no comment Light show projected onto façade of Paris' Opéra Garnier The event was organised by the German Embassy in Paris to celebrate Franco-German relations and show solidarity amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. 16/12/2020
Russia Navalny: Russian FM dismisses claims security agents behind poisoning The investigation conducted by Bellingcat and The Insider in cooperation with CNN and Der Spiegel found that agents of Russia's domestic security agency have followed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny on trips since 2017. 16/12/2020
Germany German government backs bill requiring security pledge on 5G network The move is seen as a means of addressing public concerns over potential security risks posed by vendors for big infrastructure projects. 16/12/2020
United Kingdom Coroner rules air pollution was cause of death of girl in UK first In what is thought to be the first case of its kind, a coroner has ruled that air pollution contributed to the death of a nine-year-old girl in London. 16/12/2020
Europe News European Parliament overwhelmingly passes €1.8 trillion EU budget The budget had been in jeopardy after both Poland and Hungary threatened to veto it over attempts to tie the release of EU funds to adherence to core EU values. 16/12/2020
France Non-priority groups to be vaccinated at ‘end of spring’ in France France will kick off its coronavirus vaccination campaign at the end of this month, "if conditions are met", Prime Minister Jean Castex has said - but the bulk of the population will have to wait until the "end of spring". 16/12/2020
no comment Flamenco artists in Spain protest COVID-19 restrictions Flamenco performers protested a lack of government aid, saying they were concerned for the survival of the art form amid the pandemic restrictions. 16/12/2020
world news COVID-19 vaccine: Are poorer countries at risk of being left behind? Campaigners want some intellectual property laws to be waived, which they claim will speed up and boost production of the critical treatments, technologies, and vaccines that every country needs access to to defeat coronavirus. 16/12/2020
Travel News Visitors to Palau are now required to sign an eco-pledge on arrival The nation in Micronesia is the first to change its immigration policies in favour of environmental protection. 16/12/2020
United Kingdom Ethnic minorities less likely to take COVID vaccine, survey suggests People from ethnic minority backgrounds or with lower incomes are less likely to take the coronavirus vaccine being rolled out in Britain, a survey by the Royal Society for Public Health suggests. 16/12/2020
Partner content Quality and Sustainability: Why Colombia could become the next exporting giant According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Colombia is set to become one of the world’s largest food exporters. If it succeeds, Europe will be seeing more Colombian produce on its supermarket shelves than ever before. 16/12/2020
target How Dubai is making retirement easier for foreign nationals Dubai has long been a destination for expatriates, but lately there's been a growing trend towards residents choosing to stay for longer. September 2018 saw the creation of a renewable five-year retirement visa that came into effect a year later. 16/12/2020
France Charlie Hebdo trial: Fugitive widow of attacker among 14 found guilty The terrorism trial of 14 people connected to the January 2015 Islamist attacks in Paris ended with one life sentence, two 30-year jail terms, and all convicted of involvement. 16/12/2020
real economy What does 2021 hold for jobs and businesses in Europe? The EU has downgraded its growth forecast for the Eurozone in 2021. What does that mean and why? We'll look at the real-life consequences of the pandemic on the economy. 16/12/2020
France Paris court convicts former Vatican envoy of sexual assault A Paris court on Wednesday convicted a former Vatican ambassador to France of sexually assaulting five men in 2018 and 2019. 16/12/2020
no comment France eases lockdown but issues curfew from 8:00pm Police checked drivers in Paris for certificates exempting them from the curfew that started at 8pm Tuesday. 16/12/2020
Green News 99% decline in butterflies since 1980s is 'horrific', say scientists Populations of the monarch butterfly have seen a 99.9% decline since the 1980s but still no protection is in sight. 16/12/2020
View Zdravko Krivokapić: Montenegro’s membership of the EU can inspire the European dream ǀ View Montenegro is intent on becoming the next member of the European Union, and its ascension to the bloc could act as a spur for reform and change in the rest of the Balkans, writes the country's new prime minister. 16/12/2020
Europe News EU unveils multi-billion euro cybersecurity strategy The bloc has revealed its new strategy to prevent, deter and respond to cyberattacks across the EU. 16/12/2020
Travel News The top 7 places to feel Christmassy, without leaving your sofa If you’re not feeling all that Christmassy yet, fear not, we’re here to help. Here are some of the top festive locations around the world. 16/12/2020
Eco-Innovation Kenyan women turn plastic waste into bricks stronger than concrete Waste is recycled and turned into bricks at this innovative, African organisation. 16/12/2020
Good Morning Europe European companies ramp up Brexit preparations As Brexit talks continue, European companies are ramping up preparations for a possible no-deal outcome. 16/12/2020
no comment France: Thousands protest virus restrictions on cultural sector Thousands protested in Paris after the government backtracked on reopening theatres and cultural venues. 16/12/2020
no comment Recycling plant engulfed by large fire in Brisbane Plumes of smoke billowed across the Australian city of Brisbane as firefighters fought a blaze at a recycling plant. 16/12/2020
Austria Europe expands night train network as rail becomes more popular Both state railroads and private operators want to convince travellers to switch from airplanes to sleeper cars. 16/12/2020
Europe News Belarus opposition leader Tsikhanouskaya awarded EU’s Sakharov Prize “We are bound to win, and we will win” declared Belarus opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, as she received the European Parliament's Sakharov Prize. 16/12/2020
USA Turning the page? Republicans acknowledge Biden's victory US Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell congratulated his former colleague Joe Biden as president-elect, after the Electoral College confirmed the election result. 16/12/2020
China Team of experts to travel to China in search of coronavirus origin The mission is expected to start next month and continue for four-to-five weeks. 16/12/2020
Living Weird and wonderful repurposed gifts saving waste from landfill These gift ideas help to keep waste out of landfill this Christmas. 16/12/2020
world news Brexit talks: 'Narrow path' exists to a deal, von der Leyen tells MEPs The European Commission president says some progress has been made in trade talks but she cannot say whether a deal with the UK will be struck or not. 16/12/2020
