Energy security dominates EU-Ukraine summit
Energy security was at the forefront of concerns at the EU-Ukraine summit on Tuesday, as surging gas prices and supply problems persist throughout the continent. Kiev’s main concern is about the consequences of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline between Russia and Germany that will bypass Ukraine. President Zelenskyy says the gas pipeline is a threat to his country’s independence.
G20 leaders agree to step up Afghan humanitarian effort
G20 leaders meeting in Rome, have agreed to work together to avoid a humanitarian disaster in Afghanistan. In a virtual summit on the looming economic and humanitarian crises sparked by the Taliban’s return to power, the EU pledged a €1 billion aid package and host Italy stressed the need to maintain contacts with the Taliban. The country’s assets held abroad have been frozen, while unemployment anf food prices are rising, prompting warnings of a humanitarian disaster once winter arrives.
Top Polish court ruling against EU law comes into force
A landmark ruling by Poland’s top court challenging the primacy of EU law has entered into force.The decision was published in the Official Gazette on Tuesday, making it legally binding. The Constitutional Court ruled last week that parts of EU law were “incompatible” with the Polish constitution – giving national law primacy and undermining a key tenet of EU law.
First arrest in Kurz corruption probe
Authorities in Austria have made a first arrest in the corruption probe that led Sebastian Kurz to resign as chancellor. Public prosecutors are investigating the former chancellor and nine others on suspicion of embezzlement, bribery and corruption. According to Der Standard, the person arrested Tuesday was a pollster who reportedly deleted data from the hard disk of her computer shortly before a raid.
Queen Elizabeth in public with the cane
For the first time, Queen Elizabeth took part in an important public event with the help of a walking stick. The Evening Standard published a photo taken of the 95-year-old queen during a ceremony on the occasion of the centenary of the Royal British Legion. The newspaper reports Elizabeth got out of a limousine, received the cane from the hands of the Royal Princess Anne and then headed, without problems, to her place in Westminster Abbey.
France fruit and vegetables to be sold without packaging
In France, from 2022, it will be illegal to sell a large part of unprocessed vegetables and fruit in plastic packaging. This will only be allowed until 2026 for more fragile ones such as berries. To date, 37% of fruit and vegetables in France are sold packaged.
Gabby Petito was ‘strangled’
US cross-country traveller Gabby Petito was strangled, a Wyoming Coroner Dr Brent Blue said in a news conference. Petito (22) died three to four weeks before her body was found on September 19 near an undeveloped camping area along the border of Grand Teton National Park in remote northern Wyoming, Teton County.
Same-sex wedding also possible for Dutch royal family
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has told the Dutch daily De Telegraaf that “nothing prevents Crown Princess Amalia from marrying a woman if she so wishes”. The VVD party wanted to know from the prime minister whether the Dutch heir, Princess Amalia, 17, would have to renounce the throne in case she intends to marry a partner of the same sex. Gay marriage has been legal in the Netherlands since 2001.
Amy Winehouse’s belongings up for auction
More than 800 personal effects – including shoes, shorts, bras, books and records – that belonged to singer Amy Winehouse will be sold at auction in Beverly Hills, California on November 6 and 7. The short green and black dress designed by Naomi Parry that the star wore on the day of her last concert is the most anticipated item and should sell for close to $20,000. Overall, sales are expected to bring in around $2 million in total. The Grammy-winning British diva died on July 23, 2011, when she was only 27 years old. The proceeds will go to the Amy Winehouse Foundation, which supports vulnerable young adults facing addiction. Winehouse, who won several awards for the 2006 album “Back to Black”, has often spoken of her personal experiences with alcohol and drug addiction.
Crowd trouble in England v Hungary qualifier
Hungary fans fought with police in the opening minutes of Tuesday’s World Cup qualifier against England at Wembley. Some of their supporters, totalling almost 1,000, booed as England players took the knee before kick-off. Metropolitan Police entered the stand to arrest a spectator for a racially-aggravated public order offence in relation to comments directed towards a steward. As officers made the arrest, minor disorder broke out. The game ended 1-1 with John Stones levelling for England after Roland Sallai’s penalty for Hungary. There was trouble too when the sides met in Budapest with Hungary ordered to play two matches behind closed doors by FIFA following the racism English players experienced. The Football Association said it would investigate and report the incident to FIFA. England need four points from the remaining two matches to be sure of qualification.
Meanwhile, Denmark joined Germany in qualifying for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar as they maintained their 100% record with a narrow 1-0 win over Austria in Copenhagen.
