“The world breaks everyone, and afterward, some are strong at the broken places.” – Ernest Hemingway The death of Tony Mallett symbolises the global passing of old fashioned journalism. Tony was everything that once reflected what in Britain was known as Fleet Street journalism, excellence and a lifestyle that prompted the question “what makes journalists…
On 30 June, the Standing Committee of China’s National People’s Congress adopted the National Security Law in Hong Kong, which came into effect that day, the 23rd anniversary of the city´s handover to China from British rule. Under the law approved by mainland China´s legislature in May, Beijing will have sweeping new powers to impose…
A new nuclear power plant, thought to be the newest in the world, is set to become operational in Belarus this summer, despite continuing fierce opposition from neighbouring Lithuania. The facility, called Astravyets, just 45 kilometres from the Lithuanian capital Vilnius and is set to go online this month with one principle aim being to…
The Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament have condemned the adoption by China of a highly controversial national security law, a move that undermines the ‘One Country, Two Systems’ principle that followed the end of British rule in 1997, leading to further escalations and endangering the status of the city. Once again, the S&Ds strongly condemn the mass…
Reinhard Bütikofer, Chair of the China-Delegation in the European Parliament and foreign affairs spokesperson for the Greens/EFA group, comments on the National Security Law: “By imposing unilaterally the so-called National Security Law on Hong Kong, the leadership of the PRC is destroying Hong Kong’s autonomy. The promise of “One country, two systems” has been broken…
By Nasser Bourita Covid-19 has spared no country, region or continent. In the Euro-Mediterranean area, as well as in Africa and Europe, it has struck indiscriminately, but with a degree of differentiation. Firstly, there was differentiation in the timing: it hit the European countries before spreading to the Maghreb region and sub-Saharan Africa. Then, there…
The European Green Deal is a major focus in the European Parliament this year and it involves a ‘Renovation Wave’ to ensure that buildings within the European Union are sustainable and energy efficient. Back in March, the Commission outlined in its new Circular Economy Action Plan that the Renovation Wave would lead to significant improvements in energy…
In the European Union, with the Green Deal aiming to make the continent ‘climate neutral’ by 2050, low-carbon technology in transport will be key to reducing emissions. A Belarusian electric bus manufacturer has caught the attention of transport authorities in the UK, Poland and Spain with its innovative electrical system. BKM Holding is a tram,…
The European Parliament has recommended that the EU and its members states file a case before the International Court of Justice, if China applies the new national security law they have proposed for Hong Kong. In a resolution adopted on Friday (19 June) by 565 votes to 34, with 62 abstentions, the European Parliament voted…
The distribution of EU funds in the Czech Republic is neither fair nor transparent but designed to favour the private interests of Prime Minister Andrej Babiš. This is the central message of a Resolution which the European Parliament adopted today and which was initiated by the EPP Group. Monika Hohlmeier MEP, Chairwoman of the Budgetary…
