8 h. ago Ursula von der Leyen faces rare censure vote in European parliament

European Commission president expected to survive but ballot likely to reveal discontent about EU’s rightward driftThe European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, is preparing to face a rare vote of censure in the European parliament that is likely to reveal discontent about the rightward drift of EU policies.Von der Leyen is expected to comfortably survive a vote on Thursday on the censure motion, which in theory could trigger the downfall of her commission. While her survival is considered a certainty, the debate has lifted the lid on simmering discontent among centrist, centre-left and green MEPs who voted her back into office just under one year ago, after elections that gave rightwing nationalists their best-ever results. Continue reading...

Politics

32 h. ago Palestinian who worked for EU in Gaza accuses Brussels of ‘abandoning’ him after office closed

Exclusive: Mohammed Baraka asks von der Leyen for help, saying he is stranded in Cairo without residency rightsA Palestinian man who worked for the EU in Gaza has appealed to the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, after the closure of his office left him in Cairo without a job or residency rights.Mohammed Baraka, who served at the EU border assistance mission at Rafah in southern Gaza and was evacuated to Egypt when the war broke out, has accused Brussels officials of “coldly” dismissing him from his job by email and “abandoning” a loyal employee. Continue reading...

Politics

61 h. ago Benjamin Netanyahu arrives at White House to meet Donald Trump amid indirect ceasefire talks – US politics live

Israeli leader met US secretary of state and Middle East envoy before arriving at White HouseThe president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said she had a “good exchange” with Donald Trump on Sunday, a Commission spokesperson told reporters during a daily press briefing this morning.The spokesperson said:We want to reach a deal with the US (by 9 July). We want to avoid tariffs. We believe they cause pain. We want to achieve win-win outcomes, not lose-lose outcomes. Continue reading...

Politics

62 h. ago Trump announces tariffs of up to 40% on 14 countries, with more letters to follow – US politics live

US president posts letters setting out tariffs of between 25% and 40% on number of countries including South Korea, Japan, Cambodia and ThailandThe president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said she had a “good exchange” with Donald Trump on Sunday, a Commission spokesperson told reporters during a daily press briefing this morning.The spokesperson said:We want to reach a deal with the US (by 9 July). We want to avoid tariffs. We believe they cause pain. We want to achieve win-win outcomes, not lose-lose outcomes. Continue reading...

Politics

66 h. ago Trump to send 12 more tariff letters today, says White House, with more to follow this week – US politics live

White House spokeswoman says US president will release letters on social mediaThe president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said she had a “good exchange” with Donald Trump on Sunday, a Commission spokesperson told reporters during a daily press briefing this morning.The spokesperson said:We want to reach a deal with the US (by 9 July). We want to avoid tariffs. We believe they cause pain. We want to achieve win-win outcomes, not lose-lose outcomes. Continue reading...

Politics

67 h. ago Donald Trump announces 25% tariffs on Japan and South Korea in letters released on social media – US politics live

US president’s letters appear to be the first his administration planned to release today outlining new tariffs on major trading partners The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said she had a “good exchange” with Donald Trump on Sunday, a Commission spokesperson told reporters during a daily press briefing this morning.The spokesperson said:We want to reach a deal with the US (by 9 July). We want to avoid tariffs. We believe they cause pain. We want to achieve win-win outcomes, not lose-lose outcomes. Continue reading...

Politics

69 h. ago Zelenskyy says ‘coalition of the willing’ should meet ‘in a few days’, after call with Starmer – Europe live

Ukrainian president says he and UK prime minister also discussed additional funding for drone productionThe commission also addressed the reintroduction of Polish border controls with Germany and Lithuania, confirming at its midday media briefing that it had received a formal notification from Poland on Friday.EU spokesperson Markus Lammert confirmed that “reintroducing temporary internal border controls is possible subject to certain conditions, as set out in EU legislation, and in particular in the Schengen borders code.” Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago Trump clashes with Musk and threatens additional tariffs on countries with ‘anti

Musk says he is setting up America party to challenge Republican and Democratic ‘Uniparty’Trump says tariffs are delayed until 1 August, sparking confusionThe president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said she had a “good exchange” with Donald Trump on Sunday, a Commission spokesperson told reporters during a daily press briefing this morning.The spokesperson said:We want to reach a deal with the US (by 9 July). We want to avoid tariffs. We believe they cause pain. We want to achieve win-win outcomes, not lose-lose outcomes. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago Russia claims to have foothold in new Ukraine region as Zelenskyy pleads for more air defences – Europe live

Russia says it has captured a village in the Dnipropetrovsk region as Ukraine president calls for allies to fulfil commitments on defenceThe commission also addressed the reintroduction of Polish border controls with Germany and Lithuania, confirming at its midday media briefing that it had received a formal notification from Poland on Friday.EU spokesperson Markus Lammert confirmed that “reintroducing temporary internal border controls is possible subject to certain conditions, as set out in EU legislation, and in particular in the Schengen borders code.” Continue reading...

Society

3 d. ago Ukraine says four killed and more than 30 injured in another round of Russian strikes – Europe live

US ceasefire proposal, pursued by Trump, appears to be failing to make any further progressThe Greek island of Zakynthos was hit by a 4.1 magnitude earthquake overnight, Kathimerini reported.No injuries or significant damage were reported, it added. Continue reading...

Events

6 d. ago Ryanair and easyJet cancel hundreds of flights amid air traffic control strikes

Ryanair said it was forced to make 170 cancellations, while easyJet has scrapped more than 270 flights.

Events

7 d. ago Ryanair cancels 170 flights because of French air traffic control strikes

The Irish carrier said the cancellations on Thursday and Friday affect flights to and from France, as well as flights over the country.

Events

1 week ago EU ready for trade deal with US but prepared to fail, says von der Leyen

European Commission president says ‘all options on the table’ as Trump threatens 50% steel tariffs The European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, has said the EU is ready for a trade deal with Donald Trump, but “all options remain on the table”.Von der Leyen said she was analysing the latest US negotiating document received on Thursday. “Our message today is clear, we are ready for a deal,” she told reporters, after briefing EU leaders at a summit in Brussels. “At the same time, we are preparing for the possibility that no satisfactory agreement is reached and we will defend the European interest as needed. In short, all options remain on the table.” Continue reading...

Economics

1 week ago EU leaders mull US tariff response as deadline looms over Trump’s 50% threat

European Commission expects to hear on Thursday whether leaders want quick trade deal or tough reactionEuropean leaders will tell the European Commission later on Thursday whether they want a quick trade deal with the US, or favour a tough response to Donald Trump’s tariff threats.The European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, is expected to update EU leaders over dinner on Thursday on trade talks with the US ahead of a looming 9 July deadline. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Canada and EU sign defense pact amid strained US relations and global instability

Amid Trump’s disrespect of old allies, EU and Canada vow more support for Ukraine and joint work on climate crisisCanada has signed a wide-ranging defence pact with the EU, as Donald Trump and global instability prompt traditional US allies to deepen their alliances.Canadian prime minister, Mark Carney, on Monday joined European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, and head of the European Council, António Costa, in Brussels, where they signed a security and defence partnership, pledged more support for Ukraine, as well as joint work on issues from the climate crisis to artificial intelligence. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago Canada and EU sign defence pact amid strained US relations and global instability

Amid Trump’s disrespect of old allies, EU and Canada vow more support for Ukraine and joint work on climate crisisCanada has signed a wide-ranging defence pact with the EU, as Donald Trump and global instability prompt traditional US allies to deepen their alliances.Canadian prime minister, Mark Carney, on Monday joined European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, and head of the European Council, António Costa, in Brussels, where they signed a security and defence partnership, pledged more support for Ukraine, as well as joint work on issues from the climate crisis to artificial intelligence. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Europe should be standing up to Trump and Putin – instead it is mirroring them | Alberto Alemanno

Public opinion is clamouring for closer EU cooperation. The last thing we need is Ursula von der Leyen pandering to the far rightDonald Trump’s “America First” policies are undermining decades of transatlantic cooperation just as Putin’s Russia destabilises Europe with direct military aggression. But these twin shocks have unintentionally accomplished something the EU institutions never could. They have made European integration feel not just important, but existential – a matter of democratic survival – for ordinary citizens.From Helsinki to Lisbon, people are suddenly experiencing the same existential unease. Trade wars, defence threats and military aggression don’t respect borders. More and more Europeans now recognise that their small, individual nations cannot withstand simultaneous pressure from both Washington and Moscow. They find themselves caught between economic coercion and military intimidation.Alberto Alemanno is the Jean Monnet professor of EU law at HEC Paris and the...

Politics

3 w. ago Australia to hold talks aimed at entering defence pact with EU

Anthony Albanese confirms country could sign on to deal as he arrives in Calgary for G7 summitAustralia news live: latest politics updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralia is to hold formal negotiations on joining a new defence agreement with the European Union, with the prime minister preparing to discuss plans for enhanced security cooperation at this week’s G7 summit in Canada.Amid the deteriorating international security landscape, Anthony Albanese will use the talks with EU Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, and the European Council president, António Costa, in Alberta to explore a security and defence partnership, proposed at the inauguration mass of Pope Leo XIV in Rome last month.Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email Continue reading...

Politics

last month A school shooting in the Austrian city of Graz leaves at least 8 people and suspected gunman dead

At least eight people were killed in a shooting at a school in the Austrian city of Graz on Tuesday, and the suspected perpetrator also died, the city’s mayor said

Events