European Union

Sweden's economy has contracted 8.6 percent in the April-to-June period from the previous three months. The country had eschewed some of the more restrictive Covid-19 lockdowns, when compared to other EU member states. Spain's economy over the same period slumped by 18.5 percent, France by 13.8 percent, and Italy by 12.4 percent. The EU as a whole saw a 11.9 percent contraction.

I hate to break it to you, but excuses have run out. You have to look at the images of sobbing journalists in Index's newsroom, and shoulder part of the blame. Your silence, your continued procrastination led to this.

This is not about supposedly traditional values – when was violence against women ever a value? – it is about living up to the European values we all signed up to. We have to put pressure on Poland.

The volume of retail sales in the euro zone rebounded in June to levels recorded in February before lockdowns, official estimates showed on Wednesday (5 August), completing a recovery that began in May after record drops in March and April.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Wednesday (5 August) that the United States had made progress with Russia on nuclear arms control recently and hopes China will decide to join the discussions.

Facebook on Wednesday (5 August) took down a post by US President Donald Trump, which the company said violated its rules against sharing misinformation about the coronavirus.

Japan's foreign minister on Wednesday (5 August) began a three-day trip to Britain in a bid to wrap up negotiations on a post-Brexit trade agreement.

Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov signalled on Wednesday (5 August) that he could resign following weeks of anti-government protests, but said his centre-right GERB-led cabinet should remain in place until an election due next year.

Italy's national civil aviation authority ENAC threatened on Wednesday to suspend Ryanair's permit to fly in the country over alleged non-compliance with coronavirus safety rules.

The European Commission said on Wednesday (4 August) it had extended anti-dumping duties on imports of Chinese corrosion-resistant steel to stop producers avoiding existing duties by slightly modifying the material they export.

The European Union is considering quotas to force airlines to use more sustainable fuels as it seeks to clamp down on the climate impact of aviation, the European Commission said on Wednesday (5 August). 

Greeks must stick to rules aimed at containing the coronavirus more closely than ever, the country's prime minister said on Wednesday (5 August), warning of new restrictions if a worrying rise in daily cases does not abate.

The European Union said Wednesday (5 August)  it would rush rescuers, search dogs and equipment to Beirut to look for any survivors trapped in rubble after the massive blast that struck the city.

Since former Spanish king Juan Carlos's departure rumours are rife that his son King Felipe VI forced him out of the royal palace. In a speech on Tuesday Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez praised the royal house for distancing itself from the ex-regent, but among Sánchez's left-wing coalition partners and on the streets, calls for the abolition of the monarchy are growing louder. Has the time come for this move?

A huge explosion in Beirut has destroyed the city's port and surrounding area, claiming more than 100 lives. The exact cause of the blast is not yet known; according to Prime Minister Hassan Diab, ammonium nitrate which is used to make fertiliser and also explosives had been stored unsafely at the port. The disaster has hit a country that is already facing enormous challenges, commentators observe.