Boris Johnson gives ‘final Brexit offer’; flight shame is taking off, and more top news

The news professionals in Europe are talking about now, curated by LinkedIn’s editors. Join the conversation on today's stories in the comments. 

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has submitted his "final offer" to the EU in an attempt to secure a last-ditch Brexit deal. Under the plan, the controversial Northern Ireland backstop would be replaced by an all-island regulatory zone. Northern Ireland would stay in the European single market for goods, but leave the customs union — a move that requires new checkpoints. The UK is currently due to exit the EU on October 31, with Johnson previously stating he’s not prepared to delay further. ? Here’s what people are saying.

French wine, Italian cheese, German coffee and Scotch whisky are among the European goods hit with 25% tariffs by the US on Wednesday, along with 10% tariffs on European-made Airbus planes. The move came after the World Trade Organization ruled the US could impose levies on $7.5 billion of EU imports over the bloc’s illegal subsidisation of Airbus. The ruling, which threatens to escalate trans-Atlantic trade tensions, marks a record award from the trade body and concludes a 15-year battle between Airbus and Boeing. ? Here’s what people are saying.

The Swedish concept of ‘flygskam’, or flight shame, is spreading, reveals the BBC. A UBS survey of 6,000 people in the US, Germany, France and the UK found 21% of respondents had reduced the number of flights they took in the past year citing environmental concerns. The report suggests high-profile campaigns — like the one led by Swedish schoolgirl Greta Thunberg — could halve growth in air traffic, which in turn could affect orders and revenues for plane manufacturers. ? Here’s what people are saying.

Bad news for coffee drinkers in Denmark: The country is the world’s most expensive for a cup of Starbucks. According to the Finder’s Starbucks Index, the Scandinavian nation ranks no.1 out of 76 in the index for most expensive coffee — with customers paying $6.05 for a tall Starbucks latte. The cheapest coffee is in Turkey, where the same coffee costs just $1.78. Based on GDP-per-capita value, the coffee is 44% more expensive in Denmark than it should be. ? Here’s what people are saying.

Technology, social norms and a shifting economy has made the office less necessary but could it one day become extinct? A report in The Economist says that the "need for staff to be in one place has been dramatically reduced," with remote work and the hot-desking that allows multiple workers to use the same desk at different times both increasingly common. Technology is powering this office revolution (or dissolution) but so are demands by workers for more freedom and flexibility. ? Here’s what people are saying.

Idea of the Day: Thinking outside the box is key for success, says entrepreneur James Caan.

“Many of the most successful companies do something so well that it – to some degree – changes the landscape of the industry ... In other words, they break down barriers.”

What's your take on today’s stories? Share your thoughts in the comments.

— Capucine Yeomans