Featured news

The EU is mobilising support for Portugal as it battles a wildfire near Ribeira Brava, Madeira. After Portugal activated the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, 2 firefighting Canadair planes were deployed to the area where they will assist local authorities in combating the fires.

Excessively high or low temperatures presently cause 407,000 fatalities a year. A first pan-European assessment reveals that even if current climate policies succeed in limiting rises in global temperature, temperature-driven mortality may increase without additional adaptation measures.

The EU plays a key role in supporting and promoting culture across the EU. Culture Moves Europe provides mobility grants for artists and cultural professionals in 40 participating countries. The latest call for individual mobility is open for submission of applications until 30 November 2024.

August 19 marks World Humanitarian Day, an opportunity to celebrate the indispensable life-saving efforts of aid workers worldwide. The EU has been providing humanitarian aid to people hit by human-induced disasters and natural hazards around the globe for more than 30 years. Find out more.

Less plastic waste means cleaner beaches and improved human and animal health. Find out what the EU is doing now to tackle plastics pollution and marine litter.

The European Commission's Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority, will procure and donate vaccine doses, as an immediate response to the mpox outbreak in Africa. The Africa CDC will distribute the vaccines according to regional needs.

The EU is mobilising emergency support to Greece and Albania, both of which have activated the EU Civil Protection Mechanism in response to severe wildfires. Aerial and ground firefighting resources have been mobilised to assist Greece, while 1 plane has been deployed to Albania.

Young people eager to work with EU institutions, bodies or agencies have numerous options to gain valuable experience, including traineeships, volunteering and solidarity projects. Find out more.

Despite freedom of movement of goods within the EU, there are certain rules on taking certain consumer goods from one EU country to another. Before you travel, check them out.

Thanks to harmonised EU rules on travelling with pets, your cats, dogs, and indeed, ferrets, enjoy freedom of movement within the EU. All you need to have for your pet before they set off on their travels, is an up-to-date EU pet passport, which you can get from any authorised vet.

The world's first comprehensive regulation on artificial intelligence, the European Artificial Intelligence Act, has entered into force. The AI Act will ensure that AI developed and used in the EU is trustworthy as well as establish a harmonised internal market for AI in the EU.

The new Directive on repair of goods promotes more sustainable consumption by encouraging consumers to repair rather than replace their faulty products. It will also prevent waste, save resources and lower green house gas emissions. Countries have time until 31 July 2026 to implement these rules.

The EU was prominently featured for the first time in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony with a dancing performance under the EU motto “United in Diversity”. This was a unique opportunity for the EU to promote values such as peace, unity and solidarity.

In June 2024, Europeans voted and elected their representatives in the European Parliament. This was democracy in action, but it is not the only way EU citizens can influence EU policy making. Read about other ways to get involved, from helping initiate new proposals to debating existing policies.

The Commission has published its fifth annual Rule of Law Report which monitors significant developments and takes stock of the rule of law situation in all EU countries. It shows that the EU is better equipped to face rule of law challenges than it was 5 years ago.

A recent survey showed many Europeans still feel that they lack sufficient information on their passenger rights. The Commission has published revised guidelines on air passenger rights, including the rights of persons with disabilities and persons with reduced mobility when travelling by air.

Record-breaking temperatures are becoming ever more frequent and intense, and cities and urban areas are particularly vulnerable to extreme heat. The Joint Research Centre has identified strategies and best practices that local authorities can take to manage extreme heat in EU cities.

An EU law has come into force that will enable the setting of eco-design requirements and information for almost all categories of physical goods that come onto the EU market. It aims to significantly improve circularity, energy performance and other environmental sustainability aspects.

With 401 votes in favour, the European Parliament elected Ursula von der Leyen as President of the European Commission in a secret ballot on 18 July.