EUbusiness Week 601 top stories: EU asks citizens to join debate on GM food; Euro-Parliament approves tighter ratings agency rules; European car sector hits 17-year low, Renault cuts jobs; New European driving licence hits the road from Saturday; EU hints at insecticide ban over threat to bees; Kaspersky finds ‘Red October’ virus targeting Eastern Europe
This Week’s Top Stories
1. EU asks citizens to join debate on GM food
2. Euro-Parliament approves tighter ratings agency rules
3. European car sector hits 17-year low, Renault cuts jobs
4. New European driving licence hits the road from Saturday
5. EU hints at insecticide ban over threat to bees
6. Kaspersky finds ‘Red October’ virus targeting EEurope
Publisher’s Note
Dutch finance minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem looks set to be the new man to head the Eurogroup. The compromise candidate, a man with a pro-European vision in favour of balanced budgets and austerity measures, is favourite also because he comes from one of the few remaining top AAA-rated countries.
The fact that Mr Dijsselbloem is not a household name, even in his own country, is a strong qualification. EU leaders prefer to have the top EU jobs taken by leaders who are less well-known than themselves. His reputation as “a slightly stuffy bridge-builder” may also be no bad thing for a man set to take over what is a less than enviable role.
More …
Regards,
Nick Prag
Publisher, EUbusiness
EUBUSINESS WEEK AHEAD – FREE TRIAL Our sister newswire alerts you to the key developments in the European Union during the week ahead – from the EU institutions, as well as EU-related conferences and events. Sign up for a free trial at |
1. EU asks citizens to join debate on GM food
The European Union on Tuesday took the debate about genetically modified crops to the public with a survey asking citizens to share their thoughts on organic farming.
More …
EU releases all data on GM corn linked to cancer
French GM corn cancer researcher to detail work
2. Euro-Parliament approves tighter ratings agency rules
The European Parliament has voted through tougher transparency standards for the credit rating agencies that many blame for stoking risk and deepening the eurozone debt crisis.
More …
3. European car sector hits 17-year low, Renault cuts jobs
European car sales plunged to the lowest point for 17 years in 2012, trade data shows, revealing the dire state of the sector despite the global strength of German car makers.
More …
4. New European driving licence hits the road from Saturday
A new European driving licence first agreed seven years ago by EU governments, finally takes to the roads across the continent on Saturday, says the Commission.
More …
5. EU hints at insecticide ban over threat to bees
The Commission hinted on Wednesday that it could ban several insecticides, some made by German chemicals giant Bayer, after scientists found disturbing evidence of harm to bees.
More …
6. Kaspersky finds ‘Red October’ virus targeting EEurope
Kaspersky Lab said Monday it had identified a new computer virus it dubbed “Red October” targeting eastern European countries that appeared to be collecting classified files using NATO and EU encryption.
More …
EUROPEAN LAW
Cross case: a British Airways employee banned from wearing a cross said she felt “vindicated” after she won her case at the European Court of Human Rights on Tuesday.
More …
EU, US agree to share cybercrime data as new unit opens
Latest Court of Justice judgements
EU Law Firms
More …
Inside the EU Institutions
Council Watch
Mali: foreign ministers have agreed to send military trainers for Mali’s embattled army while funding an African-led intervention force and offering fresh help to France.
More …
British PM postpones EU speech over Algeria crisis
Van Rompuy commits EU summit to disputed budget
Council …
Commission Watch
Banking: progress on a system to wind up failing banks before they can wreck the wider economy is of critical importance this year, the Commission said on Tuesday.
More …
Serbia, Kosovo PMs in new round of EU-sponsored talks
Iceland slows EU membership talks ahead of election
Raunchy Bulgarian pop-folk genre gets EU aid
Commission …
Parliament Watch
Airline luggage: too big, too heavy, too many — European travellers are being taken for a ride by airlines charging what they like for carry-on baggage and the EU should standardise the rules, MEPs said on Thursday.
More …
Jail sentence for Austrian ex-MEP caught in sting
In plenary this week, MEPs said the Union must require “made in” labels on imports from third countries; backed free access to the EU market for four African countries; and kept up the pressure on Commission and Member States to explore all avenues for the pooling sovereign debt.
More …
EU diary
20 Jan, Kosice – 2013 European Capital of Culture
22 Jan, Economic and Financial Affairs Council
24 Jan, Commission adopts monthly infringements package
28-29 Jan, Agriculture and Fisheries Council
31 Jan, Foreign Affairs Council
4-7 Feb, European Parliament plenary session
7-8 Feb, European Council
The Week Ahead
Long-term diary
RESOURCES
EU Law Firms
Summaries of EU Legislation
EU Decision-Making
Treaties of the European Union
Key EU Legal Terms
Other news on EUbusiness this week
EASA endorses FAA decision to ground 787 Dreamliners 17-Jan
Commission declares 2013 the year of air 17-Jan
EU warns Latvia about non-resident banking 16-Jan
Greek banks regain access to ECB funding 16-Jan
EU speeds up aid for Palestinians 15-Jan
Eurozone November trade surplus rises 15-Jan
