Eurotopics.net

Reports from pharmaceutical companies about the effectiveness of their Covid vaccines are fuelling hopes that the pandemic could end in the near future. But many questions remain unanswered, especially those dealing with how vaccines can be distributed fairly around the world. The media are at odds over whether the market should call the shots, or whether world health is a matter that transcends the economic success of manufacturers.

MEPs have introduced the idea of circumventing Poland's and Hungary's veto of the rule of law mechanism and quickly disbursing coronavirus aid: The "enhanced cooperation" provided for in the EU treaties could take effect with regard to coronavirus funding if a smaller group of EU members joins forces in favour of it. Will the veto be a fiasco for Budapest and Warsaw?

At their video summit on the weekend, the leaders of the major industrialized and emerging countries committed to intensified cooperation in the fight against the Covid crisis and - with the exception of US President Donald Trump - to joint climate protection efforts. However, observers criticise a dearth of concrete concepts for tackling the challenges.

The soldiers of an Australian elite unit are suspected of committing war crimes in Afghanistan. An investigation found that they "unlawfully killed" at least 39 civilians and prisoners between 2009 and 2013. The commander-in-chief of the Australian armed forces, General Angus Campbell, announced that the crimes would be prosecuted under criminal law. Shocked reactions from Europe's press.

The French parliament passed parts of a new security law in its first reading on Friday. Under the new legislation pictures of police operations will no longer be allowed to be distributed publicly, while the police will receive greater powers regarding camera surveillance and weapons. The proposed law has provoked fierce protest from the media and civil organizations, and this is reflected in the commentary columns.