DAILY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Brussels proposes class-action suits for EU consumers Presenting a raft of proposals for its New Deal for Consumers, the European Commission has said it aims to strengthen citizensʼ rights by allowing the filing of class-action suits. Business organizations are not amused. Consumers from across the European Union may in future be able to join forces and file class-action lawsuits with a view to getting compensation from companies that break the law. Under a proposal made by the EU executive Wednesday, consumersʼ rights are to be strengthened considerably. Calls for the EU to introduce collective lawsuits, a tool used extensively in US litigation, had grown after Volkswagen clientswere outraged to learn that the German car giant had cheated on emissions tests. "In a globalized world where the big companies have a huge advantage over individual consumers, we need to level the odds," EU Justice Commissioner Vera Jourova said in a statement.
Algeria: Military plane crash leaves more than 250 dead A Russian-made passenger plane used by the Algerian military has crashed near the capital Algiers. More than 250 people on board have died in one of Algeriaʼs worst air disasters. An Algerian military plane carrying mostly army members and their families crashed on Wednesday shortly after take off, killing 247 passengers and 10 crew members. "This morning at around 8:00 an Ilyushin model military transport plane ... crashed directly after takeoff in an agricultural field that was clear of residents," Major General Boualem Madi told state TV. The Defense Ministry said it had opened an investigation into what caused the Russian-made Il-76 military aircraft to crash near an airbase in Boufarik in northern Algeria. The ministry did not say if there were any survivors.
85/2018 • 16 APRIL, 2018
Catalans rally for freedom and return of independence leaders A wide group of political and social groups came together to organize the protest
More than 300,000 people have rallied in Barcelona calling for the release of Catalan separatist politicians. Police in Barcelona said some 315,000 people gathered in Cataloniaʼs capital on Sunday to demand the release and freedom to return for a number of Catalan politicians who had been involved in the failed attempt to break away from the rest of Spain last year. The rally comes six months after pro-independence activists Jordi Cuixart and Jordi Sanchez, the last presidential candidate, were imprisoned. Both men face rebellion charges which could lead to jail terms of 30 years. The presidents of the National Catalan Assembly (ANC) and Omnium Cultural, a Catalan cultural association that presses for Cataloniaʼs selfdetermination, are among the separatists awaiting trial. It was these two groups which organized Sundayʼs demonstration under the umbrella "Space for Democracy and Co-existence." They had the support of trade unions, parents and actors associations and youth groups. Not all of them are in full support of secession for Catalonia but object to the detentions and want talks between Catalonia and Madrid to re-
solve the current impasse. "The majority of Catalans, regardless of their political position, agree that pre-trial jail is not justified," said regional UGT union leader Camil Ros. "What we as labor unions are asking for now is dialogue." Nine separatists are in prison awaiting trial for their part in the political process for independence, declared illegal by Madrid. Former President Carles Puigdemont is awaiting a decision in Germany on extradition while six others are abroad saying they fear arrest if they return to Spain. Direct rule by Spainʼs central government in Madrid has been imposed on Catalonia since its unilateral declaration of independence in October.Jordi Sanchez was among those electedin the December elections in Catalonia which saw a renewed, if slight, majority for the separatists. Although Sanchez was proposed as candidate to lead the new Catalan regional government, a judge has refused to allow him out of jail to be sworn in. If a new leader in Catalonia is not elected by May 22, new regional elections will be held.
Gulf Stream system at weakest point in 1,600 years A further weakening of the system of currents in the Atlantic Ocean could wreak havoc on the Earthʼs climate. But there isnʼt too much reason to be overly concerned about a looming ice age — at least not yet. Two new studies have found that the system of currents in the Atlantic Ocean is exceptionally weak — and its strength, or lack thereof, could have serious ramifications on the global climate. The Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC) — also known as the Gulf Stream system — is often described as part of the global ocean conveyor belt. It transports warm water from the Atlantic towards the Arctic, which influences the relatively mild climate of Western Europe. In the northern Atlantic, this surface water eventually cools and sinks to the bottom of the ocean, where another current transports it south to Antarctica before circulating back to the Gulf Stream and beginning the cycle anew. This entire process is known as thermohaline circulation.
Outcry in Bavaria over extending police powers An outcry in Munich over legislation to widen police powers has prompted an angry rebuttal from Bavariaʼs interior minister. Opposition Greens say planned preventive snooping is rejected by 60 percent of Bavarians. Joachim Herrmann, interior minister in Bavariaʼs Christian Social Union (CSU) government, has accused opposition parties in the southern stateʼs Munich assembly of staging a "scurrilous disinformation campaign."
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