Robert Hodgson

A week after Russian gas stopped flowing through Ukraine, the European Commission maintains there is no threat to security of supply despite data showing a steep drop in reserves as temperatures fall across much of the bloc. #EuropeNews

After 18 months, governments have yet to agree on when a new class of genetically modified crops can be treated as equivalent to conventional strains, and whether producers should be granted monopoly rights through patents. #EuropeNews

Slovakia's prime minister claims Ukraine is jeopardising Europe's global competitiveness by refusing to allow Russia to export gas into the EU over its territory. #EuropeNews

Trade union leaders and environmental campaigners are among over 250 groups warning against a bonfire of red tape as the second von der Leyen commission presses on with its core goal of shielding European industry from US and Chinese competition. #EuropeNews

Investigations by European NGOs and newspapers point to a concerted industry campaign to limit incoming EU restrictions on PFAS, toxic substances dubbed ‘forever chemicals’ because they can persist for centuries in the environment. The European Commission denies it is being unduly influenced. #EuropeNews

Loud urban environments can have ruinous health impacts from sleep disturbance to cardiovascular problems, but lawmakers and local authorities are failing to take the issue as seriously as air pollution, the European Court of Auditors has warned. #EuropeNews

A cross-European investigation has revealed how the chemical industry is intensifying efforts to influence the EU’s proposed ban on PFAS chemicals, raising concerns about regulatory delays and environmental harm.

With environmentally destructive activities such as illegal logging and waste disposal among the largest areas of organised crime worldwide, Berlin is bankrolling a collaboration between civil society and the international police body Interpol. #EuropeNews

In Washington DC at noon today (6pm in Brussels), the Donald John Trump will take the oath of office for a second go at the presidency of the United State, in what is a remarkable political comeback.

Although hardly a surprise, President Trump’s executive decision to exit the international effort to halt global heating for a second time has been met with dismay on this side of the Atlantic. #EuropeNews