EURACTIV.com with Reuters
Rohingya refugees sue Facebook for $150 billion over Myanmar violence
Rohingya refugees from Myanmar are suing Meta Platforms Inc, formerly known as Facebook, for $150 billion over allegations that the social media company did not take action against anti-Rohingya hate speech that contributed to violence.
US officials to boycott Beijing Olympics over rights ‘atrocities’
US government officials will boycott the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing because of China's human rights "atrocities", the White House said on Monday (6 December), just weeks after talks aimed at easing tense relations between the two superpowers.
Putin and Modi discuss trade, humanitarian situation in Afghanistan
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Russian President Vladimir Putin in New Delhi on Monday (6 December), with trade and the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan both on the agenda.
EU condemns ‘politically motivated’ jailing of Myanmar’s Suu Kyi
The European Union's top diplomat condemned on Monday (6 December) a jail term handed out to Myanmar's deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi, saying it was a "politically motivated verdict".
Zemmour promises ‘reconquest’ at huge Paris rally
French far-right presidential candidate Eric Zemmour promised on Sunday (5 December) a “reconquest” against decades of decline at his first political rally, as scuffles with anti-racism protesters broke out on its fringes. “If I win this election, it won’t be...
More than 40,000 march in Vienna against coronavirus lockdown
More than 40,000 people marched through Vienna on Saturday (4 December) to protest against a lockdown and plans to make vaccinations compulsory to curb the coronavirus pandemic.
Large scale Russian offensive possible in January, Ukraine says
Russia has massed more than 94,000 troops near Ukraine’s borders and may be gearing up for a large-scale military offensive at the end of January, Ukraine’s Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov told parliament on Friday (3 December), citing intelligence reports. Reznikov...
‘Lot of concern’ over Russian military activity near Ukraine, top US general says
The United States is tracking enough indicators and warnings surrounding Russian military activity near Ukraine to trigger "a lot of concern" and Russian rhetoric appears increasingly strident, the top US military officer said late on Thursday (2 December).
US, EU concerned by China’s ‘problematic and unilateral actions’ at sea
The United States and European Union on Thursday (2 December) voiced strong concern at China's "problematic and unilateral actions" in the South China Sea and stressed the need for close contact to manage "competition and systemic rivalry" with Beijing.
US, allies ratchet up the economic pressure against Belarus
The United States and its allies, including the European Union, on Thursday (2 December) imposed sanctions against dozens of individuals and entities in Belarus in a coordinated move to escalate punitive action against President Alexander Lukashenko and his government.
Omicron variant ‘may become dominant in Europe in months’
The European Union's public health agency said the Omicron variant could be responsible for more than half of all COVID-19 infections in Europe within a few months.
Pécresse emerges as favourite to win French centre-right’s presidential ticket
Valérie Pécresse, a veteran politician who served as minister under former President Nicolas Sarkozy, will go into a runoff as favourite to be picked as the centre-right Les Républicains’ candidate in the French presidential election in April. Pécresse will face...
EU countries clash over reforms needed to tackle energy price spike
Energy ministers from European Union countries are meeting in Brussels on Thursday (2 December) to debate their response to high gas and electricity prices, with countries still divided over whether the recent price spike calls for an overhaul of the bloc’s energy market rules.
European insurers fear sanctions coming down Nord Stream 2 pipe
A simmering threat of sanctions against the operator of the $11 billion Nord Stream 2 pipeline risks shutting off cover from European insurers for the politically-sensitive project to bring Russian gas directly to Germany.
MEPs attack Commission for proposal to ease migration rules over Belarus crisis
The European Union executive proposed on Wednesday (1 December) temporarily looser asylum rules, allowing Poland and its two Baltic neighbours, Lithuania and Latvia, to handle migrants pushed by Belarus to their shared border, but the proposal angered EU lawmakers and rights groups.
EU calls on China to show proof of tennis star’s wellbeing
The European Union called on Beijing on Tuesday (30 November) to show proof of the wellbeing of tennis star Peng Shuai, adding its voice to international concern about her fate since she alleged sexual assault by a former top Chinese official.
ESG Book aims to ‘disrupt’ sustainability sector with free data
HSBC, Deutsche Bank and Swiss Re have thrown their support behind ESG Book, a new environment, social and governance (ESG) data platform launched on Wednesday (1 December) to 'disrupt' the market with a free "public good" service for companies and investors.
Officials offer reassurance over Omicron variant; WHO advises against travel bans
The World Health Organization warned countries on Tuesday (30 November) not to impose blanket travel bans over the new Omicron coronavirus variant as governments and scientists try to determine how much protection current vaccines would offer against the strain.
Polish president signs law to keep away journalists, NGOs from Belarus border
Poland's president on Tuesday (30 November) signed into law legislation that will limit the access of aid charities and journalists to its border with Belarus as the country grapples with a simmering migrant crisis.
Belgium, UK agree to strengthen immigration cooperation amid Channel crisis
Belgium and Britain said on Tuesday (30 November) they will cooperate more closely to fight illegal migration, days after France snubbed Britain and said it needed to get serious before talks on the matter could resume.
UK watchdog orders Facebook owner Meta to sell Giphy
Facebook owner Meta has been told by the UK competition watchdog to sell popular animated images platform Giphy in Britain’s first such move against so-called Big Tech in its efforts to bolster regulation of the sector. The Competition and Markets...
France sees chance of compromise with Germany on EU fiscal rules
France will be able to reach a compromise with the new German government to update the European Union's fiscal rules to face economic challenges following the COVID-19 pandemic, French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said on Monday (29 November).
German inflation hits highest in decades, increasing pressure on ECB
German consumer price inflation rose further in November to hit another record high, preliminary data showed on Monday (29 November), increasing pressure on the European Central Bank to react.