The European Union will run simulations of its mutual-assistance mechanism in case of attack, a clause in the bloc’s governing treaty that has become more relevant amid strains in Nato. These exercises would mimic the decision-making process if a member state called on the rest of the EU for military backup, according to a senior […]
Continue ReadingFrench president Emmanuel Macron said Europe must come up with a cohesive approach to protecting children online as the bloc grapples with how to regulate social networks. Macron spoke with the leaders of Germany, Spain, Italy, Greece and Ireland and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday. He said coordination would “strengthen both […]
Continue ReadingThe European Union will allow member states more flexibility to subsidise fuel and fertiliser prices to soften the impact of the price shock from the Iran war. However, any additional aid provided will have to be granted before the end of the year, with support for fuel limited to 50% of the extra costs from […]
Continue ReadingBelgium’s port of Antwerp has been blocked following an oil spill, resulting in “significant disruption” to operations. The spill occurred during what’s known as a bunkering operation, when fuel is supplied to ships. No large vessels can enter or leave the port due to the spill, according to the port authority. Antwerp is among Europe’s […]
Continue ReadingFrance plans to direct a large share of its push to boost defence spending toward drones and munitions as it races to adapt to heightened threats and the risk of the US withdrawing military capabilities from Europe. A revised multi-year spending bill presented to cabinet on Wednesday aims to deliver President Emmanuel Macron’s pledge of […]
Continue ReadingThe French government will offer loans of as much as €50,000 ($57,600) to small businesses that are the most exposed to rising fuel costs in transportation, fishing and agriculture. The loans will run for 36 months and are limited to companies in those sectors that spend at least 5% of their revenue on fuel. They […]
Continue ReadingChina welcomed the first visit by European lawmakers in eight years, as Beijing seeks to stabilise relations following the lifting of retaliatory sanctions last year. A European parliamentary delegation began their trip on Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Mao Ning said at a regular briefing. The visit ends a long hiatus marked by the pandemic […]
Continue ReadingEurope is about to start the gas stockpiling season with key storage tanks depleted, meaning it will need to compete even more with Asian buyers to secure supplies, just as the Middle East conflict disrupts energy flows. Dutch facilities are now just about 6% full, the lowest for this time of year in data going […]
Continue ReadingGermany’s business outlook soured as higher energy prices due to the Iran war threaten to derail its nascent economic revival. An expectations index by the Ifo institute dropped to 86 from a revised 90.2 – the lowest in more than a year. That was in line with the expectations of analysts in a Bloomberg survey. […]
Continue ReadingDanes are casting their ballots on Tuesday in a general election that’s shaping up to be a vote for stability after US President Donald Trump’s threats over Greenland. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen’s ruling party leads opinion polls, buoyed by her handling of a diplomatic crisis in January when Trump revived claims over the Arctic territory. […]
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