European Commission

Máire Geoghegan-Quinn appeals to research chiefs Carlos Moedas and Jean-Eric Paquet to keep R&D programme focused on excellence, rather than even spread of winners

Europe trails rivals in the battery wars. ‘We have a shortage of batteries and we can’t wait long years to catch up,’ warns Commission vice-president. Advisers, in new report, say it's not the only manufacturing gap that needs plugging

'High-flying' civil servant Jean-Eric Paquet picked to replace Robert-Jan Smits, in move tying DG Research closer to central administration

Makeover at the top as director general for research and innovation, Robert-Jan Smits is replaced by Jean-Eric Paquet and new recruits are lined up for nine other posts

European Commission is exploring ways to use blockchain tamper-proof technology to share data between member states in security critical areas including health, tax, chemicals and food traceability. EU-level pilots are to be funded in the next budget