A “Top 10” of things to do and see this Christmas in Belgium
By Martin Banks Christmas is coming so what better time of the year to get out and enjoy some festive fun in Brussels (and Belgium).
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December 2, 2024 Pressure mounts on Georgia after EU accuses its government of “backsliding”
By Martin Banks The European Union says it “regrets” the Georgian Dream’s decision not to pursue the opening of EU accession negotiations and rejecting EU financial support until 2028.
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December 2, 2024 Brussels halts EU recovery plan payment for Bulgaria
Bulgaria will not receive the second €653 million disbursement under the recovery and sustainability plan due to the country’s unfinished reforms, a direct result of the ongoing fourth-year political crisis.
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December 1, 2024 Combating foreign influences in media, experts call on EU to step up action
This article is part of our special report The state of media freedom in Europe, challenges and protections. The European Union and its Member States face significant foreign interference in politics and democracy, where legislative and policy gaps are increasingly exploited. To combat malign influences, the bloc must step up action and get beyond policy.
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November 29, 2024 MEPs have raised concerns over Hong Kong, notably the cases of Jimmy Lai and the 45 activists recently convicted under the national security law.
By Martin Banks The Hong Kong government must, say Euro members, “immediately and unconditionally” release all pro-democracy politicians, activists and journalists sentenced on national security charges and drop all charges against them.
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November 29, 2024 Winter “magic” – in lovely setting of La Hulpe
By Martin Banks The long, dark winter nights can seem a bit grim at the best of times, not least with so much even gloomier news currently dominating the airwaves and news print.
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November 28, 2024 Flying the flag for Belgian artistic talent
By Martin Banks Belgium is often either sadly misrepresented or just ignored when it comes to international discourse.
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November 28, 2024 Commission mulling 2025 white paper on electricity market reform
The European Commission’s energy department may issue a White Paper in 2025 which would lay the ground for further electricity market reforms, according to an internal document seen by Euractiv.
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November 27, 2024 Housing is a “human right” – conference told
By Martin Banks A conference was told that greater use of digitalisation in the construction and housing industry “can bring opportunities to tackle the issue of housing affordability in Europe.
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November 27, 2024 AEJ statement of Support for Turkish Cypriot journalist Ali Kismir
The Association of European Journalists (AEJ) expresses its profound concern and unwavering solidarity with Turkish Cypriot journalist Ali Kişmir, facing a 10-year prison sentence for exercising his right to freedom of expression. Ali Kişmir, President of the Media Workers’ Union, is accused of “insulting and defaming” the “spiritual personality” of the local army in an […]
