Denmark to make domestic flights fossil fuel free by 2030

COP26   Denmark’s government has announced a goal to make domestic flights fossil fuel free by 2030. In her New Year’s address, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said she wanted to “make flying green”. However she acknowledged that the solutions to reach her target were not yet in place. Denmark is aiming for a 70% cut […]

EU plans to label gas and nuclear energy ‘green’ prompt

COP26   The European Commission has proposed plans to label some gas and nuclear power as green, prompting criticism from Germany. The proposal argues that gas and nuclear are key to helping transition to cleaner power. But Germany’s environment minister called the plan “absolutely wrong”. It comes months after countries pledged to keep temperature rises within […]

Coronavirus pandemic: Antarctic outpost hit by Covid-19 outbreak

Coronavirus pandemic   A Belgian scientific research station in Antarctica is dealing with an outbreak of Covid-19, despite workers being fully vaccinated and based in one of the world’s remotest regions. Since 14 December, at least 16 of the 25 workers at the Princess Elisabeth Polar Station have caught the virus. Officials say cases remain […]

French car-burning returns for New Years’ Eve

A total of 874 cars have been set alight during New Years Eve celebrations in France, police say. However, the interior ministry said the number was much lower than in 2019. Authorities also reported a rise in the number of people stopped and detained. A curfew to tackle Covid-19 meant no significant disruption took place […]

Covid: France suspends transit ban for UK nationals during Christmas

Coronavirus pandemic   UK nationals will be allowed to travel through France if they are going to their home in an EU country during the festive period. France suspended its Covid restriction after UK travellers faced difficulties reaching their country of residence. Eurotunnel, which had earlier issued warnings to customers, said it was “delighted” by […]

Ukraine tensions: Biden and Putin phone call seeks ‘diplomatic path’

Ukraine conflict   US President Joe Biden is set to hold talks with Russia’s Vladimir Putin for the second time this month, in a bid to de-escalate tensions over Ukraine. The two leaders will speak by phone on Thursday. They will discuss forthcoming security talks between the countries and the situation in Europe, a White […]

Covid: France tightens restrictions amid Omicron surge

France has announced tighter Covid restrictions amid concerns over the Omicron variant. From 3 January, remote working will become compulsory for those who can and public gatherings will be limited to 2,000 people for indoor events. The news comes as France recorded more than 100,000 new infections on Saturday – the highest number reported in […]

Andrzej Duda: Polish president vetoes controversial media law

    Polish President Andrzej Duda has vetoed a controversial media ownership law that critics said was intended to silence a US-owned TV station critical of the government. The law would have prevented companies from outside the European Economic Area from controlling Polish media outlets. If passed, the US-based Discovery group would have had to […]

Russia fines Google over illegal content breach

A Moscow court has fined Google 7.2bn roubles ($98m; £73m) for repeated failure to delete content deemed illegal in Russia. Details of the offending content were not specified in the announcement by the court’s press service. This is the first time in Russia that a technology giant has been hit with a fine based on […]

US and Russia agree to talk as Putin hits out

Ukraine conflict US officials have said talks could take place in January on Russia’s troop build-up near Ukraine, after President Vladimir Putin announced he was hopeful of a meeting in Geneva. The Russian leader has demanded immediate guarantees on the future of Nato to defuse the crisis. “The ball is in their court, they have […]