European Union

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.

After two relatively stable months the Turkish lira has plummeted again, hitting a record low against the euro last week. To reverse the trend and avert a serious economic crisis that has been looming for years, far-reaching reforms in business and politics are needed, commentators warn.