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☆ Navalny's body was 'abused' after his death in an Arctic penal colony, says his wife
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-28 | by ( Tom Porter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Yulia Navalnaya, the wife of late Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny, addressed the European Parliament. She accused Russian officials of abusing her husband's body. AdvertisementYulia Navalnaya, the wife of late Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny, said her husband's body had been abused while awaiting burial. Addressing the European Parliament in Strasbourg Wednesday, Navalnaya accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of killing her husband. AdvertisementRussian authorities have claimed that he died of natural causes, but Western leaders, including US President Joe Biden, have accused Putin of being behind Navalny's death.

Persons: Yulia Navalnaya, Alexey Navalny, Navalny, —, Navalnaya, Vladimir Putin, Joe Biden, Putin Organizations: Service, Kremlin Locations: Strasbourg, Moscow, Russian, Russia

☆ Navalny’s widow worried about arrests as funeral set for Putin critic
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-28 | by ( Christian Edwards | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

“I thought that in the 12 days since Alexey’s murder, I would have time to prepare for this speech. But first we spent a week getting Alexey’s body and organizing his funeral. More than 400 people were detained at makeshift memorials for Navalny across 32 Russian cities, according to human rights monitoring group OVD-Info. Kira Yarmysh, Navalny’s spokesperson, confirmed his funeral will be held at Borisov Cemetery in Moscow’s Maryino district, where Navalny lived. Somewhere they directly referred to the ban,” Ivan Zdhanov, the director of Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation, wrote Wednesday on X.

Persons: Alexey Navalny, Yulia Navalnaya, ” Navalnaya, “ I’m, ”, Kira Yarmysh, Navalny, God, Nalavny’s, Ivan Zdhanov, Navalny’s, Alexey, Lyudmila Navalnaya Organizations: CNN, Borisov, of, Corruption, Kremlin Locations: Moscow, Strasbourg, France, Russia, Moscow’s Maryino, Siberia

BRUSSELS (AP) — European Union lawmakers called on Thursday for an independent investigation into allegations of vote-rigging in Serbia and demanded that EU funds be cut off if the authorities in Belgrade fail to cooperate with the inquiry or are found to be implicated in election irregularities. The governing Serbian Progressive party of populist Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić won the Dec. 17 parliamentary and municipal elections, securing 129 seats in the 250-seat assembly. The opposition Serbia Against Violence coalition finished a distant second with 65 seats. The resolution has angered Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabić. Vučić’s ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin and his failure to enforce EU sanctions on Moscow have dismayed many.

Persons: Aleksandar Vučić, watchdogs, “, ”, Ana Brnabić, ” Brnabić, Vladimir Putin, ___ Dusan Stojanovic Organizations: —, Union, Serbian Progressive, Serbian, Violence, Organization for Security, Cooperation, Parliamentary, of Europe, Serbia’s National Assembly Locations: BRUSSELS, Serbia, Belgrade, Europe, Strasbourg, France, Moscow

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — The European Court of Human Rights ruled Tuesday that authorities in Greece violated the privacy rights of a group of women who were arrested and publicly identified in 2012 as HIV-positive prostitutes who allegedly endangered public health. The case was brought to the Strasbourg, France-based court by 11 Greek women, 10 of whom had been arrested and charged with intentionally attempting to inflict serious bodily harm by allegedly having unprotected sex with customers. He had warned of an increase in the incidence of customers having unprotected sex with prostitutes for an additional fee. Prostitution is legal in Greece, with regular health checks for sex workers required. Several of the women involved have since died, including one who was reported to have taken her own life.

Persons: ”, “, Andreas Loverdos Organizations: European, of Human Rights Locations: ATHENS, Greece, Strasbourg, France

PARIS (AP) — France is getting ready to show its gratitude toward World War II veterans who will return, many for the last time, to Normandy beaches this year for 80th anniversary commemorations of D-Day to mark the defeat of the Nazis. And we have to tell them,” Philippe Étienne, chairman of the Liberation Mission, the specially created body that organizes the 80th anniversary commemorations, told The Associated Press. “The civilians were part of this (World War II) conflict because they suffered and they supported fighters. Russian President Vladimir Putin, who had been present for the 70th anniversary of D-Day, wasn't expected to be invited this year. French authorities are notably considering launching an nationwide operation to collect family documents, objects and audiovisual material related to World War II that would help keep the memory alive.

Persons: Emmanuel Macron, ” Philippe Étienne, Étienne, “, It’s, Michel Delion, Vladimir Putin, wasn't, Putin didn't, Putin, …, ”, Fabien Sudry Organizations: PARIS, —, Omaha Beach, Paris, Associated Press, Legion, Nazi, Soviet, Allied Locations: — France, Normandy, Britain, U.S, Canada, France, United States, Europe, Ukraine, Russian, Rome, Soviet Union, Provence, Paris, Strasbourg, Germany, Nazi Germany, Africa

☆ Considering a move abroad in 2024? These are the best countries for expats
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-13 | by ( Blane Bachelor | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +26 min

The survey, which has been running for a decade, reflects input from nearly 12,000 expats representing 177 nationalities in 181 countries or territories. John Coletti/The Image Bank Unreleased/Getty ImagesA longtime retirement destination for Americans, Mexico also has attracted more families and the digital nomad set over the past few years. Pros: Mexico ranked first in InterNations’ 2023 Expat Insider survey and has ranked among the top five countries since 2014. Cons: As is the case in Mexico and other countries with large expat communities, there’s growing backlash against the influx of foreigners, especially Americans, and especially in Lisbon. That popularity among auslanders has contributed to a housing pinch in major cities, especially Berlin, where finding accommodation is one of the most stressful aspects of a move.

Persons: It’s, Megan Frye, Frye, ”, “, We’ve, John Coletti, San Miguel de Allende, margarita, Sean Pavone, expats, Alex Ingrim, Chase, Ingrim, it’s, pollsters, they’re, it’s MVV, Arielle Tucker, that’s, auslanders, Andriy Kravchenko, “ Costa, ” David Lesperance, Costa Rica’s, “ Tico, Sebastien Lecocq, Lesperance, he’s, what’s, Emily, ” Tucker, Roth, Tucker, Carte Organizations: CNN, Invest Overseas, Braga, InterNations, Mexico, National Institute of Statistics, Human Rights Watch, Visa, USA, CNN Travel, ”, Spain, International, Travel Association, pollsters Gallup, Michelin, Changi, Cons, United, Costa Rica Costa, Central, Costa, Lesperance, Associates, Panama Panama, Miami of, Panama City, Panama Qualified Investment, Panama Golden Visa, France France Locations: Valencia, Spain, Portugal, Mazatlán, Mexico, United States, Mexico City, Michigan, Mexico Mexico, Plaza Carso, Polanco, North America, —, Oaxaca, San Miguel, Playa, Carmen, InterNations, Portugal Portugal, Porto, Douro, Europe, Lisbon, Western Europe, Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Bilbao, Catalonia, Catalan, Netherlands, Amsterdam, Statista, Haarlem, Delft, Leiden, Maastricht, Washington, Miami , New York, San Francisco, Germany Germany, Munich, Germany, Berlin, Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Switzerland, Singapore Singapore, Singapore, Asia, Entre, Costa Rica, “, “ Costa Rica, Costa Rican, Panama City, Miami, Miami of Central America, Panama, North, South America, Italy, Venice, Italian, Paris, France, Lyon, Strasbourg

☆ Video of crowd’s fascist salute in heart of Rome rattles Italy – but not its prime minister
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-13 | by ( Barbie Latza Nadeau | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

The MSI party grew from the ashes of Benito Mussolini’s National Fascist Party after it was dismantled at the end of World War II when the dictator was deposed and killed. Gotor and Rocca laid a wreath at a monument to the fallen activists, but left before the fascist salute was carried out, their offices told CNN. Nor are fascist memorabilia or gestures like the fascist salute illegal, something that critics say must change. A witness who lives on the street where the commemoration took place told CNN that it happens every year, including with the fascist salute. Berizzi said that “in this moment neo-fascist groups feel protected by Meloni’s silence, her ambiguity.

Persons: Rome, Giorgia Meloni, Franco Bigonzetti, Francesco Ciavatta, Stefano Recchioni, “, ”, Benito Mussolini’s, Meloni, Francesco Rocca, Miguel Gotor, Gotor, Rocca, Elly Schlein, ” Schlein, Noemi Di Segna, Antonio Tajani –, Silvio Berlusconi –, Meloni wasn’t, ” Maria Calderone, ” Paolo Berizzi, Berizzi, Ewan MacPhee, ” MacPhee Organizations: Rome CNN, Italian, Acca, Italian Social Movement, MSI, Fascist Party, Democratic Party, CNN, ”, Union of Italian, Forza Italia, Facebook, La Repubblica, Italy’s, Operations, Social Democrats Locations: Rome, Italy, Lazio, “, Italian, Germany, Europe, Ukraine, Strasbourg

☆ The most exciting new trains coming in 2024
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-04 | by ( Ben Jones | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

CNN —Around the world, travelers are flocking back to trains, and demand is increasing across the board for high-speed trains, luxury “land cruises” and long-distance day and night trains. Here are some of the best new trains you’ll be able to take in 2024. Laurie Dieffembacq/Belga/AFP/Getty ImagesLinks between two of Europe’s most visited capitals have traditionally been pretty poor, with no direct trains since the 1990s. Ian Clarke/Alamy Stock PhotoFour continents, 13 countries, and seven luxury trains across 80 days – the ultimate experience for rail travel connoisseurs is due to depart in late 2024. BelmondOne of the world’s greatest luxury train journeys is returning to the rails in 2024 after a four-year gap.

Persons: Laurie Dieffembacq, Dimorestudio, Vita ”, Riva Aquarama, itineraries, Jeroen Berends, Gabriel Bouys, it’s, Jesus Hellin, That’s, Trenitalia, Luigi Ferraris, France –, Railbookers, Ian Clarke, we’ve, ”, Frank Marini, Alex Halada, There’s Organizations: CNN, Orient, Getty, ÖBB, Austrian Federal Railways, SNCF, Eurostar, National, Europa Press, French, Renfe, FS, Rocky Mountaineer, Royal, Orient Express, Oriental, ”, Oriental Express, Austrian Railways, Swiss Locations: Swiss, Venice, Paris, Berlin, AFP, Strasbourg, Frankfurt, Italy, Rome, Matera, Palermo, Sicily, Messina, Europe’s, Istanbul, Split, Brussels, Prague, Europe, Dutch, Dresden, Belgian, Roman, Naples, Madrid, Spain, France, Spanish, Barcelona, Lyon, Marseille, Canada, Central Europe, India, South Africa, Eastern, Vancouver, Malaysia, Singapore, Malaysia’s, Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi, Penang, Bangkok, Vienna, Innsbruck, Hamburg, Switzerland, Germany, Zürich, Gornergrat Bahn, Zermatt, Gornergrat, Riffelalp

A deal for a temporary cease fire was inching into view in Israel's war against Hamas, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tempered expectations by vowing that the war would continue even if a deal is reached. “We are at war, and we will continue the war,” he said. Israel has vowed to continue the war until it destroys Hamas’ military capabilities and returns all hostages. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose government maintains ties with Hamas officials, said Turkey’s foreign minister and intelligence chief were working with Qatari officials to negotiate releases. Hamas has released four hostages, Israel has rescued one, and the bodies of two were found near Shifa.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, Israel, Gaza — Israel, NETANYAHU, ”, “, Mostafa Madbouly, ” Madbouly, Israel —, Hadas Kalderon, Kalderon, John Kirby, Kirby, “ We’ve, ” NETANYAHU, ‘, ” Netanhayu, Khalil al, Hayya, Valdis Dombrovskis, ” BIDEN, WASHINGTON, Joe Biden, ” “, ” Biden, Biden's, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Erdogan, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, Tebboune, ” Tebboune, ” Erdogan, Israel’s, Asad, Assad, Qassim Abdul, Bassem, Tara Copp, Benjamin Netanyahu’s, Sergey Lavrov, Lavrov, ” Lavrov, Ziad Makary, Farah Omar, Rabih Maamari, Kfar Kila, Laiqa Serhan, Reuters videojournalist, Abduallah, Qatar’s Al, Izzat, Ismail Haniyeh, Goren, Tal Chaimi, ” Netanyahu, Mosab Abu Toha, Hamza Abu Toha, Mosab, Hamza, ” Mosab Abu Toha, Abu, Abu Toha Organizations: Hamas, Senior, Palestinian, Troops, Health Ministry, West Bank, WAR, JERUSALEM, CAIRO —, Israel, White, National Security, Israel —, European Union, ” EU, HIT ISRAEL, Algerian, International Criminal, Hezbollah, Cabinet, MUSLIM, Arab League, Organization of Islamic Cooperation, United Nations Security Council, Lebanese, National News Agency, Reuters, Agence France, Jazeera, SEA DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Galaxy Leader, U.S . Navy, OFFICIAL, PEN, Yorker Locations: Israel, United States, Qatar, Gaza, Gaza City, Gaza —, Iran, Yemen, Egypt, Cyprus, israel, Israeli, EGYPT, CAIRO, TEL AVIV, HAIFA, Beirut, EU, STRASBOURG, France, TURKEY, ALGERIA, GAZA ALGIERS, Algeria, Turkey, Turkish, BAGHDAD, Iraq, U.S, al, Baghdad, Anbar, Syria, Zahra, Bassem Mroue, Washington, JERUSALEM, “, Russian, Moscow, Russia, LEBANON, ISRAEL, BEIRUT, Lebanon, Kibbutz Manara, Kfar, IRAN, YEMEN, United Arab, Tehran, American, Red, Persian, Hormuz, Shifa

The logo of Lilly is seen on a wall of the Lilly France company unit, part of the Eli Lilly and Co drugmaker group, in Fegersheim near Strasbourg, France, February 1, 2018. REUTERS/Vincent Kessler Acquire Licensing RightsNov 17 (Reuters) - Retail flows into Eli Lilly (LLY.N) spiked to a more than two-year high in November, as small investors rushed to buy the stock after the U.S. pharma major received a highly anticipated approval for its weight-loss drug Zepbound. Lilly and Novo Nordisk (NOVOb.CO) - seen as leaders in a potential $100 billion obesity treatment market - have helped rekindle retail investor interest in the healthcare sector. "During the COVID period, retail investors were piling into healthcare because of the vaccines and after that there was a bit of a hangover of purchases. Reuters GraphicsRetail investors are now "catching up" with institutional investors, said Sel Hardy, vice president of equity research at CFRA.

Persons: Lilly, Eli Lilly, Vincent Kessler, Zepbound, Marco Iachini, Hardy, JPMorgan Chase, Vanda, Ozempic, drugmakers, Iachini, Bhanvi Satija, Sriraj Organizations: REUTERS, U.S . pharma, Vanda Research, Novo Nordisk, Graphics Retail, Sel Hardy, JPMorgan, BlackRock, AMC, Thomson Locations: Lilly France, Fegersheim, Strasbourg, France, U.S, Bengaluru

☆ The top Christmas markets for 2024
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-12 | by ( Tamara Hardingham-Gill | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +22 min

Basel Christmas Market, SwitzerlandBasel Christmas Market is made up of decorated stalls selling Christmas spices, decorations and candles. Strasbourg Christmas Market, FranceOne of Europe’s oldest Christmas markets, Strasbourg began back in 1570, but it’s evolved considerably since then. Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square Christmas markets, Prague, Czech RepublicTo say the city of Prague goes all out at Christmas is something of an understatement. Skansen’s Christmas Market, StockholmStockholm isn’t exactly lacking when it comes to Christmas markets, but none are more traditional than Skansen. St. Stephen’s Basilica and Vörösmarty Square markets, Budapest, HungaryBudapest has two main festive markets: St. Stephen’s Basilica Christmas market, or Advent Bazilika, and Vörösmarty Square Christmas market.

Persons: Wiener, Wiener Christkindlmarkt, it’s, Kleber, Laia Ros, Wenceslas, Santa Llucia, Mercati Natale, Piazza Santa, there’s, you’ll, Walt Disney, Lucia’s, Tuomaan, Emperor Alexander II, Santa Claus, Bazilika, Germany Gendarmenmarkt, Massimo Borchi, Dom, Deutscher Dom, Bavaria’s, Gendarmenmarkt, Jeff J Mitchell, Scott, Dominika, Glowny, Adam Mickiewicz, Steve Russell, Colin Miller, Manhattan’s, Josephine Shaw Lowell Fountain Organizations: CNN, City Hall, Basel, Switzerland Basel Christmas, Getty, Belgium’s, Bourse, Monnaie, Sainte, Marche aux Poissons, Fira, Barcelona Cathedral, Santa, Cisco Pelay, Piazza Santa Croce, Santa Croce, Tivoli Gardens, Estonia Estonia's, Markkinat, Vörösmarty, Nuremberg, Hyde, London Hyde, Food, Edinburgh, Scotland Scottish, Street Gardens, Scottish, Street, Edinburgh Castle, Andrew, George, East, Poland Krakow Christmas, Bratislava, Slovakian, Distillery, Toronto Star, Toronto, Distillery District, , New York Skaters, Bank of America, The Bank of America, Christkindlmarket Chicago, Daley, RiverEdge, Christkindlmarket Locations: Vienna, Germany, Switzerland, Singapore, New York, Austria, Barfüsserplatz, St, Basel, Strasbourg, France, Belgium, Brussels, Sainte Catherine, Marche, Belgian, Place, Prague, Czech Republic, Czech, Old, Santa Llucia, Barcelona, Santa, Florence, Italy, Heidelberg, Piazza del, Zagreb, Croatia, Advent, Tivoli , Copenhagen, Denmark, Danish, Tivoli, Tallinn, Estonia, Estonia Estonia's Tallinn, Estonian, Stockholm Stockholm, Djurgarden, Skansen’s, Tuomaan Markkinat, Helsinki, Ryhor, Helsinki’s, Stephen’s, Budapest, Hungary Budapest, Gendarmenmarkt, Capital, Berlin, Nuremberg, London, United Kingdom, Christmas, Edinburgh, Krakow, Poland Krakow, Polish, Europe, Mary’s, Slovakia, Bratislava, Bay, Toronto, Distillery, Bryant, , New, Manhattan’s Bryant, Chicago, Windy City, Aurora

If the complaint is upheld, it could result in orders from national courts for governments to cut carbon dioxide emissions blamed for climate change faster than currently planned. 'UNPRECEDENTED IN SCALE'The applicants argue climate change threatens their rights including to life, physical and mental wellbeing. Current policies would fail to meet either goal, according to the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Last month, a judge in Montana, in the United States, handed a historic win to young plaintiffs in a climate change case. In addition to Wednesday's youth case, there are two other climate cases pending before the ECHR's Grand Chamber.

Persons: Andre, Sofia Oliveira, Pedro Nunes, heatwaves, Gerry Liston, Andre Oliveira, Martim Agostinho, Agostinho, Liston, Catarina Demony, Aislinn Laing, Alex Richardson, Christina Fincher Organizations: European, of Human Rights, United Nations, Thomson Locations: Almada , Portugal, Portugal, Britain, Switzerland, Norway, Russia, Turkey, Strasbourg, Paris, Portuguese, Leiria, Europe, Montana, United States, Lisbon

☆ Youth Vs Europe: 'Unprecedented' Climate Trial to Kick off at Rights Court
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( Sept. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

Applicants will argue climate change threatens their rights including to life, physical and mental wellbeing. Current policies would fail to meet either goal, according to the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. "Without urgent action to cut emissions, (the place) where I live will soon become an unbearable furnace," another applicant, 20-year-old Martim Agostinho, said in a statement. Last month, a judge in Montana, in the United States, handed a historic win to young plaintiffs in a climate change case. In addition to Wednesday's youth case, there are two other climate cases pending before the ECHR's Grand Chamber.

Persons: Catarina Demony, Gerry Liston, Andre Oliveira, Martim Agostinho, Agostinho, Liston, Aislinn Laing, Alex Richardson Organizations: European, of Human Rights, United Nations Locations: Portugal, Britain, Switzerland, Norway, Russia, Turkey, Strasbourg, Paris, Portuguese, Leiria, Europe, Montana, United States, Lisbon

☆ China auto industry body 'firmly opposes' EU probe on Chinese EV subsidies, urges objectivity
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( Clement Tan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Employees work on the assembly line of C11 electric SUV at a factory of Chinese EV startup Leapmotor on April 26, 2023 in Jinhua, Zhejiang Province of China. Vcg | Visual China Group | Getty ImagesThe European Union should "objectively" consider China's electric vehicle industry and its highly competitive industrial supply chain, the head of a China automobile industry body on Thursday. This comes a day after the European Commission, the executive arm of the European Union, unexpectedly launched an "anti-subsidy" investigation into China's EV makers. "The EU should view the development of China's electric vehicle industry objectively, rather than arbitrarily employing unilateral economic and trade tools to restrict the development or increase operating costs of China's electric vehicle products in Europe," he added. He added that Chinese cars exported to Europe are generally retailing at nearly double the prices in mainland Chinese markets.

Persons: Cui Dongshu, Cui, Ursula von der Leyen Organizations: Visual China, Getty, European Commission, European Union, China's, China Passenger Car Association, CNBC, of Locations: Jinhua, Zhejiang Province, China, Europe, Strasbourg, EU, U.S, Beijing

☆ 'Blatantly protectionist': China sharply rebukes EU probe on Chinese EV subsidies
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( Clement Tan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Vcg | Visual China Group | Getty ImagesChina has accused the European Union of "blatant protectionism" after its executive arm unexpectedly launched an "anti-subsidy" investigation into China's electric vehicle makers. The Chinese Commerce Ministry urged dialogue to safeguard the interests of Chinese companies and commit to global efforts to address climate change and achieve carbon neutrality. If the EU finds harm from Chinese subsidies, Brussels is likely to impose tariffs on Chinese EVs despite the risk of political and economic backlash from Beijing. "If the EU finds harm from Chinese subsidies, Brussels is likely to impose tariffs on Chinese EVs despite the risk of political and economic backlash from Beijing." EU members are demanding the regional bloc shield European carmakers from Chinese EVs that they say are heavily subsidized by the Chinese government.

Persons: Ursula von der Leyen Organizations: Visual China, Getty, European Union, Chinese Commerce Ministry, CNBC, EU, Beijing . Eurasia, of, Eurasia Group Locations: Jinhua, Zhejiang Province, China, EU, Brussels, Beijing, U.S, Europe, Strasbourg

☆ EU to assess whether to hit Chinese electric cars with tariffs
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivers the State of the European Union address to the European Parliament, in Strasbourg, France, September 13, 2023. REUTERS/Yves Herman Acquire Licensing RightsBRUSSELS, Sept 13 (Reuters) - The European Commission started an investigation on Wednesday to assess whether the European Union needs to impose tariffs to protect itself against Chinese electric vehicle producers benefiting from state subsidies. And their price is kept artificially low by huge state subsidies," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in her annual address to the bloc's parliament. Von der Leyen stressed the importance of electric vehicles to the EU's ambitious environmental objectives. "So I can announce today that the Commission is launching an anti-subsidy investigation into electric vehicles coming from China.

Persons: Ursula von der Leyen, Yves Herman Acquire, Von der Leyen, Foo Yun Chee, Philip Blenkinsop, Gabriela Baczynska Organizations: European Union, REUTERS, Rights, European Commission, Thomson Locations: Strasbourg, France, Rights BRUSSELS, China, Europe

“Global markets are now flooded with cheaper Chinese electric cars, and their price is kept artificially low by huge state subsidies. This is distorting our market,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told EU lawmakers in Strasbourg, France. “As we do not accept this distortion from the inside in our market, we do not accept this from the outside,” von der Leyen said. “So, I can announce today that the commission is launching an anti-subsidy investigation into electric vehicles coming from China.”China’s leaders have helped make the country the biggest market for electric vehicles by investing billions of dollars in subsidies to get an early lead in what is seen as a promising industry. We must defend ourselves against unfair practices,” von der Leyen said.

Persons: Ursula von der Leyen, ” von der Leyen, ”, Geely Organizations: “, Global, BYD, Volvo Locations: BRUSSELS, China, Strasbourg, France, Japan, Europe, “ Europe

[1/4] European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivers the State of the European Union address to the European Parliament, in Strasbourg, France, September 13, 2023. Von der Leyen, who has been at the head of the bloc's executive Commission since the end of 2019, also said she would appoint an envoy to help small and medium-sized enterprises tackle red tape to make it easier to do business. Lawmakers gave a standing ovation after von der Leyen recounted the fate of Victoria Amelina, a Ukrainian writer and activist who was killed in a Russian attack on Ukraine. An upcoming package to support Europe's wind industry would be aimed at helping the sector as renewable energy companies struggle with steep inflation, von der Leyen said. Von der Leyen also said the wealthy bloc must engage more with African countries and accused Russia of stirring chaos in the Sahel region of the continent.

Persons: Ursula von der Leyen, Yves Herman Acquire, Von der Leyen, von der Leyen, Victoria Amelina, Héctor Abad, Yves Herman, Jan Strupczewski, Marine Strauss, Foo Yun Chee, Kate Abnett, Gabriela Baczynska, Andrew Gray, Julia Payne, Philip Blenkinsop, Ingrid Melander, Nick Macfie, Alex Richardson Organizations: European, European Union, REUTERS, EU, STRASBOURG, EU Commission, Ukraine, Kyiv, Lawmakers, Thomson Locations: Strasbourg, France, Europe, Ukraine, Ukrainian, Colombian, China, Russia, Sahel, Africa, Brussels

The European Union will begin an investigation into Chinese subsidies of electric vehicles, the bloc’s top official announced Wednesday, in a move that highlights Europe’s growing industrial and geopolitical competition with China. The inquiry could lead to trade restrictions, such as import tariffs on Chinese vehicles. Chinese automakers have gained a dominant position in the global electric vehicle industry and see Europe as a key potential market. “Europe is open for competition, not for a race to the bottom,” said Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, speaking in Strasbourg, France. “We must defend ourselves against unfair practices.”She announced the initiative during her annual state of the European Union address, which sets the tone for the year ahead.

Persons: ”, Ursula von der Leyen, “ Organizations: European Union, European Commission Locations: China, Europe, Beijing, “ Europe, Strasbourg, France

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reacts on the day of the annual State of the European Union address to the European Parliament, in Strasbourg, France, September 13, 2023. European Commission President von der Leyen told the European Parliament that Ukraine had already made "great strides" since being designated a membership candidate last year, even as it fights to repel Russia's invasion. But candidate countries have to meet a string of political and economic criteria to begin membership talks - and must fulfil more stringent conditions on democracy, the rule of law and economic standards - before they can actually join the EU. "For Ukraine, the biggest obstacle is Hungary and the discussion around national minorities," a senior EU diplomat said on condition of anonymity. On Wednesday, von der Leyen outlined a vision of a European Union that would include not only Ukraine, but also Moldova and countries of the Western Balkans.

Persons: Ursula von der Leyen, Yves Herman Acquire, von der Leyen, Viktor Orban, Peter Szijjarto, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Gabriela Baczynska, Andrew Gray, Andreas Rinke, Nick Macfie Organizations: European Union, REUTERS, Rights, ., EU, European Commission, Kyiv, OTP Bank, West, European, Thomson Locations: State, Strasbourg, France, Rights BRUSSELS, EU, European Union, Ukraine, Hungary, Germany, Kyiv, Hungarian, Moscow, Budapest, Moldova, Western Balkans

☆ EU's von der Leyen pledges more support for wind industry
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-13 | by ( Kate Abnett | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivers the State of the European Union address to the European Parliament, in Strasbourg, France, September 13, 2023. We will focus on skills, access to finance and stable supply chains," von der Leyen said in a speech to the European Parliament on Wednesday. But Europe's offshore wind power industry has warned governments it is not big enough to deliver green power goals and requires a jump in policy support to get on track - particularly if new wind farms are to be manufactured in Europe. "The future of our clean tech industry has to be made in Europe," von der Leyen said. Von der Leyen vowed to "stay the course" on Europe's green agenda, promising talks with industries - including agriculture - concerned about their role in the green transition.

Persons: Ursula von der Leyen, Yves Herman Acquire, von der Leyen, Eurelectric, von der, Von der Leyen, Kate Abnett, Gabriela Baczynska, Louise Heavens Organizations: European, European Union, REUTERS, Renewables, Energy, Thomson Locations: Strasbourg, France, Europe, BRUSSELS, EU

☆ European Union launches anti-subsidy probe into Chinese EVs
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-13 | by ( Matt Clinch | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

China's automobile and component exports more than doubled in 2021 from a year ago, exceeding 30% growth in China's exports overall, Bernstein analysts found. The European Commission, the executive arm of the European Union, on Wednesday launched an investigation into subsidies given to electric vehicle makers in China, according to President Ursula von der Leyen. Speaking at her annual State of the Union address at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, she said the commission is launching an "anti-subsidy investigation into electric vehicles coming from China." Autos stocks in Europe were higher by 1.2% on Wednesday morning after the announcement, in a largely down day for most sectors. This is a breaking news story, please check back later for more.

Persons: Bernstein, Ursula von der Organizations: European Commission, European Union, Wednesday, of Locations: China, Strasbourg, Europe

The Parliament said that sustainable fuels will include “synthetic fuels, certain biofuels produced from agricultural or forestry residues, algae, bio-waste, used cooking oil or certain animal fats." However, stocks of sustainable aviation fuel remain low. The EU Aviation Safety Agency says supply accounts for less than 0.05% of total EU aviation fuel use. On Sept. 5, the head of the German airline Lufthansa warned automakers to keep their hands off synthetic aviation fuels. Carsten Spohr said sustainable fuels represented the only workable way to decarbonize aviation, and there wouldn't be enough for the car industry as well.

Persons: Carsten Spohr Organizations: European Commission, EU, EU Aviation Safety Agency, Aviation, German, Lufthansa Locations: BRUSSELS, Strasbourg, France

☆ Eleven dead in fire at French holiday home for disabled
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-09 | by ( Tilman Blasshofer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WINTZENHEIM, France, Aug 9 (Reuters) - Eleven people died in a fire that tore through a holiday home for disabled people in eastern France in the early hours of Wednesday, officials said. A neighbour, Nathalie, told BFM TV that she heard people scream and saw huge clouds of smoke from her window. "Everything happened very quickly," an unnamed witness told France 3 TV. [1/5]Dark clouds are seen over the remnants of a holiday home in eastern France near Colmar where disabled people were killed as fire broke out during their summer holidays in Wintzenheim, France, August 9, 2023. Kielwasser told reporters it had likely been a low-level fire that had burnt for a while before growing bigger and tearing the house down.

Persons: Nathalie Kielwasser, Elisabeth Borne, Borne, Nathalie, BFM, Tilman Blasshofer, Philippe Hauwiller, Kielwasser, Daniel Leroy, Elizabeth Pineau, Zhifan Liu, Sudip Kar, Gupta, Charlotte Van Campenhout, Blandine, Ingrid Melander, Angus MacSwan, Bernadette Baum, Toby Chopra, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: France, REUTERS, Thomson Locations: WINTZENHEIM, France, Wintzenheim, Strasbourg, Colmar, Paris

REUTERS/Christian Hartmann/File PhotoSINGAPORE, Aug 3 (Reuters) - Oil prices were little changed on Thursday after a two-day decline, including a sharp drop on Wednesday, as a U.S. government credit downgrade weighed on sentiment, though concerns around supply tightness provided some support. Ratings agency Fitch downgraded the main U.S. credit rating, the world's biggest oil consumer, reflecting an expected fiscal deterioration as well as a high and growing government debt burden. Both benchmarks were trading near their highest since April on Wednesday, but closed down 2% after the ratings downgrade. "Since oil had a steady rise over the past month, it was ripe for a pullback. The oil market will remain tight over the short-term, but prices could be still vulnerable for a deeper drop," said Edward Moya, an analyst at OANDA.

Persons: Christian Hartmann, Fitch, Brent, Edward Moya, refiners, Tina Teng, Andrew Hayley, Sudarshan, Christian Schmollinger, Kim Coghill Organizations: REUTERS, Brent, U.S, West Texas, Energy, Administration, Organization of, Petroleum, Reuters, CMC Markets, Thomson Locations: Scheibenhard, Strasbourg, France, SINGAPORE, U.S, Saudi Arabia, China

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