Author: Olga Winter - EU Newsdesk

The Spanish Tourism sector grows by 17% and increase the percentage that tourism has on Spain’s GDP. The activity of the sector rose to 184,000 million euros in 2023, a much higher figure than that shown in the year before the pandemic, when 157,355 million euros were reached, according to the National Statistics Institute (INE). Spanish Tourism sector grows by 17% The same did not happen with occupation in the tourism sector. In 2019 continues…

The new temporary tax on the main energy operators for 2025 will have a maximum bonus of 60% on the amount of the tax for those companies that make strategic investments. Investments that are “essential” for the ecological transition and decarbonization and that, due to their magnitude, contribute to economic growth and employment, whether made in fixed or technological assets committed to industrial projects, will be considered as such. These investments can range from the…

Spanish politics in 2025 is going to need some radical improvements, especially after the outcry of Valencia flooding; its showed how distant Madrid was to the rest of country. As such The Spanish Government must provide the right signals. And it will start with policies which make an impact to the lives of everyday people. By approving the extension – for six months – of the main transport discounts, as it promised to Podemos last…

Slovakia’s PM Fico visits Moscow amid Ukraine gas dispute. Prime Minister Robert Fico made an unannounced visit to Moscow on Sunday for what he and the Kremlin called a “working meeting” with President Vladimir Putin.  Fico made the trip days after reaching a deadlock in a dispute with the government in Kyiv over the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine to Slovakia, with Volodymyr Zelensky saying he does not intend to extend existing contracts past…

The Spanish Government holds the last Council of Ministers of the year, on Monday, in which it is expected to approve a battery of economic measures, from the extension of the tax on large energy companies for 2025 to the extension of transport bonuses or the increase in pensions. This Monday a royal decree law will be approved with the extension of the tax on large energy companies to 2025, a commitment of the Government…

The attack in Magdeburg moves commentators. Some recommend calm mourning and thorough education, others already see clear culprits – including Elon Musk. “Polarization kills” to “A state that fails” – so different

The US has attacked Houthi positions in Yemen. A dramatic incident occurred: When a fighter jet took off from an aircraft carrier, an escort cruiser fired. Both pilots were rescued. Fight against Houthis: US military accidentally shoots down its own fighter jet off Yemen

Why the DRC sued Apple over conflict minerals. United Nations officials have reported out that some mines are operated by armed groups that are reported to be involved in massacres of the civilian population, widespread sexual assault, rampant looting and other crimes. In a criminal complaint filed on Tuesday, the Democratic Republic of Congo accuses Apple of making use of minerals that originate from illegal mining in the DRC. Primarily, these are the so-called 3T…

Iceland’s incoming government says it will put EU membership to referendum by 2027 Iceland's incoming government says it will put EU membership to referendum by 2027

The EU wants to adopt a new package of sanctions against Russia on the third anniversary of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine on February 24, 2025. WELT AM SONNTAG reports this, citing unanimous information from diplomatic circles in Brussels. The new measure would be the 16th sanctions package. Informed EU diplomats said the package was intended as a “clear signal” to Moscow and would include “measures against specific sectors of the Russian economy that…

After the theatrical release of “Just One More Time,” a lot of criticism poured in on Blake Lively. Now she is suing: her reputational damage was systematically planned by her fellow actor Justin Baldoni. Blake Lively: Actress files lawsuit against Justin Baldoni for defamation of character

Sixteen security personnel were killed in an attack by Islamist militants in northwestern Pakistan early on Saturday, officials said. The attack on a security forces post took place at 2 a.m. (2100 GMT on Friday) and the attackers had used light and heavy weapons, police deputy superintendent Hidayat Ullah told Reuters. “A search operation is underway in the area,” he added. The siege began after midnight and lasted about two hours as about 30 militants attacked the mountainous…

COMECE advocates for the unique contribution of Religious Education at the European Schools in latest position paper. The Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) publishes a position paper titled ‘Religious Education in the European Schools – A Unique and Essential Contribution to the Next Generation of Europeans’ on Wednesday, 18 December 2024. The document underscores the importance of preserving the religious and testimonial dimension of faith within the educational mission of European Schools. Read…

Trump-walks-by-Elon-Musk-during-the-America-First-Policy.jpg” />On Friday evening, the tech billionaire called for Olaf Scholz’s immediate resignation. The day after the attack in Magdeburg, Elon Musk published further messages: Germany should have extradited the Saudi assassin.The billionaire and advisor to the next US President Donald Trump, Elon Musk, sharply criticized the German authorities and the federal government after the attack on the Magdeburg Christmas market. On Sunday night, Trump’s designated Vice President JD Vance also got in and indirectly…

There is apparently a threat of medical collapse in the embattled north of the Gaza Strip. The director of Kamal Adwan Hospital is pushing for aid supplies. Meanwhile, the Israeli army continues its attacks in Gaza. Gaza: Last intact clinic in northern Gaza calls for international help

The now 27-member European Union has been repeating the mantra since the 2003 EU summit in Thessaloniki, Greece: The countries of the Western Balkans that emerged from the disintegration of Yugoslavia, as well as Albania, belong to Europe, and should be welcomed into the European Union.  So far, the only one that has made the leap into the EU is Croatia in 2013. The other six — Serbia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Albania…

MAGDEBURG, Germany – December 21, 2024 – A festive evening at a bustling Christmas market in Magdeburg turned into a scene of devastation on Friday night by a terrorist psychiatrist, as a vehicle plowed through crowds of holiday shoppers, leaving five people dead and over 200 injured. Authorities have identified the suspect as Taleb al-Abdulmohsen, a 50-year-old Saudi-born psychiatrist who has lived in Germany since 2006. The incident occurred around 7:00 p.m. local time when…

Numerous citizens come to the memorial service in Magdeburg Cathedral. “Is there still a safe place?” shouts a bishop during his sermon. Meanwhile, Sahra Wagenknecht is demanding answers from the Interior Ministry about the warnings about the perpetrator. All developments in the live ticker.The attack on the Christmas market in Magdeburg shocked Germany. At least five people were killed, including a nine-year-old child. 200 people were injured, some seriously. A driver drove straight into the…

Unanimous victory on points: Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk has beaten Britain’s Tyson Fury again and remains heavyweight world champion. Boxing: Oleksandr Usyk defeats Tyson Fury again and remains world heavyweight champion

The hunt for league leaders Bayern Munich begins on the last matchday of the year. After the record champions presented against RB Leipzig, the pursuers in particular are challenged. Above all, Eintracht Frankfurt. All information about the Bundesliga duels can be found here [matched_excerpt] Mainz celebrates after a strange own goal, receives a red card – and takes the lead

The winners of the ‘jackpot’ of the Christmas Lottery that will be held tomorrow, Sunday, December 22, will have to pay taxes for their prize to the Public Treasury, which will keep 72,000 euros from each tenth. All prizes organized by the State Lottery and Betting Society (Selae), including the special Christmas draw, that exceed 40,000 euros are subject to the payment of a special tax, as recalled by the Tax Agency on its website.…

Dead, injured, traumatized: the suffering is omnipresent after the Christmas market attack in Magdeburg. Likewise the anger – although the suspect’s motive seems more diffuse than many initially assumed. Shortly after the crime, people’s anger boiled over

“You chop veal lung nice and small”: The “Küchenmeisterei” is considered Germany’s oldest printed cookbook. It contains gold-plated dishes and sophisticated recipes. Some things have been preserved to this day. Feast at Christmas: Insights into the “Küchenmeisterei”, Germany’s oldest cookbook

The US Congress has passed a spending legislation has passed a funding bill  that will avert a midnight government shutdown. The Democratic-controlled Senate, in an 85-11 vote, passed the bill to continue government funding 38 minutes after it lapsed at 12 a.m. Saturday (0500 UTC/GMT).  Earlier Friday, night with a 366-34 vote, the House approved the last-minute plan from House Speaker Mike Johnson that would keep federal operations and disaster aid temporarily funded. Johnson had said Congress would…

At least two killed, 60 injured after car ploughs into Magdeburg Christmas market At least two killed, 60 injured after car ploughs into Magdeburg Christmas market