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

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.

British citizens in Bangladesh should prepare to stay until flights resume: UK High Commission

The UK High Commission in Dhaka advises British citizens currently living in Bangladesh to be prepared to stay in the country until commercial flights resume.

Norway populist party quits govt over jihadist spouse's repatriation

Norway's populist Progress Party says it was leaving the right-wing coalition government over the repatriation of a suspected Islamic State member and her two children last week.

EU 2020 budget talks drag on because of disagreement

Talks setting the EU's budget for next year are going down to the wire because of disagreement between member states and the European Parliament, officials say.

British PM Johnson's own brother resigns

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's plan to kick off what is in effect an election campaign casting parliament as the enemy of Brexit was overshadowed on Thursday when his younger brother quit the government, citing the national interest.

Accelerating growth real challenge for new govt: EU

Appreciating Bangladesh's impressive economic performance over the last one decade, the European Union (EU) yesterday said sustaining and accelerating this growth is the real challenge for the new government.

UK PM's probable next Brexit steps

Immediately after Tuesday's 432 to 202 defeat was announced, May stood up in parliament and said: "I will then hold meetings with my colleagues, our confidence and supply partner the Democratic Unionist Party, and senior parliamentarians from across the House to identify what would be required to secure the backing of the House.