EU chief says she's pushing full steam ahead for gender parity in EU's executive office

BRUSSELS (AP) — European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen said Wednesday she is doubling down and pushing full steam ahead to achieve gender parity in her executive Commission team that runs the day-to-day affairs of the massive bloc — despite stubborn resistance from some of the 27 member...

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen aims for gender parity in commissioner posts. But it's raining men

BRUSSELS (AP) — At first glance, the European Union may seem like a paragon of gender equality — what with Ursula von der Leyen heading the all-important executive branch. Still, all the talk this week is about an excess of men poised for top positions at the EU headquarters. ...

Prisoner Swap Latest: Freed Americans return to US soil and emotional welcome

WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States and Russia completed a 24-person prisoner swap on Thursday, the largest in post-Soviet history, with Moscow releasing Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and fellow American Paul Whelan in a multinational deal that set some two dozen people free,...

From August, migrants seeking refuge in Italy could be taken to Albania pending asylum decisions

GJADER, Albania (AP) — Migrants rescued at sea while attempting to reach Italy may see themselves transported to Albania beginning next month while their asylum claims are processed, under a controversial deal in which the small Balkan country will host thousands of asylum-seekers on Italy’s...

Ursula von der Leyen reelected to a second 5-year term as European Commission president

STRASBOURG, France (AP) — Lawmakers at the European Parliament on Thursday reelected Ursula von der Leyen to a second 5-year term as president of the European Union’s executive commission, giving her a comfortable majority and heading off a possible leadership vacuum. Von der...

European lawmakers re-elect Ursula von der Leyen to a second 5-year term as president of the European Commission

European Commission didn't provide enough information about COVID-19 vaccine deals, EU court says

BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Commission did not allow the public enough access to information about COVID-19 vaccine purchase agreements it secured with pharmaceutical companies during the pandemic, the EU general court said Wednesday. The decision came a day ahead of a vote at...

A NATO summit and mending EU relations are among first tasks for new UK leader Keir Starmer

LONDON (AP) — New British Prime Minister Keir Starmer doesn’t get to take a breather. After a draining six-week election campaign, the center-left politician must get straight to work assembling his government, tackling a mountain of domestic problems and putting his stamp on the U.K.’s...

EU leaders have tapped their top brass. Von der Leyen must win over parliament to keep her job

BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union’s leaders this week agreed with surprising speed on a trio of top jobs, tapping European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for a second term, Portugal’s António Costa as European Council President, and Estonia’s Kaja Kallas as their top diplomat....

Von der Leyen, Costa and Kallas endorsed for the EU's top jobs. Here's who they are and what they do

BRUSSELS (AP) — Following the elections for EU Parliament, European Union leaders have agreed on the officials who will hold the key positions in the world’s biggest trading bloc in the coming years for issues ranging from antitrust investigations to foreign policy. The three...