Category: NEWS

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.

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.

Spain Spending First Million on EU Presidency

Spain is offering contracts worth €845,647 for umbrellas, fans, scarves, and water bottles with Sanchez’s presidential logo, plus contracts for event organisation.

Taiwan Extends Military Service

Recent polls show that three-quarters of Taiwanese consider the current four-month term too short—a significant shift in opinion, since military service, inherited from Taiwan’s dictatorial years, has long been unpopular.

Europe Gripped by Bird Flu Outbreaks

Europe Gripped by Bird Flu Outbreaks

While the risk of spread to humans is low, when it does break out, the impact can be lethal. As of October last year, the World Health Organization had confirmed 863 cases of H5N1 in people, 456 of whom died, around the world since 2003.

January 5, 2022
Assisted Suicide Legal in Austria

Assisted Suicide Legal in Austria

The adopted text is supposed to be limited by serious restrictions, but aims at preserving the right to self-determination defended by the Austrian Constitutional Court.

January 5, 2022
Russia Hoping for Nord Stream 2 Approval

Russia Hoping for Nord Stream 2 Approval

Critics in the U.S., Ukraine, and Poland warn that approval will increase Russia’s leverage over Europe, pit EU member states against each other, and deprive Ukraine of transit revenues, putting Ukraine in a less advantageous bargaining position.

January 5, 2022
An Anti-Abortion Woman to Become President of the European Parliament?

An Anti-Abortion Woman to Become President of the European Parliament?

The possible future President of European Parliament Roberta Metsola is a perfect product of the Brussels system. But she is also known to be a mother of four and to defend conservative positions on the issue of abortion. That’s why she is already the subject of much criticism.

January 5, 2022
Nuclear Power and Natural Gas: Green Energy?

Nuclear Power and Natural Gas: Green Energy?

Many EU countries support a green designation for nuclear power. France has made nuclear energy the pillar of carbon-neutral energy production, and Czechia and Hungary also rely heavily on nuclear energy. Germany opposes this, but approves of a green label for natural gas as a transition energy.

January 4, 2022
‘Change of Sex’ by Simple Declaration Now Possible in Switzerland

‘Change of Sex’ by Simple Declaration Now Possible in Switzerland

The new provisions concern about 0.0015% of the Swiss population. But that is not the point: it is a signal of the resolutely progressive path that Switzerland intends to take.

January 4, 2022
An Enduring Friendship: Trump Backs Orbán

An Enduring Friendship: Trump Backs Orbán

In a statement published on the website of the former U.S. president’s Save America super PAC, Donald Trump wrote: “Viktor Orbán of Hungary truly loves his Country and wants safety for his people.”

January 4, 2022
EU Flag Fuss Beneath the Arc de Triomphe

EU Flag Fuss Beneath the Arc de Triomphe

According to Secretary of State for European Affairs Clement Beaune, the flag was scheduled to be taken down on Sunday, but he said he was “very proud that this one flew for a few days.”

January 4, 2022
Polish Catholics Should be Willing to Accept Refugees, Says Top Bishop

Polish Catholics Should be Willing to Accept Refugees, Says Top Bishop

Archbishop Wojciech Polak said he ready to take the migrants into his diocese. “But the admission itself is not enough. We need a far-reaching, wide-ranging system of assistance that would enable them to find each other, integrate, and function in a new place.”

January 3, 2022
Eurotunnel Warns Britons They Can’t Travel Through France

Eurotunnel Warns Britons They Can’t Travel Through France

“Following a French Government decision, on 28/12/2021, unless they hold French residency, British citizens are now considered third country citizens and can no longer transit France by road to reach their country of residence in the EU,” a statement on the Eurotunnel website warned. 

January 3, 2022
EU and Switzerland at Odds Over Internal Market

EU and Switzerland at Odds Over Internal Market

At stake is nothing less than both partners’ continued cooperation and Switzerland’s membership of the EU common market.

January 2, 2022
France Wants a Federalized EU, but Not for Arms

France Wants a Federalized EU, but Not for Arms

While French President Emmanuel Macron proposed a vision for a more federalized European Union in assuming the presidency of the European Union, his government has also made it clear that does not apply to arms exports.

January 2, 2022