Pope Francis is dead. He died on Monday at 7:35 a.m., Cardinal Kevin Farrell announced in a statement released by the Vatican press office. The Pope was 88 years old. He died while recovering from a severe case of pneumonia, one day after he appeared for the Urbi et Orbi blessing to greet the faithful.
“I think the UK, France, and Germany can help us move the ball on this and bring us closer to a resolution. I found their ideas very helpful and constructive.” — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, following the Paris meetings aimed at securing a just and lasting peace for Ukraine.
Insight EU offers delayed access to the headlines of our Insight EU specialized monitoring emails, typically by several days. For real-time updates and comprehensive monitoring services, consider subscribing to one of our annual plans available in the Insight EU Store. Delve into the headlines of our latest Insight EU Finance Weekly.
Insight EU offers delayed access to the headlines of our Insight EU specialized monitoring emails, typically by several days. For real-time updates and comprehensive monitoring services, consider subscribing to one of our annual Insight EU plans available in the Insight EU Store. Delve into the headlines of our latest Insight EU Digitization and Entertainement Weekly.
President Donald J. Trump and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni held their first official meeting on Thursday in Washington, D.C.. They confirmed their resolve to promote a mutually beneficial relationship and further strengthen the U.S.-Italian strategic alliance across security, economic, and technological issues. Their statement underscores that the war in Ukraine must end, and fully endorsed President Trump’s leadership in brokering a ceasefire and delivering a just and lasting peace.
The EU Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of sole control of Belgium-based Mega Group International SA by Swiss-based MET Sales and Trading Holding AG. The transaction mainly concerns the electricity and gas sectors.
Insight EU offers delayed access to the headlines of our Insight EU specialized monitoring emails, typically by several days. For real-time updates and comprehensive monitoring services, consider subscribing to one of our annual plans available in the Insight EU Store. Delve into the headlines of our latest Insight EU Finance Weekly.
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of sole control of Motel One Group GmbH of Germany by PAI Partners S.à.r.l. of Luxembourg. The transaction relates primarily to the market for hotel accommodation services.
The EU Commission invests €86 million in new Strategic Integrated Projects focusing on improving water quality and availability, cleaning up polluted rivers, improving fire and flood protection, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
“Cybercrime is on the rise, and cybercriminals are increasingly turning to Gen AI to facilitate their crimes. Criminal tactics are becoming more sophisticated and available to a broader range of criminals. Estimates of direct and indirect costs of cyber incidents range from 1 to 10 percent of global GDP.3 Deepfake attacks have seen a twentyfold increase over the last three years” – U.S. Fed Governor Barr.
The Governing Council today decided to lower the three key ECB interest rates by 25 basis points. Accordingly, the interest rates on the deposit facility, the main refinancing operations and the marginal lending facility will be decreased to 2.25%, 2.40% and 2.65% respectively, with effect from 23 April 2025.
The fall in official development assistance (ODA) was due to a reduction in contributions to international organisations, as well as a decrease in aid for Ukraine, lower levels of humanitarian aid and reduced spending on hosting refugees in donor countries.
The Recommendation details how Member States can improve information exchange among themselves and with the European Commission on their planned national controls. It outlines key principles for aligning national lists with EU and multilateral standards.
“We should bring the EU-UAE partnership to the strategic level”, says MEP David McAllister (EPP/CDU) at the conclusion of the Foreign Affairs Committee mission to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Europol has supported an investigation into a criminal organisation involved in smuggling tens of thousands of hazardous salvage vehicles from the United States. Ten suspects have been arrested and eighteen others questioned. Investigators estimate financial damage of at least EUR 31 million in unpaid VAT and customs duties.
The EU Commission is proposing to frontload two key elements of the Asylum Procedure Regulation with the aim of supporting Member States to process asylum claims faster and more efficiently for applicants whose claims are likely to be unfounded.
The new U.S. Administration is in the process of implementing substantial policy changes in four distinct areas: trade, immigration, fiscal policy, and regulation. Those policies are still evolving, and their effects on the economy remain highly uncertain: “As we learn more, we will continue to update our assessment. The level of the tariff increases announced so far is significantly larger than anticipated. The same is likely to be true of the economic effects, which will include higher inflation and slower growth.”
President Donald J. Trump and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni held their first official meeting on Thursday in Washington, D.C.. They confirmed their resolve to promote a mutually beneficial relationship and further strengthen the U.S.-Italian strategic alliance across security, economic, and technological issues. Their statement underscores that the war in Ukraine must end, and fully endorsed President Trump’s leadership in brokering a ceasefire and delivering a just and lasting peace.
Insight EU offers delayed access to the headlines of our Insight EU specialized monitoring emails, typically by several days. For real-time updates and comprehensive monitoring services, consider subscribing to one of our annual Insight EU plans available in the Insight EU Store. Delve into the headlines of our latest Insight EU Digitization and Entertainement Weekly.
“Cybercrime is on the rise, and cybercriminals are increasingly turning to Gen AI to facilitate their crimes. Criminal tactics are becoming more sophisticated and available to a broader range of criminals. Estimates of direct and indirect costs of cyber incidents range from 1 to 10 percent of global GDP.3 Deepfake attacks have seen a twentyfold increase over the last three years” – U.S. Fed Governor Barr.
The workshop aimed to pinpoint both existing and emerging AI technologies that meet the industry’s unique needs and bridge current gaps. Attendees included leading vehicle manufacturers, suppliers, automotive start-ups, and research institutes.
The “Cities for All Ages” report explores how local and national governments can address these challenges and make cities work for all generations. It highlights strategies such as adapting urban design and land use planning for more accessible cities, providing age-friendly housing, and engaging both young and older people in labour and consumer markets.
The EU Commission has opened four new calls worth €140 million under the Digital Europe Programme (DIGITAL) to advance the roll out of Artificial Intelligence (AI), promote advanced digital skills, expand the network of European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs) and fight disinformation.
Complementing the Cybersecurity Skills Academy, the new academies in Quantum Technologies, Artificial Intelligence and Virtual Worlds will foster a more coordinated approach to digital skills education and training in the EU.
European leadership in the development of next-generation 6G mobile technologies is set to be boosted with the launch of a new €104 million call to support cutting-edge research and innovation in mobile networks.
The European AI Strategy aims to position Europe as a leading hub for human-centric and reliable AI. The European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA) is actively contributing to this AI revolution by funding AI-related projects. HaDEA manages more than 900 projects that either develop or apply AI tools. Explore some of the projects on this list.
The European Data Protection Board (EDPB) has adopted guidelines on processing of personal data through blockchain technologies. A blockchain is a distributed digital ledger system that can confirm transactions and establish who owned a digital asset, such as cryptocurrencies, at a given time. Blockchains can also support the secure handling and transfer of data, ensuring its integrity and traceability.
A draft update to the U.S. NIST Privacy Framework will enable organizations to use it seamlessly with the agency’s Cybersecurity Framework, which received its own update last year. Targeted changes to content and structure respond to stakeholder needs and make the document easier to use. NIST is soliciting feedback on the draft until June 13, 2025.
President Donald J. Trump and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni held their first official meeting on Thursday in Washington, D.C.. They confirmed their resolve to promote a mutually beneficial relationship and further strengthen the U.S.-Italian strategic alliance across security, economic, and technological issues. Their statement underscores that the war in Ukraine must end, and fully endorsed President Trump’s leadership in brokering a ceasefire and delivering a just and lasting peace.
“I think the UK, France, and Germany can help us move the ball on this and bring us closer to a resolution. I found their ideas very helpful and constructive.” — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, following the Paris meetings aimed at securing a just and lasting peace for Ukraine.
The parties held a constructive and positive discussion on the paths toward a full ceasefire and the further process of achieving a comprehensive, just, and enduring peace for Ukraine.
The specter of nuclear weapons in space—once confined to Cold War nightmares—has reemerged as a pressing geopolitical and security crisis. Recent reports from The New York Times and Germany’s Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik (SWP) warn of potential Russian plans to deploy nuclear-armed satellites, raising alarms over orbital EMP attacks, escalation risks, and the collapse of arms control.
The fall in official development assistance (ODA) was due to a reduction in contributions to international organisations, as well as a decrease in aid for Ukraine, lower levels of humanitarian aid and reduced spending on hosting refugees in donor countries.
During the discussion, the participants reiterated that NATO remains concerned about recent developments and their adverse implications, including for the country’s constitutional order and the functionality of state institutions. Against this backdrop, the Deputy Secretary General reaffirmed: “The Dayton Peace Agreement must be respected”.
“We should bring the EU-UAE partnership to the strategic level”, says MEP David McAllister (EPP/CDU) at the conclusion of the Foreign Affairs Committee mission to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Europol has supported an investigation into a criminal organisation involved in smuggling tens of thousands of hazardous salvage vehicles from the United States. Ten suspects have been arrested and eighteen others questioned. Investigators estimate financial damage of at least EUR 31 million in unpaid VAT and customs duties.
The EU Commission is proposing to frontload two key elements of the Asylum Procedure Regulation with the aim of supporting Member States to process asylum claims faster and more efficiently for applicants whose claims are likely to be unfounded.
The new U.S. Administration is in the process of implementing substantial policy changes in four distinct areas: trade, immigration, fiscal policy, and regulation. Those policies are still evolving, and their effects on the economy remain highly uncertain: “As we learn more, we will continue to update our assessment. The level of the tariff increases announced so far is significantly larger than anticipated. The same is likely to be true of the economic effects, which will include higher inflation and slower growth.”
This week, members of the EU Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice, and Home Affairs looked into work to strengthen port security and fight drug trafficking in Antwerp and Rotterdam. Next week, members of the Legal Affairs Committee are visting Antwerp to assess anti-counterfeiting efforts in the Belgian port.
Cooperation between authorities from France, Slovenia, Spain and Bosnia and Herzegovina, with the support from Eurojust and Europol, has resulted in the dismantling of an arms traffickers group. Actions taking place simultaneously in France, Spain and Bosnia and Herzegovina led to the arrest of seven members of the criminal group.
Extensive cooperation between Sweden, France, the Netherlands, and Belgium in a Eurojust-supported joint investigation team (JIT) into crimes against Ezidi victims in Syria and Iraq has led to the first two convictions of foreign terrorist fighters (FTFs).
The Summit will examine the geopolitical, technological and economic factors affecting energy security at the national and international level. It will provide leaders and decision makers from around the world with an opportunity to review the trends shaping global energy security – and reflect on the tools needed to address traditional and emerging energy security risks.
The EU Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of sole control of Belgium-based Mega Group International SA by Swiss-based MET Sales and Trading Holding AG. The transaction mainly concerns the electricity and gas sectors.
The EU Commission granted EU authorisation for Leqembi, a medicine to treat mild cognitive impairment in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, under strict conditions. It is the first such medicine to be authorised in the EU.
The EU Commission invests €86 million in new Strategic Integrated Projects focusing on improving water quality and availability, cleaning up polluted rivers, improving fire and flood protection, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
To meet the targets set out in the Regulation on CO2 Emission Standards for Heavy-Duty Vehicles, the European Electricity Industry (Eurelectric) and the European Automobile Manufacturers (ACEA) have issued a set of policy recommendations to enable the adoption of zero-emission trucks and buses and ensure the supporting infrastructure is in place.
On Wednesday, ACER published its report on trends in the European gas wholesale markets during the gas winter season (October 2024 to March 2025). The report also explores gas storage dynamics over the winter and offers an outlook for summer 2025.
This week, members of the EU Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice, and Home Affairs looked into work to strengthen port security and fight drug trafficking in Antwerp and Rotterdam. Next week, members of the Legal Affairs Committee are visting Antwerp to assess anti-counterfeiting efforts in the Belgian port.
The EU Commission’s new plan outlines a list of priority products for which ecodesign requirements and energy labelling are to be introduced over the next five years. The initiative aims to promote sustainable, repairable, circular, and energy-efficient products across Europe, aligning with both the Clean Industrial Deal and the Competitiveness Compass. However, the European Environmental Bureau (EEB) expressed disappointment, stating: : “That plan does not live up to the hard-won promises within the regulation.”
The European Union’s energy sector led the way in reducing domestic EU net greenhouse gas emissions by 9% in 2023 compared to the year before according to the latest official EU data submitted by the European Environment Agency (EEA) to the United Nations.
The EU Commission has unveiled its annual report on Safety Gate, the European Rapid Alert System for dangerous non-food products. The report presents an overview of dangerous products notified in the Safety Gate in 2024. 4137 alerts were notified last year – the highest ever recorded amount of alerts since the launch of the system in 2003.
The agreement marks a significant contribution to strengthening capacities for pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response taking a One Health approach, in full respect of the health policy responsibilities and competences of individual EU Member States.
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