The EU’s multi-billion lending arm announced on Wednesday (8 May) changes to its long-standing policy not to invest in military products, by waiving restrictions on dual-use investments.

The EU is preparing for swift approval of a long-stalled trade agreement with the Mercosur bloc – Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay – post-June's European Parliament elections, according to Rupert Schlegelmilch, Brussels’ top negotiator.

After expressing dissatisfaction with the rectruitment procedure led by the European Commission, the food safety Authority board decided to reappoint Bernhard Url, director since 2014, to allow the process for the selection to restart and be completed next year.

While the current EU member states need a specific day as a reminder that belonging to the bloc bears advantages, for those outside, every day is ‘Europe Day’.

Google search data suggests reduced interest in June's EU elections compared to 2019, with the centre-right EPP group much more frequently searched for than its main centre-left rivals.

EU ambassadors struck a political deal on Wednesday (8 May) on using windfall profits from Russian frozen assets to buy weapons for Ukraine.

Europe takes pride in the export of rule of law and democracy, but has done quite the opposite by supporting corrupt regimes with woeful human rights records, turning a blind eye to their misdeeds when it suits, argues Joël Ruet.

Private equity and venture capital are drivers of economic growth and job creation in Europe, contributing to sectors vital for the continent's sustainable development, writes Eric de Montgolfier.

The European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC) has raised the alarm at the ten-fold increase in whooping cough (Pertussis) on the continent in the past year, renewing calls to step up vaccination as the best defence. 

France is testing a pest-repelling fragrance as an alternative to EU-banned neonicotinoids, insecticides harmful to bees and other pollinators, as growers grapple with a lack of alternatives to chemical pesticides.

The Commission will assess if there is a need to incentivise EU countries to shorten the time for the reclamation of irregular payments, a spokesperson said after the European Court of Auditors (ECA) highlighted the lengthy process to return improper disbursements to the EU budget.

At the end of April, the World Health Organisation completed a comprehensive analysis of the Expanded Programme of Immunization (EPI) which marks its 50th anniversary. The study estimates that 154 million lives have been saved by vaccines. Looking ahead, does we need an EU Immunisation strategy?

Forests play a vital role in climate change adaptation and mitigation. They act as carbon sinks and preserve biodiversity and ecosystems. Yet, climate change is increasingly causing extreme weather conditions, and damages such as wildfires, windstorms and floods are harming forests all over Europe.

Rescuers rushed to evacuate people stranded by devastating floods across the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul on Tuesday (7 May), with 90 reported dead and desperate survivors seeking food and basic supplies.

The world just experienced its hottest April on record, extending an 11-month streak in which every month set a temperature record, the European Union's climate change monitoring service said on Wednesday (8 May).

In today’s edition of the Capitals, find out more about a third of Portuguese not intending to vote in the European elections, Denmark and Sweden agreeing to strengthen their defence cooperation, and so much more.

A Russian air attack on Ukraine damaged several facilities in a strike targeting energy infrastructure across the country, Ukraine's military and energy officials said on Wednesday (8 May).

With Vasil Bozhkov of the new CENTRE party announcing Tuesday that he will head his party’s list for early national elections, he joins Delyan Peevski of the Turkish minority party DPS as the second influential Bulgarian politician to head a national election list while also being on the US sanctions corruption list. 

Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to see empires and autocracies back in Europe, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told the European Economic Congress in Katowice.

Slovakia wants to act as a bridge between Azerbaijan and the European Union, said Prime Minister Robert Fico as he made his first trip outside the EU since his re-election last year, visiting Azerbaijan in the hope of supporting the Slovak economy and strengthening bilateral relations.