European Union

MEPs gave the green light to the entire new European Commission during the plenary session in Strasbourg - but with the abstention of the Greens and a rejection by the leftist group GUE/NGL.

The European Parliament is due to vote today on the new EU Commission, which will then in all likelihood commence its activities on December 1. Europe's press outlines the challenges von der Leyen's team faces and mulls over how they can be met.

The transport authority responsible for transport in Greater London revoked Uber's licence for the British capital on Monday citing safety concerns. Uber plans to appeal the decision. While some praise the authority for acting responsibly, others say it's just propping up an old monopoly.

In the Czech Republic, the public prosecutor's office has launched a formal investigation into the killings of refugees on the western border of the former Czechoslovakia. Three men are being prosecuted: the ex-Communist Party Secretary General Miloš Jakeš (97), the former prime minister of Czechoslovakia Lubomír Štrougal (95) and former interior minister Vratislav Vajnar (89). The press sees this as a move towards justice finally being done.

More and more companies are luring consumers with sales offers on Black Friday and Cyber Monday before the Christmas shopping season actually begins. Commentators take a critical look at the shopping frenzy mentality that is often encouraged by e-commerce.

According to a report by the World Anti-Doping Agency Wada, Russia has intentionally manipulated doping test results. Its compliance review committee has therefore recommended that Russian athletes be banned from participating in all major sports competitions for four years - an unprecedentedly harsh punitive measure. The final decision is to be made in December. Is a ban justified, and does it make sense?