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According to a new Eurobarometer survey published by the European Commission on digitalisation of travel documents, 68% of Europeans consider this to be an important step to accelerate border checks, increase security and facilitate travelling to or from the Schengen area.

The European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency is investing €7 billion into transport infrastructure projects across the EU. Projects funded under these new calls for proposals will help make the trans-European transport network more sustainable.

The Commission has adopted measures that restrict microplastics intentionally added to products. A major step to protect the environment, the new rules will prevent the release of about half a million tonnes of microplastics into the environment and prohibit their sale.

The Commission will invest €90 million in 17 new research projects contributing to the EU Mission: ‘A Soil Deal for Europe'. These projects will work on restoring and protecting soil health for the sustainable production of healthy food, protecting biodiversity, and building climate resilience.

The European Investment Bank has approved framework financing of up to €1.7 billion for Solaria to support the construction of some 120 photovoltaic power plants. Mostly located in Spain, as well as Italy and Portugal, they will have a total capacity of around 5.6 GW.

The European Chips Act that enters into force today puts in place a comprehensive set of measures to ensure the European Union's security of supply, resilience and technological leadership in semiconductor technologies and applications.

The European Commission has launched a public consultation on Erasmus+, the European Union's flagship programme for education, training, youth, and sport. This initiative provides an opportunity for individuals and organisations to express their opinions and contribute to the evaluation of Erasmus+.

The EU is releasing €140 million of basic needs and livelihoods assistance to support education, health, agriculture and women's economic empowerment in Afghanistan. The funds will go towards providing livelihood solutions to women, girls and other vulnerable groups, in particular.

In a new scientific report, the European Food Safety Authority has recommended avoiding the permanent use of boxes, cages and crates in commercial breeding establishments. This is to support legislative measures to improve the welfare of cats and dogs kept for sport, hunting and companion purposes.

The EIB and the UN signed an agreement that enables the EIB to finance EU-UN joint initiatives on climate action.

The European Commission today proposed to extend the temporary protection for people fleeing Russia's aggression against Ukraine from 4 March 2024 to 3 March 2025. This will provide certainty and support for more than 4 million persons enjoying protection across the EU.

While inflation has been trending lower, it continues to persist at elevated levels. The ECB's primary aim is to bring it back to the 2% target. To achieve this, the decision was made to increase three key ECB interest rates by 25 basis points.

The Council has extended sanctions against those undermining Ukraine's territorial integrity for another six months until March 15, 2024.

The EU activates Civil Protection Mechanism for Libya's flood crisis, with member states providing aid, €500,000 in funding, and a focus on health and water support in response to extensive casualties and infrastructure damage caused by heavy storms and dam collapses in Derna.

Over one in ten workers in the EU is employed in the health and social care sector. EU-OSHA published a Discussion Paper highlighting psychosocial risks and their prevalence. It discusses effective interventions to prevent, reduce and manage psychosocial risks in health and social care workplaces.

The EU economy continues to show strong resilience it has endured in recent years, but it has lost momentum. Economic activity in the EU was very subdued in the first half of 2023. Survey indicators point to slowing economic activity in the summer and months ahead.

The EU is providing over €352 million in funding to 26 sustainable transport infrastructure projects. The investment will result in around 12,000 charging points, 18 hydrogen refuelling stations, and the electrification of ports and airports, including Rotterdam port and 37 Spanish airports.

Today's Flash Eurobarometer reveals strong European backing for measures safeguarding consumers, companies, and promoting energy security and the green transition. It also confirms EU citizens' consensus on boosting clean tech and actions regarding Russia's Ukraine invasion.

The European Commission and the United Kingdom have today reached a political agreement on the UK's participation in Horizon Europe, the EU's research, and innovation programme, and Copernicus, the EU's world-leading Earth observation programme.