Hungarian PM Viktor Orban hosted the Polish Premier and Italian leader Matteo Salvini for discussions on a right-wing alliance in Europe. Is the new project driven by conservative Christian beliefs or the failure of left-wing European politics?

Gravitas: European leaders discuss right-wing alliance

The world is struggling with another shortage - that of vaccines. Many countries still don't have the shots they need. Some of those who have it don't want to use them.

To add to the woes, the curbs on the AstraZeneca vaccine are back. France, Sweden, Finland, Canada and Germany want the youth to avoid the shot.

And the UK has found 30 blood clotting cases linked to this vaccine.

There is uncertainty and confusion in Germany once again. A day after the Astrazeneca shot was suspended. The people who are waiting for a jab don't know what to expect next.

Earlier this week, Germany suspended the use of this vaccine for those below 60 over fears of a rare blood clot. It wasn't the only one to do so.

France, Sweden, Finland and Canada too want younger people to avoid the shot.

In Norway and Denmark the Astrazeneca shot still remains suspended for everyone. While, the UK has now found 30 cases of blood clot events.

But it still continues to use the vaccine. The head of the European medicines agency still backs the Astrazenca shot.

The constant back and forth over the vaccines is only hurting Europe. Despite booking millions of vials in advance. Less than 10 percent of the people in Germany, France and Italy have managed to get their first dose. In comparison, by end of March. The UK had vaccinated more than 40 percent of its citizens with at least one dose.

Britain at least on the vaccine front seems to be benefiting after breaking away from the union. Slow approvals have only compounded Europe's problems.

According to a report, the European Commission struck its first vaccine contract 105 days after Britain. It approved its first shot 19 days later.

The European Union has booked close to two billion doses. That's enough to cover its population more than twice. But the bloc has been slow to administer the doses.

After its program began in December last year.

It took 63 days for the EU to vaccinate five per cent of its population with a single dose. The UK covered the same distance in less than 40 days.

The impact of the delays is there for the world to see. A deadly third wave is now sweeping the continent. Forcing several countries to reimpose lockdowns and restrictions. The UK on the other hand has now eased some of its restrictions.

Now with the latest round of suspensions against the Astrazeneca shot. Europe's fight against the pandemic is about to get tougher.

The world is struggling with another shortage - that of vaccines. Many countries still don't have the shots they need. Some of those who have it don't want to use them.

The world is struggling with another shortage - that of vaccines. Many countries still don't have the shots they need. Some of those who have it don't want to use them. To add to the woes, the curbs on the AstraZeneca vaccine are back. France, Sweden, Finland, Canada and Germany want the youth to avoid the shot. And the UK has found 30 blood clotting cases linked to this vaccine. There is uncertainty and confusion in Germany once again. A day after the Astrazeneca shot was suspended. The people who are waiting for a jab don't know what to expect next. Earlier this week, Germany suspended the use of this vaccine for those below 60 over fears of a rare blood clot. It wasn't the only one to do so. France, Sweden, Finland and Canada too want younger people to avoid the shot. In Norway and Denmark the Astrazeneca shot still remains suspended for everyone. While, the UK has now found 30 cases of blood clot events. But it still continues to use the vaccine. The head of the European medicines agency still backs the Astrazenca shot. The constant back and forth over the vaccines is only hurting Europe. Despite booking millions of vials in advance. Less than 10 percent of the people in Germany, France and Italy have managed to get their first dose. In comparison, by end of March. The UK had vaccinated more than 40 percent of its citizens with at least one dose. Britain at least on the vaccine front seems to be benefiting after breaking away from the union. Slow approvals have only compounded Europe's problems. According to a report, the European Commission struck its first vaccine contract 105 days after Britain. It approved its first shot 19 days later. The European Union has booked close to two billion doses. That's enough to cover its population more than twice. But the bloc has been slow to administer the doses. After its program began in December last year. It took 63 days for the EU to vaccinate five per cent of its population with a single dose. The UK covered the same distance in less than 40 days. The impact of the delays is there for the world to see. A deadly third wave is now sweeping the continent. Forcing several countries to reimpose lockdowns and restrictions. The UK on the other hand has now eased some of its restrictions. Now with the latest round of suspensions against the Astrazeneca shot. Europe's fight against the pandemic is about to get tougher.

Europe's fight against pandemic set to get tougher

When Europe shifts right, there are no half measures.

It's a full-on plunge into populism, expansionism and ethnic-racial politics.

The last time, this happened, the world suffered as ruthless dictators ran riot, free nations were invaded and millions died.

Watch&nbsp;|&nbsp;

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Today as the European left fails to deliver, the European right is re-emerging.

But what are its ambitions this time? Will the continent once again be carved up on ideological lines?

Let's first look at some context.

Also read | <a href="http://wionews.com/world/european-union-denounces-chinas-harassment-of-foreign-journalists-374990">European Union denounces China's 'harassment' of foreign journalists</a>

On Thursday, three powerful right-leaning politicians met in Budapest, the Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Polish PM Mateusz Morawiecki and Italian leader Matteo Salvini.

They were laying the groundwork for a new European project, a right-leaning political grouping within the continent.

This isn't a new idea and the EU parliament already has a right-leaning alliance.

It is led by the European People's Party, but last month, Orban quit this alliance.

He feels it is playing second fiddle to the European left.

The question is what unites this proposed alliance?

Orban briefly touched upon this, the NATO, Europe's Atlantic commitment and liberty, dignity, Christianity, family and national sovereignty.

The recent wave of migration into Europe has multiplied the continent's diversity.

This has come with its own drawbacks like radicalisation and a series of Islamist attacks.

Leaders like Orban believe in the singularity of Europe and Christianity.

His new alliance would champion a Christian Europe.

Orban also talks about family and it makes sense from a Christian perspective.

The Hungarian PM is not a fan of abortion or gay rights and during his tenure, he has limited both.

Poland recently enforced a near-total ban on abortion.

And in Italy, Salvini is known for making rounds at anti-abortion conferences.

Europe's right-wing dream is basically a conservative Christian kingdom.

Does this mean a withdrawal from the European Union? The Polish prime minister doesn't think so.

In fact, he says the alliance wants to boost solidarity.

"We want to promote solidarity but not at the expense of weaker (nations). Europe should not dictate the stronger ones, those who are bigger or stronger today. European solidarity should be based on common values," he said.&nbsp;

"Europe should not dictate," is a popular slogan in Eastern Europe.

Beyond the cosmetics in Brussels, the EU is an endless bureaucratic pit.

There are tens of thousands of standards that include the size of a loaf of bread, the length of the exhaust pipe on your car, amongst more.&nbsp;

But there is an upside to this as the regulations extend to democratic practices like freedom of speech.

Brussels has long accused Orban of running Hungary into lawlessness.

The Hungarian PM does not appreciate this evaluation.

There is no single reason for this right-wing renaissance which is a combination of anti-migration rhetoric, the self-glorifying politics of the left and an aversion to a multi-cultural Europe.

However, forging this alliance won't be easy.

Both Orban and Salvini are close to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Poland on the other hand has a love-hate relationship with Moscow and so navigating the Russian question will not be easy.

Europe is fertile ground for right-wing politics, a trend that was reinforced by the pandemic.

The EU effectively cut off vaccine trade and spent big bucks to sweep up millions of doses.

These are classic right-wing strategies.

Orban and his allies are playing to a gallery that is already on its feet applauding.

The ambitions of this new alliance are clear, which is a conservative Europe with regressive controls on citizens.

The EU has long dictated other countries on policies.

So is it going to disown these three members? The chances are highly unlikely.&nbsp;

But if this new alliance does materialise, we could see some heated face-offs in the European Parliament.

And with the wave of right-wing populism spreading across Europe, such a political divide could be the end of European solidarity or whatever is left of it.

When Europe shifts right, there are no half measures. It's a full-on plunge into populism, expansionism and ethnic-racial politics. The last time, this happened, the world suffered as ruthless dictators ran riot, free nations were invaded and millions died.

When Europe shifts right, there are no half measures. It's a full-on plunge into populism, expansionism and ethnic-racial politics. The last time, this happened, the world suffered as ruthless dictators ran riot, free nations were invaded and millions died. Watch | Today as the European left fails to deliver, the European right is re-emerging. But what are its ambitions this time? Will the continent once again be carved up on ideological lines? Let's first look at some context. Also read | European Union denounces China's 'harassment' of foreign journalists On Thursday, three powerful right-leaning politicians met in Budapest, the Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Polish PM Mateusz Morawiecki and Italian leader Matteo Salvini. They were laying the groundwork for a new European project, a right-leaning political grouping within the continent. This isn't a new idea and the EU parliament already has a right-leaning alliance. It is led by the European People's Party, but last month, Orban quit this alliance. He feels it is playing second fiddle to the European left. The question is what unites this proposed alliance? Orban briefly touched upon this, the NATO, Europe's Atlantic commitment and liberty, dignity, Christianity, family and national sovereignty. The recent wave of migration into Europe has multiplied the continent's diversity. This has come with its own drawbacks like radicalisation and a series of Islamist attacks. Leaders like Orban believe in the singularity of Europe and Christianity. His new alliance would champion a Christian Europe. Orban also talks about family and it makes sense from a Christian perspective. The Hungarian PM is not a fan of abortion or gay rights and during his tenure, he has limited both. Poland recently enforced a near-total ban on abortion. And in Italy, Salvini is known for making rounds at anti-abortion conferences. Europe's right-wing dream is basically a conservative Christian kingdom. Does this mean a withdrawal from the European Union? The Polish prime minister doesn't think so. In fact, he says the alliance wants to boost solidarity. "We want to promote solidarity but not at the expense of weaker (nations). Europe should not dictate the stronger ones, those who are bigger or stronger today. European solidarity should be based on common values," he said. "Europe should not dictate," is a popular slogan in Eastern Europe. Beyond the cosmetics in Brussels, the EU is an endless bureaucratic pit. There are tens of thousands of standards that include the size of a loaf of bread, the length of the exhaust pipe on your car, amongst more. But there is an upside to this as the regulations extend to democratic practices like freedom of speech. Brussels has long accused Orban of running Hungary into lawlessness. The Hungarian PM does not appreciate this evaluation. There is no single reason for this right-wing renaissance which is a combination of anti-migration rhetoric, the self-glorifying politics of the left and an aversion to a multi-cultural Europe. However, forging this alliance won't be easy. Both Orban and Salvini are close to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Poland on the other hand has a love-hate relationship with Moscow and so navigating the Russian question will not be easy. Europe is fertile ground for right-wing politics, a trend that was reinforced by the pandemic. The EU effectively cut off vaccine trade and spent big bucks to sweep up millions of doses. These are classic right-wing strategies. Orban and his allies are playing to a gallery that is already on its feet applauding. The ambitions of this new alliance are clear, which is a conservative Europe with regressive controls on citizens. The EU has long dictated other countries on policies. So is it going to disown these three members? The chances are highly unlikely. But if this new alliance does materialise, we could see some heated face-offs in the European Parliament. And with the wave of right-wing populism spreading across Europe, such a political divide could be the end of European solidarity or whatever is left of it.

As European right re-emerges, what are the ambitions now?

European Medicines Agency (EMA) has once again reiterated its backing of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine after Germany suspended its use for people above the age of 60 years.

Head of EU drug regulator says ‘no evidence’ to restrict AstraZeneca vaccine

European countries are on a high alert amid a surge in COVID-19 infections. Fears that the third wave of the Coronavirus could be the worst so far. These fears have prompted clam down on some of the borders.

European countries on high alert amid surge in COVID-19 infections

Hadija Haruna-Oelker, a Black journalist, has just produced the German translation of Amanda Gorman’s “The Hill We Climb,” the poem about a “skinny Black girl” that for many people was the highlight of President Joe Biden’s inauguration.

So has Kübra Gümüsay, a German writer of Turkish descent.

As has Uda Strätling, a translator, who is white.

Literary translation is usually a solitary pursuit, but German publisher Hoffmann und Campe went for a team of writers to ensure the translation of Gorman’s poem — just 710 words — wasn’t just true to Gorman’s voice. The trio was also asked to make its political and social significance clear and to avoid anything that might exclude people of color, people with disabilities, women or other marginalized groups.

“It was a gamble,” Strätling said of the collaborative approach.

For nearly two weeks, the team debated word choices, occasionally emailing Gorman for clarifications. But as they worked, an argument was brewing elsewhere in Europe about who has the right to translate the poet’s work.

“This whole debate started,” Gümüsay said, with a sigh.

It began in February when Meulenhoff, a publisher in the Netherlands, said it had asked Marieke Lucas Rijneveld, a writer whose debut novel won last year’s Booker International Prize, to translate Gorman’s poem into Dutch.

Rijneveld was the “ideal candidate,” Meulenhoff said in a statement. But many social media users disagreed, asking why a white writer had been chosen when Gorman’s reading at the inauguration had been a significant cultural moment for Black people.

Three days later, Rijneveld quit. (Rijneveld declined an interview request for this article.)

In March, the debate reignited after Victor Obiols, another white translator, was dropped by the Catalan publisher Univers. Obiols said he was told his profile “was not suitable for the project.” (A Univers spokeswoman declined to comment.)

Literary figures and newspaper columnists across Europe have been arguing for weeks about what these decisions mean, turning Gorman’s poem into the latest flash point in debates about identity politics across the continent. The discussion has shone a light on the often unexamined world of literary translation and its lack of racial diversity.

“I can’t recall a translation controversy ever taking the world by storm like this,” Aaron Robertson, a Black Italian-to-English translator, said in a phone interview.

“This feels something of a watershed moment,” he added.

On Monday, the American Literary Translators Association waded into the furor. “The question of whether identity should be the deciding factor in who is allowed to translate whom is a false framing of the issues at play,” it said in a statement published on its website.

The real problem underlying the controversy was “the scarcity of Black translators,” it added. Last year, the association carried out a diversity survey. Only 2% of the 362 translators who responded were Black, a spokeswoman for the association said in an email.

In a video interview, the members of the German team said they, too, felt the debate had missed the point. “People are asking questions like, ‘Does color give you the right to translate?’” Haruna-Oelker said. “This is not about color.”

She added: “It’s about quality, it’s about the skills you have, and about perspectives.” Each member of the German team brought different things to the group, she said.

The team spent a long time discussing how to translate the word “skinny,” without conjuring images of an overly thin woman, Gümüsay said, and they debated how to bring a sense of the poem’s gender-inclusive language into German, in which many objects — and all people — are either masculine or feminine. “You’re constantly moving back and forth between the politics and the composition,” Strätling said.

“To me it felt like dancing,” Gümüsay said of the process. Haruna-Oelker added that the team tried hard to find words “which don’t hurt anyone.”

But whereas the German translators were happy to engage with the identity politics, others expressed frustration at the translator departures and their implications. Nuria Barrios, the translator of the poem’s Spanish edition, who is white, wrote in the newspaper El País that Rijneveld's stepping down from the project was “a catastrophe.”

“It is the victory of identity politics over creative freedom,” she wrote, adding: “To remove imagination from translation is to subject the craft to a lobotomy.”

Some Black academics and translators have also expressed concern. “There is a tacit idea that we are supposed to be especially concerned about the ‘appropriateness’ of a translator’s identity in the particular case of blackness,” John McWhorter, a professor of English and comparative literature at Columbia University, said in an email.

Other differences between writers and their translators — such as wealth levels, or political views — were not sparking concern, McWhorter added. “Instead, our sense of ‘diversity’ is narrower than that word implies: It’s only about skin color,” he said.

Couching the discussion in terms of appropriateness was “really ridiculous,” said Janice Deul, a Black Dutch journalist and activist who on Feb. 25 wrote an opinion piece for De Volkskrant, a Dutch newspaper, calling Rijneveld’s appointment “incomprehensible.” The following day, Rijneveld resigned.

“This is not about who can translate, it’s about who gets opportunities to translate,” Deul said. She listed 10 Black Dutch spoken-word artists who could have done the job in her article but said all of them had been overlooked.

The one opinion missing in all of this is, of course, Gorman’s. Viking is releasing “The Hill We Climb” in the United States on Tuesday. Apple TV Plus on Friday began streaming her interview with Oprah Winfrey, but she has not commented on the debate her work has spurred. Her spokeswoman didn’t respond to requests for comment.

Gorman, or her agent, Writers House, which represents the translation rights, appeared to have influence on who was selected. Aylin LaMorey-Salzmann, the editor of the German edition of “The Hill We Climb,” said that the rights owner had to agree to the choice, which had to be someone of similar profile to Gorman.

Irene Christopoulou, an editor at Psichogios, the poem’s Greek publisher, was still waiting for approval for its choice of translator. The translator was a white “emerging female poet,” Christopoulou said in an email. “Due to the racial profile of the Greek population, there are no translators/poets of color to choose from,” she added.

A spokeswoman for Tammi, the poem’s Finnish publisher, said in an email that “The negotiations are still going on with the agent and Amanda Gorman herself.”

Several European publishers named Black musicians as their translators. Timbuktu, a rapper, has completed a Swedish version, and Marie-Pierra Kakoma, a singer better known as Lous and the Yakuza, has translated the French edition, which will be published by Editions Fayard in May.

“I thought Lous’ writing skills, her sense of rhythm, her connection with spoken poetry would be tremendous assets,” Sophie de Closets, a publisher at Fayard, said in an email explaining why she chose a pop star.

Issues of identity “should definitely be considered” when hiring translators, de Closets added, but that went beyond race. “It is the publisher’s responsibility to look for the ideal combination between one given work and the person who will translate it,” she said.

Haruna-Oelker, one of the German translators, said one disappointing outcome of the debate in Europe was it had diverted attention from the message of Gorman’s poem. “The Hill We Climb” spoke about bringing people together, Haruna-Oelker said, just as the German publisher had done by assembling a team.

“We’ve tried a beautiful experiment here, and this is where the future lies,” Gümüsay said. “The future lies in trying to find new forms of collaboration, trying to bring together more voices, more sets of eyes, more perspectives to create something new.”

Hadija Haruna-Oelker, a Black journalist, has just produced the German translation of Amanda Gorman’s “The Hill We Climb,” the poem about a “skinny Black girl” that for many people was the highlight of President Joe Biden’s inauguration.

Hadija Haruna-Oelker, a Black journalist, has just produced the German translation of Amanda Gorman’s “The Hill We Climb,” the poem about a “skinny Black girl” that for many people was the highlight of President Joe Biden’s inauguration. So has Kübra Gümüsay, a German writer of Turkish descent. As has Uda Strätling, a translator, who is white. Literary translation is usually a solitary pursuit, but German publisher Hoffmann und Campe went for a team of writers to ensure the translation of Gorman’s poem — just 710 words — wasn’t just true to Gorman’s voice. The trio was also asked to make its political and social significance clear and to avoid anything that might exclude people of color, people with disabilities, women or other marginalized groups. “It was a gamble,” Strätling said of the collaborative approach. For nearly two weeks, the team debated word choices, occasionally emailing Gorman for clarifications. But as they worked, an argument was brewing elsewhere in Europe about who has the right to translate the poet’s work. “This whole debate started,” Gümüsay said, with a sigh. It began in February when Meulenhoff, a publisher in the Netherlands, said it had asked Marieke Lucas Rijneveld, a writer whose debut novel won last year’s Booker International Prize, to translate Gorman’s poem into Dutch. Rijneveld was the “ideal candidate,” Meulenhoff said in a statement. But many social media users disagreed, asking why a white writer had been chosen when Gorman’s reading at the inauguration had been a significant cultural moment for Black people. Three days later, Rijneveld quit. (Rijneveld declined an interview request for this article.) In March, the debate reignited after Victor Obiols, another white translator, was dropped by the Catalan publisher Univers. Obiols said he was told his profile “was not suitable for the project.” (A Univers spokeswoman declined to comment.) Literary figures and newspaper columnists across Europe have been arguing for weeks about what these decisions mean, turning Gorman’s poem into the latest flash point in debates about identity politics across the continent. The discussion has shone a light on the often unexamined world of literary translation and its lack of racial diversity. “I can’t recall a translation controversy ever taking the world by storm like this,” Aaron Robertson, a Black Italian-to-English translator, said in a phone interview. “This feels something of a watershed moment,” he added. On Monday, the American Literary Translators Association waded into the furor. “The question of whether identity should be the deciding factor in who is allowed to translate whom is a false framing of the issues at play,” it said in a statement published on its website. The real problem underlying the controversy was “the scarcity of Black translators,” it added. Last year, the association carried out a diversity survey. Only 2% of the 362 translators who responded were Black, a spokeswoman for the association said in an email. In a video interview, the members of the German team said they, too, felt the debate had missed the point. “People are asking questions like, ‘Does color give you the right to translate?’” Haruna-Oelker said. “This is not about color.” She added: “It’s about quality, it’s about the skills you have, and about perspectives.” Each member of the German team brought different things to the group, she said. The team spent a long time discussing how to translate the word “skinny,” without conjuring images of an overly thin woman, Gümüsay said, and they debated how to bring a sense of the poem’s gender-inclusive language into German, in which many objects — and all people — are either masculine or feminine. “You’re constantly moving back and forth between the politics and the composition,” Strätling said. “To me it felt like dancing,” Gümüsay said of the process. Haruna-Oelker added that the team tried hard to find words “which don’t hurt anyone.” But whereas the German translators were happy to engage with the identity politics, others expressed frustration at the translator departures and their implications. Nuria Barrios, the translator of the poem’s Spanish edition, who is white, wrote in the newspaper El País that Rijneveld's stepping down from the project was “a catastrophe.” “It is the victory of identity politics over creative freedom,” she wrote, adding: “To remove imagination from translation is to subject the craft to a lobotomy.” Some Black academics and translators have also expressed concern. “There is a tacit idea that we are supposed to be especially concerned about the ‘appropriateness’ of a translator’s identity in the particular case of blackness,” John McWhorter, a professor of English and comparative literature at Columbia University, said in an email. Other differences between writers and their translators — such as wealth levels, or political views — were not sparking concern, McWhorter added. “Instead, our sense of ‘diversity’ is narrower than that word implies: It’s only about skin color,” he said. Couching the discussion in terms of appropriateness was “really ridiculous,” said Janice Deul, a Black Dutch journalist and activist who on Feb. 25 wrote an opinion piece for De Volkskrant, a Dutch newspaper, calling Rijneveld’s appointment “incomprehensible.” The following day, Rijneveld resigned. “This is not about who can translate, it’s about who gets opportunities to translate,” Deul said. She listed 10 Black Dutch spoken-word artists who could have done the job in her article but said all of them had been overlooked. The one opinion missing in all of this is, of course, Gorman’s. Viking is releasing “The Hill We Climb” in the United States on Tuesday. Apple TV Plus on Friday began streaming her interview with Oprah Winfrey, but she has not commented on the debate her work has spurred. Her spokeswoman didn’t respond to requests for comment. Gorman, or her agent, Writers House, which represents the translation rights, appeared to have influence on who was selected. Aylin LaMorey-Salzmann, the editor of the German edition of “The Hill We Climb,” said that the rights owner had to agree to the choice, which had to be someone of similar profile to Gorman. Irene Christopoulou, an editor at Psichogios, the poem’s Greek publisher, was still waiting for approval for its choice of translator. The translator was a white “emerging female poet,” Christopoulou said in an email. “Due to the racial profile of the Greek population, there are no translators/poets of color to choose from,” she added. A spokeswoman for Tammi, the poem’s Finnish publisher, said in an email that “The negotiations are still going on with the agent and Amanda Gorman herself.” Several European publishers named Black musicians as their translators. Timbuktu, a rapper, has completed a Swedish version, and Marie-Pierra Kakoma, a singer better known as Lous and the Yakuza, has translated the French edition, which will be published by Editions Fayard in May. “I thought Lous’ writing skills, her sense of rhythm, her connection with spoken poetry would be tremendous assets,” Sophie de Closets, a publisher at Fayard, said in an email explaining why she chose a pop star. Issues of identity “should definitely be considered” when hiring translators, de Closets added, but that went beyond race. “It is the publisher’s responsibility to look for the ideal combination between one given work and the person who will translate it,” she said. Haruna-Oelker, one of the German translators, said one disappointing outcome of the debate in Europe was it had diverted attention from the message of Gorman’s poem. “The Hill We Climb” spoke about bringing people together, Haruna-Oelker said, just as the German publisher had done by assembling a team. “We’ve tried a beautiful experiment here, and this is where the future lies,” Gümüsay said. “The future lies in trying to find new forms of collaboration, trying to bring together more voices, more sets of eyes, more perspectives to create something new.”

Amanda Gorman’s poetry united critics; it’s dividing translators

Despite a months-long rollout of COVID-19 vaccines, the world is in the middle of another wave of infections. Much of Europe is under partial lockdown measures, while in Brazil- President Bolsonaro celebrated his birthday with unmasked supporters. What is causing this latest virus resurgence? WION's Molly Gambhir tells you.

Gravitas: Record surge in COVID-19 cases globally

Europe must take action as Lebanon collapses, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said, adding that he would press EU foreign ministers meeting on Monday to discuss solutions to the economic and political crisis in Beirut.&nbsp;

Paris has spearheaded international efforts to rescue the former French protectorate from its deepest crisis since the 1975-1990 civil war, but after seven months has failed so far to persuade squabbling politicians to adopt a reform roadmap or form a new government to unlock international aid.&nbsp;

The crisis has accelerated in recent days, with the currency plunging in value and some grocery shops temporarily shutting for lack of supplies. President Michel Aoun is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister-designate Saad al-Hariri later on Monday to try and break the deadlock in forming a government.&nbsp;

"France wishes that we discuss the Lebanon question," Le Drian said as he arrived at the EU foreign ministers' meeting. "The country is drifting away, divided ... when a country collapses, Europe must be ready."&nbsp;

French and Western diplomats have said that after months of stalemate, France is now ready to discuss the prospect of sanctions, at EU or national level, on senior Lebanese officials, although it is not likely to be immediate.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Europe must take action as Lebanon collapses, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said, adding that he would press EU foreign ministers meeting on Monday to discuss solutions to the economic and political crisis in Beirut.

Europe must take action as Lebanon collapses, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said, adding that he would press EU foreign ministers meeting on Monday to discuss solutions to the economic and political crisis in Beirut. Paris has spearheaded international efforts to rescue the former French protectorate from its deepest crisis since the 1975-1990 civil war, but after seven months has failed so far to persuade squabbling politicians to adopt a reform roadmap or form a new government to unlock international aid. The crisis has accelerated in recent days, with the currency plunging in value and some grocery shops temporarily shutting for lack of supplies. President Michel Aoun is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister-designate Saad al-Hariri later on Monday to try and break the deadlock in forming a government. "France wishes that we discuss the Lebanon question," Le Drian said as he arrived at the EU foreign ministers' meeting. "The country is drifting away, divided ... when a country collapses, Europe must be ready." French and Western diplomats have said that after months of stalemate, France is now ready to discuss the prospect of sanctions, at EU or national level, on senior Lebanese officials, although it is not likely to be immediate. (With inputs from agencies)

Europe must act as Lebanon collapses: France 

Poland already had some of the strictest abortion laws in Europe, but new changes have effectively banned them completely.

Women in Poland struggle to find doctors to help them

Coronavirus infections are rising exponentially in Germany. The country is in a third wave of the pandemic, driven by an easing of restrictions in recent weeks just as a more transmissible variant has spread.

Germany witnesses an exponential rise in COVID-19 cases

New lockdowns in Europe recently and the absence of tourism might make it difficult for Swatch Group to get back to 2019 sales levels this year but the world’s biggest watchmaker maintains that target, for now, is there.

World Business Watch: New lockdowns to jeopardise Swatch sales

Europe is currently witnessing a sharp spike in new COVID-19. Most of the countries have renewed their COVID-19 restrictions to contain the growing outbreak.

Europe: COVID surge fueled by contagious virus variants

PARIS — It’s said that the European Union grows stronger through crises. The bloc’s attempt at a coordinated vaccination program, less a rollout than a roller coaster, has tested that theory, and now the suspension of the AstraZeneca shots in many countries threatens to turn widespread disarray into an outright debacle.

“I feel like we are being used as guinea pigs,” said Khady Ballo, 21, a law student in the southern French town of Montpellier. “I would not get the AstraZeneca vaccine even if it is approved again.”

Although it seems likely that the European Medicines Agency, the 27-member union’s top drug regulator, will quickly pronounce the AstraZeneca vaccine safe, millions of Europeans have been shaken by the back-and-forth and will be more hesitant about vaccination.

“Before this, I was so pro-vaccines I would have dipped children into them,” said Maria Grazia Del Pero, 62, who works in tourism in Milan. But now, “I would not get AstraZeneca because that would be like playing Russian roulette.”

Providing vaccines for the EU’s 450 million people was never going to be a simple task, especially as the union hardly had a coordinated health policy before the pandemic. But bureaucratic delay and confusion in procuring vaccines from pharmaceutical companies, followed by slow authorization, followed by delivery problems, followed by the sudden panic over the AstraZeneca shot, has left European governments on the defensive and Europeans reeling.

In France, the government has swerved from lauding the AstraZeneca inoculation a few days ago to suspending it. The reaction to this confusion was swift, even if the government insists there is no established medical cause for fear. A poll by the Elabe Institute published Tuesday showed that only 20% of French people now trust the AstraZeneca vaccine, with 58% skeptical, and 22% undecided.

“I trust AstraZeneca, I trust the vaccines,” Ursula von der Leyen, the top EU official, said at a news conference in Brussels. But reassuring words may not persuade Europeans experiencing policy whiplash.

In a clear attempt to shore up shaken confidence, Jean Castex, the French prime minister, told BFM TV he would himself get the AstraZeneca vaccine “as soon as the green light is given.” He had not previously spoken of doing this.

“The trust of Italians is deeply compromised, not only toward the AstraZeneca vaccine but also toward the authorities,” Roberto Burioni, a leading Italian virus expert, said. “These sudden and inexplicable changes in decisions create concerns everywhere.” Even an “all good” verdict from the European Medicines Agency, likely Thursday, “will not be enough.”

Concerns about the shot are based on a small number of recipients who developed blood clots or abnormal bleeding. But researchers and drug regulators say they have seen no evidence of an increase in such complications or a connection to the inoculation.

AstraZeneca said this week that a review of more than 17 million people who had received its vaccine found that they were actually less likely than the general population to develop dangerous clots.

European countries, led by France and Germany, have been torn between a strong desire to avoid what they call “vaccination nationalism,” and the realization that the EU was not fully prepared for an operation on this scale. If integration of the bloc’s health policy has been fast-forwarded, with possible long-term benefits, lives have also been lost.

The sight of Britain powering ahead with vaccinations — more than 26 million doses have been given, more than three times the number in France — has been particularly galling, given its recent exit from the union. Some Europeans understandably ask why.

Trust has long been a central issue in France, where skepticism toward COVID-19 vaccines late last year was widespread. In December, less than half the population said it was ready to be vaccinated.

That number, according to a poll by Harris Interactive, had risen to 64% earlier this month, before the AstraZeneca setback. Even then, however, trust in the AstraZeneca vaccine was lower, at 43% of the population, a number now halved.

The situation is scarcely better in Germany, although its death rate from the virus has been lower than France’s. “Stopping the AstraZeneca maximizes the damage to its image that has plagued the German vaccination strategy from the beginning,” Ulrich Weigeldt, the head of the German Association of General Practitioners, told the Funke media group. “Vaccination is and remains a question of trust.”

Confidence in the vaccine remains fairly high in Britain, where millions of people have received it, and even on the Continent, many Europeans seem untouched by the AstraZeneca fears. “I would definitely get the AstraZeneca vaccine if approved again,” said Corinne Taddei, 60, a karate instructor in Paris. The COVID vaccines, she said, are “the only solution to save us and get out of this pandemic.”

Maria Paraskevoula, a 52-year-old teacher in Athens, Greece, was also unbowed. “I’ll take any vaccine, AstraZeneca, Pfizer, I don’t care. From what I’ve heard, the chances of any problems are minimal. There’s always a risk but isn’t a bigger risk to walk around waiting to get infected?”

Last week, when reports surfaced that two men in Sicily, an Italian naval officer and a police officer, had died shortly after taking the AstraZeneca shot, the website of the Tuscany region registered 4,100 cancellations for the AstraZeneca vaccine in a day, roughly 12% of the people booked for the week ahead. In a few days, however, the vacancies were filled by other residents.

The disarray comes at a difficult moment with Europe facing what Castex, the French prime minister, has called “a kind of third wave” from new variants of the virus, even as exhaustion and depression have set in, along with severe hardship. Europe’s eventual economic recovery from the pandemic is set to be much slower than the American.

With the national mood restive, and a presidential election next year, the French government is wavering between further lockdowns and suggestions that by April 15 restaurants may start to open and a curfew be eased.

Its target of having 10 million people vaccinated with at least a first shot by mid-April, as compared to 5.6 million today, now looks ambitious given the fallout from the AstraZeneca panic. But French authorities insist it can be done, even if the AstraZeneca vaccine has to be withdrawn.

More than a year from the first lockdowns around Europe, an end to the crisis seems no closer. “I was never a No-Vaxxer,” said Laura Cerchi, a teacher at an elementary school on the outskirts of Florence who had her first shot of AstraZeneca in early March. “But all this confusion had me wondering whether I want to do the second shot or not. The mixed messages are not boosting my confidence in vaccines.”

In an interview, Clément Beaune, France’s junior minister for European Affairs, defended European policy. “I don’t believe that it’s European weightiness that is slowing down our vaccination process. Do we have problems in Europe? Yes. Would we — France, Germany — resolve these better at a national level waging war to obtain vaccine doses? I do not believe so.”

PARIS — It’s said that the European Union grows stronger through crises. The bloc’s attempt at a coordinated vaccination program, less a rollout than a roller coaster, has tested that theory, and now the suspension of the AstraZeneca shots in many countries threatens to turn widespread disarray into an outright debacle.

PARIS — It’s said that the European Union grows stronger through crises. The bloc’s attempt at a coordinated vaccination program, less a rollout than a roller coaster, has tested that theory, and now the suspension of the AstraZeneca shots in many countries threatens to turn widespread disarray into an outright debacle. “I feel like we are being used as guinea pigs,” said Khady Ballo, 21, a law student in the southern French town of Montpellier. “I would not get the AstraZeneca vaccine even if it is approved again.” Although it seems likely that the European Medicines Agency, the 27-member union’s top drug regulator, will quickly pronounce the AstraZeneca vaccine safe, millions of Europeans have been shaken by the back-and-forth and will be more hesitant about vaccination. “Before this, I was so pro-vaccines I would have dipped children into them,” said Maria Grazia Del Pero, 62, who works in tourism in Milan. But now, “I would not get AstraZeneca because that would be like playing Russian roulette.” Providing vaccines for the EU’s 450 million people was never going to be a simple task, especially as the union hardly had a coordinated health policy before the pandemic. But bureaucratic delay and confusion in procuring vaccines from pharmaceutical companies, followed by slow authorization, followed by delivery problems, followed by the sudden panic over the AstraZeneca shot, has left European governments on the defensive and Europeans reeling. In France, the government has swerved from lauding the AstraZeneca inoculation a few days ago to suspending it. The reaction to this confusion was swift, even if the government insists there is no established medical cause for fear. A poll by the Elabe Institute published Tuesday showed that only 20% of French people now trust the AstraZeneca vaccine, with 58% skeptical, and 22% undecided. “I trust AstraZeneca, I trust the vaccines,” Ursula von der Leyen, the top EU official, said at a news conference in Brussels. But reassuring words may not persuade Europeans experiencing policy whiplash. In a clear attempt to shore up shaken confidence, Jean Castex, the French prime minister, told BFM TV he would himself get the AstraZeneca vaccine “as soon as the green light is given.” He had not previously spoken of doing this. “The trust of Italians is deeply compromised, not only toward the AstraZeneca vaccine but also toward the authorities,” Roberto Burioni, a leading Italian virus expert, said. “These sudden and inexplicable changes in decisions create concerns everywhere.” Even an “all good” verdict from the European Medicines Agency, likely Thursday, “will not be enough.” Concerns about the shot are based on a small number of recipients who developed blood clots or abnormal bleeding. But researchers and drug regulators say they have seen no evidence of an increase in such complications or a connection to the inoculation. AstraZeneca said this week that a review of more than 17 million people who had received its vaccine found that they were actually less likely than the general population to develop dangerous clots. European countries, led by France and Germany, have been torn between a strong desire to avoid what they call “vaccination nationalism,” and the realization that the EU was not fully prepared for an operation on this scale. If integration of the bloc’s health policy has been fast-forwarded, with possible long-term benefits, lives have also been lost. The sight of Britain powering ahead with vaccinations — more than 26 million doses have been given, more than three times the number in France — has been particularly galling, given its recent exit from the union. Some Europeans understandably ask why. Trust has long been a central issue in France, where skepticism toward COVID-19 vaccines late last year was widespread. In December, less than half the population said it was ready to be vaccinated. That number, according to a poll by Harris Interactive, had risen to 64% earlier this month, before the AstraZeneca setback. Even then, however, trust in the AstraZeneca vaccine was lower, at 43% of the population, a number now halved. The situation is scarcely better in Germany, although its death rate from the virus has been lower than France’s. “Stopping the AstraZeneca maximizes the damage to its image that has plagued the German vaccination strategy from the beginning,” Ulrich Weigeldt, the head of the German Association of General Practitioners, told the Funke media group. “Vaccination is and remains a question of trust.” Confidence in the vaccine remains fairly high in Britain, where millions of people have received it, and even on the Continent, many Europeans seem untouched by the AstraZeneca fears. “I would definitely get the AstraZeneca vaccine if approved again,” said Corinne Taddei, 60, a karate instructor in Paris. The COVID vaccines, she said, are “the only solution to save us and get out of this pandemic.” Maria Paraskevoula, a 52-year-old teacher in Athens, Greece, was also unbowed. “I’ll take any vaccine, AstraZeneca, Pfizer, I don’t care. From what I’ve heard, the chances of any problems are minimal. There’s always a risk but isn’t a bigger risk to walk around waiting to get infected?” Last week, when reports surfaced that two men in Sicily, an Italian naval officer and a police officer, had died shortly after taking the AstraZeneca shot, the website of the Tuscany region registered 4,100 cancellations for the AstraZeneca vaccine in a day, roughly 12% of the people booked for the week ahead. In a few days, however, the vacancies were filled by other residents. The disarray comes at a difficult moment with Europe facing what Castex, the French prime minister, has called “a kind of third wave” from new variants of the virus, even as exhaustion and depression have set in, along with severe hardship. Europe’s eventual economic recovery from the pandemic is set to be much slower than the American. With the national mood restive, and a presidential election next year, the French government is wavering between further lockdowns and suggestions that by April 15 restaurants may start to open and a curfew be eased. Its target of having 10 million people vaccinated with at least a first shot by mid-April, as compared to 5.6 million today, now looks ambitious given the fallout from the AstraZeneca panic. But French authorities insist it can be done, even if the AstraZeneca vaccine has to be withdrawn. More than a year from the first lockdowns around Europe, an end to the crisis seems no closer. “I was never a No-Vaxxer,” said Laura Cerchi, a teacher at an elementary school on the outskirts of Florence who had her first shot of AstraZeneca in early March. “But all this confusion had me wondering whether I want to do the second shot or not. The mixed messages are not boosting my confidence in vaccines.” In an interview, Clément Beaune, France’s junior minister for European Affairs, defended European policy. “I don’t believe that it’s European weightiness that is slowing down our vaccination process. Do we have problems in Europe? Yes. Would we — France, Germany — resolve these better at a national level waging war to obtain vaccine doses? I do not believe so.”

Trust in AstraZeneca vaccine is shaken in Europe

Europe&nbsp;is a continent divided with 17 countries on one side and 27 on the other. Separating them is the AstraZeneca vaccine. Riled by fears of blood clots, Europe's big powers have suspended its use. Germany, France, Italy and Spain are among them.

Worldwide, at least 20 nations have paused their vaccine rollout. They want more clarity on the jab's safety. It's a huge blow to the global immunisation drive. Every day&nbsp;AstraZeneca remains shelved, lives are lost.

The expert opinion is clear. The blood clots are unrelated to vaccines. The benefits of taking the shot outweigh the risks.

"While the investigation is ongoing, currently, we are still firmly convinced that the benefits of the AstraZeneca vaccine in preventing covid-19, with its associated risk of hospitalisation and death, outweigh the risks of these side effects," said Emer Cooke, Executive Director of European Medicines Agency.

The Europeans are playing wait and watch. On Thursday, EU's top medicines regulator will analyse the effects of AstraZeneca. They are expected to give a clean chit. Chances are, member states will lift the suspension soon after.

Unless the problem has something to do with other than just science.

Could the move to suspend AstraZeneca have been a political one? There is a strong case to be made.

For starters, AstraZeneca is a British vaccine. Relations across the channel have been frayed since Brexit. And two, Europe's vaccination drive was stumbling. AstraZeneca was the perfect distraction.

"The EU's own regulators said there's no reason, no grounds to suspend taking the vaccine or the rollout and that is itself echoed by the World Health Organization. So this vaccine is safe. We respect the processes and the procedures that some other countries may need to go through, but the vaccine is safe and people should certainly continue to take it to protect themselves and their friends and family, " said British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab.

So, is the fear over blood clots warranted? There have been 37 cases in 17 million recipients. Experts say it's hardly a trend.

And beyond Europe, AstraZeneca remains much sought after. The US has placed an order for half a million doses. Australia says it will continue to use the jabs. And on Tuesday, the Thai prime minister took the shot himself just hours after France and Germany announced their suspension.

In Europe, Serbia and Belgium plan to continue using AstraZeneca.

Europe's inoculation drive is already losing steam. The bloc has given 11 shots per 100 people. Britain is administering more than thrice that. The sudden suspension could also reignite anti-vaccine sentiments.

AstraZeneca was touted as the bulwark against the Wuhan virus. It is cheap and easy to store.

Time is of the essence in vaccination drives. And now is not the time to abandon your most potent weapon.

Europe is a continent divided with 17 countries on one side and 27 on the other. Separating them is the AstraZeneca vaccine. Riled by fears of blood clots, Europe's big powers have suspended its use.

Europe is a continent divided with 17 countries on one side and 27 on the other. Separating them is the AstraZeneca vaccine. Riled by fears of blood clots, Europe's big powers have suspended its use. Germany, France, Italy and Spain are among them. Worldwide, at least 20 nations have paused their vaccine rollout. They want more clarity on the jab's safety. It's a huge blow to the global immunisation drive. Every day AstraZeneca remains shelved, lives are lost. The expert opinion is clear. The blood clots are unrelated to vaccines. The benefits of taking the shot outweigh the risks. "While the investigation is ongoing, currently, we are still firmly convinced that the benefits of the AstraZeneca vaccine in preventing covid-19, with its associated risk of hospitalisation and death, outweigh the risks of these side effects," said Emer Cooke, Executive Director of European Medicines Agency. The Europeans are playing wait and watch. On Thursday, EU's top medicines regulator will analyse the effects of AstraZeneca. They are expected to give a clean chit. Chances are, member states will lift the suspension soon after. Unless the problem has something to do with other than just science. Could the move to suspend AstraZeneca have been a political one? There is a strong case to be made. For starters, AstraZeneca is a British vaccine. Relations across the channel have been frayed since Brexit. And two, Europe's vaccination drive was stumbling. AstraZeneca was the perfect distraction. "The EU's own regulators said there's no reason, no grounds to suspend taking the vaccine or the rollout and that is itself echoed by the World Health Organization. So this vaccine is safe. We respect the processes and the procedures that some other countries may need to go through, but the vaccine is safe and people should certainly continue to take it to protect themselves and their friends and family, " said British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab. So, is the fear over blood clots warranted? There have been 37 cases in 17 million recipients. Experts say it's hardly a trend. And beyond Europe, AstraZeneca remains much sought after. The US has placed an order for half a million doses. Australia says it will continue to use the jabs. And on Tuesday, the Thai prime minister took the shot himself just hours after France and Germany announced their suspension. In Europe, Serbia and Belgium plan to continue using AstraZeneca. Europe's inoculation drive is already losing steam. The bloc has given 11 shots per 100 people. Britain is administering more than thrice that. The sudden suspension could also reignite anti-vaccine sentiments. AstraZeneca was touted as the bulwark against the Wuhan virus. It is cheap and easy to store. Time is of the essence in vaccination drives. And now is not the time to abandon your most potent weapon.

Europe divided over AstraZeneca vaccine

Europe's top human rights body on Friday urged the immediate release of two opponents of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, saying Ankara was violating rulings by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) which ordered their release.

The ECHR, which is part of the Council of Europe, had in separate rulings told Turkey to release philanthropist Osman Kavala and pro-Kurdish politician Selahattin Demirtas who are both jailed.

Considering both cases, the committee of ministers of the Council of Europe said that Turkey was violating the ECHR rulings by failing to free the two men.

Supporters say that Demirtas and Kavala are being punished for daring to oppose Erdogan, although Ankara insists that the Turkish judiciary is independent.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/erdogan-unveils-human-rights-action-plan-to-protect-freedom-of-expression-in-turkey-367527">Erdogan unveils 'human rights action plan' to protect freedom of expression in Turkey</a>

In Kavala's case, the committee called for his immediate release and said it would send a letter to Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu "conveying the Committee's deep concern about the applicant's continuing detention".

It said his situation and the violation of the ECHR ruling "reveal pervasive problems regarding the independence and impartiality of the Turkish judiciary".

For Demirtas, a charismatic Kurdish politician who stood against Erdogan in 2014 and 2018 presidential elections, the committee said his continued detention would entail a prolongation of the violation of the applicant's rights as well as a breach of the obligation of the respondent state to abide by the Court's judgement".

"It therefore urged the authorities to ensure the applicant's immediate release."

Amnesty International's Europe Director Nils Muiznieks welcomed the committee's close monitoring of their situation and said their detention "made a mockery" of a human rights action plan announced last week by Erdogan.

"Osman Kavala and Selahattin Demirtas have been arbitrarily and unjustly deprived of their liberty for years, despite the binding Court decisions that they be released.

"This action plan and Turkey's generic platitudes cannot hide the reality (that in Turkey) freedom of expression is ruthlessly punished," he said.

Demirtas was convicted of disseminating terror propaganda in 2018 and is facing other charges that could see him sentenced to 142 years behind bars.

The ECHR ruled in December that Turkish authorities violated Demirtas' rights to free speech and called his jailing "cover for an ulterior political purpose".

The next hearing in Kavala's trial is expected on May 21. He faces life in prison if convicted of charges of seeking to overthrow the state in 2013 protests and the 2016 failed coup bid which he denies.&nbsp;

Demirtas has been held in jail since November 2016 and Kavala since October 2017.

Europe's top human rights body on Friday urged the immediate release of two opponents of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, saying Ankara was violating rulings by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) which ordered their release.

Europe's top human rights body on Friday urged the immediate release of two opponents of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, saying Ankara was violating rulings by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) which ordered their release. The ECHR, which is part of the Council of Europe, had in separate rulings told Turkey to release philanthropist Osman Kavala and pro-Kurdish politician Selahattin Demirtas who are both jailed. Considering both cases, the committee of ministers of the Council of Europe said that Turkey was violating the ECHR rulings by failing to free the two men. Supporters say that Demirtas and Kavala are being punished for daring to oppose Erdogan, although Ankara insists that the Turkish judiciary is independent. Also read | Erdogan unveils 'human rights action plan' to protect freedom of expression in Turkey In Kavala's case, the committee called for his immediate release and said it would send a letter to Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu "conveying the Committee's deep concern about the applicant's continuing detention". It said his situation and the violation of the ECHR ruling "reveal pervasive problems regarding the independence and impartiality of the Turkish judiciary". For Demirtas, a charismatic Kurdish politician who stood against Erdogan in 2014 and 2018 presidential elections, the committee said his continued detention would entail a prolongation of the violation of the applicant's rights as well as a breach of the obligation of the respondent state to abide by the Court's judgement". "It therefore urged the authorities to ensure the applicant's immediate release." Amnesty International's Europe Director Nils Muiznieks welcomed the committee's close monitoring of their situation and said their detention "made a mockery" of a human rights action plan announced last week by Erdogan. "Osman Kavala and Selahattin Demirtas have been arbitrarily and unjustly deprived of their liberty for years, despite the binding Court decisions that they be released. "This action plan and Turkey's generic platitudes cannot hide the reality (that in Turkey) freedom of expression is ruthlessly punished," he said. Demirtas was convicted of disseminating terror propaganda in 2018 and is facing other charges that could see him sentenced to 142 years behind bars. The ECHR ruled in December that Turkish authorities violated Demirtas' rights to free speech and called his jailing "cover for an ulterior political purpose". The next hearing in Kavala's trial is expected on May 21. He faces life in prison if convicted of charges of seeking to overthrow the state in 2013 protests and the 2016 failed coup bid which he denies. Demirtas has been held in jail since November 2016 and Kavala since October 2017.

Europe rights body urges 'immediate' release of Erdogan critics

Europe: Germany has recorded 14,356 new cases in the last 24 hours. This sharp surge in covid cases is considered as a result of the easing of lockdown curbs last week.

Germany records 14,356 new cases in last 24 hours

'There is currently no indication that the vaccination has caused these conditions, which are not listed as side effects with this vaccine', says European Medicines Agency

European Medical Agencies backs AstraZeneca vaccine after suspensions

Mount Etna, Europe's most active volcano erupted on Sunday covering nearby town in ash and smoke. WION brings you a report.

Mount Etna volcano erupts covering nearby town in ash

Mount Etna, Europe's most active volcano erupted on Sunday morning. The latest in the series of eruptions covering the nearby town in ash and smoke followed by locals trying to sweep the streets clean.

Italy: Mount Etna erupts covering nearby town in ash, workers to analyse volcanic material

According to recently released data, more than 20 million people across the United Kingdom have received their first COVID-19 vaccine shot. With this, the country has successfully rolled out Europe's fastest vaccination program.

Britain: Vaccination hits 20 million mark in Europe's fastest jab rollout

German officers had discovered 16 tonnes of cocaine hidden in containers from Paraguay at the port of Hamburg on Feb. 12.

23 tons of cocaine seized in Europe

Ukraine has accused Russia of targeted assassinations of 'perceived opponents' in a case lodged at the European Court of Human Rights, the latest salvo by Kiev in a barrage of legal complaints against Moscow.&nbsp;

The case, which was filed last week, accuses Russia of carrying out 'state-authorised' assassinations "in Russia and on the territory of other states... outside a situation of armed conflict", the court said on Tuesday.&nbsp;

Europeiska Pravda, a Ukrainian news outlet specialising in European affairs, said the complaint included the case of leading Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, who was poisoned last year with the Novichok nerve agent in an attack blamed on Moscow.&nbsp;

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This could not immediately be confirmed by the Strasbourg court, which provided no details of any of the alleged assassinations in its statement.&nbsp;

It is the ninth case taken by Ukraine against Russia at the ECHR, which hears complaints over alleged breaches of the European Convention on Human Rights. &nbsp;

"We have finally done this," said Ivan Lishchyna, Ukraine's deputy justice minister and a commissioner for the rights court.&nbsp;

"We tried to cover all cases for which there is solid evidence of Russian involvement," he said on Facebook.&nbsp;

Ukraine also accuses Russia of failing to investigate the assassinations "and of deliberately mounting cover-up operations aimed at frustrating efforts to find the persons responsible", the court said.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eu-to-sanction-four-russian-officials-for-crackdown-on-kremlin-critic-navalny-365490">EU to sanction four Russian officials for crackdown on Kremlin critic Navalny</a>

Ukraine argues that they constitute an infringement of the right to life, which is protected by the Convention on Human Rights, to which Russia is a signatory.&nbsp;

Other cases taken by Ukraine relate to the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 over eastern Ukraine in July 2014, human rights violations in the Crimea peninsula which Moscow annexed from Ukraine in 2014, and Russia's seizure of three Ukrainian navy vessels in the Kerch Strait in 2018.&nbsp;

Ukraine's government has been at war with separatists in eastern Ukraine since pro-Russian militias launched a bid for independence in the wake of Moscow's annexation of Crimea.&nbsp;

Nearly 13,000 people have been killed in the conflict, which deepened Russia's estrangement from the West.&nbsp;

Ukraine has accused Russia of targeted assassinations of 'perceived opponents' in a case lodged at the European Court of Human Rights, the latest salvo by Kiev in a barrage of legal complaints against Moscow.

Ukraine has accused Russia of targeted assassinations of 'perceived opponents' in a case lodged at the European Court of Human Rights, the latest salvo by Kiev in a barrage of legal complaints against Moscow. The case, which was filed last week, accuses Russia of carrying out 'state-authorised' assassinations "in Russia and on the territory of other states... outside a situation of armed conflict", the court said on Tuesday. Europeiska Pravda, a Ukrainian news outlet specialising in European affairs, said the complaint included the case of leading Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, who was poisoned last year with the Novichok nerve agent in an attack blamed on Moscow. × This could not immediately be confirmed by the Strasbourg court, which provided no details of any of the alleged assassinations in its statement. It is the ninth case taken by Ukraine against Russia at the ECHR, which hears complaints over alleged breaches of the European Convention on Human Rights. "We have finally done this," said Ivan Lishchyna, Ukraine's deputy justice minister and a commissioner for the rights court. "We tried to cover all cases for which there is solid evidence of Russian involvement," he said on Facebook. Ukraine also accuses Russia of failing to investigate the assassinations "and of deliberately mounting cover-up operations aimed at frustrating efforts to find the persons responsible", the court said. Also Read: EU to sanction four Russian officials for crackdown on Kremlin critic Navalny Ukraine argues that they constitute an infringement of the right to life, which is protected by the Convention on Human Rights, to which Russia is a signatory. Other cases taken by Ukraine relate to the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 over eastern Ukraine in July 2014, human rights violations in the Crimea peninsula which Moscow annexed from Ukraine in 2014, and Russia's seizure of three Ukrainian navy vessels in the Kerch Strait in 2018. Ukraine's government has been at war with separatists in eastern Ukraine since pro-Russian militias launched a bid for independence in the wake of Moscow's annexation of Crimea. Nearly 13,000 people have been killed in the conflict, which deepened Russia's estrangement from the West.

Ukraine takes Russia to Europe court over 'targeted assassinations'

Dust and sand particles whipped up from the Sahara will once again blanket skies over Europe this weekend, impacting air quality, the European Union's Copernicus satellite monitoring service said Friday.

It said wind predictions showed a "substantial plume" of Saharan dust would hit southern Europe over the weekend into next week, reaching as far north as Norway.

Mark Parrington, senior scientist at the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service, said that like a similar event earlier in February, the dust would likely be visible to the naked eye in the skies across Europe.

"Dust plumes from the desert can cause red skies, limited visibility or stains on cars and windows from dust deposition, but these impacts are difficult to predict quantitatively as far as four or five days in advance," he said.

Parrington said it was likely that the "high concentrations" of dust would affect air quality and could have some health impacts.

A previous dust cloud in early February darkened the skies in many regions of western Europe, carrying particulate concentrations "several hundred times" more than normal, Copernicus said.

Dust and sand particles whipped up from the Sahara will once again blanket skies over Europe this weekend, impacting air quality, the European Union's Copernicus satellite monitoring service said Friday.

Dust and sand particles whipped up from the Sahara will once again blanket skies over Europe this weekend, impacting air quality, the European Union's Copernicus satellite monitoring service said Friday. It said wind predictions showed a "substantial plume" of Saharan dust would hit southern Europe over the weekend into next week, reaching as far north as Norway. Mark Parrington, senior scientist at the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service, said that like a similar event earlier in February, the dust would likely be visible to the naked eye in the skies across Europe. "Dust plumes from the desert can cause red skies, limited visibility or stains on cars and windows from dust deposition, but these impacts are difficult to predict quantitatively as far as four or five days in advance," he said. Parrington said it was likely that the "high concentrations" of dust would affect air quality and could have some health impacts. A previous dust cloud in early February darkened the skies in many regions of western Europe, carrying particulate concentrations "several hundred times" more than normal, Copernicus said.

Saharan dust expected to hit Europe again this weekend

While Bangladesh's garment industry tries to recover from the COVID-19 crisis buyers from Europe and America have started cancelling orders one by one. As a result, Bangladesh's largest export trade is under threat.

WION Fineprint: Bangladesh's garment workers continue to face COVID-19 hardships

The European Union, which buys vaccines on behalf of its 27 member states, has authorized three shots developed in Germany, the U.S. and the U.K.

China aims to create goodwill through vaccine diplomacy

The European Space Agency has announced its latest recruitment drive for its next generation of astronauts. Astronauts say that the program will push the boundaries of human endurance, engineering and science. WION brings you a report.

European Space Agency begins recruitment process for next generation of astronauts

Fortnite maker Epic Games on Wednesday lodged a complaint against Apple with EU antitrust authorities, deepening its bitter feud with the iPhone-maker over its app store.

Apple and Epic have been caught in a fierce battle over whether Apple's tight control of the App Store, and its 30-per cent cut of revenue, is abusive.

The fight took a dramatic turn in August when Apple expelled Fortnite, one of the world's most popular games, from its app store after Epic released an update that dodges revenue-sharing with the iPhone maker.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/one-bad-apple-freefortnite-tournament-takes-a-dig-at-apple-322317">'One bad apple': #FreeFortnite tournament takes a dig at Apple</a>

Apple does not allow users of its popular devices to download apps from anywhere but its App Store, and developers have to use Apple's payment system which takes its cut.

"We will not stand idly by and allow Apple to use its platform dominance to control what should be a level digital playing field," said Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney in a statement.

The company said the lawsuit "complements" other legal proceedings it has launched in the United States, Australia and Britain.&nbsp;

Also see|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-pacman-to-fortnite-video-games-that-changed-the-world-350735">From Pacman to Fortnite: Video games that changed the world</a>

The war over the Apple app store has widened to Facebook, where CEO Mark Zuckerberg has accused Apple of imposing rules for outside developers that it does not apply to its own services.

This echoes the accusations of Spotify, which also believes Apple has given unfair advantage to its Apple Music service over other streaming services.&nbsp;

With its European complaint, Epic joins Spotify and other developers who successfully spurred the EU into action with their own complaints.

Those gripes pushed the EU's powerful competition authority to open a series of cases against Apple in June, involving both its app store and its Apple Pay payment service.

Apple has angrily called the complaints by Spotify and others as "baseless", describing them as sour grapes by companies that do not want to play by the same rules as everyone else.

Apple — along with Google, Facebook, Amazon and Microsoft — is also targeted in Europe by a new draft legislation, the Digital Markets Act, which aims to limit their omnipotence.&nbsp;

But the plan, unveiled in December, is only at the beginning of a legislative process that could last years.

Fortnite maker Epic Games on Wednesday lodged a complaint against Apple with EU antitrust authorities, deepening its bitter feud with the iPhone-maker over its app store.

Fortnite maker Epic Games on Wednesday lodged a complaint against Apple with EU antitrust authorities, deepening its bitter feud with the iPhone-maker over its app store. Apple and Epic have been caught in a fierce battle over whether Apple's tight control of the App Store, and its 30-per cent cut of revenue, is abusive. The fight took a dramatic turn in August when Apple expelled Fortnite, one of the world's most popular games, from its app store after Epic released an update that dodges revenue-sharing with the iPhone maker. Also read| 'One bad apple': #FreeFortnite tournament takes a dig at Apple Apple does not allow users of its popular devices to download apps from anywhere but its App Store, and developers have to use Apple's payment system which takes its cut. "We will not stand idly by and allow Apple to use its platform dominance to control what should be a level digital playing field," said Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney in a statement. The company said the lawsuit "complements" other legal proceedings it has launched in the United States, Australia and Britain. Also see| From Pacman to Fortnite: Video games that changed the world The war over the Apple app store has widened to Facebook, where CEO Mark Zuckerberg has accused Apple of imposing rules for outside developers that it does not apply to its own services. This echoes the accusations of Spotify, which also believes Apple has given unfair advantage to its Apple Music service over other streaming services. With its European complaint, Epic joins Spotify and other developers who successfully spurred the EU into action with their own complaints. Those gripes pushed the EU's powerful competition authority to open a series of cases against Apple in June, involving both its app store and its Apple Pay payment service. Apple has angrily called the complaints by Spotify and others as "baseless", describing them as sour grapes by companies that do not want to play by the same rules as everyone else. Apple — along with Google, Facebook, Amazon and Microsoft — is also targeted in Europe by a new draft legislation, the Digital Markets Act, which aims to limit their omnipotence. But the plan, unveiled in December, is only at the beginning of a legislative process that could last years.

Fortnite's Epic takes Apple feud to Europe

Mario Draghi, former European Central Bank chief on Friday formally accepted Italy's prime ministerial post. He will now lead the government set to&nbsp;replace Giuseppe Conte's centre-left coalition that collapsed a month ago. Draghi, the 73-year-old economist, spoke with Italy President Sergio Mattarella and spoke only to list the names of his ministers, a mix of politicians and technocrats. Draghi will return to the presidential palace at midday on Saturday to be formally sworn in, a spokesman for Mattarella said.

The senior deputy governor of Bank of Italy, Daniele Franco, was named as the new economy minister, while Roberto Speranza and Luigi Di Maio stay on at health and foreign affairs, respectively.

Draghi will take the reins when Italy has not fully recovered from the blow of coronavirus pandemic.

More than 93,000 people with coronavirus have died in Italy since it became the first European country to face the full force of the pandemic one year ago, and the toll is still rising by the hundreds each day.

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Shutdowns and coronavirus restrictions have plunged Italy, eurozone's third-largest economy into its worst recession since second world war. More than 420,000 people have lost their jobs.

Coalition, for now?

President Sergio Mattarella asked Draghi to form a new government on February 3, and the respected economist has spent the last nine days assembling the widest possible majority in parliament.

Almost all the main parties are behind him, from leftists to Matteo Salvini's far-right League, and including the populist Five Star Movement (M5S), the centre-left Democratic Party (PD) and Italia Viva, who shared power before.

Draghi was expected to present a list of ministers to Mattarella, before being formally sworn in on Saturday.

M5S, the biggest party in parliament which began life as an anti-establishment movement, was split over whether to support a government led by an unelected technocrat.

But in an online vote, members backed Draghi by 59 per cent, after it claimed to have secured the promise to set up a new super-ministry for "ecological transition".

Uphill challenges

Italy has high hopes for its new leader, dubbed "Super Mario" after vowing to do "whatever it takes" to save the euro single currency during the 2010s debt crisis.&nbsp;

His arrival was greeted with delight by the financial markets, and Italy's borrowing costs dropped to a historic low this week.

But "it is difficult to overstate the scale of the challenges that Draghi and Italy face", said Luigi Scazzieri, of the Centre for European Reform.

The economy shrank by a staggering 8.9 per cent last year, while Covid-19 remains rife and restrictions including a night curfew and the closure of bars and restaurants in the evening remain in place.

(With AFP inputs)

Mario Draghi, former European Central Bank chief on Friday formally accepted Italy's prime ministerial post. He will now lead the government set to replace Giuseppe Conte's centre-left coalition that collapsed a month ago.

Mario Draghi, former European Central Bank chief on Friday formally accepted Italy's prime ministerial post. He will now lead the government set to replace Giuseppe Conte's centre-left coalition that collapsed a month ago. Draghi, the 73-year-old economist, spoke with Italy President Sergio Mattarella and spoke only to list the names of his ministers, a mix of politicians and technocrats. Draghi will return to the presidential palace at midday on Saturday to be formally sworn in, a spokesman for Mattarella said. The senior deputy governor of Bank of Italy, Daniele Franco, was named as the new economy minister, while Roberto Speranza and Luigi Di Maio stay on at health and foreign affairs, respectively. Draghi will take the reins when Italy has not fully recovered from the blow of coronavirus pandemic. More than 93,000 people with coronavirus have died in Italy since it became the first European country to face the full force of the pandemic one year ago, and the toll is still rising by the hundreds each day. Also Read | EU to spare Turkey from tax blacklist, sources say Shutdowns and coronavirus restrictions have plunged Italy, eurozone's third-largest economy into its worst recession since second world war. More than 420,000 people have lost their jobs. Coalition, for now? President Sergio Mattarella asked Draghi to form a new government on February 3, and the respected economist has spent the last nine days assembling the widest possible majority in parliament. Almost all the main parties are behind him, from leftists to Matteo Salvini's far-right League, and including the populist Five Star Movement (M5S), the centre-left Democratic Party (PD) and Italia Viva, who shared power before. Draghi was expected to present a list of ministers to Mattarella, before being formally sworn in on Saturday. M5S, the biggest party in parliament which began life as an anti-establishment movement, was split over whether to support a government led by an unelected technocrat. But in an online vote, members backed Draghi by 59 per cent, after it claimed to have secured the promise to set up a new super-ministry for "ecological transition". Uphill challenges Italy has high hopes for its new leader, dubbed "Super Mario" after vowing to do "whatever it takes" to save the euro single currency during the 2010s debt crisis. His arrival was greeted with delight by the financial markets, and Italy's borrowing costs dropped to a historic low this week. But "it is difficult to overstate the scale of the challenges that Draghi and Italy face", said Luigi Scazzieri, of the Centre for European Reform. The economy shrank by a staggering 8.9 per cent last year, while Covid-19 remains rife and restrictions including a night curfew and the closure of bars and restaurants in the evening remain in place. (With AFP inputs)

Mario Draghi formally accepts Italy's prime ministerial post

Remains of French and Russian soldiers who died in a battle during the Napoleonic war will be laid to rest on Saturday. The soldiers squared off with each other during Napoleon's retreat from Moscow, that heralded the disastrous collapse of his Russian campaign. A ceremony near the city of Smolensk will see the re-burial of 126 people killed in one of the bloodiest battles of Napoleon's Russian campaign. This battle was fought in 1812.

Descendants of 19th-century Russian and French military leaders, as well as dozens of re-enactors, are expected to attend the burial in Vyazma, a town more than 200 kilometres (120 miles) west of Moscow.

Remains of 120 soldiers, three women and three teenagers were discovered in a mass grave by archaeologists from both countries in 2019.

The dig was led by Pierre Malinowski, the Kremlin-connected head of the Foundation for the Development of Russian-French Historic Initiatives.

The three women are believed to be so-called "vivandieres", who provided first aid and kept canteens in the French army, while the three adolescents are believed to have been drummers.

All are thought to have fallen during the Battle of Vyazma on November 3, 1812 at the beginning of the French army's retreat from Moscow and before the horrific crossing of the Berezina River.

The ceremony, complete with a gun salute, will mark a rare moment of unity between Russia and Europe at a time of heightened tensions over a litany of issues including the Kremlin's increasingly harsh crackdown on political opposition.

Napoleon's dreams of conquering the world fell apart after he appeared to bite more than he could chew in the Russian campaign. The Emporer who had brought Europe to its knees played a huge gamble in an attempt to win Russia, only to be defeated by the vast country and its unforgiving winter.

(With AFP inputs)

Remains of French and Russian soldiers who died in a battle during the Napoleonic war will be laid to rest on Saturday. The soldiers squared off with each other during Napoleon's retreat from Moscow, that heralded the disastrous collapse of his Russian campaign.

Remains of French and Russian soldiers who died in a battle during the Napoleonic war will be laid to rest on Saturday. The soldiers squared off with each other during Napoleon's retreat from Moscow, that heralded the disastrous collapse of his Russian campaign. A ceremony near the city of Smolensk will see the re-burial of 126 people killed in one of the bloodiest battles of Napoleon's Russian campaign. This battle was fought in 1812. Descendants of 19th-century Russian and French military leaders, as well as dozens of re-enactors, are expected to attend the burial in Vyazma, a town more than 200 kilometres (120 miles) west of Moscow. Remains of 120 soldiers, three women and three teenagers were discovered in a mass grave by archaeologists from both countries in 2019. The dig was led by Pierre Malinowski, the Kremlin-connected head of the Foundation for the Development of Russian-French Historic Initiatives. The three women are believed to be so-called "vivandieres", who provided first aid and kept canteens in the French army, while the three adolescents are believed to have been drummers. All are thought to have fallen during the Battle of Vyazma on November 3, 1812 at the beginning of the French army's retreat from Moscow and before the horrific crossing of the Berezina River. The ceremony, complete with a gun salute, will mark a rare moment of unity between Russia and Europe at a time of heightened tensions over a litany of issues including the Kremlin's increasingly harsh crackdown on political opposition. Napoleon's dreams of conquering the world fell apart after he appeared to bite more than he could chew in the Russian campaign. The Emporer who had brought Europe to its knees played a huge gamble in an attempt to win Russia, only to be defeated by the vast country and its unforgiving winter. (With AFP inputs)

France and Russia to bury soldiers 200 years after Napoleonic war

Dutch capital Amsterdam has now displaced London as Europe's biggest share trading centre, after left European Union's single market last year through Brexit.

World Business News: Amsterdam replaces London as Europe's biggest share trading centre

More broadly, cities will have to address new desires about connecting with nature and “reconnecting with life,” said Philipp Rode, executive director of LSE Cities, a research center at the London School of Economics.

A similar urban exodus has been seen in the United States during the pandemic, with affluent New Yorkers retreating to second homes and Silicon Valley techies scattering across the country. The phenomenon might be even more pronounced in the United States than in Europe.

Watch |&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/uk-records-lowest-temperature-in-the-decade-as-snowstorm-hits-europe-362730/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

“Broadly speaking, place loyalty in Europe is significantly higher than in the U.S.,” Rode said, pointing to past studies showing that even among cities in economic decline, those in Europe suffered relatively less population loss. “A lot of these places have very deep histories, very deep culture.”

Nevertheless, many European cities are introducing features like pedestrian and cycle-friendly commuting options and expanded green spaces. Milan, hit hard by the first wave of the virus, has designated more than 20 miles of cycling lanes as well as “parklets” in former parking lots.

London officials began a “Streetspace” project last year, creating temporary bike lanes and widening pedestrian zones as commuters tried to avoid the dangers of crowded subways and buses. Paris and Barcelona have taken similar steps.

Changes like these, which typically would take years, are being made practically overnight, British engineering firm Arup found. (And the pace of London’s program has prompted legal battles.)

But Léan Doody, who leads the integrated cities and planning network for Europe for Arup, is optimistic about the changes. He said that although the pandemic had highlighted some of the deeper problems with urban life, it could actually prompt a push for improvement.

“There is an opportunity” as the pandemic fades from view, to “introduce new behaviors,” she said.

“Perhaps city authorities, transport authorities and employers could think about policies to make a vision of the future that actually works for everyone,” she said.

Quantifying precisely how many people have left Europe’s cities is difficult, because the pandemic has complicated data collection. But a study published earlier this month estimated that nearly 700,000 people left London in the last year, mostly foreign-born workers who may also have been reacting to Brexit.

However, London could be an outlier. A survey from Arup found that some 41% of Londoners had moved out of the city at some point in the pandemic, compared to around 10% in Madrid, Milan and Berlin and 20% in Paris. Real estate company Century 21 said over the summer that it had recorded a spike in interest in leaving Paris, but no “mass exodus.”

Property reports revealed tech workers left Dublin en masse last year as remote work became widespread.

Unaffordable housing was a pain point in many European cities even before the pandemic, which has both exposed and deepened inequality. But remote working is “loosening the link” between housing and employment, Doody said.

Property prices in Dublin have exploded in recent years after a housing-market collapse in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis; a steep drop in supply has met with overwhelming demand, worsened by a rise in short-term rentals.

Doody said plans by the Irish government to create a legal right for employees to request remote work could make strides toward easing the housing strains on Dublin while distributing high-earning workers elsewhere.

Brendan McLoughlin, 29, a business analyst for Ireland’s national postal service, is among many whose job will remain at least partially remote; he plans to relocate from shared accommodation in Dublin to his own house in a port town north of the city this summer.

“I think it’s forced this reevaluation of what matters in your setting and your home life,” he said.

There is a strong view among social scientists and economists that the pandemic has only accelerated changes already underway in cities, deepening a “doughnut effect” in which high prices drive residents to the outskirts and turbocharging a formerly meandering trend toward remote work.

But the more rapid shifts have focused the attention of urban authorities, who are increasingly addressing long-standing complaints about noise, air pollution, cramped apartments and stratospheric rents.

In Paris, which was losing residents even before the pandemic, Mayor Anne Hidalgo had already been advocating the idea of the “15-minute city” — a vision of a future for neighborhoods that would assure all necessary amenities existed a short walk from people’s front doors. She made strides to cut car traffic in the city center and promote more green space.

When the pandemic created a new urgency, Paris quickly turned the Rue de Rivoli, a main thoroughfare, into a multilane biking highway, cut traffic near schools to improve air quality and turned parking spaces into extended cafe seating. The city is now vowing to make some of its pandemic designs permanent.

But finding the political will for lasting change will be a challenge, Rode said, and would depend to a great extent on the level of public engagement and acceptance.

Malcolm Smith, an urban design fellow with Arup, argued in a recent report that the pandemic had already brought cities closer to the vision of the 15-minute city, and that there was now the potential to make less traffic, cleaner air and more time with family into more permanent features of urban life.

“It has shone a light on the importance of developing cities in smaller modules, with essential services concentrated around community hubs,” he wrote. “In the 19th century, the response to cholera in London brought big infrastructure, the sewer network. I hope COVID-19 will lead to lots of smaller scale but widespread interventions.” 
&nbsp;

More broadly, cities will have to address new desires about connecting with nature and “reconnecting with life,” said Philipp Rode, executive director of LSE Cities, a research center at the London School of Economics.

More broadly, cities will have to address new desires about connecting with nature and “reconnecting with life,” said Philipp Rode, executive director of LSE Cities, a research center at the London School of Economics. A similar urban exodus has been seen in the United States during the pandemic, with affluent New Yorkers retreating to second homes and Silicon Valley techies scattering across the country. The phenomenon might be even more pronounced in the United States than in Europe. Watch | “Broadly speaking, place loyalty in Europe is significantly higher than in the U.S.,” Rode said, pointing to past studies showing that even among cities in economic decline, those in Europe suffered relatively less population loss. “A lot of these places have very deep histories, very deep culture.” Nevertheless, many European cities are introducing features like pedestrian and cycle-friendly commuting options and expanded green spaces. Milan, hit hard by the first wave of the virus, has designated more than 20 miles of cycling lanes as well as “parklets” in former parking lots. London officials began a “Streetspace” project last year, creating temporary bike lanes and widening pedestrian zones as commuters tried to avoid the dangers of crowded subways and buses. Paris and Barcelona have taken similar steps. Changes like these, which typically would take years, are being made practically overnight, British engineering firm Arup found. (And the pace of London’s program has prompted legal battles.) But Léan Doody, who leads the integrated cities and planning network for Europe for Arup, is optimistic about the changes. He said that although the pandemic had highlighted some of the deeper problems with urban life, it could actually prompt a push for improvement. “There is an opportunity” as the pandemic fades from view, to “introduce new behaviors,” she said. “Perhaps city authorities, transport authorities and employers could think about policies to make a vision of the future that actually works for everyone,” she said. Quantifying precisely how many people have left Europe’s cities is difficult, because the pandemic has complicated data collection. But a study published earlier this month estimated that nearly 700,000 people left London in the last year, mostly foreign-born workers who may also have been reacting to Brexit. However, London could be an outlier. A survey from Arup found that some 41% of Londoners had moved out of the city at some point in the pandemic, compared to around 10% in Madrid, Milan and Berlin and 20% in Paris. Real estate company Century 21 said over the summer that it had recorded a spike in interest in leaving Paris, but no “mass exodus.” Property reports revealed tech workers left Dublin en masse last year as remote work became widespread. Unaffordable housing was a pain point in many European cities even before the pandemic, which has both exposed and deepened inequality. But remote working is “loosening the link” between housing and employment, Doody said. Property prices in Dublin have exploded in recent years after a housing-market collapse in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis; a steep drop in supply has met with overwhelming demand, worsened by a rise in short-term rentals. Doody said plans by the Irish government to create a legal right for employees to request remote work could make strides toward easing the housing strains on Dublin while distributing high-earning workers elsewhere. Brendan McLoughlin, 29, a business analyst for Ireland’s national postal service, is among many whose job will remain at least partially remote; he plans to relocate from shared accommodation in Dublin to his own house in a port town north of the city this summer. “I think it’s forced this reevaluation of what matters in your setting and your home life,” he said. There is a strong view among social scientists and economists that the pandemic has only accelerated changes already underway in cities, deepening a “doughnut effect” in which high prices drive residents to the outskirts and turbocharging a formerly meandering trend toward remote work. But the more rapid shifts have focused the attention of urban authorities, who are increasingly addressing long-standing complaints about noise, air pollution, cramped apartments and stratospheric rents. In Paris, which was losing residents even before the pandemic, Mayor Anne Hidalgo had already been advocating the idea of the “15-minute city” — a vision of a future for neighborhoods that would assure all necessary amenities existed a short walk from people’s front doors. She made strides to cut car traffic in the city center and promote more green space. When the pandemic created a new urgency, Paris quickly turned the Rue de Rivoli, a main thoroughfare, into a multilane biking highway, cut traffic near schools to improve air quality and turned parking spaces into extended cafe seating. The city is now vowing to make some of its pandemic designs permanent. But finding the political will for lasting change will be a challenge, Rode said, and would depend to a great extent on the level of public engagement and acceptance. Malcolm Smith, an urban design fellow with Arup, argued in a recent report that the pandemic had already brought cities closer to the vision of the 15-minute city, and that there was now the potential to make less traffic, cleaner air and more time with family into more permanent features of urban life. “It has shone a light on the importance of developing cities in smaller modules, with essential services concentrated around community hubs,” he wrote. “In the 19th century, the response to cholera in London brought big infrastructure, the sewer network. I hope COVID-19 will lead to lots of smaller scale but widespread interventions.”

The pandemic emptied Europe's cities. What will bring people back?

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