- Crude stable after Israel-Iran surge, Hong Kong stocks resume gains
- Hera spacecraft to probe asteroid deflected by defence test
- US dockworkers to head back to work after tentative deal
- After Helene's destruction, North Carolina starts to rebuild
- Dockers end three-day strike at Montreal port
- What next for OpenAI after $157 billion bonanza?
- Israel-Hamas war causes 86-percent dive in Gaza GDP: IMF
- Milan's Morata moves house after Inter-fan town mayor 'violates' privacy
- 'Devastating' storm hits Augusta National but Masters will go on
- Relief in Brazil, Asia over delay to EU deforestation rules
- Oil prices jump, stocks fall on Middle East tensions
- Biden says 'discussing' possible Israeli strikes on Iran oil facilities
- Oil prices rise, stocks fall on Middle East tensions
- Oil rallies, stocks mostly retreat on Middle East tensions
- Phasing out teen smoking could save 1.2 mn lives: study
- 'Welcome relief': Asia producers hail EU deforestation law delay
- Japan PM slated to announce plans for 'happiness index'
- Turkish inflation falls less than expected in September at 49.4%
- Easing inflation lifts profit at UK supermarket Tesco
- Skiing calls on UN climate science to combat melting future
- China wine industry looks to breed climate resilience
- Tokyo rallies on weak yen, Hong Kong drops after surge
- Dutch airline KLM unveils 'firm' cost-cutting measures
- Carpe diem: the Costa Rican women turning fish into fashion
- Senegal looks to aquaculture as fish stocks dwindle
- Will AI one day win a Nobel Prize?
- Climate change, economics muddy West's drive to curb Chinese EVs
- Argentina's Milei vetoes university budget after huge protests
- TotalEnergies plans to grow oil and gas production until 2030
- 2024 Nobels offer glimmer of hope as global crises mount
- Tokyo rallies on weak yen, Hong Kong reverses after surge
- Tunisia readies for vote as incumbent Saied eyes victory
- High childcare costs in US weigh on women's employment
- US voters seek help with crushing childcare costs
- Taiwan shuts down for second day as Typhoon Krathon to land
- Supercharged storms: how climate change amplifies cyclones
- Biden official urges talks as US port strike enters second day
- Huge protests in Argentina over public university cuts
- Rally in oil prices loses steam on mixed day for global stocks
- South America treated to rare 'ring of fire' eclipse
- Biden official says port strike deal not as far as parties think
- Mexico's new president offers apology for 1968 student massacre
- Historic funding round values OpenAI at $157 billion
- Mixed US car sales in Q3 as industry hopes for post-election bounce
- Thunderstorms are a 'boiling pot' of gamma rays, scientists find
- Scientists unlock secret of 'Girl With Pearl Earring'
- Dolphins flash friendly grins when they're ready to play
- Facing backlash, EU moves to delay deforestation rules
- US private sector adds more jobs than expected in September: ADP
- Boys out of critical condition after Zurich stabbings
NGG | -2.7% | 66.97 | $ | |
AZN | -2.12% | 77.93 | $ | |
SCS | -1.98% | 12.62 | $ | |
BP | 0.28% | 32.46 | $ | |
CMSC | -0.16% | 24.74 | $ | |
RIO | -1.42% | 69.83 | $ | |
BCC | -0.9% | 138.29 | $ | |
GSK | -2.81% | 38.37 | $ | |
RYCEF | 1.15% | 6.98 | $ | |
RBGPF | 100% | 58.93 | $ | |
CMSD | -0.16% | 24.89 | $ | |
BTI | -2.45% | 35.11 | $ | |
BCE | -1.77% | 33.84 | $ | |
JRI | -0.6% | 13.3 | $ | |
VOD | -0.52% | 9.69 | $ | |
RELX | -1.46% | 46.61 | $ |
EU launches new legal moves against UK over N. Ireland
The European Commission on Friday launched four new legal proceedings against Britain over London's failure to implement Brexit divorce terms to govern trade with Northern Ireland.
The proceedings by Brussels add to the legal case load after a year-long truce as the EU challenges a British government bid to scrap parts of post-Brexit trade arrangements in Northern Ireland.
London called the move "disappointing". "A legal dispute is in nobody's interests and will not fix the problems facing the people and businesses of Northern Ireland," a government spokesperson said.
The government would review the EU's arguments "and respond in due course".
Outgoing Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government last month unveiled legislation to unilaterally change trading terms for the politically-fraught British province.
The plan is now making its way through parliament.
Earlier the European Commission criticised the UK for failing to implement the so-called Northern Ireland Protocol, "despite repeated calls" from the bloc's parliament and the 27 member states.
"In the spirit of constructive cooperation, we have refrained from launching new internal procedures for over a year to create the space to look for joint solutions with the UK," said EU spokeswoman Arianna Podesta.
"However, the UK's unwillingness to engage with them in a meaningful manner in discussions since last February, and the continued passage of the Northern Ireland Bill through the UK Parliament go directly against the spirit of cooperation."
- Warning -
The EU also accused the UK of investing "little time in explaining the Protocol to people and businesses in Northern Ireland, and did not prepare them adequately for the changes Brexit caused".
The EU said the new proceedings target a series of violations including failure to implement the EU's custom rules, thereby raising the chances of illegal products entering Europe and facilitating fraud.
Britain was also accused of failing to implement EU alcohol excise taxes.
The four legal proceedings will be added to existing ones that also target trade matters on the island of Ireland.
In one of those cases, involving food imports, the EU on Friday warned that it would take Britain to the bloc's European Court of Justice if London fails to take the measures required.
Under the terms of its divorce, Brussels could also suspend portions of the EU-UK trade agreement, sparking a trade war when the economy in Europe is already fragile over the real war in Ukraine.
The protocol requires checks on goods arriving into Northern Ireland from England, Scotland and Wales, to track products that could be potentially headed onwards to the bloc's single market via the Republic of Ireland.
This creates a customs border down the Irish Sea, keeping Northern Ireland in the EU's customs orbit to avoid a politically-sensitive hard border between the British territory and EU member Ireland.
burs-phz/pvh
C.Smith--CPN