With the revision of the buildings directive, the EU Commission wants to finally put the energy-intensive sector on the path to climate neutrality. On Wednesday, the authority presented its plans. The planned renovation obligation, in particular, is causing controversy.
By Timo Landenberger
Long-term data on ground-zero Covid patients show: About half of the COVID-19 patients from the Wuhan outbreak are still suffering from health problems. Some symptoms even become more severe after six months.
By Frank Sieren
Actually, the deal was clear. But David Sassoli would have liked to stay on as President of the European Parliament for more than half of the term. Now he is likely to be succeeded by a woman – whose view of women's rights is causing some debate.
By Jasmin Kohl
In January, a huge economic free-trading area will be established with the RCEP. What was intended to be a free trade agreement of the Southeast Asian confederation ASEAN, now mainly benefits China, Japan and South Korea. In this way, the People's Republic is becoming part of a regional free trade agreement for the first time.
By Christiane Kuehl
The chancellor is traveling to his first appearance in the circle of heads of state and government. Strong new impulses are hardly to be expected from Olaf Scholz.
By Till Hoppe
The European Commission will officially present its new gas package today. With it, the authority wants to create a legal framework for hydrogen and other low-carbon gases. But environmentalists warn that the drafts contradict the EU's climate goals. In particular the plan to use hydrogen to heat buildings has drawn criticism.
By Timo Landenberger
Almost quietly, Jan Huitema (Renew) presented his draft report on tightening the CO2 limits for passenger cars and vans last week. The Dutch MEP wants to raise the interim targets proposed by the Commission and calls for a reconsideration of the emissions of plug-in hybrids. This is no easy task, because his draft is already attracting criticism from all political camps.
By Lukas Knigge
Nowadays, no one is safe from the public outcry over supposedly improper remarks. Not only global corporations, but even pop stars loyal to the state are now quickly pilloried on the Internet for hurting the "feelings of the people." The government utilizes this patriotic outrage to push its foreign policy agenda.
By Fabian Peltsch
The emergence of the Omicron variant strengthens Beijing's zero-covid strategy. Of additional concern is a subtype of the Delta variant, which has now led to another lockdown for half a million people in Zhejiang. Hopes for a border opening are thus fading again. Meanwhile, travel to Hong Kong is still possible – but with new rules.
By Ning Wang
The European Parliament's Internal Market Committee (IMCO) adopted the rapporteurs' compromise proposals on the Digital Services Act yesterday evening. This morning, the overall report by Danish Social Democrat Christel Schaldemose will be finally voted on in committee, which is considered a formality after yesterday's approval. We have gathered reactions on key aspects of the compromises and give an outlook on possible lines of conflict with the Council.
By Jasmin Kohl
