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Image header Agence Europe
Europe Daily Bulletin No. 13686
Contents Publication in full By article 16 / 30
ECONOMY - FINANCE - BUSINESS / Competition

European Commission opens in-depth investigation into UMG’s proposed acquisition of Downtown

On Tuesday 22 July, the European Commission opened an in-depth investigation to assess the proposed acquisition of Downtown byUniversal Music Group (UMG) under the EU Merger Regulation.

The Commission has preliminary concerns that the transaction would enable UMG to acquire commercially sensitive data from competing labels and thereby reduce competition in the market for the wholesale distribution of recorded music in the European Economic Area (EEA).

It is also concerned at this stage...

Contents

SECTORAL POLICIES
JUSTICE/DIGITAL: protection of personal data and competitiveness - EU27 justice ministers not very keen on reopening regulations
HOME AFFAIRS: violence against children; Danish Minister of Justice reiterates determination to reach agreement in EU Council on ‘CSAM’ regulation
MIGRATION: instrumentalisation - EU Agency for Fundamental Rights asks that not all types of irregular arrival be treated in same way
ENERGY: several European Parliament groups in favour of abolishing emergency clause to resume use of Russian gas imports
CLIMATE: France considers LULUCF sector’s contribution to 2040 target of 90% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions to be unrealistic
COMPETITIVENESS: EU Member States adopt their position on ‘omnibus’ directive digitalising procedures
DIGITAL/PATENTS: Tiemo Wölken takes European Commission to court over withdrawal of ‘AILD’ Directive and ‘SEP’ Regulation
PLANTS: EFSA completed an assessment of 47 EU quarantine pests
ENVIRONMENT: European Commission launches call for evidence with view to ‘environment’ ‘omnibus’
REGIONS: European Commission announces finalists of REGIOSTARS 2025
EXTERNAL ACTION
UNITED STATES: EU and Washington close to agreement for a 15% tariff on European products
JAPAN: faced with economic and security challenges, EU emphasises its “unique bond” with Tokyo
MIDDLE EAST: several EU countries insist on rapid European response to deteriorating situation in Gaza
UKRAINE: European leaders worry about backtracking on independence of anti-corruption bodies
DEVELOPMENT: European Centre for Development Policy Management identifies “strategic vacuum” in EU’s post-2027 budget proposal
ECONOMY - FINANCE - BUSINESS
COMPETITION: European Commission opens in-depth investigation into UMG’s proposed acquisition of Downtown
TAXATION: total VAT declared via one-stop shops increased by 26% between 2023 and 2024, according to European Commission
TAXATION: European Commission continuing its work with US authorities and EU Member States on US ‘FATCA’ law
ECONOMY: average government deficit to GDP is 2.9% and average government debt to GDP is 88.0% in euro area in first quarter of 2025
EDUCATION - YOUTH - CULTURE - SPORT
EDUCATION: inclusiveness, an Erasmus+ objective with room for improvement, sees real progress in recent programmes
FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS - SOCIETAL ISSUES
FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS: MFF 2028-2034 - some civil society organisations welcome budget increase, others deplore merging of programmes
COURT OF JUSTICE OF THE EU
COMPETITION: reduced fine for Credit Suisse for taking part in cartel in European FOREX sector
FISHERIES: European Commission is asked to reconsider its objection to tuna protection measure
EUROPEAN COMMISSION: General Court of EU annuls appointment of a senior official in Legal Service
NEWS BRIEFS
DEMOCRACY: EU Council validates and forwards text of agreement with European Parliament on reform of European political parties
ENVIRONMENT: Jacques Delors Institute calls on EU to “keep ambition at heart of Global Plastics Treaty”
INDUSTRY: European Commission consults on Critical Raw Materials Act
SYRIA: Hadja Lahbib welcomes arrival of first humanitarian convoy in Sweida
TRANSPORT: European Commission registers a European citizens’ initiative on air passenger rights
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