Fake news and elections – EUbusiness Week newsletter 782 – EUbusiness.com

EUbusiness Week 782 top stories: Blue economy boost for Western Mediterranean; Brussels mulls revision of excise duty rules; Euro-MPs address new online privacy rules; MEPs call on EU to tackle food waste mountain; 44 pct food has some pesticide residues, not harmful; New cars fall behind EU’s fuel efficiency target

Publisher’s Note

As elections take centre stage in Europe, the issue of fake news and the proliferation of deliberate misinformation on the Internet become a central issue. MEPs debated the issue earlier this month, with little agreement on a way forward.

However, with social media serving as a source of news for nearly half of Europeans, the manipulation of the media is an issue that should not be ignored. Social media, which has such an increasing hold on peoples’ lives, should not be allowed a different set of rules and values from print and broadcast media.
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Regards,

Nick Prag
Publisher, EUbusiness

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1. Blue economy boost for Western Mediterranean

An EU initiative aims to promote sustainable blue growth and jobs, preserve ecosystems and biodiversity and boost maritime safety in the Western Mediterranean region.
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2. Brussels mulls revision of excise duty rules

Brussels has launched a consultation on how excise duties are applied to alcohol and alcoholic beverages, eyeing a revision of tax rules to support small drinks producers.
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3. Euro-MPs address new online privacy rules

A European Parliament committee is working on new privacy rules to take account of new practices such as internet-based messaging and allow users better control of their privacy settings.
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4. MEPs call on EU to tackle food waste mountain

MEPs on the European Parliament’s Environment committee put forward a number of possible measures Tuesday to cut the EU 88 million tonnes per year food waste by half by 2030.
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5. 44 pct food has some pesticide residues, not harmful

Food consumed in the European Union continues to be largely free of pesticide residues or to contain residues that fall within legal limits, new figures show.
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6. New cars fall behind EU’s fuel efficiency target

The fuel efficiency of new cars sold in the EU improved last year but at the smallest annual improvement recorded over the last decade, according to provisional data from the European Environment Agency.
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EUROPEAN LAW

Justice Scoreboard: European justice systems have received their annual inspection with the EU’s Justice Scoreboard assessing the length of criminal court proceedings relating to money laundering for the first time.
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Latest news from the European Court of Justice
EU law firms
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Inside the EU Institutions

Council Watch

Fourth activity report – EUR 100m financial assistance for Moldova – Mediterranean research and innovation – Iran sanctions
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Commission Watch

Eurostat figures: production in the construction sector; international trade in goods, annual inflation – Acquisition of smart card maker Morpho by Advent International – acquisition of ITP by Rolls-Royce – End of roaming charges for travellers in 2017 – Western Mediterranean: Actions for sustainable development of blue economy – Imports of organic products
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Parliament Watch

Tajani in London – EU priorities for 2017 – E-privacy rules – safe and healthy eggs – Child marriages – cutting food waste – fake news
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EU diary

26-28 Apr: Interreg annual meeting 2017
26-27 Apr: European Parliament plenary session
27-28 Apr: REACH 2018 and beyond
27 Apr: Financing energy efficiency in Central Europe
27 Apr: Commission adopts its monthly infringements package
27 Apr: Urban mobility event
The Week Ahead
Long-term diary