Politics
Mafia eye health, recovery projects in virus-hit Italy
In coronavirus-hit Italy, mafia groups are eyeing the health sector and EU-funded infrastructure projects as their next big money spinners, police warned in a report Wednesday (24 February).
EU-UK to debate extensions for Irish customs waiver
EU and UK officials will discuss on Wednesday (24 February) the possibility of extending the ‘grace periods’ that exempt goods crossing the Irish Sea border from new customs checks introduced by the new trade arrangement.
Bulgaria to open restaurants from March, nightclubs from April
Bulgaria will reopen restaurants from March and lift a ban on nightclubs from April, Prime Minister Boyko Borissov said on Wednesday (24 February), betting on a vaccination programme and a solid number of recoveries from COVID-19.
Graft, lockdown and police violence stir anger in Cyprus
Thousands of Cypriot protesters have staged large demonstrations in past weeks, angered by months of lockdown, economic woes and a string of corruption scandals, as well as a rare police crackdown.
Support EU-based vaccine production, five leaders say
In today's edition of the Capitals, find out more about Russia's military infrastructure hampering Lithuania's 5G development, Slovenia's National Assembly appointing the country's new health minister, and so much more.
UK agrees more time for EU to ratify post-Brexit pact
The UK government agreed Tuesday (23 February) to allow the European Union more time to formally ratify the post-Brexit trade deal which came into effect on January 1.
Britain’s au pair system ‘killed’ by Brexit
Once a childcare mainstay for many working parents, Britain's au pair system is under threat after Brexit – piling pressure on families and forcing some mothers to consider quitting their jobs.
EU lawmakers recommend lifting immunity of Catalan MEPs
The European Parliament's legal committee on Tuesday (23 February) voted to recommend lifting the immunity of three Catalan lawmakers wanted by Spain for sedition over a failed 2017 independence bid, parliamentary sources said.
Northern Irish Brexit issue is two-way street, says EU’s Sefcovic
Britain must show it is fully using the avenues available under the Brexit divorce deal to minimise trade disruption in Northern Ireland before seeking concessions, a senior EU official said on Tuesday (23 February).
Suspect in Daphne Caruana’s murder pleads guilty
One of three men accused of the 2017 assassination of Maltese anti-corruption journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia pleaded guilty Tuesday (23 February), a major development in a case that has rocked the Mediterranean island nation.
Six EU countries warned over border restrictions
The European Commission said Tuesday (23 February) it has formally warned six EU countries that their virus-related border curbs could undermine free movement within the bloc.
Czechia to sue Poland over illegal coal mining
In today's edition of the Capitals, find out more about Czechia saying it will sue Poland for illegal coal mining, Bulgarian restaurants calling for a reduction in the fees they have to pay, and so much more.
EU Commission warns of disorderly recovery from 2020 crisis
Not all EU countries will recover from the economic losses of 2020 at the same pace, the European Commission said on Monday (22 February), calling for a “strong joint response” from all 27 EU member states.
Polish minister: EU responsible for pandemic’s third wave
In today's edition of the Capitals, find out more about the fifth night of protests over a rapper's imprisonment in Spain, Ireland boosting its vaccination progamme, and so much more.
Paedophilia scandal in theatre rocks Greek politics
Greece’s former national theatre director, Dimitris Lignadis was arrested on Saturday (20 February) on suspicion of having committed multiple rapes involving also children, prompting politicians from the ruling New Democracy party (EPP) and the main opposition leftist Syriza (GUE-NGL) to trade accusations over the weekend.
Northern Ireland parties take legal action against Brexit deal
Members of Northern Ireland's two largest pro-British parties are set to take part in legal action challenging part of Britain's divorce deal with the European Union, the parties said on Sunday (21 February).
UK fintechs seek ‘cure for Brexit’ in Lithuania
Thanks in part to Brexit, Lithuania is becoming a fintech hub as a growing number of UK-linked digital financial companies are getting licences there so they can continue to operate in the European Union.
Portugal wants EU defence, security partnership with UK
The European Union should create “broad structures of partnership” with the United Kingdom on defence and security policy, Portuguese defence minister João Gomes Cravinho said on Friday (19 February).
Spanish riots over rapper’s imprisonment escalate
Barcelona and several other Spanish cities woke up on Sunday morning to looted stores and damaged property after a fifth consecutive night of protests calling for the release of rapper Pablo Hasel. EURACTIV's partner EFE reports.
Sexual harassment claims expose Greece’s hidden secret
An increasing number of Greek artists and athletes have come forward in recent weeks to report cases of sexual harassment in the world of sports, TV and theatre, exposing a well-hidden secret in Greece.
Cyprus slams Turkey over asylum-seeker ‘burden’
Cyprus hit out at Turkey on Friday (19 February) for acts it said were behind the creation of a new migration route that had "disproportionally burdened" it with the EU's highest percentage of asylum-seekers.
New scandal with Hungary’s top EU court nominee
In today's edition of the Capitals, find out more about Croatia and Finland finding a new COVID-strain, Austria's interior ministry threatening to sue an activist, and so much more.
Italy’s ‘Super Mario’ Draghi wins parliament backing for new government
Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi on Thursday (18 February) secured final parliamentary approval for his government of national unity, allowing him to focus on his country's unprecedented health and economic crisis.