Photo by Bruno Aguirre on Unsplash The impact of Europe’s rapidly ageing population is coming under increasing scrutiny, including by British peers. The UK House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee has just concluded an inquiry into Preparing for Ageing. Britain is an ageing society, the birth rate is declining and life expectancy increasing. It can…
Photo by Elliott Stallion on Unsplash The last EU elections showed the continued vibrancy of our EU democracy, says a key new report. Turnout, it says, was 50.74 per cent. The report outlines targeted measures taken by Member States and EU institutions to engage young people and boost women’s participation. The report also notes the…
Photo by Christian Lue on Unsplash Mathias De Clercq, Mayor of Ghent, has been elected President of Eurocities. In his new role, he will represent major European cities for the next two years. He succeeds Burkhard Jung, Mayor of Leipzig, and will be joined by Jaume Collboni, Mayor of Barcelona, who is the new Vice…
In the early hours of 6 June, Russia launched yet another massive air assault on civilian targets in Ukraine – a grim reminder that the Kremlin continues to rely on terror as a core tactic in its war. Although not the most extensive missile strike since the onset of the full-scale invasion, it was by…
Photo by Mohamed Tohami on Unsplash The US State Department’s imposition of sanctions against the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) over their use of chemical weapons suggests the beginnings of a shift in the international community’s engagement with the crisis in Sudan. Along with concerns over Iran and other nations supplying the arms that enabled the…
Spare a thought tonight for the selfless courage of the young men of the air landing brigade of the 6th Airborne Division of the British Parachute Regiment who spearheaded the D-Day allied forces 81 years ago. In a daring surprise attack, they landed by parachute and gliders behind enemy lines shortly after midnight east of…
Photo by samsommer on Unsplash The European Commission has unveiled its European Ocean Pact but the package has met with a mixed response. The EU calls it a comprehensive strategy to better protect the ocean, promote a thriving blue economy and support the well-being of people living in coastal areas. The Pact brings together EU ocean…
The Mont des Anges vineyard, located at Mons, is named after a local legend: mythical angels supposedly helped the British army defeat German troops in a local battle in 1914. The winery’s two owners – Belgian Vincent De Bussscher and his French-born wife Laurianne Lejour – this week launched three new wines, an event timed…
A special landmark is looming.. the 25th anniversary of the restoration of the organ at the Church of Notre Dame du Finistère (Rue Neuve in Brussels). To mark the occasion, two concerts will be held featuring the resident organists — Momoyo Kokubu and Xavier Deprez — along with coloratura soprano Caroline Jestaedt, in a programme…
Photo by Erik Mclean on Unsplash MEPs have voiced concern about air passenger rights amid fresh talks on the issue by transport Ministers of EU Member States. The fear, say Euro deputies, is that ministers might potentially agree to water down existing compensation rights. Current rules guarantee reimbursement after a three-hour delay. The EPP Group…
