The Brief, powered by BP – Put it in writing
Not content with breaking the two parties that have dominated UK politics for almost a century, the Brexit behemoth has set its sights on the country’s famously unwritten constitution.
Saudi attack will jolt oil markets out of ‘complacency’ over Gulf tensions – analysts
The price of oil has seemed relatively immune to heightened tensions in the Gulf, but this weekend’s attack on Saudi oil facilities means markets will now be more skittish.
Apple says $14 bln EU tax order ‘defies reality and common sense’
Apple launched a legal challenge against Brussels in an EU top court on Tuesday (17 September), saying the European Union's 2016 order for the company to pay 13 billion euros in back taxes to Ireland "defies reality and common sense".
CEU provost: Academic freedom is in crisis everywhere in Europe, not only in Hungary
It is the start of a new semester at the Central European University (CEU) in Budapest. But this year, many of its students are preparing to move to Vienna, where lectures will start in October. It's because CEU, a private US university founded by the Hungarian billionaire George Soros, has been kicked out of Hungary.
Wealthy countries still failing on $100 billion climate finance pledge
In 2017, the most industrialised countries contributed a little above $70 billion to nations vulnerable to the effects of climate change. This number is far below the annual $100 billion pledged in 2009 for the following decade. EURACTIV's partner le Journal de l'environnement reports.
Ukraine under EU pressure to criminalise tobacco smuggling
The European Union is stepping up the pressure on Kyiv to take a firmer stance on tobacco smuggling and criminalise it in line with the country’s commitments under the terms of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, EURACTIV has learnt.OpinionPromoted content
Workers’ participation: What Europe needs to do for its workers
The EU needs to do more to strengthen workers’ rights. Otherwise workers’ voice in Europe will be in jeopardy.
Commissioners assemble: Class of 2019-2024
European Commission President-elect Ursula von der Leyen has unveiled who will do what job in her administration, insisting hers will be a “geopolitical Commission”. Stay tuned here for all the details. UPDATE: Dates for Commissioner hearings have now been released...
Sánchez makes last call to avoid new Spanish elections
The Capitals brings you the latest news from across Europe, through on-the-ground reporting by EURACTIV’s media network. You can subscribe to the newsletter here. ***Correction: In yesterday’s edition of The Capitals, we wrote that Commission vice-presidents were questioned in 2014 by...
Britain’s Supreme Court enters Brexit drama
The Brexit drama switches venues from Brussels to the UK Supreme Court on Tuesday (17 September) for hearings on Boris Johnson’s explosive decision to suspend parliament for over a month. The British prime minister’s first talks Monday with European Commission...
Apple embarks on EU court battle over €13 billion tax bill
Apple embarks on an epic court battle with the EU on Tuesday (17 September), fighting the commission's landmark order that the iPhone-maker reimburse Ireland €13 billion ($14 billion) in back taxes.
Europe launches last-ditch effort to avoid US tariffs
The European Commission has dangled the prospect of limiting its public subsidies to the US administration in an attempt to avoid further tariffs from Washington that could come as early as next month in the context of the Airbus-Boeing dispute.
The attack on Saudi Arabia’s Abqaiq refinery and the realpolitik of oil
After a Saudi oil processing facility came under attack, attention turned on the immediate effect this could have on oil prices. But the worry should be more over the medium term than the short term, writes Robin Mills. Robin Mills...
In Georgia, EU opens first European School outside the bloc’s borders
In line with EU aims to deepen relations with the Eastern Partnership countries, EU and Georgian officials on Monday (16 September) launched a European School in Tbilisi, the first educational institution of this kind launched beyond the bloc’s boundaries.
Slovak PM Pellegrini seen surviving no-confidence vote
Slovak Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini should easily defeat a no-confidence vote on Tuesday (17 September), but his government is being increasingly damaged by revelations about the reach of the main suspect in the 2018 murder of a journalist into state offices.
EU grills Hungary over rule of law concerns
EU affairs ministers grilled Hungary on Monday (16 September) over Prime Minister Viktor Orban's tightening of restrictions around free media, judges, academics, minorities and rights groups, which the bloc worries weakens democracy in the ex-communist country.
Trump says he does not want war after attack on Saudi oil facilities
US President Donald Trump said on Monday (16 September) it looked like Iran was behind attacks on oil plants in Saudi Arabia but stressed he did not want to go to war, as the attacks sent oil prices soaring and raised fears of a new Middle East conflict.OpinionPromoted content
Preparing for more EVs: Three things for policymakers to consider
With the new legislative mandate of the EU Institutions kicking off and Mobility Week in full force, EVs and sustainable transport are high on the agenda. But more remains to be done. The predicted uptake in EVs in the coming decades means that several issues must be addressed, including charging infrastructure, proper management of the growing battery stock and higher demand for resources, writes Bernard Respaut, Chief Executive of the European Copper Institute.
‘Empty lecturn’ press conference leaves Johnson humiliated
Visiting UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson was left humiliated after his Luxembourgish host effectively empty-chaired him on Monday, before criticising Johnson’s handling of the Brexit negotiations and accusing the Leave campaign, which Johnson had fronted, of lying during the 2016 referendum campaign.
The Brief, powered by BP – Open season
This week’s European Parliament plenary session will be the first after Ursula von der Leyen unveiled her team of Commissioners last Tuesday. It will also mark the opening of the hunting season as MEPs prepare to grill the proposed new Commissioners.
Agriculture DG loses state aid oversight to boost competition rules
In an unexpected move, Commission President-elect Ursula von der Leyen has decided to move state aid competences in farming and fisheries from two directorates-general, Agriculture and Maritime affairs and fisheries, to DG Competition.
Thousands of car protesters block Frankfurt Motor Show with bikes
Thousands of protesters took advantage of this year's international motor show in Frankfurt to call for a "transport revolution" - by parking their bikes. EURACTIV's partner Ouest-France reports.
No reset on EU-Africa relations under von der Leyen
Speculation that Commission President-elect Ursula von der Leyen could appoint a Commissioner specifically for Africa turned out to be much ado about almost nothing, if her team of Commission nominees unveiled last week is anything to go by.