Politics
Britain urges US, Europe to ‘go further’ in countering Russia
New British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt on Tuesday (21 August) will urge the United States and European countries to do more to call out Russia's "malign behavior" and keep Vladimir Putin in check, notably by implementing tough sanctions.
UK warns of damage to EU without special deal on financial services
The UK has repeated its demands for a post-Brexit agreement on financial services to go way beyond the EU’s current standard with third countries in a new government paper, warning that a ‘hard Brexit’ will damage the EU. The paper...
Superdry founder joins push for 2nd Brexit vote
The co-founder of British clothing brand Superdry has announced he is financially backing a push for a second referendum on Brexit, claiming it is not too late to avert "disaster".
Cossacks and flowers as Putin dances at Austrian minister’s wedding
Russian President Vladimir Putin danced arm in arm with Austria's Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl at her wedding on Saturday, after receiving an invitation that opposition critics said undermined the West's stance against Moscow.
Germany and Greece reach agreement to repatriate refugees
Berlin has reached an agreement with Athens to send back refugees to Greece if they have already applied for asylum there. The move follows a similar agreement with Spain earlier this month, while a deal with Italy is also soon to follow.
Slovenia parliament OKs former actor as prime minister-designate
Slovenia's parliament approved on Friday (17 August) a minority coalition government led by comedian-turned-politician Marjan Šarec, ending a political stalemate after an inconclusive June 3 parliamentary election. However, analysts said the cabinet, supported by five centre-left parties, might have a limited shelf life
Ukrainian rights activist claims Poland banned her from Schengen zone
A Ukrainian human rights activist claimed on Thursday (16 August) that Warsaw had banned her from Poland and the rest of the Schengen zone in what she called "a political affair".
Soros foundation to quit Hungary by end-August
The foundation run by US billionaire George Soros said Thursday (16 August) that the last of its operations in Hungary would cease by 31 August, with its activities being transferred to Berlin.
Polish president vetoes change to European parliament election rules
Polish President Andrzej Duda on Thursday (17 August) vetoed a controversial reform of European Parliament election rules that would have essentially kept all small parties in Poland out of the running. “I refuse to sign it and am sending the...
Ministers stay away as Brexit officials resume talks on Irish border
EU and UK officials cut short their summer holidays to resume Brexit talks in Brussels on Thursday (16 August). The two days of technical meetings will focus on the Northern Irish border and future trade relations but officials indicated that there was little chance of a breakthrough.
Oettinger dismisses claims EU to blame for Italian bridge collapse
Brussels has recently encouraged Italy to increase expenditure in infrastructure, EU officials said on Thursday (16 August) in response to Italian Interior Minister Matteo Salvini’s allegations that the bloc's austerity policies were partly responsible for Italian bridge collapse.
Italy PM declares state of emergency after bridge collapse killed 39
Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte declared on Wednesday (15 August) a state of emergency covering the region around Genoa after a bridge collapse killed 39 people and severed the port city's mainland corridor with southern France.
Migrant rescue ship arrives in Malta, ending standoff
The Mediterranean rescue ship Aquarius arrived at Valletta harbour in Malta on Wednesday (15 August) to allow 141 migrants to get off, ending a five-day tug-of-war among EU countries which had seen the vessel banned from docking in several ports.
UK FA minister on Brexit: ‘There is absolutely no guarantee that we will get a deal’
The risk of a no-deal Brexit has been increasing and the European Union commission needs to change its attitude if a deal is to be reached, British foreign minister Jeremy Hunt said on Tuesday (14 August).
EU ramps up legal threat to Poland over court reform
The EU on Tuesday (14 August) stepped up its legal threats to Poland over its controversial supreme court reforms, giving Warsaw one month to comply or risk being hauled before the bloc's top court.
Romania to probe alleged police violence at protest
Romania has opened an enquiry into alleged police violence at a mass anti-corruption protest against the leftwing government last week where hundreds were injured, military prosecutors said Monday.
Humanitarian ship seeks European port for rescued migrants
Human rights groups called on European governments on Sunday to tell a charity ship where it can dock and let more than 140 migrants rescued in the Mediterranean disembark in safety.
Third night of anti-government protests in Romania
Thousands took part on Sunday (12 August) in the third night of protests in Bucharest against alleged government corruption, two days after a crackdown on a mass demonstration left hundreds injured.
English football club blames Brexit for lack of new players
The manager of English football club Tottenham Hotspur has blamed the United Kingdom’s vote to leave the European Union for his team’s failure to sign any new players before the start of the new campaign.
EU-Swiss treaty ‘dead as doornail’ as labour boycotts talks
Switzerland's plan to forge a new treaty cementing ties with the European Union has hit the rocks after the normally pro-Europe centre left joined the far right in resisting a deal that Swiss labour unions say might undermine wages and working conditions.
UK voters should make final Brexit decision if talks with EU collapse -poll
If Brexit talks break down without a deal, half of Britons believe the final decision over whether to leave the European Union should be taken by the public in a referendum, according to a survey.
Northern Irish political stalemate misses out on world record
Northern Ireland will later this month have been without a government for longer than Belgium, which currently holds the world record of 541 days. But Belfast is set to miss out on official recognition of this dubious accolade due to a technicality.
Greek minister: Erdogan planned the arrest of our two soldiers
The arrest of two Greek soldiers at the border with Turkey was “pre-planned” and ordered by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Greek defence minister Panos Kammenos has claimed.