Mexico wins ‘cheese war’ over Europe in trade deal

EU and Mexico reached a political agreement on Saturday (21 April) that will open new markets to European farmers, but Spain’s Manchego producers feel they have been left in the lurch by the bloc.

MEPs call for better protection of journalists

MEPs have called for an independent investigation into the murder of Slovak journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancée and also demanded a better protection of investigative journalism. EURACTIV.fr reports.

The Brief – Pulling up the drawbridge

To most on the Calais side of the Channel, Brexit is a rejection of Europe and Europeans. They can, perhaps, draw a crumb of comfort that it’s not just them who are not welcome.

Armenia PM resigns after days of mass protests

Armenian Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan said on Monday (23 April) he would resign to help maintain peace in the ex-Soviet republic following daily street protests since before he took up the post on April 17.

Climate change affects workers’ health in all business segments, says French agency

Workers from all business segments are and will be affected by climate and environmental changes, with the exception of risks related to noise and artificial radiations, the French Agency for Food, Environmental, Occupational Health and Safety (Anses) said in a study published 19 April.

France’s lower house approves controversial bill to tighten asylum rules

France’s lower house approved by a large majority on Sunday (22 April) a bill that would tighten asylum rules and make punishable by one year in jail the illegal crossing of borders,  after tense debates that created the first cracks within President Emmanuel Macron’s party.

ECDC chief: Bigger social media presence needed to fight anti-vaccines fake news

Public health authorities at EU and national level have started working to “occupy more of the space on social media”, as it is currently almost entirely taken up by people who are against vaccination, Dr Andrea Ammon told EURACTIV.com in an interview.  

Cotton buds and plastic straws could be banned in England next year

Cotton buds, plastic drinking straws and other single-use plastics could be banned from sale in England next year in the next phase of the campaign to try to halt the pollution of the world’s rivers and oceans. EURACTIV’s partner The Guardian reports.

Vaccination: Raising awareness against fake news

Up to 3 million people die every year from vaccine-preventable diseases. The rise of anti-vaccination campaigns has in recent years had a detrimental effect on EU public health as “forgotten” diseases such as measles re-appeared in Europe, raising eyebrows among...

European Youth conference under Bulgarian Presidency leaves sour aftertaste

Representatives of the European Youth Forum have expressed outrage at the way the EU Bulgarian Presidency organised an EU-sponsored youth event in Sofia last week, pointing out a perfunctory approach, mismanagement and inappropriate behaviour on the part of government officials.

Erdogan: Austria will ‘pay a price’ for banning Turkish campaigning

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Saturday (21 April) criticised Austria for planning to ban any possible campaigning for the June elections, saying that countries attempting to undermine his country's democratic struggle would "pay a price".

Breaking down the barriers to renewable heating in the UK

Europe is the global leader in renewable heat, but there’s plenty of room for improvement. Being bottom of the class, the UK is a case in point, writes Marcus Franck.

MEP: Vaccination is a lifelong process, not only for children

Parents have a particular responsibility to protect their children, as they are more vulnerable to infections, but vaccination should be seen as a lifelong approach that applies to adults too, centre-right MEP Renate Sommer told EURACTIV.com.

Police in Armenia detain opposition leaders, protesters

Police in Armenia detained three opposition leaders and nearly 200 protesters on Sunday (22 April), drawing a rebuke from the European Union after demonstrators demanded newly appointed Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan quit.

EU welcomes North Korean move on nuclear tests, urges denuclearisation

The European Union's foreign affairs chief said on Saturday (21 April) that North Korea's announcement to stop nuclear tests was a positive step and called for an "irreversible denuclearisation" of the Asian country.

MEPs and Commission headed for showdown over international phone call rates in the EU

The European Parliament is holding its ground on its controversial proposal to lower the costs of international phone calls within the EU, one week before a make-or-break round of negotiations on a sweeping telecoms bill.

The Brief – Climate dominoes

The EU wants to prove that its climate action credentials are genuine, which means being top of the class in taking the Paris Agreement seriously. That could all hinge on a series of meetings scheduled for next month. So no pressure then…

Official: EU will not fund Turkish plan to settle refugees in Afrin

Following indications that Turkey would like to bring Syrian refugees to the area of Afrin, which it has controlled since the ‘Olive Branch’ incursion into northern Syria earlier this year, the EU made clear on Friday (20 April) that it would not be part of the game.

Greenpeace: Risk management tools cannot solve ‘unsustainable’ CAP system

Public policies should not embrace risk management tools that cement the current ecological and economically unsustainable agri-food system, Greenpeace's food and agriculture director Marco Contiero told EURACTIV.com.

Hahn: Carrot for Albania and Macedonia, customs union for Turkey

With the Western Balkans accession talks underway, the EU’s enlargement policy is advancing. In the case of Turkey, however, there is a deadlock. In an interview with EURACTIV Germany, Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn comments on the recent developments.

Circular bio-economy supports growth and mitigates climate change impact

A European strategy for bio-economy should take the structural differences of different member states into account while also promoting and reinforcing a common vision for the sector, write Carina Håkansson and Mårten Larsson.