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One in six children aged 11 to 15 report that they have been victims of cyberbullying, which shows just how urgent it is to address this. That is why the Commission has put forward an action plan against cyberbullying, which centres around the rollout of an EU-wide app designed to help victims.

Every year in Europe, around 4-9% of unsold textiles are destroyed before ever being worn, generating around 5.6 million tons of CO2 emissions. To cut this wasteful practice, new EU rules will introduce a ban on the destruction of unsold clothes, clothing accessories and footwear.

A new survey finds that 89% of EU citizens want the EU to act with unity and ambition in the face of global threats. In particular, they are increasingly anxious about active conflicts (72%), terrorism (67%), natural disasters (66%), cyber-attacks (66%) and uncontrolled migration (65%).

A new EU strategy on migration will help guide the EU’s work on asylum and migration, notably sustaining the reduction in illegal arrivals, while at the same time encouraging legal pathways to the EU. A new EU visa strategy will help attract skilled workers to the EU and ease legitimate travel.

A new report highlights the urgent need to halt ‘forever chemicals’ contamination to avoid enormous costs to society. Current levels of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) pollution could cost the EU around €440 billion by 2050. PFAS chemicals harm both human health and the environment.

European data protection authorities work together to protect your personal data, including children's data, every day. Children are more at risk online than adults because they do not easily recognise dangers. A new hub, Privacy for Kids, will demonstrate how to protect children’s digital privacy.

The EU and India have concluded a landmark free trade agreement, the largest such deal ever concluded by either side. The agreement creates a free trade zone of 2 billion people, with both sides set to gain economically. It will also strengthen political ties between the world's biggest democracies.

The EU and Brazil have formally confirmed that their levels of data protection are comparable. By recognising this high standard of data protection, businesses, public authorities and researchers can now freely exchange data between the EU and Brazil, boosting digital trade.

For women in the EU aged 15-44, cervical cancer is the second most common form of cancer (after breast cancer). This cervical cancer awareness month, find out more about what the EU is doing to prevent cervical cancer and improve cancer care.

At an informal meeting, EU leaders reaffirmed that the EU will defend itself and its member states, citizens and companies. The EU has the power and the tools, and will use them if and when necessary.

A new EU-wide analysis shows that rooftop solar photovoltaics could supply around 40% of Europe’s electricity by 2050. According to the study, the rooftops of EU’s 271 million buildings could host sufficient solar photovoltaic capacity to generate around 2,750 terawatt-hours of electricity per year.

The EU has put forward a new strategy to combat racism in all its forms. In particular, it looks to ensure proper enforcement of existing EU anti-discrimination laws and to tackle barriers and bias in education, employment, healthcare, and housing. The strategy is key to creating equality in Europe.

The EU and Mercosur (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay) have signed a trade agreement that creates a free-trade zone for around 700 million consumers. It will deliver mutual commercial opportunities, with EU yearly exports to Mercosur countries estimated to rise by 39%.

Lia Kali from Spain scooped the Grand Jury Prize and Public Choice Award at the Music Moves Europe Awards 2026 in the Netherlands. Other winners at this EU prize for popular music were Camille Yembe (Belgium), Carpetman (Ukraine), Della (Cyprus), Sarah Julia (Netherlands) and Sofie Royer (Austria).

In 2025, the European Union Intellectual Property Office received a record 327 735 new applications for EU trade marks and EU designs. The largest share of trademark applications came from EU countries, followed by China, US and UK. Applications for designs came mostly from countries outside the EU.

The Council has given its green light to the signing of the EU-Mercosur partnership agreement. Negotiated over 25 years, the agreement will see the creation of the world’s largest free trade zone between the EU and Mercosur partners – Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay.

In 2026, the cities of Oulu in Finland and Trenčín in Slovakia are European Capitals of Culture. Oulu will run a rich cultural programme, focusing on ‘cultural climate change’. Trenčín’s equally packed agenda will encourage ‘curiosity’ and bridge-building through art, literature and music.

The EU has offered support to Switzerland after the tragic fire in the bar during the New Year's celebrations at the ski resort Crans-Montana. European countries have evacuated patients to hospitals across Europe and specialised EU teams are providing burn care expertise in nearby Swiss hospitals.

On 1 January 2026, Cyprus took over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. It will steer the work of the Council for the next six months. Learn more about its priorities and activities.