European Central Bank sets up climate team, considers green bonds

Climate change will be key to the review of the European Central Bank's policy, its president, Christine Lagarde, announced on Monday (25 January), marking a possible shift towards 'greener' monetary policy.

British care workers risk missing EU settlement scheme deadline, reveals new report

Thousands of EU workers in British care homes risk falling foul of the legal requirement for them to register their status in the UK before a government deadline expires on 30 June, according to a new report published on Monday (25 January).

Italy PM set to quit and seek new government as pandemic rages

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte is expected to quit on Tuesday (26 January) and try to form a new coalition government to tackle the coronavirus pandemic, which has killed more than 85,000 people in Italy and crippled the economy.

Global pandemic: Second night of Netherlands violence, Biden touts herd immunity

The Netherlands has been hit by a second night of riots, as coronavirus curfew frustrations boiled over, even as President Joe Biden said herd immunity could be achieved this year.

Schmit: Recovery fund key to get hospitality sector back on its feet

Placing the hospitality and tourism sectors at the heart of national recovery and resilience plans will be essential, the EU commissioner for jobs and social rights, Nicolas Schmit, told EURACTIV.

House Democrats deliver Trump impeachment charge to Senate

The US House of Representatives delivered to the Senate a charge that former President Donald Trump incited insurrection in a speech to supporters before the deadly attack on the Capitol, setting in motion his second impeachment trial.

German government, businesses come forward in support of Nord Stream 2

The German government said it will not abandon the Nord Stream 2 project, despite US sanctions and calls by the European Parliament to impose EU measures against the Russian-backed gas pipeline project over the Navalny case.

AstraZeneca rejects ‘incorrect’ reports on Covid-19 jab efficacy in elderly

Pharma giant AstraZeneca has defended the efficacy of its Covid-19 vaccine after media reports said the German government had doubts about its effectiveness among those over 65.

Science must finally become the foundation of our marine policies

2021 marks the start of the UN Decade on Ocean Science – a chance to move away from past mistakes where EU decisions were not always made based on the best-available science or even went against scientific advice, writes Antonia Leroy.

Italy sends warning letter to Pfizer over COVID vaccine delays

The Italian government on Monday (25 January) sent a letter of formal notice to Pfizer calling on the drug company to respect its contractual commitments over its COVID-19 vaccine deliveries, the government special commissioner said.

Turkey and Greece resume talks on maritime disputes after five-year hiatus

Turkey and Greece resumed talks aimed at addressing long-standing maritime disputes on Monday (25 January), ending a five-year hiatus after months of tension in the eastern Mediterranean.

Portuguese minister: Fiscal discipline suspension should continue due to second wave

Portugal's finance minister said on Monday (25 January) that the stimulus to the European economy must be maintained until the COVID-19 pandemic “loses momentum”.

Banks ask for better data to implement EU green finance taxonomy 

The availability of good data is seen as one of the main challenges to implement the EU taxonomy on sustainable finance, according to a test conducted by banks published on Monday (25 January).

Lawmakers seek assurances over Boeing MAX before EU safety approval

MEPs today sought assurances about the safety of the controversial Boeing 737 MAX ahead of its re-approval to fly by the EU’s aviation safety agency, EASA. The Boeing model was grounded in March 2019 following catastrophic crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia that left 346 people dead.

The Brief – The sacred right to disconnect

The European Parliament has passed a resolution calling for an EU law that grants workers a new human right: to be free to digitally disconnect from work without facing any negative repercussions from employers.

AstraZeneca vaccine deliveries must be delivered, Commission says

The European Commission expects contractual obligations of vaccines incurred by drug-maker Astrazeneca to be met as laid out in the original purchase agreements.

Commission has no plans to look into COVID-19 vaccine patent options

Wealthy nations are buying up hundreds of millions of COVID-19 vaccine doses while poorer countries are struggling to secure basic supplies. EU lawmaker Udo Bullmann (S&D) has called for a global vaccination strategy to avert a "human catastrophe" but the European Commission has ruled out the idea of a mandatory release of vaccine patents. EURACTIV Germany reports.

COVID crisis ‘trigger’ for innovation in hospitality sector, say researchers

The COVID-19 crisis has deeply impacted the hospitality sector, but it has also been a trigger of business model innovation and this must be encouraged to help businesses adapt to the "new normal", according to new research. 

Special Edition: EU hospitality sector seeks support to open, not remain closed

Following the first lockdown, Europe’s hospitality sector was the first to take immediate safety measures. However, it has also been the sector that has paid the full cost of the pandemic. In 18 out of 27 EU member states, pubs,...

Boeing planning to debut 100% biofuel planes by 2030

Boeing Co has unveiled plans to deliver commercial aircraft capable of using 100% biofuel by 2030. Using existing technologies under current regulations, it can only use biofuel blends of up to 50%.

Global ice loss accelerating at record rate, study finds

The melting of ice across the planet is accelerating at a record rate, with the melting of the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets speeding up the fastest, research has found. EURACTIV's media partner, The Guardian, reports.

Pandemic could have far reaching effects on bone health, expert warns

The COVID pandemic may have far-reaching consequences on bone health, due to a combination of lack of physical activity and late diagnosis, according to Jane Barratt, secretary general of the international federation of ageing.

South China Sea tension flares again as Biden takes charge

A US aircraft carrier group led by the USS Theodore Roosevelt entered the South China Sea over the weekend to promote “freedom of the seas” at a time of US concern about China-Taiwan tensions and Beijing asserting its maritime agenda.