Category: NEWS

AfD Ascent Prompts Conservative Reshuffling in CDU

CDU Friedrich Merz conducted some political spring cleaning this week as he removed a former Merkel loyalist from the party’s ruling committee in favour of a conservative alternative as the German conservatives ponder the rise of the AfD.

EU Chips Act Voted Through, Despite Centralisation Concerns

The Act cleared Parliament with near-unanimous support, although many lament that the Chips Act is too little, too late and that Brussels should have no role in setting industrial policy for the entire union on such a vital issue.

Let it Flow: EU, U.S. Reach Deal Over Private Data Exports

Citing concerns about U.S. intelligence agencies accessing EU citizens’ private data, the Austrian non-profit group NOYB will legally challenge the agreement in the European Court of Justice, where it saw off two previous incarnations of the transatlantic deal.

NATO Vilnius Summit: Sparks Fly on Day One

Ukraine gets no NATO invitation, but is allowed to skip the waiting list in the future while allies pledge billions of military aid; France commits long-range monster missiles; Turkey bags fighter jet sales; and the U.S. explains morally questionable choices.

New Cardinals To Be Created in September 2023

There is a certain ideological uniformity among Pope Francis’ selections, in contrast to those of the previous pontificates of John Paul II and Benedict XVI who took care in their appointments to give the College of Cardinals a certain diversity.

Crisis Averted As Serbs in Kosovo’s North Lift Barricades

Crisis Averted As Serbs in Kosovo’s North Lift Barricades

“Diplomacy prevailed in de-escalating tensions in north Kosovo. Violence can never be a solution,” Josep Borrell, the EU’s top diplomat, said.

January 1, 2023
Persecution of Clergy in 2022

Persecution of Clergy in 2022

Nigeria was the country with the highest number of victimized clergy this year, including 4 murdered priests and 29 kidnappings.

January 1, 2023
French Bill To Protect Creches in Public Spaces

French Bill To Protect Creches in Public Spaces

For the senators proposing the bill, the danger is very real and goes far beyond the sole question of Christmas creches. Other traditions are also subject to attacks motivated by the ideology of wokeism, like Christmas trees and Easter eggs.

January 1, 2023
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI Dies

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI Dies

The 95-year-old retired pope died at the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery, his chosen residence after resigning from the papacy in 2013.

December 31, 2022
Swedish PM Delivers a Grim Christmas Speech

Swedish PM Delivers a Grim Christmas Speech

“Sweden is in a very serious situation,” the prime minister began, warning that “the years ahead may be the toughest financially for our country since the 90s crisis and the financial crisis.”

December 31, 2022
The Grand Mosque of Paris Sues Michel Houellebecq

The Grand Mosque of Paris Sues Michel Houellebecq

The Grand Mosque condemns Houellebecq’s remarks as “staggeringly brutal.”

December 31, 2022
ECHR Upholds Eric Zemmour’s “Incitement to Discrimination” Conviction

ECHR Upholds Eric Zemmour’s “Incitement to Discrimination” Conviction

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) dismissed Zemmour’s complaint, ruling that decisions made by the French courts were in fact justified.

December 31, 2022
Czech President Miloš Zeman Affirms Support for Ukraine in Final Christmas Speech 

Czech President Miloš Zeman Affirms Support for Ukraine in Final Christmas Speech 

“I have always been a supporter of correct economic relations with the Russian Federation, especially due to the supply of relatively cheap energy raw materials. But there are situations when economic interests must give way to security interests.”

December 30, 2022
German Retirement Insurance Expects Surprising Surplus in 2022

German Retirement Insurance Expects Surprising Surplus in 2022

The surplus is in large part explained by the high excess mortality, which officials chalk up to COVID. But statisticians say the numbers don’t add up.

December 30, 2022
ExxonMobil Sues EU Over Windfall Tax

ExxonMobil Sues EU Over Windfall Tax

According to the company, the tax on ‘excess profits,’ whatever boon it might be for the EU’s coffers in the short term, is ultimately “counterproductive,” since it would scare off prospective investors.

December 30, 2022
Poll: Large Majority of Germans Want Negotiations Between Ukraine and Russia Now

Poll: Large Majority of Germans Want Negotiations Between Ukraine and Russia Now

The wish for peace talks prevails among voters of every political party represented in the Bundestag.

December 30, 2022
Swedish Kids a Minority in Malmö Schools

Swedish Kids a Minority in Malmö Schools

It is suggested that students generally would do better in Malmö’s schools if they were allowed to take classes in their native language instead of in Swedish.

December 29, 2022