Eurotopics.net

The US investment fund KKR wants to take over the largest Italian telecommunications group TIM (Telecom Italia). Since the Italian state has a veto right through its "golden power" to block takeovers not deemed in the national interest, Rome would have to approve the sale first. The press debates what course the government should take.

From February 1, 2022, vaccination will be compulsory in Austria. The country currently has one of the highest Covid infection rates worldwide. Up to now vaccination has been made mandatory only for certain occupations in various EU states such as France or Greece. A number of commentators argue that Austria's lead should be followed - or at least seriously discussed - elsewhere in Europe.

The EU must "learn the language of power", EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen demanded after her election. As High Representative for EU Foreign and Security Policy, Josep Borrell has presented the Strategic Compass, a blueprint for the EU's military defence and security strategy. EU foreign ministers will discuss the draft in the coming weeks. The press already points to lines of conflict.

After NATO and the US expressed concerns about a potential Russian winter offensive against Ukraine in view of a mass deployment of Russian troops, Russia has reacted by claiming that it is Kyiv that is planning an offensive in the occupied Donbass region. Ukraine denies this. Europe's press sees the situation as similar to 2014 and discusses reasons for the escalation.

The French dictionary Le Robert included the neutral pronoun "iel", a hybrid of the masculine "il" and the feminine "elle", in its digital edition in June. The word is used to designate people who define themselves as neither male nor female. The head of the publishing house has justified its inclusion on the grounds that it is being more and more widely used. The decision is very much a bone of contention.