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Kylie Minogue wows at Nobel Peace Prize concert
US seeks enforcement of WTO ruling against Airbus subsidies
Washington - The United States on Friday asked the World Trade Organization to enforce a ruling against the European Union's subsidies for aerospace manufacturer Airbus.
Spain slashes budget, boosts company tax to cut deficit
Madrid - Spain on Friday announced a drastic austerity budget, proposing savings of 27 billion euros (35 billion dollars) amid growing international concern over its fiscal health.
Spain announced tough austerity budget
Madrid - Spain announced a drastic austerity budget Friday, aimed at calming growing international concern over its fiscal health.
Troika: Greece falling short on speedy reforms, political unity
Brussels - Greece's international lenders on Tuesday painted a grim picture of the progress made on getting its economy back on track, bemoaning the dearth of political unity in Athens and the slow implementation of contentious austerity measures and reforms.
Ashton's snafu with Israel due to incorrect transcript
Tel Aviv/Brussels - European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton was put on the defensive Tuesday, after one of her speeches appeared to compare the killing of three Jewish children in France to the situation of Palestinian children in the Gaza Strip.
Greece to receive first loans from new EU-IMF bailout on Monday
Brussels - Greece will receive the first loans from its latest bailout on Monday, say European Union officials, while documents showed the new international rescue package for the country to be worth 172.6 billion euros (225.7 billion dollars).
EU, US, Japan in new rare earth WTO case against China
Beijing/Brussels/Washington - The European Union, United States and Japan on Tuesday filed a new challenge before the World Trade Organization (WTO) over China's restrictions on trade in the rare earth elements key to the production of electronic and other goods.
Boeing loses latest WTO round in subsidy dispute with Airbus
Geneva - The World Trade Organization (WTO) confirmed on Monday that Boeing had received illegal subsidies, a decision that was seen as a victory by both the US aircraft maker and it European rival Airbus.
EU leaders to announce more sanctions on Syria
Brussels - The European Union will approve yet another round of sanctions against Syria in its bid to pressure President Bashar al-Assad into ending a bloody crackdown on opposition forces, summit papers indicated on Thursday.
EU-Belarus diplomatic tit-for-tat set to continue
Minsk/Brussels - Belarus and the European Union on Thursday looked set to continue their diplomatic tit-for-tat as each side threatened the other with more sanctions.
Minsk warns of 'appropriate countermeasures' to new EU sanctions
Minsk - Belarus has threatened to take unspecified 'appropriate countermeasures' in response to new European Union sanctions imposed this week, a senior adviser to President Aleksandr Lukashenko said in Minsk on Thursday.
Polish premier pledges continued support for Belarusian opposition
Warsaw - Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Wednesday called on the people of Belarus to 'be strong' in the face of fresh European Union sanctions and pledged continued support for its opposition.
Russia's Putin: EU sanctions against Belarus are 'unacceptable'
Moscow - European Union sanctions against Belarus are 'unacceptable', Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday.
Finnish parliament approves Greek debt deal
Helsinki - The Finnish parliament Wednesday voted in favour a 130-billion-euro (174.4-billion-dollar) bailout package for Greece. The bailout was supported by 111 legislators, with 72 voting against. Sixteen were absent.
Myanmar opposition leader advises wait-and-see stance on sanctions
Yangon - Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi on Wednesday recommended the European Union wait until after the upcoming by-election before removing sanctions on her country.
New EU sanctions on Belarus spark diplomatic tit-for-tat
Moscow/Brussels - A European Union decision Tuesday to lay fresh sanctions on Belarus provoked an angry reaction in Minsk and sparked a diplomatic tit-for-tat between the sides, with the 27-member bloc recalling all of its ambassadors.
EU to recall all ambassadors in Belarus, Ashton says
Brussels - European Union governments have decided to recall all their ambassadors in Belarus, in a joint protest against Minsk's recalling of its own diplomatic envoys to Brussels and Warsaw, EU Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton said Tuesday.
Belarus recalls ambassadors following EU sanctions
Moscow/Brussels - Belarus on Tuesday retaliated against a set of new European Union sanctions by recalling its ambassadors from Brussels and Warsaw.
EU not ready to give Spain respite over deficit targets
Brussels - The European Union's executive signalled Tuesday that it was not ready yet to discuss a softening of Spain's deficit targets - a step which would save the country from having to adopt crippling austerity measures amid an economic recession.
Top German court boosts lawmakers' rights on euro bailouts
Berlin - Germany's highest court boosted the rights of the nation's lawmakers to consider euro bailout moves, by ruling Tuesday that urgent decisions on rescue plans could not be made solely by a parliamentary sub-committee.
Top German court give lawmakers rights on euro bailout decisions
Berlin - Germany's highest court boosted the rights of parliamentarians to consider euro bailout moves, by ruling Tuesday that urgent decisions on rescue plans could not be made solely by a parliamentary sub-committee.
'Frustrated' EU ministers heap more sanctions on Syria
Brussels - The European Union on Monday turned up the heat on Syria for what it said is a 'ruthless campaign of repression' on regime opponents, approving new sanctions on the country's central bank, cargo flights, precious metal trade and seven ministers.
German Parliament gives strong backing to Greek debt deal
Berlin - The German parliament gave its resounding approval Monday to a 130-billion-euro (174.4-billion-dollar) bailout for debt-stricken Greece, but a rebellion by government backers hit Chancellor Angela Merkel's support in the chamber.
German parliament backs Greek bailout
Berlin - The German parliament approved Monday an international rescue package for Greece.
Eurozone meeting on Greek bailout confirmed for Thursday
Brussels - Eurozone finance ministers are to meet in Brussels on Thursday to discuss progress with Greece's second bailout package, Luxembourg Prime Minister and Eurogroup chief Jean-Claude Juncker confirmed Monday.
Merkel warns of consequences of Greek default
Berlin - Chancellor Angela Merkel sought Monday to rally German lawmakers behind a 130-billion-euro (174.4-billion-dollar) bailout for debt-stricken Greece, warning of the consequences if Athens defaulted.
Greek rescue can work, EU's Barroso says ahead of Papademos visit
Brussels - Greece's new rescue package can work, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso insisted Monday, ahead of a visit by country's leader and amid German and Dutch suggestions that Athens will need yet more money down the line.
Berlin expects strong backing for Greek debt deal
Berlin - Senior members of German Chancellor Angela Merkel's government expressed confidence Monday that the country's parliament would give its resounding support to a 130-billion-euro (174.4-billion-dollar) bailout for debt-stricken Greece.
EU ministers approve new sanctions, weigh options for Syria
Brussels - The European Union on Monday turned up the heat on the Syrian regime with new sanctions on the country's central bank, cargo flights, precious metal trade and seven ministers.
German parliament due to back Greek debt deal
Berlin - The German parliament appeared set Monday to give its resounding support to a 130-billion-euro (174.4-billion-dollar) bailout for debt-stricken Greece, despite the prospects of several members of Chancellor Angela Merkel's government voting against the plan.
Merkel says Greece must meet conditions of bailout
Berlin - German Chancellor Angela Merkel joined Eurogroup President Jean-Claude Juncker in saying Friday that Greece would only receive a 130-billion-euro (174.4-billion-dollar) bailout after it meets a tough round of conditions.
Merkel rules out Greek exit from eurozone
Berlin - German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday ruled out Greece leaving the eurozone or to Athens being forced into default.
Merkel to meet Juncker ahead of EU summit, German parliament vote
Berlin - German Chancellor Angela Merkel is to meet eurozone group President Jean-Claude Juncker Friday ahead of next week's key European leaders' summit and a vote in the parliament in Berlin on a 130-billion-euro (174.4-billion-dollar) bailout for debt-stricken Greece.
German minister tells Serbia EU membership 'within grasp'
Belgrade/Brussels - German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle on Thursday said formal recognition of Serbia's EU membership was 'within grasp,' if the country took steps towards normalizing relations with Kosovo.
EU talks will lead Serbian recognition, Kosovo premier says
Berlin/Belgrade - European Union-brokered talks in Brussels will result in Serbia recognizing the independence of its former province, Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci predicted on Thursday.
German foreign minister to visit Belgrade to press Serbia on Kosovo
Berlin/Belgrade - German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle was due to visit Belgrade Thursday and press Serbian authorities to move forward in talks with Kosovo and comply with terms the European Union laid out for it to become a membership candidate.
Cypriot finances in good shape despite Greek exposure, EU says
Brussels - Half-a-year after it was posited as the European Union's next bailout victim, Cyprus remains on track to whittle down its deficit to 2.7 per cent, the bloc's executive said Wednesday in the run-up to the island's turn at the rotating EU presidency.
Hungary says EU deficit penalty 'unfair and unfounded'
Brussels - A decision by the European Commission to suspend 495 million euros (656 million dollars) in aid to Hungary over its failure to rein in its budget deficit was 'unfounded and unfair,' Hungarian government officials said Wednesday.
Ashton assures Jordan of EU support for reforms
Amman - European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said Wednesday that EU countries were 'committed' to helping Jordan carry out comprehensive political and economic reforms as part of the 'historical transformations' stemming from the Arab Spring.
Russia threatens to close Siberian airspace over EU emissions tax
Moscow - Russia could close its airspace to European Union airlines flying Far Eastern routes if Brussels continues to insist that Russian carriers acquire licenses for carbon emissions, a senior government official said Wednesday.
EU freezes aid to Hungary over deficit non-compliance
Brussels - The European Union on Wednesday ordered the suspension of 495 million euros (656 million dollars) in aid to Hungary over its failure to bring its budget deficit in line with the bloc's requirements.
Report: EU countries have discussed airstrikes against Somalia
London - Britain and other European Union countries have considered the feasibility of airstrikes to tackle the twin threats of piracy and Islamist insurgency in Somalia, a British newspaper reported on Wednesday.
ANALYSIS: EU goes to bat for new Greek bailout amid scepticism
Brussels - European Union politicians on Tuesday insisted that the new bailout for Greece they approved overnight would solve the country's debt woes, despite scepticism from analysts and even the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
BACKGROUND: The eurozone's new attempt at saving Greece
Brussels - It took more than 12 hours, but in the end eurozone finance ministers managed in the early hours of Tuesday to put the finishing touches to a highly touted new rescue package for Greece.
German expert says Greek aid package is the wrong answer
Munich - An influential German business professor, Wolfgang Gerke, took a sceptical line Tuesday over the 130-billion-euro (172-billion-dollar) rescue package for Greece, saying he still expected Greece to leave the eurozone.
Eurozone ministers squeeze more money into Greek bailout
Brussels - Greece was offered a second bailout early Tuesday after eurozone finance ministers found elaborate ways to top up a 130-billion-euro (172-billion-dollar) rescue package that was no longer enough to save Athens from bankruptcy.
IMF money for Greece depends on boosting euro bailout funds
Brussels - The eurozone should boost its bailout funds if it wants the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to make a 'significant' contribution to a second bailout package for Greece, the head of the Washington-based body said early Tuesday.
Banks to take bigger snip under new Greek bailout deal
Brussels - Eurozone finance ministers struck a deal early Tuesday on a second bailout for Greece worth 130 billion euros (172 billion dollars), which also forced banks to take a deeper cut on outstanding loans to Athens.
Banks to shoulder more losses as part of Greek bailout
Brussels - Banks are to take a bigger hit on loans to Greece as part of a final deal on a second bailout for Greece, a senior EU diplomat said early Tuesday.
Eurozone approves bailout for Greece, diplomats say
Brussels - Eurozone finance ministers have reached an agreement on a second bailout for Greece worth 130 billion euros (172 billion dollars), diplomats in Brussels said early Tuesday after more than 12 hours of negotiations. dpa alv lns
Eurozone finalizing deal on Greek bailout, sources say
Brussels - Eurozone finance ministers were finalizing a deal on a second bailout package for Greece after nearly 12 hours of talks, several diplomats in Brussels said early Tuesday.
Greece willing to make 'sacrifices' as eurozone decides fate
Athens sees riots ahead of eurozone finance ministers meeting
Athens - Protesters clashed with police in Athens over planned austerity measures the night before the eurozone finance ministers were to meet in Brussels Monday to decide on the second Greek bailout package.
Protestors clash with police in Athens
Athens - Protestors clashed with police Sunday evening in Athens as demonstrations against planned austerity measures turned violent, according to radio reports.
Thousands demonstrate against cuts in Athens
Athens - Some 3,000 people demonstrated in central Athens Sunday against planned austerity measures, Greek radio reported, ahead of a crucial meeting of eurozone finance ministers.
Latvian vote could make Russian an EU official language
Brussels - The European Union could start speaking in Russian, if a referendum in Latvia on Saturday succeeds in making it the second official language of the country, the European Commission acknowledged on the eve of the vote.
Tehran denies reported oil cuts to EU
Tehran - The Iranian Oil Ministry on Wednesday denied reports that it had cut oil exports to six European Union nations.
Belgium needs less austerity to meet EU targets, central bank says
Brussels - Belgium may need a less severe austerity package to meet European Union deficit targets than previously predicted, the country's central bank said on Wednesday.
Report: Iran cuts oil exports to six EU countries
Tehran - Iran has cut oil exports to six European Union nations, state-run Press TV reported Wednesday.
China's Hu vows support over EU debt crisis
Beijing - Chinese President Hu Jintao on Wednesday promised EU leaders that China would continue to support Europe through its debt crisis.
Tehran summons six EU ambassadors over sanctions
Tehran - Tehran summoned the ambassadors of six European Union states Wednesday, to protest EU sanctions against the Islamic state, Khabar news network reported.
Report: Sanctions block German ammo to Belarussian biathlon team
Moscow - A European Union ban on arms sales to Belarus has reportedly blocked deliveries of specialised rifle cartridges to the former Soviet republic's strong biathlon team, a government official said on Wednesday.
EU leaders praise China's 'confidence' during euro crisis
Beijing - EU leaders met Chinese President Hu Jintao on Wednesday after they praised China's 'confidence' in the euro and its 'constructive reaction' to the eurozone debt crisis.
EU development commissioner 'fairly optimistic' about Myanmar
Yangon - The European Union's development commissioner ended a visit to Myanmar on a 'fairly optimistic' note on Tuesday, but cautioned that the lifting of economic sanctions on the once pariah regime would hinge on certain conditions.
EU welcomes China's 'positive attitude' to eurozone debt
Beijing - Premier Wen Jiabao expressed a 'positive attitude' towards efforts to stabilize the eurozone and said China was 'ready for a bigger part' in tackling the European Union debt crisis, Chinese and EU officials said after talks on Tuesday.
China's Wen defends policies on Tibetan 'brothers'
Beijing - Premier Wen Jiabao on Tuesday defended China's policies in Tibetan areas, where police have tightened security following a series of anti-government protests this year.
China 'positive' but cautious over eurozone debt
China cautious over buying eurozone debt
Beijing - Chinese and EU leaders met on Tuesday but hopes of China agreeing to buy European debt appeared to be dashed by a senior official's comments ahead of the summit.
EU-China summit to focus on eurozone debt, economy
Beijing - Chinese and EU leaders planned to meet Tuesday to discuss the eurozone debt crisis and a range of economic and political issues.
China, EU to discuss eurozone debt, economy
Beijing - Chinese and EU leaders planned to meet on Tuesday to discuss the eurozone debt crisis and a range of economic and political issues.
EU development commissioner mulls lifting sanctions on Myanmar
Naypyitaw, Myanmar - The European Union's development commissioner on Monday confirmed a 150-million-euro aid package to Myanmar and discussed the possibility of lifting sanctions on the former pariah state if reforms continue.
PREVIEW: China, EU to discuss eurozone, bolster economic links
Beijing - Despite differences on several key issues, China and the European Union are forging a pragmatic relationship based on growing economic interdependence, officials and experts said before an EU-China leaders' summit scheduled for Tuesday.
BACKGROUND: Sanctions against Myanmar
Berlin - Myanmar has been subject to sanctions for decades because of the poor human rights record of the military junta that ruled between 1988-2010.
EU development commissioner arrives in Myanmar
Yangon - The European Union Development Commissioner arrived in Myanmar Sunday where he is expected to announce a 150-million-euro aid package to the former pariah state.
EU to provide 7 million euros for Yemen presidential elections
Sana'a - The European Union is to provide 7 million euros (9.2 million dollars) for supporting presidential elections in Yemen that are set for February 21, the bloc's officials said Saturday.
LEAD: EU seeks India's help on Iran's nuclear programme
New Delhi - The European Union on Friday asked India to use its influence to bring Iran to the negotiating table over its nuclear programme, and Brussels and New Delhi expressed confidence on reaching a free trade deal this year.
EU seeks India's help on Iran's nuclear programme
New Delhi - The European Union on Friday asked India to use its influence to bring Iran to the negotiating table over its nuclear programme, and Brussels and New Delhi expressed confidence on reaching a free trade deal soon.
Trade deal, Iran top agenda for India-EU summit
New Delhi - India and the European Union were expected to give a decisive push Friday to negotiations on a free trade pact at a summit in New Delhi, at which Iran's nuclear programme was also to figure prominently.
EU refuses to deny reports on ECB participation in Greek bailout
Brussels - The European Union's executive refused Wednesday to deny reports indicating that the European Central Bank was ready to contribute to the new bailout being prepared for Greece.
EU sanctions on Syria to target central bank, gold and phosphates
Brussels - European Union foreign ministers are expected to approve a new round of sanctions against Syria in two weeks' time, targeting its central bank and exports of phosphates and gold, a diplomat said Wednesday.
Ukraine: Russia has cut gas shipped to Europe below contract levels
Kiev - Russia has reduced the volume of natural gas shipments being transported to Europe below levels it was contracted to provide, a senior Ukrainian government official said Wednesday.
Juncker backs Franco-German demand for special account for Greece
Berlin/Brussels - Franco-German demands that Greece prioritize debt repayments over other types of government expenditure won the support Tuesday of Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker, who heads the Eurogroup panel of eurozone finance ministers.
EU has no plans to recall ambassador to Syria
Brussels - The European Union does not intend to follow in the footsteps of some of its member states, which have recalled their ambassadors to Syria in response to the ongoing government-sponsored violence there, an official said Tuesday.
More EU sanctions for Syria on the way, diplomats confirm
Brussels - The European Union is preparing a fresh round of sanctions against Syria, following failed attempts at the weekend to pass a critical resolution in the United Nations Security Council, diplomats in Brussels said Monday.
LEAD: Ukraine premier offers increased Russian gas transfer to Europe
Kiev - Ukraine is ready to send more gas to Europe if Russian energy company Gazprom is capable of providing it, Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov said on Monday.
Ukraine premier offers increased Russian gas transfer to Europe
Kiev - Ukraine is ready to send more gas to Europe if Russian energy company Gazprom is capable of providing it, Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov said on Monday.
LEAD: China orders airlines not to pay EU carbon tax
Beijing - The Chinese government on Monday ordered its airlines not to pay a carbon tax imposed by the European Union, saying it breached international civil aviation rules.
China orders airlines not to pay EU carbon tax
Beijing - The Chinese government on Monday ordered its airlines not to pay a carbon tax imposed by the European Union, saying it breached international civil aviation rules.
Report: Russia admits to problems with gas exports to EU
Moscow - Russia has acknowledged European complaints over lower natural gas supplies, with Prime Minister Vladimir Putin saying state energy company Gazprom faced increased Russian demand because of the extreme cold, Interfax news agency reported.
Visa deal brings Kaliningrad closer to the West
Kaliningrad - The new year is well underway, yet Kaliningrad - a Russian enclave on the Baltic Sea - is still in hibernation.
LEAD: Gazprom blames Ukraine for gas cuts to EU
Moscow/Vienna - Officials at the Russian energy giant Gazprom said Thursday they were 'surprised' by reports of a sharp reduction in the amount of its natural gas arriving in EU countries, and blamed it on increased consumption in Ukraine and elsewhere.
Ashton: Russia falling short on its 'responsibilities' with Syria
Brussels - Russia must live up to its 'responsibilities for international peace and security,' the European Union's foreign policy chief said Wednesday, as pressure mounted on the country to stop blocking action by the United Nations Security Council on Syria.
Klaus defends Czech cabinet decision not to join EU fiscal pact
Prague - President Vaclav Klaus has defended the Czech government's decision not to join the European Union fiscal pact, calling the eurozone monetary union a 'tragic mistake,' in an interview published Wednesday on his website.
After winning WTO case, West goes after China's rare earths
Geneva/Beijing - Western countries have just won a trade dispute over Chinese export restrictions on industrial raw materials, but they have already set their sights on a new goal: prying open Beijing's restrictive policies on rare earths.
LEAD: WTO upholds ruling against China in raw materials dispute
Geneva - China lost a dispute over its export restrictions on key raw materials at the World Trade Organization (WTO) on Monday, as the body upheld a ruling that could give other countries greater access to rare commodities.
Turkey ends full support for Nabucco pipeline, to focus on TANAP
Istanbul - Turkey was no longer fully supporting the European Union-backed Nabucco pipeline project to carry Caspian gas to Europe, and is instead prioritizing its own rival TANAP project, an Energy Ministry spokesman told dpa Monday.
China loses WTO case on its raw material export restrictions
Geneva - China lost a dispute over its export restrictions on key raw materials at the World Trade Organization (WTO) on Monday, as the body upheld its ruling overall, effectively telling Beijing to allow more shipments to supply European and North American industries.
Bill on stopping oil sales to EU ready for approval
Tehran - A bill to stop oil sales to European Union countries involved in the oil embargo initiative against Iran was ready to be approved by the Iranian Parliament, the website of the news network Press TV reported Saturday.
Estonia approves EU fiscal union pact
Tallin - The Estonian parliament on Friday approved a European Union fiscal pact that calls for tighter budget rules.
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