Europe
IEA Report: Global coal use
Global coal consumption is set to rise to an all-time high this year and remain at similar levels in the next few years if stronger efforts are not made to move to a low-carbon economy, a report by the International Energy Agency (IEA) said yesterday.
Germany to sign hydrogen deal with Canada, discuss LNG
Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz will sign a deal to establish hydrogen supply chains with Canada during his two-day visit to the country next week, officials said, as Berlin accelerates its green transition to reduce dependence on Russian gas supplies.
Europe faces Covid freeze
Austria yesterday became the first country in western Europe to reimpose lockdown since vaccines were rolled out, shutting non-essential shops, bars and cafes as surging caseloads raised the prospect of a third winter in deep freeze for the continent.
Danish police arrest 13 on suspicion of planning attack in Denmark or Germany
Thirteen people have been arrested in Denmark in the last week for acquiring firearms and ingredients to make explosives on suspicion of planning a terrorist attack in either Denmark or Germany, Danish police told reporters at a briefing today.
Hungarian opposition radio forced off air as loses licence renewal case
A Hungarian opposition radio station lost an appeal against the removal of its licence today, cutting by one the already dwindling ranks of media outlets critical of the country’s nationalist government.
Britain will not introduce Covid-19 vaccine passports
Britain will not introduce Covid-19 vaccine passports, but people will be able to seek proof from their doctor if needed for travel to other countries, vaccine deployment minister Nadhim Zahawi said today.
UK PM gives October 15 deadline for Brexit deal
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has given an October 15 deadline for a post-Brexit trade agreement with the European Union, brushing off fears about "no-deal" chaos if talks fail.
EU reaches 'historic' deal on post-pandemic recovery after marathon summit
European Union leaders reached a "historic" deal on a massive stimulus plan for their coronavirus-hit economies at a meeting after a fractious summit that lasted almost five days.
UK to ban gay 'conversion therapy' after massive survey
Britain today unveils its "action plan" to tackle discrimination against the gay community, which includes bringing forward legislation to ban the practice of conversion therapy.
Police hunt for notorious French gangster after brazen helicopter jailbreak
French police across the country launches a massive manhunt for a notorious gangster who said his life of crime was inspired by Hollywood films like "Scarface", after he pulled off a spectacular jailbreak, fleeing his prison aboard a hijacked helicopter in a commando-style operation.
Same-sex partners have EU residence rights
Same-sex partners of European Union (EU) citizens have the right to live in any member state whatever their nationality, the bloc's top court rules today, even in countries that do not recognise gay marriage.
Spanish PM Rajoy to be voted out of office
Spain's centre-right Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy is set to be voted out of office on Friday and replaced by a Socialist, in a no-confidence motion triggered by a long-running corruption trial involving members of his party.
Gunman shoots police in Belgium, 4 dead
A gunman kills two police officers and a passer-by on Tuesday before being shot dead in the centre of the Belgian city of Liege, public broadcaster Radio Television Belge Francophone (RTBF) says on its website and authorities says terrorism could not be ruled out as a motive.
Two dead, 20 injured after train smashes into truck in Italy
Two people are killed and 20 others injured after a train crashed into a big truck near the northern Italian city of Turin and derailed, Italian media says.
African-Americans hail UK royal wedding's nod to black history, culture
Hometown and racial pride fired up royal wedding watchers across the United States on Saturday, from pre-dawn partiers wearing pajamas and fancy hats in Los Angeles to Twitter posts from Miami to Indianapolis hailing "the blackest royal wedding the UK has ever seen."
Italy's new 'Buster Keaton' wins best actor at Cannes
A little-known Italian actor, wins best actor at Cannes film festival on Saturday for his portrayal of a cocaine-dealing dog groomer who faces down a local heavy in an urban western.
Tens of thousands of Hungarians protest against Orban landslide
Tens of thousands of Hungarians protested in Budapest against what organisers say was an unfair election system that gave Prime Minister Viktor Orban a landslide victory at the polls after a "hate campaign" against immigrants.
Russia UN envoy 'cannot exclude' war between Russia, US
Russia's UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia urges the United States and its allies on Thursday to refrain from military action against Syria over a suspected chemical weapons attack and says he "cannot exclude" war between Washington and Moscow.
