The new-look European Commission has been unveiled by its President Ursula von der Leyen. Outlining the new team to MEPs in Strasbourg on Tuesday, the German official told deputies that gender balance had been uppermost in her thoughts. The college, as it is formally called, comprises 11 women, 40 per cent of the…
Photo by Ben Morris on Unsplash Former Italian PM Mario Draghi has outlined his ambitious blueprint for improving Europe’s competitiveness through closer cooperation in core areas and massive investment in shared objectives. Draghi is the author of a major report on European competitiveness commissioned by Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the…
Photo by Ben Morris on Unsplash The two-year postponement of the next phase of the LEZ (the low emission zone) in Brussels is not a proposal burdened with community-based issues. I am Dutch-speaking and co-submitted the proposal. So why is it, as we say in Belgium, being played out as a community issue?…
Oh no it isn’t! Yes, preparations for that much-loved of English traditions the panto are back in full swing. The panto season does not actually start until nearer Christmas but, as they are so popular all over the country, plans such as casting are already well under way and tickets are selling fast. For many…
Photo European Parliament Press Service European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has presented to the European Parliament her proposal for the new European Commission. On Tuesday, speaking in Strasbourg to MEPs, she told MEPs her thoughts on the new line up. The former German defence minister said, “We do not have the…
Photo by Allan Wadsworth on Unsplash More than 700 workers “united” on Tuesday in front of the European Parliament, Strasbourg, France, to call upon the EU institutions for urgent action to stop exploitation in subcontracting chains and labour intermediation. The European action organised by the EFBWW (European Federation of Building and Woodworkers), EFFAT…
Photo: Serhii Nuzhnenko (Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty) The recent execution of a Ukrainian prisoner of war by Russian soldiers with a sword has shocked and outraged the international community. This barbaric act occurred in September 2024 near Novohrodivka, close to Pokrovsk. The prisoner was bound, highlighting the particular cruelty of the crime. Ukrainian Ombudsman…
Business is taking off, for both airport and airline. Brussels Airport is providing a much needed boost for the local economy – while its second most popular long-haul airline is doing the same for the travelling public. Both the airport and Emirates are celebrating success stories – particularly welcome as the post-pandemic recovery continues. According…
Photo by Sander Sammy on Unsplash In recent years, Russian and Chinese intelligence services have shown increasing activity within the European Union, employing similar methods to recruit politicians and officials across different countries. This activity aims at achieving a common goal: weakening the West, destabilising European democracies, and undermining international security. These operations…
Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash Media freedom in Italy has been steadily declining in recent years, says a new report. This, it claims, is marked by “unprecedented attacks and violations often initiated by public officials in an attempt to silence critical voices.” The claims are made by the Media Freedom Rapid Response…
