Negotiators in Brussels have failed to reach a deal on a nuclear arms treaty, leading to concerns that the agreement between the U.S. and Russia is unraveling. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg warned that time is running out to comply with the treaty that prohibits the development of mid-range nuclear warheads. The U.S. has accused Russia of violating the treaty by developing new missiles in Europe, and has set an August 2 deadline for Russia to comply before the U.S. officially withdraws. Russian President Vladimir Putin has suspended Russia's participation in the treaty, which could signal the start of a new arms race. The U.S. is worried about the potential for Russian missiles to launch a nuclear strike on Europe without notice, a claim Russia denies. Stoltenberg stated that NATO will not mirror Russia's actions but did not confirm if NATO is considering upgrading their defenses.

The EU's new pharma legislation aims to make Europe a more attractive hub for biotech innovation and ensure equitable access to medicines. However, the industry criticizes it for not going far enough. The European Commission's proposals to revise existing laws include changes to regulatory data protection, which have sparked debate. SMEs in biotech, crucial for rare disease research, find it challenging to compete with big pharma under current conditions. Collaboration and clear definitions are needed to attract investment. The European Medicines Agency sees the pandemic as a turning point towards a patient-centered approach, but concerns remain about the focus on preventative medicine and rare disease innovation. With European Elections approaching, MEPs are under pressure to finalize their review of the legislation.

Mariam Zaidi is a London-based broadcaster and journalist with experience in Asia and Europe. She specializes in global news, current affairs, and particularly EU politics, having reported on the EU from Brussels as a foreign correspondent during the critical Brexit period. Zaidi has played a significant role in guiding the coverage of major events such as the Ukraine war, the Covid-19 pandemic, and the energy crisis for Euronews, where she served as a main presenter. Additionally, in January 2023, she co-presented at CNBC's live events in Davos.

The article by Mariam Zaidi covers the celebration of the International Day of Yoga and the discussion led by Sadhguru at UNESCO headquarters in Paris. It highlights yoga's significance, its origins in India, and its global impact, both culturally and economically. The piece notes the substantial revenue generated by the yoga apparel market and mentions a study by Harvard Medical School on yoga's benefits, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. Sadhguru, a renowned yoga practitioner and founder of the Isha Foundation, shared insights on the spiritual and mindful aspects of yoga, emphasizing the importance of understanding and using the human mechanism effectively. The article also touches on the challenges of physical hardship and the psychological aspect of dealing with it. Sadhguru advocates for the practice of 'Isha kriya,' a form of guided meditation that he claims can lead to enlightenment if practiced regularly.

The article discusses the European Union's Farm to Fork Strategy, which is a central part of the Green Deal, aiming to create sustainable food systems that are fair, healthy, and environmentally-friendly. It highlights the need to address climate change, environmental degradation, and food security within the EU, where 33 million people struggle to afford nutritious meals. The strategy includes reducing reliance on pesticides and antimicrobials, promoting organic farming, and improving animal welfare. A key initiative is the proposed legislative framework for sustainable food systems (FSFS), expected to be adopted by the end of 2023 to facilitate the transition towards sustainability. The EURACTIV Virtual Conference is mentioned as a platform to discuss the strategy's progress and future.

The article discusses the increasing prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) in Europe, highlighting that 61 million people currently live with diabetes and this number is expected to rise. It emphasizes the high mortality rate associated with diabetes-related complications, likening it to the impact of three jumbo jets crashing daily. To combat this, the International Diabetes Federation Europe is launching a publication titled “Type 2 Diabetes: a preventable catastrophe?” to advocate for the adoption of recent recommendations for T2D management. The launch event will feature discussions among various stakeholders, including academics, healthcare professionals, and policymakers, on the need to reform healthcare systems to better manage T2D and its risk factors. Lilly Diabetes supports the initiative, and EURACTIV is a media partner.

The article discusses the serious healthcare challenges faced by Europe, such as ageing populations, chronic diseases, and the threat of infectious diseases, which are driving up costs and risking unequal access to care. It highlights the impact of health inequalities during the Covid-19 pandemic, exacerbated by factors like age, race, socio-economic status, and geography. The European Union's investment in research, technology, and innovation is seen as a key driver in reducing these inequalities, with advancements in harmonised data, medical technologies, and decision-making processes contributing to a more sustainable healthcare system. The EU's €5.1 billion EU4Health 2021-27 strategy, along with national strategies from Member States, are steps towards reducing healthcare disparities. The EURACTIV Hybrid Conference is mentioned as a source for further insights into the role of research and innovation in combating health inequalities in the EU.

The article discusses the EU's Farm to Fork strategy, which focuses on improving food safety, quality, and sustainability through innovation and new production models. It highlights the role of microorganisms, particularly probiotics, in contributing to a sustainable and healthy diet with a low environmental impact. The article addresses the regulatory challenges faced by the probiotics sector in the EU, noting the absence of a harmonized framework and the confusion it creates for consumers and companies. It mentions national guidelines by individual Member States and the Fit4Future Platform's recommendations for harmonization and clarity. The EURACTIV Virtual Conference is promoted to explore the challenges, opportunities, and consumer expectations of the probiotics sector, and the potential for a harmonized EU approach.

The article discusses the significant impact of the agri-food sector on climate change, noting that a third of all greenhouse gas emissions are attributed to this industry. It emphasizes the need for innovation and diversity in transforming the food system. On International Women's Day, EIT Food aims to address gender diversity and its positive effects on the agrifood sector. The article highlights gender-based inequalities, particularly in rural areas, and the EU's commitment to improving the situation through initiatives like the EU Rural Action Plan and the Gender Equality Strategy 2020-25. The European Innovation Agenda's focus on women entrepreneurship and the gender gap in deep tech startups is also mentioned. The article calls for a discussion on bridging the gender gap in agtech and foodtech and the importance of women in agrifood startup leadership.

The article discusses a proposal by the European Commission to amend the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive and the Consumer Rights Directive. This proposal is part of the European Green Deal and aims to support a circular, clean, and green EU economy by enabling consumers to make informed decisions for sustainable consumption and by targeting unfair commercial practices that mislead consumers. Industry stakeholders have raised concerns about the clarity of the proposal and the potential for greenwashing due to vague environmental claims. The EURACTIV Hybrid Conference addressed these issues, focusing on the creation of a level playing field for the industry and the empowerment of consumers for a successful green transition. Questions about the impact on local and small-scale producers, the resources needed for a fair system, and the challenges in consumer empowerment were also discussed.

The article discusses the importance of cybersecurity for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Europe, highlighting that SMEs contribute to half of the EU's GDP and employ 100 million people. It references a statistic from ENISA stating that 57% of SMEs that suffer a cyber-attack end up closing their business. To combat this issue, EIT Digital, the Global Digital Foundation, and Huawei are collaborating to produce a Q&A guide aimed at raising cybersecurity awareness among SME staff and providing strategies to mitigate cyber-attack risks.

The article discusses the European Democracy Action Plan (EDAP) introduced by the European Commission to address threats to democracy in Europe, particularly in relation to technology's impact. It highlights a series of workshops titled 'Democratic Values in the Digital Age' that brought together experts from various sectors to discuss challenges to democracy posed by digital advancements. The workshops focused on media freedom, countering disinformation, and resilience during European crises. The programme concluded with a high-level panel discussion and a final report summarizing the findings. Microsoft powered the event series, and EURACTIV was the media partner.

The article discusses the European Commission's proposed revision of the EU legislation on Packaging and Packaging Waste, aimed at reducing packaging waste and increasing resource recirculation. It highlights the challenges in defining 'circularity' and the concerns of the food and beverage industry regarding the use of recycled PET for non-food applications, which they argue breaks the circularity loop and could be considered greenwashing. The industry also fears that competition for recycled materials may hinder achieving recycled content targets. The EURACTIV Virtual Conference addressed these issues, questioning the role of consumers in defining circularity and the effectiveness of the Commission's proposal in enabling industries to close the loop on their packaging.

The European Commission is set to propose a harmonised mandatory front-of-pack nutrition labelling system by the end of the year as part of the EU’s Farm to Fork Strategy. The aim is to assist consumers in making informed, sustainable, and health-conscious choices across Member States. The proposal will also include nutrient profiles to limit the promotion of high-fat, sugar, and/or salt foods to encourage healthier diets and food reformulation. The food and beverage industry stresses the need for the labelling to be easy to interpret and aligned with dietary guidelines. However, there are concerns that the policy may reinforce negative views of certain foods despite their scientifically supported nutritional benefits. A EURACTIV Hybrid Conference was held to discuss the balanced assessment of nutritional benefits, the implications of the new labelling system, and to provide insights into the fruit juice sector's perspective and scientific research, looking forward to 2023.

The article discusses the severe hunger crisis affecting the world, with a focus on East Africa, where Somalia, Ethiopia, and South Sudan are at immediate risk of famine. It highlights the need for a bold international response to prevent recurring emergencies due to climate and conflict shocks. The European Union has taken a leadership role, but there is a consensus that more needs to be done to prevent the loss of lives and livelihoods. The EURACTIV Hybrid Conference is mentioned as a platform to discuss how the EU can enhance its response to the food crisis in Eastern Africa, with questions about improving the humanitarian system and learning from the current crisis.

The article discusses the EU's Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act, which is the first legal framework designed to guide the development and use of AI. It aims to provide clarity to developers, deployers, and users, while also reducing administrative and financial burdens for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The article highlights the potential role of European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs) in helping SMEs adopt the AI Act by providing technical expertise and support for digital transformation. The EURACTIV Hybrid Conference is mentioned as a platform to explore how the AI Act can foster a thriving economy for SMEs and to discuss the implications of the Act for the sector. The conference also seeks to address whether a trustworthy and innovative AI ecosystem can be established and if the AI Act can actually lower costs for SMEs.

The article discusses 'Headway', an initiative focused on mental health, launched in 2017 by The European House – Ambrosetti in partnership with Angelini Pharma. The initiative aims to create a platform for strategic reflection and dialogue on mental health issues across Europe. In 2022, 'Headway' sought to update its analysis model, the Headway – Mental Health Index, to include the impact of environmental factors and the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health. The index now covers various sectors such as healthcare, workplaces, education, and society, with a new focus on environmental and physical contexts, including the effects of pollution, climate, and security issues. The article also mentions the crisis in Ukraine as a current factor affecting mental health.

The article discusses the role of biomass as Europe's largest source of renewable energy, making up 60% of the renewable energy mix and 11.5% of the EU's final energy consumption. The European Parliament and European Commission are aiming to increase Europe's renewable energy targets to 45% by 2030, which requires doubling the renewable energy output in less than a decade. The RePowerEU plan aims to reduce dependence on Russian energy by building out domestic renewable supply. The revised Renewable Energy Directive (RED III) is seen as pivotal in this context, especially with the current energy supply chain disruptions due to the war in Ukraine and the economic impact on consumers. The article also mentions a Hybrid Conference hosted by the World Bioenergy Association, supported by Bioenergy Europe and with EURACTIV as a Media Partner, which discussed RED III and its potential impacts on the EU biomass and renewable energy markets.

The article discusses the EU's efforts to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, focusing on the revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) and the REPowerEU plan. It highlights the challenge of renovating the EU's energy-inefficient building stock and the need to include rural areas in the green transition. The piece also touches on the limitations of electrifying heating and cooling systems, especially for off-grid, vulnerable communities. Liquid Gas Europe, in media partnership with EURACTIV, organized a virtual conference to explore improvements to the EPBD proposal and sustainable energy solutions suitable for rural communities.

The article discusses the importance of education in fostering a strong European identity and protecting democracy within the EU. It highlights the challenges posed by the rise of populism and euroscepticism, emphasizing the crucial role of teachers in promoting democratic culture and informing citizens of their rights. The article suggests that teachers need support to handle diverse learning groups and to teach civic competences effectively. It also points out the increased need for digital teaching methods and platforms, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, to help teachers promote EU values. The EU-funded project Teachers4Europe and a EURACTIV Virtual Conference are mentioned as platforms for discussing how policy makers can support citizenship education initiatives and the use of digital technologies in education across Europe.

The article discusses the European Commission's Food Supplements Directive of 2002, which regulates the marketing of food supplements in the EU and aims to protect consumers. It highlights the growth of the supplements market over the past 20 years and the increased consumer recognition of these products. The Directive ensures safety by establishing a harmonised list of vitamins and minerals that can be added to food supplements. The article also mentions ongoing work by the European Commission on harmonising the maximum levels of vitamins and minerals and the use of botanical ingredients in food supplements. The EURACTIV Virtual Conference is referenced, where discussions on the role of supplements in building resilient societies and addressing nutrient deficiencies in the EU took place.

The article discusses the European Commission's Communication on Sustainable Carbon Cycles, adopted in December 2021, which outlines solutions to complement CO2 emissions reductions and achieve the EU's climate neutrality goal by 2050. It highlights the need for carbon capture solutions to maintain CO2 levels in line with the Paris Agreement. The article mentions carbon farming under the Common Agricultural Policy and the need for standardised monitoring and certification for carbon removals. It differentiates between nature-based and industry-based carbon removal solutions, addressing their maturity, market readiness, and impacts on stakeholders. The article emphasizes the importance of a regulatory framework to ensure trust, proper conduct, and effective carbon removal verification to prevent false reporting and greenwashing. The EURACTIV Virtual Conference is mentioned as a platform to discuss the validation of carbon removals and harmonisation of emission calculation methodologies among consumers, industry, and policymakers.

The article discusses the European Commission's strategy on Connected and Automated Mobility, which aims to establish Europe as a leader in the development and deployment of such vehicles. The strategy is aligned with the Horizon Europe programme and the European Green Deal, targeting a climate-neutral continent by 2050. The article highlights the potential benefits of automated vehicles, such as reducing road fatalities, improving mobility services, and decreasing emissions. It also addresses the challenges and risks associated with the transition to automated vehicles, including infrastructure adaptation, ethical use of technology, and the harmonization of intelligent transportation systems across Europe. The EURACTIV Virtual Conference is mentioned as a platform to discuss these issues and the future of autonomous vehicles.

The article discusses the prevalence of cancer in the EU, noting it as the second leading cause of mortality after cardiovascular disease. It highlights that Europe has a disproportionately high number of cancer cases relative to its population, with an economic impact of €100 billion annually. The piece focuses on female breast cancer, the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the EU, and the increasing trends in its incidence due to various factors. It also addresses the challenges faced by women with advanced stages of breast cancer, including the need for better care, innovative treatments, and support systems. The European Commission's “Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan” is mentioned as a significant initiative aimed at tackling cancer through prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment, and improving the quality of life for patients and survivors.

Ursula von der Leyen has been elected as the first female president of the European Commission, securing the position with 383 votes, just over the required 374. Her election was not straightforward, as she faced skepticism from various political groups within the European Parliament, including the Greens, far-right Eurosceptics, right-wing nationalists, and far-left MEPs. Despite the lack of detail in her plans and mixed reactions to her stance on Brexit, von der Leyen garnered support from the three largest parties in the Parliament: the European People's Party, Renew Europe, and the Socialists. Her narrow victory marks a historic moment as she succeeds Jean-Claude Juncker in the role.

EU leaders have concluded marathon discussions to decide on the future leadership of the EU, resulting in a gender-balanced selection of two men and two women for the top positions. David-Maria Sassoli, a former TV anchorman and Socialist MEP, has been elected as the President of the European Parliament. The other key positions include Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel as the president-elect of the European Council, Spanish Foreign Minister Josep Borrell as the EU Foreign Affairs Chief, Christine Lagarde of the IMF for the European Central Bank Presidency, and German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen as the President of the European Commission. While French President Emmanuel Macron supports von der Leyen, Belgian Green MEP Phillippe Lamberts criticizes her appointment. MEPs will formally assess von der Leyen's qualifications in mid-July.