Photo by Sander Sammy on Unsplash The European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) has given its reaction to the political agreement on the revised EU rules on driving licences. It says that at the time of writing it was not clear what agreement had been reached on rules regarding the B1 driving licence category which applies…
Photo by Roman Kopylov on Unsplash Europeans should forget about the two things said to worry them most – invasion by Russia and the United States’ desertion of NATO. For compelling reasons, neither of these nightmare scenarios is likely. This article examines the supposed threat of a Russian military incursion into a member state of…
Photo by Moritz Knöringer on Unsplash The European Commission has approved the addition of rio Negro wines to the register of Protected Designation of Origin (PDO). Rio Negro are white and red wines, produced in the province of Guadalajara, in Spain. They are known for their aromas: the whites offer citrus, floral, tropical, and apple…
Photo by Ehimetalor Akhere Unuabona on Unsplash The situation for women in Ireland is increasingly grim. Every day, we hear of violence against women: assault, rape, and even murder. Women are unsafe in their own homes, harassed in nightclubs, and assaulted on our streets. If a woman cannot be safe at home, she can be…
Photo by Mads Eneqvist on Unsplash The European Commission has presented its long awaited Steel and Metals Action Plan – the EU’s proposal to ensure the future of the European steel industry. The Commission says the plan will support the steel sector face current challenges in the short to medium term. The sector-specific priority measures are the result of an inclusive and collaborative process, which involved multiple…
EU plans to beef up its defence sector have been welcomed. The White Paper on defence states that “Europe faces an acute and growing threat.” It says, “The only way we can ensure peace is to have the readiness to deter those who would do us harm.” “We have many strong foundations such as our…
Photo by Wolfgang Weiser on Unsplash Nearly 90 civil society organizations and networks have expressed their opposition to the South H2 Corridor. The construction of the 3, 300-kilometre hydrogen pipeline from North Africa to Germany via Italy was recently endorsed by governments in a joint declaration. The opposition to the plan follows a meeting of…
Additional US tariffs on steel and aluminium are a lose-lose for both sides of the Atlantic, says Europe’s business community. So says BusinessEurope Director General Markus J. Beyrer. His organisation is the representative body for the business community at the EU level. He was reacting to President Trump’s recent announcements on tariffs. Beyrer said, “It is…
Photo by Karsten Würth on Unsplash MEPs say the EU is now Ukraine’s primary strategic ally and must help the country uphold its right to self-defence. They have also welcomed the proposal for a 30 day ceasefire, reached on 11 March. They say they expect Russia to agree to it and follow it by ceasing…
On 11 March there was a crucial meeting between Ukrainian and U.S. delegations in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The discussions marked a significant step in the ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine. This meeting, set against the backdrop of the ongoing war, could potentially shape future actions in…
