By Martin Banks The EU says “systematic concerns” remain about the rule of law in some countries. It goes on to warn that the situation has “further deteriorated.” The concerns are addressed in the recommendations of this year’s “Rule of Law Report”. The report covers four areas: national justice systems, anti-corruption frameworks, media freedom and […]
Interview by Vassilios Nicolaos Vitsilogiannis (IG: @vassiliosvitsilogiannis) Harita Mandoles is a prominent figure in the history of Cyprus, particularly known for her resilience and activism following the 1974 Turkish invasion. During the invasion, she witnessed the tragic murder of her husband. This event marked her deeply and spurred her lifelong commitment to seeking justice […]
By Martin Banks EU member states have rubberstamped a new round of restrictive measures against four persons and two entities under the European Union’s Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime. The listed individuals and entities are responsible for serious human rights abuses worldwide, including torture and systematic and widespread sexual and gender-based violence. The EU says […]
By Martin Banks MEPs have broadly supported the re-election of Maltese MEP Roberta Metsola as president of the European Parliament. Some 562 deputies backed her and Metsola’s new term will run until 2027. She was one of two candidates and received an absolute majority of votes cast out of 699 by secret paper ballot. The […]
By Martin Banks Some MEPs are angry that the EU will be “represented” at the swearing in this week of Iran’s new president, Masoud Pezeshkia. European External Action Service political director, Enrique Mora, is due to attend the event in Tehran on Tuesday. The EEAS insists that the EU is not be represented at political […]
By Martin Banks Russia’s war against Ukraine and the need for continuous EU support for Ukraine has again come under the spotlight for MEPs. The topic was debated by the European Parliament. S&D leader Iratxe García reaffirmed the EU’s “full support for Ukraine, denounced Russia’s violation of international law and the UN Charter, and condemned […]
By Martin Banks With Russia’s war against Ukraine raging on, MEPs have reconfirmed their view that the EU must continue to support Kyiv “for as long as it takes until victory.” A new resolution sets out the newly-elected European Parliament’s first official position on Russia’s “war of aggression” against Ukraine. It restates the continued support […]
By Martin Banks The European parliament has voted on the leadership of two of its most important committees. MEPs decided on who will steer the two committees – Internal Market and Consumer Protection and committee on Budgets – for the next few years. The two committees are among the most influential in the assembly and […]
In 2013, Michael Odell, along with brothers Max and Paul Ekwall, founded Ocean Bus with an ambitious goal: to introduce Scandinavia’s first amphibious bus. Following numerous meetings with authorities, inspection bodies, and stakeholders, their vision came to fruition. In August 2014, Ocean Bus made its maiden voyage on Royal Djurgården in Stockholm. The amphibious bus, […]
By Martin Banks With 401 votes in favor, von der Leyen (VDL) will serve once more as the head of the EU’s executive. She was re-elected by MEPs in Strasbourg a secret ballot on 18 July. A majority of MEPs at the parliamentary plenary in France voted for her un the four mainstream groups: the […]
