France is pushing to cut red tape at European Union level, calling for a "massive pause" in new EU regulations, a delay in rules requiring companies to report on their environmental footprint, and changes to even freshly passed laws.

France is calling for a major reworking of European regulations, starting with ESG rules, as the bloc struggles to revive its competitiveness against a backdrop of sweeping deregulation across the Atlantic driven by US President Donald Trump.

France is advocating for a significant revision of European regulations, particularly those related to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) rules. This comes as Europe grapples with its competitiveness amid extensive deregulation in the United States,

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán on Friday said he wants the European Union to intervene in a gas dispute his country has with Ukraine, a potential sign of friction in the bloc's upcoming discussions over renewing sanctions against Russia.

Hungary wants the European Union to persuade Ukraine to resume gas transit from Russia to Europe, Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Friday, signalling a tough debate as the EU seeks to extend its sanctions against Russia over the coming week.

The UK joining the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean Convention is up for discussion in reset talks, says Maros Sefcovic.

Maros Sefcovic also said relations with the UK were "improving", and said he had the number of British counterpart Nick Thomas-Symonds "on speed dial".

EU could consider UK joining pan-Europe customs deal, says Sefcovic - Maros Sefcovic said the UK joining the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean Convention is ‘something we could consider’.

Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said the EU should put an end to anonymity of users in social media platforms and hold their CEOs personally accountable if they fail to comply with the bloc’s regulations.