Global Europe Brief: Lebanon is facing a crisis within a crisis

In this week’s edition: Winter is coming in Lebanon, EU-US tariffs end and Western Balkans focus.

Farm to Fork studies do not give ‘whole picture’, agri stakeholders warn

Agricultural productivity could decline if several studies on Farm to Fork policy impact are to be believed. But critics say the studies do not paint the whole picture and the EU's flagship food policy is on the right track.

EU–UK talks make slow progress as UK prepares to suspend protocol

EU–UK talks aimed at overhauling the Northern Ireland Protocol are far from resolved, officials conceded, as the UK prepares for the fallout from suspending it.

MEPs vs Commission in court over vaccine contracts

EU lawmakers from the Greens/EFA group have filed a case application to the European Court of Justice stating "implicit refusal" from the Commission to provide access to information in the context of vaccine contracts between the European Commission and vaccine manufacturers.

The Brief, powered by Facebook — Who needs Nelson or Napoleon when you can have Brexit?

With a British trawler seized by France, and Royal Navy boats poised to enter the Channel, we could be in 1805, not 2021. Who needs Nelson and Napoleon when you can have Brexit?

Vestager tries to keep Illumina and GRAIL apart during merger investigation

After two US biotech companies, Illumina and GRAIL, defied the EU’s competition authority by closing a merger without waiting for the results of the EU’s investigation, the European Commission adopted on Friday (29 October) interim measures to ensure that the companies continue to be run as separate entities.

Hard or soft law: what’s the status of EU sustainable agriculture goals?

With the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), the European Commission wants to make the policy more performance oriented. However, non-binding targets and national leeway might hinder the Commission’s quest to keep track of results.

Future of Europe Conference insufficiently fills EU political vacuum

The great expectations some have for the ongoing Conference on the Future of Europe, and the little that is known about it, weigh heavily on it, writes Christian Moos.

Special CAPitals edition: State of play of organic agriculture in the EU

In this second edition of CAPitals special brief, the EURACTIV network takes a look at the state of play of organic agriculture in 12 EU countries.

Digital Brief powered by Facebook: killer acquisitions, Meta, NIS2

Welcome to EURACTIV’s Digital Brief, your weekly update on all things digital in the EU. You can subscribe to the newsletter here.    “The Commission may impose on gatekeepers a restriction on engaging on acquisitions in certain areas and for a limited...

‘Just give us our money’: Taliban push to unlock Afghan billions abroad

Afghanistan's Taliban government is pressing for the release of billions of dollars of central bank reserves as the drought-stricken nation faces a cash crunch, mass starvation and a new migration crisis.

Media Partnership: Upskilling & Reskilling as part of the Well-Being of the European Workforce

Current major issues have profoundly changed the way we work, highlighting the crucial needs for European societies to constantly develop the skills of workers and their well-being.

Media Partnership – Waste-to-Energy: The Beauty or The Beast?

On Monday, 25 October, ESWET organise an online event to discuss the issue of non-recyclable waste and the role of Waste-to-Energy as a sustainable waste management option, gathering supporters and opponents of the technology around the same table.

How to save the scientific integrity of the EU’s green finance taxonomy

Decision-makers cannot let economic questions on energy security and cost thwart the scientific integrity of the EU Sustainable Taxonomy, write Elise Attal and Jan Vandermosten.

Future German Chancellor committed to gas, Greens fall in line

As the European Commission is expected to present the rules for sustainable finance via the EU taxonomy this year, the largest EU state and its future chancellor is more committed to gas than ever.

Chips geopolitics and EU’s new semiconductors sovereignty agenda

The technological is alarmingly becoming too geopolitical, especially in the case of the current global semiconductor shortage, writes Raluca Csernatoni. Raluca Csernatoni is an expert on European security and defence, focusing on emerging and disruptive security and defence technologies at...

Young people harassed at EP event; organisers say it wasn’t first time

Far-right youth delegations harassed members of ethnic and racial minority groups at this years European Youth Event (EYE) held at the European Parliament in Strasbourg on 8-9 October.

The outstanding issues on the DMA

The IMCO vote on the Digital Markets Act has officially been delayed, as some significant difference remain between the main political groups.

Montenegro minister: I agree we still need Western monitoring, guidance

In an interview with EURACTIV, Montenegro's Interior Minister Sergej Sekulović discussed Western partners' concerns about how reliable the new Montenegrin government is, the 2016 alleged coup attempt, the difficult relations with Serbia, and the latest European Commission report on the country's accession process.

Zero carbon brewing and beverages – How can stakeholder co-operation achieve it?

The brewing sector continues to explore a variety of new ideas to become more sustainable and more ecologically responsible.

EU top military official voices support for Bosnia’s joint armed forces

The EU top military official voiced support for the unified Bosnian armed forces on 28 October, after Serb leader Milorad Dodik had threatened to pull the Serb component out of the forces and form an exclusively Serb army within Bosnia.

Austria to also rely on Huawei in 5G rollout

Austria is on course to expand its 5G network, using Chinese supplier Huawei despite other countries refusing to partner with them and some going as far as banning the company due to supposed security risks. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Paths towards decriminalising drug use in Europe

Gradually decriminalizing personal drug use in Europe has had numerous health benefits and helped tackle the taboo of drug addiction, writes Denis Huber.