News Digest

Iceland looks to fast-track vote on joining EU

The European Commission wants to invest money into border areas. But there won't be any new funds from the EU's current budget. A referendum on resuming membership talks had been expected in 2027, but could come as early as this August.

US to EU: Your bureaucrats are not entitled to anonymity

The fine was the first under the EU’s Digital Services Act and marked a point of no return. Report from U.S. House committee included names of Commission officials while industry employees were redacted.

Forget Le Pen. French politics has a new archvillain.

The far-right National Rally wants to build a firewall around the hard-left France Unbowed. The death of Quentin Deranque has triggered another round of Franco-Italian fighting.

From platinum level to the children’s table: How a multispeed Europe might work

An EU in which different countries get different benefits appears closer than ever. The EU is expected to vote on a plan to create a single market for goods and services by the end of the year.

‘They’re all clowns’: Paris fumes over 2030 Winter Olympics mess

Sébastien Lecornu kicks off his tenure with an effort to rebuild trust with the general public. Turf wars and strategy fights have prevented organizers from making real progress toward their ambitious vision.

Macron announces pick for new budget minister

The incident took place near a university in Lyon. David Amiel, a 33-year-old close ally of the French president, pledges to roll out the 2026 budget agreed only last month.

Macron asks Trump to lift sanctions on former EU tech chief Thierry Breton

U.S. President Donald Trump is set to announce new sanctions against Russia. The sanctions will be in response to Russia’s annexation of Crimea. The move is seen as a major blow to the Obama administration, which has been pushing for the sanctions.

Kyiv condemns ‘blackmail’ by Hungary, Slovakia as energy standoff escalates

Sanctions on EU citizens including Frenchman Thierry Breton were ‘unjustly imposed’ by Washington. Budapest and Bratislava have seized on the closure of a key oil pipeline to threaten to cut off electricity supplies to Ukraine.

Why US-EU defense industrial cooperation matters more than ever

"Limiting U.S. defense industry participation in European procurement programs threatens that partnership and weakens our mutual security," the White House said in a statement. The White House added that the move would not affect the military's ability to defend itself.

EU loses patience following Trump’s latest tariff threat

European Commission demands ‘full clarity’ on Washington’s plans. Top EU trade lawmaker calls to delay a key vote on EU-U.S. trade deal. New U.S.-Argentina deal could undermine protections for European food names.

Trump sends hospital ship to Greenland; Danes say no thank you

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet with U.S. President Donald Trump. Danish prime minister extolled the health care system of Denmark and Greenland. U.K. defense ministry: Joint strike targeted underground arms cache near city of Palmyra.

Lithuanian teenager builds record-breaking snowman

Rokas Rulevičius, 16, from Semeliškės in the Elektrėnai municipality, spent hours each day since January constructing the massive snowman in his family's yard.

Lithuanian school student develops smart helmet after surviving motorcycle crash

Modestas Raila created a universal device that alerts riders if their helmet is not properly fastened. The system emits a warning sound until the helmet is securely strapped. The concept is similar to a car seat belt warning system, but adapted for motorcyclists.

What are Donald Trump’s strike options in Iran?

Why one corner of Europe’s car industry is still booming

The latest viral choreography craze? Line dancing

The AI productivity boom is not here (yet)

Markets are churning furiously beneath a calm surface

India’s VIP culture is out of control

Ruling for the rich: Evidence of a pro-wealthy bias on the US Supreme Court

In the 1950s, Democratic- and Republican-appointed justices voted in favour of the wealthier party at roughly similar rates. By 2022, the average Republican- appointed justice votes pro-rich roughly 70% of the time, while the average Democratic-appointed justice does so about 35%.

Geopolitical risk and supply chain diversification

Using parent-affiliate matched data on Japanese multinational corporations, this column shows that firms respond to rising geopolitical risk by diversifying production from China to ASEAN economies. The findings highlight a shift towards supply chain resilience through regional diversification.

Is the sale of Schroders really so bad for the City?

F&G sells life reinsurer to create company led by Blackstone veteran

Schroders chief vows to keep wealth manager Cazenove after £9.9bn takeover

Gold enters the storybook stage

Data centres seek credit ratings to unlock billions in funding for AI push

Lebanon eyes sale of gold reserves to rescue banks and the economy

Korean ‘ants’ pile into leveraged funds to profit from stock market boom

Japan mines Pacific Ocean mud for rare earths to counter China’s chokehold

Have investors moved on from AI disruption scares?

Earnings and AI fears drive ‘extreme’ churn in US stock market

Greece eyes central role in Europe’s post-Russia gas market