By Martin Banks The EU has called for an “immediate humanitarian pause” to enable the vaccination of all children in Gaza against the poliovirus. The demand comes as it emerged that the Gaza Strip has been hit by its first outbreak of polio in over two decades. The area had been polio-free for the last […]
By Martin Banks Calling all comic fans: the hugely popular BD Comic Strip Festival is coming to the Gare Maritime at Tour & Taxis in Brussels from 6 to 8 September. This new edition’s programme includes exhibitions, meetings, book signings, and activities for everyone including the manga space and the giant balloons. This major Brussels […]
By Martin Banks A senior MEP has welcomed the prospect of closer cooperation between the EU and Japan. Reinhard Bütikofer, the European Parliament’s Rapporteur on EU-Japan relations, was speaking after the “Hydrogen High-Level Business Forum” in the Japanese capital, Tokyo. Japan is the EU’s second-biggest trading partner in Asia after China. At the same time, […]
By Martin Banks Establishments wishing to participate in the 2024 edition of the Best Shrimp Croquette in Brussels competition have been submitting their applications since 25 July. Registration are now closed, which means we know the 17 candidates who will be competing for the coveted prize. This year, the organisers have decided to appoint the […]
By Martin Banks The National Union of Journalists of Ukraine has strongly condemned the killing of a British journalist working for the Reuters news agency. It also said the events of the last few days has been “unprecedented” for the media organisation and its representatives in war-torn Ukraine. This was a reference to a Russian […]
By Martin Banks The European Commission has launched a call for nominations of scientists to be shortlisted for future membership of the Group of Chief Scientific Advisors. The group provides high-quality, timely and independent scientific advice to the College of European Commissioners on any subject, including on policy issues that the European Parliament and the […]
By Martin Banks The EU says it has released an additional €122 million for humanitarian assistance in the Greater Horn of Africa.# This comes as the region continues to face the impact of conflicts and climate-related disasters such as drought and floods. The funding will, says the commission, help address the most urgent needs of […]
By Martin Banks The EU has moved to provide what is says is an “immediate response” to the mpox outbreak in Africa. The European Commission’s Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority, HERA, will procure and donate 175,420 doses of the MVA-BN® vaccine, the only FDA and EMA-approved mpox vaccine, In addition, the pharmaceutical company Bavarian […]
By Martin Banks The centre-right European Conservatives and Reformists Group in the European Parliament has been constituted. Nicola Procaccini (Fratelli d’Italia, Italy) and Joachim Brudziński (PiS, Poland) are the new joint leaders Assita Kanko (N-VA, Belgium), Hermann Tertsch (Vox, Spain), Alexandr Vondra (ODS, Czech Republic) and Charlie Weimers (Sverigedemokraterna, Sweden) are its deputy leaders. Meanwhile, […]
By Martin Banks Malta has not escaped some criticism from the EU in its annual rule of law report. The keenly awaited report from the Commission covers all Member States and none escape some criticism over the issue. These include the Maltese government which has found itself at odds with the EU at times in […]
