News Feed

17/12/2018

Why Russia wants more censorship

This week a draft law was presented to the Russian Duma that would make derogatory statements about the state and its representatives and the deliberate spreading of socially relevant fake news punishable offences. Russian commentators discuss what goals the government is pursuing with this legislation.
Source: eurotopics.net
24/12/2018

State Duma adopts law that decriminalizes controversial Criminal Code Article 282

On December 19, the State Duma adopted a law that will partially decriminalize the controversial Criminal Code Article 282, which courts have increasingly used to prosecute Internet users for “reposts.”
Source: meduza.io
24/12/2018

EU votes to ban disposable plastics

The EU has agreed on a law that would ban single-use plastic products starting 2021. Negotiators from the EU Commission, the EU Parliament and the EU states have agreed on the details of the legislation with the help of which cotton buds, plastic utensils and straws are to be banned. For commentators the law is a step in the right direction.
Source: eurotopics.net
24/12/2018

UK moves to limit immigration

The British government has plans for a new immigration law to apply after Brexit. Visas for work migrants would be limited to one year unless they earn more than 30,000 pounds (roughly 33,000 euros), in which case they would receive a five-year visa. Some commentators say the legislation would increase exploitation of foreign workers. Others see the plans as a step towards a fairer system.
Source:  eurotopics.net
24/12/2018

Germany ‘demands’ Facebook address NYT allegations

Germany urged Facebook to "immediately" address allegations raised in a New York Times article about the social networking giant's practice of sharing data with other companies.
Source: politico.eu
24/12/2018

EU sets stricter CO2 limits for new cars

The EU has again approved the introduction of significantly tougher limits for CO2 emissions by 2030. The emissions levels of new cars are to be 37.5 percent lower in 2030 compared to 2021. The car industry has criticised the new rules. Commentators see the manufacturers' complaints about the move as the usual lobbying, but also call for more financial incentives for eco-friendly vehicles.
Source: eurotopics.net
07/01/2019

Ireland psychological domestic abuse law takes effect

The Domestic Violence Act of 2018 went into effect in Ireland on Wednesday, which includes the offense of coercive control.
Source: jurist.org
07/01/2019

Should former Latvian KGB informers be exposed?

For the first time Latvia has published documents left in the country by the former Russian secret service, the KGB. Just before Christmas the national archive published documents that had been kept under wraps for over 25 years on a website set up specifically for this purpose.
Source: eurotopics.net
07/01/2019

Far-right online campaign changed European governments’ positions on migration deal

A coordinated online campaign by far-right activists pressured mainstream European parties to drop support for a U.N. migration pact that was years in the making, analysis of social media activity shows.
Source: politico.eu