Global energy demand grew at a faster-than-average pace in 2024 as the consumption of electricity rose around the world – with increased supply of renewables and natural gas covering the majority of additional energy needs, according to a new IEA report.
We offer 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.
We offer 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 EU Council held a policy debate on the European Commission’s vision for agriculture and food. Over the course of an informal lunch, fisheries ministers discussed the future of the common fisheries policy. The Council also dealt with a number of ‘other business’ points.
“The marvellous thing about of our Union is that it is never done, never finished. Our Union is still the best way to protect, to prosper, and to promote our interests in the world. The best way to accommodate our differences. To build the necessary consensus. To make our societies more resilient, more connected, more dynamic. Without it, we are all weaker; with it, we hold the future in our hands” – António Costa
The EU Commission has approved the acquisition of joint control of Prosper Link International Limited of the British Virgin Islands by Advent International of the US and Mubadala Investment Company of the United Arab Emirates. The transaction relates primarily to the sector of manufacturing and sale of lenses and lens care products.
The EU Commission has concluded that the compensation granted by the German federal states of Berlin and Brandenburg to Deutsche Bahn Regio AG (DB Regio) for the provision of regional rail passenger transport services during the period 2002-2012 is compatible with EU State aid rules.
The EU Commission has concluded that Romania’s €200 million (RON 1 billion) recapitalisation of the wholly state-owned CEC Bank does not constitute State aid within the meaning of EU State aid rules.
Leaders from across Europe gathered at the Democracy and Liberties Summit in Paris to reaffirm their commitment to defending and advancing liberal democracy: “Against the backdrop of rising authoritarian threats, democratic backsliding, and growing extremism, our political family stands united in the belief that democracy can and will prevail.”
Benchmarks are widely used by companies and investors in the EU as references in their financial instruments or contracts. This legislation amends a regulation from 2016 regarding the scope of the rules for benchmarks, the use of benchmarks provided by administrators located in third countries, and certain reporting requirements.
The EU Commission instructs Spain not to pay any compensation based on the arbitration award. The decision also requires Spain to ensure that no payment, execution, or implementation of the arbitration award otherwise takes place. The decision recalls the obligation for national judges to assist Spain to ensure compliance with the Commission’s decision.
On 21 March 2025, the Bank of Russia Board of Directors decided to keep the key rate at 21.00% per annum while official inflation in February stood at 10.1%. This disparity and the discrepancy compared to US Fed and ECB interest rates raises questions about the underlying risks in Russia’s war economy and confirms the impact of global sanctions.
The EU Commission has launched a consultation to help determine the best approach for the application of the EU’s framework on market risk prudential requirements for banks. The Fundamental Review of the Trading Book (or FRTB) introduced by Basel III aims to incorporate more sophisticated risk measurement techniques, allowing for closer alignment between capital charges and the actual risks banks are facing in their activities in capital markets.
The EU Council has adopted a new law to improve collection of labour market statistics on businesses at EU level. In particular, the new rules will ensure that these statistics are more up-to-date and comparable across countries. They also provide for better coverage of the economy, and ensure that data is collected on the gender pay gap.
This OECD report provides an overview of the efforts made to expedite the movement, release, and clearance of goods at the border in 163 economies. Progress on trade facilitation – as measured by the OECD Trade Facilitation Indicators (TFIs) – is occurring in all regions as countries seek to ensure that global supply chains remain efficient, adaptable, and responsive to evolving patterns of trade.
Consumer protection: A contractual term obliging a young sportsman to transfer part of his income if he becomes a professional athlete may be unfair. The national court must assess the unfairness of such a term by taking into account, in particular, whether or not that term is plain and intelligible as regards the financial consequences of the commitment.
“Turning to our network of Free Trade Agreements, which has a key role to play in boosting Europe’s competitiveness. We already boast 44 preferential trade agreements covering 76 countries and 44% of EU trade. And this network is set to grow, as many around the world turn to the European Union as a reliable, open partner, in an increasingly polarized economic climate” – EU Commissioner Šefčovič.
Responding to the need to propel AI innovation by developing AI standards more quickly while encouraging openness and collaboration – incorporating a wide range of expertise – NIST is launching its AI Standards Zero Drafts Pilot Project.
The European Commission sent two sets of preliminary findings to Alphabet for failing to comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA), regarding two services for which it has been designated as a gatekeeper.
Interoperability enables a deeper and more seamless integration of third-party products with Apple’s ecosystem. It is therefore key to opening up new possibilities for third parties to develop innovative products and services on Apple’s gatekeeper platforms. As a result, a wider choice of products will be available to consumers in Europe which are compatible with their Apple devices.
The EU Commission takes action to maintain and expand European industrial capacities in the steel and metals sectors. The Action Plan on Steel and Metals is designed to strengthen the sector’s competitiveness and safeguard the industry’s future.
From intelligent vehicles to seamless communication between road users and infrastructure, the transformation of mobility systems is accelerating. This transition to total vehicle automation is being enabled by global standards that lay the foundation for modern vehicular communications and intelligent transport systems (ITS). ITU and UNECE are playing key roles in setting the standards.
With the extension, the free flow of data with the UK would be maintained until 27 December 2025. This will allow for the legislative process in the UK to be concluded. Once concluded, the EU Commission will assess the new UK legal framework and decide on its adequacy.
DARPA’s Securing Artificial Intelligence for Battlefield Effective Robustness (SABER) aims to fill critical gaps in the Defense Department’s understanding of operational systems enabled by AI.
We offer 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.
As Europe grapples with the evolving political landscape in the United States, the prevailing ideologies of key politicians and activists raise questions about the ease and feasibility of adapting to these changes. This analysis draws upon comprehensive monitoring of public debates surrounding the U.S. Administration’s ideology and serves as a checklist to assess the trajectory of its policies.
The European Union faces a major demographic challenge, marked by an aging population, declining birth rates, and shifting migration patterns. By 2035, the EU labour force is expected to grow, albeit unequally across the different age cohorts, with higher annual growth expected primarily for those aged 60 and above.
Ahead of World Consumer Rights Day, the Commission released the 2025 Consumer Conditions Scoreboard. It shows 68% of Europeans trust product safety, while 70% believe traders respect their rights. However, online risks like scams, fake reviews, and misleading ads remain.
“The marvellous thing about of our Union is that it is never done, never finished. Our Union is still the best way to protect, to prosper, and to promote our interests in the world. The best way to accommodate our differences. To build the necessary consensus. To make our societies more resilient, more connected, more dynamic. Without it, we are all weaker; with it, we hold the future in our hands” – António Costa
EU Commissioner Kubilius said the EU is opening new defence investment channels, with €600 billion in national spending still unregulated. EU loans will support procurement from European companies, including subsidiaries of third-country firms. For the first time, countries like the UK and Canada could also benefit if they sign defence partnerships with the EU.
EU Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection, Michael McGrath, is travelling to Budapest, Hungary next week, where he will meet with representatives of the government, the judiciary and with civil society and media stakeholders.
European Council President António Costa, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz reflect on the outcomes of this week’s European Council meeting. Discover the key takeaways from their statements and the complete conclusions of the meeting.
This new funding builds on more than €100 million the European Union has already invested in independent media since 2017. It highlights the EU’s long-term commitment to Ukrainian media, ensuring their continued ability to operate independently, produce high-quality journalism, and fight disinformation.
An international law enforcement operation coordinated by Europol has dismantled a criminal network behind a large-scale healthcare subsidy fraud in France and the laundering of its illicit proceeds in Germany.
An operation involving authorities from Belgium and Germany, coordinated by Europol, targeted a migrant smuggling network active across the English Channel. The operation was also supported by Italy and Eurojust. The investigation targeted a criminal network based in Germany and involved in criminal activities facilitating the smuggling of Middle Eastern and East African migrants across the English Channel with low-quality inflatable boats.
The EU Parliament’s International Trade Committee approved two proposals on Thursday to offer Jordan and Egypt loans worth €500 million and €4 billion respectively.
On 20 March, the European Council adopted conclusions on the Middle East, oceans and multilateralism. Delve into the details.
On 20 March, the European Council adopted conclusions on competitiveness, European defence and security and migration.
European Council President Costa said that the world is facing global challenges, including peace, climate change, and inequality. He stressed the importance of supporting peace efforts in Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, and combating inequalities, advancing the Pact for the Future and the reform of the global financial system, as well as continuing efforts to address climate change, oceans, and biodiversity.
The European Council welcomes the joint statement by Ukraine and the United States following their meeting in Saudi Arabia on 11 March 2025, including the proposals for a ceasefire agreement, humanitarian efforts, and the resumption of US intelligence sharing and security assistance. The European Council calls on Russia to show real political will to end the war. Explore more details.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that while Europe has many competitive, world-leading defence companies and innovative SMEs, the industrial base still faces structural weaknesses. She noted that it cannot yet produce defence systems and equipment at the scale and speed required by Member States and remains too fragmented, with national players mainly serving domestic markets. And she stressed the need to reverse this trend.
EU ministers highlighted the growing impact of digital technologies, including social media, on the daily lives of younger generations. Increased stress levels, anxiety, and depression are among the most common consequences of excessive exposure to technology.
The discussion will help to prepare targeted initiatives to enhance the sector’s competitiveness, modernisation as well as support production and innovation across Europe, while ensuring a high level of protection of human health and the environment.
From 20 to 26 March 2025, the Horizon 2020 projects EXIMIOUS and EPHOR are organising the Occupational Exposome Week. The projects are part of the European Human Exposome Network (EHEN) and focus on delivering a new way of assessing the human exposome, specifically the occupational exposome.
This call for tenders of the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA) aims to speed up the development of a point-of-care diagnostic medical device that can provide antimicrobial susceptibility testing results on bacteria or fungi causing an infection in humans, within one hour or less.
Brussels, 25 March 2025 The Commission has adopted, for the first time, a list of
COVID-19 vaccination reduced the risk of developing ‘long COVID’ by approximately 27% in adults fully vaccinated before infection, according to a literature review carried out by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).
EU Parliament and EU Council negotiators agreed new driving licence rules, introducing a mobile licence, a probation period for new drivers, and “accompanied” driving. The agreement on an update of EU driving licence directive reached on early Tuesday morning is intended to improve road safety in Europe, with almost 20,000 lives lost on EU roads annually.
The EU Council held a policy debate on the European Commission’s vision for agriculture and food. Over the course of an informal lunch, fisheries ministers discussed the future of the common fisheries policy. The Council also dealt with a number of ‘other business’ points.
The EU Commission has approved the acquisition of joint control of Prosper Link International Limited of the British Virgin Islands by Advent International of the US and Mubadala Investment Company of the United Arab Emirates. The transaction relates primarily to the sector of manufacturing and sale of lenses and lens care products.
“The world is undoubtedly facing uncertain times. But let us remember that UNEP and its Member States have, since 1972, carved out a long history of environmental action that saves lives and strengthens economies. I have no doubt that, together, we will weather this moment and emerge even stronger” – Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
The German scheme is aimed at helping the industry reduce carbon dioxide (‘CO2′) emissions in their production processes thanks to technologies such as electrification, hydrogen, carbon capture and storage (‘CCS’), carbon capture and use (‘CCU’), and energy efficiency measures.
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