Eurotopics.net

The UN Paris Climate Change Conference (COP21) ended on 12 December 2015. The key decision taken there was the goal of keeping global warming well below 2 degrees Celsius. What was celebrated as a breakthrough in climate policy at the time has yet to produce decisive results, commentators lament. But some also see glimmers of hope.

An incident occurred during the match between Paris St. Germain and Istanbul Başakşehir on Tuesday. After Istanbul's assistant manager Pierre Webó was shown a red card, a referee from Romania used the term "negru" to refer to Webó, who is from Cameroon, while talking to a fellow Romanian. Both teams left the pitch in protest, and the match was postponed to the next day. What does the incident reveal?

In the dispute over the planned EU rule of law mechanism, Germany has negotiated a compromise with Hungary and Poland under which a declaration would be added stressing that member states' "national identity" will be respected. Viktor Orbán is already presenting this as a victory. If the compromise holds it will clear the way for the new EU budget and coronavirus recovery fund. Observers, however, are less than enthusiastic.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson travelled to Brussels on Wednesday to negotiate a Brexit deal with EU Commissioner Ursula von der Leyen in person. A joint dinner including scallops and turbot, however, failed to produce a result. If the UK and EU don't reach an agreement by December 31, they risk a no-deal Brexit. But the media have not given up all hope of a deal yet.

The Estonian government tightened its coronavirus measures on Wednesday, closing all schools and other public institutions. In the northeast of the country - which has one of the highest infection rates in Europe - all public activities are banned for the next three weeks, with one exception: churches will remain open throughout the country. The state press is baffled and dismayed.