European Union

UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has voiced harsh criticism of Iran and Saudi Arabia. In a video published by the British daily The Guardian he accused the countries of waging proxy wars in the Middle East with tragic consequences for the populations there. Officially Britain is a close ally of Saudi Arabia. The British press praises his frank words but feels they should be followed by deeds.

Sweden's Social Democratic minority government plans to extend its domestic ban on the purchase of sexual services and also criminalise such transactions abroad. Not only Swedes but also foreigners living in Sweden who buy sex abroad would be punishable under the law. Swedish commentators are unanimous in their criticism of the measure.

A member of the transitional team of US president elect Donald Trump has been fired for posting fake news on Twitter. There were more false news stories than serious reports on Facebook in the run-up to the US elections, according to Internet media company Buzzfeed. Commentators discuss how to counteract fake news.

Latvia's president has signed an education law allowing schools to dismiss teachers who are disloyal to the country and its constitution. The government hopes this will curb Russian influence in the country's Russian-language schools. Is Latvia making a laughing stock of itself or is this the right way to combat Russian propaganda?

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This series of stockshots contains images of the European Council, the Council of the European Union, the European Commission, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee, the Committee of the Regions of the European Union, the European Central Bank, the European External Action Service, the European Court of Justice.

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Plenary session in Strasbourg

Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

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Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

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Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

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The EU Agency for Asylum must coordinate information exchange among member states and ensure they protect fundamental rights, said Civil Liberties Committee MEPs on Thursday.
Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

The EU Agency for Asylum must coordinate information exchange among member states and ensure they protect fundamental rights, said Civil Liberties Committee MEPs on Thursday.
Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP