Michael R. Pompeo, US Secretary of State has issued a press communiqué accusing the Chinese Communist Party of malign activity at home and abroad that harms U.S. interests and undermines the sovereignty of US allies and partners. He states that the United States will use all countermeasures available, including actions to prevent People’s Republic of…
Year: 2020
The Zohar
The Festival of Chanukah (however you spell it in English) in addition to its historical origins, is also a celebration of the long mystical tradition in Judaism, writes Jeremy Rosen. Nothing symbolizes mysticism in Judaism today more than the book called The Zohar (Bright Light). It has become the most significant text, in terms of…
British Legion seeks story behind World War II casualties
Two Britons, killed during the WW2 Blitzkrieg, rest in the pretty Flemish cemetery of Peutie, among countless Belgian ex-combatants. Former UK journalist Dennis Abbott recently put crosses on the graves on behalf of the Royal British Legion during the Armistice commemoration week in November. But he is also looking for answers. What were those two…
Libya’s future depends on the economic situation
Libyan politicians are confident that after the economy recovery, the country will be able to achieve reconciliation and stability. Many Libyan politicians, including the vice president of the Government of National Accord, Ahmed Maiteeq, are more than sure that Libya needs to solve the economic issue, and only then move on to the issue of…
EU Pillar of Social Rights
The European Parliament is calling on European leaders to make social rights legally enforceable and reach concrete social objectives by 2030. The Socialists and Democrats had pushed for the 2017 adoption of the European Pillar of Social Rights in Gothenburg and are now leading the drive for a Porto Agenda, to be signed by EU…
EU Students in the UK
British MPs have called for more clarity for EU students about their status in the UK. The UK government has said that it wants to continue to attract high numbers of EU students to the UK in the future. Yet as MPs learned at a meeting called by the All-Party Parliamentary group on Citizens Rights, many EU…
Adapting to Climate Change
Building climate-resilient societies in line with the forthcoming EU adaptation strategy is vital, says Parliament in a resolution voted last week. The resolution on adaptation to climate change will provide input on a new adaptation strategy, expected from the Commission in 2021 as part of the European Green Deal, and was approved with 550 votes…
Belarus Sanctions
In response to the brutality of the Belarusian authorities and in support of the democratic rights of the Belarusian people, the Council last week decided to adopt 36 additional designations. These sanctions target high-level officials responsible for the ongoing violent repression and intimidation of peaceful demonstrators, opposition members and journalists, among others. They also target economic actors, prominent businessmen and companies…
EU Security Union
The European Parliament adopted a resolution for the new EU Security Union Strategy, presented by the Commission, to step up the fight against violent extremism and to increase EU resilience against security threats. The ECR Group specifically welcomes the move to increase efforts against terrorism, organised crime, human trafficking and online child sexual abuse. However,…
EP’s Scrutiny of Brexit
European Parliament group leaders, agreed in the Conference of Presidents of the Parliament to push ahead with a vote on a potential Brexit deal before the end of the year. The Greens/EFA group express concern that expediting the consent procedure will not allow adequate time for proper democratic scrutiny of any potential deal with the…