Talks into the night as EU leaders haggle over budget, virus

BRUSSELS (AP) — European Union leaders are hunting for compromises as a summit to reach a deal on an unprecedented 1.85 trillion euro ($2.1 trillion) EU budget and coronavirus recovery fund. It now appears like the summit will not end Saturday as expected and talks into the night are expected. Tensions are running high as the 27 leaders debate how the huge sums should be spent and what strings should be attached. Austria’s chancellor said there was still no deal in sight but “things are moving in the right direction.” The EU executive has proposed a 750-billion euro fund to be sent as loans and grants to the most needy countries.