budget, defence, cost of living on European Parliament plenary agenda
The debate on the Multiannual Financial Framework is the most eagerly awaited. The Socialist spokesperson said: “It must meet the EU’s needs, such as competitiveness and defence, without neglecting cohesion, agricultural policy or investment in social services.”
Montenegro in final stretch on path to EU
Brussels – Following Tirana and Pristina, Ursula von der Leyen’s tour of the Western Balkans reached Podgorica, where Montenegro remains the country closest to joining the European Union. It is here, according to the Commission President, that what Brussels now calls “the final stretch” of the accession process is playing out: the country has opened all 33 negotiation chapters. It has provisionally closed 18 of them – more than half.
The pointless defence spending of European countries
I am convinced that Europe’s defence capabilities need to be improved. By this I mean that a Union such as this – which is almost entirely a member of NATO and has its own defence agreements – must have a central coordinating body capable of efficiently mobilising the armed forces of individual countries. And this concerns us all, from the Portuguese – who seem to be living peacefully over there, with the sea in front of them and friendly Spain behind – to the Poles, who share a border with belligerent Russia.
Kaja Kallas in Rome for meetings with Pope Leo XIV, Italian officials
Brussels – The High Representative and Vice-President of the European Commission, Kaja Kallas, is in Rome and Vatican City today. At the Vatican, she will meet His Holiness Pope Leo XIV and the Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin. In Rome, Kallas will also hold bilateral talks with the Italian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Antonio Tajani, and the Minister of Defence, Guido Crosetto.
High energy prices push eurozone inflation to 3.8 per cent in September
Brussels – Inflation in the Eurozone accelerated once again, driven mainly by high energy prices. In September, the annual rate in the euro area rose to 3.8 per cent from 3.2 per cent in August, according to the flash estimate published today (2 October) by Eurostat, the European Union’s statistical office. The figure marks an acceleration following 2.9 per cent in July and 3.2 per cent in August, bringing inflation to significantly above the European Central Bank’s 2 per cent target.
Online-booked tourist nights in EU accommodation rise
Brussels – An over 5 per cent increase in the number of nights spent by tourists in short-term accommodation in the European Union booked via Airbnb, Booking or Expedia: between April and June 2026, they totalled 258.8 million, representing a 5.3 per cent increase (+13.1 million) from the same quarter of 2025, and 23.9 per cent (+50 million) compared with the same quarter of 2024, according to data releaesed by Eurostat, the EU’s statistical office.
Business profits rise as European households dip into savings
Brussels – In the second quarter of 2026, the household savings rate in the euro area fell to 14.2 per cent from 14.4 per cent in the first quarter, according to a preliminary release of the quarterly sector accounts published by Eurostat. The decline is explained by consumption growing faster than gross disposable income, by 1.3 per cent and 1.1 per cent, respectively.
Lennart Nilsson confirmed as president of Cogeca for 2027
Brussels – The Praesidium of Cogeca, which met on 1 October, confirmed Lennart Nilsson, a farmer specialised in arable crops from the Swedish organisation LRF, as president of the organisation for the entire year of 2027. Cogeca represents over 22,000 agricultural co-operatives across the European Union.
Draghi: “Fiscal consolidation is inevitable, but growth is needed”
Brussels – Spending cuts and tax rises are not enough to balance the public finances. The watchword, rather, is “growth”. So says Mario Draghi, who today (1 October) delivered his lecture – entitled “The Central Bank, Growth and European Integration” – in memory of the economist Karl Brunner at the Swiss National Bank.
The Commission identifies Kyiv’s funding requirements for 2026
Brussels – The European Union’s support for Ukraine remains unwavering. The European Commission today (1 October) has “identified the arrangements for covering Ukraine’s budgetary and defence needs for 2026,” reaffirming “the steps necessary to ensure their timely disbursement,” an announcement that came in a joint statement with Ukraine.
Von der Leyen in Pristina: “I believe in a future for Kosovo within the EU”
Brussels – Following the official visit to Tirana, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, is continuing her tour of the Western Balkans with a stop in Pristina, the capital of Kosovo, where she met with Prime Minister Albin Kurti. “I have said it before, and I will say it again: I believe in a European future for Kosovo, quite clearly,” said von der Leyen at a press conference alongside the Prime Minister, who has been in office since 2021.
Meloni chiede più flessibilità, Bruxelles: “Già concessa”
A Commission spokesperson said: “Member States may request the activation of the national safeguard clause,” but “this must not be at the expense of the overall commitment to fiscal discipline”
Ports: EU issues warning to Italy over ships flying the national flag
Brussels – It is not just energy and taxation; the European Commission is pressing ahead with infringement proceedings against Italy. The European Commission has once again cautioned Italy, France, and Spain regarding the rules on port services and has sent a reasoned opinion to the three countries as part of infringement proceedings. At the heart of the dispute is the requirement that vessels carrying out towing and mooring operations in national ports must fly the flag of the respective country.
Import value of coffee has doubled in 10 years
Brussels – Whether lungo, ristretto or macchiato, the value of coffee imports into the European Union – that is, the total monetary cost of the transaction – has risen significantly. According to Eurostat, the EU’s statistical office, in 2025 the EU imported 2.9 million tonnes of coffee from non-EU countries. Compared with ten years ago, the volumes have increased slightly – 2.7 million tonnes were imported in 2015 – while the value of the transactions has more than doubled, rising from 8.6 billion euros in 2015 to 18.7 billion euros in 2025.
EU opens two infringement proceedings against Italy over taxation
Brussels – The European Commission has opened two infringement proceedings against Italy regarding the taxation of investments. The EU executive has set its sights on the tax treatment of interest and other income derived from Italian bonds received by certain non-resident investors, as well as on the rules governing the composition of portfolios under Individual Savings Plans (PIRs), which benefit from tax relief.
Almost 350,000 more unemployed people in the EU year on year
Brussels – Unemployment remains stable in the EU, but there were nearly 350,000 more people out of work over the past year. In August, the unemployment rate in the European Union stood at 6.1 per cent, unchanged from July but up from 6 per cent in August 2025. In the eurozone, the figure remained at 6.4 per cent, compared with 6.3 per cent a year ago, according to the latest figures published by Eurostat.
House prices and rents rose in the second quarter of 2026
Brussels – Housing is increasingly a matter for the wealthy. According to Eurostat, the European Union’s statistical office, in the second quarter of 2026 house prices in the EU rose by 4.7 per cent, while rents rose by 3 per cent from the second quarter of 2025. Compared with the first three months of 2026, property prices rose by 1.2 per cent, while rents rose by 0.7 per cent. Between 2025 and the second quarter of 2026, property values rose by 4.1 per cent and rents by 2.6 per cent.
Italy still facing EU infringement over energy efficiency and building renovations
Brussels – Italy must fully transpose the European Union’s energy efficiency regulations and swiftly submit its draft national building renovations plan (NBRP). In both cases, the European Commission has decided to press ahead with the infringement proceedings it had initiated by issuing a reasoned opinion.
Taranto to host debate on Italy’s offshore wind future
Rome – From 7 to 9 October, Taranto – identified by the Government as a strategic hub for the development of offshore wind power – will host the third edition of Offshore Wind Revolution (OWR), organised by Magellan Circle in collaboration with the Ionian Sea Port System Authority and the Puglia Region, the organisers announced in a press release.
Halting asylum applications for those under temporary protection breaches EU law
Brussels – It is contrary to European Union law to automatically suspend the examination of asylum applications lodged by persons benefiting from temporary protection, the Court of Justice of the EU ruled in a case relating to a Chinese man of Uyghur origin who,
Meloni to von der Leyen: Calls for flexibility to fight inflation
Brussels – The current economic situation is “one of the most complex in recent decades” and, amid this “multi-crisis”, Italy is calling on Brussels for greater flexibility. First on the issue of energy – where it is the leading Member State – and now also regarding inflation, which high energy prices have fueled.
Regno Unito, Burnham: l’adesione all’UE è tra le opzioni
Brussels – What if the issue of the United Kingdom’s membership of the European Union were to be revisited? The British Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, said yesterday (30 September) that it is “possible” that a future Labour Party election manifesto might promise a new referendum on the European Union.
Von der Leyen’s tour of the Balkans begins in Albania
Brussels – Following The European Council President António Costa’s tour of the capitals, it is now the turn of the head of the Berlaymont Building to visit the capitals – in this case, those of the Western Balkans. The first stop on EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s tour is Tirana, in Albania, where she was warmly welcomed by Prime Minister Edi Rama. “We see the world through the same eyes,” von der Leyen acknowledged at a press conference following her bilateral meeting with the Albanian Prime Minister.
Defence: Rutte says, “Not giving Patriot systems to Kyiv won’t help”
Brussels – “Putin knows he will never prevail over NATO,” but more must be done to stop him. A very clear message, emphasised today (30 September) by the NATO Secretary-General, Mark Rutte, to the Atlantic Alliance’s partners. During his address at the Euronews Defence and Space Summit, the Secretary-General was asked whether there was “a threat or escalation such as to make the risk of nuclear weapons being used against the Baltic states a real possibility.”
EU Council makes progress on the environmental omnibus packages
Brussels – The words of Enrico Letta and Mario Draghi are beginning to take shape in European regulations. Almost two years on from the reports that set out in black and white the need to boost competitiveness and strengthen the single market, by cutting red tape and removing barriers caused by the fragmentation of regulations across the 27 Member States, the Council of the European Union takes another step towards simplification.
Democrazia, McGrath: in arrivo nuove iniziative su IA
Brussels – The European Democracy Shield adopted last November? “We have made very good progress since then,” but it is not enough. “In the coming weeks, we will be presenting further initiatives, including a review of the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in electoral processes, as well as a recommendation on an issue I know is of direct interest to many of you: safety in politics.”
Eurodeputati del PD: “Basta ideologia Meloni contro ETS”
Brussels – Put a stop to the Meloni government’s ideology and press ahead with the ETS, the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme: This is the appeal from the MEPs of the Democratic Party, who organised a hearing at the European Parliament involving over twenty organisations from the “Sistema Italia” network to demonstrate in practice that “there is common ground between decarbonisation targets and the protection of the country’s industrial and employment base.”
Businesses: €10.9 trillion in value added in 2024
Brussels – In 2024, around 34 million businesses employed 164.5 million people, generating a net turnover of over €38.7 trillion and €10.9 trillion euros in value added – the difference between the value of the production of goods and services and the costs incurred by individual production units for the purchase of the necessary production inputs from other companies. These figures are from Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Union.
Eurostat: migrant repatriations in the EU up by 9.7 per cent
Brussels – Between April and June, the number of removal orders served on third-country nationals fell to 110,335, representing a decrease of 3.9 per cent compared with the first quarter and 12.0 per cent year-on-year. This is according to Eurostat, the EU Statistical Office, with regard to data for the second quarter of 2026, which reveal a significant shift in the management of irregular migrants within the European Union.
Three out of four workers in the EU face cyber threats at work
Three in four workers in the EU face cyber threats and attacks in the workplace. This is according to the Commission’s Eurobarometer survey
Ceuta: two MEPs accuse the EU of blocking transfers
Brussels – “Ceuta must not become a testing ground for the erosion of rights.” In Brussels, MEPs Estrella Galán (The Left) and Mélissa Camara (Greens) have returned from their mission to the Spanish exclave with a direct accusation levelled at the European Commission: “We need the transfer of migrants to Spanish territory, and the European Commission is trying to block these movements,” said Galán at a press conference at the European Parliament.
EU to establish a European emergency communications system
The initiative is designed to address fires, floods, storms, drone threats to critical infrastructure and/or terrorist attacks. Virkunnen: "It will support over five million first responders across Europe"
EU monitors the petroleum products markets
The Commission is aware of the unilateral reduction in retail fuel prices announced in Italy by Eni, which other oil companies have followed. However, it has no comment to make.
“The Bibi Files”, a documentary about Netanyahu at the European Parliament
Brussels – As a political figure, the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, has built his public image through rallies, press conferences, and television appearances. In the film “The Bibi Files”, the director, Alexis Bloom, chose to observe him “from a distance” during the questioning relating to her corruption investigations. Bloom’s hard work was brought to the European Parliament in Brussels today (29 September) by the MEPs from La Sinistra – elected with the Five Star Movement, Valentina Palmisano and Danilo Della Valle.
Berlusconi, 90 years. Metsola: “A pro-European vision”
Brussels – “A man who left his mark on Italian and European political history.” With these words, the European Parliament’s President, Roberta Metsola, paid tribute to Silvio Berlusconi during the event “Silvio Berlusconi. 90 years: an Italian story”, organised today (29 September) by the Italian delegation of Forza Italia to the European Parliament, in the presence of the party’s national secretary and Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani, and presented by MEP Salvatore De Meo.
In Brussels, a new building named after David Sassoli
Following Spinelli and De Gasperi, he is the third Italian to receive this honour. Von der Leyen: “The Parliament’s buildings are named after men and women who have helped Europe to progress, and this is where David belongs.”
EU Commission, after the Ceuta incident, calls for a plan to tackle illegal arrivals
Ursula von der Leyen outlined the five-point plan in her State of the Union address and it will be presented to the interior ministers of the 27 Member States at the Justice and Home Affairs Council on 1 and 2 October
Eurostat: nearly one in three deaths is due to cardiovascular disease
Brussels – Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death in the European Union. According to Eurostat, the EU’s statistical office, in 2023 they accounted for 1.6 million deaths, or 32.5 per cent of the total recorded in the Union. Of the 244 regions classified, 108 recorded standardised mortality rates at or above the EU average of 313 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants, while 136 were below this figure.
Eurostat: EU food waste reached 129 kg per person in 2024
Brussels – In 2024, the European Union generated approximately 129 kilograms (kg) of food waste per capita. In total, the EU produced 57.9 million tonnes of food waste, comprising both edible and non-edible parts, marking a slight increase of 0.7 per cent from 2023 (57.5 million tonnes), according to data released by Eurostat, the EU’s statistical office.
Erasmus, European Parliament urges more funding in the next MFF
Brussels – The European Commission is set to cut funding for Erasmus, the European Union programme that has enabled millions of young people to study, undertake an internship or work in another European country, but the European Parliament intends to oppose this. The European Parliament’s Committee on Culture and Education (CULT) voted today (29 September) on a text to make the 2028–2034 Erasmus programme “simpler, more predictable and more accessible.”
Natural gas: Jørgensen considers postponing import rules
Brussels – The European Union is encountering difficulties in implementing the rules on emissions from energy imports set out in the EU regulation on methane and is considering postponing their entry into force, European Commissioner for Energy, Dan Jørgensen, said at a press briefing on the sidelines of the Informal Energy Council in Dublin. This is not the first time the Danish Commissioner expresses concern about the situation.
’10 Theses on Sustainability’; Universities moblilize
The initiative is organised by the Symbola Foundation, Luiss Guido Carli University and Unioncamere. There are 1,699 participants from over 80 universities across Italy
Uschi’s short summer
The speech on the state of the Union wants to be a manifesto of strategic autonomy, but it arrives at the very moment when the two superpowers - US and China - are redrawing the balance of power without even consulting Brussels
Food, alcohol, and tobacco: the EU Parliament’s crackdown
“Prevention should be at the heart of the plan,” the report’s rapporteur, Vlad Vasile-Voiculescu, told Eunews; therefore, clearly visible health information on drinks; a mandatory nutrition label on the front of packaging; and a "European ban" on flavourings for flavoured products
Lagarde warns of an AI “bubble”: risks to the markets from corporate debt
Setting aside the risks, the ECB President, speaking at a hearing before the European Parliament’s Committee on Economic Affairs, outlined the benefits of the rapid and widespread adoption of artificial intelligence: “An increase in productivity of between 0.3 and 0.4 per cent per year over a decade”
The EU imposes new sanctions against Russia: 37 new names
Brussels – The European Union imposes further sanctions on Russia. Those decided today (28 September) have been imposed on 10 individuals and 17 entities for their involvement in the deportation and in the forced transfer of Ukrainian children to Russia, while a further 10 people have been added to the EU sanctions list for their role in the repression of the Russian democratic opposition.
EU Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Week gets underway
Brussels – “Take a few minutes, find out your numbers, understand your risks and take action early, with the support of a professional. A simple check-up will put you in charge of your health.” This is the appeal made by European Commissioner for Health Oliver Várhelyi to his “fellow Europeans” to mark the launch of the first EU Screening Week, during European Week for the Prevention and Early Detection of Cardiovascular Diseases, which will take place from 28 September to 4 October.
Kallas: “Wadephul with Lavrov? Moscow isn’t interested in peace”
Brussels – “These talks show that Russia is not at all interested in peace. Otherwise, it would not treat its negotiating partner in this way during negotiations or meetings.”
Kallas’s appeal: “Europe must rearm more quickly”
The High Representative’s address to the Defence Council. Meanwhile, the meeting revealed that two countries are open to the possibility of sending ships to the ASPIDES mission to ensure freedom of navigation in the Red Sea
Eurostat: one in 20 Europeans drinks alcohol every day
Brussels – Around one in twenty Europeans consumes daily. According to data released by Eurostat, the EU’s statistical office, this figure stood at 4.8 per cent of people aged 16 and over in 2025. 19.2 per cent drank alcohol every week, while 21.8 per cent did so monthly. Consequently, the majority of people either consumed alcohol less frequently than every month (20.7 per cent) or had never consumed alcohol or had not done so in 2025 (33.5 per cent).
Jørgensen ai 27: “Misure per ridurre domanda di energia”
Brussels – Winter is approaching, and the European Commission is urging Member States to pay the utmost attention to energy consumption ahead of the season. In a letter addressed to the energy ministers of the 27 Member States, a copy of which Eunews has seen, the European Commissioner for Energy, Dan Jørgensen, warns that “the EU’s dependence on imported fossil fuels exposes us to disruptions in the global energy geopolitics.”
EU allocates 61 million in humanitarian aid for northern Ethiopia
Brussels – In Ethiopia, “as tensions rise again in the north, civilians cannot be made to pay that price once more,” the European Commissioner for Equality, Crisis Preparedness and Management, Hadja Lahbib, warned as fears grow of a further escalation of the conflict in northern Ethiopia. The EU has announced €61 million in humanitarian aid to support the most vulnerable people affected by conflicts, displacement, epidemics and climate-related crises.
Olive oil, Italy requests to “activate funds from the EU Agricultural Reserve”
Brussels –Italy warned of the “increasing difficulties” facing the olive‑oil sector. It is therefore requesting the activation of the EU Agricultural Reserve to finance “exceptional measures aimed at
Clean tech: the EU looks to Morocco as a Mediterranean hub
Brussels – Morocco is consolidating its role as a strategic industrial hub in the Mediterranean and positioning itself as one of the most promising countries for the development of clean technologies, according to a European Commission report on clean technologies value chains in the MENA region. According to the European analysis, the Kingdom has a particularly favourable combination of industrial capabilities, modern infrastructure, geographical proximity to Europe and growing integration into global value chains.
Defence: EU countries clear the first five European projects
Brussels – The European Council today (28 September) approved five European Defence Projects of Common Interest (EDPCIs) to strengthen Europe’s operational readiness and industrial capacity in the defence sector. They will bring European countries together to develop critical capabilities in drones and anti-drone systems, maritime and seabed defence, space, air and missile defence, and the protection of Europe’s eastern flank.
Right to repair: EU infringement proceedings against Italy and 17 other countries
Brussels – The European Commission has decided to launch infringement proceedings by sending a letter of formal notice to 18 countries, including Italy, for failing to notify the Commission of the full transposition of Directive on the right to repair.
EESC: at the current rate, gender equality will be achieved in 2197
Brussels – We will have to wait another 171 years: gender equality will be achieved in 2197. This is rather late compared with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, which set the target for 2030, but this is the projection made by the UN based on the current rate of progress.
EU launches infringement proceedings over the hydrogen market
Brussels – Italy is the only EU Member State that has notified the Commission, within the deadline, of the full transposition of the European directive on the hydrogen and decarbonised gases market.
The EU releases 6.6 billion in military aid to Ukraine
Brussels – The Member States of the European Union have reached an agreement on the arrangements for releasing €6.6 billion from the European Peace Facility (EPF) earmarked for Ukraine.
Western Sahara: Peru backs Moroccan sovereignty, plans consulate in Dakhla
Brussels – Peru has expressed its support for Morocco’s territorial integrity and its sovereignty over Western Sahara, while announcing its decision to open a consulate in Dakhla. This position is set out in a joint communiqué adopted in New York at the conclusion of the meeting between the Moroccan Minister for Foreign Affairs, Nasser Bourita, and his Peruvian counterpart, Carlos Espá y Garcés Alvear, on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Avian flu and swine fever: EU provides over 73 million euros for affected farmers in Italy
Brussels – Over 73 million euros from the European Union to Italy to compensate farmers affected by outbreaks of avian influenza and African swine fever, the European Commission said in a statement. Member States have given the go-ahead to the European Commission’s proposal to mobilise a total of 73.5 million euros from the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) agricultural reserve to support businesses in the poultry, egg and pigmeat sectors affected by the two emergencies.
EU: infringement proceedings against all EU countries over industrial emissions
Brussels – The European Commission has launched infringement proceedings against all Member States regarding industrial and livestock emissions. Today (25 September), the Berlaymont building sent a letter of formal notice to all capital cities – including Rome – for failing to fully notify the measures that fully transpose the directive on industrial and livestock emissions.
EU workplace deaths rise; Italy ranks tenth with 482 in 2024
Brussels – In 2024, 3,367 people died in workplace accidents in the European Union, 45 more than in the previous year, representing an increase of 1.4 per cent, according to data released by Eurostat. In the same year, non-fatal accidents fell by 1.5 per cent to around 2.78 million cases, 43,742 fewer than in 2023.
Lollobrigida to Hansen: “Italy will make its position heard in Europe”
Brussels – The Italian Minister for Agriculture, Francesco Lollobrigida, met today (25 September) with the Commissioner for Agriculture, Christophe Hansen, in Sorrento, Campania. The meeting forms part of the strategic dialogues launched by the Luxembourg Commissioner with his European partners to define the guidelines for the future EU agenda.
Gas: the EU reassures that there is no risk to supply
Brussels – There is no cause for concern regarding the security of gas supply in the EU. This is, once again, the conclusion reached by the Gas Coordination Group, which met yesterday (24 September). Three weeks on from the last meeting, therefore, the situation remains unchanged: “ Despite lower storage levels compared to historical levels…EU gas supply remains stable”, according to the European Commission’s statement issued at the end of the meeting.
UN, Costa: reform the Security Council
Brussels – Faced with the advance of artificial intelligence, pandemics, and the climate, food and financial crises, multilateralism is “the only realistic way to address the problems of today,” said the President of the European Council, António Costa, yesterday (24 September) in his address to the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York. Faced with “pressure from geopolitical polarisation, financial constraints and institutional shortcomings” the response cannot be “withdrawal.”
President of the French ESEC: Do not be scared by dialogue with people
Claire Thoury, the newly elected head of the French Economic, Social and Environmental Council, has chosen the EESC as the first European institution to visit in her new role
EU: diesel prices hit an all-time high of €2.23 per litre
Brussels – The rise in petrol prices shows no sign of stopping. At petrol stations across the European Union, diesel has surpassed its all-time high, standing at an average of €2.23 per litre: 7 cents more than the previous week. The situation is no better for petrol, with the average price up 26.3 per cent compared with 23 February, the last time figures were recorded before the outbreak of war in Iran.
Rare earths, Urso: building a European hub in Porto Marghera
Brussels – Developing a European infrastructure dedicated to critical raw materials, so that the EU can free itself from its dangerous dependencies on third countries, and establishing it in Veneto: This Italian ambition, articulated by the Minister for Enterprise and “Made in Italy”, Adolfo Urso, is becoming increasingly tangible.
The Council of the EU suspends tariffs on goods from Armenia
Brussels – The EU is strengthening its relations in the Caucasus. Following the initial approval on 2 September, the Council of the European Union has today (24 September) formally adopted the temporary measures to liberalise trade with Armenia, suspending import duties on a wide range of products, including certain agricultural goods. The preferential arrangement, which will apply for two years, covers around 80 per cent of Armenian exports to the EU.
Competitiveness, France: EU funds only for European businesses
Brussels – “Channelling European public funds towards European factories” is an urgent priority that the French Minister for Industry, Sébastien Martin, intends to tackle together with the other 26 EU ministers.
Eurostat: EU freight by road; extra‑EU flows by sea
Brussels – Europe continues to transport its goods mainly by road, but when it looks beyond its own borders, sea transport accounts for the lion’s share. According to new data released by Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Union, 13.29 billion tonnes of goods were transported by road in the EU in 2025, 1.8 per cent more than in 2024. In terms of distance travelled and weight transported, road transport reached 1,886 billion tonnes-kilometres, up by 0.9 per cent.
Ex Ilva: Corte esclude aiuti energia a imprese in difficoltà
Brussels – A company in difficulty may not benefit from advantages provided to gas‑ and power‑intensive companies. This is what the Court of Justice of the European Union ruled in its judgement concerning Acciaierie d’Italia (ADI), the company under special administration that manages the former Ilva site in Taranto, upholding the position taken by the Italian authorities. The ruling comes at a time of serious crisis, with the steelworks’ facilities set to shut down at the end of October and around 20,000 jobs at risk.
AI, Europe Must Build the Other Road
Europe is not immune to the pull of that contest. But Europe is not at the very front of the frontier race, and that gives it room to choose. Our proposal for a European Civic Artificial Intelligence was not written in response to this month's events, but several of its elements speak directly to them
US-China truce: EU Chamber of Commerce: “Uncertainty remains”
Brussels – The European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, an organisation founded in 2000 that counts 1,600 member companies and is recognised by the European Commission and the Chinese authorities as the official voice of European businesses in China, “welcomes the two-month extension” to the trade war between Washington and Beijing. Yesterday, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced an agreement to extend “the economic truce between the two countries, which was due to end on 10 November”.
The EU and Canada are providing 211 million for ocean research
Brussels – “The underwater world is changing rapidly,” and for this reason, “ocean observation provides us with eyes and ears beneath the waves.” This was stated today (23 September) by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, at the launch of the OceanEye International Alliance in support of the Global Ocean Observing System.
EU: if Kyiv implements the planned reforms, 20 billion will be released
Brussels – The European Union is unquestionably standing by Kyiv, but the disbursement of funds is closely linked to the implementation of the agreed reforms, particularly those relating to the rule of law and the fight against corruption. The reminder – which sounds rather imperative – comes from the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen: “As reforms proceed in the Rada – the Ukrainian Parliament – budget support will also move forward“, she noted on her social media channels.
ETS, governi aprono negoziati con il Parlamento UE
Brussels – Let the negotiations with the European Parliament begin: the ambassadors of the Member States agreed today (23 September) on the EU Council’s position on the amendment to the Market Stability Reserve (MSR) – the mechanism designed to address imbalances in the carbon market – of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). The aim of the 27 Member States is to reduce the volatility of carbon prices and make the market more predictable. All this is to be achieved by the end of the year.
Sahara, Bourita: “A historic turning point; now for a definitive solution”
Brussels – The Sahara issue has entered a new phase following the adoption, in October 2025, of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2797. Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita stated this, addressing the general debate of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York on behalf of Morocco.
UN: Morocco stands as a candidate for the Security Council for 2028–2029
Brussels – Morocco has submitted its candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2028–2029 term. The announcement was made by the Moroccan Minister for Foreign Affairs, Nasser Bourita, while addressing the general debate of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York.
Housing crisis: social housing hub launched in France
Brussels – Bringing together the state, public banks, and European institutions to find the funds and tools needed to build more social and affordable housing.
EESC: EU mobility must be sustainable, resilient and competitive
During a high-level event held in Riga, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), in collaboration with the Latvian association "Sustainability Cluster", emphasised the need to make substantial progress towards realising the EU’s vision for an improved mobility system
European Commission launches the European Literacy Coalition
Brussels – Schools, education and training bodies, libraries, cultural organisations, parents and public authorities. All united by a single goal: to improve literacy skills across Europe. The European Commission today (23 September) launched the European Literacy Coalition, an initiative under the Union of Skills – the European strategy that focuses on developing human capital and skills to boost competitiveness – and the Action Plan on Basic Skills.
Space, Kubilius: the EU lags behind the US, Russia and China
Brussels – Trying to compete with the United States, China and Russia in the space race? Yes, but without “rockets” there is no “access to space”, and without access to space “there is no future.” Above all, the EU “must not be dependent on foreign rockets,” as its “long-term future is at stake.” This was the reality check delivered by the European Commissioner for Defence, Andrius Kubilius, speaking from the podium at the second EU conference on access to space, held today (23 September) in Paris.
Pesticides: Italian doctors and paediatricians warn that simplification must not undermine health protection
Brussels – Italian paediatricians and environmental doctors are sounding the alarm over the Food and Feed Safety Omnibus, the package to simplify EU food and feed regulations, ahead of the vote in the European Parliament’s Environment (ENVI) and Agriculture (AGRI) committees, scheduled for 5 October.
The arsenal matters more than the individual weapon
As news broke overnight on Sunday and developed throughout the week, the significance became clearer. This wasn’t the debut of a single breakthrough weapon. It was the rise of a different kind of arsenal. Ukrainian doctrine began from a position of survival, but years of war have pushed innovation, speed and adaptability to its centre.
Hungary: von der Leyen says reforms have been implemented, urges to release EU funds
Brussels – Another step forward for Hungary: following the release of Next Generation EU funds, Brussels is proposing to reopen the programmes under Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe. In practical terms, the European Commission today (23 September) proposed to the Council to lift the safeguard measures adopted in 2022 against Budapest under the Conditionality Regulation, because the country has remedied breaches of the rule of law affecting the EU budget.
Costa all’ONU: “È ora di attuare la roadmap per Gaza”
Brussels – “There is no alternative” to the two-state solution for Israel and Palestine, insisted UN Secretary-General António Guterres, for the umpteenth time, as he opened the general debate of the 81st UN General Assembly. “Time is running out”, and the foundations for a future Palestinian state are gradually being eroded. The President of the European Council, António Costa, speaking in New York, pressed for the need to move from words to deeds at the international meeting on the two-state solution and the Comprehensive Peace Plan for Gaza.
Nuremberg, 80 years later: an exhibition in Rome tells the story of those who translated justice
Rome – Eighty years after the conclusion of the Nuremberg trials, on 1 October 1946, the International Association of Conference Interpreters (AIIC), in collaboration with the University of International Studies in Rome (UNINT), is organising an exhibition-event in Rome dedicated to the interpreters who made that trial possible, the AIIC said. The initiative, entitled “Voices of Justice: the professional and ethical legacy of the Nuremberg interpreters”, was awarded the Medal of the President of the Republic.
EU agreement on sanctions against Moscow, but two oligarchs are excluded
Brussels – The European Union has approved a three-year extension of sanctions designed to safeguard Ukraine’s territorial integrity, targeting individuals and entities supporting Moscow’s military campaign against Kyiv. But not for two Russian oligarchs – Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman. This is the result of a compromise reached by the ambassadors of the 27 EU member states at the meeting of the Permanent Representatives Committee (COREPER).
Eurostat: fuel prices up 23.8 per cent in August
Brussels – Fuel prices are soaring. According to Eurostat, the European Union’s statistical office, in August 2026, the price of fuels and engine oils for private transport in the EU has risen by 23.8 per cent compared with August 2025. This increase followed year-on-year rises of 13.7 per cent in June 2026 and 16.9 per cent in July 2026.
Macron calls on the EU to relax fuel regulations
Brussels – In France, one in seven petrol stations has run out of fuel. Faced with a shortage of petrol and diesel and soaring prices linked to the crisis in the Middle East, the French President, Emmanuel Macron, has put pen to paper and, in a letter, asked the European Commission to temporarily relax some of the rules governing fuel and hydrocarbon imports. Paris’s aim is to “boost” import and production capacity in the short term and curb rising prices.
Istruzione, solo il 29,7% degli insegnanti UE si forma su IA
Brussels – Enable those working in education to understand the role of artificial intelligence (AI) and to analyse how European education systems are tackling the digital transformation, because “digital technologies, including generative artificial intelligence, are rapidly transforming the way we live, work and learn,” said the European Commissioner for Culture, Roxana Mînzatu, today (22 September), after the European Commission published two studies on the implications of AI and digital technologies in European schools.
The AI Race: A Challenge Without Rules?
Artificial Intelligence has gotten us used to thinking big - in terms of both investment and models. The winner is whoever gets there first and is the biggest. It’s a race with no speed limits and no oversight. Amid alarmist rhetoric and apocalyptic scenarios, we now need to understand the true utility of AI and who is steering this change. One thing remains certain: AI reflects those who program it and belongs to those who manage it
Eurostat: sport brings in 8 billion to the EU, with Italy in first place
Brussels – In 2023, there were 5,370 European companies producing sports goods, with a total turnover of €8 billion. According to the latest figures published by Eurostat on the occasion of the European Week of Sport, Italy is the leading EU country, with €2.1 billion in turnover and 448 manufacturers.
Germany takes a stand against Costa on the EU budget
Brussels – More cuts and greater simplification of EU bureaucracy. In short, the opposite of what European Council President António Costa has argued — namely, introducing new own resources in the EU’s 2028–2034 budget. Germany has branded the former Portuguese Prime Minister’s stance as “out of touch with reality”.
EU-Philippines reach free trade agreement
Brussels – More job opportunities, more investment and more trade. These are the objectives of the free trade agreement between the European Union and the Philippines, according to a “substantial” agreement reached today (22 September), after a video call, by the Commissioner for Trade, Maroš Šefčovič, and the Philippine Secretary of Trade and Industry, Maria Cristina Aldeguer-Roque. The way forward has been mapped out;
Šefčovič: “The future of the EU economy is at stake in talks with Beijing”
Brussels – The dialogue with China on economic relations goes beyond the trade balance and concerns the future of the European economy as a whole. The European Commissioner for Trade, Maroš Šefčovič, is clear on the debate surrounding relations with Beijing and, at a press briefing today (22 September) in Brussels on the agreement reached to proceed with a free trade agreement with the Philippines, he found the time to answer some questions from journalists on the work currently underway to rebalance trade with the Asian giant.
Yemen: Kallas and G7 say Houthis’ attacks are unacceptable
Brussels – The situation in Yemen constitutes “an unacceptable threat to regional stability and security, to global energy security, and to the rights and freedoms of navigation and maritime safety in the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.”
Cybersecurity: Court of Auditors says EU response falls short
Brussels – The measures put in place by the European Union to detect and respond to significant, large-scale cybersecurity incidents are inadequate, the European Court of Auditors said in a report. It urged the EU to improve information-sharing practices, refine coordination to avoid duplication of effort among the various bodies involved, make the European cybersecurity alert system operational, and strengthen security checks on recipients of EU funding.
Competitiveness: Casellati says EU regulations are holding back Italy’s development
The minister is in Brussels to urge the European Commission to reduce the administrative burden on businesses
Energy, Tzitzikostas: “Extraordinary meeting if the situation worsens”
Brussels – Should the crisis over oil and aviation fuel supplies worsen, an extraordinary meeting of transport ministers from European Union countries will be convened. This is according to Apostolos Tzitzikostas, the European Commissioner for Transport and Tourism.
European Water Academy launched, ACEA one of the champions
Brussels – From infrastructure to skills, the European Union is seeking to develop a new response to the challenges posed by water. The European Water Academy (EUWA), one of the initiatives under the European Commission’s European Water Resilience Strategy, was launched today (21 September) at the European Committee of the Regions in Brussels.
The EU has set out a plan to limit the environmental impact of data centres
The aim is to increase the transparency of information by quantifying how much water and natural resources are used by the hubs
Putin wins Duma election; EU does not recognise the vote in the occupied territories
Brussels – What are known in Russia as “parliamentary elections” went exactly as the country’s leader had intended: Vladimir Putin’s party, United Russia, emerged victorious, securing 57.83 per cent of the vote, thereby securing 355 of the 450 seats in the Duma, the lower house of the Russian Parliament. In the previous parliamentary term, the party was represented by 310 MPs. The Communist Party came second, with 13.89 per cent of the vote, followed by the ultra-nationalists of the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia, with 9.29 per cent.
Eurostat: over 2 million commercial flights in the EU
Brussels – Summer usually means holidays — and more flights and air traffic. The last summer months confirm the trend, with commercial flights rising across the European Union. According to Eurostat, the European Union’s statistical office, between June and August 2026, there were over 2 million flights.
Red Sea tensions, Kallas: EU ships needed to address threats
Brussels – Greater efforts are needed to counter the Houthi threat in the Red Sea, the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, said in a letter sent to the 27 foreign and defence ministers on Saturday (19 September), outlining the need for greater deployment of ships and aircraft in the region.
Germany: Merz’s centrist bloc slumps at the polls
Brussels – The German Christian Democrats’ stronghold is crumbling amid the rise of the far-right AfD (Alternative für Deutschland) and the Linke (The Left). The two rounds of elections held yesterday (20 September) took place in the north-eastern state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and in Berlin. Two election results that have left the German Chancellor’s party in tatters: it failed to win a single seat in the Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania state parliament.
Weekend Round-Up War in Ukraine Brief — Europe
Russia continues launching ballistic missiles that Ukraine has few reliable methods of defeating without Patriot
Energy: Gas from Norway would arrive too late for the EU
Brussels – By the time new gas from the Barents Sea could reach the European market, demand for fossil fuels would already have fallen sharply, according to an analysis by WWF-Norway, published as the EU moves toward a decision on its stance on new Arctic oil and gas projects.
EU: diesel exceeds €2 per litre, petrol rises to €1.9
Brussels – Diesel prices have risen more than petrol prices in 26 out of 27 EU countries. This is the clearest indication of the surge in fuel prices that began with the crisis in the Middle East: between 23 February and 14 September 2026, diesel prices rose by an average of 34.4 per cent across the European Union, compared with a 24.1 per cent increase for petrol.
Al via le elezioni per parlamento Russia. PACE: “Una farsa”
Brussels – The elections for the Russian Parliament (Duma), which begin today (18 September), “do not meet international democratic standards” and their result “cannot be regarded as a genuine expression of the will of the Russian people.”
Goodbye to road tax: Meloni sets her sights on NRRP funds
Brussels – The European Commission will assess and analyse the measure decided by the Italian government to reduce road tax in 2027 for cars with an engine power of up to 80 kW. It will do so in the light of the 2026 Country Report and the 2026 Country-Specific Recommendations, within the context of the forthcoming 2027 European Semester.
Dombrovskis: “Growth will slow down next year”
Brussels – Things are starting to look bleak for the European Union: “According to the latest estimates from the European Commission, we are forecasting a slowdown in growth for next year.” The Commissioner for Economic Affairs, Valdis Dombrovskis, has dampened the optimism expressed so far regarding the eurozone’s resilience and confirmed that the general trend has reversed.
Pontes, the digital euro for banks, goes live on 21 September
Brussels – On Monday 21 September, the European Central Bank will launch Pontes, the digital euro for banks, ECB President Christine Lagarde announced at the conclusion of the Eurogroup meeting. The new payment platform will be accessible and usable only by credit institutions, and marks the start of the pilot phase for the introduction of the digital euro. Lagarde stressed that the ECB is now awaiting the completion of the EU’s legislative process to meet the deadline and “test the pilot phase in mid-2027.”
Renewables make up 54.1 per cent of electricity generation in the EU
Brussels –The share of electricity generated from renewable sources in the European Union fell by 0.2 percentage points in the second quarter of 2026 from the same period in 2025. Between April, May and June, renewables accounted for 54.1 per cent of the electricity generated in the EU, compared with 54.3 per cent in the same quarter of 2025. However, this figure represents an increase of 8.6 percentage points from the first quarter of 2026, when the proportion of electricity generated from renewable sources stood at 45.5 per cent.
Morocco and UN co-chair Conference on Tolerance in New York
Brussels – Morocco and the United Nations co-chaired a global conference in New York on the sidelines of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, dedicated to combating hate speech by promoting interfaith and intercultural dialogue and tolerance.
Eurostat: cars dominate EU transport as trains overtake buses
Brussels – The car remains by far the most widely used mode of transport in the EU, accounting for 69.2 per cent of passenger-kilometres travelled in 2024, equivalent to approximately 6,130 billion passenger-km. However, this figure is down by one percentage point compared with 2023, while the shares of air and rail travel are increasing, according to data released by Eurostat, the EU Statistical Office.
EU provides 3.3 billion euros to Ukraine for drones and missiles
The contribution is part of the 90 billion loan. Von der Leyen: “We must provide Ukraine with the support it needs to defend its people and its territory”
Humanitarian crises, Morocco urges lasting solutions
Brussels – During the tenth joint meeting of the Executive Boards of the three United Nations agencies based in Rome – the FAO, the World Food Programme (WFP) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) – Morocco called for a stronger focus on humanitarian crises, with a view to finding lasting solutions and gradually reducing dependence on aid.
Lost luggage: the passenger’s home court does not have jurisdiction
Brussels –Buying a plane ticket online does not mean that the court in the passenger’s place of residence has jurisdiction to hear a claim for compensation for lost baggage, the Court of Justice of the EU said, intervening in the rules governing jurisdiction in disputes over lost luggage. The case concerns a passenger residing in Fuenlabrada, near Madrid, who purchased a ticket online for a Madrid–Barcelona flight operated by Vueling Airlines via an independent platform.
Energy: Irish Presidency calls on partners to work towards joint responses
Brussels – It is not just the Eurogroup; the Ecofin Council also addresses the issue of high energy prices: a shared problem prompting debate on joint responses. As Simon Harris, Finance Minister of Ireland, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU, points out, “taxation is a national matter,” and there is no single way to tackle the rise in electricity, gas and fuel prices. “We could recalculate taxation, restructure excise duties, or even reduce income tax to restore households’ purchasing power.”
Pierrakakis pushes for the banking union, which hinges on the ESM: “Fragmentation is a tax on Europe”
Brussels – It is necessary to establish the banking union without delay or second thoughts. The President of the Eurogroup, Kyriakos Pierrakakis, calls on all partners to overcome existing obstacles and issues a renewed appeal to Italy, noting that the approval of the treaty reforming the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) is a necessary step towards achieving this objective. “Completing Banking Union is not simply a financial-sector agenda. It is a critical part of Europe’s growth strategy,” he stressed at the Eurofi Financial Forum in Dublin.
EU, Šefčovič and Wang: dialogue with China must yield credible results
Brussels – The meeting lasted over an hour and took stock of the “extensive” work carried out at senior official level to rebalance trade relations between the European Union and China. This was the video call that the European Commissioner for Trade, Maroš Šefčovič, held today (17 September) with his Chinese counterpart, Minister for Trade Wang Wentao. “This forms part of our ongoing and intensive efforts to rebalance trade relations between the EU and China,” said the European Commission’s spokesperson for Trade, Olof Gill.
Children online: the European law on children is coming
The proposal was presented on the sidelines of the European Parliament’s plenary session by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Vice-President Henna Virkkunen. Among the various measures, the proposal bans children under the age of 13 from using social media
UE-Corea del Sud, intesa su satelliti: verso IRIS²
Brussels – The EU and South Korea deepen cooperation on secure satellite connectivity and have opened the door to the possibility of Seoul’s future integration into IRIS², the European constellation for secure satellite communications. The agreement was signed today (17 September) by the European Commissioner for Defence and Space, Andrius Kubilius, and the South Korean Deputy Minister for the Advanced Capabilities Programme, Giyoung Jeoung.
High energy prices: rising costs are once again a concern for the Eurogroup
Brussels – Rising energy prices are once again causing a stir in the political arena, with the eurozone’s economy and finance ministers set to make the issue a key focus of the Informal Eurogroup meeting scheduled to take place in Dublin. As usual, discussions will focus on the overall economic trend and the latest developments, and it is within this context that the issue of energy prices arises. To be clear, “the European economy continues to hold up well” in the face of international tensions, EU sources clarify.
Carney: “The Canada–EU alliance serves as a beacon for other democracies”
In his speech, the Prime Minister reassured the audience: “I am not proposing a third bloc that aspires to become a rival superpower” because “we do not seek power to dominate others”
Eurostat: inflation up in August 2026; Italy at 3.2 per cent
Brussels – Inflation is on the rise again in Europe. According to figures published by Eurostat, the European Union’s statistical office, in August 2026, the annual inflation rate in the eurozone rose to 3.2 per cent, up from 2.9 per cent in July. A year earlier, in August 2025, the rate stood at 2.0 per cent. A similar trend is also evident across the European Union as a whole, with annual inflation reaching 3.2 per cent in August 2026, up from 3.0 per cent in July and 2.4 per cent a year earlier.
Europe Needs a Doctrine for the Space Between Peace and War
Europe has spent much of the past five years debating how much it should spend on defence. Ursula von der Leyen’s speech in Strasbourg this week raised a different question. What happens when Europe is attacked, but not quite attacked enough? A drone appears over a military base. An undersea cable is damaged. Airports are
EPP divided over health policy as cancer plan vote nears
The sticking point appears to be the significant differences in wording and approach between the text on the strategy for cardiovascular diseases, which has just been approved by the European Parliament, and the text on the strategy to fight cancer, which is due to be discussed by the SANT Committee on 28 September
“Olio dei Colli di Bologna” is granted PGI status
Brussels – The European Commission has approved the registration of “Olio dei Colli di Bologna” as a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI). “Olio dei Colli di Bologna” is an extra virgin olive oil from Emilia-Romagna, a region in northern Italy. The area forms part of the “Evaporitic Karst and Caves of the Northern Apennines” natural site, which was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2023. The Commission explained that “Olio dei Colli di Bologna” is characterised by very low levels of free acidity;
EU: Parliament gives final approval to rules on e-commerce and customs
Brussels – The European Parliament has today (16 September) given its final approval to the reform of the EU Customs Code. Among the key changes introduced are: a new handling fee for goods ordered directly from non-EU countries, which will come into force by 1 November 2026; a Europe-wide IT system (the EU Data Hub) which will replace the more than 111 systems currently in use; and a new EU customs authority based in Lille, France.
EU, Eurostat: 37,000 applications for protection in June
Brussels – In June, 37,075 applications for international protection were lodged for the first time in European Union countries by non-EU nationals. This represents a 29 per cent decrease compared with June 2025 (52,535) and a 13 per cent decrease compared with May 2026 (42,525). These figures come from Eurostat, the EU’s statistical office, which explains that 5,900 subsequent applications were also recorded, a figure 32 per cent lower than in June 2025 (8,685) and 27 per cent lower than in May 2026 (8,050).
EU Parliament approves a 42-day deadline for defence authorisations
Brussels – No surprises, and no dramatic twists: as expected the European Parliament plenary approved by a large majority (540 yes votes, 105 no votes, and 22 abstentions) the regulations to speed up the authorisation process for defence projects, such as the construction of new facilities or the expansion of existing ones. The text adopted by the plenary establishes a predefined EU-wide deadline of 42 working days for decisions on authorisations, starting from the confirmation that the application is complete.
Children online, Ruotolo (S&D): “Protect them and give them access to the internet”
On 17 September, the Commission will present the "EU Children’s Act", which aims to protect children from online risks and regulate their access to online platforms
SOTEU 2026: Criticism of von der Leyen from the European Parliament
Today, the President of the European Commission presented the results of her work over the past year and the priorities for the coming year
Eurostat: 116 fatalities in EU air accidents in 2025
Brussels – In 2025, 116 people lost their lives in the European Union in air accidents involving aircraft registered in the EU. This is 25 more than in 2024, when the figure stood at 91. Since 2021, a total of 638 people have died in aircraft accidents on EU territory involving aircraft registered in the EU. These figures come from Eurostat, the EU’s statistical office.
Von der Leyen: The EU is strong yet vulnerable in the face of challenges
The Commission President delivers her State of the Union address to the European Parliament: climate, new technologies and artificial intelligence, defence and trade agreements are among the key topics, with a few references to Member States
Savvas Papasavvas appointed new president of the EU General Court
Brussels – Savvas Papasavvas of Cyprus is the new President of the General Court of the EU. He takes up his post with immediate effect. He will therefore preside over the judicial body from today (16 September) until 31 August 2028, replacing Marc van der Woude, who has stepped down early.
AI and climate: the two challenges von der Leyen says will reshape the EU
The long-awaited 2026 State of the Union address has finally arrived. The Commission President announced her intention to keep pace with technological developments while managing the risks. On the environment she assures that “Europe can, must and will stay the course on its climate targets.”
Israel, migrants, the budget and water infrastructure: von der Leyen urges Member States to step up
The European Commission President’s State of the Union address is a list of criticisms aimed at national governments for things they have failed to do. Starting with the simplification agenda
Canada and von der Leyen’s ‘associate member’ invention, bypassing parliaments and governments
Brussels – There is no such thing as “associate members” of the European Union. However, in her State of the Union address delivered this morning (16 September) before the European Parliament, Ursula von der Leyen announced: “We want to bring our relations with Canada to the highest level possible. We must urgently reimagine our partnerships. So, I would like to work with you (the Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who was present in the Chamber, ed.) on opening the door for Canada to be the first associate member of the EU.”
Von der Leyen backs an EU as a global power; challenges China, Russia and even the US
The State of the Union address delivered by the President of the European Commission sets out a programme for a twelve-star bloc capable of taking on any challenge with renewed determination, and a desire to expand both eastwards and westwards
100 MPs: “Stop EU trade with Israeli settlements”
Brussels – Ban trade between the European Union and Israel’s illegal settlements in the Palestinian Territories: This is the “urgent appeal” that over one hundred Members of the European Parliament (114 as at 15 September) are making to the President Ursula von der Leyen—on the eve of her State of the Union address—calling on the European Commission to put forward a “legislative proposal” to definitively end trade relations.
The EU intends to facilitate the mobility of rights and skills
The European Commission aims to facilitate the mobility of rights and skills within the single market through the package on fair labour mobility
Eurozone posts a trade surplus with the rest of the world of 14.2 billion in July
Brussels – In July 2026, the eurozone recorded a trade surplus in goods of €14.2 billion with the rest of the world, according to preliminary data released today (15 September) by Eurostat. The figures, as highlighted by the European Statistical Office, show an improvement in the trade balance, given that in July 2025 the eurozone’s surplus stood at €10.7 billion.
Anti-abortion exhibition: MEP Moretti (S&D) calls it “an offence”
Paolo Inselvini, an MEP for the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), organised it in conjunction with the Pro Vita & Famiglia association. The La Sinistra group has called for it to be censured
Ceuta: Brunner takes a dig at Italy: “No one has entered the Schengen area”
Brussels – “No one has entered the Schengen area, thanks in part to cooperation with Morocco.” For the European Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner, this sums up the migration crisis in Ceuta. This key statement in the European Parliament serves to set the record straight: there are no issues with the Moroccan authorities, nor was there or is there any reason to close the borders.
SOTEU: priorities, requests, and expectations in Strasbourg
All eyes and ears will be on the words Ursula von der Leyen will use tomorrow (16 September) in the plenary chamber to set out the EU’s agenda for the coming months and years
European Parliament strengthens the Democratic Shield: “Greater protection”
Brussels – “Hybrid warfare does not stop at national borders.” With these words, the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, commented on today’s vote on the European Democracy Shield (EUDS), which was approved by the plenary session in Strasbourg with 420 votes in favour, 220 against and 26 abstentions. The report sets out a series of recommendations addressed to the European Commission to counter threats to the EU’s democratic institutions and processes.
UE, sì del Parlamento a Comporti presidente dell’ESMA
Brussels – At its plenary session today (15 September), the European Parliament confirmed the appointment of Carlo Comporti as the new Chair of the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA). The Italian candidate, a former member of the ESMA board, was backed by 527 votes, whilst 52 voted against and 86 abstained (in a secret ballot).
Eurostat: Italians leave the parental home after the age of 30
Brussels – The average age at which Europeans leave their parental home is rising: in 2025, it stood at 26.3 years, up slightly from 26.2 in 2024, according to figures released by Eurostat. The European Union’s statistical office notes that since 2022, the average age has remained around 26 years. Croatia (31.5 years), Greece and Slovakia (both 30.9 years), and Spain and Italy (both 30.2 years) recorded the highest average ages at leaving the parental home.
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland united on independence and a return to the EU
Brussels – Some countries still regard the European Union as a haven. And now there are three more, at least according to their leaders’ intentions. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have joined forces to seek independence from London and, once achieved, to claim the right to rejoin the European Union. A project which, if realised, would completely redraw the political map of the British Isles.
EPP and Socialists call for an industrial plan for Europe‑made firefighting aircraft
In the half-empty chamber of the European Parliament, the EPP and S&D groups joined forces in support of a strategy for competitiveness and security designed to tackle the problem of scorching summers and safeguard growth and the economy
The EPIC report on the cost of poor EU regulation
EPIC’s director, Antonios Nestoras, explains in an interview with Eunews that “regulation is not inherently negative. It creates the conditions for economic activity and industrial policy, builds consumer confidence, and so on. However, it becomes negative when it is poorly designed”
Arctic: 12 countries call on the EU to play a stronger role
In a joint statement, the governments emphasise that the northern region “is undergoing a rapid and profound transformation, with growing implications for the security and stability of Europe as a whole”
Euro: over 31 billion banknotes in circulation
Brussels – How much is the euro worth? This is not a question for currency exchange bureaux, but rather the starting point for Piero Cipollone, a member of the Executive Committee at the European Central Bank responsible for the digital euro, to highlight just how widespread—and therefore how strong—the EU’s single currency is in the market.
Russian attack on a train on the border with Poland; tensions rise
The Kremlin’s response: railway infrastructure used to transport military supplies from European countries to Kyiv has been targeted
Eurostat: EU rail freight down 1.8 per cent
Brussels – Following inland waterways, rail freight transport also declined in the EU. In 2025, rail freight transport, measured in tonne-kilometres, fell by 1.8 per cent from the previous year, dropping from 375.1 to 368.2 billion tonne-kilometres, according to data released by Eurostat, the EU’s statistical office. This marks the fourth consecutive year of decline for the sector.
The ECB: “The EU risks falling behind on innovation”
Brussels – Innovation, competitiveness, and even the twin transition: the EU has a problem with its agenda, and a rather serious one at that. As Isabel Schnabel, a member of the Executive Board of the European Central Bank, points out, “Europe risks falling behind on innovation amid low venture capital investment,” i.e., investment in high-potential sectors.
Real Madrid causes a stir in Brussels
Brussels – A major real‑estate speculation scandal looms, with possible breaches of EU rules: Real Madrid’s manoeuvres are turning into a full‑blown case. Spanish MEPs Estrella Galán (The Left), Jaume Asens Llodrà (Greens) and Vicent Marzà Ibáñez (Greens) have raised concerns about the plan to expand the buildable area of the land on which Real Madrid City, the football club’s training centre, is situated.
Sweden: Social Democrats gain ground as the far right retreats; governing will be a puzzle
Brussels – A lot of the left, the far right pulling back, and a divided country: Sweden emerges from the polls with results showing a neck‑and‑neck race between the center‑right and center‑left coalitions, and the prospect of razor‑thin majorities in the new Parliament now being formed, which will then appoint a government that could rely on only two or three seats. Sweden is heading toward a governability puzzle, though with one clear signal: the euroskeptic nationalists are losing voter support.