EUROPE

EUROPE NEWS

Belgium region ‘totally opposes’ Mercosur trade pact

11:59 pm January 20, 2020

Brussels: Belgium’s southern Wallonia region, which briefly blocked an EU-Canada trade deal in 2016, said Monday it was “totally opposed” to Europe’s new trade pact negotiated with South America’s Mercosur grouping. The head of government for the French-speaking region, Elio Di Rupo, told the broadcaster RTBF that, “in its current state”, the agreement struck in […]

Prosecutors seek prison terms for accused in gold coin heist

9:36 pm January 20, 2020

Berlin: German prosecutors are seeking lengthy prison terms for four men accused of staging the brazen theft of a 100-kilogram (221-pound) Canadian gold coin that disappeared from a Berlin museum almost three years ago. The dpa news agency reported Monday that prosecutors have asked Berlin’s region court to sentence two of the men to […]

France’s Emmanuel Macron tells global CEOs: we’re open for business

France’s Macron tells global CEOs: we’re open for business

9:24 pm January 20, 2020

Paris: France’s president is taking on the role of salesman in chief for his strike-battered country. Emmanuel Macron used the splendor of the Palace of Versailles to woo international business leaders on Monday, insisting that his reforms are attracting investors despite six weeks of crippling protests and walkouts over his plan to overhaul the retirement […]

Davos chief welcomes views of Trump, Greta Thunberg at forum

11:57 pm January 19, 2020

Davos (Switzerland): The head of the World Economic Forum says it’s “reassuring” that US President Donald Trump and climate activist Greta Thunberg will both return to its annual meeting in Davos this year, noting that concerns about the environment will be a key topic. WEF founder Klaus Schwab sees vast changes in business, society and culture over […]

Splits in France’s strike movement trigger fears of violence

9:24 pm January 18, 2020

PARIS: A French government minister warned that seditious groups bent on violence were hijacking the protest movement against pension reform that has gripped the country, after a fire Saturday damaged a renowned Paris restaurant patronized by President Emmanuel Macron. The Paris fire service said the pre-dawn blaze that singed a corner of the La Rotonde […]