Author: staff
During the call, Zhang “called for prioritizing development, improving global governance and promoting inclusive growth of the world economy,” according to a Chinese readout of the video conference that made no explicit mention of tackling macroeconomic imbalances that Western governments blame for declining industrial output and employment. A non-government official briefed on preparations for the G7 summit saw the French presidency’s outreach as an “olive branch” to China, but acknowledged that the G7 was not the best format to put pressure on China to change its trade policy. In delegating Zhang to join the call, Beijing also played the protocol…
Published on 12/06/2026 – 19:15 GMT+2•Updated 19:29 The 27 countries of the European Union have reached an agreement to open the first cluster of accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova, building on the momentum created after Hungary lifted its two-year veto last week. The breakthrough was achieved on Friday evening by ambassadors in Brussels, who endorsed a common position to go ahead with the next phase of negotiations. The position comes with a rule-of-law roadmap and an action plan on minority rights, the main bone of contention between Budapest and Kyiv. The action plan was amended to reflect the outcome…
Iran’s foreign minister insisted on Friday that a deal with the United States to end the war in the Middle East had never been closer, after US President Donald Trump furiously accused Tehran of negotiating in bad faith. The angry reaction came after Iranian media published a breakdown of what was purportedly on the table, stressing that Iran would insist on its right to enrich uranium and to control shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. That clashed, however, with the characterisation offered by a senior White House official, who said that Iran had agreed to dismantle its nuclear programme, destroy…
Brown — a former U.K. prime minister and chancellor who was hired by Keir Starmer last month to assist on global finance initiatives — has spoken to Carney and provided “a number of questions, which were entirely appropriate,” the diplomat added. Blair, who is also a former defense minister in the Canadian government, said: “We’ve been working hard to make sure that we provide both Mr. Brown and the people at Treasury with answers to the questions that they have, and it’s just part of an ongoing dialog and negotiation between us.” Two defense insiders told POLITICO Brown has also…
For the first time, Poles were able to see the most advanced fighter jets, which in the coming years will become one of the pillars of the country’s military aviation. Three fifth-generation F-35 aircraft, nicknamed “Husarz,” performed a ceremonial flypast over Poland’s largest cities as part of the “Welcome to Poland” operation. The event preceded the official ceremony to induct the jets into the Polish Armed Forces at the 32nd Tactical Air Base in Łask. ‘Welcome to Poland’ The fighters took off in the morning from the base in Łask and began their demonstration flight, intended to give residents a…
Updated: 12/06/2026 – 18:00 GMT+2 Catch up with the most important stories from around Europe and beyond this June 12th, 2026 – latest news, breaking news, World, Business, Entertainment, Politics, Culture, Travel. … More
Published on 12/06/2026 – 17:57 GMT+2•Updated 18:31 The moment that Wall Street had anticipated all year arrived on Friday as SpaceX, the AI and aerospace company controlled by Elon Musk, began trading publicly on the Nasdaq in the largest initial public offering (IPO) in the history of financial markets. In a speech before the New York session opened for trading, Musk stated that SpaceX’s goal is to “take the fiction out of science fiction.” SPCX opened at $150, over 10% above its $135 IPO price, and it was already at more than $160 after the first few minutes of live…
Travellers are increasingly looking for more than just a beautiful room and great service. Now, travel magazine Afar has revealed its list of the 40 best new and revamped hotels around the world, highlighting properties that capture the spirit of their destinations. Of the 40 selected, 11 are in Europe – ranging from restored landmarks to stylish new openings in places that have long flown under the radar. The best hotels in Europe for 2026 Collegio alla Querce, Auberge Collection, Florence Housed in a group of 16th-century buildings which once contained a school, this spot just outside Florence offers the…
The compromise, aimed at striking a better balance between airlines’ interests and passenger rights, preserves several key elements of the current framework, including the three-hour delay threshold that grants the right to compensation and compensation levels ranging from €250 to €600 depending on the length of the flight. It also introduces an obligation for airlines to provide passengers whose flights are canceled or delayed by at least three hours with “clear instructions on how to submit a request” for compensation. The provision is intended to increase awareness of passenger rights among travelers, most of whom currently do not claim compensation.…
Published on 12/06/2026 – 17:30 GMT+2 A Belgian driver was convicted of murdering seven people on Friday by ploughing his car into a carnival procession while filming himself at the wheel. Paolo Falzone, 38, is due to be sentenced next week over the fatal March 2022 crash in the southern town of La Louvière. He faces up to 30 years in jail. Prosecutors said the tragedy happened when Falzone, who had previous speeding and drink driving offences, raced his BMW at 170 kilometres per hour through a 50-kilometre zone on the town’s outskirts. They said he was driving home from…