Europe Weekly Roundup #259

The Latest News from Across the Continent

COVID-19 Update

The number of COVID-19 cases in Europe continues to rise, with over 20 million cases reported in the past week. The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the continent is facing a "very serious situation" and has urged governments to take immediate action to contain the spread of the virus. Several countries, including France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, have imposed new restrictions on movement and gatherings in an attempt to slow the spread of the virus.

Brexit Update

The United Kingdom and the European Union have reached an agreement on a post-Brexit trade deal. The deal, which was announced on December 24th, 2020, will come into effect on January 1st, 2021. The deal covers a wide range of issues, including trade in goods and services, intellectual property, and fisheries. It is a significant development in the Brexit process, which has been ongoing for over four years. However, there are still some outstanding issues that need to be resolved, including the future of the Irish border.

Climate Change Update

The European Union has set a target of becoming climate-neutral by 2050. This means that the EU will aim to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to zero by that date. The European Commission has proposed a number of measures to help achieve this target, including investing in renewable energy, improving energy efficiency, and promoting sustainable transport.

Other News

In other news from across Europe, the European Central Bank (ECB) has decided to keep interest rates on hold at 0.0%. The ECB also announced that it will continue to buy large amounts of government bonds in an attempt to stimulate the economy. The European Commission has approved a new €750 billion recovery fund to help member states recover from the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The fund will provide grants and loans to member states that have been most affected by the crisis.