Author: Euronews

The European Union “persistently failed” to act on its human rights commitments in 2023, Human Rights Watch said Thursday. ADVERTISEMENTThe watchdog’s latest annual report lists “repressive” migration policies, discrimination against marginalised communities and democratic backsliding by certain member states as some of the EU’s human rights shortcomings in 2023.The bloc is also denounced for its “double standards” on foreign policy, as it endorses accountability for war crimes in Ukraine whilst shying away from similar efforts in Gaza. Such contradictions mar the EU’s “standing as a principled global actor,” the report says.The highly-valued publication provides a barometer of respect for human…

US year-on-year inflation numbers for December 2023 came in higher-than-expected following energy prices falling at a lower rate ADVERTISEMENTUS year-on-year inflation numbers for December 2023 came in at 3.4%, a rise on November’s five-month low of 3.1% and above analyst estimates of 3.2%. The rise in inflation was largely due to energy prices in December 2023 falling at a lower rate than the previous month. Energy costs in December were down 2% versus -5.4% in the previous month, whereas fuel oil inched lower 14.7%, instead of -24.8% in November.Prices also inched up at a slower rate for items such as shelter,…

After derailing December’s summit, Hungary has made fresh demands to Brussels in exchange for a lift on its veto on the European Union’s proposed €50-billion fund for Ukraine. ADVERTISEMENTThe envelope, known as the Ukraine Facility, is meant to provide Kyiv with financial assistance between 2024 and 2027 to plug its ballooning public deficit, sustain essential services and pay for reconstruction efforts.Under the original plan, the Facility was supposed to be already up and running, as Brussels has run out of financial aid for the war-torn nation.But during a dramatic meeting of the European Council last month, Viktor Orbán waged his…

The World Economic Forum’s Global Risks report 2024 believes false information, rising conflicts and economic uncertainty are among the most widespread risks facing this year ADVERTISEMENTThe World Economic Forum (WEF)’s Global Risks 2024 report, published on 10 January, sheds some much-needed light on some of the key risks and issues the global economy is likely to face this year and in the coming years.According to the 2024 Global Risks Perception Survey: “The majority of respondents (54%) anticipate some instability and a moderate risk of global catastrophes, while another 30% expect even more turbulent conditions. The outlook is markedly more gloomy…

Were the names of celebrities such as Jimmy Kimmel, Tom Hanks, and Stephen Hawking featured on the list of individuals linked to Jeffrey Epstein? The unsealing of court records relating to the late sex offender has prompted a wave of conspiracy theories and disinformation. ADVERTISEMENTA US federal judge has begun unsealing court records featuring the names of dozens of people connected to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein since last Wednesday. But these documents ended up containing no major new revelations about Epstein and his associates.The fact that names are mentioned doesn’t mean there’s a link to the criminal activities of…

Galeria Karstadt Kaufhof is seeking a new owner, whose real estate group has made several insolvency filings. ADVERTISEMENTGermany’s last remaining major department store chain has filed for insolvency protection, its third filing in less than four years, after its owner ran into difficulties.Galeria Karstadt Kaufhof, which currently runs 92 stores and employs more than 15,000 people, said it filed for insolvency at a court in Essen, German news agency dpa reported on Tuesday. The company is seeking a new owner and talks with potential investors are already underway.The move follows insolvency filings by several companies in the trading and real…

The latest data from Eurostat shows unemployment rates are getting slightly better in the euro area and the wider EU. ADVERTISEMENTThe eurozone’s unemployment rate fell to 6.4% in November 2023, down from 6.5% in the previous month and from 6.7% the previous year, according to the latest data from Eurostat, the EU’s statistical office.The unemployment rate in the EU as a whole was 5.9% in November, also down from 6% in October and from 6.1% in November 2022.Eurostat estimates that almost 13 million people in the EU, of whom about 11 million are in the euro area, were unemployed in November 2023.The youth (under 25s)…

Payments to eligible iPhone owners have begun following a settlement agreement, even though Apple has not admitted any wrongdoing, while other users continue to await updates ADVERTISEMENTApple has begun compensating US owners of specific iPhone models amid claims that the devices were intentionally slowed down.The case includes iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 6s, 6s Plus, and SE models running iOS 10.2.1 or later before December 21, 2017, as well as the iPhone 7 or 7 Plus on iOS 11.2. Owners of the affected models could receive around €84 per device, with a maximum settlement payout of €450 million in total.Eligible US…

Davos will welcome global leaders for the World Economic Forum 2024 next week with the event focused on rebuilding trust. Discussions will span global security, job creation, climate initiatives, and AI development, with leaders striving for impactful, united resolutions. ADVERTISEMENTIn the heart of the Alps, the peaceful and picturesque Swiss town of Davos is gearing up to host a congregation of the world’s most influential leaders in politics and business for the 54th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF), scheduled from the 15 to the 19 of January 2024.The theme: “Rebuilding trust”This year’s theme, “Rebuilding Trust,” acknowledges the…

Rio Tinto’s Simandou project in Guinea could finally be making progress after 27 years of consecutive delays. ADVERTISEMENTRio Tinto’s Simandou iron ore project in Guinea is finally taking off after almost three decades of holding the licence, government turmoil and coups. The project is expected to include two iron ore mines, a trans-Guinean rail line and a deep water port.The mining giant, registered in the UK, had first obtained a Guinean exploration licence for the Simandou mountains back in 1997 but had to quickly pump the brakes once the country experienced severe political turmoil. This included four presidents, two coups…