Swiss Defence Minister Martin Pfister said on Monday in Berlin that “Switzerland wants and is ready to take responsibility for its own security, but also to meet the expectations of other European countries that Switzerland, too, should contribute to the security of our continent. We want to live up to…

In a new attempt to put the West under economic pressure, Iran is floating the idea of imposing “access fees” on undersea internet cables crossing the Strait of Hormuz, a move that could further strain global trade following the passage’s blockage. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT The plan was first laid out by…

Published on 20/05/2026 – 12:09 GMT+2 European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told EU lawmakers that the bloc must tear down remaining barriers in its internal market to compete in the current geopolitical climate. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT “We must finish what we started. We must remove the barriers that still…

Published on 20/05/2026 – 11:13 GMT+2 The US is due to announce major cuts to the number of troops available to Europe in the event of an invasion or war. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT The decision comes as part of pre-planned changes to the US force posture in Europe and was initially…

Hours after negotiators finalised their conditions for a contentious EU-US trade deal agreed to last summer, top European Parliament negotiator Bernd Lange has defended the pace and the scope of the agreement – but warned that Europe will never be out of the woods while US President Donald Trump is…

Published on 20/05/2026 – 7:53 GMT+2•Updated 8:25 Also on today’s show: ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Explainer by Jakub Janas: Putin visits Xi Jinping — what does it mean for Europe? Interviews with Sir Chris Bryant, UK Minister of State for Trade, Colonel Martin L. O’Donnell, Chief of Public Affairs at NATO SHAPE,…

EU governments and the European Parliament struck a provisional deal on May 7th to amend the AI Act, the landmark legislation that entered into force in August 2024. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT The deal delays tough rules on high-risk AI systems covering biometrics, critical infrastructure, law enforcement, and employment decisions by 16…

Published on 20/05/2026 – 2:31 GMT+2 Diplomats and MEPs reached an agreement late on Tuesday to implement the contentious EU-US agreement, which eliminates duties on most US industrial goods imported into Europe. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT The negotiations concluded two weeks after US President Donald Trump threatened to impose 25% tariffs on…

Published on 19/05/2026 – 19:28 GMT+2•Updated 19:35 The European Commission kept its carbon border tax unchanged in a fertiliser plan announced on Tuesday meant to support struggling farmers, despite complaints that carbon pricing is also contributing prices amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Fertiliser producers argue that…

Updated: 19/05/2026 – 19:38 GMT+2 Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel was awarded the European Order of Merit on Tuesday. Merkel warned that Europe could no longer take peace and security for granted following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. She also said changes in US security policy showed old certainties were fading.…