EU News Radio

TikTok’s additive design “major risks” to users especially children – EU

TikTok’s addictive design features pose “major risks” to users, especially children. And TikTok disregarded “important indicators of compulsive use of the app” such as the time children spend on it at night.

That’s according to the European Commission which released its preliminary finding today following an investigation into the social media platform’s compliance with the EU’s Digital Services Act. Speaking this morning in Brussels, EU Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier, outlined the danger TikTok features can cause, such as infinite scrolling and push notifications.  

Dur: 00:12

Many citizens feel unprepared for climate impacts – EEA

The head of the European Environment Agency (EEA) is calling for increased investments in preparing European societies and citizens to better manage the impacts of climate change.

Leena YLÄ-MONONEN was speaking this morning in Cyprus ahead of an informal meeting of Environment and Climate Ministers. Discussions today will focus on how legislation and finance can better align European climate and water resilience policies.

Dur: 00:33

 

 

McGrath vows to break down single market barriers

EU Commissioner Michael McGrath is vowing to “systematically” break down and remove EU internal barriers to help improve the competitiveness of the EU economy. 

He says barriers and fragmentation within the Single Market result in too many innovative companies moving from Europe to other countries particularly the United States. Commissioner McGrath says next month, he’ll introduce a plan (to the European Commission) that will enable company founders and owners to scale up globally while keeping Europe as their base.

Dur: 00:33

McGrath respects but regrets EP Mercosur ECJ referral

Ireland’s EU Commissioner says he regrets the decision by the European Parliament to refer the Mercosur trade agreement to the European Court of Justice.  Last week, MEPs voted by a small margin to send the deal to the ECJ to decide on whether or not it complies with EU treaties. Michael McGrath says the agreement is in the interests of Ireland and the EU especially at a time of what he calls “heightened uncertainty and volatility” with some other trading partners.

Dur: 00:18

Commissioner McGrath pays tribute to late Brian Crowley

EU Commissioner Micheal McGrath says the late Fianna Fail MEP Brian Crowley, was “an inspiration” and someone who was deeply committed to Ireland and the European Union. Mr McGrath says he “will always be grateful” to Mr Crowley for being “a mentor” to him.

Dur: 00:40

Brian Crowley’s passing “a tragedy” McGrath EU

Ireland’s EU Commissioner Michael McGrath says it is tragic that the former Fianna Fail MEP Brian Crowley has died “at such a young age”. Michael McGrath says Mr Crowley was “charismatic” and someone who was “deeply committed to Ireland ” and the EU.  

Out words: the European Union

Dur: 00:22

Sovereignty of Greenland/Denmark “non-negotiable” – Von der Leyen

Europe’s response to US threats to impose additional tariffs on European countries opposed to American control of Greenland, will be “unflinching, united and proportional”. That’s according to the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. Speaking in Davos this morning, she said Europe needs to be strategic in how it approaches the threats of further tariffs.

Dur: 00:15

US Greenland tariffs threats “a mistake” – Von der Leyen

US threats to impose additional tariffs on European countries opposed to American control of Greenland, have been strongly condemned by the President of the European Commission. Speaking in Davos this morning, Ursula von der Leyen said Europe is “fully committed” to the security of the Artic region and that Artic security “can only be achieved together”. 

Dur: 00:25

AI chatbot Grok “totally unacceptable” – EU

The European Commission says it has ordered the social media platform X to “urgently” remove its AI chatbot feature Grok. EU Commissioner Henna VIRKKUNEN says the distribution on X, of non-consensual sexual images of women and children through Grok, is completely "unacceptable”. Speaking this morning in the European Parliament, Commissioner Virkkunen said they are investigating X for potential violations of the Digital Services Act (DSA).

Dur: 00:14

Iran killings “human tragedy” – Von der Leyen

The President of the European Commission says the EU “is looking into deepening” sanctions against Iran which she says “are biting” and are “weakening the regime”.  Ursula von der Leyen was speaking today in Cyprus which has just taken over the Presidency of the EU Council. President von der Leyen strongly condemned the recent killings of protesters that have taken place in Iran.

Dur: 00:16