New EU migration laws 'not perfect but Ireland can't do this alone' - MEP Barry Andrews
The European Parliament voted through changes on the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, ending years of division.
The new rules include controversial measures like taking facial images and fingerprints from children as young as six, and possible detention during screening. [ more ]
European Parliament passes asylum and migration reforms
The European Parliament approved a landmark asylum and migration overhaul after nearly a decade of reform efforts.
The new rules aim to enhance protection of external borders, vulnerable populations, and refugees while enforcing mandatory solidarity among member states. [ more ]
Germany Arrests Lawmaker's Aide on Suspicion of Spying for China
A German European Parliament aide was arrested for spying for China; potential espionage threat; serious allegations against European democracy. [ more ]
Europe live: Calls for European parliament to investigate possible Russian interference in elections
Renew Europe calls for an urgent investigation into reports of Russian influence network paying MEPs for propaganda dissemination.
Renew Europe requests for an immediate and transparent investigation with national authorities to uncover the scale of the influence operation. [ more ]
Latvia probes EU lawmaker for Kremlin spying DW 03/16/2024
Tatjana Zdanoka is accused of being a Russian agent pushing Moscow's policies in the EU.
Zdanoka is accused of working with Russia's FSB security services since 2004, and the European Parliament has opened an investigation into her Russian connections. [ more ]
Aide to German far-right MEP arrested on suspicion of spying for China
A German national, working as an aide to a far-right MEP, was accused of spying for a Chinese intelligence service, raising concerns over Chinese espionage in Europe. [ more ]
EU president to stay in post amid fears of Viktor Orban getting role
Charles Michel has abandoned plans to quit as president of the European parliament in order to run in the European parliament, amid fears that Hungary's prime minister, Viktor Orban, could take over the role.
EU leaders are considering stripping Hungary of voting rights after Orban blocked a 50bn support package for Ukraine. Michel's decision to stay as president may prevent Orban from accidentally becoming the president in July if a successor is not found quickly enough. [ more ]
European Union institutions gear up for a fight over Orban's rule of law record, funds for Hungary
The European Parliament is considering taking the European Commission to court over allegations of blackmail from Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
Hungary did not meet the rule of law requirements to receive the funds. [ more ]
European Union institutions gear up for a fight over Orban's rule of law record, funds for Hungary
The European Parliament is considering taking the European Commission to court over allegations of blackmail from Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
Hungary did not meet the rule of law requirements to receive the funds. [ more ]
European Union institutions gear up for a fight over Orban's rule of law record, funds for Hungary
The European Parliament is considering taking the European Commission to court over allegations of blackmail from Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
Hungary did not meet the rule of law requirements to receive the funds. [ more ]
Ukraine: EU plans more tariff-free trade, and limits DW 03/20/2024
Provisional agreement reached to continue freeze on Ukrainian exports to EU markets until June 2025 with tougher restrictions on some agricultural produce.
EU reinforces safeguards on sensitive agricultural products to protect its market while supporting Ukraine economically and gradually integrating it into the EU internal market. [ more ]
EU parliament to vote on stricter migration rules DW 04/10/2024
The European Parliament to vote on EU Asylum and Migration Pact aiming for faster rejection of invalid applications and fair distribution of asylum requests processing among member states.
The new system includes faster vetting for migrants, special treatment for children, and fast-tracking asylum-seekers from countries with generally rejected applications for quicker deportation. [ more ]
EU parliament agrees on stricter migration rules DW 04/10/2024
The European Parliament has passed a new Asylum and Migration Pact to manage migration and asylum impacts by accelerating application rejections and sharing processing burdens.
European leaders have described the overhaul as historic, with changes pending confirmation by member state ministers before coming into force in 2026. [ more ]
Scholz warns of the rise of right-wing populists ahead of EU elections
Right-wing populists are posing a threat to a united Europe, stirring up sentiment against refugees and minorities.
The upcoming EU elections show a significant shift to the right, with radical right groups gaining seats at the expense of centrist and green parties. [ more ]
EU AI Act secures committees' backing ahead of full parliament vote | TechCrunch
The European Parliament's civil liberties (LIBE) and internal market (IMCO) committees have endorsed draft legislation for regulating artificial intelligence.
The EU AI Act sets rules for AI developers based on the power of their models and/or the purpose of their application, including prohibited uses and obligations for high-risk uses. [ more ]
EU votes to ban riskiest forms of AI and impose restrictions on others
The European Parliament approved the Artificial Intelligence Act banning risky AI applications like facial recognition databases and behavioral manipulation.
Violations of the AI Act can result in penalties up to 35 million euros or 7% of a firm's global annual turnover. [ more ]
The European Parliament's plenary vote on the proposed Artificial Intelligence Act was rescheduled to 13 March. The AI Act will come into force 20 days after publication in the official journal. [ more ]
German defense hawk sets sights on EU job DW 03/12/2024
Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann is set to run as the lead candidate for the pan-European liberal party in the European parliamentary elections.
The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) members have confirmed their support for Strack-Zimmermann emphasizing her liberal commitment to the safety of Europe and support for Ukraine. [ more ]
Amazon lobbyists banned from European Parliament | Computer Weekly
The European Parliament revoked Amazon lobbyists' access badges due to non-engagement in discussions about warehouse workers' labor conditions. [ more ]
Google on Wednesday was charged with violating European Union antitrust laws by using its dominance in online advertising to undercut rivals, the latest in a string of cases around the world that strike at the core of the internet giant's business model.The case was brought by the European Commission, the executive branch of the 27-nation European Union, and marks the fourth time Google has been charged with violating European antitrust laws in recent years.
Navalnaya to EU: Navalny won't see future Russia, we 'must' DW 02/28/2024
Yulia Navalnaya addressed the European Parliament in Strasbourg to honor her late husband Alexei Navalny. European lawmakers plan to debate Navalny's death and condemn the Russian regime and President Putin. Navalnaya emphasized the need for innovation to defeat Putin, not just relying on sanctions. [ more ]
EU moves closer to passing one of world's first laws governing AI
The European Union is on the cusp of passing one of the worldâs first laws governing the use of artificial intelligence (AI).
The proposed legislation will create a framework to regulate the development, deployment, and use of AI systems, including setting strict rules for the use of facial recognition technology. [ more ]
The European Parliament's Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs has approved a draft report on additional procedural rules for the EU General Data Protection Regulation.
The proposal aims to harmonize cross-border cooperation, address complaints, and streamline enforcement proceedings. [ more ]
Norway's deep-sea mining plans could put it on collision course with the EU
The European Parliament raised concerns over Norway's plans for deep-sea mining and its potential impact on EU fisheries, food security, and Arctic marine biodiversity.
Norway, despite not being an EU member, is bound by the EEA Agreement and must adopt European laws in exchange for access to the single market. [ more ]
European Parliament reaches a deal on right to repair
The European Parliament has reached a provisional deal on EU regulations to strengthen consumers' right to repair.
The bill includes measures to boost the repair sector, such as making spare parts and tools available at a reasonable price and prohibiting manufacturers from obstructing repairs. [ more ]
Farmers hurl eggs at European parliament as leaders meet for summit
Protesting farmers in Europe have thrown eggs and stones at the European parliament in a bid to pressure leaders into addressing their concerns.
Farmers from multiple European countries have been protesting against low pay, high taxes, environmental rules, and unfair competition from abroad. [ more ]
Right-wing parties forecast for gains in 2024 EU elections DW 01/25/2024
The upcoming European elections in June are expected to see a 'sharp turn to the right' in the European Parliament, with radical right movements gaining ground.
A populist right coalition could emerge with a majority for the first time, reflecting a decline in support for mainstream parties and growing support for extremist and smaller parties. [ more ]
European Union institutions gear up for a fight over Orban's rule of law record, funds for Hungary
The European Parliament is considering taking the European Commission to court over allegations of blackmail from Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
Hungary did not meet the rule of law requirements to receive the funds. [ more ]
European Union institutions gear up for a fight over Orban's rule of law record, funds for Hungary
The European Parliament is considering taking the European Commission to court over allegations of blackmail from Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
Hungary did not meet the rule of law requirements to receive the funds. [ more ]
EU calls for laws to force greater algorithmic transparency from music-streaming platforms | TechCrunch
The European Parliament is calling for new rules to bring more fairness and transparency to music-streaming across the EU.
The proposed bill would require streaming platforms to open up their recommendation algorithms and disclose if a song is generated by artificial intelligence. [ more ]
Glenys Kinnock, former UK minister, European Parliament member and wife of ex-Labour leader, dies
Glenys Kinnock, former British cabinet minister and member of the European Parliament, has passed away at the age of 79.
Kinnock was known for her work in reducing poverty and starvation in Africa, as well as her advocacy for social justice, equality, and the European Union. [ more ]
EU governments agree on rules for how non-EU citizens could move around Europe
Third-country nationals can acquire EU-wide long-term resident status if they have lived 'legally' in an EU country for at least five years.
The European Commission proposed to update the rules for acquiring EU long-term resident status, including reducing the required period of legal residence from five to three years. [ more ]
EU governments agree on rules for how non-EU citizens could move around Europe
Third-country nationals can acquire EU-wide long-term resident status if they have lived 'legally' in an EU country for at least five years.
The European Commission proposed to update the rules for acquiring EU long-term resident status, including reducing the required period of legal residence from five to three years. [ more ]
Tunisian president says his country will not be Europe's border guard'
1. President Kais Saied of Tunisia has warned Europe that it must take responsibility for the consequences of migration, as he rejected an IMF bailout to help the country manage its current economic crisis.
2. Tunisia has seen an influx of migrants from the Middle East and North Africa attempting to cross into Europe, leading to increased tensions between the two regions.
3. Saied has advocated for greater collaboration between Europe and Tunisia in order to better manage migration, as well as to [ more ]