European Union

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Microsoft Tries to Appease EU With Blueprints

But skeptical regulators say it's deja vu from US software giant

(Newser) - Microsoft plans to share the secrets of its most popular products, the company announced today, in an effort to satisfy EU regulators who want the software giant to improve its interoperability. The European Commission did cautiously applaud the move, but noted that Microsoft has already made at least four similar...

Foes Mobilize to Block Blair as First Euro Prez

Iron support for US still rankles

(Newser) - Stiff opposition is mounting against the possibility of former British prime minister Tony Blair being named the first president of Europe. A "Stop Blair" website has been launched, and a cross-party caucus in the European parliament is forming to campaign against him. A new treaty about to be ratified...

Serbia Calls Home US Envoy
Serbia Calls Home US Envoy
Feb 18, 2008 8:26 PM CST

Serbia Calls Home US Envoy

PM vows to pull diplomats from all nations that support Kosovo independence

(Newser) - Serbia called home its US ambassador today to protest America's recognition of Kosovo's independence, the BBC reports. Serbian PM Vojislav Kostunica called the move Serbia's "first urgent measure," and warned that envoys in other countries that recognize Kosovar autonomy will soon be withdrawn.

US, EU States Recognize Independent Kosovo
US, EU States Recognize Independent Kosovo
UPDATED
Feb 18, 2008 11:41 AM CST

US, EU States Recognize Independent Kosovo

Spain withholds nod; prez gets ahead of US State Dept.

(Newser) - The US and major European states recognized Kosovo as an independent state today, reports Reuters. Condoleezza Rice issued an official statement several hours after President Bush jumped the gun by saying in a speech in Africa that Kosovo is "now independent." His Secretary of State said later: "...

Kosovo Independence Splits EU
Kosovo Independence Splits EU
Feb 18, 2008 6:11 AM CST

Kosovo Independence Splits EU

Some fear feisty new nation could inspire separatists elsewhere

(Newser) - A meeting of EU officials today to discuss Kosovo is likely to reveal deep-seated divisions within the European Union. While Britain, France and Germany are expected to recognize the newly independent Kosovo immediately, other states like Cyprus, Greece, Romania and Spain worry about the message such recognition will send to...

EU Force Set for Kosovo on Eve of Independence

2,000 police and judges to help smooth transition

(Newser) - As Kosovo stands poised to declare independence from Serbia, the European Union is preparing to send a civilian police and justice mission to help enforce the rule of law in the fledgling country. The US and most of the EU support Kosovar independence; Serbia and Russia oppose it, but will...

Rock on! EU May Extend Song Copyrights

Ditties from Beatles, Who, Stones at play

(Newser) - Early hits from the Beatles and the Stones are only a few years away from falling out of copyright and into the public domain, but the European Commission wants to change that and keep royalties flowing to rock stars in their golden years, reports the Times of London. Plans to...

Europe Moves to Fingerprint Travelers

Privacy advocates fret, but US, Japan already have similar policies

(Newser) - Just as Washington is pushing Europe to increase security, the European Parliament is considering fingerprinting every international traveler who enters or leaves the continent, the Washington Post reports. “It’s the only way to be really sure about identifying people,” an official said. The US backs the measure,...

EU Raids Intel's German Offices
EU Raids Intel's German Offices
Feb 12, 2008 12:05 PM CST

EU Raids Intel's German Offices

World's biggest chip maker may face new antitrust allegations

(Newser) - EU investigators raided Intel’s German office today, searching for evidence that the chip maker has broken antitrust laws, the BBC reports. The European Commission has already opened a case against Intel for monopolistic business practices, but officials said the surprise raid was the first step in its investigation, signaling...

Bush Demands Europe Step Up Flight Security

EU leaders accuse US of 'blackmail,' call requests 'absurd'

(Newser) - In a move some EU officials call blackmail, the Bush administration is demanding that EU members implement a wide range of new air security measures. The US wants American air marshals on all inbound flights, an online screening permit process for all US-bound passengers, and personal information on anyone flying...

Microsoft Under More EU Fire
Microsoft Under More EU Fire
Feb 8, 2008 12:43 PM CST

Microsoft Under More EU Fire

Company's push for Office approval in spotlight

(Newser) - Shortly after the EU announced two new antitrust probes focusing on Microsoft, investigators are scrutinizing the company again. In question this time is whether Microsoft broke antitrust laws during a push last year to get its Office software file format approved as an international standard, reports the Wall Street Journal.

Serbian Government May Collapse Over Kosovo

Crisis looms only days after presidential vote

(Newser) - Serbia's coalition government approached collapse today, only days after voters gave a new mandate to pro-Western president Boris Tadic. His reelection has led to a face-off with his PM, who opposes his intention to sign a new EU trade agreement. The PM sees EU overtures as a ploy to trick...

Pro-West Tadic Wins in Serbia
Pro-West Tadic Wins in Serbia
Feb 3, 2008 5:05 PM CST

Pro-West Tadic Wins in Serbia

Loser Nikolic warns EU not to blackmail Serbia over integration

(Newser) - Pro-West Serbian President Boris Tadic won a second-round reelection today that many saw as a referendum on Serbia’s entry into the European Union. He nabbed more than 50% of a vote that drew Serbia's highest turnout in 7 years. In defeat, challenger Tomislav Nikolic warned the EU not to...

Blair Eyes Role as Europe's First President

Ex-British PM wants post to have strong say on defense, trade

(Newser) - Tony Blair is angling to become Europe’s first president, the Guardian reports, but the former British PM wants to be assured the EU’s new top job will come with real authority on defense and trade. Blair, currently the Mideast envoy for the US, EU, UN, and Russia, has...

US Backs Sham Democracies, Watchdog Says

Western powers allow autocrats to pay lip service to ideals

(Newser) - Human Rights Watch says Western powers accept too many sham democracies out of political convenience, the BBC reports. The group's annual report slams the tendency of the US and EU governments to allow autocrats to claim “the mantle of democracy" without granting authentic political freedom. It also said the...

Econ Crash Could Deflate Climate Crusade

Governments could be 'distracted' by market woes, UN officials warn

(Newser) - As the global economy panics, leaders are in danger of abandoning lofty climate-change goals, top UN climate gurus warned today. At the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, the Guardian reports, the pair urged politicians not to be “distracted” by the crisis. “This is the time to be bold...

Musharraf Courts Wary Europeans
Musharraf Courts Wary Europeans
Jan 22, 2008 12:32 PM CST

Musharraf Courts Wary Europeans

Pledges free elections, nuclear security, no coddling Al-Qaeda

(Newser) - Pervez Musharraf visited Brussels yesterday and Paris today, reassuring leaders that Pakistan will hold fair elections and promising complete security for the nation's nuclear arsenal. EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana warned the Pakistani president that future cooperation between the EU and his government is contingent on those criteria, reports...

EU Frets Over Fallout From US Economy's Slide

Subprime woes spread across Atlantic; euro drops

(Newser) - Stock markets around the world continued to hemorrhage today on worries the US would slide into recession, prompting finance ministers to warn that the slump is threatening EU growth. They revised forecasts downward for the 15-member EU, reports Bloomberg. “There is great concern about the financial crisis,” said...

Serbia's Future Depends on Kosovo
Serbia's Future Depends on Kosovo
Jan 21, 2008 11:11 AM CST

Serbia's Future Depends on Kosovo

Looming declaration of independence may sway presidential voting

(Newser) - On the verge of declaring independence, Kosovo is the key in this year’s Serbian election, the Guardian reports. Tomislav Nicolic, a Russian-aligned Serbian nationalist, won the first round of the presidential elections last night, defeating moderate incumbent Boris Tadic 39% to 35%. Seven other candidates, many pro-Western, are out...

Polls Close in Tight Serbian Election

EU ties hang in balance as Kosovo split roils hopefuls

(Newser) - Polls have closed in Serbia in a tight presidential race between a Euro-friendly incumbent and a pro-Russian nationalist, the BBC reports. Neither pro-Western Boris Tadic nor rival Tomislav Nikolic—or any of seven other hopefuls—is expected to win a first-round majority. The election, which has sparked debates about Kosovo...

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