News archive
US given access to sensitive EU passenger data
The US will be able to store detailed personal information of airline passengers for up to 15 years after the European Parliament in Strasbourg backed a controversial anti-terrorism agreement
Swiss immigration quotas draw EU criticism
European Union leaders have sharply criticised Switzerland's decision to re-introduce immigration quotas on workers from eight EU member states
Italy to miss deficit target as recession deepens
The Italian government has admitted that it will not meet its target of balancing its budget in 2013, putting back the deadline after warning that the country will suffer a deeper than expected recession
UK plans for human rights court changes criticised
The British government's plans to reform the European Court of Human Rights have been sharply criticised by opposition politicians and campaign groups
Sweden and Denmark pledge new IMF loans
Sweden and Denmark have joined Japan in pledging increased contributions to the International Monetary Fund as it looks to strengthen its financial firewall
'All options open' as EU reacts to Argentina oil firm grab
Argentina's decision to expropriate Spanish company Repsol's majority stake in oil firm YPF has been condemned as "seriously disappointing" and "a cause for great concern" by European Union leaders
EU looks to enforce rules on economic statistics
EU member states will have to sign documents pledging to produce accurate and independently gathered economic statistics – with their adherence to the rules strictly monitored by the European Commission
EU needs 18m jobs by 2020 to meet employment target
The European Commission will put the green economy, plus healthcare and ICT, at the forefront of its efforts to create 18 million jobs by 2020
EU commits to sustainable energy targets
The EU will commit hundreds of millions of euros to an effort to extend access to sustainable energy to 500 million people in developing countries by 2030 as part of a UN-led scheme
Commission to investigate mobile wallet project
A joint venture between the United Kingdom's biggest mobile network operators to allow customers to pay for goods using their smartphones faces an anti-trust investigation by the European Commission
Airlines call for US recognition of EU air cargo security
Airlines have called on the United States to recognise that European air cargo security standards are as rigorous as its own
Controversial North Korea rocket launch fails
A controversial long-range North Korean rocket launch ended in failure, crashing into the Yellow Sea just minutes after launch, it has been confirmed
Brussels wants strict limits on bank bonuses
Bankers' bonuses could be strictly limited under proposals put forward by members of an influential committee in the European Parliament
UK helicopter 'may have seen' stranded Libyan refugees
A British or American helicopter may have seen and been able to rescue 72 refugees who fled Tripoli by boat in the early days of NATO's military operation in Libya last year, according to a new report
S&P warns of key risks to bank credit ratings
The emergency liquidity provided by governments and central banks has offered vital "breathing space" and banks' credit worthiness will rely on this support until confidence is restored, says S&P