From the capitals
Research on medical cannabis still has funding problems
Research on cannabis-based medicine is still lagging behind in Germany, despite the country has one of the most developed regulatory frameworks for medical marijuana in the European Union.
Pacific undersea cable project sinks after US warns against Chinese bid
A World Bank-led project declined to award a contract to lay sensitive undersea communications cables after Pacific island governments heeded US warnings that participation of a Chinese company posed a security threat, two sources told Reuters.
Europeans struggle for unity on global tax drive
EU finance ministers worked Thursday (17 June) to find European unity on striking an international deal on taxation, with low-tax countries Ireland and Hungary needing cajoling to stay on board.
Lisbon residents confined to region at weekends as COVID spikes
Residents of the Lisbon region will not be allowed to leave the area at weekends as authorities scramble to control a spike in COVID-19 infections, the government said on Thursday (17 June).
‘Hydrogen valley’ projects sprout up across Europe
Projects to create a full hydrogen value chain combining production, infrastructure and use all in one region are sprouting up across Europe, but more needs to be done to accelerate their development, according to supporters.
Draghi takes distance from Russia and China, anchors Italy to the West
Italy’s Prime Minister Mario Draghi has clearly aligned his country with the EU and the Atlantic alliance, with strongly worded messages at the recent G7 and NATO summits that end his predecessors’ ambiguous position towards Russia and China. After years...
EU-Serbia: A stagnation comfortable for both sides
No progress in Serbia’s EU integration process appears to be a solution that fits both the EU side which is increasingly critical toward the authoritarian trends in Belgrade and the lack of progress with Kosovo, and the ruling bloc in Belgrade which doesn’t see EU relations as important for its voters, writes BETA agency.
Creative Europe programme to provide €2.5bn funding for culture sector
European Commissioner for Innovation and Research, Mariya Gabriel, has said that the Creative Europe 2021-2027 programme will focus on the "economic sustainability" and the "digital inclusion" of the cultural and creative sectors by funding projects for specific challenges.
COVID-19 triggers ‘demographic tragedy’ in Spain
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been devastating not only for the Spanish economy but also, and above all, in terms of human lives: since March 2020 Spain’s mortality rate increased by 17%, with 492,930 new deaths directly or partially related to the pandemic, a historic mark not seen in the Iberian country since 1941.
Climate finance remains a stumbling block on way to COP26
As world leaders prepare for the COP26 climate summit hosted by the UK in November, international finance to help poorer countries tackle climate change remains a key barrier – and the recent summit between the world's seven richest nations did not bring a solution.
EU and UK say Hong Kong newspaper raid shows China cracking down on dissent
The European Union and Britain said a police raid on Hong Kong's pro-democracy Apple Daily showed that China was using a new national security law to crack down on dissent and silence the media rather than deal with public security.
France fails to adopt clear position on future gas funding
As EU energy ministers agreed last week to phase out gas-hydrogen blending projects, France did not adopt a clear position on the matter even if this means prolonging the bloc’s reliance on fossil fuels. EURACTIV France reports.OpinionPromoted content
Just Transition demands a European legal framework on anticipation and management of change
The Fit for 55% package should be accompanied by a legal framework on anticipation of change that leaves no one behind. This would be a stepping stone towards a more sustainable economy, turning Just Transition from rhetoric to reality.
Scotch but no bourbon: UK-US trade truce gives dram of hope to drinks industry
The drinks industry welcomed a trade truce between Britain and United States that saw tariffs removed on Scotch whisky and most other spirits, although they called for further efforts to remove the last export duties on American whiskey.
Disneyland Paris reopens, but Mickey Mouse won’t give hugs
The Disneyland Paris theme park opened to visitors on Thursday (17 June) after being shuttered for nearly eight months during the pandemic, but safety measures were in force to stop the virus spreading.
The Brief, powered by ITI – Biden vs Putin: Who won?
As the dust settles after the meeting of the two leaders on the neutral Swiss playground, a legitimate question to ask is which one of them got the most out of this risky summit. And who were the collateral victims.
Digital industry afraid of being seen as a polluter, says Commission adviser
Digitalisation must be part of the solution and not a part of the problem, EU lawmaker Geese said at a EURACTIV event on Tuesday (15 June), where the participants deliberated on the complex relationship between digitalisation and sustainability.
The Hungarian bill against the LGBTQI+ minority and North Macedonia’s policy win with UEFA
This week, the Yellow Room takes us to Budapest, where the government passed a new bill introducing tougher penalties for paedophilia, in the wake of several cases of child abuse. However, the new amendments put the LGBTQI+ minority on...
EPP and Greens take aim at road charging agreement ‘loopholes’
A late-night deal reached by the Council of the EU and the European Parliament on road-charging rules on Wednesday (16 June) has been criticised by the parliament’s largest group, the European People’s Party (EPP), for having “more holes than a Swiss cheese”. VideoPromoted content
Good Off-Label Use Practice of Medicines
Before a drug makes it onto the market it is vigorously tested and needs to be authorized, either by a national competent authority or EMA, the European Medicines Agency. All the information on when a medicinal product can and cannot...
Japan says China’s military strategy unclear, of serious concern
Japan said on Thursday (17 June) China's military intentions are unclear and its armed forces' rapid expansion is of serious concern, circumstances that require Europe, the United States and other Asian nations to come together to stand up to Beijing.
Biden’s visit: What does it mean to rejoin Europe?
Given that Europe is not inclined to make the painful decisions that a modernized relationship requires, it is hard to understand what a return to Europe means, except for having dinner with some interesting people, writes George Friedman.
EU eyes tighter rules for ‘renewable’ biomass energy
The European Union is considering tightening rules on whether wood-burning energy can be classed as renewable and count towards green goals, according to a draft document seen by Reuters on Wednesday (16 June).