Health
COVID-19: European Parliament staff recently visiting northern Italy asked to stay home
European Parliament employees who have travelled in areas of Italy affected by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) within the last fortnight are asked not to go to their offices and instead work from home in the next two weeks, according to an email sent by the human resources bureau and seen by EURACTIV.
The Brief – The real threat from COVID-19
The coronavirus epidemic COVID-19 is an insult to liberal-minded people who advocate an open world and economy without borders. In a very short time, it has brought out the worse instincts in people: fear of the alien and of another...
Commission calls for coordination before any border measures for coronavirus
Any border restriction related to coronavirus in the EU should be based on a thorough risk assessment and scientific advice, two European Commissioners said on Monday (24 February), highlighting that it must be a proportional response and above all, one that is coordinated among different member states.
Iran’s leader says enemies tried to use coronavirus to impact vote
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Sunday (23 February) Iran's enemies tried to put people off voting in Friday's parliamentary election by exaggerating the threat of the new coronavirus but that participation had been good.
Global spread of coronavirus raises pandemic fears
Fears mounted on Monday (24 February) that the coronavirus outbreak in China will grow into a pandemic with disruptive and deadly consequences for countries around the world, after sharp rises in infections in South Korea, Italy and Iran.
G20 finance heads wrap up Riyadh meeting overshadowed by virus outbreak
Finance leaders of the world's top 20 economies wrapped up their two-day meeting on Sunday (23 February) in Riyadh that was dominated by growing concern over the widening fallout from the coronavirus outbreak.
Italy’s Conte urges people not to panic as coronavirus outbreak grows
The number of people confirmed having contracted the coronavirus in northern Italy rose to 16 on Friday (21 February) but Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said the country is prepared to manage the outbreak and people don't need to be worried.
The French MEP bashing football clubs over their flying habit
Green MEP Karima Delli has latched out at football clubs for their contribution to climate change as big teams prefer flying for short distances instead of using alternative, more sustainable modes of transport.
Eurozone ministers discuss fiscal boost options as coronavirus worries weigh
Euro zone finance ministers discussed ways to pursue a more growth-friendly fiscal policy mix on Monday (17 February), in a potential nudge to Germany and the Netherlands to spend more as fears of a downturn grow in the wake of the coronavirus epidemic.
FIFA commits to carbon-neutral 2022 football World Cup
FIFA aims reach carbon neutrality at the next World Cup, to be hosted by Qatar in 2022, in spite of the numerous environmental challenges linked to the location of the event, according to a recently released sustainability strategy.
LEAK: EU plans ‘common data spaces’ to exploit agriculture and health potential
The EU aims to create common data spaces to increase the quality of services when it comes to agriculture and healthcare, according to a European Commission data strategy draft seen by EURACTIV.com. In the field of agriculture, inspired by a...
Cambodia stages PR stunt with passengers of ‘coronavirus’ cruise ship
Passengers on a cruise ship that was turned away from ports around Asia over fears they could be carrying the new coronavirus finally began disembarking in Cambodia on Friday (14 February). Cambodia’s strongman premier Hun Sen welcomed around 100 tourists...
Mobile World Congress in Barcelona cancelled over coronavirus fears
The Mobile World Congress (MWC), the annual telecoms industry gathering that draws more than 100,000 visitors to Barcelona, was cancelled on Wednesday (12 February) after a mass exodus by exhibitors due to fears over the coronavirus outbreak.
Barcelona won’t cancel Mobile World Congress despite fears over coronavirus
The Barcelona city council has said there will be neither cancellation nor delays to the Mobile World Congress (BMWC), due to start on 24 February, despite concerns over the coronavirus crisis and a cascade of cancellations from tech giants, EURACTIV’s partner EuroEFE reports.
The Brief – What if Coronavirus reaches Africa?
Amongst mounting concern about the coronavirus outbreak, EU health ministers will gather in Brussels on Thursday to discuss Europe’s readiness to face a potential large-scale epidemic of the virus.
African Swine Fever outbreak in Greece raises eyebrows in Brussels
An outbreak of African Swine Fever, an infectious disease which is usually deadly for pigs but harmless to humans, in the north-east of Greece, has added another headache to EU policymakers in Brussels.
EU to test its readiness to face Coronavirus at extraordinary meeting
The European Union will hold an extraordinary meeting of health ministers on Thursday (13) to assess its preparedness in case Coronavirus hits for good the bloc.
Germany should be more Chinese – at least a bit
While China has shown it needs a few days to build a hospital, infrastructure projects in Germany are making no progress. But politicians from the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) now want to change this. EURACTIV's partner WirtschaftsWoche reports.
Europe dodges US fentanyl crisis but for how long?
When 18-year-old Joseph bought a pill at a fun fair in the French Riviera resort of Cannes, he was convinced it was morphine.
Huawei taking coronavirus ‘precautions’ ahead of Barcelona MWC
Following the deadly coronavirus outbreak in China, telecommunications giant Huawei has put in place a series of 'precautions' and 'internal rules' for international travel ahead of the company's appearance at Barcelona's Mobile World Congress (MWC) at the end of February.
Ewald Lienen: Football Rebel for Future
German football veteran Ewald Lienen is convinced that football is political and bears social responsibility. Today, the Technical Director of FC St. Pauli is committed to climate protection - not only on the pitch.
‘This is personal’: Von der Leyen launches consultation on EU’s Cancer Plan
The President of the European Commission launched an EU-wide public consultation on Europe's Beating Cancer Plan on Tuesday (4 February), announcing an EU-wide "open health data space" in support of research, prevention and cure.
Portugal government tackles foreign trash issue amid wave of indignation
Reacting to people who spoke out against trash from other countries being dumped in Portuguese landfills, the Socialist government announced on Monday (3 February) it would adopt urgent measures to tackle the issue.