EUROPE DIPLOMATIC

MEPs oppose cats and dogs illegal trade

MEPs want action to tackle the illegal trade in pets in order to better protect animals and punish rule breakers.(Image: social media) Many pets are traded illegally across the EU generating high profit at a low risk, often providing a profitable source of income for criminal networks. ✋ Stop the trafficking of cats and dogs!…

Ansip: Artificial intelligence challenges

Ahead of the publication of the Commission’s White Paper on Artificial Intelligence, Renew Europe is the first political group to present a comprehensive vision about the use of AI in Europe, considering the key political implications for the current legislative period. The position paper published today will be presented at our Group meeting to European…

Russia: novel virus clown reprimanded

The Cheryomushki district Court of Moscow, Russia, decided to arrest the citizen of Tadjikistan Karomat Dzhaborov, who staged a novel virus pantomime in the subway. The young man imitated a coronavirus attack and convulsions, but now he will reflect about his joke in the isolation prison cell. Суд в Москве арестовал участника пранка про коронавирус:…

Fine Gael looking for coalition

Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said a coalition between his center-right Fine Gael party and left-wing nationalists Sinn Fein is not an option as the parties’ policies are “not compatible”. (Image: archive) Irish PM Varadkar says coalition with Sinn Fein is not an option https://t.co/4E2AkVHTcT pic.twitter.com/E5heQzGMk8 — Reuters (@Reuters) February 9, 2020 “For us coalition…

Borrell completes U.S. visit

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell returned on February 9 from the first official visit in his current capacity to the Unites States. Important discussion with @SpeakerPelosi on EU-US partnership and transatlantic relations. Based on shared values and mutual trust we can succeed in tackling global challenges we jointly face….

ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano returned

ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano touched down in the Kazakh Steppe at 09:12 GMT (10:12 CET), 6 February 2020 after his second six-month mission on the International Space Station. Luca returned to Earth in the Russian Soyuz MS-13 spacecraft alongside US astronaut Christina Koch and Russian cosmonaut Alexander Skvortsov. ESA astronaut @astro_luca returned to Earth today…

New EU enlargement “methodology”

On 5 February, Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi has presented proposals for a revised enlargement “methodology” to the foreign affairs MEPs. The new “methodology” surfaced after the Council’s reluctance to agree on opening accession talks with North Macedonia and Albania and is expected to “enhance credibility” and give ‘”new impetus” to the enlargement process. Revised methodology one…

Johnson’s post-Brexit vision

The European Union and Britain started arugment over a post-Brexit trade deal on February 3, setting out very different visions of a future relationship that could result in the most distant of ties, and even the departue without a deal. Boris Johnson has set out his vision for a trade deal with the EU, saying…

London jihadist released on licence

The assailant who strapped a fake bomb vest to his chest before stabbing two people in South London had been released from prison just days earlier, The Sun reports. #SudeshAmman “smiled & laughed throughout the Old Bailey hearing including when Judge Mark Lucraft QC told him he was facing a custodial sentence of 'some length’.”…

Gent: knife attack under investigation

A women has been shot by Belgium police after attacking two pedestrians with knife in busy street of #Gent, one of the top European destinations for cultural tourism. The incident took place just minutes after a similar attack in #Streatham in London. 🔴 INFO – #Belgique : Une attaque au couteau a eu lieu ce…