EU News Radio

Polio eradication reaching final mile – von der Leyen

The EU has announced new cash to try to fully eradicate polio around the world. A €500 million fund, with money from the EU together with international foundations, will be used to vaccinate an estimated 370 million children per year. The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen says with a sustained inoculation campaign, the disease will be completely eliminated.

 

Out words: Face of earth

Dur: 0’21”

Israel breaking international law - Borrell

Israel is breaking international law in its counter-offense against Hamas – that’s the warning from the EU. Water and electricity supplies to Gaza have been cut by the Israelis. The EU is deeply concerned that the civilian population is being caught up in the situation. Josep Borrell said this evening that although Israel has the right to defend itself, it must abide by humanitarian international law.

 

Out words: Not the case

Dur: 0’22”

EU urges violence in Israel to stop

The EU has urged violence in Israel to stop and for all sides to protect civilians. EU ministers have been meeting with their Gulf counterparts in Oman. The reaction of neighbouring countries is seen as important in trying to avoid the conflict in Israel spreading across the region. This lunchtime - following the EU-Gulf Cooperation Council meeting - the EU’s foreign affairs chief, Josep Borrell, called for calm.

 

Out words: The only solution
Dur: 1’31”

EU to review Palestinian funding

The EU is to review its support for Palestine in light of events still unfolding in Israel. Since 2000, the EU has provided €700 million of humanitarian aid to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. EU foreign minister will hold an emergency meeting on Tuesday to discuss the attacks on Israel, and its response. European Commission spokesperson, Ana Pisonero, said support for Palestine will be reviewed, but she insisted the EU does not fund Hamas.

Out words: Terrorist organisation activities
Dur: 0’25”

New EU standard to fight greenwashing in bond markets – McGuinness

A new voluntary EU standard for the use of European Green Bond labels should prevent greenwashing and enable sustainable investments. That’s according to EU Commissioner Mairead McGuinness. She was speaking today in the European Parliament which is set to approve the new standard. 

The new regulation lays down uniform requirements for issuers of bonds that wish to use the designation ‘European green bond’ for their environmentally sustainable bonds. The aim is to prevent firms from presenting themselves as more environmentally friendly than they really are, a practice known as greenwashing.

Commissioner McGuinness today outlined the benefits of the new standard to MEPs.

Out words: fighting greenwashing

Dur: 00:15

Clock ticking on asylum and migration deal – EU Commission

The European Commission this morning called for a speedy adoption of a comprehensive European pact on asylum and migration. EU Commissioner Margaritis Schinas pleaded with MEPs to finalise agreement with EU countries on a range of new rules on how migrants and asylum seekers should be treated when they arrive on EU shores.  

MEPs and member states have been locked in negotiations to strike a deal on the pact which was originally proposed by the European Commission in 2020. Commissioner Schinas told MEPs, the EU must now put in place a common European migration and asylum system before time runs out.

Out words: to Europe

Dur: 00:47

“No food security without our farmers” – ŠEFČOVIČ

One of the most senior EU Commissioners says he wants to "strengthen" talks with farmers and foresters who are “essential partners” in the green transition. Maros Sefcovic made the comments this morning during his appearance before MEPs in the European Parliament. He was participating in a confirmation hearing to take over responsibility for the EU’s Green Deal.

Mr Sefcovic  was nominated for the Green Deal job after the previous Environment Commissioner Frans Timmermans, left to run in Dutch elections in November. The Slovak Commissioner is already an executive vice-president of the European Commission.

Out words: for farmers

Dur: 00:16

Commissioner optimistic for migration deal

The EU is “optimistic” ministers will reach a decision today on the final part of the new migration system. The so-called crisis mechanism would kick in if there is a mass influxes of new arrivals. Member states have been arguing for years about when and how migrants should be redistributed across Europe. Speaking in Brussels this morning, the EU’s Home Affairs Commissioner, Ylva Johansson, said she believes a deal is close. 

Out words: Crisis proposals
Dur: 0’22”

Green Deal “has delivered” – von der Leyen

The European Union’s flagship environmental policies have delivered results – that’s according to the President of the European Commission. The EU’s Green Deal aims to cut emissions and improve the environment in exchange for billions of Euro of investment in renewables and green industries. The EU wants Europe to be the “first climate-neutral continent” by 2050. In a speech in Prague this morning, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said that there is still a long way to go, but she believes the EU is on the right track.

 

Out words: Has delivered
Dur: 0’21”

Social media platforms report disinformation to EU

Online platforms including TikTok, YouTube and Facebook have submitted detailed reports to the EU on their battles against disinformation. The reports reveal efforts by the big platforms to take down hundreds of videos, discredit weblinks and cut off adverts for propaganda sites. The EU’s Code of Practice on Disinformation is trying to push the social media firms to take more action. X, formally Twitter, has refused to take part. European Commissioner for Values and Transparency, Věra Jourová, says the war in Ukraine, and forthcoming European elections, are particularly worrying breading grounds for misinformation.

 

Out words: Particularly serious 
Dur: 0’41”