EU slaps Meta with record €1.2 bn fine over privacy violations
The European privacy regulator has handed a record-breaking €1.2 billion fine to Meta, formerly Facebook.
Pro-Russian protesters vandalise EU offices in Sofia
Protesters in Bulgaria threw red paint at the building of the representation of the European Commission in Sofia during a “March for Peace and Neutrality” on Sunday.
Moldovans mass for pro-EU rally
More than 75,000 people demonstrated in Chișinău, the capital of Moldova, on Sunday in support of the EU membership aspirations of their government.
From pariah to partner: Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad welcomed back into fold
President Assad was allowed to join his Arab counterparts at the Arab League meeting on May 19, completing his rehabilitation.
EU and G7 set to clamp down on Russian diamonds
The European Union has promised to limit trade in Russian diamonds as part of a broader western clampdown
Ukraine plan to give rights to LGBTQ partners of war casualties
Ukraine’s parliament and government have brought forward proposals to ensure the rights of same-sex partners of those injured or deceased in service.
Council of Europe moves towards Ukraine compensation regime
European leaders at the Council of Europe Summit in Reykjavik have announced the establishment of the “register of damage” for victims of Russian aggression as a first…
Judges strike down ‘inclusive’ French university statutes on grounds they’re incomprehensible
French words have either male or female gender, which appears to have been a grammatical construction too far for some at the University of Grenoble-Alpes
Ukraine goes after corrupt officials while Zelensky tours Europe – again
While Ukrainian President Zelensky secured more weapons from his Western allies, anti-corruption authority swooped on the country’s top judges in Kyiv.
French nuclear alliance gains new members
French energy transition minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher on May 16 met with representatives of 15 European states as part of an expanding “Nuclear Alliance” designed to…
Macron says France is ready to step up military support for Ukraine
France is ready to train Ukrainian fighter jet pilots, says President Emmanuel Macron.
Western countries considered guilty of double standards on Russia, says Scholz
India, Vietnam, and South Africa baulk at criticising Russia’s invasion of Ukraine because they believe the West is not consistent in its values and principles, according…
Elon Musk backlash over Twitter content block in Turkey
Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur who declared himself a staunch advocate of free speech, has found himself facing a barrage of criticism for censoring his platform.
Leader of British opposition mulls giving EU citizens the vote in general elections
Sir Keir Starmer, head of the opposition Labour Party, has said he is “looking at” lowering the voting age to 16 and allowing EU nationals who have settled in the UK to…
University of Lyon gets into hot water with ‘inclusive’ law exam
France’s University of Lyon is facing criticism for incorporating “invented” and “inclusive” language into a law exam, thereby rendering it “unreadable”.
Belgian justice so slow that corrupt EU officials escape scot-free
Two EU officials who engaged in agricultural subsidy fraud have escaped punishment due to the slow workings of the Belgian courts.
Female MEPs angry about ‘hate speech’ in Parliament debate on women’s rights
Three Euro MPs have been accused of using hate speech by female colleagues.
EU’s chief prosecutor hints at US angle to Covid vaccines investigation
Laura Codruța Kövesi, head of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), has hinted that the EU vaccine investigation has widened to the United States.
French far-left parliamentarian who railed against tax fraud investigated for tax fraud
French far-left deputy Carlos Martens Bilongo is being investigated by the Pontoise prosecutor’s office for tax fraud, a crime he campaigned against in parliament.
European flag and portrait of Macron to become mandatory across France
Town halls across France will be obliged to display both the French and the European flag under newly approved legislation.
Kremlin condemns Polish renaming of Kaliningrad, now Królewiec
Poland demands name change for Russian city named after war criminal
EU Commissioner Mariya Gabriel tipped to become Bulgaria’s next prime minister
The European Commission looks set to lose a Commissioner now that Bulgaria’s biggest parliamentary group has asked Mariya Gabriel to become prime minister of her country.
Belgium approves of QMV in foreign affairs but wants an ‘emergency brake’
Belgium is in favour of moving from unanimity to qualified majority voting for foreign policy matters but wants safeguards.
The EU should not be a superpower, says German Chancellor
Olaf Scholz contradicted French President Emmanuel Macron’s vision of the EU as a potential superpower in a speech in the European Parliament to mark ‘Europe Day’, May…
French Parliament debates compulsory flying of EU flag
French deputies were on May 9 due to vote on a controversial bill to force all local government buildings to fly the EU flag.
Weber tops list of influential Euro MPs
German European People’s Party chairman Manfred Weber is the most influential MEP, according to a think tank report.
Prime Minister of Slovakia steps down amid EU subsidy scandal
Eduard Heger has stepped down as prime minister of Slovakia following an EU funding scandal.
EU eyeing sanctions against Chinese companies that aid Russian war machine
The European Commission has proposed sanctioning seven Chinese firms that are alleged to have sold equipment capable of supporting Russia’s military operation.
Sweden Democrats to push for more EU vetoes
The Sweden Democrats say they want more veto power over EU laws.
Von der Leyen could lose European Parliament ‘green deal’ vote
The centre-right European People’s Party (EPP) has taken aim at ‘green deal’ legislation championed by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen