European Union

Romania's liberal government led by centre-right Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan was brought down by a vote of no confidence on Tuesday. Shortly afterwards, the leu – the national currency – weakened against the euro and Romania's interest rates on international loans increased. Rating agencies have also warned that they may further downgrade Romania's credit rating, and EU funding, which is tied to reforms, may be withheld. The press voices consternation.

Sir David Attenborough turns 100 today. His nature documentaries have captivated audiences since the early 1960s, and the charismatic Briton has inspired millions of viewers with his passion for plants, animals and the ecosystem. In the UK, he is revered as a "national treasure". The press congratulates him with reflections on beauty and fragility.

On 9 May, Europeans will celebrate Europe Day.

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

On 9 May, Europeans will celebrate Europe Day.

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

L'Ukraine envisage d'adopter une loi qui interdirait de fait aux étrangers de recourir à la maternité de substitution dans le pays.

Bernhard H. soll 2016 versucht haben, seine Ehefrau Brigitte zu töten. Anlässlich seiner Berufung vor dem Bundesgericht äussert er sich zum ersten Mal.

Die Irritation im Lausanner Stadtparlament war gross: Ein Linkspolitiker gab zu, im öffentlichen Nahverkehr jeden Tag zu betrügen. Seit Jahren fahre er schwarz. Es ist nicht das erste Mal, dass Loris Socchi unangenehm auffällt.

Ein bewaffneter Mann überfiel am Donnerstagnachmittag das Coop-Geschäft im Perry Center Oftringen AG. Er bedrohte Mitarbeitende, forderte Geld und flüchtete zu Fuss. Die Polizei fahndet nach dem schwarz gekleideten, maskierten Täter mit weissen Turnschuhen.

Ein dritter Brite hat sich nach dem Verlassen des Kreuzfahrtschiffs «MV Hondius» auf St. Helena mit dem Hantavirus infiziert. Am Wochenende soll das Kreuzfahrtschiff auf den Kanaren anlegen.

Der Hantavirus-Ausbruch sorgt weltweit für Wirbel. Viele Fragen sind offen. Was ist bisher bekannt? Das Protokoll.

Written by Anna Flynn.

The annual Europe Day celebrations mark the anniversary of what is widely regarded as the founding act of the European Union. 

After World War II, coal and steel were considered indispensable due to their role in economic growth and defence. Head of the French Planning Committee, Jean Monnet, and French Foreign Minister, Robert Schuman, believed that pooling these resources would not only be financially strategic, but would consolidate European peace and unity.

Schuman presented this concept during a press conference on 9 May 1950 at the Quai d’Orsay. The text, known as the Schuman Declaration; outlined that ‘solidarity in production’ would make another war ‘not merely unthinkable, but materially impossible’.  It stated that ‘world peace cannot be safeguarded without the making of creative efforts proportionate to the dangers which threaten it.’

In April 1951, Belgium, France, the Federal Republic of Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg signed the Treaty of Paris, which created the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC). After entering into force in 1952, the ECSC facilitated a common market and freedom of movement of coal and steel between the six signatories. Notably, this was the first supranational organisation in Europe.

The ECSC was comprised of a High Authority that had decision-making competencies (the foundation of what is currently the European Commission), as well as a Special Council of Ministers, a Court of Justice, and a Consultative Committee.

The ECSC was also supported by a Common Assembly, which had 78 members (selected by national parliaments), supervisory power, and the right to dismiss the High Authority.

As the ECSC Common Assembly had the autonomy to write its rules of procedures, it unanimously decided, at its plenary session in June 1953, to allow the creation of political groups. With this decision, it became the world’s first international assembly organised in political groups (other international assemblies established after World War II were largely structured by grouping nations).

In 1958, the Common Assembly was renamed the European Parliamentary Assembly, , and Schuman was elected as its President.

Now, 76 years later, it is the European Parliament’s 10th legislative term; and it is made up of 720 Members across eight political groups; representing over 450 million citizens in 27 Member States. Between 2014 and 2019, 396 proposals were presented under the ordinary legislative procedure, all of which involved Parliament.

The peace, strength and unity, and integration that Robert Schuman championed several decades ago are values that continue to characterise the EU’s priorities and actions today. From an initiative to integrate industry to the world’s largest supranational democracy, the 9 May celebrations commemorate the inception of an idea that changed Europe forever.

Links:

• Robert Schuman
• Schuman Declaration, May 1950
• The ECSC Common Assembly’s decision to create political groups Writing a new chapter in transnational parliamentary history
• Impact of the ECSC Common Assembly on the politics, negotiation and content of the Rome Treaties
• Happy Birthday European Union: Europe Day, 9 May

Wer Tee traditionell aufbrüht und regelmässig in moderaten Mengen trinkt, kann sein Risiko für Herz-Kreislauf-Erkrankungen, Diabetes und bestimmte Krebsarten senken. Entscheidend ist die Zubereitung.

Der Vulkan Dukono brach am Freitagmorgen aus und schleuderte eine riesige Aschesäule in den Himmel. Es gibt vermisste und verletzte Wanderer, drei Menschen kamen ums Leben.