European Union

More accessible products and services for EU citizens: Council adopts the Accessibility Act.

The Council adopted a regulation setting out that, following Brexit, UK citizens coming to the Schengen area for a short stay (90 days in any 180 days) will be granted visa free travel.

Council adopts new rules on definition, description, presentation and labelling of spirit drinks.

Rules on unfair trading practices in the agricultural and food supply chain adopted.

The EU now has an effective tool to address unfair commercial practices that may emerge in the air transport sector.

The Council formally adopted the directive et regulations reforming the ECRIS system on the exchange of criminal records.

The Council formally adopted the directive on combating fraud on non-cash means of payment.

The Council adopted a reform setting capital requirements applying to banks with non-performing loans (NPLs) on their balance sheets.

The Council adopted updated rules on the European Citizens' Initiative.

The Council approved the European Parliament's position on a Regulation amending the Statute of the Court of Justice of the European Union.

The EU and US have stepped up talks of trade tariffs over a 15-year old World Trade Organisation (WTO) dispute on aid to rival aircraft makers, Airbus and Boeing. US president Donald Trump threatened to impose surcharges on €10bn of EU products, such as wine and cheese if the WTO found in its favour. The EU would also "promptly take action" if the WTO verdict said it had been victimised.

Italian football player Antonio Candreva has offered to pay the school lunch fees of a girl from an immigrant family after her story gained popularity online when she was fed tuna and crackers while other children got pasta in her primary school canteen because her family could not afford the fees. The mayor of her hometown, Minerbe, from the ruling far-right League party had earlier defended the downgraded meal.

Russia's National Central Bureau has asked international police agency Interpol to seek the arrest of Bill Browder, a British campaigner for tougher sanctions on Russia, over tax fraud allegations. The police body rejected six previous Russian requests on grounds they were politically-motivated, but Browder was briefly arrested in Spain last year due to glitches in Interpol's system. He has called for Russia to be banned from issuing further requests.

EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier said the EU is open to delay Brexit but will need a clear timeline from British premier Theresa May on how she wants to deliver an orderly withdrawal from the EU.

Italy's Interior Minister Matteo Salvini wants to forge a right-wing alliance in the EU Parliament after the European elections. At a news conference on Monday he presented the European Alliance of Peoples and Nations in Milan. At his side were the leaders of the German party AfD, the Finns Party and the Danish People's Party. Commentators explain why they doubt the plan will succeed.

Conflict-laden issues including the New Silk Road are setting the agenda at the EU-China summit today, Tuesday. Brussels wants China to commit to fair and free trade relations. But commentators point out that Europe doesn't hold much sway over its second most important trade partner anymore.