European Union scrambles to patch up relations at Africa summit

European Union scrambles to patch up relations at Africa summit

Press play to listen to this article It is not easy to pinpoint the nadir of the EU’s great pivot to Africa. The shift in Europe’s focus was trumped with great fanfare by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Council President Charles Michel at the start of their mandates in December 2019. But the … Read more

Vaccine access puts EU and Africa at odds ahead of summit

Vaccine access puts EU and Africa at odds ahead of summit

Press play to listen to this article Europe’s refusal to share COVID-19 vaccine technology threatens to overshadow a major gathering of European and African leaders this week. Europe wants to use the meeting — which has been delayed by 16 months due to the pandemic — to advance relations on several fronts, including trade and … Read more

Belgium braces for 'freedom convoy' protesting coronavirus restrictions

Belgium braces for 'freedom convoy' protesting coronavirus restrictions

Protesters from across the European Union are expected to descend on Brussels Monday to object to government COVID-19 policies, including the widespread rollout of vaccines and mask mandates, despite efforts by Belgian authorities to stop the demonstration from throttling the city. The so-called “European freedom convoy” mimics similar anti-coronavirus protests that have taken root in … Read more

French police fine hundreds in an attempt to fend off 'freedom convoys'

French police fine hundreds in an attempt to fend off 'freedom convoys'

French police intercepted hundreds of vehicles and issued almost 300 fines as self-declared “freedom convoys” attempted to enter Paris to protest COVID-19 restrictions Saturday. Convoys are trying to enter the French capital from different directions to protest the vaccine pass, which the French government requires people to have in order to access many public spaces. … Read more

European ‘freedom convoy’ eyes major protest in Brussels

European ‘freedom convoy’ eyes major protest in Brussels

You might want to reconsider going for a romantic dinner on Valentine’s Day in Brussels — as the city is likely to be completely paralyzed. A coordinated pan-European convoy of anti-vaccine protestors is expected to descend on Brussels on February 14. Brussels police are gearing up should the demonstration turn violent as others have done … Read more