Newsline | 20.12.2017, 17:15 UTC

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Newsline 20.12.2017 | 17:15 UTC News Europe European Commission triggers Article 7 against Poland The European Commission has launched an injunction against Poland for breaching European common values and rule of law. While only a warning, Article 7 could lead to sanctions and a suspension of EU voting rights. When can the European Commission trigger Article 7? Tensions rise between Poland and EU Poland: How feasible is a 'Polexit?' Poland: Bringing NGOs into the government fold? EU-Poland tension worries Polish citizens abroad How independent are German judges? What is Article 7 of the EU Treaty? Angela Merkel's conservatives to hold exploratory Grand Coalition talks with Social Democrats in January Angela Merkel's conservatives and the center-left Social Democrats have agreed to start talks on forming a government on January 7. The exploratory talks should end by January 12, they said in a joint statement. Merkel, Schulz play coalition cards close to vest SPD's Martin Schulz announces preliminary German coalition talks Germany's conservative CDU and CSU: Happy together, for now Germany's never-ending coalition talks break record German business confidence dips on political impasse German right wing AfD has a new hero: FDP head Christian Lindner Environment environmental protection Solheim: 'Change can happen much faster than we think' Despite pressing environmental problems such as pollution and the extinction crisis, there are still plenty of reasons to be optimistic, UNEP chief Erik Solheim tells DW. China u-turns on rapid end to coal heating UN resolves to end ocean plastic waste Top five solar energy inventions from Africa 2°C: 'We have a 5 percent chance of success' UN climate chief Espinosa: 'We must get serious about transitioning to renewables' Is the world prepared for climate refugees? 'Stop Sucking' for the environment! Mass extinction could take food off the table Are we really heading for an Anthropocene apocalypse? Five of the world's biggest environmental problems Ecology Sadhguru: 'We shouldn't divide world into East and West on ecology' India's rivers are drying up and much of its valuable fertile land risks turning into desert. Ecologist Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev told DW how he is bringing people together to protect land and water. Digging deep to harvest India's rainwater A look at India's recurrent drought problem India faces a crippling water crisis World Uganda Uganda's parliament votes to scrap presidential age-limit Lawmakers in Uganda have voted to scrap the presidential age-limit of 75 years. The decision could extend 73-year-old President Yoweri Museveni's rule after elections in 2021. Ugandan lawyer Opiyo honored with German Africa Prize Uganda: Museveni again? Ugandan police shut down protests over presidential age limit bill Will Africa's autocrats stay in power? German Africa prize winner: 'There are grave rights violations in Uganda' EU's highest court finds EU laws do not cover sharia divorce A couple with dual Syrian and German citizenship that divorced in Syria cannot have their divorce validated under EU law. The divorce was carried out in a religious court in October 2013. Indonesia: Punishment under Sharia Caned for going out on a date in Banda Aceh No pork, no interest Opinion: Stop the 'Sharia police' together with Germany's Muslims 'Islam is in a transformative process' European Court of Justice to rule on legality of Sharia divorce In Depth Europe What is Article 7 of the EU Treaty? The Article 7 procedure was designed to deter member states from advancing policies that threaten democratic institutions. The European Commission has triggered it after Poland enacted controversial judicial reforms. When can the European Commission trigger Article 7? European Commission triggers Article 7 against Poland, which could result in sanctions Poland: How feasible is a 'Polexit?' EU-Poland tension worries Polish citizens abroad   © Deutsche Welle 2017