European Union cracks down on rebellion
Brussels has condemned Spain for planning to go against European Commission rules and not focus on its targets.
Cameron to block EU-wide financial transaction tax
British Prime Minister David Cameron will block attempts to introduce EU-wide financial transaction tax based on fears of harming jobs and prosperity.
More pie, archbishop?
A prankster has released footage of the leader of Belgium's Catholic Church, mired in sex and homophobia scandals, being hit by custard pies.
Lifting sanctions will give Zim a chance, says Zuma
Jacob Zuma on Wednesday told European parliamentarians that lifting sanctions against Zimbabwe would help the country work through its problems.
EU unveils reforms to make markets safer
Banks will be more closely scrutinised under EU plans unveiled on Wednesday to apply lessons from the credit crunch and better protect investors.
Eurozone will not splinter, say officials
Spiralling state debt is fuelling concern that the eurozone could splinter despite official assurances that a break-up is all but impossible.
EU ministers to review economic recovery plan
EU finance ministers met in Brussels on Tuesday to discuss how to mitigate one of the bloc's sharpest economic downturns in decades.
Massive EU online library looks to compete with Google
Inspired by ancient Alexandria's attempt to collect the world's knowledge, the EU launches on Thursday its Europeana digital library.
EU's 'Barroso billion' for Africa faces snag
European Commission president José Manuel Barroso's plan to grant €1-billion in aid for African farmers has run into trouble over financing.
EU 'on track' for Kyoto goals, but problems remain
The European Union is on track to hit its short-term target for reducing emissions of the gases that create global warming, but challenges remain.
Swiss bank to cut 5 500 jobs
UBS, the Swiss bank that has been Europe's biggest casualty of the credit crunch, is to axe 5 500 jobs. Of those 2 600 face compulsory redundancy, mainly in its stricken investment banking arms in London and New York, as it struggles to regain its reputation and investor confidence.
UK agency says Microsoft hurts student interests
A British government agency has told the European Commission that Microsoft Office works poorly with rival software used in British schools. Programs must meet the same standards to work together but the British agency said Microsoft offers only its own "open standard" rather than effective support for Open Document Format.
Transatlantic trade row looms over biodiesel
European biodiesel producers said they were asking Brussels on Friday to impose punitive import duties on United States biodiesel but their US rivals said they would hit back with a complaint of their own. The trade in biofuels has surged due to growing demand for alternatives to fossil fuels as a way to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
InBev on verge of talks with Anheuser, SABMiller soars
World number two brewer InBev was on the verge of merger talks with Anheuser Busch, a newspaper said on Tuesday, while consolidation fever drove up shares in global leader SABMiller. SABMiller shares shot up as much as 8,2% to a 19-week high of £13,24.
IMF chief says worst of financial crisis is over
The worst of the financial-sector crisis is over, although the impact on the broader economy will likely drag on in coming months, International Monetary Fund (IMF) managing director Dominique Strauss-Kahn said on Thursday. "There are good reasons to believe that the largest part of disclosure in financial institutions has been done," he said.
Microsoft appeals against record EU antitrust fine
Microsoft on Friday lodged an appeal at a European court against the record €899-million fine imposed on it by the EU Commission for defying a landmark anti-trust ruling. "Microsoft today filed with the Court of First Instance an application to annul the Commission decision of February 27," a spokesperson for the US software giant said in Brussels.
EU puts Galileo test satellite into orbit
The European Union launched the second and final test satellite for its $5,3-billion rival to the United States Global Positioning System on Sunday, brushing off industry doubts over its viability. The Galileo project, Europe's biggest single space programme, has been plagued by delays and squabbling over funding.
Georgia says it's 'very close' to war with Russia
Russia's deployment of extra troops in the breakaway Georgian region of Abkhazia has brought the prospect of war "very close", a minister of ex-Soviet Georgia said on Tuesday. Separately, the "foreign minister" of the breakaway Black Sea region was quoted as saying it was ready to hand over military control to Russia.
Georgia accuses Russia of military aggression
Georgia on Wednesday slammed Russia's plans to boost peacekeeping troops in two rebel Georgian regions as the start of "full-scale military aggression". "It's hard to believe that this is being done for the purposes of peacekeeping; it's rather the beginning of full-scale military aggression," Georgian Foreign Minister David Bakradze said.
Former DRC leader seeks release after war-crimes arrest
Former Democratic Republic of Congo leader Jean-Pierre Bemba on Wednesday asked Belgian authorities to release him and vowed to cooperate with the International Criminal Court (ICC) that ordered his arrest for alleged war crimes. He was arrested on Saturday in a suburb of the Belgian capital, Brussels, on an ICC warrant.
