In a report adopted on Tuesday with 447 votes for, 160 against, and 43 abstentions, MEPs call on member states that still rely on force- or violence-based definitions of rape to align their laws with international standards (including the Istanbul Convention, ratified by the EU in 2023). They also demand adequate support and protection for […]
Continue ReadingThe text stresses that 2027’s budget must strengthen Europe’s social model, territorial cohesion and security and calls for a budget that boosts competitiveness and prosperity, creates and protects quality jobs, and enhances security and defence capabilities. In a context of geopolitical instability, security threats, economic pressures and growing societal challenges, MEPs argue that a predictable, […]
Continue ReadingApril 28, 2026, 3:12 p.mApril 28, 2026, 3:12 p.m Ukraine is toughening its tone against Israel in the dispute over Russian deliveries of grain from occupied Ukrainian territories. President Volodymyr Zelensky threatened sanctions against everyone involved in the trade. “In any normal country, buying stolen goods is a crime. This is especially true for grain […]
Continue ReadingThe updated rules, passed with 459 votes in favour, 127 against and 70 abstentions, allow vulnerable developing countries to export goods to the EU with low or no tariffs. Several international human rights and environmental conventions have been added to the list of international treaties that participating countries must ratify to benefit from trade preferences. […]
Continue ReadingA diplomatic scandal between Ukraine and Israel over the shipment of alleged stolen Ukrainian grain being sold by Russia escalated on Tuesday, as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized what he called is an illegitimate business. ADVERTISING ADVERTISING “In any normal country, purchasing stolen goods is an act that entails legal liability,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a […]
Continue ReadingThe 2028-2034 EU budget should be set at 1.27% of EU GNI, with debt servicing for the NextGenerationEU (NGEU) recovery fund (0.11% of GNI) kept outside the budget ceilings, according to Parliament’s interim report, adopted by 370 votes to 201, with 84 abstentions. MEPs propose an increase of around 10% compared to the Commission’s July […]
Continue ReadingBy 558 votes in favour, 35 against, and with 52 abstentions, MEPs gave their final green light to the first ever EU standards for the breeding, housing, traceability, import and handling of cats and dogs. The new regulation, already agreed with Council, introduces an obligation for all dogs and cats kept in the EU, including […]
Continue ReadingGermany has agreed to relax its controversial border controls with Luxembourg. Instead of fixed checkpoints on the A64 motorway, which connects with Luxembourg’s A1 motorway, mobile checks are to be carried out near the Markusberg car park (not to be confused with the Markusbierg tunnel, which is on the A13 motorway approaching the border crossing […]
Continue ReadingPublished on 04/28/2026 – 13:57 GMT+2•Updated 2:15 p.m The European Union has warned Israel that it is ready to impose sanctions on those aiding and abetting the trade of Ukrainian grain stolen by Russia in the occupied territories, after a new ship loaded with the cereal arrived in the port of Haifa. ADVERTISING ADVERTISING “The […]
Continue ReadingThe European Parliament on Tuesday approved a resolution calling for an EU-wide definition of rape based on the absence of given and informed consent. ADVERTISING ADVERTISING It is now up to the European Commission to propose legislation, which would then need to be approved by EU member states, usually a political and difficult step. The […]
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