EURACTIV.com with Reuters
Tony Blair: Britain and EU should prepare for second Brexit referendum
Former Prime Minister Tony Blair will say on Friday (14 December) that Britain and the European Union should prepare for a second Brexit referendum because parliament will probably fail to agree on a divorce deal and the public will need to break the deadlock.
Branson: You can’t prepare for a hard Brexit
British entrepreneur Richard Branson warned on Thursday (13 December) companies would be left reeling like boxers if Britain left the European Union without a deal to smooth its exit, and cast doubt on the effectiveness of drawing up contingency plans.
Main suspect in Strasbourg attack killed in gun battle with police
The suspected gunman who killed three people at a Christmas market in the French city of Strasbourg was shot dead on Thursday (13 December) in a brief gun battle with police after being on the run for 48 hours, police sources said.
Huawei $2 billion security pledge followed walkout by British official: sources
Huawei’s relations with British authorities hit a low last month when a top official walked out of a meeting with the Chinese company over its perceived failure to fix security holes in its products, sources familiar with the talks told Reuters.
No new sanctions on Russia at EU summit over Azov Sea
European Union leaders will offer Ukraine help for its regions affected by Russia's actions in the Azov Sea when they meet on Thursday (13 December), but no new sanctions on Russia will be imposed.
Pentagon warns Turkey against unilateral military action in Syria
The Pentagon said on Wednesday (12 December) that unilateral military action into northeast Syria by any party would be "unacceptable," after Turkey said it would launch a new military operation in the region within days to target Kurdish militia fighters.
Spanish PM hardens Catalonia stance with eye on election
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said on Wednesday (12 December) he would stand firm against what he called "inflammatory" Catalan separatist rhetoric, hardening his stance towards the region and upping the stakes in a broader political game.
Polish PM wins confidence vote ahead of 2019 election
Theresa May will not be the only Prime Minister coming to the two-day summit starting on Thursday (13 December) after having won a confidence vote the previous day.
As finances improve, Greece scraps pension cuts
Greece's parliament on Tuesday (11 December) voted to scrap plans to cut state pensions, in a motion led by the left-led governing coalition hoping to shore up its flagging support ahead of a general election next year.
Russian nuclear-capable bomber aircraft fly to Venezuela, angering US
Two Russian strategic bomber aircraft capable of carrying nuclear weapons have landed in ally Venezuela, a show of support for Venezuela’s socialist government that has infuriated Washington.
EU talks to set CO2 emission limits for cars founder
The European Union failed on Tuesday (11 December) to reach a compromise over how sharply to curb carbon dioxide emissions from cars and vans as car-producing countries and more environmentally conscious lawmakers could not find a compromise.
May presses on with Brexit vote as MPs demand better deal
Theresa May will push ahead with a crucial vote on her European Union exit deal, her Brexit minister said on Sunday (9 December), as senior lawmakers in her own party piled pressure on the British prime minister to go back to Brussels and seek a better offer.
Belgian PM relaunches government as minority after ally quits
Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel relaunched his government on Sunday (9 December) as a minority administration after the biggest party in his coalition quit in a dispute over signing the UN migration compact.
Orbán exempts pro-government behemoth media group from scrutiny
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has exempted a mammoth pro-government media group from scrutiny by the national competition watchdog, according to a decree published late on Wednesday (5 December).
Host migrants or pay, France and Germany propose
European Union governments that refuse to host refugees could instead pay to be excused from the bloc's system of sharing out migrants, France and Germany proposed on Thursday (6 December) as they sought to end a long-running EU feud over migration.
Facebook gave data on user’s friends to certain companies – documents
Facebook Inc offered some companies, including Netflix and Airbnb, access to data about users’ friends it did not make available to most other apps in 2015, according to documents released by a British lawmaker who said the social media company dodged questions about privacy practices and market dominance.
May under pressure to delay ‘meaningful’ Brexit vote
Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit deal came under fire from allies and opponents alike on Wednesday (5 December) after the government was forced to publish legal advice showing the United Kingdom could be locked indefinitely in the EU's orbit.
Germany, France to add Spain to European jet fighter programme
Germany and France will welcome Spain as a full partner in their programme to develop a next-generation air combat system, and expect to sign an agreement finalising the move at the Paris Air Show in June, German government sources said on Wednesday (5 December).
China hails ‘mutual respect’ as loops Portugal into Belt and Road
China will always stick to "mutual respect" in its efforts to deal with global challenges, President Xi Jinping said on Wednesday (5 December) in Lisbon, where he signed agreements to link Portugal to Beijing's One Belt - One Road initiative.
Macron makes U-turn on fuel-tax increases in face of ‘yellow vest’ protests
France's prime minister on Tuesday (4 December) suspended planned increases to fuel taxes for at least six months in response to weeks of sometimes violent protests, the first major U-turn by President Emmanuel Macron's administration in 18 months in office.
Commission to determine EU tariffs on Myanmar, Cambodia rice
EU countries failed on Tuesday (4 December) to determine whether to impose tariffs on rice coming from Cambodia and Myanmar from the start of next year to curb a surge in imports, leaving the European Commission to take the final decision.
White House presses German automakers to expand US investments
President Donald Trump pressed senior executives of leading German automakers to expand their investments in the United States as the White House considers imposing new tariffs on European-made vehicles.
US gives Russia 60 days to comply with nuclear treaty
The United States delivered Russia a 60-day ultimatum on Tuesday (4 December) to come clean about what Washington says is a violation of a arms control treaty that keeps missiles out of Europe, saying only Moscow could save the pact.