EURACTIV.com with Reuters
Poll: EPP still the biggest group after EU elections, far-right to make gains
The center-right is set to remain the biggest group in the EU legislature after elections in May that should also show a surge in seats for the far-right, a survey by the European Parliament showed on Monday (18 February).
May to speak to every EU head in bid for Brexit deal changes
Theresa May plans to speak to every European Union leader and the European Commission chief to seek changes to her EU withdrawal agreement, days after another defeat from her own lawmakers and as businesses brace for a no-deal Brexit on 29 March.
IS ‘caliphate’ on brink of defeat as Trump urges Europe to take foreign fighters home
US-backed fighters in Syria are poised to capture Islamic State’s last, tiny enclave on the Euphrates, the battle commander said on Saturday (16 February), bringing its self-declared caliphate to the brink of total defeat as US President Donald Trump spoke of “100 percent victory”.
Polish PM cancels trip to Israel in wake of comments on Poles in Holocaust
Poland’s prime minister has cancelled a trip to Israel in the wake of reported remarks made by his Israeli counterpart suggesting Polish complicity during the Holocaust, an aide in his office told Polish media on Sunday (17 February). A government...
UK airline folds amid Brexit uncertainty and fuel cost woes
British airline Flybmi went bust on Saturday (16 February), cancelling all flights with immediate effect. The regional carrier cited Brexit uncertainty as one of the reasons for entering administration, as well as increased fuel costs.
Ahead of EU polls, Facebook voids accounts targeting Moldovan election
Facebook Inc said on Thursday (14 February) it had disrupted an attempt to influence voters in Moldova, increasing concerns that EU elections in May could be prey to malign activity.
Google, Amazon among those targeted in EU unfair practices digital rules
Google, Amazon and other tech firms will have to tell companies how they rank their own or rival products on their platforms under new rules agreed by EU negotiators aimed at stopping unfair practices by online platforms and app stores.
Macron unveils Franco-German plan to give electric battery industry a jolt
A new Franco-German cooperation plan on battery cell production will include the construction of two factories, one in France and one in Germany, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Wednesday (13 February).
EU strikes deal on rules to govern Russia’s Nord Stream 2 pipeline
The European Union reached a deal on Tuesday (12 February) on new rules governing import gas pipelines including Russia’s planned Nord Stream 2, but added a special loophole to make sure the German-backed project can go ahead.
‘Something has to give,’ Barnier tells Brexit Britain
European Union Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said on Monday (11 February) British Prime Minister Theresa May should endorse a permanent customs union with the bloc - as proposed by the opposition Labour party - to break the impasse over their looming divorce.
Britain and Switzerland to sign post-Brexit trade agreement
Britain and Switzerland will sign an agreement on Monday (11 February) to continue trading on preferential terms after Brexit, the British trade department said, protecting a trade relationship worth 32 billion pounds (€36.5 billion).
May rejects pivot towards Brexit customs union compromise
British Prime Minister Theresa May has rejected the idea of targeting a customs union with the European Union, pouring cold water on hopes from some that she could shift her Brexit policy to win over the opposition Labour Party.
Post-Brexit Britain should be ready to use ‘hard power, says defence minister
Britain should be ready to use military force to support its global interests after Brexit, defence minister Gavin Williamson will say on Monday (11 February), adding that the boundaries between peace and war are becoming blurred.
Italy’s populist leaders pledge to replace central bank’s top brass
Italy's populist leaders on Saturday (9 February) promised to replace top officials at the country's central bank, who they said must pay for failing to prevent a spate of banking scandals in which thousands lost their savings.
Pompeo begins tour in long-overlooked central Europe
When Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visits Hungary, Slovakia and Poland this week he wants to make up for a lack of US engagement that opened the door to more Chinese and Russian influence in central Europe, administration officials say.
EU countries agree on copyright reforms, deal in sight next week
The European Union’s effort to rewrite two-decade old copyright rules to take into account online platforms such as Alphabet Inc’s Google moved a step forward on Friday (8 February) when a majority of member countries agreed on a common position for talks with lawmakers next week.
Germany to restrict Facebook’s data gathering activities
Facebook has been ordered to curb its data collection practices in Germany after a landmark ruling on Thursday that the world’s largest social network abused its market dominance to gather information about users without their consent.
Nord Stream 2 in dire straits after French U-turn
France plans to back an EU proposal to regulate Russia's Nord Stream 2 pipeline, its foreign ministry said on Thursday (7 February), potentially threatening its completion and dealing a blow to Germany which has been trying to garner support for the project.
Russia demands US destroy missile defence systems in Romania
Russia's Ministry of Defence said on Thursday (7 February) that the United States should destroy its MK-41 missile defence launch systems deployed in Romania in order to return to compliance with a Cold War-era nuclear pact.
Engine trouble: EU struggles to attune diplomacy in Brussels
The rise to power of anti-EU populists in some member states is making it harder for the European Union to agree common statements on fast-moving foreign crises, diplomats say, raising a threat to the bloc's prized "soft power" status.
Work urgently with me on Brexit – Britain’s May appeals to EU
Prime Minister Theresa May will call on the European Union on Thursday (7 February) to work with her to change a divorce deal and help her win the support of a divided parliament to smooth Britain's departure from the bloc.
Trump boasts ‘economic miracle’ in State of the Union speech
President Donald Trump vowed in his State of the Union speech on Tuesday (5 February) to build a border wall, which is a source of a deep partisan divide, and said Democratic attempts at “ridiculous partisan investigations” could damage US prosperity.
May and Varadkar visit Brussels in search of Brexit solution
Prime Minister Theresa May will travel to Brussels on Thursday (7 February) to tell European Union leaders they must accept legally binding changes to the Irish border arrangements of Britain’s divorce deal or face the prospect of a disorderly no-deal Brexit.