- 10h ago
Brussels escalates infringement case against Spain over laws used to block BBVA-Sabadell takeover
The European Commission has sent Spain an additional letter of formal notice, widening its infringement procedure over national laws that gave the government discretionary powers to intervene in BBVA's failed bid for Banco Sabadell.
- 23h ago
Hungary lifts veto on Ukraine and Moldova EU accession talks after minority-rights deal with Kyiv
EU ambassadors cleared the way for formal accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova on Wednesday evening, after Budapest withdrew a two-year blockade in exchange for expanded rights for ethnic Hungarians in western Ukraine.
- yesterday
EU grants Italy fiscal flexibility for energy crisis but warns against broad fuel tax cuts
Brussels approved Italy's request to extend the national safeguard clause to energy resilience measures, unlocking up to 14 billion euros over three years, while simultaneously issuing six recommendations urging Rome to keep support temporary and targeted.
- yesterday
EU unveils tech sovereignty plan to curb reliance on US and China, but critics call it too timid
The European Commission presented a wide-ranging plan on Wednesday to boost the bloc's technological autonomy, targeting cloud computing, AI, and semiconductors, but lawmakers and industry watchers warn it may not go far enough to challenge American dominance.
- yesterday
Brussels urges Spain to scrap reduced VAT for hotels and restaurants, citing €7 billion annual cost
The European Commission has recommended Spain limit its reduced VAT rate on hotels, bars and restaurants, arguing the preferential treatment costs nearly €7 billion a year while disproportionately benefiting the wealthy.
- 2d ago
US proposes tariffs on 60 economies over forced labour, drawing sharp rebukes from EU, UK and Switzerland
The Trump administration has proposed additional duties of 10 to 12.5 percent on imports from 60 trading partners, alleging they fail to curb goods made with forced labour. The EU, UK, Switzerland and others immediately rejected the accusations.
- 2d ago
EU unlocks €16.4 billion for Hungary as new government lifts veto on Ukraine arms reimbursements
The European Commission will release €16.4 billion in previously frozen recovery and cohesion funds to Hungary, while Budapest has also lifted its long-standing veto on €40 billion in EU reimbursements for weapons sent to Ukraine.
- 2d ago
UN warns of potentially strong El Niño later this year, urges world to brace for extreme weather and heat records
The World Meteorological Organization says there’s an 80 percent chance of an El Niño event between June and August, likely lasting through November, with at least moderate strength. The agency urges governments and humanitarian groups to prepare for extreme weather, heatwaves, and disruptions to agriculture and water supplies.
- 2d ago
Belgian airspace shuts down as air traffic controllers strike over digital tower plan
A wildcat strike by air traffic controllers at Skeyes halted all civilian flights to and from Belgium on Tuesday afternoon, stranding thousands of passengers and drawing sharp condemnation from Wallonia's airports minister.
- 3d ago
Poland’s prosecutor general moves to arrest opposition MEP Patryk Jaki, who calls the request ‘one of the stupidest in history’
Poland’s prosecutor general has asked the European Parliament to lift the immunity of MEP Patryk Jaki so that he can be arrested and charged with abuse of office. Jaki describes the allegations as absurd and politically motivated.
- 3d ago
US weighs expanding nuclear weapons deployment in Europe as allies seek reassurance, FT reports
Washington is holding confidential talks about stationing dual-capable aircraft in additional European NATO countries, according to the Financial Times, as Poland and Baltic states push for a stronger nuclear umbrella.
- 3d ago
Anthropic grants EU cybersecurity agency ENISA access to Mythos AI model after weeks of negotiations
The European Union's cybersecurity agency ENISA will join Project Glasswing, gaining controlled access to Anthropic's Mythos model that has autonomously discovered over 10,000 zero-day vulnerabilities across major operating systems and browsers.
- 3d ago
EU strikes deal on 'return hubs' to send rejected asylum seekers outside the bloc
European lawmakers and member states reached a provisional deal Monday to tighten migration rules, allowing the creation of offshore 'return hubs' for rejected asylum seekers.
- 3d ago
EU Agrees on Hardline Migration Overhaul, Greenlights Offshore Deportation Hubs Following Meloni's Model
The European Union has reached a provisional political agreement on a new Returns Directive, paving the way for the creation of deportation centres in non-EU countries and significantly tightening the bloc's migration policy.
- 3d ago
EU clears path for deportation centres in third countries, Germany eyes Rwanda and Uganda
The EU has reached a deal on a new return regulation, enabling member states to deport rejected asylum seekers to third countries without any prior connection.
- 3d ago
Belgian prosecutors probe Wise Europe over €500m in suspect transactions, shares plunge 18%
Belgian prosecutors confirmed an advanced-stage money laundering investigation into Wise Europe on Monday, examining over half a billion euros in suspicious transactions linked to fraud, corruption, and drug trafficking.
- 5d ago
Violent storms batter southern Belgium: firefighters overwhelmed, emergency plan activated, and a stark warning on climate readiness
Severe thunderstorms and hail struck Wallonia on Saturday evening, flooding roads, triggering a municipal emergency plan, and prompting a stark warning from the head of Belgium's firefighters' federation that services are 'totally helpless' in the face of increasingly extreme weather.
- 5d ago
EU agrees to unlock €16bn in frozen funds for Hungary as new PM Magyar races to meet August reform deadline
The European Commission has agreed to release up to €16.4 billion in frozen funds to Hungary, marking a major policy shift after the election of Prime Minister Péter Magyar, who must now rush through anti-corruption reforms by the end of August.
- 5d ago
Patrick Bruel cancels all summer festival concerts amid sexual assault investigations, organisers express 'relief'
French singer Patrick Bruel has cancelled all his festival concerts between June and September, citing a 'climate of tension' as he faces multiple rape and sexual assault investigations in France and Belgium.
- 5d ago
Romanian President Vows Response After Russian Drone Strikes Apartment Block in Galați, Injuring Two
A Russian drone carrying at least 30 kilograms of explosives struck a residential building in Galați, Romania, injuring a mother and her 14-year-old son, prompting a firm condemnation from President Nicușor Dan and the European Union.
