Poland and Hungary have lost in court in the dispute over the new rule of law mechanism. Budapest in particular is now threatened with financial sanctions. However, it remains to be seen whether the EU Commission will initiate proceedings before the country's parliamentary elections. There has been sharp criticism from the European Parliament.
By Eric Bonse
The EU-Africa summit is intended to give new impetus to the partnership between the two continents. A broad range of topics also includes possible cooperation in the field of renewable energies. For example, Europe wants to promote the expansion of infrastructure with know-how and an investment offensive and, in return, import green hydrogen in particular. Observers warn not to lose sight of the population in the process.
By Timo Landenberger
The International Olympic Committee and its attempts to cozy up to the host country of the Winter Olympics are once again under fire. The case of tennis player Peng Shuai has just begun to fade from the public eye. But now, human rights organizations put questions about forced labor back on the agenda. The United Nations also expressed its "deep concern". Meanwhile, cargo flights from western Xinjiang have been heading for airports in Budapest and Liège since mid-January. It is unclear whether the goods are actually free of forced labor.
By Marcel Grzanna
VW is experiencing heavy losses in its most important sales market. The group blames the drop in sales on closed factories and semiconductor bottlenecks. But the market has grown overall, and other foreign high-volume manufacturers such as Toyota have been able to maintain their market share. The cars of new Chinese competitors are already on a par with VW's – and have a price advantage.
By Frank Sieren
Last week, the EU Commission presented the Chips Act as a central industrial policy project. German industry now voices criticism of the focus on very specific technologies – and of the influence of chip manufacturer Intel.
By Till Hoppe
Who will steer the European Union through the most serious foreign policy crisis since the end of the Cold War? Three months after the start of the Ukraine-Russia conflict in November 2021, this question has still not been answered.
By Eric Bonse
Women's rights and equality have become part of the public discourse in China. The state alternates between concession and repression to counter the growing discontent of young women. With a revised 1992 law, for example, Beijing wants to fight sexual harassment. However, the state will never bow to a "radical feminist" movement like MeToo, controlled by "foreign forces".
By Fabian Peltsch
China and Russia could start the construction of their joint lunar base much sooner than expected. The fact that the two nations are cooperating ever more closely in space is also a reflection of world politics.
By Redaktion Table
More rainforest was cleared in the Amazon last month than ever before. With a new law on deforestation-free supply chains, the EU wants to stop deforestation. Delara Burkhardt (SPD) was rapporteur for the Parliament's own-initiative report on halting EU-induced deforestation and is now shadow rapporteur for the Socialists. In an interview with Timo Landenberger, she emphasizes the importance of the regulation for climate protection. She accuses the EPP of "delaying tactics".
By Timo Landenberger
Strategic reserves and gas from Azerbaijan are helping Italy to cope with the energy crisis better than several other EU countries. The country is also heavily dependent on Russian imports. This is one of the reasons why Italy proposed to the EU Commission back in October that it set up a joint system for gas reserves.
By Redaktion Table
