European Union

The first President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev, was the main speaker and the centre of attention at the 12th edition of the Astana Economic Forum on Thursday (16 May). To a wide international audience, he provided explanations for his recent...

To maximise the global impact of climate policy, Norwegian economists recommend a shift of focus - from national emissions reductions, to clean technology development and better use of international emissions-trading systems, notably EU market mechanisms.

The European Court of Justice has ruled that in future employers must track the working hours of their employees in detail. The Luxembourg judges' decision stems from a lawsuit brought by a Spanish trade union against Deutsche Bank. A number of commentators celebrate this as good news for workers. Others are worried it will scare off investors in the EU.

In Alabama there will be only one exception to the ban on abortion in the future: if the life of the pregnant women is in acute danger. The Republican-led, deeply religious state of Alabama is set to introduce the most restrictive abortion law in the US - even post-rape abortion will become illegal. Journalists are appalled and speculate on how it came to this.

Since the beginning of the week people have been protesting against the construction of a new cathedral in a green area in central Yekatarinburg. So far the authorities have shown no sign of abandoning the project, which is being financed by influential sponsors. Russia's commentators describe a conflict between Church, state and wealthy patrons on one side, and spontaneously protesting citizens on the other.

In Burkino Faso two French soldiers were killed in an operation to free four tourists. Two French people were kidnapped in Benin last week and transported across the border. When special forces stormed the kidnappers' camp, they also encountered a South Korean and an American woman. France discusses whether the holidaymakers are to blame.