Category: Uncategorized

Flanders (Eurotoday Newspaper): By November 2023, reports of violence against VDAB staff increased from 219 to 397 in Flanders. Minister Demir is enforcing a zero-tolerance policy for aggression to enhance staff safety. The minister noted an increase in the violence against VDAB employees in Flanders. The aggression reports were 219 in 2022, but the number…

The Toy Industries of Europe (TIE) attributes increasing safety concerns to loopholes in the EU’s toy safety regulations. While the EU boasts some of the world’s “strictest” toy safety standards, TIE points out that these rules don’t extend to non-EU sellers using online marketplaces to reach consumers. “This issue is escalating as these platforms grow…

Brussels (Eurotoday): In Belgium, nearly 13,000 drivers were caught driving under the influence of drugs, doubling from a decade ago. MP Benoît Lutgen advocates for more systematic drug checks to improve road safety. Nearly 13,000 drivers were caught driving under the influence of drugs, averaging about 36 per day. This is double the number from…

Bucharest (Eurotoday) – Romania’s new government, led by Ciolacu, aims for stability, a pro-European trajectory amid political turmoil and election controversies. Romania’s new government was sworn in by Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu of the leftist Social Democratic Party. The new pro-Europe administration has been charged with providing stability and preserving the country’s pro-European trajectory. Prime…

Seyit Karagözoğlu wasn’t present when inspectors arrived at his winery, Paşaeli, in 2021. In addition to running his business, Karagözoğlu devotes much of his time driving across Anatolia, seeking to protect Turkey’s endangered winemaking heritage by rediscovering forgotten grape varieties. While on one of these journeys, he received a call from his brother warning him…

Ghent (Eurotoday): North Sea Port, including Ghent, Terneuzen, and Vlissingen, is building a new lock system with stronger bridges for bigger ships. Roel de Jong is the environmental manager. The project costs 1.2 billion euros and aims to boost trade and the local economy. Completion is expected in late 2024. North Sea Port, which includes…

Brussels (Eurotoday) – The European Investment Bank (EIB) is providing €35 million to Italy’s GVM hospital group, supporting medical R&D, innovation, and digital infrastructure for improved healthcare services. The European Investment Bank (EIB) has revealed a financing operation of around €35 million to fund research, development and innovation schemes at GVM, one of Italy’s major…

Brussels — European Commissioner Kubilius states EU will produce 2 million artillery shells in 2025 but faces limitations in arms production capacity and funding for Ukraine’s defence. The newly designated European Commissioner for Defence and Space, Andrius Kubilius, stated in a commentary to Hromadske that around 2 million artillery shells will be developed in the…

The European Commission has today announced the release of the fifth payment to Portugal, amounting to €2.9 billion, as part of the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). This financial package consists of €1.65 billion in grants and €1.25 billion in loans. Portugal’s request for disbursement was submitted on July 3, and Brussels has positively evaluated…