Boosting recycling in the fisheries sector and substantially cutting the use of plastics are key to clean our seas, say MEPs.

Parliament is prepared to take legal action should the Commission delay the application of the budget’s Rule of Law conditionality mechanism any further.

Companies listed on stock exchanges in the EU would have to bring in transparent recruitment procedures so that by 2020, at least 40% of their non-executive directors are women, under a draft EU directive voted by Parliament on Wednesday. MEPs propose that companies which fail to introduce such procedures should face penalties. In 2013, only 17.6% of non-executive board members of the EU's largest companies were women.

The Commission should update its guidelines to select priority energy projects that are fully in line with its climate policy, said Parliament.

MEPs share first views on proposals to boost fairness and sustainability in road transport presented by Commissioners Šefčovič and Bulc.

A majority of MEPs confirmed the committee decision to enter into negotiations on the revision of EU privacy rules for electronic communications.

Parliament endorsed improved measures for the future European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund, safeguarding sustainable fish stocks and fishermen’s livelihoods.

On Wednesday, MEPs voted on the size of Parliament’s 20 committees and two sub-committees. Their composition was confirmed by political groups later on the same day.

To protect animal welfare, pet owners and public health, MEPs call for an EU Action Plan to end illegal trade in companion animals.

“Woman at war”, an Iceland/France/Ukraine co-production, has won the 12th LUX Film Prize, European Parliament President Antonio Tajani announced in Strasbourg on Wednesday.

An EU strategy for COVID-19 vaccinations, that addresses challenges inside and outside the EU, was debated on Wednesday with Commission Vice-President Margaritis Schinas.

To develop, authorise and make safe COVID-19 vaccines available more easily, MEPs today adopted a temporary derogation from certain rules for clinical trials.

The Iraqi operation to liberate Mosul from jihadi group ISIS/Daesh was backed by MEPs on Thursday. They called on Iraqi authorities to make every effort to protect civilians, hospitals and schools, as they progress towards Mosul. Daesh atrocities and genocide against Christians, Yazidis and other minorities should be referred to International Criminal Court, added MEPs.

The drinking water directive approved by Parliament will give better access to high quality tap water, including for vulnerable groups.

A large majority of MEPs voted to set up three special committees and a committee of inquiry for 12 months, and a permanent subcommittee.

Annual country-specific recommendations are needed that could trigger the mechanism protecting EU values, infringement proceedings and budgetary conditionality.

The EU’s foreign and defence policy should proceed with closer EU defence ties and a strong response to international threats, said MEPs on Wednesday.

Parliament calls for future-proof rules on digital services, including online platforms and marketplaces, and for a binding mechanism to tackle illegal content online.

Terrorism, hybrid threats and cyber- and energy insecurity leave EU countries no choice but to step up their security and defence cooperation efforts, thus paving the way to a European Defence Union, say MEPs in a resolution passed on Tuesday. They suggest devoting 2% of GDP to defence, establishing multinational forces and EU headquarters to plan and command crisis management operations, and enabling the EU to act where NATO is unwilling to do so.

MEPs backed a 7.9 billion euro scheme in support of common R&D defence projects on Thursday, in order to streamline costs and boost interoperability of defence systems.