European Union

Stories 561 - 580 | << Prev   Next >>

Bush Demands Europe Step Up Flight Security

EU leaders accuse US of 'blackmail,' call requests 'absurd'

(Newser) - In a move some EU officials call blackmail, the Bush administration is demanding that EU members implement a wide range of new air security measures. The US wants American air marshals on all inbound flights, an online screening permit process for all US-bound passengers, and personal information on anyone flying...

Microsoft Under More EU Fire
Microsoft Under More EU Fire

Microsoft Under More EU Fire

Company's push for Office approval in spotlight

(Newser) - Shortly after the EU announced two new antitrust probes focusing on Microsoft, investigators are scrutinizing the company again. In question this time is whether Microsoft broke antitrust laws during a push last year to get its Office software file format approved as an international standard, reports the Wall Street Journal.

Serbian Government May Collapse Over Kosovo

Crisis looms only days after presidential vote

(Newser) - Serbia's coalition government approached collapse today, only days after voters gave a new mandate to pro-Western president Boris Tadic. His reelection has led to a face-off with his PM, who opposes his intention to sign a new EU trade agreement. The PM sees EU overtures as a ploy to trick...

Pro-West Tadic Wins in Serbia
Pro-West Tadic Wins in Serbia

Pro-West Tadic Wins in Serbia

Loser Nikolic warns EU not to blackmail Serbia over integration

(Newser) - Pro-West Serbian President Boris Tadic won a second-round reelection today that many saw as a referendum on Serbia’s entry into the European Union. He nabbed more than 50% of a vote that drew Serbia's highest turnout in 7 years. In defeat, challenger Tomislav Nikolic warned the EU not to...

Blair Eyes Role as Europe's First President

Ex-British PM wants post to have strong say on defense, trade

(Newser) - Tony Blair is angling to become Europe’s first president, the Guardian reports, but the former British PM wants to be assured the EU’s new top job will come with real authority on defense and trade. Blair, currently the Mideast envoy for the US, EU, UN, and Russia, has...

US Backs Sham Democracies, Watchdog Says

Western powers allow autocrats to pay lip service to ideals

(Newser) - Human Rights Watch says Western powers accept too many sham democracies out of political convenience, the BBC reports. The group's annual report slams the tendency of the US and EU governments to allow autocrats to claim “the mantle of democracy" without granting authentic political freedom. It also said the...

Econ Crash Could Deflate Climate Crusade

Governments could be 'distracted' by market woes, UN officials warn

(Newser) - As the global economy panics, leaders are in danger of abandoning lofty climate-change goals, top UN climate gurus warned today. At the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, the Guardian reports, the pair urged politicians not to be “distracted” by the crisis. “This is the time to be bold...

Musharraf Courts Wary Europeans
Musharraf Courts Wary Europeans

Musharraf Courts Wary Europeans

Pledges free elections, nuclear security, no coddling Al-Qaeda

(Newser) - Pervez Musharraf visited Brussels yesterday and Paris today, reassuring leaders that Pakistan will hold fair elections and promising complete security for the nation's nuclear arsenal. EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana warned the Pakistani president that future cooperation between the EU and his government is contingent on those criteria, reports...

EU Frets Over Fallout From US Economy's Slide

Subprime woes spread across Atlantic; euro drops

(Newser) - Stock markets around the world continued to hemorrhage today on worries the US would slide into recession, prompting finance ministers to warn that the slump is threatening EU growth. They revised forecasts downward for the 15-member EU, reports Bloomberg. “There is great concern about the financial crisis,” said...

Serbia's Future Depends on Kosovo
Serbia's Future Depends on Kosovo

Serbia's Future Depends on Kosovo

Looming declaration of independence may sway presidential voting

(Newser) - On the verge of declaring independence, Kosovo is the key in this year’s Serbian election, the Guardian reports. Tomislav Nicolic, a Russian-aligned Serbian nationalist, won the first round of the presidential elections last night, defeating moderate incumbent Boris Tadic 39% to 35%. Seven other candidates, many pro-Western, are out...

Polls Close in Tight Serbian Election

EU ties hang in balance as Kosovo split roils hopefuls

(Newser) - Polls have closed in Serbia in a tight presidential race between a Euro-friendly incumbent and a pro-Russian nationalist, the BBC reports. Neither pro-Western Boris Tadic nor rival Tomislav Nikolic—or any of seven other hopefuls—is expected to win a first-round majority. The election, which has sparked debates about Kosovo...

EU Countries Critical of Climate Plan

Economic concerns could undermine Europe's green resolve

(Newser) - The European Commission is set to unveil broad new climate change legislation next week, but the measures have been criticized by member countries and trade organizations that fear adverse effects on European business. France is worried about effects on its nuclear industry, Der Spiegel reports; Germany and Spain have raised...

Kenyan Police Fire on Protesters
Kenyan Police Fire on Protesters

Kenyan Police Fire on Protesters

Odinga says 7 killed, calls for sanctions

(Newser) - Kenyan police clashed with protesters in the streets of Nairobi today; opposition leader Raila Odinga claims seven were killed as police fired on angry crowds protesting president Mwai Kibaki’s disputed reelection. One witness said police fired live rounds “indiscriminately,” despite assurances that only batons and teargas were...

EU Goes After Microsoft (Yes, Again)

New investigation comes just months after court victory over company

(Newser) - The European Commission today again took aim at Microsoft, launching its first new antitrust investigations since the 1990s. Two probes will expand the principles of the last EU court victory over Microsoft—which a court upheld 4 months ago—to Office, Microsoft’s email tools, and Internet Explorer, reports the...

Apple to Charge Fewer Pence per Song

Price of iTunes tracks will correspond between UK and EU

(Newser) - Apple has vowed to ease up on British purses, cutting the price for iTunes downloads so UK fees will match those in the rest of Europe. EU regulators have been probing Apple since a consumer group complained about its policies in 2004; the new settlement comes after direct talks between...

Britain, Spain Soften Over Rock
Britain, Spain Soften Over Rock

Britain, Spain Soften Over Rock

Settling of dispute over Gibraltar means EU can sign long-delayed treaties

(Newser) - Britain and Spain have worked out a compromise on Gibraltar that will pave the way for the EU to sign some important treaties, Reuters reports. Treaties on child protection and aviation had been held up for years because Spain balked at plans to let officials in the British enclave administer...

Intel Answers Antitrust Charges
Intel Answers Antitrust Charges

Intel Answers Antitrust Charges

Chip maker requests hearing

(Newser) - Intel has filed a response to the European Union antitrust objections, reports Ars Technica. While the contents have been kept under wraps, Intel did confirm that it is seeking a hearing before the European Commission. Intel has been under investigation since 2005 for practices including offering heavy discounts to retailers...

Cloned Meat, Milk Near Nod
Cloned Meat, Milk Near Nod

Cloned Meat, Milk Near Nod

FDA is about to approve clones, despite industry opposition

(Newser) - The Food and Drug Administration is expected to clear the way for milk and meat from cloned animals to be sold in US supermarkets by declaring the products safe as early as next week, reports the Wall Street Journal. Cloning companies are poised to begin churning out animals once a...

Smoke-Free Paris Clears the Air
Smoke-Free Paris Clears the Air

Smoke-Free Paris Clears the Air

Smoking ban ends French tradition

(Newser) - The hazy, brooding atmosphere of Parisian cafes and bars has changed overnight with a French ban on smoking in public places. Clouds of smoke from scores of Gauloises and Gitanes cigarettes, which once hung over France's most celebrated salons and dining rooms, have wafted away. Similar bans are already in...

Olmert Nixes Hamas Truce: 'This War Will Continue'

Says Palestinian militants must first cease attacks, recognize Israel

(Newser) - Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert today refused to consider a truce with Hamas until the militant Palestinian group recognizes Israel and halts attacks in Gaza, reports the BBC. Olmert told government officials that Israel is gaining ground in stopping rocket attacks, of which 1,000 have hit Israel since Hamas...

Stories 561 - 580 | << Prev   Next >>
Most Read on Newser