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A survey of young people in the EU has found that the cost of living and the environment are their main concerns. 31% also believe the economic situation and job creation should be a priority. 42% cited social media as their top source of information on political and social issues.

Thirteen people have been arrested for illegally disposing 35 000 tonnes of hazardous waste in Croatia. The environmental crime network is believed to have made €4 million by illegally importing hazardous waste from Italy, Slovenia and Germany to Croatia. Europol supported the investigations.

The 27 winners of ‘Juvenes Translatores', the European Commission’s translation contest for secondary schools, have been announced. Some 3070 pupils tried their hand at translating a text between any two of the EU's 24 official languages. There was one winner for each EU country.

Most people in Europe think that digital technologies, including AI, have a positive impact on their jobs, the economy, society, and on quality of life, a new survey shows. Over 60% of Europeans positively view robots and AI at work. 84% think that AI needs careful management to protect privacy.

You can give your views on the next EU long-term budget in a series of public consultations that are open for the next 12 weeks. You can also tune in to a citizens’ debate on the budget via an online platform. The long-term budget supports millions of people across the EU and beyond.

A VAT rules update that requires VAT be paid for services provided through online platforms has been greenlighted by the European Parliament. As a result, businesses could save €4.1 billion a year over the next 10 years in compliance costs, and €8.7 billion in registration and administrative costs.

New rules to further tackle the environmental challenges caused by excessive packaging have entered into force. The rules will help to cut significantly greenhouse gas emissions, water use and environmental costs in the packaging industry.

Safer Internet Day promotes safer and more responsible use of online technology, especially for children and young people. This year, it takes place on 11 February and calls on stakeholders around the globe to collaborate and take concrete steps to make the internet safer and more inclusive for all.

The EU has launched a new initiative to boost AI in Europe, InvestAI. This will mobilise €200 billion for investment in the sector, including in AI gigafactories. A large AI infrastructure will allow open, collaborative development of the most complex AI models and make Europe an AI continent.

Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have disconnected from Russia’s and Belarus’s electricity systems and fully integrated into the European continental network via Poland. The synchronisation project has been 15 years in the making and will ultimately allow consumers to benefit from lower energy costs.

On International Day of Women and Girls in Science on 11 February, the EU reaffirms its commitment to support the scientific aspirations of young girls and women. By driving change for gender equality in research and innovation, the EU hopes to encourage more women to take up a career in science.

Around 2,500 electric recharging points for cars, vans and small trucks will be installed across Europe thanks to an EU alternative fuels initiative. Some 39 projects will get €422 million in EU funding to carry out the work as well as several other plans to decarbonise the EU’s transport network.

Do you order products online from non-EU traders? Good news! The EU is addressing risks associated with imported low-value products. A new initiative aims to better protect consumers like you, ensuring you get safe and high-quality products while addressing their impact on the environment.

Newly published reports show more action is needed to protect the EU's waters and better manage flood risks. The Commission looked at how key pieces of EU water legislation are implemented and issued tailored recommendations to EU countries.

Hope has been given to millions of cancer patients thanks to a new NanoGlue developed by a research team funded by the EU’s Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions. The superglue helps the immune system fight cancer more effectively with minimal undesirable side effects.

To help achieve the EU’s goals of integrating energy markets and decarbonising the energy system, the EU is allocating more than €1 billion in grants to 41 cross-border energy infrastructure projects. The projects will help develop hydrogen and offshore electricity grids in the EU.

More than €1 billion has been allocated by the European Defence Fund for the development of critical defence technologies and capabilities. Around €100 million each is set aside for critical fields such as ground combat, space, air and naval combat, energy resilience and environmental transition.

Europol investigated some 52 organised crime groups as part of a global effort to crack down on the trafficking of fake medicines and illicit doping substances. More than €11 million’s worth of fake medicines were taken off the markets, as a result of the investigation.

The European Commission has presented the Competitiveness Compass, a plan that will steer the EU’s work on competitiveness over the next five years. It identifies three core areas for action: innovation, decarbonisation and competitiveness, and increased security and resilience.