Services
Spain violated EU rules by meddling in banking merger, says Brussels
Warning comes as European Commission pushes for more bank mergers to boost European financial sector’s fire power.
EU eyes 3rd retaliatory strike against Trump that would hit services
Brussels slashes the EU farm budget, calls it a win. Farmers call it a declaration of war.
Macron praises ‘courage’ and ‘audacity’ of Bayrou’s budget
Geneva races to help redundant UN workers hit by Trump aid cuts
Brussels on a collision course with Rome over Italian bank mergers
Trump’s war on multinationals tests Ireland’s economic miracle
Dozens of Palestinians reported killed at aid station despite EU-Israel deal
The bloc’s top diplomats are set to consider downgrading ties with Israel at a meeting on Tuesday.
UK’s online safety laws won’t stop a repeat of Southport riots, MPs warn
The Online Safety Act is still coming into force, but a committee said it won’t do enough to curb misinformation.
EU weighs suspending Israel ties over Gaza crisis
The proposed measures come as the bloc faces growing pressure to take action.
Dead body in tunnel forces partial closure of Brussels metro
The 2 and 6 lines are currently suspended between Trone and Gare du Midi.
Turkey’s Erdoğan makes high-stakes Kurdish gamble
As the president’s traditional support wanes, he is seeking a risky deal with the Kurds to buy a political lifeline. But is there too much mutual mistrust for a deal?
Grok’s antisemitic outburst heaps pressure on EU to clamp down on artificial intelligence
EU set to outline latest bid to get Big Tech to reduce AI risks.
EU cuts ties with interpreter over Zelenskyy security fears
European Commission said it took action over “an incident related to note-taking” at a meeting with Ukrainian president.
EU removes UAE from its dirty money blacklist as it commits to probe Russia
Parliament agreed to the new list after the Commission promised to investigate Moscow’s money laundering links.
Pentagon policy chief’s rogue decisions have irked US allies and the Trump administration
Even for an administration with a knack for moving fast and breaking things, Elbridge Colby’s moves at the Pentagon have caused frustration and friction.
Post Office scandal-hit Fujitsu vies for lucrative Brexit border contract
Japanese tech firm — heavily criticized over the Horizon scandal — teams up with long-time Liz Truss ally to bid for Northern Ireland trade platform.
The ‘quiet killer’ behind Queen Ursula’s throne
Von der Leyen’s chief of staff is the man to call to get things done in Brussels. But for a growing number of critics, he has too much control.
‘He likes the game too much’: Why Trump isn’t sweating his lack of trade deals
As his July 9 deadline to reimpose steep tariffs approaches, Trump has only netted a couple of deals. He doesn’t seem too worried.
One year of Keir Starmer: Labour’s first 12 months, rated
The Labour government has been nothing if not eventful.
Europeans agree EU should enforce rules on Big Tech, says poll
Only about 1 in 10 respondents to YouGov survey say Brussels should loosen its grip on U.S. tech giants.
Trump allies caught off guard by Pentagon’s Ukraine weapons freeze
The decision left officials on both sides of the Atlantic scrambling to find out how long the pause might last.
European Parliament’s top brass get fat pay raises
The salary hikes, which will cost around €324,000 per year, have ruffled some feathers.
Keir Starmer faces a second-year nightmare, too
It’s not just the welfare rebellion — Keir Starmer goes into his second year with a host of challenges to confront.
Giorgia Meloni wants more people in jail. Italy’s prisons are already on the brink.
Rome’s sweeping new security decree looks set to put more people behind bars, but overcrowded prisons can’t cope.
Labour still hasn’t bought off Britain’s unions
Public sector pay rises and ambitious new employment rights don’t mean Britain’s center-left government can rest easy.
Denmark is ready to rumble with Big Tech over social media bans
Copenhagen wants EU action to ban kids from social media platforms.
Canada drops digital tax that angered Trump to resume US trade talks
The move comes as Washington pressures multiple trade partners — including the EU — to ease digital rules targeting American tech firms.
Romania risks public blowback over push to slash EU’s highest deficit
The country faces having to cut 20 percent of civil service jobs while ramping up VAT and increasing excise duties. The government is in for a rough ride.
Italy’s grand plan to meet NATO target: A €13.5B bridge to Sicily
Meloni’s deputy prime ministers are keen to class the bridge as a NATO-related project. But does it really mesh with Europe’s military goals?
Trump turns trade talks into foreign policy wish list
The president is pressing foreign leaders on everything from military budgets to antitrust laws — all under the banner of trade.