It’s arguably one of the least visited of Belgium’s ten provinces but lovely Limburg is well worth discovering. The area was, economically, devastated a decade or so ago when the giant Ford car factory closed, with the loss of over 10,000 jobs. Limburg was forced to reinvent itself and it has done just that remarkably…
Photo by Boris Smokrovic on Unsplash The EU has thrown its weight behind efforts to support marginalised people. This is timed to coincide with This year’s International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples (Friday 8 August). Brussels says the event is about shaping futures and defending rights. This was the message on Friday from Kaja…
Photo by Marek Pospíšil on Unsplash New rules to better protect journalists are about to come into force. The legislation also aims to protect reporters’ sources and press freedom generally in the digital age. It will apply in all EU countries and come into effect on Friday (8 August). The entry into application of the …
Photo by Mike van den Bos on Unsplash MEPs are pushing for radical and far-reaching changes to passenger rights throughout the EU. They have called for a common reimbursement form, no charge for selecting a child seat, free on-board personal item and small hand luggage and better protection for what are called multimodal journeys. The changes are…
Photo by Mathieu Stern on Unsplash The S&D Group in the EU parliament, one of the two biggest groups in the assembly, has urged China to lift what it calls its unjustified export restrictions on rare earth elements. These critical raw materials, it says, are essential for the green and digital transitions. In the light…
Photo by Antoine Schibler on Unsplash The European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) has published the results of its latest survey. The survey tested European attitudes towards rearmament, defence, and the war in Ukraine in a world of Trump 2.0. It comes just days after US President Trump halved his deadline to Russia for a…
Photo by Toni Pomar on Unsplash It’s still one of the most popular tourist destination cities in the world. London is practically overflowing with activities to do, things to see, and bucket lists to be conquered. But, with so much global competition for tourists these days, is London really worth visiting? The answer, of course, is a resounding yes, not…
Photo by syahmi syahir on Unsplash The EPP Group in the EU parliament says it “firmly rejects any approach that undermines global trade rules or threatens Europe’s key industries.” This comes in llight of the recent announcements by US President Trump on tariffs. The Group is now urging the European Commission to stand firm and…
Photo by Mathieu Stern on Unsplash The European Committee of the Regions, is critical of the EU’s new long term budget plans. Speaking after they were unveiled this week, its president Kata Tutto said: “After months of unjustified secrecy, the European Commission has delivered a complicated and divisive proposal that puts at risk the role…
The EU must take responsibility for its own security and strengthen its competitiveness. That was the key message to emerge from the July plenary session of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC). The Brussels-based EESC, which represents civil society at EU level, hosted a debate on the political priorities of the current Presidency of…
