crucial

Bad Tempered Post-Brexit Talks Enter Crucial Phase

May 30, 2020 4:09 pm

Britain and the EU will attempt to revive their imperilled trade talks on Tuesday, entering a crucial week of negotiations that could mark the final hope for a deal.

Hundreds of officials will hold video talks all week from London and Brussels, the fourth and last scheduled round of negotiations since Britain formally left the EU on January 31.

The previous round ended in acrimony with the EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier asking his UK counterpart David Frost to watch his “tone” in a tetchy exchange of letters.

The EU and Britain have until the end of the year to …

French Strike Snarls Commutes In Crucial Week For Macron

December 9, 2019 4:59 pm

Travellers across France endured a fifth day of turmoil on Monday amid a massive strike over planned pension reforms, as the government held a final meeting with union officials before unveiling details of the overhaul this week.

Unions have vowed to keep up the fight until President Emmanuel Macron abandons the plan, with another mass demonstration planned in Paris and other cities on Tuesday.

Most Paris metro lines were shut completely while others provided only a few trains during rush hour — leading to huge traffic jams in the capital — with network operator RATP forecasting similar disruptions for Tuesday.…