Author: Olga Winter - EU Newsdesk

Olga Winter is a specialist editor writing about current affairs on the EU news desk for WTX News. Based in Brussels she ideally suited to the address the domestic and global affairs of the European continent, with assignments that include expose and In Review features for specialist reports..

As Poland prepares to take over the EU’s rotating presidency for six months on January 1, the threads of Europe’s diplomatic spider web are meeting in Warsaw more often than usual. French President Emmanuel Macron was in the Polish capital on Thursday, just days after his trilateral meeting in Paris with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President-elect Donald Trump. It was an important visit for Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk at a critical time…

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Why did Macron pick Bayrou? EU

Why did Macron pick Bayrou? A long-time centrist ally François Bayrou as the country’s new prime minister after MPs voted to oust the previous government under Michel Barnier last week. The 73-year-old is the founder of the centrist Democratic Movement party (MoDem) and mayor of the southwestern town of Pau. Just like his predecessor, François Bayrou does not have a majority in the National Assembly (the lower house of parliament). Passing France’s 2025 budget plan…

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OSCE says Worsening War Crimes and Humanitarian Law Violations in Ukraine EU

Human rights situation in Ukraine deteriorates as attacks intensify amid ongoing persecution in Russian-occupied territories: OSCE human rights office OSCE // WARSAW, 13 December 2024 – The human rights situation in Ukraine has continued to worsen amid increased aerial attacks that include systematic strikes on the country’s energy infrastructure, as well as intensified hostilities on the front line, leading to a surge in civilian casualties. Meanwhile, arbitrary detention, torture and coercion continued in areas of…

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So far, only a fraction of TUI’s 430 hotels are in Asia. Now the global travel market leader wants to significantly expand its presence, as boss Sebastian Ebel announced to WELT. They want to become “more independent from Europe”. Ebel really raves about China.After more than a quarter of a century in the world of tourism, Sebastian Ebel has seen everything there is to see, one would think. But the CEO of global travel market…

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The US has secured the extradition of Nigerian citizen Abiola Kayode over wire fraud charges, the US Department of Justice said. The 37-year-old had previously been on the Federal Bureau of Investigations’ (FBI) Most Wanted Cyber Criminal List. Kayode was accused of sending false emails to employees of US firm where he posed as a business executive, telling them to wire funds to accounts he and his associates controlled. “These bank accounts largely belonged to…

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A Vote of Confidence, What’s at Stake for German Chancellor Olaf Scholz? EU

  As Germany faces significant economic challenges, Chancellor Olaf Scholz has taken the rare step of submitting a vote of confidence to parliament. The decision, marking the first time a German Chancellor has done so in nearly two decades, underscores the gravity of the situation. On Monday, German MPs will vote, determining not only Scholz’s political future but also the direction of Europe’s largest economy. Why a Vote of Confidence Now? The vote comes amid…

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One of the biggest risks for Syria’s peaceful transition lies in the country’s northeast. While many Syrian Arabs around the country were celebrating the demise of the regime headed by Syrian dictator Bashar Assad and the end of a long-running civil war, Syrian Kurds in the northeast were facing an existential crisis. Clashes between Syrian fighters backed by Turkey and Syrian Kurdish forces were of great concern United Nations Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersonsaid this…

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Building together the future of farming, food and EU rural areas! EU

A Personal and Professional Dedication to Agriculture In a powerful address at one of Europe’s largest agricultural and food policy forums, Commissioner Christophe Hansen shared his personal and professional commitment to shaping the future of European agriculture. Drawing on his roots as a farmer from northern Luxembourg, Hansen highlighted how his upbringing and experiences drive his resolve to create policies that empower farmers, support rural communities, and secure the EU’s food supply for generations to…

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USA.jpg” />What’s that buzz in New Jersey? It’s unclear whether they’re drones or something else, but what’s certain is that the nighttime sightings are generating a lot of conversation, a slew of conspiracy theories, and craned necks.The rumor of the drones spotted over New Jersey reached incredible proportions on local news and social media around Thanksgiving.This week, a new, highly publicized chapter in the saga began: Lawmakers are demanding explanations from federal and state authorities…

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The number of new companies rose 28.8% in October compared to the same month of the previous year, reaching a total of 10,679 companies, this being its highest figure for the month of October since 2006, according to data published by the National Institute of Statistics (INE). With the year-on-year rebound in October, the creation of commercial companies has seen four consecutive months of increases, although that of the tenth month of the year has…

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What’s on the front page of El Pais?  The former Minister of Transport and former Secretary of Organization of the PSOE José Luis Abalos denied yesterday in the Supreme Court the accusations that link him with a corrupt plot during his administration.  Abalos, investigated for influence peddling, bribery, embezzlement and criminal organization, stated that he did not receive commissions or favor contracts. He attributed any relationship with businessmen to his former advisor Koldo García, including…

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What’s on the front page of Le Monde? The first steps of the new regime are closely scrutinized by foreign capitals. Westerners are cautious, whilst Qatar and Turkey are opening channels of communication with the new authorities. In the buffer zone of the Golan Heights invested by Israel, Druze families are worried. In Damascus, the curious visit the palaces and abandoned residences of the Al-Assad family

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As Syria slowly returns to everyday life and regroups, another concern is growing in Europe: Islamist terrorists with European passports could take advantage of the chaos and return to Europe. See this and other news on WELT TV.© Axel Springer Germany GmbH. All rights reserved. Now live: Change of power in Syria – risk of attacks in Europe could increase significantly – video

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One of the first things the rebels in Syria did, after they seized the capital, Damascus, on Sunday, was to release the prisoners from the cells of the notorious Saydnaya Prison. Nicknamed “the human slaughterhouse” by Amnesty International, Saydnaya was a place where humanitarian groups say Syrian authorities under President Bashar Assadsystematically tortured and executed thousands of civilians.  Human rights advocate and former detainee Omar Alshogre explained to DW: “Documented detainees in Syria before the fall of the regime used…

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EU Parliament delegation visits Georgia and marches with pro-EU protesters EU

Protests initially broke out against a contested parliamentary election in October which the opposition accused the Georgian Dream of rigging but they took on a new dimension after the decision last Thursday to put EU accession talks on hold until 2028. ADVERTISEMENTA delegation from the European Parliament has visited Georgia and marched with pro-EU protesters with demonstrations against the government’s decision to suspend accession talks now in a second week.The six MEPs also met with…

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French President Emmanuel Macron was expected Thursday to name a new prime minister a week after MPs toppled the government, shortening a visit to Poland amid a torrent of criticism over the prolonged political crisis. Macron had promised to name a replacement government chief within 48 hours after meeting party leaders at his Elysée Palace office Tuesday, participants said. Hope for movement increased when Macron’s office said he would “shorten” a trip to Poland…

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