From the capitals
Russia uses new laser weapons in Ukraine, Zelenskyy mocks ‘wonder weapon’
Russia on Wednesday (18 May) said it was using a new generation of powerful lasers in Ukraine to burn up drones, deploying some of Moscow's secret weapons to counter a flood of Western arms.
Borrell: Togo attack ‘shows terrorism is spreading’
Around 15 assailants were killed during a "terrorist" attack last week in the north of Togo that also left eight soldiers dead, a minister said Wednesday (18 May).
MEPs ask to pause CAP biodiversity requirements amid Ukraine war
The majority group leaders of the European Parliament's agriculture committee asked the Commission to consider temporary derogations of the EU’s already adopted agriculture subsidies reform in light of the war in Ukraine.
EU Commission proposes Ukraine reconstruction platform
Along with a €9 billion increase in short-term budgetary aid to the Ukrainian government, the European Commission proposed on Wednesday (18 May) setting up a reconstruction platform for Ukraine to help with the massive financing needs of rebuilding the country.
G7 finance ministers to thrash out Ukraine aid plan
G7 partners meet Thursday (19 May) hoping to find a solution for Kyiv's budget troubles as the fallout from Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues to roil the global economy.
EU urges building insulation push in bid to end reliance on Russian gas
The European Commission’s plan to eliminate Russian energy imports by 2027 features a strong focus on energy efficiency. For the energy intensive buildings sectors, this means yet another push to insulate homes fast.
Russia says more Ukraine fighters surrender in Mariupol; US reopens Kyiv embassy
Russia said on Wednesday (18 May) nearly 700 more Ukrainian fighters had surrendered in Mariupol, while the United States became the latest Western country to reopen its Kyiv embassy after a three-month closure.
Nine dead, 24 wounded in clashes in restive Tajikistan region
Clashes between Tajik security forces and "terrorists" killed nine people and wounded two dozen in a restive region bordering Afghanistan and China, the interior ministry said on Wednesday (18 May).
MEPs aim to stick airlines with steeper carbon bill
Lawmakers in the European Parliament’s environment committee have voted to include all flights departing from Europe in the EU’s carbon market and to slash free allowances, a move that will force airlines to pay more to pollute.
Sinn Fein’s McDonald says ‘bad faith’ UK government boosts united Ireland case
Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald on Wednesday (18 May) said Britain’s proposals to override some post-Brexit trade rules in Northern Ireland were “astonishing” and yet another move by London that only serves to boost the Irish nationalist party’s quest...
France effective in combatting financial crime, though some critical gaps remain
France ranks among the top OECD countries in the effective tackling of financial crime, the Financial Action Task Force’s latest evaluation report claims. However, illicit financial dealings related to drug trafficking in French overseas territories are proving hard to combat.
Facebook whistleblower calls on MEPs to make sure DSA won’t be ‘dead letter’
While revisiting the recently-agreed digital regulations, European Parliament lawmakers were joined by Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen who called on them to do everything necessary to ensure that the DSA will be a "success story".
Don’t extradite Assange, European human rights chief urges UK
European human rights experts have joined the campaign urging the UK government not to extradite controversial WikiLeaks chief Julian Assange to face trial in the United States, warning that it could have a ‘chilling effect’ on media freedom.
First Russian soldier accused of war crimes in Ukraine pleads guilty
A Russian soldier accused of war crimes in Ukraine pleaded guilty on Wednesday (18 May) to killing an elderly unarmed civilian.
The Brief – ‘Neutral’ Europe dwindles
Almost 80 years after the end of World War Two, Europe's club of 'neutral' or non-aligned countries appears doomed to shrink due to Russia's war in Ukraine.
Health Brief: Cross-border healthcare rights are (still) unknown
After ten years with the cross-border health directive, hardly anyone in the EU is aware of their rights to be treated in another county, the European Commission's new evaluation of the directive has revealed. Just as plenty of evaluations before them have.
Russia could cut off gas to Finland this week, energy provider says
Russia could cut off gas supplies to Finland this week, Finland's state-owned energy provider Gasum said on Wednesday (18 May), in a row over Moscow's demand for countries to pay for gas in roubles and as Helsinki seeks NATO membership.
EU Parliament threatens Schröder with sanctions for ties with Russia
The European Parliament is increasing its pressure on former German chancellor Gerhard Schröder, threatening him with sanctions if he refuses to resign from his posts in Russian companies, a joint draft motion, seen by EURACTIV, suggests.
Commission should block staff from taking ‘revolving door’ jobs, says EU watchdog
The European Commission should temporarily block its staff from taking private sector jobs if they pose conflict of interest risks that cannot be offset by restrictions, the European Ombudsman Emily O’Reilly recommended on Wednesday (18 May).
Winds of change: How wind energy can help Ukraine and the climate
The European Commission’s ‘REPowerEU’ plan and the recent pledge by Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and Denmark to reach a capacity of 150 GW offshore wind power are game-changers for the climate and European energy politics, write Kadri Simson and Dan Jørgensen.
Microsoft launches cloud changes following EU competition inquiries
Microsoft will adapt its licensing conditions in response to complaints from cloud providers and the rumblings of a competition investigation from the European Commission.
Cholera outbreak: A new health concern in war-torn Ukraine
The areas in Ukraine suffering from water and sanitation infrastructure damage are at risk of a potential cholera outbreak, the World Health Organisation warned on Tuesday (17 May), adding it was already deploying cholera kits on the ground.
Access to justice key in corporate sustainability due diligence directive, stakeholders say
Giving those harmed by multinational companies a way to seek recourse, reparation, and justice is one of the goals of the corporate sustainability due diligence directive, but in practice, it may be easier said than done.