News archive

Do MEPs really want to axe Strasbourg second seat?
There are many reasons why MEPs battle with poor transport connections in order to attend the plenary sessions in Strasbourg but the primary reason is money, reports Justin Stares

Spain may still need full bail-out, think-tank warns
Spain may still require a full sovereign bail-out at some point down the line despite eurozone finance ministers providing more detail on the bank recapitalisation plan, experts warn

Banks fare badly in transparency ratings
Banks have failed to significantly improve the transparency of their operations – despite their role in the financial crisis and the political focus on reforming the sector, according to a new study

Half of Europeans overlook basic online security
Many Europeans fail to take basic precautions to protect themselves online – such as regularly changing passwords – despite widespread acknowledgement of the escalating threat from cybercrime

Seven days - a week in the life of Godfrey Bloom
The United Kingdom Independence Party MEP does not enjoy his regular trip to Strasbourg for the European Parliament's plenary session – but returning home to bacon and real ale lifts his mood

Barroso calls for resumption of Middle East peace talks
The focus of international attention on the aftermath of the Arab spring should not prevent the resumption Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, European Commission President José Manuel Barroso says

Will the Lib Dems fight against British 'snoopers' charter'?
The Communications Data Bill may yet cause more tension within the British government. But as long as the Liberal Democrats can stop a 'snoopers' charter', publicly voiced disagreement actually shows the coalition is working well, says Chris Davies MEP

Romania parliament votes to impeach president
Romania's parliament has voted to impeach President Traian Basescu following a bitter dispute with Prime Minister Victor Ponta – as the EU expresses concern about political developments in the country

Three arrested in animal rights blackmail probe
Three arrests were made today in the UK and the Netherlands as part of a Europe-wide investigation into alleged blackmail linked to animal rights extremism

Moody's warns of 'high costs' of eurozone integration
Decisions by EU leaders at last week's summit showed their willingness to do what it takes to save the euro but highlighted the high costs of closer integration, Moody's says

Weak outlook leads ECB to cut interest rates
The ECB cut eurozone interest rates to a new record low today in a widely anticipated response to weakening economic indicators in the single currency region

Europe silent on fraud and corruption in Mexico
Following widespread allegations of fraud in Mexico's elections, Justin Stares interviews the volunteers in charge of overseeing individual polling stations - their eyewitness reports paint a bleak picture of democracy in Latin America's economic powerhouse

Press Israel to halt settlements, EU urged
The European Union should turn its words into actions and press Israel to halt the expansion of its settlements in the West Bank because the future viability of a Palestinian state is under threat, Oxfam says

Anti-piracy agreement ACTA blocked by MEPs
The controversial Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement has been rejected by the European Parliament in a decisive vote during its plenary session in Strasbourg today

CERN scientists hail probable Higgs boson discovery
Scientists at CERN believe they have discovered a new sub-atomic particle that is consistent with the long-sought after Higgs boson, the so-called 'God' particle