News archive

Guantánamo - 'indictment' of US failure to tackle 9/11 aftermath
Open-ended detention without trial is what you associate with repressive countries - China, North Korea and Saudi Arabia - not the US, and Guantánamo stands as a terrible indictment of America's failure to rise to the challenge of 9/11, writes Kate Allen

David Cameron's 'Brexit' talk sparks Brussels job fears
Both British civil servants and lawyers could be left jobless in Brussels if the United Kingdom leaves the European Union, writes Justin Stares

US wants 'strong British voice' in EU
A senior figure in the Obama administration has said the US wants to see a 'strong British voice' in the EU and warned that holding a referendum on membership could see the country 'turn inwards'

Eurozone crisis still threatens 'economic paralysis'
The eurozone crisis could yet cause 'economic paralysis' if governments reject further austerity, the World Economic forum says, as it warns that the fragile global economy is distracting attention from long-term challenges

UK coalition pledges 'commitment' to EU
In its mid-term review, the UK's coalition government has reaffirmed its 'commitment' to EU membership even after David Cameron said Britain was 'perfectly entitled' to negotiate a new relationship with the bloc

Global mercury treaty would 'make Europe brainier'
The EU could save up to €9bn per year by protecting children's brain development from mercury poisoning - through an internationally-agreed treaty - claims health alliance

Berlusconi makes election pact with Northern League
Silvio Berlusconi has thrown the outcome of Italy's elections into doubt by renewing his alliance with the Northern League and setting his sights on becoming finance minister in the event of electoral victory

Barroso: EU states must sacrifice 'sovereignty for influence'
European Commission president tells EU nations they must put supranational power before sovereignty in order to have influence on the world stage

Italian economy could collapse even with Monti as PM
Even if Italy avoids a period of political uncertainty in 2013, analysts believe that the country's economy could shrink by as much as 4 per cent of GDP

EU plans stricter tobacco rules
The European Commission's revised tobacco directive, published yesterday, received broad support from MEPs and campaign groups, but there were some calls for even tougher rules on cigarette packaging

Renewable energy projects awarded EU funding
Twenty-three renewable energy demonstration projects – including wind, solar, bioenergy and geothermal – will receive more than €1.2bn in funding from the EU's NER300 scheme

'Wake up call' as EU launches new digital priorities
The European Commission says the EU's GDP could be boosted by 5 per cent over eight years and millions of jobs created if its new digital agenda priorities are implemented

Is a Syria intervention on the cards for 2013?
There are a number of signs that preparations are under way for some kind of international intervention in the disastrous situation in Syria next year, despite warnings to stay out of the conflict, writes Anthony Tucker-Jones

Summit agrees 'urgent necessity' of EU defence cooperation
There is an 'urgent necessity' for European Union member states to cooperate more closely on defence as the region takes on increased responsibilities, EU leaders meeting in Brussels agree

Finance ministers clinch EU bank supervisor deal
Finance ministers agree on the mechanism for a single eurozone banking supervisor, paving the way for direct recapitalisation of banks and marking the first stage towards a full banking union