business

After more than three years of stalled diplomacy, the past few days have brought a flurry of activity in the Russia-Ukraine peace process – sadly none of it with any meaningful progress. The much-anticipated Russia-Ukraine peace talks in Istanbul – billed as the first serious negotiations since 2022 – came and went with little more … Read more

Protesters in Barcelona used water pistols to take aim at tourists visiting the Sagrada Familia last month. Residents’ associations in Mallorca posted an open letter appealing to tourists to stay away from the island. More such actions are expected in the Canary Islands, Málaga and elsewhere as Spain braces for another massive season of overtourism. … Read more

For weeks, Keir Starmer had stayed tight-lipped about what he was putting on the table in his negotiations as part of the UK-EU deal, saying in line with Brussels: “Nothing is agreed until everything is agreed.” But then just days before Monday’s summit, the prime minister appeared to make a concession and pave the way … Read more

The UK and EU have reached a deal, in what Downing Street hopes will be a reset with Brussels after Brexit. But with negotiations coming down to the wire and fishing yet again a sticking point, how much has changed? Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey look at how the talks unfolded and how the politics … Read more

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/picture/2025/may/19/ella-baron-uk-eu-trade-security-agreement-cartoon

A landmark deal clinched between the UK and EU to remove checks on food exports will add £9bn to the UK economy and lower food prices, No 10 has said, as the last-minute agreement was secured early on Monday morning. Keir Starmer said the deal, billed as a “historic” turning of the page, delivered the … Read more

Circle the wagons: Europe draws together confronting an enemy to its east and a rogue state to its west. “Everything has changed,” said the prime minister and chancellor, and so it has. Once nestled in the arms of Nato, now alarmingly alone, we have no choice but to embrace neighbours we shunned. Thanks to Vladimir … Read more

Monday’s EU-UK reset deal will not instantly produce the growth Labour sorely needs to fulfil its promise to voters, but ministers hope it marks another incremental step on the road to a more optimistic economic future. Three aspects of the agreement have been particularly welcomed by business, and form the core of the economic package … Read more

The UK and EU have reached a last-minute deal over a significant reset to relations after a breakthrough on fishing rights and checks on food and other agricultural products. Under the agreement, finalised just a few hours before a crunch summit in London, Brussels is has dropped demands to link the duration of an agreement … Read more

Good morning. Today, Keir Starmer will meet with EU leaders at a crucial Downing Street summit. On Saturday a press release all but said the deal was done – but on Sunday night government sources said talks were going “down to the wire”. Then, a few minutes ago, the Guardian’s Pippa Crerar reported a late … Read more