Euobserver.com

The EU on Tuesday confirmed Wojciech Wiewiorowksi as the new European data protection supervisor (EPDS). His confirmation follows the passing away of Giovanni Buttarelli in August. Wiewiorowksi, a Polish national, was at the time assistant supervisor at the EDPS.

A new UN environment programme report released on Tuesday says that global greenhouse-gas emissions need to fall at least by 7.6 percent each year between 2020 and 2030 to keep global temperatures as close as possible to 1.5ºC above pre-industrial levels - the main goal of the Paris Agreement. The report states nations should implement solutions soon, since the world is currently heading for a 3.2°C temperature rise.

The general advocate of the European Court of Justice concluded on Tuesday that Spain did not apply adequate legislation to its request for the extradition of the rapper Valtònyc, who flew to Belgium when he was sentenced to three years in jail for slander, defaming the crown, and glorifying terrorism. Belgium refused to hand over Valtònyc in 2018, saying those charges were not a crime in Belgium.

Spain's far-right Vox party has refused to sign an all-party declaration condemning violence against women on Monday, drawing outrage from civil rights groups. Vox's refusal to sign the declaration by Madrid city council meant there was no joint all-party statement on the issue. Earlier this month Vox became the third-largest party in the Spanish parliament in the general election.

A paper on migration written by federal informateur Paul Magnette has been leaked to the newspaper De Morgen, showing a change in Belgium's migration policy. "Public authorities have to use an open discourse on migration, objective and with respect of human rights," the paper says. The new policy will be based on international conventions and more humanity. The paper is part of the government formation and is not definitive.

MEPs on the European Parliament's trade committee Monday voted for an deal that will see US farmers taking up a bigger share of beef allotment starting in 2020. The plenary will vote Thursday. "The message is clear: we would like to de-escalate trade tensions with the US, but we want to see the same efforts of de-escalation on the other side of the Atlantic," trade committee chief Bernd Lange said.

The European police agency, Europol, has dismantled several accounts used by Islamic State in a blow to the armed group's ability to spread propaganda online. The move shut down a large number of accounts and websites run by the group's news arm, Europol said, and was joined by nine service providers, including Telegram, Google, Twitter, Instagram and Dropbox. Police agencies in 11 countries said around 26,000 items were taken offline.

At least 143 people have been killed by Iranian security forces since protests started on 15 November, according to Amnesty International, rising its estimate from 106 casualties last week. The deaths have resulted almost entirely from the use of firearms. "The international community's cautious and muted response to the unlawful killing of protesters is woefully inadequate. They must condemn these killings in the strongest possible terms", Amnesty said.

An earthquake with a magnitude of 6.5 hit Albania at 02h54 local time (3h54 CET) and left four people dead and at least 150 injured, La Stampa writes. The epicentre of the earthquake is situated at the northern coast of Albania, near Durazzo, and was felt in the Italian provinces of Puglia, Basilicata, Campania and Abruzzo.

The Hong Kong special administrative region government is open to frank and candid exchanges with groups from all sides. Our priority is to end the violence and restore calm.

Paris is, by default, now steering the EU's overall policy agenda toward the Western Balkans. This seems to be the opening volley and test bed for Macron's goal of recalibrating the entire EU agenda.

An eyewitness account of the events in the South American country.

Political issues such as migration and the respect for the rule of law will make the debate on the solidarity funds more political than ever.

Getting the mobility package done in the short-term, and helping to change modes of transportation in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, will be key priorities for the transport and tourism committee.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said on Monday that atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases broke a new record in 2018. Levels of other warming gases, such as methane and nitrous oxide, have also increased. "We need to translate the commitments into action and increase the level of ambition for the sake of the future welfare of mankind," WMO secretary-general Petteri Taalas said.

Interpol appealed on Monday for help to find eight men accused of crimes against women, including murder and sexual assault, Reuters writes. The suspects include two wanted by Russia and one each from Denmark, Norway, Ukraine, Brazil, Cyprus, and the United States. "The appeal (…) is a stark reminder of how women and girls universally experience violence and abuse across the world," Interpol said in a statement.

According to liberal MEP Anna Júlia Donáth, "violence against women and girls is one of the most widespread, persistent and devastating human rights violations existing today and remains largely unreported due to the impunity, silence, and shame surrounding it."

During a dinner marking the end of the Berlin Wall, German chancellor Angela Merkel clashed with French president Emmanuel Macron, the New York Times writes. "I understand your desire for disruptive politics," she said, "but I'm tired of picking up the pieces. Over and over, I have to glue together the cups you have broken so that we can then sit down and have a cup of tea together."

An EU foreign service spokeswoman on Monday reacted to the raiding of offices of the newspaper Mada Masr by the Egyptian security forces and the jailing of several journalists. "Ongoing restrictions on civil liberties, including restrictions on freedom of expression and assembly and the erosion of media freedom, in Egypt are causes for concern," she said, adding "journalists need to be able to carry out their work without fearing harassment."

The EU Council adopted on Monday the list of new commissioners, paving the way for the vote of consent in the European Parliament on the commission as a whole - even without a British commissioner-designate. The UK did not meet the deadline to respond to the infringement procedure for its failure to name a candidate for the commission. However, this will not affect the plans of the new commission.