CES “In the News” collects interesting and timely news articles from around Europe. You can get an overview from the recaps or click the link to see the full article. Be sure to check back weekly for the next installment.
Week of June 13, 2024
- G7 leaders meet in Italy
The leaders of the US, France, Canada, Japan, Germany, the UK, and Italy met in Italy for the 50th G7 Summit. Other guests included the leaders of the EU, India, Brazil, Algeria, Kenya, Tunisia, and Turkey, as well as the Pope. The Summit discussed cooperation on climate, AI, security, and trade. Day two focused on migration where Italy’s Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, called for support for African countries to lesson the need for migration. - Europe wants affordable electric vehicles from China. But not at the cost of its own auto industry
The European Commission plans to raise tariffs on Chinese EV cars up to 38% to lesson the impact of Chinese manufacturing subsidies. Many Chinese EVs can still be sold for a profit. However, some European or US brands built in China would be effected when importing to the EU. China has announced retaliation with tariffs on luxury cars if the EU tariffs are enacted. - Top EU court fines Hungary $216 million for flouting asylum law
Hungary was fined by the European Court of Justice in a suit by the European Commission. In addition to the 200 million Euros, Hungary will be fined 1 million Euros each day until it complies. Hungary is accused of creating internal laws that contradict EU law for entry and processing of asylum seekers.
Week of May 30, 2024
- Iceland volcano dramatically erupts again as streams of lava reach town’s defensive walls
For the fifth time since December 2023, an Icelandic volcano erupted. The flow of lava is currently contained by a protective wall outside of Grindavík. The town is without electricity, but isn’t yet cut off for evacuations. - Spain’s parliament gives final approval to amnesty law for Catalonia’s separatists
A close vote in the Spanish house passed amnesty for Catalan separatists. The contentious vote was backed by the ruling Prime Minster Sánchez’s coalition and opposed by the conservatives and far-right parties. The amnesty is expected to face legal challenges.
- Elections are not wasted on the young in the EU. Some nations allow 16-year-olds to decide in June polls
Austria, Belgium, Germany, and Malta allow voting at 16, while Greece voting starts at 17. Those supporting younger suffrage associate the voting age with paying taxes and ability to get married. Additionally, many EU countries allow 18-year-old elected officials. In the U.S. the minimum age is 25.
Week of May 2, 2024
- EU election candidates face a TikTok conundrum as bloc cracks down on app
Candidates in June’s European elections are leveraging TikTok to reach young voters, despite security and misinformation concerns. The platform, with 142 million EU users, is crucial for engaging youth. While some candidates, like Ursula von der Leyen, avoid TikTok due to data security worries and disinformation risks, others, like the Greens and Socialists, embrace it to counter far-right influence. The EU, probing TikTok under the Digital Services Act, pressures the platform to address mental health and misinformation issues. Despite debates over banning TikTok, its use remains pivotal for engaging youth in political discourse ahead of the elections. - European Union marks 20 years cine ‘Big Bang’ enlargement
On May 1, 2004, the EU expanded from 15 to 25 states, adding Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia. Croatia joined in 2012, while the UK left following the Brexit vote in 2016. For the countries who joined in 2004, EU membership marked a 20% population increase and territory expansion. GDP rose by 9%, though GDP per capita decreased. However, as analyst Michael Emerson highlights, economic and societal gains have been somewhat overshadowed by political challenges, with Poland and Hungary facing Article 7 procedures. European Commission initiated Article 7 for Poland in 2017, and for Hungary in 2018, citing threats to rule of law and EU values. - Archaeologists unearth Greek helmet which may rewrite history of ancient tribal people
Archaeologists in southern Croatia discovered a Greek helmet in burial mounds, unveiling insights into Illyrian culture. Led by Hrvoje Potrebica, the team found the helmet near Zakotorac, dating back to the 5th or 6th century BC. Likely votive gifts rather than burial items, they reflect religious or ceremonial significance. The findings challenge previous views of Illyrian prosperity and cultural practices. Illyrian tribes controlled vital trade routes, fostering affluence. The discovery may reshape historical narratives dominated by Greek or Roman perspectives. The Illyrians’ eventual defeat by the Romans marked a cultural decline, evidenced by abandoned settlements. The findings highlight the region’s rich and complex history. - WhatsApp scam: More than 100 arrested in Spain for ‘son in trouble’ fraud
Over 100 individuals have been arrested in Spain for defrauding WhatsApp users by impersonating distressed relatives, amassing nearly €1 million. The scam involved inducing victims to transfer money, ranging from €800 to €55,000, under false emergencies. Alicante alone reported 238 victims. The arrests spanned Alicante, Barcelona, Girona, Madrid, Malaga, and Valencia. This follows the arrest of 59 individuals in January for a similar scam, totaling €460,000. The scheme, also observed in the UK, involves impersonating family members and requesting money via WhatsApp. UK’s Action Fraud received 1,235 reports, totaling £1.5 million in losses, suggesting a global trend. Linkage between Spanish and UK scams remains unclear.
News from Europe Archive for other news.
