Europe
Make-or-break EDF restructuring talks seen concluding in March: sources
PARIS (Reuters) – Negotiations between Paris and Brussels over an overhaul of state-controlled power group EDF are entering a final stage, with an outcome expected by the end of March, two union sources and a third person familiar with the discussions said. FILE PHOTO: The company logo for Electricite de France (EDF) is seen in …
Freedom, technology and trade made Europe a historic success
Technology is neither good nor bad. It can be used in ways either beneficial or detrimental to society. The innovation process, however, creates fears as many do not sufficiently understand the new products and systems and the advantages they bring. People fear that efficiency- and productivity-boosting technologies will take away their jobs and that no …
Dozens burned with single hack
BOSTON (AP) — The SolarWinds hacking campaign blamed on Russian spies and the “grave threat” it poses to U.S. national security are widely known. A very different — and no less alarming — coordinated series of intrusions also detected in December has gotten considerably less public attention. Nimble, highly skilled criminal hackers believed to operate …
Swiss vote on proposal to ban face coverings in public
BERLIN (AP) — Swiss voters delivered their verdict Sunday on a proposal to ban face coverings, both the niqabs and burqas worn by a few Muslim women in the country and the ski masks and bandannas used by protesters. A projection after polls closed pointed to a very close result. The measure would outlaw covering …
A Giant of Europe Prepares to Head Italy’s New Unity Government
ROME — Mario Draghi, a giant of Europe largely credited with saving the euro, formally presented a broad unity government to Italy’s president on Friday, all but assuring that he will become prime minister at a precarious moment when the prospect of a more closely bound European Union hinges on Italy’s success. Mr. Draghi, who …
U.S. concerned over China’s ‘predatory’ behavior when comes to technology: State Dept
FILE PHOTO: U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price answers a question during a news briefing at the department in Washington, U.S., February 9, 2021. Olivier Douliery/Pool via REUTERS WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States has profound concerns over China’s “predatory” behavior when it comes to technology, the State Department spokesman said on Thursday, adding that …
COVID-defying nun toasts 117th birthday with wine and prayer
Question: How does one cram enough candles onto a birthday cake for one of the world’s oldest survivors of COVID-19? Answer: With 117 candles, you can’t. A French nun who is believed to be the world’s second-oldest person was celebrating her 117th birthday in style on Thursday. There were plans for Champagne and red wine, …
Russia: Protests in support of Alexey Navalny get under way
Navalny’s supporters said they were planning nationwide protests in at least 120 cities, with each due to start at midday local time in that city. The country covers 11 timezones. Live video feeds and social media videos show crowds of people gathering in a number of cities, chanting “Putin is a thief,” in reference to …
German officials say AstraZeneca vaccine shouldn’t be given to over-65s, citing lack of data
The Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) at Germany’s Robert Koch Institute (RKI), the country’s main public health authority, found there is insufficient data on the effectiveness of the vaccine, developed by AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford, for this age group, according to a statement from the interior ministry on Thursday. “Due to the small …
Madrid explosion: 3 dead, several injured as explosion rocks Spanish capital
The blast, which occurred in a building on Toledo Street, caused widespread damage, according to video footage tweeted out by the city hall emergency information service, Emergencias Madrid. Images from the scene showed a section of exterior wall had been torn off several floors of the building, leaving rooms exposed to view. Debris covered parked …
