The EU Commission has approved the acquisition of joint control of SFS Group B.V. (Netherlands) and KTP Holding GmbH (Germany) by VR Equitypartner GmbH (Germany) and Gilde SFS B.V. (Netherlands). The transaction relates primarily to the market for returnable packaging solutions.
The floods were described by Slovenian authorities as the worst flooding disaster in Slovenia’s recent history, affecting almost two-thirds of the country. Key infrastructure such as roads and energy supplies were damaged, with hundreds of homes and buildings destroyed. President von der Leyen and Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič, visited Slovenia on 9 August 2023 to directly express the EU’s solidarity and support.
The Council today agreed on a mandate for the presidency to start negotiations with the European Parliament on updated EU rules on the import, export and transit of firearms into and from the EU. The new rules aim to close the loopholes for firearms trafficking, while facilitating trade and movement of firearms used for legitimate purposes.
Approximately 86 million fake items were detained in the European Union in 2022 (at the EU external border and in the internal market), according to a joint report by the EUIPO and the European Commission published today. The estimated value of fake items detained in the EU amounted to over EUR 2 billion, an increase of approximately 3 % in 2022 compared to 2021.
The scheme aims at assisting banks in securitising and moving non-performing loans off their balance sheets. Under the scheme, a private special purpose vehicle will buy non-performing loans from the banks and sell notes to investors. The State will provide a public guarantee for the senior, less risky notes of the securitisation vehicle.
Cars, lorries and buses are not the only machines that circulate on public roads. Occasionally, working equipment such as construction or agricultural machines also have to use our roads to get from one worksite to another. This, however, can cause dangerous traffic situations because work machinery may not be adequately lit in the dark or their driver’s range of vision can be limited, for example.
MEPs want the EU to assume a leading role in shaping virtual worlds that respect and promote EU values and fundamental rights, while ensuring the highest level of consumer protection. On Tuesday, MEPs from the Internal Market and Consumer Protection adopted a draft own-initiative report on the opportunities, risks and policy implications of virtual worlds for the single market, with 31 votes in favour, 2 against and 8 abstentions.
Judicial and law enforcement authorities from seven different countries have joined forces in an action against a criminal network responsible for significant ransomware attacks across the world. These attacks are believed to have affected over 1,800 victims in 71 countries. The perpetrators targeted large corporations, effectively bringing their business to a standstill and causing losses of at least several hundred millions of euros.
An employee of the municipality of Ans (Belgium), who performs her duties as head of office primarily without being in contact with users of the public service, was prohibited from wearing an Islamic headscarf in her workplace. In the wake of that decision, the municipality amended its terms of employment, now requiring its employees to observe strict neutrality: any form of proselytising is prohibited and the wearing of overt signs
The Council today unanimously adopted a regulation opening autonomous EU tariff quotas (ATQs) for certain fishery products for the years 2024, 2025 and 2026, and establishing rules for the management of these quotas. The newly adopted regulation aims to ensure that the EU’s fish processing industry can continue to source raw materials for further processing from non-EU countries at reduced rates of duty or duty-free.
The EU is about to create a single point of access to public financial and non-financial information about EU companies and EU investment products. Today, the Council adopted a regulation creating the European Single Access Point (ESAP) – a platform that will make this information easier for investors to consult.
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of sole control of PS Energi AB by Petronord Scandinavia AB (‘Petronord’), both of Sweden. The transaction relates primarily to the retail sale of automotive fuel in specialised stores. The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given the limited impact on the market structure. The notified transaction was examined under the simplified merger
A set of transformative reforms is included. The new Flood Risk Management Plan addresses one of the most relevant climate change risks in Slovenia. Other reforms aim to promote the use of renewable energy, and of alternative fuels in transport, and provide a new framework for public passenger transport. The adoption of a broadband plan supports Slovenia’s digital transformation path, as well as reforms related to the issuance of e-identity
After technical discussions within the Council, ministers for employment and social affairs reached a political agreement on the recommendation on 9 October 2023. After legal-linguistic revision, the recommendation was adopted today and will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union.
The data act will give both individuals and businesses more control over their data through a reinforced portability right, copying or transferring data easily from across different services, where the data are generated through smart objects, machines, and devices. The new law will empower consumers and companies by giving them a say on what can be done with the data generated by their connected products.
The Commission will present new legislation on countering migrant smuggling. This covers a Directive laying down minimum rules on the facilitation of unauthorised entry, transit and stay in the EU, and a Regulation to reinforce Europol’s role and inter-agency cooperation in the fight against migrant smuggling and trafficking in human beings.
Today, the Council approved conclusions on enhancing the cultural and creative dimension of the European video games sector. The video games sector is an integral part of the ecosystem of cultural and creative industries. It interacts with other sectors and has great potential to transmit cultural content and highlight the value of the richness of European creation, heritage and history.
Today, the Council approved conclusions on women and equality in the field of sport. The conclusions emphasise the importance of access to a safe, inclusive and equal playing field, free from any form of inequality, discrimination or violence. Despite the progress made so far, women still participate much less in sport and physical activity than men, largely due to sociocultural barriers. However, 8 in 10 Europeans believe that female role
The Commission approved the initial support measures in October 2022 (SA.100687). According to the resolution plan, after the bank was resolved, its main assets and liabilities were transferred to a newly created bridge bank. The State aid measures were aimed at enabling a prompt sale of the bridge bank, while preserving both financial stability and a level playing field in the Single Market.
Today, the Commission has given a positive assessment of Italy’s modified recovery and resilience plan, which includes a REPowerEU chapter. The plan is now worth €194.4 billion (€122.6 billion in loans and €71.8 billion in grants) and covers 66 reforms, seven more than in the original plan, and 150 investments.
Today, the Commission has endorsed a positive preliminary assessment of Slovakia’s payment request for €662 million in grants under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), the key instrument at the heart of NextGenerationEU. On 25 September 2023, Slovakia submitted to the Commission a payment request based on the achievement of the 21 milestones and six targets set out in the Council Implementing Decision, for the third instalment.
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