Tuesday, December 10, 2019

The Brits’ comeback

I see no Brexit. Indeed, once the bloc unanimously granted an extension for Brexit requested, both pundits and politicians feel relieved as the have perceptualised the trap that they had fallen in with the self-inflicted blunder that they committed three and half years ago. It was one of the biggest...
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Print Edition

Focus

Europe’s 5G state-of-play: Interview with Mark Spelman

Mark Spelman is a British expert focused on key 5G challenges like standardisation and cyber-security. His current roles include heads the Thought Leadership at...
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Britain in Europe

If our planet was born 24 hours ago, then life began 8 hours ago; fish appeared in the oceans 45 minutes ago; our ancestors...

Regulatory myopia has resulted in the internet of today, and if we’re not careful will shape the humanity of tomorrow

At AmCham EU's 7th Annual Transatlantic Digital Economy conference, I had the pleasure of leading a fireside chat with Romanian MEP with the Renew...
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A return of the Normandy Four

Much will be at stake when the leaders of France, Germany, Russia and Ukraine meet in Paris on December 9 for their first direct...
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On thin ice

Body language is sometimes much more indicative, as was the case during a key December 4 meeting between Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and...
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17 Black: From Daphne to Dalli

Daphne Caruana Galizia. The name has become so familiar in the EU capital, that everyone (even European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at...
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NEWSROOM

Fewer journalists killed this year, says report

The International Federation of Journalists said on 9 December that far fewer journalists are being killed this year compared to last year. The IFJ represents...
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New round of Syrian talks begins in Kazakh capital

NUR-SULTAN, Kazakhstan – On 10 December, the first day of the 14th round of Syrian talks started this morning in the capital of Kazakhstan...
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EU investigates tax deals Germany gives to casinos

The European Commission said on 9 December it is investigating whether tax deals that Germany gives casino operators give an unfair advantage on those...
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Russia banned from all major sporting events for 4 years over doping scandal

Russia has been handed a four-year ban from all major sporting events, for doping cover-up by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), on 9 December. WADA executive...
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France ready to take US to WTO over proposed tariffs

France is willing to go to the World Trade Organization, as a response to US President Donald Trump’s threat to put tariffs on French...
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Vestager puts Google under scrutiny over data deals with news groups

Questionnaires were sent out to news publishers by the EU Competition authorities, as part of an ongoing preliminary probe into Google's use of reader's...
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Print Edition

Focus

Europe’s 5G state-of-play: Interview with Mark Spelman

Mark Spelman is a British expert focused on key 5G challenges like standardisation and cyber-security. His current roles include heads the Thought Leadership at...
Read more

Britain in Europe

If our planet was born 24 hours ago, then life began 8 hours ago; fish appeared in the oceans 45 minutes ago; our ancestors...

EU Affairs

France ready to take US to WTO over proposed tariffs

France is willing to go to the World Trade Organization, as a response to US President Donald Trump’s threat to put tariffs on French...
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Vestager puts Google under scrutiny over data deals with news groups

Questionnaires were sent out to news publishers by the EU Competition authorities, as part of an ongoing preliminary probe into Google's use of reader's...
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Johnson calls for “ripping up” the EU rule book

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is promising to “rip up the EU rule book and write a new one,” in the countdown towards the...
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US blocks appointment of WTO judges

The United States had clocked the appointment of judges to the World Trade Organization's top court on Monday. From Tuesday onwards, the WTO can...
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Mélenchon gets three-month sentence for intimidation

The French far-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon was given a three-month suspended prison term and a €8,000 fine for intimidating officials investigating his “Unbowed” (LFI)...
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Turkey expels 11 French Jihadis

Turkey’s government deported 11 French Jihadi fighters on Monday. “As part of ongoing deportations of foreign terrorist fighters, 11 French citizens have been sent back...
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Worldwide arms sales on the rise

Sales of arms and military services by companies listed in the Top 100 rose by nearly 5% worldwide in 2018, according to data released...
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Pan-European battery consortium emerges with 7 EU Member States

An important Project of Common European interest (IPCEI) jointly notified by Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Poland and Sweden to support research and innovation...
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China condemns US Xinjiang bill

China defended on 9 December the Uhghyr bill passed last week by the United States' House of Representatives, after foreign countries accused it of...
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EU watchdog says Hungarian government’s control of media is unprecedented

Following a recent visit to Hungary, seven press watchdog organisations have come to the conclusion that the Hungarian government's control over the media has...
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European Central Bank to launch a major review of its strategy

The President of the European Central Bank Christine Lagarde is preparing to launch a sweeping review of the bank’s strategy for the first time...
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Leaders' Perspectives

Alexandros Koronakis

Editor, New Europe

Regulatory myopia has resulted in the internet of today, and if we’re not careful will shape the humanity of tomorrow

At AmCham EU’s 7th Annual Transatlantic Digital Economy conference, I had the pleasure of leading a fireside chat with Romanian MEP with the Renew Europe… Read More »

Corneliu Pivariu

A highly decorated retired two-star general of the Romanian army

After more than a century, many challenges remain for Romania

The Great Union of December 1, 1919, which marked the unification of Transylvania, Bessarabia, and Bukovina with the Romanian Kingdom in 1918, was a stellar… Read More »

KASSANDRA

17 Black: From Daphne to Dalli

Daphne Caruana Galizia. The name has become so familiar in the EU capital, that everyone (even European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at...
Read more

An optimistic view of enlargement

The concept of a perfectly disciplined, regulated, and technocratic Europe, admittedly, must succeed. The operation was successful, but the patient is about to die. It’s true...
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The weeks before the first 100 days of President von der Leyen: Dilemmas and troubles of leadership

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen went from zero to hero, with her College of Commissioner’s being approved by the European Parliament with...
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Tono takes Zabreb by storm, stands up for EPP’s values

It took a strong showing of EPP Secretary General Antonio López-Istúriz to set the tone of the entire congress of the EPP, and give...
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Weber’s renewed force

EPP Chairman Manfred Weber gave a very powerful speech in Zagreb as well. German Chancellor Angela Merkel symbolically spent some time sitting between Weber...
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Tusk makes new first EPP impression

Newly elected EPP President Donald Tusk made a new first impression in Zagreb. And it was positive. “After five years, I am fed up...
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The Congress afterparty brought to you by Star Alliance

Berlusconi’s popularity was at its peak at the 2006 congress in Rome. And while the luscious dinners and afterparties in Rome were much more...
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EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Vestager puts Google under scrutiny over data deals with news groups

Questionnaires were sent out to news publishers by the EU Competition authorities, as part of an ongoing preliminary probe into Google's use of reader's...
Read more

Pan-European battery consortium emerges with 7 EU Member States

An important Project of Common European interest (IPCEI) jointly notified by Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Poland and Sweden to support research and innovation...

17 Black: From Daphne to Dalli

Daphne Caruana Galizia. The name has become so familiar in the EU capital, that everyone (even European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at...

Irish carbon-capture program gets EU funding

The European Commission will fund a Carbon Capture and Storage project by Ireland’s Gas Network parent company (Ervia), public broadcaster RTE reported on Thursday. The...

EU backs Celtic interconnector and Baltic synchronisation project

In an effort to boost diversification of energy supply and improve energy security for Ireland and the Baltic states, the European Union has signed...

“We will not let technology turn against the people”, Jourová pledges

"Technology should serve the people, not the other way around", said Věra Jourová, Vice President for Values and Transparency, European Commission, during a Summit...

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

Crețu pushes EU Commission for solutions to asylum procedures deadlock

Former Commissioner for Regional Policy and member of the European Parliament, Corina Crețu, has pushed both the EU Commission and the European Court of Auditors...
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EU negotiators ready to agree on taxonomy for sustainable finance

After long negotiations in the European Parliament, EU officials expect on Thursday the finalisation of the "EU taxonomy for sustainable finance" regulation that will provide...

EU Parliament declares climate emergency

In a wake-up call ahead of the COP25 climate conference that will be held in Madrid from 2 to 13 December, the EU Parliament...

MEPs express concern over climate change

The European Parliament in Brussels voted on 10 October for an increase of climate action spending in the next EU budget, calling for a...

Vestager is ready to reign in Big Tech

The question of Europe's digital transformation has been a key topic for many of last the Commission confirmation hearings. By the end of the...

Sassoli: UK’s Brexit proposals are not immediately operable, long way from something European Parliament could agree to

The President of the European Parliament, David Sassoli, met today with Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Boris Johnson, and discussed the facets of...

EUROPEAN COUNCIL

Mounting concerns over Europe’s ‘digital sovereignty’

Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Emmanuel Macron have independently expressed reservations about Europe’s reliance on American and Chinese for data storage. Merkel made the point...
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The new EPP presidency shaped in Zagreb

The European People’s Party Congress saw Donald Tusk take over the party’s presidency as the sole candidate. “Tusk is the face of a modern...

Fury in Italy over Eurozone debt-restructuring reform

Italian prime minister Giuseppe Conte aims to postpone the reform of the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) at December’s EU summit, ANSA reported on Tuesday. A...

Eurozone edging towards recession without policy response consensus

According to data released this week, the Eurozone hovers over the prospect of a recession, and there is no policy consensus over how to...

Zaev-Mitsotakis Thessaloniki meeting explores EU Enlargement delays

The prime ministers of Greece and North Macedonia met on the sidelines of the Thessaloniki 2019 Summit on November 14. This was their second...

Brussels casts Zaev a thin lifeline

Brussels cast a thin Italian-flavoured political lifeline to North Macedonia’s Prime Minister Zoran Zaev over the last ten days, something sorely needed after Zaev...

EU National News

France ready to take US to WTO over proposed tariffs

France is willing to go to the World Trade Organization, as a response to US President Donald Trump’s threat to put tariffs on French...
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Mélenchon gets three-month sentence for intimidation

The French far-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon was given a three-month suspended prison term and a €8,000 fine for intimidating officials investigating his “Unbowed” (LFI)...
Read more

Pan-European battery consortium emerges with 7 EU Member States

An important Project of Common European interest (IPCEI) jointly notified by Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Poland and Sweden to support research and innovation...

Netanyahu associates charged with corruption over submarine deal with Germany

Israel’s Justice Ministry announced on Thursday plans to indict seven men, including David Shimron, Benjamin Netanyahu's attorney and relative, Eliezer Marom, former Navy commander...

SPD stays the course with the German grand coalition

Germany’s Social Democrats (SPD) voted on Friday to continue to support Angela Merkel’s fourth government. Germany’s junior coalition partner will set out an agenda for...

Google tax could trigger new EU-US WTO dispute

France is ready to challenge US threats of punitive tariffs at the World Trade Organization, French finance minister Bruno Le Maire said on Sunday. The...

EU divided over definition of “tax paradise”

A policy proposal presented by the Danish government last week calls for a wider scope in the operative definition of tax avoidance and tax...

In harsh desert conditions, Qatar seeks a sustainable energy, water environment

DOHA, Qatar – The desert in Qatar extends on the right of the massive natural gas plant towards Mesaieed along massive sand dunes, reaching...

Russia commences Power of Siberia pipeline gas supplies to China

Russia started on 2 December Russian gas pipeline supplies to China via the ambitious Power of Siberia gas pipeline or so-called eastern route. Taking part...

Turkey’s parliament backs controversial deal with Libya

Turkey’s parliament on 5 December endorsed a controversial agreement signed on 27 November between the country and Libya, on maritime boundaries in the Mediterranean. The...

World News

US sanctions Iraqi militias over human rights abuses

The Trump administration issued sanctions on Friday against three Iraqi militia, accusing them of killing dozens of innocent civilians in Baghdad's Khilani Square, who were...
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Ukraine’s government may fool Europe on judicial reform

Ukraine's parliament passed in the first reading a judicial reform bill with great fanfare on September 12, which was applauded by civil society and...
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In harsh desert conditions, Qatar seeks a sustainable energy, water environment

DOHA, Qatar – The desert in Qatar extends on the right of the massive natural gas plant towards Mesaieed along massive sand dunes, reaching...

Benin expels EU ambassador citing “interference” in its domestic affairs

Benin has ordered the European Union’s ambassador to the country, Oliver Nette, to leave, accusing him of meddling in state politics, said a statement...

Communisme à la Chinoisé

The threat of China is global and concerns the entire Western Bloc – which now consists of the US and Europe – and Russia....

Will obsolete regulation keep holding back the future in Brazil?

There is no reason why Brazil, a large country rich in natural resources and human capital, should not deploy world class communications technology, infrastructure,...

Documents reveal how China sends Uyghurs to camps

Over 400 pages of internal documents have provided unprecedented insight into the Chinese Communist Party's oppression of ethnic minorities in the country's western Xinjiang...

Crans Montana “African Women’s Forum” hosted in Brussels

The city of Brussels hosted on 14 - 16 November the African Women's Forum, organised by the Crans Montana Forum, in association with the New...

Counterterrorism’s chief programmer

Interview with Professor V.S. Subrahmanian In today’s world, the capture of a terrorist leader or the destruction of a terror cell is one of the...

The Belt and Road Initiative is a challenge for South and Southeast Asia

The euphoria about the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in Indonesia and elsewhere in South and Southeast Asia (SEA) has been felt since 2017,...

THE ENLARGEMENT MONITOR

An optimistic view of enlargement

The concept of a perfectly disciplined, regulated, and technocratic Europe, admittedly, must succeed. The operation was successful, but the patient is about to die. It’s true...
Read more

Greece champions EU Enlargement in the Western Balkans

As a consequence of French President Emmanuel Macron’s decision in October to call for a temporary hold on EU accession discussions for Albania and...
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Zaev-Mitsotakis Thessaloniki meeting explores EU Enlargement delays

The prime ministers of Greece and North Macedonia met on the sidelines of the Thessaloniki 2019 Summit on November 14. This was their second...
Read more

Brussels casts Zaev a thin lifeline

Brussels cast a thin Italian-flavoured political lifeline to North Macedonia’s Prime Minister Zoran Zaev over the last ten days, something sorely needed after Zaev...
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Zaev fumbles after EU Enlargement let-down

North Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev fumbled badly this week when discussing the relationship between his country’s now-frozen EU accession bid and the standing...
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The domino effect of the French veto

French President Emmanuel Macron’s veto of the start of EU accession talks with Albania and North Macedonia at the EU Summit has caused massive...
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Enlargement is not Eurovision, Zoran

Enlargement boosters across Europe were stunned by the third failure of the European Council to announce a decision on 18 October on a date...
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Internet & ICT

Vestager puts Google under scrutiny over data deals with news groups

Questionnaires were sent out to news publishers by the EU Competition authorities, as part of an ongoing preliminary probe into Google's use of reader's...
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China orders removal of foreign tech in public offices

The Chinese government has ordered state offices and public institutions to remove foreign technology within three years. This is one of the latest developments...
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Spain follows France, Italy, and the UK to introduce a digital tax

Spain will press ahead with a digital tax, following in the footsteps of France, Italy, and the UK, according to El Pais. The plan for...
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Huawei launches new legal action against US ban

Telecom giant Huawei announced on 5 December it has launched an authorized challenge to last month's decision by US regulators to classify it as...
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Uber’s European competitor shows higher profitability

Estonia’s car-hailing platform Bolt is profitable in two-thirds of the markets in which it operates, surpassing Uber’s profitability. Founded in 2013 as Taxify and rebranded...
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“We will not let technology turn against the people”, Jourová pledges

"Technology should serve the people, not the other way around", said Věra Jourová, Vice President for Values and Transparency, European Commission, during a Summit...
Read more

Europe’s 5G state-of-play: Interview with Mark Spelman

Mark Spelman is a British expert focused on key 5G challenges like standardisation and cyber-security. His current roles include heads the Thought Leadership at...
Read more

Energy

Pan-European battery consortium emerges with 7 EU Member States

An important Project of Common European interest (IPCEI) jointly notified by Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Poland and Sweden to support research and innovation...
Read more

US, Iran swap prisoners amid rise in tensions

The United States and Iran have suddenly announced a prisoner swap, and each freed a prisoner on 7 December. The swap was facilitated by Switzerland....
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In harsh desert conditions, Qatar seeks a sustainable energy, water environment

DOHA, Qatar – The desert in Qatar extends on the right of the massive natural gas plant towards Mesaieed along massive sand dunes, reaching...
Read more

Von der Leyen says time is right for European Green Deal

Madrid has been hosting since 2 December until the 13 December, the UN Climate Conference COP25, under the Presidency of the Chilean Government, where...
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Russia commences Power of Siberia pipeline gas supplies to China

Russia started on 2 December Russian gas pipeline supplies to China via the ambitious Power of Siberia gas pipeline or so-called eastern route. Taking part...
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German business to help Kazakhstan diversify investments

NUR-SULTAN, Kazakhstan - As part of his official visit to Berlin, Kazakh President Kassym-Zhomart Tokayev held a series of meetings with representatives of German...
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Kazakhstan plans to export over 70 million tonnes of oil in 2019

NUR-SULTAN, Kazakhstan - For the first 11 months of this year, Kazakhstan exported 65.791 million tonnes of oil, or 99.6% compared to the same...
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Faith and Religious Freedom

Republicans introduce LGBTQ non-discrimination bill

Republicans lawmakers put forward a pro-LGBTQ legislation on Friday that would ban discrimination against LGBTQ people in employment, housing, education, public accommodations, commercial credit and...
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France creates anti-hate crime office amid Anti-Semitic wave

Interior Minister Christophe Castaner announced the creation of an office tackling hate crimes, after 107 Jewish graves were desecrated with swastikas in eastern France on...
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Pope sends envoy to Greek island to bring asylum seekers to the Vatican 

Pope Francis has sent a papal envoy to the Greek island of Lesbos to bring 33 asylum-seekers back to Rome, the Vatican said. The Vatican...
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Belgian city removes carnival from UNESCO list over anti-Semitic allegations

The authorities of the northern Belgian city of Aalst decided to exclude their annual carnival from UNESCO's Intangible World Heritage List after coming under...
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US House of Representatives adopts Uyghur Act that sanctions China

The US' House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved a bill requiring the Trump administration to harden its stance towards China over Beijing's forced detention of...
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Spain wants more equality for thousands of recognised religious entities

A representative of Spain’s Ministry of Justice has warned of a rise in the number of "intolerant and extremist" speeches about religious identity while...
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UK’s Labour rolls out race and faith manifesto

The UK's main opposition Labour Party has unveiled what they called an “ambitious” manifesto on race and faith that is designed to educate children...
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Supported by the  Faith and Freedom Summit Coalition

STAKEHOLDER VIEWS

Association of European Journalists(AEJ)
By Otmar Lahodynsky

A yearning for freedom made breaching the Wall an act of self-sacrifice

At least 136 people died trying to cross the Berlin Wall between 1961 and 1989. One of the most spectacular escapes involved an Austrian...
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NOVA COMPETITIVIDADE
By Francisco Jaime Quesado

From the d-economy to the d-society

The Lisbon Council is a dynamic think tank in Brussels that has been discussing the new challenges that Europe is facing for the future....
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New Europe Columns

Monnet Matters
By Editorial

Their discontent, our problem

If we have learnt anything from the last decade of European elections, it is that with all certainty we can say two things: (a)...
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ICI Washington
By Alec Mally

White House finally schedules Washington meeting with Greek prime minister

The White House announced on December 2 that President Donald J. Trump would be meeting with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on January 7...
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Energy Insider
By Kostis Geropoulos

Russia commences Power of Siberia pipeline gas supplies to China

Russia started on 2 December Russian gas pipeline supplies to China via the ambitious Power of Siberia gas pipeline or so-called eastern route. Taking part...
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Eurasia Watch
By Nicholas Waller

Danilyuk’s resignation is an ominous sign for Ukraine

The young pro-Western reformers who came into government with great fanfare alongside anti-establishment President Volodymyr Zelensky six months ago were dealt a serious blow...
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WELLNESS

Four things you never knew massage could do

Promoting muscle regrowth after injury, helping premature babies become strong enough to leave hospital, improving sleep quality and creating social bonds. The power of...
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Why everyone should try boxing

Far from being the exclusive domain of the uber-fit, boxing is a great full-body workout that’s suitable for everyone. Reney Nazim, passionate boxing fan...

5 ways to stay energised this autum

Don’t let the arrival of autumn sap you of your energy. Our expert advice will keep you firing on all cylinders! As autumn sets in...

Gym or sofa? How to make the healthy choice

Do you sometimes struggle to find the willpower to work out? The Aspria experts shares five top tips for staying motivated. You’ve told yourself you’ll...

BACK TO SCHOOL: TIPS FOR A SMOOTH TRANSITION FROM HOLIDAY MODE

The time is almost here for children to go back to school. Are you ready? Christine Cornet, Academy manager at Aspria Brussels Royal La...

Sauna in Heat

HOW A SUMMER SAUNA CAN ACTUALLY COOL YOU DOWN Sauna in the middle of the summer? It may seem like a strange idea, but in...

The perfect water workout

So, you’re heading off on holiday and you’ve decided to take a break from full-on gym workouts, but you’d still like to keep in...

In partnership with  Aspria Bruxelles

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