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If what people speak in the Hellenic Republic is like Greek to you, spare a thought for the European Parliament's unsung heroes. While most people already struggle to order a beer on holiday abroad, the translators at the Parliament routinely use anything from three to eight languages a day. They make sure that Dutch doesn't turn into double Dutch and that nothing gets lost in translation. As today is Mother Language Day, we take a look at the professionals who are never at a loss for words.

www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/headlines/content/20120220...

© European Union 2012 EP/Pietro Naj-Oleari

MEPs often feel tickled pink and sometimes might see red, but they never have a reason to feel off colour about the way their calendar is organised. Weeks in the Parliamentary calendar are coded with a colour to indicate that period's particular activities and working methods. For example, this week has been marked turquoise to indicate MEPs will mostly be working in their home constituencies. Let's bring you up to date with what all the colours stand for in the European Parliament's calendar.

*Red: plenary sessions
*Pink: committees at work
*Blue: political groups meet
*Turquoise: MEPs work in their constituencies

www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/headlines/content/20120220...

© European Union 2012 EP/Pietro Naj-Oleari

ACTA, a controversial agreement about counterfeiting and online copyright infringements, has been signed so far by 30 countries. In coming months Parliament will be able to decide its fate in the EU by either approving or rejecting it.

* But what is this all about?
* What does ACTA seek to achieve?
* Why has it provoked protests from groups across the world?
* How will the Parliament come to a decision and how will you be able to follow the process?
* What is ACTA about?
* What will be covered by it?
* Who takes part in ACTA?
* Why is it controversial?
* Which countries have already signed it?
* Why is the role of the European Parliament crucial?
* What options are available to the European Parliament?
* How will the European Parliament come to a decision?
* What has the European Parliament said so far about ACTA?
* What happens if the European Parliament votes in favour?
* What happens if the European Parliament rejects it?
* How will I be able to find out the latest developments on this in the European Parliament?

Read the answers :
www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/headlines/content/20120220...

© European Union 2012 EP

Hungary should respect the EU's basic values, say MEPs

Parliament will draw up a report on whether EU laws and values are respected in Hungary, it decided on Thursday. Further to this report, it will then decide whether to activate EU Treaty Article 7, which is used to investigate a clear risk of a serious breach of EU common values. Its resolution also calls on the European Commission to monitor closely the changes to some of Hungary's laws and how it puts them into practice.

The Hungarian authorities should comply with the recommendations, objections and demands of the Commission, the Council of Europe and the Venice Commission and amend the laws concerned, respecting the EU's basic values and standards, says the resolution, tabled by the S&D, ALDE, Greens/EFA and GUE/NGL groups and approved with 315 votes in favour, 263 against and 49 abstentions.

www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/pressroom/content/20120216...

© European Union 2012 EP/Pietro Naj-Oleari

Hungary should respect the EU's basic values, say MEPs

Parliament will draw up a report on whether EU laws and values are respected in Hungary, it decided on Thursday. Further to this report, it will then decide whether to activate EU Treaty Article 7, which is used to investigate a clear risk of a serious breach of EU common values. Its resolution also calls on the European Commission to monitor closely the changes to some of Hungary's laws and how it puts them into practice.

The Hungarian authorities should comply with the recommendations, objections and demands of the Commission, the Council of Europe and the Venice Commission and amend the laws concerned, respecting the EU's basic values and standards, says the resolution, tabled by the S&D, ALDE, Greens/EFA and GUE/NGL groups and approved with 315 votes in favour, 263 against and 49 abstentions.

www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/pressroom/content/20120216...

© European Union 2012 EP/Pietro Naj-Oleari