European Union

The EU is questioning the rule of law in Poland and has tasked an EU Parliament committee with examining whether to launch infringement proceedings. The Polish government's judicial reforms are the main source of concern. For some commentators the debate has taken on hysterical proportions; others want to see tough action against Warsaw.

At the New York auction house Christie's a painting by Leonardo da Vinci has been sold for the record sum of 450 million dollars. The name of the purchaser of the portrait of Jesus entitled Salvator Mundi is unknown. The former record price at a public auction was previously held by a painting by Pablo Picasso, sold for 180 million dollars in 2015. What determines the value of a work of art?

Spain's conservative ruling party led by Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy remains at the centre of the investigations into the country's biggest ever corruption case. The case involves manipulated financial records, illegal donations from construction companies and bribery. The party has now been accused of obstructing justice by destroying evidence. Spain's press is shocked by the party's reaction to the investigations.

Twenty-seven years after the collapse of the Soviet Union the archives of the Soviet secret service the KGB, dubbed the "Cheka sacks", still haven't been opened to the public in Latvia. Now the commission that was tasked with evaluating the documents has called for this to change, triggering a lively debate in the country about whether this is wise.

The military in Zimbabwe took control of the country on Tuesday night and placed its 93-year-old president Robert Mugabe under house arrest. The background to the move is the dispute over who will replace the elderly leader. The military leadership has promised that its move is only a temporary measure. Europe's commentators focus on what will happen now that Magabe's rule has apparently ended.

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EU Ministers of Education, Culture, Youth, Sport and Communication meet on 20-21 November 2017 in Brussels to discuss a wide range of topics. During the Youth session ministers aim to reach a general approach on the European Solidarity Corps, as well as adopt conclusions on Smart Youth Work. Education ministers then discuss the renewed EU agenda for higher education, as well as school development and excellent teaching. On the second day, the Culture session focuses on the adoption of conclusions on promoting access to culture via digital means with a focus on audience. During the final session on Sports, ministers adopt conclusions on the role of coaches in society and close up the meeting with a resolution on further developing the EU Structured Dialogue on sport.

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