European Union

US Democrat Bernie Sanders has withdrawn from the Democratic race for the US presidency, leaving Joe Biden to run against President Donald Trump in November. But the media see Sanders' mission and ideas as more relevant than ever.

Poland is sticking to its plan of holding presidental elections on 10 May. The parliament in Warsaw made the decision on Monday on the basis of the crisis law passed at the end of March. Although all Poles rather than (as the government had originally planned) just those over 60, who are mostly PiS voters, will now vote by mail, criticism is rife among commentators.

The restrictions of social distancing are making it difficult for people to come into contact with one another. Especially those who have neither a partner nor family are feeling increasingly isolated. But the pandemic is also not without consequences for relationships between couples and friends. Commentators describe a world without physical contact caught between fatalism, longing and hope.

The leaders of some countries are turning a blind eye to the coronavirus pandemic. In Belarus, for example, President Alexander Lukashenko has repeatedly railed against the 'corona panic' - and recommends drinking vodka to prevent infection. In Brazil, President Jair Bolsonaro has accused the media and politicians of scaremongering. While some observers voice concern others see good reason to take a relaxed stance.

The European Commission has started assessing the impact and consequences of the Interchange Fee Regulation (IFR) on the payments market. While we welcome the Commission’s initiative, we have several reasons to believe that an assessment of the impact of IFR at this stage is premature.

Only five EU member states have submitted long-term renovation strategies that were due last month under the revised energy performance of buildings directive: Belgium, Denmark, Finland, The Netherlands and Sweden.

The growing number of diseases transmitted from animals to humans is closely linked to the way food is produced and the intensification of animal production, especially large-scale agribusiness, a Greek professor has said. Charalambos Kasimis, a professor at the Agricultural...