EU fines Google €890 million, risking US fury
The EU has fined Google €890 million for violating competition laws by favoring its services over rivals, a decision that could worsen US-EU relations.
Politics
Latest reporting and analysis on politics.
Cleaner air may be driving Europe’s increasingly intense heatwaves
Researchers found that the reduction in European sulphate emissions altered temperature patterns between different parts of the Northern Hemisphere.
EU rejects anti-mass migration citizen initiative, saying it goes against EU values
The Commission ruled that the initiative failed to meet the legal requirements for registration as a European Citizens’ Initiative.
Porsche to cut up to 6,000 jobs amid deepening crisis
In previous years these bonuses and special payments could reach several thousand euros when the company was performing strongly.
EU agrees new Russia sanctions as Greece wins exemption for gas shipping
Athens secured a carve-out allowing Greek vessels to keep carrying Russian gas to buyers outside the bloc, one of several concessions extracted before the package…
New Moldovan government takes office with EU accession as top priority
Prime Minister Vasile Tofan, a political newcomer drawn from private equity, has promised to accelerate the membership bid and deliver a more efficient State.
Hungary’s prosecutor general resigns under pressure from Magyar
Gábor Bálint Nagy's departure hands Prime Minister Péter Magyar a further victory in his drive to clear out Viktor Orbán's appointees.
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Poland takes control of illegal border crossings in the east but leaves backdoor open
At the same time the number of work permits issued to Africans was over 20,000 as Poland continued to be an attractive destination for foreign workers.
Merz picks chancellery chief to lead German conservatives after surrogacy row
Thorsten Frei would take over a Bundestag group shaken by Jens Spahn's resignation over a surrogate birth in the United States.
Telefónica cuts one in six jobs at its German mobile operator
The O2 owner has set aside hundreds of millions of euros to shrink its workforce and retail network before the end of the year.
Austria opens police station in Hitler’s birthplace to deter neo-Nazi pilgrims
Interior minister unveils the converted house in Braunau am Inn as Holocaust survivors say the redesign will not stop extremists making the journey.
‘VPNs are lawful technical tools,’ says EU Court in landmark Anne Frank copyright ruling
The decision is notable because VPNs have increasingly come under political and regulatory pressure in Europe.
European Commission sets up expert group on AI
The bloc's renewed social agenda also promises a law on quality jobs before the end of the year, though the EU remains far short of its 2030 poverty and training…
Macron blocks environment minister’s exit over pesticide law
Barbut announced this morning that she would resign after accusing the government of reneging on commitments to oppose provisions allowing the possible return of…
Several people dismissed from French ministries after positive drug tests
“There have been positive tests, and people have been removed from their positions,” Lecornu said.
Hungarian prosecutors seize Orbán party’s servers in unannounced raid
The prosecution service moved on the servers of Hungary's main opposition party without warning, seizing material from its internal communications network and leaving…
Suspect in German shooting that killed six is found dead in his prison cell
Authorities said the initial investigation indicated suicide and found no evidence that anyone else was involved.
German railway to ban alcohol at all stations
The decision follows a series of incidents involving intoxicated people, including a violent attack on a railway employee last week that left the worker seriously…
Spain backs Hernández de Cos in first bid for ECB presidency
Madrid has never held the eurozone's top monetary post and is moving early as speculation grows over Christine Lagarde's departure.
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Attempt to poison Nawrocki during election campaign alleged
“I was in a truly critical situation then. There was a moment of terror that I still remember very clearly,” the President said.
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Italy faces a George Floyd moment after immigrant dies during police restraint
The victim was Abderrahim Fakir, a 42-year-old Moroccan-born man who had lived in Italy since the age of seven and built his life in the Bologna area.
Germany turns to Azerbaijan for more gas as Merz signs strategic partnership
Ilham Aliyev has blamed European banks' retreat from fossil fuel lending for limiting how much extra gas Baku can send west.
France becomes first EU country to ban social media for under-15s
Lawmakers dropped a proposed blacklist of platforms after the European Commission warned the plan clashed with the bloc's own digital rulebook.
Zapatero’s business partner names him mediator in Plus Ultra bailout
The businessman has admitted receiving a €530,000 commission tied to the rescue though he says he does not know whom the former prime minister lobbied.
Brussels cancels Venice Biennale grant over Russia’s participation
The European Commission has pulled a two million euro award after the exhibition refused to exclude Russia, which its organisers say would amount to censorship.
Chess grandmaster Judit Polgár declines Hungarian presidency
Judit Polgár has ruled herself out days after Prime Minister Péter Magyar removed the sitting head of state, leaving his party to search for another candidate.
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Grey Wolves support in Germany reaches record high
Security officials have raised concerns about extremist elements within the movement, and the possible role of its networks as a channel for the influence of foreign…
Sweden blocks 11 offshore wind farms, approves two
Ministers also greenlit one large onshore wind project, aiming to balance electricity needs with military priorities in strategically sensitive waters.
Most refugee households in Vienna live on state support
New official data have reignited Austria's long-running argument over welfare and immigration, with the capital showing by far the highest reliance on the State.
Up to two million pack Madrid to hail Spain’s world champions
A second extra-time winner, 16 years after the first, earned Spain the World Cup, and Madrid turned out en masse for the returning team.