Photo by Parker Johnson on Unsplash The practice of politics always has challenges. Such challenges are magnified when confronted with the optics: the perception of the people. Not all political Leaders seem to realise this…. While more UK small businesses are going bust than any year since the financial crisis of 2009, with mortgage interest doomed to remain…
Month: November 2023
World Scouting Ambassador Blazing a Trail for Adventure
Bear Grylls is a famous British adventurer who is well known for his daring and often highly dangerous escapades. His survival mantra is “if it can keep you alive, eat it” and he has eaten deer droppings, yak’s eyeballs, goat testicles and giant larva worms. But it is less well known that his big “fear” is….Brussels sprouts….
EU Enlargement for Ukraine and Moldova
Photo by Christian Wiediger on Unsplash MEPs say “it is with great satisfaction” that the European Commission has recommended to start EU accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova. This comes after the European Commission adopted the 2023 Enlargement Package. It provides a detailed assessment of the state of play and the progress made by Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo,…
EU Business Faces Labour and Skills Shortages
Photo by Kumpan Electric on Unsplash Companies throughout Europe are facing growing labour and skills shortages, it has emerged. The issue was highlighted by BusinessEurope, the organisation that represents the business community in Europe. The Brussels based group published the results of a new survey of European companies which, it says, “underscores the skills and recruitment challenges that…
EESC Delegation Visit to Ukraine
Photo by Marek Studzinski on Unsplash A leading EU organisation has reaffirmed its unwavering support for Ukraine’s reconstruction efforts and European aspirations. This comes after European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) President Oliver Röpke led a delegation to Ukraine. The visit, which took place ahead of the European Commission’s Enlargement Package, provided an opportunity for Röpke to discuss…
Human Rights in Uzbekistan
Photo by AXP Photography on Unsplash Uzbekistan supports the UN Call to Action for Human Rights. The importance of human rights is at the forefront of the continuous efforts to modernize the political, legal, and socio-economic aspects as outlined in the Uzbekistan 2030 Strategy. This Strategy aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals 2030 and…
Taiwan Under Threat from China
Photo by Lisanto 李奕良 on Unsplash Taiwan’s foreign minister says the island is gearing up for what he calls a “real threat” from China. Joseph Wu also said that “lessons could be learned” by both Taiwan and China from the still unfolding Ukraine conflict. Speaking from Taipei, Wu said, “It is hard for most to understand the decision…
European Greens call for top candidates for EU elections
Photo by CDC on Unsplash The European Green Party has launched its campaign for the Euro elections. On Monday, it opened a call top candidates for the 2024 EU elections, also known as “Spitzenkandidaten”. The selected Green leading candidates “will be the heart and face of our political family” in the campaign debates and events leading up to…
ECA Focus on EU Agency Budget Control
Photo by Diane Helentjaris on Unsplash Some EU agencies did not manage last year’s finances as well as in previous years, according to the European Court of Auditors. In its annual report on the 43 EU agencies, the auditors again signed off the agencies’ 2022 accounts and revenue, but were not in a position to issue a clean…
Looking for a great autumn break? Consider “Britain’s breadbasket”
For some, East Anglia in England a bit ‘out of the way’ or “that bit sticking out above London” Without a motorway, the region’s relative “isolation” from major cities becomes apparent when you’re trying to travel to and from the county. The region comprises two counties, Suffolk and Norfolk, and is home to the UK’s most easterly…