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☆ How to Talk About Auschwitz
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-23 | by ( Menachem Kaiser | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

LOVERS IN AUSCHWITZ: A True Story, by Keren BlankfeldCOLD CREMATORIUM: Reporting From the Land of Auschwitz, by József Debreczeni | Translated by Paul Olchváry“Lovers in Auschwitz” is, as the title portends, a nonfiction account of two Jews who became lovers in Auschwitz. Their story lines intersect in Auschwitz, where Zippi’s position as the camp’s graphic designer allows her to communicate with David, to arrange rendezvous and to save his life. After the war, the lines diverge; Zippi and David don’t see each other again for 72 years. Yes, Zippi and David met and fell in love and even slept with each other in Auschwitz, but nearly all of this is obliquely told. There is next to nothing about how they met or how the relationship developed; all we’re given are cringey markers of excitement.

Persons: Keren, József Debreczeni, Paul Olchváry, Keren Blankfeld, David, David don’t, It’s, Zippi, swooned Organizations: New York Times Locations: Auschwitz, Auschwitz ”, Poland, Slovakia

CNN —Ukraine has rejected suggestions by Slovakia’s new Prime Minister Robert Fico that it will need to cede territory to Russia to end the war. “There can be no compromise on territorial integrity, neither for Ukraine, nor for Slovakia, nor for any other country,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Oleh Nikolenko wrote on Facebook. Speaking just days ahead of a scheduled visit to Ukraine, Fico told the public broadcaster both Kyiv and Moscow would need to make painful compromises to bring the war to an end. In the European Union, he is closely aligned with Hungary’s Victor Orban and has been very open about his intentions to block Ukraine’s bid to join the EU and NATO. Bringing a very different sort of message Monday to Ukraine was Poland’s new Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv.

Persons: Robert Fico, Oleh Nikolenko, ”, Fico, ” Fico, Viktor Yanukovich, Hungary’s Victor Orban, Denys Shmyhal, “, Donald Tusk, Volodymyr Zelensky, Tusk Organizations: CNN, Foreign, Facebook, European Union, Kyiv, Ukraine, United, EU, NATO, Ukraine’s NATO, Slovak Army Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Slovakia, Europe, Moscow, Donbas, Luhansk, Crimea, United States, Uzhhorod, Kyiv, Poland, Ukrainian

The New Hampshire attorney general's office on Monday said it was investigating reports of an apparent robocall that used artificial intelligence to mimic President Joe Biden's voice and discourage voters in the state from coming to the polls during Tuesday's primary election. Attorney General John Formella said the recorded message, which was sent to multiple voters on Sunday, appears to be an illegal attempt to disrupt and suppress voting. “Your vote makes a difference in November, not this Tuesday.”It is not true that voting in Tuesday's primary precludes voters from casting a ballot in November's general election. The attorney general's office said anyone who has received the call should email the state Justice Department's election law unit. “Any effort to discourage voters is disgraceful and an unacceptable affront to democracy,” Dolan said in a statement.

Persons: Joe Biden's, John Formella, ”, Donald Trump, Biden, “, Kathy Sullivan, Sullivan, Joe Biden, Julie Chavez Rodriguez, Hany Farid, Katie Dolan, Dean Phillips, Phillips, ” Dolan Organizations: New, The Associated Press, Democratic, Democratic Party, University of California, Dean Phillips of, Trump, Associated Press, AP Locations: New Hampshire, November's, South Carolina, America, Slovakia, Indonesia, Taiwan, Berkeley, Dean Phillips of Minnesota

JASNA, Slovakia (AP) — Mikaela Shiffrin built a big lead in the opening run of a women’s World Cup slalom Sunday, a day after the American ski star’s main rival sustained a season-ending injury. In the first race without Olympic slalom champion Petra Vlhova, Shiffrin led second-placed Croatian prodigy Zrinka Ljutic by 0.52 seconds and the rest of the field had to make up more than 1.3 on the American in the final run. Vlhova crashed and tore ligaments in her right knee in Saturday’s giant slalom near her hometown in the Tatra mountains. Political Cartoons View All 253 Images“I have been thinking about (Vlhova) a lot the last 24 hours," Shiffrin said. So, I really miss watching her ski today and having that battle.”With Vlhova out of the race, Shiffrin is close to wrapping up her eighth World Cup season title in slalom, leading third-ranked Duerr by 168 points.

Persons: Petra Vlhova, Shiffrin, Zrinka, Vlhova, Lena Duerr, Duerr, Alexis Pinturault, Aleksander Aamodt Kilde Organizations: ___ Locations: JASNA, Slovakia, Czech, Wengen, Switzerland

☆ Slovak Parliament Chief Confirms Presidential Bid, Facing Ex-Foreign Minister
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-19 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Jason Hovet(Reuters) - Slovak parliament chief Peter Pellegrini, leader of the second-biggest party in the government coalition, confirmed on Friday that he would run in a March presidential election. Pellegrini, a prime minister in 2018-2020 and former member of Fico's SMER party, has seen a shrinking poll lead against his closest contender - Ivan Korcok, who was foreign minister in a previous government led by opposition forces. A second round in the likely case that no candidate wins an outright majority is on April 6. Pellegrini leads Korcok 40.6% to 37.7% in an AKO agency poll released on Thursday. Pellegrini led the government until anti-corruption parties won a 2020 election.

Persons: Jason Hovet, Peter Pellegrini, Robert Fico, Pellegrini, Fico's, Ivan Korcok, Zuzana Caputova, Korcok, Fico, Hugh Lawson Organizations: European Union Locations: Korcok, AKO, Prague

☆ Will My Next Trip Be by Train Instead of Plane?
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-18 | by ( Paige Mcclanahan | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Train lovers and travelers concerned about their carbon footprint have a lot to choose from this year — especially in Europe. While some European governments are mulling short-haul flight bans, many passengers are already opting for rail, where new connections are numerous. Nightjet, part of the Austrian federal railway, ÖBB, started running a sleeper train between Berlin and Paris in December, while the French rail operator, S.N.C.F., started overnight service between Paris and Aurillac, in south-central France, the same month. And the Italian rail operator Trenitalia has recently started running a weekly high-speed connection between Rome and the station serving the Pompeii archaeological park. Other new European connections include a sleeper service between Brussels and Prague, coming in late March, and an overnight train between Brussels and Bratislava, Slovakia, expected late this year or early next.

Persons: Trenitalia Organizations: Orient, Accor Locations: Europe, Austrian, ÖBB, Berlin, Paris, Aurillac, France, Vienna, Nice, Rome, Brussels, Prague, Bratislava, Slovakia, Barcelona, Madrid, Milan, Ljubljana, Slovenia, Italy, Palermo, Portofino, Siena

☆ EU Lawmakers Raise Alarm Over Slovakia's Criminal Law Reforms
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-17 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

(Reuters) - European Union lawmakers said on Wednesday they had "deep concern" over Slovakia's planned criminal code changes and shutting a special prosecutor's office, piling on criticism of the government's plan to fast-track the changes. The European Parliament, in a resolution approved by 496 of the 630 lawmakers who voted, said the changes needed more scrutiny and called on the European Commission to take action "to safeguard the rule of law and judicial independence". Slovak President Zuzana Caputova has threatened to veto the legislation, although Fico's government will be able to override her move. According to Slovak media, 40 people have been sentenced while another 130 are being investigated or tried. The EU's justice commissioner Didier Reynders said in mid-December the Commission could take action against Slovakia if it enacts criminal law changes that violate EU laws.

Persons: Robert Fico's, Zuzana Caputova, Didier Reynders, Jan Kuciak, Fico, Daniel Lipsic, Jason Hovet, Ros Russell Organizations: Reuters, Union, European Commission, European Union, The, USP Locations: Western, Poland, Hungary, United States, EU, Slovak, Slovakia, Prague

☆ Divide between political elites and the working class is a major risk, Allianz CEO says
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-16 | by ( Elliot Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Oliver Bäte, chief executive of German insurance group Allianz. Nurphoto | Nurphoto | Getty ImagesA growing detachment between political leaders and populations presents the biggest risk in a busy election year, according to Allianz CEO Oliver Bäte. The Allianz Risk Barometer published this month noted that political risk was already at a five-year high in 2023, with some 100 countries considered at high or extreme risk of civil unrest. This is expected to deepen in 2024, amid continued economic hardship, particularly in "debt-crisis countries." "We have an increasing detachment of the political elite from the working class and the people that actually go to work every day, and that, I see as the number one risk for our societies," Bäte said.

Persons: Oliver Bäte, you've, Emmanuel Macron's, Nahel, Viktor Orbán, Bäte Organizations: Allianz, Nurphoto, Economic, Sweden Democrats Locations: Ukraine, Davos, Switzerland, Netherlands, France, Slovakia, Italy, Hungary, Sweden

☆ EU's Eastern Members Demand Import Duties on Ukraine Grains
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-15 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

BUDAPEST (Reuters) - The European Union's eastern states are demanding the EU impose import duties on Ukraine grains, citing unfair competition, Hungary's agricultural ministry said on Monday. "One of these [measures] could be introducing import duties on the most sensitive agricultural products." Ukraine's larger farm sizes make the country's grain exports cheaper and that is pushing EU farmers out of their traditional export markets, the ministers said. Farmers in Bulgaria, Poland, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia "have suffered significant damages" since the EU suspended import quotas and customs on grain from Ukraine last year, they said. Ukraine responded by complaining to the World Trade Organization against the three countries, while other EU members condemned the unilateral moves.

Persons: Istvan Nagy, Valdis, Janusz Wojciechowski, Anita Komuves, Susan Fenton Organizations: European Commission, Hungary's, Farmers, EU Trade, EU, World Trade Organization Locations: BUDAPEST, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Poland, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, Brussels, Kyiv

Here’s what else you should know about the ICJ and South Africa’s case against Israel. For the case brought by South Africa, the panel will also be expanded to include one judge from South Africa and one from Israel. Does South Africa’s Genocide Case Against Israel Matter? How Is Israel Responding to the Genocide Charges by South Africa? Israeli officials have denied the allegations in the strongest possible terms, and even vigorously attacked South Africa for bringing the charges.

Persons: –, ”, Benjamin Netanyahu, what’s, France –, Joan Donoghue, “, Sarang Shidore, Al Jazeera, Eylon Levy, Netanyahu, it’s, Biden, Antony Blinken, Israel – Hamas, Iran –, William Schabas, Malcolm Shaw, Long Organizations: International Court of Justice, United, Israel, United Nations, Court, International Justice, General Assembly, Security, ICC, Criminal Court, Central American, Nicaraguan, Security Council, Fisheries, Embassy, South, Biden Administration, Global, Quincy Institute, Middlesex University, New York Times Locations: Israel – South Africa, Israel, Gaza, Africa, United Nations, The Hague, Netherlands, U.S, Russia, China, France, Slovakia, Lebanon, Brazil, Somalia, South Africa, Nicaragua, Nicaragua’s, Norway, Iran, Canada, Syria, Washington, United States, United, Ukraine, The State, Hague, ” U.S, Ireland, Guatemala, Hungary, British

☆ The world’s most powerful passports for 2024
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-10 | by ( Maureen O'Hare | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —In a big shakeup of a quarterly ranking of the world’s most powerful passports, an unprecedented six countries are tied in the top spot for the hottest travel documents for 2024. The United States and Canada, meanwhile, are tied in seventh place, along with Hungary, with visa-free access to 188 destinations. “The average number of destinations travelers are able to access visa-free has nearly doubled from 58 in 2006 to 111 in 2024,” says Kaelin. Portugal is at No.4 on the Henley Passport Index and Arton Capital's Passport Index. Arton’s Global Passport Power Rank 2024 puts the United Arab Emirates in the top spot, with a visa-free/visa-on-arrival score of 180.

Persons: Christian, Kaelin, ”, Tamas Gabor, iStockphoto, It’s, Arton Capital’s, Armand Arton, that’s, Arton Organizations: CNN, Henley & Partners, International Air Transport Association, South Korea, United, United Arab Emirates, Henley, United Nations Locations: France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Singapore, Spain, London, Europe, Finland, Sweden, –, Austria, Denmark, Ireland, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, United Kingdom, Greece, Malta, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand, Czechia, Poland, United States, Canada, Hungary, United Arab, Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq, Pakistan, Taiwan, Macao, Hong Kong, Kosovo, Palestinian, Territories, Monaco, Albania, South Korea, Czech Republic , New Zealand, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Iceland

☆ EV charging growth plans slowed by EU's power grid problems
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( Julia Payne | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

These are due to be implemented in 18 months and include addressing EV charging station power shortages. The ease of building an EV charging hub varies considerably country by country. To do so, it will ban sales of CO2-emitting vehicles from 2035 and wants to develop a network of EV charging stations. "Sometimes we have to send physical mail," said Peter Badik, co-founder of EV charging firm Greenway Network, which has set up 1,300 EV chargers in Slovakia, Croatia and Poland. "There is a clear need for more standardisation (of requirements for charging hubs)," BP's van Dobschuetz added.

Persons: Repsol, It's Kafka, Lucie Mattera, Mattera, Miguel Stilwell de Andrade, Peter Badik, Stefan van Dobschuetz, Dobschuetz, ChargeUp Europe's Mattera, Julia Payne, Alexander Smith Organizations: European Union, European Commission, EV, Reuters, Industry, Greenway Network, BP Pulse, Thomson Locations: BRUSSELS, Germany, Spain, Europe, EU, Slovakia, Croatia, Poland

☆ Slovak truckers to start Ukraine border crossing blockade, joining Polish protests
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( Jan Lopatka | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The Slovak hauliers are joining Polish truckers who have been blocking several crossings to Ukraine since Nov. 6. Polish and Slovak truckers complain that Ukrainian truckers offer cheaper prices for their services and also transport goods within the EU, rather than just between the bloc and Ukraine. The next decision would come after Monday's EU transport ministers meeting in Brussels, where Polish, Slovak and Hungarian delegations were expected to raise the topic. The Slovak Transport Ministry said after meeting the hauliers on Wednesday it would relay their demands in Brussels. European transport commissioner Adina Valean said on Nov. 29 that Ukraine and the EU cannot be "taken hostage" by the Polish truckers blockading the border.

Persons: Stanislav Skala, Skala, Nemecke, Adina Valean, Jan Lopatka, William Maclean Organizations: European Union, EU, Truckers, Military, Slovak Transport Ministry, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, Slovakia, Brussels, Slovak, Kyiv, Prague

☆ Exclusive: EU nuclear agency sees some Russia imports up again in 2023 from before Ukraine war
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( Gabriela Baczynska | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Its overall imports from Russia's nuclear energy industry held steady last year despite rising demand for nuclear power driven by high energy costs and a push to cut carbon emissions. The trend highlights challenges EU faces in reaching its long-term goal of achieving VVER fuel self-sufficiency. EU imports of natural uranium from Russia fell 16% last year from 2021, a drop compensated by increase in deliveries from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, ESA said. In 2022, the EU's Russian nuclear energy imports were worth around 750 million euros ($823 mln), or 1% of the bloc's Russian gas imports, according the European Commission. Sources said, however, that the proposal - which is not public - does not include sanctions on Russia's nuclear energy industry.

Persons: Radovan Stoklasa, ESA's, Stefano Ciccarello, Ciccarello, Finland's, Gabriela Baczynska, Anne Kauranen, Timothy Gardner, Tomasz Janowski Organizations: REUTERS, Union, Euratom Supply Agency, ESA, Reuters, U.S, Westinghouse, Commission, U.S ., Thomson Locations: Mochovce, Slovakia, Russia, BRUSSELS, Russian, Moscow, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Finland, Hungary, France, Sweden, Belgium, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Europe, United States, Brussels, Helsinki, Washington, Budapest

[1/3] Polish trucks are parked as they block crossings at the Ukrainian border near the village of Hrebenne, Poland November 19, 2023. The Polish hauliers' central demand is to stop Ukrainian truckers having permit-free access to the EU, something that Kyiv and Brussels say is impossible. Jan Buczek, head of Poland's main trucker business association, said Kyiv was showing no readiness to compromise and was creating obstacles for EU truckers operating in Ukraine. POLISH POLITICAL TRANSITIONThe Polish truckers say they will continue protesting until their demands are met and want more engagement from politicians from Poland's main political parties. The Federation of Employers of Ukraine, an industry lobby group, has estimated direct losses to the economy at around 400 million euros ($437 million).

Persons: Yan, hauliers, Taras Kachka, Kachka, it's, Vitaliy Vavryshchuk, Taras Vysotskiy, Serhiy Derkach, Derkach, Jan Buczek, Donald Tusk, Kromberg, Schubert, Olena Makarchuk, Karol Badohal, Alan Charlish, Mike Collett Organizations: REUTERS, Union, Reuters, EU, Justice, Federation, Employers of, Thomson Locations: Ukrainian, Hrebenne, Poland, Ukraine, KYIV, Kyiv, Brussels, Goods, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Moldova, Ukraine's Zhytomyr, Employers of Ukraine, Warsaw

☆ In best interest of U.S. to support both Ukraine and Israel, Ukrainian foreign minister says
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailIn best interest of U.S. to support both Ukraine and Israel, Ukrainian foreign minister saysUkraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba discusses U.S. Congress negotiations over aid for Ukraine, as well as relations with Hungary and Slovakia after recent tensions.

Persons: Dmytro Kuleba Locations: Ukraine, Israel, Ukrainian, Hungary, Slovakia

☆ Slovak truckers to block Ukraine crossing, joining Polish protests
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Yan Dobronosov/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNov 29 (Reuters) - Slovak truckers will block the main border crossing with Ukraine from Friday, the country's truckers association UNAS said, joining Polish protests to win restrictions against Ukrainian drivers. Polish truckers have been blocking several crossings with Ukraine since Nov. 6 to demand tougher conditions for Ukrainian peers. Polish and Slovak truckers complain Ukrainian truckers offer cheaper prices for their services and also transport goods within the European Union, rather than just between the bloc and Ukraine. They say their business has been undercut since truckers from Ukraine gained exemptions from seeking permits to cross following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Polish truckers started protests this month, demanding the EU reintroduce a permit system for Ukrainian truckers entering the bloc and for EU truckers entering Ukraine, with exemptions for humanitarian aid and military supplies.

Persons: Yan, UNAS, Vysne Nemecke, Transport Adina Valean, Jason Hovet, Sandra Maler Organizations: REUTERS, European Union, EU, Transport, Thomson Locations: Poland, Ukraine, Korczowa, Slovakia, Kyiv, Prague

☆ Steve: The aurora-like light show you can help research
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( Jackie Wattles | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

The purple-pink streak of light indicative of Steve is shown in this image captured by Canadian photographer Neil Zeller. “It can eventually migrate south … toward the equator side of aurora and form a Steve,” Lach said. A Steve will always appear alongside an aurora, Lach and Zeller said, but not all auroras include a Steve. The Steve phenomenon is most likely to be captured around the equinoxes in the spring and fall, according to Zeller and Lach. The photos contributed by members of the public constantly help scientists improve their understanding of these light shows, she said.

Persons: CNN —, It’s, Steve, Elizabeth MacDonald, MacDonald, “, ” MacDonald, Neil Zeller, ” Zeller, … we’d, I’d, Dr, Eric Donovan, Zeller, Donovan, Chris Ratzlaff, ” Ratzlaff, Steve —, —, Donna Lach, Lach, ” Lach, Steve Earth, “ It’s, Steve I’ve, ” Organizations: CNN, Northern Hemisphere, NASA’s Goddard Space Flight, Kilkenny, Facebook, NASA, University of Calgary, DreamWorks, SAR, “ Locations: United Kingdom, Calgary , Alberta, Alberta, Canadian, Canada’s Manitoba, Manitoba, Kp0, Wyoming, Utah, Turkey, Greece, Slovakia, China, Canada

☆ Nuclear's uncertain role in the shift away from fossil fuels is seen as critical and very contentious
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( Anmar Frangoul | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

It's set to be a hot topic at the COP28 summit in Dubai, which begins this week. There are reports that there will be a concerted effort to get behind a big increase in nuclear capacity from now to 2050. "As more nations understand the role nuclear can play in achieving energy security and decarbonisation targets, global support for nuclear energy is growing," he added. "The phase-out of nuclear power makes our country safer; ultimately, the risks of nuclear power are uncontrollable," Steffi Lemke, Germany's federal minister for the environment and nuclear safety, said in April. France, a major player in nuclear power, is also planning to increase its number of reactors.

Persons: Janos Kummer, Atoms4NetZero, Rafael Mariano Grossi, Friedrich Merz, CNBC's Annette Weisbach, Merz —, Chancellor Olaf Scholz —, Steffi Lemke Organizations: Getty, International Atomic Energy Agency, CNBC, World Nuclear Association, IAEA, Christian Democratic Union, Greenpeace, Germany —, — Locations: Slovakia, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, COP28, Germany, Sweden, France

☆ Shiffrin wins slalom for 90th World Cup victory
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Nov 26, 2023; Killington, Vermont, USA; Mikaela Shiffrin of the USA leads after the first slalom run of the Stifel Killington Cup FIS World Cup slalom at Killington Resort. Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports Acquire Licensing RightsNov 26 (Reuters) - American Mikaela Shiffrin secured a record-extending 90th World Cup win on Sunday with victory in the women's slalom at Killington in Vermont. Swiss Wendy Holdener finished third, 1.37 seconds behind home favourite Shiffrin, who has now won six of the seven World Cup slalom events held at Killington. "It's a pretty incredible hill and especially in slalom I feel like I have a good mentality," Shiffrin said after her 55th World Cup slalom victory. The win for Shiffrin, who finished third in Saturday's giant slalom, also gave the American her 141st World Cup podium, which trails only the 155 earned by Swedish great Ingemar Stenmark during the 1970s and 80s.

Persons: Mikaela, Erich Schlegel, Shiffrin, Petra Vlhova, Swiss Wendy Holdener, I've, Levi, Germany's Lena Duerr, Vlhova, Frank Pingue, Hugh Lawson Organizations: USA, Olympic, Shiffrin, American, 141st, Thomson Locations: Killington , Vermont, USA, Killington, Vermont, Slovakia, Swiss, Germany's, Toronto

☆ Factbox-European Countries Tighten Borders
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( Nov. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +5 min

These countries have reinstated stricter checks:* Austria introduced checks at its border with the Czech Republic in October, set to last until Dec. 6. * Denmark in August tightened border control for arrivals, including those from Schengen countries, at Copenhagen airport to boost security after incidents of Koran burnings. * Germany announced controls in September on its land borders with Poland, the Czech Republic and Switzerland, set to stay in place until Dec. 4. * Sweden strengthened checks in August on its borders, giving border police more power including body searches and increased use of electronic surveillance. * France as of November reintroduced controls on its borders with Schengen members, citing what it called terrorism threats.

Persons: Berlin, Matteo Piantedosi, Gerald Darmanin, Olivier Sorgho, Stéphanie, Milla Nissi, Frances Kerry Organizations: Reuters, European, Austria, EU, Kremlin Locations: Austria, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Hungary, Ukraine, Denmark, Copenhagen, Germany, Poland, Switzerland, Berlin, East, Italy, Norway, Slovakia, Sweden, France, Belgian, Brussels, Africa, Croatia, Finland, Russia, Helsinki, Moscow, Gdansk

☆ European countries tighten borders
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Persons: Fabrizio Bensch, Berlin, Matteo Piantedosi, Gerald Darmanin, Olivier Sorgho, Stéphanie, Milla Nissi, Frances Kerry Organizations: REUTERS, European, Austria, EU, Kremlin, Thomson Locations: Forst, Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Hungary, Ukraine, Denmark, Copenhagen, Poland, Switzerland, Berlin, East, Italy, Norway, Slovakia, Sweden, France, Belgian, Brussels, Africa, Croatia, Finland, Russia, Helsinki, Moscow, Gdansk

A number of companies have recently demanded that antitrust enforcers pay default interest on fines in annulled antitrust cases. Deutsche Telekom challenged the fine at the Luxembourg-based General Court, Europe's second highest, which cut it to 19 million euros in 2018, forcing the EU competition enforcer to repay the difference. Deutsche Telekom returned to the court after the EU competition enforcer refused to pay interest for the period between the payment and the reimbursement and got judges to back its fight. The Commission then appealed to the Luxembourg-based EU Court of Justice (CJEU). The case is C‑221/22 P European Commission v Deutsche Telekom AG.

Persons: Fabian Bimmer, Deutsche, Anthony Michael Collins, refunding, Foo Yun Chee, Kirsten Donovan Organizations: Deutsche Telekom, ITS, REUTERS, Companies Deutsche Telekom AG, Intel, Deutsche, European Commission, EU, Court of Justice, Deutsche Telekom AG, Thomson Locations: Hamburg, Germany, Slovakia, Luxembourg

☆ Far-right populist Wilders sweeps Dutch parliamentary election, exit poll shows
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

SCHEVENINGEN, NETHERLANDS - NOVEMBER 22: Geert Wilders (C), Dutch right-wing politician and leader of the Party for Freedom (PVV), reacts to the exit poll and early results that strongly indicate a victory for his party in the Dutch elections on November 22, 2023 in Scheveningen, Netherlands. Dutch voters have gone to the polls today in one of the most tightly contested general elections in recent years. Dutch anti-EU far-right populist Geert Wilders, who has vowed to halt all immigration to the Netherlands, was set for a major victory in parliamentary elections on Wednesday, an exit poll showed. Beating all predictions, the exit poll put Wilders' Freedom Party (PVV) at 35 out of 150 seats, 10 seats ahead of the closest rival, former EU Commissioner Frans Timmermans' Labour/Green Left combination. In a victory speech, Wilders vowed to bring an end to a "tsunami of asylum and immigration."

Persons: Geert Wilders, Carl Court, Wilders, Frans Timmermans, Robert Fico Organizations: Party for Freedom, Freedom Party, Labour Locations: SCHEVENINGEN, NETHERLANDS, Scheveningen , Netherlands, Dutch, EU, Netherlands, The Hague, Slovakia, Ukraine

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (AP) — The Slovak government signed a memorandum of understanding on Thursday with Chinese electric vehicle battery maker Gotion High-Tech and its local partner, InoBat, to build a car battery plant in Slovakia. The two companies formed Gotion InoBat Batteries, a Chinese-Slovak venture to build the plant in the town of Surany, about 100 kilometers (60 miles) east of Bratislava. German car giant Volkswagen is the largest shareholder in Gotion High-Tech with a 24.77% stake. Volkswagen has a car plant in Slovakia. Gotion High-Tech began production in its first European plant in Gottingen, Germany, in September.

Organizations: Tech, Volkswagen Locations: BRATISLAVA, Slovakia, Surany, Bratislava, Gotion, Gottingen, Germany

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