Gaia-X: A trojan horse for Big Tech in Europe

The EU's cloud infrastructure initiative, Gaia-X, poses a great risk of destroying the European ecosystem and hopes of sovereignty after the inclusion of some of the world's largest tech firms in the project, write Stefane Fermigier and Sven Franck.

Google under review for possible British competition enquiry

Britain’s competition regulator said on Monday (23 November) it was assessing whether a complaint about Google related to digital advertising warranted a formal competition law investigation.

The Brief, powered by Facebook – Vaccines, the next battle

It is no coincidence that COVID-19 vaccines dominated the agenda of the last EU summit and of the more recent G20 summit, both held as teleconferences.

France’s ‘feminist diplomacy’: lots of talk, little action

The term 'feminist diplomacy' used by France since 2018 remains unclear, according to a report by the country's High Council on Gender Equality presented to the government on 18 November. EURACTIV France reports.

Ethiopia ‘alarmed and surprised’ by EU stance on Tigray conflict

Ethiopia has been “alarmed and surprised” by the EU’s equivocal stance on the conflict between Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government and the rebel leaders of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), the country’s EU ambassador has told EURACTIV.

Oil and gas majors sign up to ‘gold standard’ of methane reporting

Sixty-two major oil and gas companies on Monday (23 November) agreed to a new framework for monitoring, reporting and reducing methane emissions as part of the Oil and Gas Methane Partnership 2.0.

European air quality improves but still detrimental to health

Air quality has improved significantly across Europe over the past 10 years, but pollution still contributes to significant numbers of premature deaths, according to the European Environment Agency (EEA).

EU’s regions and local authorities brace for difficult times ahead – survey

Regional governments across the EU are bracing for difficult times ahead as they lack technical means and have scarce financial resources, according to a joint survey conducted by the European Committee of the Regions and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development. EURACTIV France reports.

Political scientist: COVID-19 will not become a brake for Kazakhstan election

Kazakhstan is holding parliamentary elections on 10 January, expected to further bolster the soft democratic reform process in the Central Asian country. In a wide-ranging interview, political scientist Mukhit-Ardager Sydyknazarov explained the political landscape and the stakes ahead of the ballot.

Recycling of e-waste plastics

Electric and electronic scrap represents a growing share of plastic waste, but most of it is currently not recycled because of inappropriate collection schemes and difficulties in dealing with the harmful chemical substances they may contain.

Half of plastics in electronic waste not recycled in EU

Around half of plastic waste from electronic and electrical equipment (WEEE) is not properly collected or sorted in the EU, according to a new report by SOFIES, an international sustainability project management and consulting firm.

Media society and non-discrimination: Are we doing enough?

Racist harassment, violence, and discriminatory ethnic profiling are commonplace in Europe, which increases the importance of the role of the media in exposing discrimination based on ethnic origin. Over the years, the European Union has put in place legislation to...

Jourova: More homework remains to be done on diversity in media

The under-representation of people with a minority racial or ethnic background in the media, including in media newsrooms themselves, remains a problem that needs to be addressed, and the European Commission is ready to help with funding, Commission vice-president Věra Jourová told EURACTIV in a written interview.

Europe’s sea-level surveying satellite successfully launches

A European-built satellite designed to precisely measure sea levels successfully made it into orbit on Saturday (21 November), helping the EU's Copernicus fleet of eyes-in-the-sky grow in size and provide a fresh set of climate-relevant data.

In latest China jab, US drafts list of 89 firms with military ties

The Trump administration is close to declaring that 89 Chinese aerospace and other companies have military ties, restricting them from buying a range of US goods and technology, according to a draft copy of the list seen by Reuters.

Biden to start naming cabinet picks as Trump resists

US President-elect Joe Biden will name his first cabinet picks on Tuesday (23 November), his chief of staff said, even as Donald Trump clung to unsubstantiated claims of fraud despite growing dissent from within his own party.

EU enlargement: Beware the veto epidemic

Dangling its veto, Bulgaria only uses its position of EU member to achieve some of its foreign policy interests, in the same way that many other have done before. The problem is that the EU does not have the desire and the way to discourage such unilateral actions, writes Orhan Dragaš.

Weber: Orban would be out of EPP if not for COVID

In today's edition of the Capitals, find out more about protesters opposing the new law making it a crime to circulate identifying images of law enforcement, Slovakia's intelligence chief saying Chinese diplomats offer Slovak public officials prostitutes and free trips to China, and so much more.

Expert: Multi-party democracy has potential in Kazakhstan

The upcoming elections for the Majilis, the lower chamber of Kazakhstan's Parliament, are a clear improvement in terms of representation and legislative changes, Samuel Doveri Vesterbye told EURACTIV in an interview.

Business groups clash over EU’s 2030 climate goal

Europe’s largest employer’s association, BusinessEurope, has questioned “the value and credibility” of the economic analysis underpinning the EU’s proposed climate target plan for 2030, triggering an immediate backlash from pro-climate corporate groups.

Spain PM says virus battle plan ‘is working’

Spain's strategy to curb a rise in coronavirus infections "is working", Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said Sunday (22 November) as he unveiled details of plans to vaccinate much of the population next year.

France says Turkey’s ‘soothing declarations’ not good enough

France said Sunday (22 November) it expects Turkey to de-escalate international tension with actions instead of words ahead of an EU decision on possible further sanctions against Ankara.

EU beer market sales fell 20% so far this year due to COVID-19

The EU beer market estimates that its sales have dropped by 20% so far this year, a figure which could rise to 25% by the end of the year, the secretary-general of the Brewers of Europe, told EURACTIV in an interview.