The barriers to a bespoke economic deal with the EU in 2026 stand just as they were in 2016. One EU view widely shared: “the UK still wants to have the cake and eat it.” With @lisaocarroll.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/world/2026/m...

The EU could deny new member states the right to veto foreign policy and other decisions requiring unanimity. The no-veto clause could be written into Montenegro's accession treaty, which would serve as a template for others. www.theguardian.com/world/2026/m...

NEW The UK gov pitched a single market for goods with the EU, but the idea was rejected. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Big exclusive tonight The UK government pitched the creation of a single market for goods with the EU. But EU officials rejected the idea – and instead suggested a customs union or the European Economic Area. by @jenniferrankin.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

When it comes to Donald Trump's latest trade war with the EU, it’s Brussels that risks chickening out by @nathalietocci.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

EU risks breaking international law over Israel gas deal. The little-known EU-Israel energy relationship under the spotlight via ‪@globalwitness.org‬ report www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...

Not so many abstentions on paper, but there were at least 83 MEPs in Strasbourg who did not cast a vote. Compare the 77% turnout in the VDL vote, with the 88% turnout in the very next vote. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...

"A proxy war" - the vote of censure against Ursula von der Leyen won't pass, but it reveals the discontent of many MEPs who voted for her only one year ago. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...

Palestinian who worked for EU in Gaza accuses Brussels of ‘abandoning’ him after office closed via @lisaocarroll.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...

EU no longer willing to act alone on climate - ‪@fionaharvey.bsky.social‬ on what the European Commission's 2040 proposal means www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...

From travels on Air Force One with Donald Trump to banter over Brexit: my profile of Maroš Šefčovič, the current longest-serving European commissioner, now at the centre of EU-US trade talks. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...

Latest on EU-Israel association agreement review. The EU could discuss “further measures and come back to this in July” if no improvement in dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. Meanwhile some countries blocking mentioning article 2 review in EU summit text. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...

The EU signs a defence agreement with “the most European of the non-European countries". Meanwhile the 2017 EU-Canada trade deal remains unratified by 10 EU member states. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...

The very difficult dilemma of the climate crisis laid bare in this great report by Ajit Niranjan from the site of Portuguese lithium mines. www.com/environment/...

In its incredibly cautious way, EU cites “indications” that Israel is breaking human rights obligations in Gaza and the West Bank - full report on leaked review www.theguardian.com/law/2025/jun...

Art deco was the first artistic movement that sought to appeal to a wide public say curators of a new exhibition in Brussels. www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...

“I was worried that I would start finding the situation normal. But it never happened.” Must read by @theguardian.com former Jerusalem correspondent www.theguardian.com/world/2025/m...

So as to not deter any applicants: the picture with the link is not the flat on offer! 🤭

Nicușor Dan, the modest maths prodigy and anti-corruption campaigner who beat an ultranationalist to Romania’s presidency. Profile by Jon Henley. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/m...

What will be agreed at today's EU-UK summit * security and defence partnership, unlocking defence contracts for British arms firms; * reciprocal access on fishing rights until 30 June 2038; *SPS deal (don't know yet if this is the final deal); * youth mobility scheme - details still to be finalised.

A pretty significant concession from the EU that likely helped the breakthrough. The UK has granted the EU full access to British waters until 30 June 2038 - a 12-year extension. But UK gets the SPS deal indefinitely, so not tied to fishing.

🇪🇺🇬🇧EU reset update: understand there was a late night breakthrough in talks between two sides to secure landmark deal, but that there are still some steps to take.

EU ambassadors meeting this morning have decided to approve all three texts to be agreed at the EU-UK summit at Lancaster House. (Launch of written procedure - approval process).

Disappointed EU diplomats say UK needs to give more ground on fishing and youth mobility deal. The Commission told member states talks with London were very difficult. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/m...

An “act of war” or just restitution- the debate on Russia’s frozen assets. A profile on the little known Belgian institution that holds so much of them. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/m...

Today's Pfizergate ruling is a landmark. The EU court clearly said that the Commission was wrong in its decision on the text messages between president Ursula von der Leyen and Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla. The decision can't be read other than as stern rebuke for the Commission. Some key takeaways 🧵

God there were so many of these…

How a day of chaos in Spain and Portugal unfolded with @ashifakassam.bsky.social and @jakubkrupa.bsky.social Stay for the phlegmatic Madrid resident at the end. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...

"Between pragmatism and polite, almost jocular, panic." Rush to buy supplies in Madrid as blackout hits - @swajones.bsky.social on the scene in the Spanish capital. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...

Amazing moment as Vatican crowd erupts into spontaneous applause as Zelenskyy appears on the screen shaking hands with officials at the funeral of Pope Francis

‘You saw he was listening to you’: people Pope Francis met in their hour of need www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...

If you dream of cross-country rail travel, don’t take Eurocity between Brussels and Amsterdam: nearly eight hours and seven trains for the round trip and a catalogue of failures from Dutch and Belgian railways.

Interesting choice of language from Meta in response to European Commission's €200m fine on the company under the Digital Markets Act: it accuses commission of imposing "a multibillion-dollar tariff on Meta". www.theguardian.com/business/202...

The EU and UK are moving closer to a defence deal that would allow British companies to benefit from more joint procurement under a €150bn defence fund. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...

Orbán’s stance on Ukraine pushes Hungary to brink in EU relations www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...

‘West as we knew it no longer exists,’ warns Von der Leyen – Europe live

US removes sanctions from Antal Rogán, aide to Hungary’s Viktor Orbán www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

"The first goal is getting somebody on the other side of the negotiating table." Trump’s ‘chosen one’ Giorgia Meloni heads to Washington to play delicate balancing act by Angela Giuffrida www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...

The dismantling of USAID has captured headlines, but European countries are also cutting aid budgets, contributing to a void in support for poorest people in the world’s most fragile states. www.theguardian.com/global-devel...

'Fair, safe and democratic': the EU is not going to abandon its digital rules to strike a trade deal with Donald Trump (and no, it doesn't think they are non-tariff barriers). An interview with the EU's top tech official, Henna Virkkunen www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...

A rundown of the EU's options in responding to Trump's tariffs. From the already happening to the highly uncertain. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

Using its leverage? EU urged to put human rights centre stage at first central Asia summit www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...

In Spain a fall in support for feminism has coincided with the rise of the far right and revived interest in the Franco dictatorship among young men - @swajones.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...

The crime wave hitting the world of Belgian pigeon racing www.theguardian.com/environment/...

The crime wave hitting the world of Belgian pigeon racing www.theguardian.com/environment/...

My little art deco tour of Brussels: the University Foundation and the Villa Empain. Both buildings I had passed many times, but never really seen.

Discovering the art deco treasures of Brussels www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...

Gold leaf and Gatsby: Brussels lays claim to birth of art deco with year of celebrations. Via @jenniferrankin.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...

Marine Le Pen found guilty of misappropriating EU funds by French court – Europe live with @jakubkrupa.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...

‘As real as it can get’: my report on the EU’s defence white paper, the €150bn loans plan. Significant that Ukraine is treated as an EU member state in terms of this plan. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/m...