Browsing: Europe

Europe is a continent and is different to the European Union.

Switzerland’s non-membership of the EU means it is viewed as more neutral than countries like Austria, Ireland or Sweden.

Female genital mutilation: ‘Women circumcise little girls for men’ EU

In France, nearly 125,000 women have undergone female genital mutilation (FGM). The fight against this practice has led to the creation of psychological and surgical care over the last 40 years but the subject remains taboo. FRANCE 24 provides an overview of the situation on the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, February 6.

European Union member states, the Group of Seven industrialised countries and Australia said Friday that they adopted a price cap on Russian oil. The move is the latest part of an international push to limit Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war chest for his assault on Ukraine by targeting his key exports. Follow our live blog for all the latest developments. All times are Paris time (GMT+1).

Russia putting ‘more and more forces’ into Donbas battle, says Zelensky EU

Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky said the situation on the front lines in the east of the country was getting tougher, with Russia throwing more and more troops into battle, hours after the two sides agreed to exchange dozens of prisoners of war. Earlier on Saturday, Ukrainian officials said a serious accident at a high-voltage substation had caused widespread power outages in and around the southern port city of Odesa, leaving half a million people without power. Follow our live blog to see how the day’s events unfolded. All times are Paris time (GMT+1).

Countering US subsidies: Is a ‘Made in Europe’ investment plan realistic? EU

For months, European leaders have sought a united response to the US Inflation Reduction Act, or IRA. That plan, announced by the White House last year, favours American-made climate technology through subsidies and tax credits. But EU chiefs say the policy discriminates against Washington’s closest partner, Europe. The panelists in this debate agree that that the IRA poses a major challenge to the European economy, but disagree on the way forward. “We need a major subsidy programme to re-industrialise Europe,” says MEP Martin Schirdewan. But MEP Christophe Hansen counters: “Fighting subsidies with subsidies is the wrong way. It will play big EU countries off against small ones, and damage the internal market, which is turning 30 years old,” he says.

Canary Islands: La Palma volcano goes silent, but anger rumbles on EU

After lying dormant for half a century, the Cumbre Vieja volcano on La Palma, in Spain’s Canary Islands, suddenly exploded in a river of fire on September 19, 2021. The eruption lasted for 85 days. No one was killed, but more than 1,000 homes were destroyed, as well as 70 kilometres of roads. Some 350 hectares of banana plantations were covered with lava. The eruption dealt a huge blow to the island’s economy. Almost a year and a half later, around 100 residents are still being housed in hotels and many continue to wait for the financial aid promised by the Spanish authorities. FRANCE 24’s C?line Schmitt and Armelle Exposito report.

Pension reform poses biggest challenge to Macron’s legacy as a reformer EU

A feeling of d?j? vu pervaded the French capital on Monday as hundreds of thousands of protesters unfurled their posters and strikes paralysed public transport in opposition to the government’s announced pension reform. The proposed changes, a cornerstone of Macron’s reform agenda but also a high-stakes test of his reputation as a reformer, are particularly controversial at a time when many French households are struggling with inflation and rising energy prices.