The Prison that is Belarus

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Photo by Andrew Keymaster on Unsplash MEPs are this week expected to adopt a resolution on the need for actions to address what have been called the continued oppression and fake elections in Belarus. Greens/EFA MEP Mārtiņš Staķis (Progresīvie) from Latvia, shadow rapporteur on the text, commented on the situation in the country. Stakis said, “Every day,…

The Future of News

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Photo by Mr Cup / Fabien Barral on Unsplash If you’re a journalist, the coming year could spell depressing news, according to a new survey by a UK national newspaper. It produces dispiriting news for those working in some sectors although if, like British PM Sir Keir Starmer’s late father, you are a toolmaker, there…

And So It Begins…

Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash The European Union has been told it must stand on its own two feet, to fight both climate collapse and the rise of autocrats. The blunt message came from the European Greens as Donald Trump started his 2nd term as US president on Monday. It also follows President Trump’s…

The Defence of Europe

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Photo by Arkana Bilal on Unsplash MEPs have discussed the security situation in Europe and beyond as well as defence and EU-NATO cooperation with the new NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. In his first public discussion with MEPs since taking office as NATO Secretary General, former Dutch PM Rutte said he is deeply concerned about…

China Accused of Discrimination Against EU

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Photo by CDC on Unsplash A key report published on Tuesday (14 January highlights what it calls continued discrimination against EU medical devices in China’s public procurement market. The report will feed into the EU Commission’s assessment on what measures should be taken to restore the EU-China level playing field in this area. The EC…

New EU Cash Aid for War-torn Ukraine

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Photo by 🇸🇮 Janko Ferlič on Unsplash As Russia’s war of aggression continues to hit Ukraine, approximately 12.7 million people are in need of urgent assistance. New European Commission funding will be used to provide life-saving support and ensure that essential aid reaches the most vulnerable populations in Ukraine. The €148 million in new funding will continue to…

 MEPs Respond to Guidelines on Fact Checkers

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Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash MEPs have given a mixed reaction to plans by Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg to overhaul content moderation on Facebook, Instagram and Threads. Zuckerberg said Meta is abandoning the use of independent fact checkers on Facebook and Instagram, replacing them with X-style “community notes” where commenting on the accuracy of…