EU News Radio

Jewish communities “really worried” about “X” & Tik-Tok – EU

The European Commission says it won’t hesitate to use its full powers including stringent sanctions against online platforms, that don’t properly tackle illegal hate speech. The Commission today launched a call to action for all Europeans to stand up against hatred and to speak up for tolerance and respect.

In October, the Commission sent a formal request for information to X, META and TikTok, about the alleged spreading of illegal content and disinformation along with alleged terrorist and violent content and hate speech.

The  European Commission’s Vice-President Vera Jourova today said the X and Tik-Tok platforms are causing particular concerns. 

Out words: being educated

Dur: 00:24

 

 

“Considerable, spectacular rise” of antisemitic incidents across EU

Europe is experiencing “an alarming increase in hate speech and hate crime”. And evidence shows that Jewish and Muslim communities are particularly affected. That’s according to the European Commission which today launched a call to action for all Europeans to stand up against hatred and to speak up for tolerance and respect.

Next year more funding will be available to protect public spaces and places of worship of all faiths to address the threats posed from rising antisemitism. The Commission also wants to finalise a reinforced Code of Conduct on countering illegal hate speech online.  

Today the European Commission’s Vice President Margaritas Schinas, says Europe is facing “a very worrying situation” that could become dramatic if it isn’t tackled.  

Out words: against Jews

Dur: 00:31

 

COP28 “beginning of end” of fossil fuels - EU Commissioner

The European Commissioner for Climate Change says COP28 should mark the beginning of the end of fossil fuels. Wopke Hoekstra was speaking in Dubai where the 28^th UN Climate Change Conference, COP28 is taking place.

The European Union is calling for urgent action to bring down greenhouse gas emissions this decade. And the bloc’s demanding nations respect commitments made under the Paris Agreement, to limit global warming to one point five degrees Celsius. Commissioner Hoekstra says all one hundred and ninety parties (190) at COP28, will need to agree to phase out fossil fuels.  

Out words: in full

Dur: 00:38

“Huge risk of terrorist attacks” in EU – EC Johansson

The war between Israel and Hamas means there is a “huge risk of terrorist attacks” in the EU. That’s according to the European Commissioner for Home Affairs.

Ylva Johansson was speaking in Brussels this morning ahead of a meeting of EU Justice and Home Affairs ministers. She said the risk of terrorism in Europe will be discussed at today’s meeting today.

Out words: this situation

Dur: 00:37

Global alliance against migrant smuggling - von der Leyen

The President of the European Commission has called for a “global alliance” against migrant smuggling. A major conference on the issue is taking place today in Brussels with delegates representing 57 countries. According to latest stats from the EU’s border agency, Frontex, there have been more than 140,000 illegal border crossings in the central Mediterranean so far this year, up two-thirds on 2022. The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said the EU is reaching out to governments beyond Europe to try and get a grip on the issue.

 

Out words: Smuggling routes

Dur: 0’40”

Israel view on Ireland “unfair”– Coveney

Minister Simon Coveney says there’s a view in Israel that Ireland has taken “a very strong position” on “one side of the argument”. He believes that may have triggered the strong response over the weekend from the Israeli foreign minister.

Eli Cohen condemned the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar over his remarks about the release of the Irish-Israeli girl, Emily Hand. In a statement the Taoiseach referred to Emily as an innocent child who was lost and has now been found and returned. The remarks sparked outrage in Tel Aviv with Minister Cohen accusing the Taoiseach of “losing his moral compass”.

This morning in Brussels (where he’s attending an EU Trade Ministers meeting) Simon Coveney said he’s hoping the dispute can be “settled” quickly when the Irish Ambassador has the opportunity to visit the Israeli Foreign Ministry.

Out words: on that  

Dur: 00:40

Nitrate reduction to go ahead – Commissioner Sinkevičius

Ireland must cut its nitrate levels on schedule, says the EU’s environment commissioner. Virginijus Sinkevičius met with the Taoiseach in Dublin earlier. The EU has demanded Ireland reduce its nitrate emissions at hot spots from 250kg to 220kg per hectare from 2024. A report by the Environment Protection Agency concluded nitrate levels were too high in many of Ireland’s rivers and lakes. Farmers warn cutting the use of nitrates will mean culling animals. But speaking in Dublin a short time ago, the Environment Commissioner, Virginijus Sinkevičius, said better water quality is in everyone’s interest.

 

Out words: Whole of Ireland

Dur: 0’16”

Businesses struggling to find workers – Minister Harris

Businesses across Ireland are struggling to find the workers they need, that’s according to the further education minister. A new survey by the EU’s agency on working conditions, Eurofound, suggests that finding employees with the right skills is the biggest problem for Irish companies. Minister, Simon Harris, has been speaking about the issue at the European Commission’s office in Dublin this morning. He said upskilling Ireland's labour force is essential.

 

Out words: That mine had 

Dur: 0’42”

“No evidence” EU funding Hamas

A review of EU funding to Gaza has found “no evidence” money is going to Hamas, the European Commission says. Following the attacks on 7 October, the EU has carried out checks on 119 contracts in Palestine worth more than €330 million. Hamas is listed as a prescribed terrorist organisation by the European Union. Two projects are being investigated for possible allegations of "incitement, glorification of terrorism and hate speech". But European Commission Executive Vice President, Valdis Dombrovskis, says no EU money is going to Hamas.

 

Out words: Without payment delays

Dur: 0’16”

Ireland’s GDP to decline in 2023 according to EU

Following strong growth last year, Ireland's GDP is expected to decline this year by 0.9%.  That’s  according to the European Commission’s Autumn 2023 Economic Forecast  released today. It’s attributing the estimated decline to developments in “multinational-dominated sectors and normalising domestic demand”.

However the Commission is forecasting Irish GDP to increase to 3.0% next year and 3.4% in 2025. The figures are also showing a fall in consumer price inflation from a peak of 8.1% in 2022 to 2.1% in 2025. And the government budget surplus is projected to shrink in 2023 and 2024, before rebounding at around 1% of GDP in 2025.

Speaking this morning the European Economy Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni explained why the Commission’s forecasts for Ireland differ from official figures in Ireland.  

Out words: the difference

Dur: 00:33