EU leaders back stronger trade defences amid Chinese export surge
EU leaders have agreed to strengthen the bloc's trade defences in response to a surge of Chinese exports, while also calling for continued constructive dialogue with Beijing. The decision was taken during talks in Brussels and reflects growing concern in the European Union about industrial vulnerability and supply-chain dependence. Leaders said the bloc must be better equipped to defend its interests and reduce risk.The move comes as the EU's goods trade deficit reached about 360 billion euros last year, underlining the scale of the imbalance with China. According to an EU official, leaders asked the European Commission to continue engaging... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 19 Jun 2026 03:32 LONDON
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Zelensky urges fast-track EU membership for Ukraine at summit
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged the European Union to put Ukraine on a fast-track path to membership, telling an EU summit that Europe's future security is being shaped by the defence of his country. He said Ukraine deserved a place in the bloc and argued that the best guarantee for Europe's future would be to grant Kyiv accelerated accession. His remarks were delivered in a video message posted on X and addressed to leaders gathered for the summit.Zelensky said every democratic nation in Europe deserved to be in the EU and argued that Ukraine had paid a higher price... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 19 Jun 2026 01:02 LONDON
Ireland probe into Aughinish Alumina shipments to Russia to continue beyond EU presidency start
Ireland's enterprise minister has said the investigation into Aughinish Alumina will not be tied to the start of the country's EU presidency on 1 July. Peter Burke said the review into allegations that alumina shipments from the Shannon Estuary plant may be ending up in Russian weapons systems used against Ukraine must take time to establish the facts. He said the process is "very complex" and that the government wants to clarify where the site's product ends up and whether the information already provided by the company is accurate.The probe was ordered by Taoiseach Micheál Martin after media reports raised... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 16 Jun 2026 14:04 LONDON
Hungary passes term-limit reform to block Orban comeback
Hungarian members of parliament have approved a constitutional amendment limiting prime ministerial terms to eight years, in a move that effectively blocks Viktor Orban from a potential return to power. The vote took place in Budapest on Monday and passed overwhelmingly, despite opposition from Orban's Fidesz party. It is one of the first major reforms introduced by Prime Minister Peter Magyar since his Tisza party won April's parliamentary elections.Lawmakers voted 150 in favour, 50 against and six abstained. The reform uses Tisza's constitutional majority in parliament and is described as a major campaign promise of Magyar's party. Magyar has said... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 15 Jun 2026 22:35 LONDON
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EU formally launches accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova amid long reform path
The European Union has formally launched accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova, marking the start of a process that could take years to complete. The opening was marked by an intergovernmental conference in Luxembourg, where Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister Taras Kachka took part as the first stage of negotiations began. The move is a significant diplomatic step for both countries, but it does not by itself guarantee eventual membership.The talks begin with the opening of five key chapters in the accession process, which requires candidate countries to align their laws and institutions with EU rules across 35 policy areas. Kachka... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 15 Jun 2026 22:29 LONDON
Hungary's Fidesz re-elects Viktor Orban as party leader after April election defeat
Hungary's Fidesz party has re-elected Viktor Orban as its leader for another year, despite the party's defeat in April's parliamentary election. Orban ran unopposed at the party congress and won a near-unanimous vote, with 729 of 737 delegates backing him. The result keeps the former prime minister at the head of the governing party as it tries to regroup after losing power to the centre-right Tisza party.Orban told delegates he took full responsibility for Fidesz's election defeat and said he did not intend to step aside. He also said the party needed to change if it was to function as... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 13 Jun 2026 20:29 LONDON
EU agrees to launch membership talks with Ukraine and Moldova
European Union member states have agreed to open accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova, in a move that formally launches the next stage of the two countries' long path towards possible EU membership. The decision was taken by ambassadors from the bloc's 27 nations at a meeting in Brussels, with an intergovernmental conference due to be held on Monday in Luxembourg. That meeting is expected to open key negotiation clusters, marking the start of detailed talks on the conditions for joining the bloc.EU Council president Antonio Costa and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said the decision recognised the... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 12 Jun 2026 20:32 LONDON
