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☆ E.U. Privacy Rule Would Rein In the Hunt for Online Child Sex Abuse
▼ + stars: | 2020-12-04 | by ( Gabriel J.X. Dance | Adam Satariano | ) www.nytimes.com sentiment -0.99 time to read: +1 min

Privacy concerns in Europe have led to some of the world’s toughest restrictions on companies like Facebook and Google and the ways they monitor people online. A rule scheduled to take effect on Dec. 20 would inhibit the monitoring of email, messaging apps and other digital services in the European Union. It would also restrict the use of software that scans for child sexual abuse imagery and so-called grooming by online predators. European officials have spent the past several weeks trying to negotiate a deal allowing the detection to continue. But some privacy groups and lawmakers argue that while the criminal activity is abhorrent, scanning for it in personal communications risks violating the privacy rights of Europeans.

Organizations: Facebook, Google, European Union Locations: Europe

☆ Asia stocks set for small gains as U.S. advances fiscal stimulus
▼ + stars: | 2020-12-03 | by ( Jessica Dinapoli | ) www.reuters.com sentiment -0.97 time to read: +1 min

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Investors in Asia geared up for modest stock gains on Friday as U.S. legislators wrangled over a fiscal stimulus and negotiations over a Brexit trade deal continued. FILE PHOTO: A woman looks at a screen showing Nikkei index outside a brokerage in Tokyo, Japan October 2, 2020. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-HoonA $908 billion U.S. coronavirus aid plan gained momentum in U.S. Congress on Thursday, buoying U.S. markets. Japan’s Nikkei 225 futures added 0.13% and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index futures were flat. The dollar cratered on Thursday to its weakest level in more than 2-1/2 years as signs of progress toward U.S. fiscal stimulus and optimism about COVID-19 vaccines kept investors hopeful.

Persons: wrangled, Kim Kyung, ”, Ray Attrill, Australia’s Organizations: YORK, REUTERS, Congress, buoying, National Australia Bank, European Union, Nikkei, Nasdaq, Tesla Inc, Pfizer Inc, Dow Jones, U.S, Treasury, Brent Locations: Asia, Tokyo, Japan, buoying U.S, Sydney, Britain

☆ Asian shares hit record high as U.S. stimulus seen within reach
▼ + stars: | 2020-12-03 | by ( Hideyuki Sano | ) www.reuters.com + 0.00 time to read: +4 min

TOKYO (Reuters) - Asian shares scaled a record high on Friday on the growing prospect of a large U.S. economic package, while hopes that vaccine rollouts will boost the global economy underpinned investor sentiment. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-HoonMSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan rose 0.6%, surpassing its Nov. 25 peak, while Japan’s Nikkei dipped 0.4% on profit-taking. Progress in developing COVID-19 vaccines also led investors to bet a recovery in corporate earnings will accelerate next year, overriding any concerns about the current dire conditions of the pandemic. The MSCI’s emerging market currency index stood at 2 1/2-year high, having gained more than 10% from its March trough. Brent crude rose to as high as $49.92 per barrel, its highest price since early March and last stood at $49.59.

Persons: Kim Kyung, ”, Norihiro Fujito, Mitsubishi UFJ, Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley, “, Brent Organizations: REUTERS, Nikkei, Wall Street Journal, Pfizer, U.S, Congress, Mitsubishi, Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan, Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities, U.S . Federal Reserve, European Central Bank, “ Stock, European Union, Britain, of, Petroleum Locations: TOKYO, U.S, Tokyo, Japan, Asia, Pacific, New York, COVID, United States, California, Russia, OPEC

☆ Brexit trade talks going backwards: Sky News
▼ + stars: | 2020-12-03 | by ( Reuters Staff | ) www.reuters.com sentiment -1.00 time to read: 1 min

FILE PHOTO: EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier wearing a face mask arrives for Brexit talks in London, Britain, November 29, 2020. REUTERS/Toby MelvilleLONDON (Reuters) - The trade talks between Britain and the European Union have gone backwards and the expectation that the bloc’s Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier would return to London over the weekend to seal a deal may not be fulfilled, Sky News said on Thursday. “Despite intense negotiations over past 24 hours (fuelled by pizza and sandwiches) told by UK source that ‘talks have gone backwards a bit today’,” Sky’s political editor Beth Rigby said on Twitter. Rigby said an EU source said the expectation was Barnier would return to Brussels and then come back to UK over the weekend to close a deal, but the disagreements mean this may no longer happen.

Persons: Michel Barnier, Brexit, Toby Melville LONDON, ”, Beth Rigby, Rigby Organizations: REUTERS, European Union, Sky News, Twitter Locations: London, Britain, EU, Brussels

☆ UK-EU Brexit talks are continuing: UK government source
▼ + stars: | 2020-12-03 | by ( Reuters Staff | ) www.reuters.com sentiment -1.00 time to read: 1 min

FILE PHOTO: Puzzle with printed EU and UK flags is seen in this illustration taken November 13, 2019. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/IllustrationLONDON (Reuters) - Talks between Britain and the European Union over a trade deal are continuing, a British government source said, after reports they suffered fresh problems on Thursday afternoon because of disagreements about guarantees of a level-playing field.

Persons: Dado Ruvic Organizations: REUTERS, European Union Locations: Britain

☆ EU sources do not expect UK trade deal on Thursday night
▼ + stars: | 2020-12-03 | by ( Reuters Staff | ) www.reuters.com sentiment -0.86 time to read: 1 min

FILE PHOTO: European Union flags flutter in front of the European Commission headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, October 2, 2019. REUTERS/Yves HermanBRUSSELS (Reuters) - Three European Union officials said they did not expect a new UK trade agreement to come together on Thursday night, as the estranged allies appeared closer than ever to agreeing their post-Brexit partnership from 2021.

Persons: Yves Herman BRUSSELS Organizations: European Commission, REUTERS, European Union Locations: Brussels, Belgium

☆ Brexit talks worsen with new EU demands, says BBC's Kuenssberg citing UK source
▼ + stars: | 2020-12-03 | by ( Reuters Staff | ) www.reuters.com sentiment -1.00 time to read: 1 min

FILE PHOTO: European Union chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier and British Prime Minister's Europe adviser David Frost are seen at the start of post-Brexit trade deal talks between the EU and the United Kingdom, in Brussels, Belgium March 2, 2020. Oliver Hoslet/Pool via REUTERSLONDON (Reuters) - The trade talks between Britain and the European Union suffered fresh problems on Thursday afternoon with the European bloc introducing new elements to the talks, the BBC’s political editor Laura Kuenssberg said. “Sounds like Brexit talks have gone worse this afternoon,” she said on Twitter. “A senior govt source says ‘at the eleventh hour, the EU is bringing new elements into the negotiation. A breakthrough is still possible in the next few days but that prospect is receding’,” she said.

Persons: Michel Barnier, David Frost, Oliver Hoslet, Laura Kuenssberg, ”, “ Organizations: Union, EU, REUTERS LONDON, European Union, Twitter Locations: Europe, United Kingdom, Brussels, Belgium, Britain

☆ High-speed internet lines to surge in Europe as virus boosts demand: study
▼ + stars: | 2020-12-03 | by ( Reuters Staff | ) www.reuters.com + 0.79 time to read: +1 min

FILE PHOTO: A man looks at his iPhone in Rome September 11, 2012. REUTERS/Max RossiMILAN (Reuters) - The number of high speed fibre optic broadband lines in Europe is expected to more than double over the next six years from last year’s levels as the COVID-19 pandemic accelerates demand for faster internet services, a study showed on Thursday. Houses passed is an industry term meaning the potential number of premises a service provider could connect to high-speed fibre optic broadband. According to the forecasts, the number of subscribers in the EU and Britain will increase to around 148 million in 2026 from 70.4 million in 2019. Among factors boosting fibre-to-the-home adoption across Europe, the report cites switch off plans for old-copper networks and a strong commitment by governments to fibre optic rollout plans.

Persons: Max Rossi MILAN, “ Organizations: REUTERS, European Union, Britain, FTTH, EU Locations: Rome, Europe, Germany, Britain, Italy

☆ Britain to cover COVID-19 vaccine side-effects under damages scheme
▼ + stars: | 2020-12-03 | by ( Reuters Staff | ) www.reuters.com + 0.00 time to read: +2 min

(Reuters) - Britain will pay individuals who suffer any severe side-effects from COVID-19 vaccines under an existing programme, the government said on Thursday, ahead of a rollout of Pfizer and BioNTech’s vaccine in the country following emergency approval. A man wearing a protective mask uses a phone at a bus stop, amidst the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in London, Britain December 3, 2020. REUTERS/Henry NichollsCOVID-19 will be added as a "precautionary step" to the list of diseases covered for potential liabilities under the Vaccine Damage Payments Scheme (VDPS), the Department of Health and Social Care said. It would be much better if the government set up a bespoke scheme for COVID-19,” said Duncan Fairgrieve, of the British Institute of International and Comparative Law. Britain said it would continue to monitor the safety of Pfizer and BioNTech’s vaccine after the country on Wednesday became the first in the Western world to approve a COVID-19 vaccine.

Persons: Henry Nicholls COVID, Britain's VDPS, ”, Duncan Fairgrieve Organizations: Reuters, Pfizer, REUTERS, Department of Health, Social Care, British Institute of International, Comparative Law, Wednesday, European Union Locations: Britain, COVID, London

☆ More than 400 lawmakers from 34 countries back 'Make Amazon Pay' campaign
▼ + stars: | 2020-12-03 | by ( Paul Sandle | ) www.reuters.com sentiment -0.91 time to read: +2 min

LONDON (Reuters) - More than 400 lawmakers from 34 countries have signed a letter to Amazon.com Inc boss Jeff Bezos backing a campaign that claims the tech giant has “dodged and dismissed … debts to workers, societies, and the planet,” organisers said. FILE PHOTO: The logo of Amazon is seen at the company logistics center in Lauwin-Planque, northern France, February 20, 2017. REUTERS/Pascal Rossignol/File PhotoThe “Make Amazon Pay” campaign was launched on Nov. 27 - the annual Black Friday shopping bonanza - by a coalition of over 50 organisations, with demands including improvements to working conditions and full tax transparency. It says its profits remain low given retail is a highly competitive, low margin business and it invests heavily. Amazon disagreed with the EU assertions, saying it represented less than 1% of the global retail market and there were larger retailers in every country in which it operated.

Persons: Jeff Bezos, Pascal, Congresswomen Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib, Jeremy Corbyn, Heidi Hautala, “ Organizations: Inc, REUTERS, UK Labour Party, International, UNI Global Union, European Union Locations: Lauwin, France

☆ Farmers angered by pandemic rules to play key role in Romanian election
▼ + stars: | 2020-12-03 | by ( Radu-Sorin Marinas | ) www.reuters.com + 0.00 time to read: +3 min

Limits put in place to slow the spread of the coronavirus have angered many farmers, a key constituency in the largely-agricultural eastern European state, swelling support for the leftist PSD party that now controls parliament. His promise had galvanised many in the Black Sea state, rocked by a jail sentence handed to Liviu Dragnea, a long-time PSD party senior. “All farmers say this government is guilty,” said 46-year-old farmer Daniela Catana from a small Teleorman village some 50 km (30 miles) southwest of Bucharest. “They began to do stupid things that affected us, all those decisions related to the pandemic,” said the mother of two. Some 80% of Romania’s fruit and vegetable output is sold by individual farmers in such markets, built in neighbourhoods of rundown communist-era apartment blocs in large cities.

Persons: Ludovic Orban, Liviu Dragnea, Orban, ”, Daniela Catana, Catana, “, Costel Organizations: PSD, National Liberal Party, PNL, European Union Locations: BUCHAREST, Bucharest, Romania

☆ Data sharing confusion four weeks before Brexit completes
▼ + stars: | 2020-12-03 | by ( Gabriela Baczynska | ) www.reuters.com + 0.00 time to read: +3 min

FILE PHOTO: A British Union Jack flag flutters outside the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium January 30, 2020. As talks go down to the wire, options range from upholding free commerce and other cooperation to an abrupt split. If there is an agreement, Britain’s data access would still be reduced, but by how much remains unclear. But that would not come into effect if they fail to agree on a new free trade deal and end up with a rupturous end to the years-long Brexit crisis. Britain’s mission to the EU hub Brussels had no comment, saying negotiations between London and the bloc were ongoing.

Persons: Francois Lenoir, Theresa May, Ben Rapp, ”, Rapp Organizations: REUTERS, European Union, EU, police Locations: BRUSSELS, Jack, Brussels, Belgium, Britain, Schengen, PRUM, Europol, Eurojust, France, Austria, British, EU, London, Europe

☆ Britain to press ahead with Brexit treaty-breaking laws next week
▼ + stars: | 2020-12-03 | by ( Reuters Staff | ) www.reuters.com sentiment -1.00 time to read: +1 min

FILE PHOTO: Britain's Leader of the House of Commons Jacob Rees-Mogg arrives to attend a Cabinet meeting at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in London, Britain December 1, 2020. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls/File PhotoLONDON (Reuters) - Legislation that breaks Britain’s Brexit withdrawal treaty will be debated in parliament next week, House of Commons Leader Jacob Rees-Mogg said on Thursday, a move which could further undermine talks on a trade deal with the European Union. Britain’s upper house of parliament voted last month to remove clauses in the Internal Market Bill which broke international law, but the government intends to reinstate them in the lower chamber on Monday. The Internal Market Bill - designed to protect trade between the four nations of the United Kingdom - prompted fury in the EU when it was first introduced because it unpicked the terms of a divorce agreement both sides signed in January. Brussels has launched legal action against Britain and Ireland has warned that breaking the treaty could destroy the trust needed to reach a trade deal.

Persons: Jacob Rees, Mogg, Henry Nicholls Organizations: Foreign and Commonwealth Office, REUTERS, European Union, Britain Locations: London, Britain, United Kingdom, Brussels, Ireland

☆ Breakingviews - Vaccine bottlenecks are main obstacle to recovery
▼ + stars: | 2020-12-03 | by ( Aimee Donnellan | ) www.reuters.com + 0.00 time to read: +2 min

LONDON (Reuters Breakingviews) - A speedy vaccine rollout faces several bottlenecks. Britain’s medical regulator on Wednesday said the Covid-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech was safe to use, clearing the way for healthcare workers and nursing home residents to receive shots as early as next week. Even so, with polls showing 40% of Americans are unwilling to take a vaccine, getting to 70% will be a challenge. Though authorities are unlikely to give people a choice, some may resist a vaccine they think is less likely to work. After the medical triumph of quickly developing effective and safe vaccines, the speed of the rollout is now the main obstacle to reopening stricken economies.

Persons: BioNTech, doesn’t Organizations: Brussels International Airport, LONDON, Reuters, Pfizer, European Union, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Manpower Locations: Brussels, Belgium, United States, Germany

☆ Moldova's incoming president stages protests in tussle over control of intelligence service
▼ + stars: | 2020-12-03 | by ( Alexander Tanas | ) www.reuters.com sentiment -0.99 time to read: +2 min

CHISINAU (Reuters) - Thousands of supporters of Moldova’s incoming president Maia Sandu protested on Thursday against a move by parliament to strip her of control of the intelligence service weeks before she takes office. FILE PHOTO: Maia Sandu, winner of the second round of a presidential election, attends a news conference in Chisinau, Moldova November 16, 2020. Sandu has described the move to strip her office of control of the Information and Security Service as “an attempt to usurp power” and hobble her presidency. Inside parliament, proceedings were suspended after lawmakers from Sandu’s party, supported by others, blocked the central rostrum. Sandu struck a conciliatory tone following her election victory and addressed supporters in Russian at the rally.

Persons: Maia Sandu, Vladislav Culiomza, Igor Dodon, hobble, “, ”, Sandu’s, Dodon Organizations: REUTERS, World Bank, European Union, Socialist, Security Service, Socialists, Romanian Locations: CHISINAU, Chisinau, Moldova, Moscow, West, Russia, Ukraine, EU, Romania, Sandu’s, Russian, Transdniestria

☆ Gaps to bridge in Brexit trade talks still 'substantial': EU diplomat
▼ + stars: | 2020-12-03 | by ( Reuters Staff | ) www.reuters.com + 0.95 time to read: 1 min

Persons: ” Organizations: European Union Locations: BRUSSELS, Britain, EU

☆ Gaps to bridge in Brexit talks still 'substantial': EU diplomat
▼ + stars: | 2020-12-03 | by ( Gabriela Baczynska | ) www.reuters.com sentiment -0.75 time to read: +2 min

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Britain and the European Union still need to bridge “quite substantial” gaps in their trade talks, an EU diplomat said on Thursday, expressing scepticism that a new partnership agreement could come together imminently. “We are not hours away from a deal, what we still need to agree is quite substantial,” said the person, speaking on condition of anonymity. The diplomat said there was still a major gap on fisheries and the EU could not agree with the UK’s position on state aid, as well as other guarantees of fair competition. Politically speaking, fisheries is a very important factor because of the way it plays into domestic politics in France,” said the person. The diplomat refused to put a new deadline on the EU-UK talks after many have already been breached.

Persons: ” Organizations: European Union, EU Locations: BRUSSELS, Britain, EU, France, Belgium, Netherlands

☆ France Mourns Former President Valéry Giscard d’Estaing, a Modernizing Force in Europe
▼ + stars: | 2020-12-03 | by ( Sam Schechner | ) www.wsj.com + 1.00 time to read: +1 min

PARIS—France mourned former President Valéry Giscard d’Estaing Thursday, paying tribute to a statesman who helped modernize the country and develop the European Union. He died Wednesday evening at the age of 94 from complications related to Covid-19, his foundation said. Mr. Giscard d’Estaing steered France through a period of sweeping social and economic modernization. During his time as president, from 1974 to 1981, France lowered its voting age to 18, allowed divorce by mutual consent and legalized abortion, a fight spearheaded by his health minister, Simone Veil. He worked across borders to develop multilateral institutions that would allow Western allies to coordinate in fighting global crises and cooperate in setting economic and foreign policy.

Persons: PARIS —, Valéry Giscard, Giscard d’Estaing, Simone Veil, ”, Emmanuel Macron, Mr, Macron Organizations: PARIS, European Union, European Monetary Union Locations: PARIS — France, European, France, Germany

☆ European shares make slight moves on Brexit, stimulus uncertainty
▼ + stars: | 2020-12-03 | by ( Reuters Staff | ) www.reuters.com sentiment -1.00 time to read: +1 min

FILE PHOTO: The German share price index DAX graph is pictured at the stock exchange in Frankfurt, Germany, November 25, 2020. REUTERS/Staff(Reuters) - European shares made lacklustre moves at the open on Thursday, awaiting more signals from Brexit negotiators, while tracking progress in stimulus measures and vaccines as economies still reeled from the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. The UK and the European Union might have made enough progress to agree to a trade deal in the next few days, the BBC reported, less than five weeks ahead of Britain’s exit from the bloc. The pan-European STOXX 600 index was little changed. Eyes will be on services PMIs from the euro zone economies due in the morning session.

Organizations: REUTERS, Staff, Reuters, European Union, BBC, FTSE, United, Pfizer, Wall, U.S . House Locations: Frankfurt, Germany, Wednesday’s, United Kingdom, Asia, China

☆ European shares end flat; Miners, Rolls-Royce lift FTSE 100 to six-month high
▼ + stars: | 2020-12-03 | by ( Susan Mathew | ) www.reuters.com + 0.00 time to read: +2 min

(Reuters) - European shares ended little changed on Thursday, as a surge in material stocks and Rolls-Royce helped counter downbeat business activity data from the region and Brexit trade deal uncertainty. REUTERS/StaffLondon’s FTSE 100 reversed losses to hit a six-month high, up 0.4%, with miners Rio Tinto, Glencore and Anglo American providing the biggest boosts on record iron ore prices and buoyant copper. Rolls-Royce surged 16% to top London’s blue-chip index, as well as the pan-European STOXX 600 benchmark after a report said it was considering a possible re-entry into the narrow-body jetliner market. Keeping sentiment in check was cautious comments on a post-Brexit trade deal between Britain and the European Union. The STOXX 600 has recovered about 45% from March lows, with November’s bumper rally lifting it from a downtrend, but it still remains close to 10% below its highs this year.

Persons: Staff London’s, ”, Teeuwe Mevissen, Germany’s DAX, Andrew Kenningham Organizations: Reuters, Royce, REUTERS, Staff, FOX, European Union, Rabobank, IHS, PMI, CAC, European Central Bank, ECB, Capital Economics Locations: Frankfurt, Germany, Rio Tinto, Glencore, American, Britain, Amsterdam, Europe, United States

☆ Good progress being made on Brexit trade deal, British minister says
▼ + stars: | 2020-12-03 | by ( Reuters Staff | ) www.reuters.com sentiment -0.98 time to read: +1 min

FILE PHOTO: Britain's Secretary of State for Education Gavin Williamson attends a Cabinet meeting of senior government ministers at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in London, Britain, September 1, 2020. REUTERS/Toby Melville/PoolLONDON (Reuters) - Good progress is being made by Britain and the European Union in Brexit trade negotiations but Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s government will not sign up to a deal that is not in Britain’s interest, Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said on Thursday. “We always expect negotiations to go up to the wire, it’s a very typical situation when you’re having a negotiation with the European Union,” Williamson told Sky. “I’m confident from what I hear that progress, good progress is being made but we’re going to do a deal that is right for Britain, if such a deal is available,” he said. “If such a deal isn’t available then we’re not going to sign up to something that is to our detriment.”

Persons: Education Gavin Williamson, Toby Melville, Boris Johnson’s, Gavin Williamson, “, ” Williamson, Sky, ” Organizations: State, Education, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, REUTERS, European Union Locations: London, Britain, Brexit

☆ 'Good chance' of Brexit trade deal within days, Ireland says
▼ + stars: | 2020-12-03 | by ( Conor Humphries | ) www.reuters.com + 0.00 time to read: +2 min

DUBLIN (Reuters) - There is a good chance that the European Union and Britain could strike a Brexit trade deal within days, Ireland said on Thursday, as the two sides race to avoid a turbulent climax to the Brexit divorce in less than four weeks. And I believe if we do that, there’s a good chance that we can get a deal across the line in the next few days,” Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney told Ireland’s Newstalk Radio. British Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said good progress was being made that but Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s government will not sign up to a deal that is not in Britain’s interest. “I’m confident from what I hear that progress, good progress is being made but we’re going to do a deal that is right for Britain, if such a deal is available,” Williamson told Sky. An agreement means “finding a way to get a fair deal for both sides on fisheries, which has proven really, really difficult,” he said, adding that fair competition and governance were the two other main issues left.

Persons: Ireland, Education Gavin Williamson, Toby Melville, “, Michel Barnier, Simon Coveney, ”, Gavin Williamson, Boris Johnson’s, ” Williamson, Sky, ” Ireland’s Coveney, ” Coveney Organizations: DUBLIN, Reuters, European Union, State, Education, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, REUTERS, Newstalk, British Locations: Britain, London, United Kingdom, Europe, British

☆ 'Significant' gaps make outcome of Brexit trade talks uncertain - EU officials
▼ + stars: | 2020-12-03 | by ( Gabriela Baczynska | John Chalmers | ) www.reuters.com + 0.00 time to read: +3 min

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Significant gaps remain on three main issues at negotiations on a post-Brexit trade deal between Britain and the European Union, and the outcome of the talks is still uncertain, EU officials said on Thursday. FILE PHOTO: A British Union Jack flag flutters outside the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium January 30, 2020. ONLY “A DEAL THAT IS RIGHT”Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney said he hoped for a deal in the next few days. Several EU sources said the next 24-48 hours would be crucial to whether a deal can be agreed. The chamber is also introducing new legislation next week that is widely expected to contain more provisions that overrule parts of the EU exit deal relating to Northern Ireland.

Persons: Francois Lenoir, Rynck, Michel Barnier’s, Boris Johnson’s, “, ” de Rynck, ”, “ We’ve, Simon Coveney, Gavin Williamson, we’re Organizations: European Union, REUTERS, British, EU, Irish, Sky Locations: BRUSSELS, Britain, Jack, Brussels, Belgium, London, Belgian, EU, France, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Northern Ireland

☆ EU-UK trade deal hangs in the balance with four weeks to go
▼ + stars: | 2020-12-03 | by ( Gabriela Baczynska | Elizabeth Piper | ) www.reuters.com + 0.00 time to read: +4 min

FILE PHOTO: A British Union Jack flag flutters outside the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium January 30, 2020. A senior British government source said the prospect of a breakthrough in the next few days was receding. The two are trying to agree rules to govern nearly $1 trillion in annual trade after Britain leaves the EU’s orbit on Dec. 31. The UK chamber is also introducing new legislation next week that is widely expected to contain more provisions that overrule parts of London’s January EU withdrawal agreement deal relating to Northern Ireland. Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney said he hoped for a new trade agreement in the next few days.

Persons: Francois Lenoir, Michel Barnier, de Rynck, ”, “ We’ve, David Frost, Simon Coveney, Gavin Williamson, we’re Organizations: LONDON, European Union, REUTERS, EU, British, Northern Ireland . Irish, Sky Locations: BRUSSELS, Jack, Brussels, Belgium, Britain, London, Belgian, EU, London’s, Northern Ireland

☆ EU envoys urge Britain to compromise to secure Brexit trade deal
▼ + stars: | 2020-12-03 | by ( Gabriela Baczynska | John Chalmers | ) www.reuters.com + 0.00 time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Francois Lenoir/File PhotoSome EU envoys said earlier on Thursday that they were hopeful that a deal could be secured in days and a British minister reported “good progress”. But the British minister also said any deal “must be right” for Britain and one EU envoy later said substantial differences remained at talks. “We are not hours away from a deal, what we still need to agree is quite substantial,” said the EU diplomat. But in a move that could further undermine the trade talks, Britain’s lower house of parliament is set next week to discuss legislation that would breach Britain’s Brexit withdrawal treaty. They could either approve a deal or advance contingency plans to prepare for the impact of no deal being reached.

Persons: Francois Lenoir, ”, “ We’ve, Gavin Williamson, Sky, Michel Barnier, Britain’s David Frost Organizations: European Union, REUTERS, EU Locations: BRUSSELS, London, EU, Jack, Brussels, Belgium, British, Britain, France, Netherlands, United Kingdom

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