Dec 15 EU, Britain to toughen rules, fines for tech giants By Kelvin Chan, Associated Press The EU outlined its long-awaited sweeping overhaul of digital regulations while the British government released its own plans to step up policing of harmful material online, signaling the next phase of technology regulation in Europe. Continue reading
Dec 15 EU regulators move up Pfizer vaccine assessment to Dec. 21 By Kirsten Grieshaber, Frank Jordans, Associated Press Facing strong pressure from Germany and other European Union nations, the bloc's medicines agency on Tuesday moved up a meeting to assess the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine to Dec. 21, likely bringing vaccinations a step closer for millions of EU citizens. Continue reading
Dec 10 European Union strikes deal on landmark budget, virus recovery fund By Lorne Cook, Raf Casert, Associated Press The 1.82 trillion-euro ($2.21 trillion) seven-year budget and recovery package is vital for virus-battered European economies. Hungary and Poland had threatened to veto it over a move to tie the use of EU funds to upholding the rule of law. Continue reading
Dec 10 U.K. Prime Minister Johnson say “strong possibility” Brexit talks will fail By Raf Casert, Jill Lawless, Associated Press The U.K. and the EU have given themselves a deadline of Sunday to unlock their gridlocked trade talks. Both sides told their citizens to brace for a New Year's shock, as trade between the U.K. and the 27-member bloc would… Continue reading
Dec 09 Poles voice fears of ‘Polexit’ as government defies EU over budget By Vanessa Gera, Associated Press Critics fear the combative tone of Polish leaders could create a dangerous momentum, which if not stopped, could lead the nation to the exit door. Continue reading
Dec 08 U.K., EU leaders to meet Wednesday as year-end trade deal deadline approaches By Jill Lawless, Lorne Cook, Associated Press The leaders of Britain and the European Union will meet in the next 24 hours for a final push at a Brexit deal, as the two sides warned that the chances of a post-Brexit trade deal by a year-end deadline… Continue reading
Dec 07 Watch 4:38 Will Brexit lead to an orderly departure from the European Union? It's crunch time for Brexit, and negotiations between London and Brussels are at a critical point that will determine whether the UK leaves in a "hard Brexit" or whether disputes over trade can be resolved that will avoid chaos come… Continue watching
Dec 07 Few signs of progress yet on key day for final Brexit deal By Associated Press EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier had no news of a breakthrough when he briefed ambassadors of the 27 member states on the chances of a deal with London before the Dec. 31 deadline. Continue reading
Dec 06 Last-ditch post-Brexit trade talks to resume between EU, UK By Raf Casert, Pan Pylas, Associated Press European Union and British negotiators Sunday entered what is potentially the final attempt to strike a deal over future trade ties, even though “significant differences remain” on three essential points. Continue reading
Dec 04 U.K. says E.U. trade talks at tricky point as hopes of deal dim By Jill Lawless, Raf Casert, Associated Press Britain’s business minister said Friday that U.K.-EU trade talks are at a “difficult” point, as British officials poured cold water on hopes of an imminent breakthrough — and France said it could veto any agreement it didn’t like. Continue reading