Belgian viticulture continues to grow. That was the keynote message to emerge from a major wine awards and launch of the third edition of the Gault&Millau Belgian Wine Guide. The new edition features 24 additional wineries and 29 new references, bringing the total number of wineries and 236 selected wines to 123. Of these, 63…
Author: Martin Banks
Poland Elects New President
Photo by Marek Studzinski on Unsplash Some MEPs have welcomed the election of Karol Nawrocki as President of Poland. Nawrocki, the populist-right opposition candidate in Sunday’s exceptionally close election was backed by the Law and Justice party (PiS). In what was a key test of current public opinion, he beat his pro-European rival Rafał Trzaskowski. Nawrocki…
Mayors are Symbols of Unity
Photo by James Lee on Unsplash The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) has held its first meetings with local and regional politicians from Albania, Kosovo, and Moldova. The aim was to accelerate the three countries’ preparations for accession to the European Union. It is hoped contacts between mayors and councillors from the EU and…
Welcome to London’s Latest Visitor Attraction
The keenly-awaited V&A East Storehouse, which officially opened on Saturday 31 May, is the size of 30 basketball courts and houses all-manner of items. Designed by world renowned architects Diller, Scofidio and Renfro, it opens as part of East Bank, the new cultural quarter in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. A ground-breaking new museum experience…
Frontex Should be Deployed in Spain Say MEPs
Photo by Elvira Blumfelde on Unsplash MEPs are urgently calling for Frontex to be deployed in Ceuta and Melilla – Spain’s autonomous cities on the North African coast – to help protect the EU’s southern border. The demand follows a recent fact-finding mission to the area by a group of centre right Euro deputies. EPP…
Mixed Reaction to New Plans for EU Single Market
Photo by Masood Aslami on Unsplash A campaign group claims that plans outlined recently by the European Commission will boost corporate power. Campaigners allege that the Commission’s Single Market Strategy communication will limit the democratic space that national and local authorities need to protect people and the environment. The Commission’s plans were launched in the…
Keeping the Flame of Enlargement Alive
Photo by Antoine Schibler on Unsplash Decentralisation and the transition towards a greener, more sustainable economy were centre-stage at the Enlargement Day conference held by the European Committee of the Regions. The event, on 27-28 May, was the European Union’s largest event of the year dedicated to EU enlargement from a local and regional perspective. …
Plans for Brussels Art Week
Brussels’ vibrant contemporary art scene comes together again this September for the first full edition of RendezVous – Brussels Art Week. After a successful soft launch in 2024, RendezVous now returns with a complete programme celebrating the diversity and richness of Brussels’ artistic ecosystem. From 4–7 September, galleries, institutions, artist-run spaces, and collective studios across…
Emirates Launches “Courier Express”
The airline Emirates has launched a brand new delivery service. Called “Courier Express” it is described as an end-to-end delivery solution that is set to redefine the express delivery experience. The goal, says the Dubai-based operator, is to make the delivery service as fast, reliable and flexible as possible. Traditionally, cross-border delivery is managed via a…
Hungary Criticised for Strangling Free Speech
MEPs have attacked the failure of EU member states to take action against Hungary over its alleged curbs on freedom pf speech. LGBTQ+ rights have been under attack in Hungary and, at the European Council meeting on the Article 7 procedure, Member States are said to have failed to take any decisions. This has been…