Children and teenagers are keen internet users - 12 to 15-year-olds spend at least three hours a day on screen - but are not always aware of the dangers: not just sites showing child pornography or violence but also the risk of bullying or grooming. MEPs adopted a report on a proposal to ensure better protection for children against these dangers where it backed the latest "Safer Internet" programme for 2009 -2013 whose budget is some €55 million.

MEPs debate financial crisis with President Sarkozy

MEPs say the EU needs a coordinated response on a range of fronts in order to tackle the financial crisis and limit its impact on economic growth, jobs and small businesses. In a resolution on last week's EU summit, they also call for measures to improve financial supervision and look at issues from climate change to the Caucasus. The resolution was adopted with 499 votes in favour, 130 against and 67 abstentions.

Soucieux d'améliorer la qualité de l'enseignement universitaire et d'attirer les meilleurs étudiants et enseignants étrangers, les députés ont adopté en première lecture le programme de coopération universitaire et de mobilité des étudiants Erasmus Mundus II, qui débutera en 2009.

Commissioner-designate Catherine Ashton faced a hearing at the European Parliament on Monday. She has been nominated to replace Peter Mandelson as Trade Commissioner following his appointment to the British government. MEPs questioned Baroness Ashton on the future of the Doha Round, the financial crisis, bilateral trade negotiations - and on her own experience. The outcome will be considered on Tuesday by the Conference of Presidents, with the full Parliament due to vote on Wednesday.

At the beginning of first ever European Forestry Week, the European forest owners’ organisations call on decision makers, business leaders and the public to recognise forestry as a key sector in combating climate change.