European Union leaders agreed on Thursday to nominate Ursula von der Leyen of Germany for a second five-year term as president of the European Commission, the EU’s powerful executive body. At a summit in Brussels, the bloc’s 27 national leaders…
Dutch PM Mark Rutte poised to become next NATO secretary general
Mark Rutte, a staunch ally of Ukraine and a fierce critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, is set to become NATO’s next secretary general, building on a career as a political dealmaker from his 14 years as Dutch prime minister.…
German state leader demands action from Scholz on migration
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has been urged to make specific proposals on migration ahead of a meeting next week between the federal government and the premiers of Germany’s 16 states. “This is the last opportunity for the chancellor to show…
Germany, France call for reforms to EU economic policy
German Economy Minister Robert Habeck and his French counterpart Bruno Le Maire published a draft concept jointly on Thursday calling for reforms to European Union economic policy. The two ministers called for the cutting of red tape and the stimulation…
Georgia ‘‘returning to the past’’ with foreign agents law, says president
Georgia is “returning to the past” through the new foreign agents law, the president of the former Soviet state has said, as EU ministers urge the government to “take a way out”. Speaking at a press conference with the foreign…
Thousands march in Georgia over foreign influence bill
Tens of thousands of Georgians have taken to the streets of the capital Tbilisi on Saturday evening to protest a controversial “foreign influence” bill backed by the government. Protesters marched to the capital’s Europe Square holding Georgian and EU flags,…
European parliament approves ‘‘right to repair’’ law
The European Parliament approved a new law establishing consumers’ right to repair certain products including smartphones, tablets, washing machines, vacuum cleaners, fridges, and monitors. The law, which still needs final approval from European Union member states, would require manufacturers to…
EU to investigate Apple, Google, Meta under new digital law
European Union regulators have opened investigations into Apple, Alphabet’s Google and Meta, in the first cases under a sweeping digital law designed to stop Big Tech companies from cornering digital markets. The European Commission, the 27-nation bloc’s executive, said on…
EU leaders meet in Brussels to discuss Ukraine, Gaza, defence
European Union (EU) leaders will meet in Brussels on Thursday and Friday to discuss the war in Ukraine, the conflict in Gaza, and European Commission plans to develop the European Union’s defence industry, as well as the potential future enlargement…
Borrell: EU worried about Hong Kong law’s potential impact on rights
EU foreign affairs chief has expressed concern about the potential impact of Hong Kong’s new security law on the rights and freedoms of people in the Chinese special administrative region. Josep Borrell expressed his concern in a statement on Wednesday,…