European Union

Reporters Without Borders' lastest Press Freedom Index and World Press Freedom Day on May 3 prompt commentators to take a closer look at freedom of expression and the media around the world. This year they express concern over developments in Austria and the demoralising effect of a spiteful discussion culture.

The Scottish head of government Nicola Sturgeon is seeking a second referendum on Scottish independence for 2021. In 2014, 55 percent of the population voted against independence, but Brexit, which a majority of Scottish voted against, has changed the situation, commentators conclude.

The European Parliament concluded the last plenary session of its 8th term on 18th April

Source : © European Union, 2019 - EP

France and Germany launched an Airbus-style €6 billion foray into the battery-building business on Thursday (2 May), as the EU's attempts to corner a slice of a growing global market started to pay off.

Deepening Chinese activities in the Arctic region could pave the way for a strengthened military presence, including the deployment of submarines to act as deterrents against nuclear attack, the Pentagon said in a report released on Thursday (2 May).

US electric car maker Tesla expects global shortages of nickel, copper and other battery minerals down the road due to underinvestment in the mining sector, the company’s global supply manager for battery metals told an industry conference on Thursday (2 May), according to two sources.

It was "unacceptable" for Finland, the incoming EU presidency, to have issued an EU statement on Israel at the UN earlier this week despite Hungary having vetoed it, Hungarian foreign minister Peter Szijjarto told the Euronews broadcaster. "We made it very clear that we do not agree with the text that was finalised," he said, promising to complain to EU foreign relations chief Federica Mogherini.

The top candidates to lead the next European Commission clashed on plans to create an EU army at a debate in the European University Institute in Florence Wednesday. The German centre-right candidate, Manfred Weber, and Belgian liberal one, Guy Verhofstadt, endorsed the idea, but the Dutch centre-left candidate, Frans Timmermans, rejected it as being unrealistic. "There will be no EU army for the foreseeable future," Timmermans said.