EURACTIV.com with Reuters
NGO ship defies Salvini, takes migrants to Lampedusa
An Italian charity ship was escorted into the port of Lampedusa by police on Tuesday (19 March) after rescuing 49 Africans in the Mediterranean, with Interior Minister Matteo Salvini calling for the crew to be arrested.
Russia to deploy nuclear-capable strategic bombers to Crimea
Russia has decided to deploy nuclear-capable Tupolev Tu-22M3 strategic bombers to the Crimean peninsula in response to the US rolling out missile defense systems in Romania, the RIA news agency cited a senior Russian lawmaker as saying on Monday (18 March).
EU summit could avoid final call on Brexit extension
European Union leaders could hold off making any final decision on any Brexit delay when they meet in Brussels later this week, senior diplomats in the bloc said, depending on what exactly British Prime Minister Theresa May asks them for.
Parliament rejects opening trade talks with Trump
The European Parliament failed to pass a resolution on Thursday (14 March) supporting the start of negotiations with the US on removing tariffs for industrial goods, worsening the prospects of de-escalating trade tensions between Brussels and Washington.
Spotify files EU antitrust complaint against Apple
Spotify has filed a complaint with EU antitrust regulators against Apple, saying the iPhone maker unfairly limits rivals to its own Apple Music streaming service.
EU to ponder Brexit delay amid calls for ‘credible justification’
Any request from the UK side to delay its departure from the European Union must be supported by a "credible and convincing justification," Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said on Tuesday (12 March), reflecting growing exasperation on the EU side.
EU court shields ECB from disclosing key document in Greek crisis
The European Union's court on Tuesday denied access to a European Central Bank (ECB) document which underpinned its decision to freeze vital funding to Greek banks in 2015, a turning point in the country's financial crisis.
Eurozone delays Greece debt relief over household insolvency law
Eurozone ministers on Monday (11 March) held back granting Greece debt relief because the government failed to implement reforms promised during the massive bailout that ended last year, officials said.
Drinkers at British-themed pub in Paris drown their sorrows with Brexit beer
If Prime Minister Theresa May or any other Brit needs some Dutch courage to see them through the fraught final countdown to Britain’s departure from the European Union they need look no further than a Paris pub and its popular “Brexit” beer.
Erdogan accuses Women’s Day march of disrespecting Islam
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Sunday (10 March) accused a women’s march in central Istanbul on Friday of disrespecting Islam by booing the Islamic call to prayer.
Orban says Fidesz may leave EPP, look at Poland for alliance
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said on Friday (8 March) his ruling nationalist Fidesz party may drop out of the centre-right European People's Party (EPP) amid a row over his government's anti-Brussels media campaign.
Erdogan says Turkey will not go back on missile defence deal with Russia
Turkey will not go back on its agreement to buy S-400 missile defence systems from Russia, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on Wednesday (6 March), adding that Ankara may subsequently look into buying S-500 systems.
‘Things not looking good’, EU diplomats say three weeks before Brexit day
Talks with Britain on amending its divorce deal with the European Union have made no headway and no swift solution is in sight, EU officials said on Wednesday (6 March), a week before British lawmakers must vote on the plan to avoid a chaotic Brexit.
Czech PM raps Macron’s call for EU reforms
A call by French President Emmanuel Macron for reforms of the European Union to pave the way to a "European renaissance" won polite support in several capitals on Tuesday (5 March), but Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš called it “divorced from reality’.
Weber gives Orbán chance to apologise and remain in EPP
The Spitzenkandidat of the main centre-right party for the European elections said on Tuesday (5 March) that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán must apologise for his criticism of the EU or his ruling Fidesz party could be suspended from the grouping.
Lukashenko seeks better ties with West despite Russian ‘hysteric’ reactions
Belarus will seek better ties with the West even though this provokes “hysterics” from its traditional ally Russia, long-serving President Alexander Lukashenko said on Tuesday (5 March), a day after lifting a cap of five US diplomats in his country....
Pro-EU opposition wins Estonian elections, far right makes big gains
Estonia's opposition centre-right Reform party pulled off a surprise win over Prime Minister Juri Ratas' governing centre-left Centre party in parliamentary elections held on Sunday (3 March).
Brexiteers spell out three tests for EU deal, scale back opposition to Irish backstop
A group of Brexit-supporting lawmakers who rejected British Prime Minister Theresa May's European Union exit deal in January have set out the changes they want to see to her agreement in return for their support.
Thousands in Montenegro rally against President Djukanovic
Thousands protested in Montenegro’s capital Podgorica on Saturday (2 February), the fourth such rally in as many weeks, demanding that President Milo Djukanović and his government resign over alleged corruption, cronyism and abuse of office.
After Saudi king’s letter, EU states move to block Commission’s dirty-money list
The adoption of a European Union money-laundering blacklist, which includes Saudi Arabia as well as Puerto Rico and three other US territories, is likely to be blocked by EU states under a procedure launched on Thursday (28 February), two EU sources said.
Comedian takes centre stage in Ukraine’s presidential race
In a popular Ukrainian TV series, comedian Volodymyr Zelenskiy plays a president who is scrupulously honest and outwits crooked lawmakers and shadowy businessmen who try to stand in his way.
Ukraine President’s associate quits in corruption probe ahead of vote
A close associate of Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko stepped aside from a senior government role on Tuesday (26 February) pending a corruption investigation involving his son a month before the incumbent faces a tough battle for re-election.
After Putin’s warning, Russian TV lists nuclear targets in US
Russian state television has listed US military facilities that Moscow would target in the event of a nuclear strike, and said that a hypersonic missile Russia is developing would be able to hit them in less than five minutes.