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By The Associated Press Mon., May 28, 2018 BRUSSELS—The European Union is proposing bans on plastic products like cotton buds, straws, stirs and balloon sticks when alternatives are easily available in an attempt to cut marine litter. The European Commission said its proposal would seek to cut marine litter in half for the ten most prominent items and avoid environmental damage estimated at more than $250 billion (U.S.) over the next dozen years. EU Vice-President Frans Timmermans said that utensils would not be banned completely, but steps would be taken to have them made out of sustainable materials when possible. The proposal will now be assessed by the EU parliament and member states but Timmermans hopes to see results before May 2019. Read more: Article Continued Below McDonald’s holds onto plastic straws amid push for bans Opinion | Jennifer Wells: Ottawa should just suck it up and join the ban on plastic straws People with disabilities … [Read more...] about European Union proposes ban on plastic straws, stirs and cotton buds
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Facebook chief faces European Union grilling over his ‘digital monster’
BRUSSELS — Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg faced tough questions from European Union lawmakers Tuesday over what one of them branded Zuckerberg's "digital monster," and he apologized for the way the social network has been used to produce fake news, interfere in elections and sweep up people's personal data. At a hearing in the European Parliament in Brussels, legislators sought explanations about the growing number of false Facebook accounts and whether Facebook will comply with new EU privacy rules, but many were left frustrated by Zuckerberg's lack of answers. European Parliament President Antonio Tajani, background, walks with Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg upon his arrival at the EU Parliament in Brussels, Tuesday, May 22, 2018. European Union lawmakers plan to press Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg on Tuesday about data protection standards at the internet giant at a hearing focused on a scandal over the alleged misuse of the personal information of millions of people. (AP … [Read more...] about Facebook chief faces European Union grilling over his ‘digital monster’
European Union chief chides Trump for ‘capricious’ policies
By Raf Casert and Lorne Cook Published 2:42 pm, Wednesday, May 16, 2018 Photo: Virginia Mayo / Associated Press Image 1of/1 CaptionClose Image 1 of 1 “With friends like that, who needs enemies?” EU President Donald Tusk said of President Trump. “With friends like that, who needs enemies?” EU President Donald Tusk said of President Trump. Photo: Virginia Mayo / Associated Press European Union chief chides Trump for ‘capricious’ policies 1 / 1 Back to Gallery SOFIA, Bulgaria — European Union Council President Donald Tusk on Wednesday derided the actions of the United States under President Trump as “capricious,” noting: “Someone could even think ‘with friends like that, who needs enemies?’” As trans-Atlantic problems mount, Tusk is leading … [Read more...] about European Union chief chides Trump for ‘capricious’ policies
US threatens sanctions against European Union after trade body rules Boeing harmed by Airbus aid
The US has threatened to impose billions of dollars worth of retaliatory sanctions against the European Union, after the World Trade Organisation ruled the trading bloc had been providing illegal aid to Airbus. The WTO dismissed an appeal by the European Union over an earlier ruling, saying it had failed to remove unfair funding for two of Airbus's models. Boeing had been arguing that European plane maker Airbus received $22bn (£16.2bn) in market distorting preferential government loans to help launch the A380 superjumbo and A350 jet. Boeing chief executive Dennis Muilenburg said: “Today’s final ruling sends a clear message: disregard for the rules and illegal subsidies are not tolerated. "The commercial success of products and services should be driven by their merits and not by market-distorting actions." The ruling marks a significant victory for Washington, bringing to a close a case dating back to 2004, and is the first of two … [Read more...] about US threatens sanctions against European Union after trade body rules Boeing harmed by Airbus aid
George Soros’ foundation is leaving Hungary after a campaign against him ‘unprecedented in the history of the European Union’
Michael Selby-Green, provided by Published 3:33 am, Tuesday, May 15, 2018 Reuters/Jorge Silva George Soros' Open Society Foundation (OSF) is closing its Hungarian office, citing a "repressive political and legal environment." Hungary recently passed a law dubbed the "Stop Soros Act" that gives the interior minister the power to expel NGOs. The recently re-elected right-wing Hungarian government ran a poster campaign against the billionaire, accusing him of meddling in countries' affairs. The OSF president said: "The government of Hungary has denigrated and misrepresented our work and repressed civil society for the sake of political gain, using tactics unprecedented in the history of the European Union." Recommended Video: Now Playing: Hungary's nationalist prime minister is on track for a third straight term in power. Viktor Orban says Hungary's future will be decided for decades at elections on Sunday. After a campaign in which Orban has positioned himself as a … [Read more...] about George Soros’ foundation is leaving Hungary after a campaign against him ‘unprecedented in the history of the European Union’