Author: staff

The environmental impact of AI specifically, as it consumes huge amounts of energy, has become a talking point in Europe, with the European Environment Agency warning earlier this month that the “the rapid expansion of AI presents a growing challenge to achieving climate neutrality.” But an emphasis on combating the environmental impact of tech is “a red line for the United States,” a digital ministry representative, granted anonymity due to French protocol, told reporters, adding that France respects its “partners’ red lines.”  Environmental issues have been “the most complicated” to get a consensus among the G7 countries, the same representative added, saying that the wording of…

Last Friday, Spain was among the large economies who signed onto a French position paper sent to the European Commission that called for the bloc to bolster its trade defenses, make greater use of its investigative capacities and potentially create a new tool to address market distortions.  But as first reported by POLITICO, within a few days Madrid appeared to get cold feet and began insisting the document, which was additionally co-signed by Italy, the Netherlands and Lithuania, had only been discussed at the technical level. Spain is often seen as one of the most China-friendly EU members. Prime Minister…

“This is unacceptable, and we will also not accept it. You deal with all of the 27, or none of the 27,” the Commission’s climate chief Wopke Hoekstra said to POLITICO on Thursday. He added: “If you seek to host an international event, that trumps any national sensitivities you might be having.” Turkey maintains no diplomatic relations with the Republic of Cyprus, the EU member country internationally recognized as the sole legitimate government of the entire island. Instead, Ankara is the only government worldwide to recognize as independent the breakaway Turkish Cypriot north. The island has been effectively divided since…

One of the thorniest issues involves giving more supervisory powers to the EU’s markets body, the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA). France and Spain pushed to give ESMA sweeping new powers immediately, while Italy and the Netherlands pushed for a transition period of up to eight years. The discussions ended with the E6 agreeing to expand ESMA’s powers “as soon as possible” but without including a specific timeline, said two of the officials. In the final stages of the negotiations, German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil left the room to consult with his aides in the gardens of the countryside…

“If this tax on American companies is enacted, it would be at odds with the Turnberry Agreement, in which the European Union committed to ‘address unjustified digital trade barriers’ — not erect new ones,” Greer said. The criticism follows scrutiny by Republicans in Washington of a similar Canadian streaming law requiring tech platforms to financially support domestic cultural production. House Republicans in March introduced legislation seeking a U.S. trade investigation into Canada’s Online Streaming Act, arguing it unfairly targets American companies and could justify retaliatory tariffs. Germany’s proposed law would require streaming companies and broadcasters to invest at least 8…

Published on 28/05/2026 – 15:39 GMT+2 Germany and the Netherlands will set up a joint tactical headquarters in the Baltics this year to command forces on NATO’s eastern flank and help deter Russia, Berlin said on Thursday. The joint German-Dutch command centre known as 1GNC will “assume a command role on NATO’s eastern flank, specifically in the region Estonia and Latvia” in coming months, the German defence ministry said in a statement. “The deployment of an additional tactical headquarters to the region strengthens the cohesion of NATO and supports the deterrence of Russia,” it said. 1GNC is a command centre…

Magyar has a parliamentary supermajority. But the reforms must be drafted, enacted and survive legal challenges. Key posts — including the presidency, the head of the constitutional court and the prosecutor general — remain occupied by Orbán loyalists who could obstruct reforms. Trying to remove them could trigger a constitutional crisis, said John Morijn, professor of law and politics in international relations at the University of Groningen. “It’s extremely difficult to restore the rule of law without breaking the law,” Morijn said. Removing court leaders would be “a very draconian thing to do,” he added. “He would be breaking the…

Published on 28/05/2026 – 20:59 GMT+2 Israel is breaking all contact with United Nations chief António Guterres, the country’s ambassador announced on Thursday, saying it was “outrageous” Israel is being blacklisted over alleged sexual violence in conflict zones. “We are done with this secretary-general,” Ambassador Danny Danon said in a video posted on X. “The decision to blacklist Israel and accuse us of using sexual violence as a weapon of war is an outrageous decision,” he said, referring to an upcoming report from Guterres’ office. “The secretary general and his team continue to spread lies against Israel. To put us…

He added that his first task will be border security and anti-drone measures, including a compensation mechanism to cover damages. Budget stabilization, fair elections, migration and fighting corruption are also on the agenda, along with ongoing support for Ukraine. “The economy goes hand in hand with security. Without security, there cannot be an economy, and without an economy, there will not be security,” said Kulbergs.  The new coalition was assembled after two stray Ukrainian drones struck Latvian oil infrastructure earlier in May, prompting Prime Minister Evika Siliņa’s resignation. Kulbergs, a former automotive businessman and head of Latvia’s Auto Association, only…

The Commission, however, said the revenue potential of crypto taxes is hard to estimate due to the lack of data. Tough budget equation The Commission’s new analysis adds an additional layer of complexity to budget negotiations among EU governments. Cyprus, which holds the Council’s six-monthly rotating presidency, is set to present a new budget breakdown with revised numbers and spending allocations around June 10. The EU’s taxes — known as “own resources” — require unanimous approval among the bloc’s 27 governments. The additional revenue is designed to finance the EU’s common cash pot from 2028 to 2034, which totals almost…