COVID-19 cases are sweeping Europe once again — here is a breakdown of how each country has reacted to the surge.
Measures vary across the continent — from a national lockdown in Austria and moves towards mandatory vaccination in Germany, to the United Kingdom where only light restrictions are in place.
Read more at:
COVID in Europe: Denmark reports jump in Omicron cases as Belgium protest ends in clashes | Euronews
Showing posts with label Belgium. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Belgium. Show all posts
12/5/21
10/31/21
Netherlands - Belgium EU Cocaine Hubs: Dutch customs officers discover four tons of cocaine in Rotterdam
Customs officers seized more than four tons of cocaine in two containers at the port of Rotterdam, Dutch prosecutors said on Sunday.
The illegal drugs, which have an estimated street value of €313 million ($362 million), were found hidden in soy bags destined for Portugal from Paraguay via Uruguay.
"It has been the largest haul discovered so far this year" in the Netherlands, a public prosecution official told the ANP news agency. The cocaine has since been destroyed. Why are smugglers using Rotterdam port?
Europol warned that Rotterdam port is a major entry point for drugs, with the Netherlands and Belgium becoming central hubs for cocaine.
Read more at: Dutch customs officers discover four tons of cocaine in Rotterdam | News | DW | 31.10.2021
The illegal drugs, which have an estimated street value of €313 million ($362 million), were found hidden in soy bags destined for Portugal from Paraguay via Uruguay.
"It has been the largest haul discovered so far this year" in the Netherlands, a public prosecution official told the ANP news agency. The cocaine has since been destroyed. Why are smugglers using Rotterdam port?
Europol warned that Rotterdam port is a major entry point for drugs, with the Netherlands and Belgium becoming central hubs for cocaine.
Read more at: Dutch customs officers discover four tons of cocaine in Rotterdam | News | DW | 31.10.2021
7/16/21
EU Floods: Germany, Belgium floods: More than 100 dead with dozens still missing
The death toll in floods in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia has increased to 43, officials said, pushing the total number of fatalities in Germany and Belgium above 100.
A total of 118 people have now been declared dead in the floods that have ravaged Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium over the past several days.
All of Western Europe is inundated with floodwaters, with rescue crews combing devastated areas in Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands.
Read more at: Germany, Belgium floods: More than 100 dead with dozens still missing
A total of 118 people have now been declared dead in the floods that have ravaged Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium over the past several days.
All of Western Europe is inundated with floodwaters, with rescue crews combing devastated areas in Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands.
Read more at: Germany, Belgium floods: More than 100 dead with dozens still missing
7/15/21
EU _Floods: At least 60 dead, dozens missing as severe floods cause havoc across western Europe
More than 60 people have died and dozens were missing Thursday as severe flooding in Germany and Belgium turned deadly. Great damage was also done in the Netherlans and Switzerland
Recent storms across parts of western Europe made rivers and reservoirs burst their banks, triggering flash floods overnight after the saturated soil couldn’t absorb any more water.
Read more at: At least 60 dead, dozens missing as severe floods cause havoc across western Europe - National | Globalnews.ca
Recent storms across parts of western Europe made rivers and reservoirs burst their banks, triggering flash floods overnight after the saturated soil couldn’t absorb any more water.
Read more at: At least 60 dead, dozens missing as severe floods cause havoc across western Europe - National | Globalnews.ca
4/5/21
EU - Coronavirus Travel Restrictions: Czechia Adds Belgium & Netherlands to High-Risk COVID-19 Category
The Czech Republic’s government has announced that from April 5, Belgium and the Netherlands will be included on the COVID-19 dark red list, in which are placed countries profoundly affected by the Coronavirus disease.
At the same time, Ireland and Malta will be placed on the red list of countries, while Iceland will move to the orange list, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.
Czechia’s Ministry of Health decision comes after taking into account the updated data from the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), which shows the degree of risk which countries face from the spread of the virus.
Read more at: Czechia Adds Belgium & Netherlands to High-Risk COVID-19 Category - SchengenVisaInfo.com
At the same time, Ireland and Malta will be placed on the red list of countries, while Iceland will move to the orange list, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.
Czechia’s Ministry of Health decision comes after taking into account the updated data from the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), which shows the degree of risk which countries face from the spread of the virus.
Read more at: Czechia Adds Belgium & Netherlands to High-Risk COVID-19 Category - SchengenVisaInfo.com
12/14/20
The Netherlands: Why the country goes in strict lockdown, while Belgium doesn't
The Netherlands will go into a “strict lockdown” from midnight to stave off the rising coronavirus infections, but Belgium
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte announce a strict lockdown at 7:00 PM today, but a large part of the content already made it to the press, including measures such as the closure of schools, non-essential stores, museums, hairdressers and theatres. Like in Belgium, bars and restaurants in the country had already been closed for some time.
Read more at: Why the Netherlands goes into strict lockdown, but Belgium doesn't
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte announce a strict lockdown at 7:00 PM today, but a large part of the content already made it to the press, including measures such as the closure of schools, non-essential stores, museums, hairdressers and theatres. Like in Belgium, bars and restaurants in the country had already been closed for some time.
Read more at: Why the Netherlands goes into strict lockdown, but Belgium doesn't
11/27/20
US Nuclear Weapons stored in Europe: The New Nuclear Weapons Ban Treaty Will Be an Early Trial for Biden - by Miles A. Pomper
With support from nearly half the world’s nations, a new United Nations treaty banning the possession and use of nuclear weapons will take effect early next year. The U.N. confirmed last month that the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, or TPNW, had been ratified by the required 50 countries. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called it “a tribute to the survivors of nuclear explosions and tests, many of whom advocated for this treaty.”
Many non-nuclear-armed states, as well as pro-disarmament activists and organizations like the Nobel Peace Prize-winning International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, have celebrated the agreement, which they see as a milestone in global efforts to prevent nuclear war. However, it has drawn strong opposition from nuclear-armed states, especially the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council: Russia, China, France, the United Kingdom and the United States. The Trump administration has called on the treaty’s 84 signatories to back out of it. Its entry into force on Jan. 22, 2021, will pose a thorny diplomatic challenge for the incoming Biden administration.
Still, the treaty could pose a political problem in the future for NATO members and other countries that shelter under the U.S. nuclear umbrella, given the TPNW’s call not to support actions inconsistent with the treaty. That challenge is especially acute for the five NATO members that host an estimated 150 forward-deployed U.S nuclear weapons: Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Turkey. German, Dutch and Belgian disarmament advocates, in particular, enjoy strong mainstream political support among center-left parties in all three countries. And 56 former world leaders, including many from NATO countries, argued recently in an open letter that the new nuclear ban treaty can “help end decades of paralysis in disarmament.”
Note EU-Digest: Five NATO members, including, Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Turkey still shelter large numbers of US Nuclear weapons on their soil. Hopefully the UN TPNW Treaty will force the disarmament of these weapons from these countries, which presently makes them a major target for massive destruction and death in case of war.
Read more at: The New Nuclear Weapons Ban Treaty Will Be an Early Trial for
Many non-nuclear-armed states, as well as pro-disarmament activists and organizations like the Nobel Peace Prize-winning International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, have celebrated the agreement, which they see as a milestone in global efforts to prevent nuclear war. However, it has drawn strong opposition from nuclear-armed states, especially the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council: Russia, China, France, the United Kingdom and the United States. The Trump administration has called on the treaty’s 84 signatories to back out of it. Its entry into force on Jan. 22, 2021, will pose a thorny diplomatic challenge for the incoming Biden administration.
Still, the treaty could pose a political problem in the future for NATO members and other countries that shelter under the U.S. nuclear umbrella, given the TPNW’s call not to support actions inconsistent with the treaty. That challenge is especially acute for the five NATO members that host an estimated 150 forward-deployed U.S nuclear weapons: Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Turkey. German, Dutch and Belgian disarmament advocates, in particular, enjoy strong mainstream political support among center-left parties in all three countries. And 56 former world leaders, including many from NATO countries, argued recently in an open letter that the new nuclear ban treaty can “help end decades of paralysis in disarmament.”
Note EU-Digest: Five NATO members, including, Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Turkey still shelter large numbers of US Nuclear weapons on their soil. Hopefully the UN TPNW Treaty will force the disarmament of these weapons from these countries, which presently makes them a major target for massive destruction and death in case of war.
Read more at: The New Nuclear Weapons Ban Treaty Will Be an Early Trial for
9/15/20
Coronavirus strikes again: 2 new coronavirus reinfection cases: Belgium, Netherlands, Hong Kong - by Aylin Woodward and Hilary Brueck
Just hours after the world's first confirmed coronavirus reinfection case was documented in Hong Kong on Monday,
researchers reported a woman in Belgium had caught the virus a second
time. So, too, did Dutch virus experts, who announced an older person in
the Netherlands as a third confirmed reinfection of COVID-19, the
disease caused by the coronavirus.
Read more at:
2 new coronavirus reinfection cases: Belgium, Netherlands, Hong Kong - Business Insider
Read more at:
2 new coronavirus reinfection cases: Belgium, Netherlands, Hong Kong - Business Insider
3/27/20
EU-Belgium: cat 'infected by coronavirus' in Belgium
Belgian virologist Steven Van Gucht said during Friday's daily national
coronavirus press conference that for the first time a cat was found
infected by the coronavirus, Belgian national broadcaster VRT reports.
He added that so far this is a isolated case. So far only three pets are known to be infected, two dogs in Hong Kong, and now one cat in Belgium.
Read more at: Belgian cat 'infected by coronavirus'
He added that so far this is a isolated case. So far only three pets are known to be infected, two dogs in Hong Kong, and now one cat in Belgium.
Read more at: Belgian cat 'infected by coronavirus'
6/8/19
Big Pharma in the EU : Dutch healthcare institute "Zorginstituut Nederland" says drugs companies are effectively blackmailing officials by refusing to be transparent about their pricing
The institute, which assesses the efficacy of new drugs and advises the government on whether they should be included in the basic healthcare policy, says the drugs companies are effectively blackmailing officials by refusing to be transparent about their prices.
Last years June announcement that Ireland is joining the Beneluxa Initiative on Pharmaceutical Policy might suggest renewed vigour for the drive to equip national governments with more clout in their pricing negotiations with international drug firms.
The likelihood is that better-informed health authorities will be better equipped to confront drug firms. Similarly, drug firms will be obliged to present more cogent justifications for their pricing ambitions.
As has been proven in the US, Pharmaceutical companies. also known there as "Big Pharma, can not be left operating with little or no strict Governmental controls.
In the US this has led to a steady rise in the cost of pharmaceutical products for consumers.
It is more than obvious the Pharmaceutical industry must be closely monitored in two major areas: a) Their pricing structures and practices, and b) Providing far more transparency in their marketing and sales activities, specifically as it relates to the insurance and medical industry.
In Europe the initiatives of the Beneluxa Initiative on Pharmaceutical Policy certainly are a step in the right direction, but unfortunately Government support and action has been extremely slow, while the Pharmaceutical lobby in the EU Parliament, however, like it has been in the US Congress and Senate, has been vigorous and very effective.
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2/13/19
Belgium - Antwerp: "Cocaine's new gateway into Europe"
Belgian Authorities report that last year they seized $ 2.5 billion of Cocaine
Read more at:
2/7/19
Global Warming - The Netherlands and Belgium: Thousands of students join climate protests in the Netherlands - by Michael Staines
At least 10,000 students have skipped class in the
Netherlands to join a major protest demanding greater action on climate
change.
It comes as thousands of teenagers in Belgium skipped school for the fourth Thursday in a row to join the protests.
Similar marches have been held in Sweden, Germany and Switzerland.
It comes as scientists yesterday confirmed that the last five years have been the warmest on record.
Organisers of this afternoon's protest in The Hague in the Netherlands said they were aiming to send a wake-up call to politicians.
It comes after the Dutch Environmental Assessment Agency said the national target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 25% by next year - when compared to 1990 levels - was out of reach.
It comes as thousands of teenagers in Belgium skipped school for the fourth Thursday in a row to join the protests.
Similar marches have been held in Sweden, Germany and Switzerland.
It comes as scientists yesterday confirmed that the last five years have been the warmest on record.
Organisers of this afternoon's protest in The Hague in the Netherlands said they were aiming to send a wake-up call to politicians.
It comes after the Dutch Environmental Assessment Agency said the national target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 25% by next year - when compared to 1990 levels - was out of reach.
Feeling proud: an estimated 10,000 students marching through The Hague to protest climate change. #klimaatspijbelaars #KlimaatSpijbelen pic.twitter.com/kH6lcyxtdX
Organizers say the movement is gathering momentum with a global protest scheduled for March
Read more: Thousands of students join climate protests in the Netherlands...
Read more: Thousands of students join climate protests in the Netherlands...
12/18/18
Belgium - Migration Issues : PM Charles Michel resigns
Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel announces resignation Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel announced his resignation Tuesday, less than two weeks after his main coalition partner quit in a row over migration, leaving him leading a minority government.
Read more at:
7/12/18
7/10/18
EU - Christian Community Wake-up Call - Trump visit - Join and encourage protests against Trump's visit to the EU and show that Christian revolutionary compasion is still alive and well
 |
| Bozo is in town - please give him a "warm" welcome |
In the sense that he refused to be a narrow political leader that would just make Judea (todays Israel) politically powerful.
His mission was worldwide to benefit all mankind; leveling the importance of power and wealth.
He was equally compassionate and attentive to: women, tax collectors, foreigners inclusing Roman Centurians, Lepers, those crippled, those blind, insane Gentiles, Samaritans, Pharisees (though he brought some of them up short for their hypocrisy), Sinners, Rulers of the Synagogue, and very rich people, including Nobility.
Unfortunately today his doctrine is only given "lip service" in many Christian Churches around the world, in particular the US and Europe.
What has
happened to the revolutionary Spirit of compassion and involvement Jesus
spoke about ?
Case in point. When in recent weeks the US government’s abusive and widely condemned policy of separating migrant children from their families was publicly criticized, the attorney general Jeff Session of the Trump Administration responded, by quoting the New Testament writer Paul, who in the book of Romans calls on people to obey the laws of the government. Really?.
That this would have ruled out the actions of Jesus himself, was
seemingly lost on Sessions, as indeed was the fact that Jesus’s family
were forced to escape across borders.
Or the fact that Psalm 202.28 states: "The children of your servants shall dwell secure; their offspring shall be established before you", and as we read in Mark 9:42: "Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it
would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck
and he were thrown into the sea".
But the Sessions incident highlighted the problem that Christianity has and
the problems that are still being created.
To put it bluntly: in
the 2016 presidential election a majority of practicing Christians in
the USA voted for the most racist and misogynistic candidate going, and in
so doing helping Donald Trump to the position of the most powerful
person in the world.
Against such a background it’s easy to forget that the movement
from which Christianity emerged was one that shared possessions in
common, renounced war and at least in some ways modelled more
progressive understandings of gender than was generally accepted in those days To use
some words that weren’t around at that time in history; human rights, democracy, pacifismt and pro-feminism..
Trump’s ‘America First’ ideology has many similarities with those of other dangerous nationalist- populists around the world..
Trump has also not attempedt to conceal his admiration for other populist movements around the world. He openly supported the Brexit movement, and populist Marianne Le Pen's campaign in the French Presidential election against President Emmanual Macron. He also hails authoritarian 'strongmen' like Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, and Vladimir Putin. He obviously, secretly, envies their freedom of action, and
probably wonders why the restraints of this "bourgeois democracy" continuously tie his
hands behind his back.
In the relatively short time period the current Trump administration has been in power,Trump pulled the US out from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), the Paris agreement on climate change and the Iran deal. He also withdrewn the US from the United Nations' top human rights body and plans to end NAFTA -- while his recently announced tariffs affecting the EU, China, Mexico and Canada, are on the verge of starting a global trade war.
These International actions, however, are only the top of the Iceberg, in comparison to the changes his administration has already made on the home front, negatively affecting peoples health, immigration policies, taxes, and personal freedom.
And now.... Donald Trump has arrived in Europe, arrogant and cocky as ever.
Check out your local press and social media for additional details of the Donald Trump visit to the EU, and where demonstrations will be held in your area---and please attend.
Trump's program which starts this afternoon July 10 in Brussels, where Trump will meet with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, before participating in high-level sessions with the 28 allies on Wednesday July 11. and Thursday July 12th at the NATO headquarters.
On the 13th of July he will be in Britain where he will meet Prime Minister Theresa May, Queen Elizabeth II and business leaders, before heading to the Trump resort in Scotland on Friday evening, where he’s expected to play some golf over the weekend.
The US president is due to spend his first and only night in London at the US ambassador’s official residence, Winfield House, in Regent’s Park. Over the weekend he will be going to Scotland for some golf and probably stay at his luxury hotel he owns in Ayrshire, the Trump Turnberry
On Sunday evening July 15, Trump will fly further north to Helsinki, Finland for a one-on-one meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Given the backdrop of international trade tensions following Trump’s tariff increases; the litany of retaliatory measures announced by U.S. allies including the European Union (EU); Trump’s criticism of NATO; and close scrutiny of his administration’s links to Russia — some of these encounters are bound to be less congenial than others.
The role that we as individuals can each play is to join in demonstrations, wherever they may be held in in Europe.
You might feel this does not add up to much, but
together it can add up in
disrupting the US president’s hoped-for, and loved media PR opportunity, by showing an alternative to what he stands for.
But that is only a first step.
The bigger job is, after acknowledging the problem, to dismantle the scaffolding of
structural racism, and economic inequality, that allowed Trump to
get where he is today, and which allow comparable policies to happen in Europe and around the world.
If you live or have family or friends in the areas where Trump is visiting please pass this article along and encourage them to demonstrate.
Make Trump understand his Administrations policies are not acceptable in the EU.
3/30/18
Belgium: Russian Poisoning case: Eight more Russians sent packing from Belgium
Eight more Russian diplomats are to be sent packing from Belgium and
one from Ireland, but Russia's EU envoy is to stay in place.
The Belgian tally included seven to be expelled from Russia's mission to Nato, which is located in Brussels, and one from Russia's embassy to Belgium.
"Russia has underestimated the unity of Nato allies," Nato head Jens Stoltenberg said, announcing the move, which came in response to Russia's attempt to kill a former spy in England using a chemical weapon earlier this month.
"It sends a very clear message to Russia that it [its UK attack] has costs," he added.
The Belgian prime minister's office said it was committed to an "open and frank dialogue" with Moscow despite its move.
The Irish leader, Leo Varadkar, said the same day that he had expelled a Russian diplomat despite his country's history of neutrality in European conflicts.
Read more: Eight more Russians sent packing from Belgium
The Belgian tally included seven to be expelled from Russia's mission to Nato, which is located in Brussels, and one from Russia's embassy to Belgium.
"Russia has underestimated the unity of Nato allies," Nato head Jens Stoltenberg said, announcing the move, which came in response to Russia's attempt to kill a former spy in England using a chemical weapon earlier this month.
"It sends a very clear message to Russia that it [its UK attack] has costs," he added.
The Belgian prime minister's office said it was committed to an "open and frank dialogue" with Moscow despite its move.
The Irish leader, Leo Varadkar, said the same day that he had expelled a Russian diplomat despite his country's history of neutrality in European conflicts.
Read more: Eight more Russians sent packing from Belgium
2/20/18
Spain: The Troubling Legal And Political Uncertainty Facing Catalonia- by Javier GarcÃa Oliva Javier GarcÃa Oliva
What exactly is happening in Catalonia? The territory is one of the
Comunidades Autónomas, a category of Spanish sub-state entities, and
amongst all of them, Catalonia already enjoys a higher degree of
autonomy and powers than most of its peers. But its political nature and
future are being hotly debated. Anybody could be forgiven for
struggling to disentangle the twisted strands of the current Catalan
saga, which shows no signs of reaching a conclusion any time soon. For
those of us in the UK, the problem is exacerbated by a tendency on the
part of the Anglophone ( British and American) media to grossly over-simplify, and therefore
distort, what is in reality an extremely complicated picture.
There has been a trend towards portraying the political conflict as a David and Goliath struggle between the cultural and linguistic minority who make up the Catalan region, and the mighty central state authorities in Madrid. However, as might be anticipated, this easy narrative is one which will not withstand even the lightest of scrutiny. The real position is indeed far more nuanced, and there are multiple shades of grey. At present, neither the group of pro-independence parties in control of the Catalan Parliament, nor the Government headed by Mariano Rajoy, the President of the Spanish executive in Madrid, are covering themselves with much glory, but the ongoing crisis can still teach the wider world lessons about negotiating constitutional reform, and there are some valuable insights which Britain might gain in contemplating both Brexit and the future of Scotland.
In short, neither the pro-independence nor the pro-Spain parties within the Catalan Parliament emerged with a working majority, and interestingly, support for the pro-independence options has declined, albeit slightly, since the previous election. After some turmoil, the pro-independence faction managed to gain effective control, because the left-wing and anti-austerity party Podemos refused to vote with the pro-Spanish grouping and claimed to be neutral towards both sides. Interestingly, Podemos’ official position is in favour of a unified Spain, although with the proviso that a lawful referendum should be arranged for Catalonia. However, as the pro-unity parties had coalesced around Ines Arrimadas, from the centre right party Ciudadanos, Podemos were unhappy with the possible implications for social and economic policy.
In light of this, the desire of pro-independence politicians in Catalonia to dismantle constitutional protections to further their own political ends cannot be praised, or even justified, and those with political power must defer to the courts and the rule of law if a liberal democracy is to function as such. Equally, it is unquestionable that this can only work if legitimate and functional channels are found to discuss and debate constitutional reform, and where necessary, move it forward.
For the complete report click here: The Troubling Legal And Political Uncertainty Facing Catalonia
There has been a trend towards portraying the political conflict as a David and Goliath struggle between the cultural and linguistic minority who make up the Catalan region, and the mighty central state authorities in Madrid. However, as might be anticipated, this easy narrative is one which will not withstand even the lightest of scrutiny. The real position is indeed far more nuanced, and there are multiple shades of grey. At present, neither the group of pro-independence parties in control of the Catalan Parliament, nor the Government headed by Mariano Rajoy, the President of the Spanish executive in Madrid, are covering themselves with much glory, but the ongoing crisis can still teach the wider world lessons about negotiating constitutional reform, and there are some valuable insights which Britain might gain in contemplating both Brexit and the future of Scotland.
In short, neither the pro-independence nor the pro-Spain parties within the Catalan Parliament emerged with a working majority, and interestingly, support for the pro-independence options has declined, albeit slightly, since the previous election. After some turmoil, the pro-independence faction managed to gain effective control, because the left-wing and anti-austerity party Podemos refused to vote with the pro-Spanish grouping and claimed to be neutral towards both sides. Interestingly, Podemos’ official position is in favour of a unified Spain, although with the proviso that a lawful referendum should be arranged for Catalonia. However, as the pro-unity parties had coalesced around Ines Arrimadas, from the centre right party Ciudadanos, Podemos were unhappy with the possible implications for social and economic policy.
In light of this, the desire of pro-independence politicians in Catalonia to dismantle constitutional protections to further their own political ends cannot be praised, or even justified, and those with political power must defer to the courts and the rule of law if a liberal democracy is to function as such. Equally, it is unquestionable that this can only work if legitimate and functional channels are found to discuss and debate constitutional reform, and where necessary, move it forward.
For the complete report click here: The Troubling Legal And Political Uncertainty Facing Catalonia
2/17/18
Social Media: Facebook loses Belgian privacy case, faces fine up to $125 million
A Belgian court threatened Facebook with a fine of up to 100 million
euros ($125 million) if it continued to break privacy laws by tracking
people on third party websites.
In a case brought by Belgium's privacy watchdog, the court also ruled on Friday that Facebook had to delete all data it had gathered illegally on Belgian citizens, including people who were not Facebook users themselves.
Facebook, which will be fined 250,000 euros a day or up to 100 million euros if it does not comply with the court's judgment, said in a statement it would appeal the ruling.
"Facebook informs us insufficiently about gathering information about us, the kind of data it collects, what it does with that data and how long it stores it," the court said.
"It also does not gain our consent to collect and store all this information," it added in a statement.
The social media group uses different methods to track the online behavior of people if they are not on the company's web site by placing cookies and invisible pixels on third party web sites, the court said.
Read more: Facebook loses Belgian privacy case, faces fine up to $125 million
In a case brought by Belgium's privacy watchdog, the court also ruled on Friday that Facebook had to delete all data it had gathered illegally on Belgian citizens, including people who were not Facebook users themselves.
Facebook, which will be fined 250,000 euros a day or up to 100 million euros if it does not comply with the court's judgment, said in a statement it would appeal the ruling.
"Facebook informs us insufficiently about gathering information about us, the kind of data it collects, what it does with that data and how long it stores it," the court said.
"It also does not gain our consent to collect and store all this information," it added in a statement.
The social media group uses different methods to track the online behavior of people if they are not on the company's web site by placing cookies and invisible pixels on third party web sites, the court said.
Read more: Facebook loses Belgian privacy case, faces fine up to $125 million
2/15/18
EU: Changing Europe revives interest in an EU military and eventually mean Nato's days are numbered
 |
| EU Defence Force becomes more and more likely |
EU states have since taken numerous small steps to integrate their armed forces, bringing the idea of a Europe-wide military ever closer to reality.
Military treaties for a joint European army were signed just a few years after the end of the Second World War.
A defense cooperation pact laid out the details, from acquiring new uniforms to implementing a clear command structure. France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg would supply the European Army with soldiers. A European commissioner's office made up of nine representatives would send the troops to the front line, but officials would be monitored by a European assembly of MEPs from participating states.
After the end of the European Defense Community (EDC) in 1954, plans fora European army were put on the back burner for decades, until recent events revived the idea. US President Donald Trump's lack of interest in Europe, the increased threat posed by Russia and the UK's looming withdrawal from the EU have given the military project new impetus.
The first major step was late last year, when 25 EU member states agreed to the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) on the integration of national militaries into an EU force.
This cooperation strives for joint armaments projects and a closer cooperation between the armed forces themselves. Going by the wishes of EU defense ministers, PESCO could set the groundwork for a European military. At the same time, the willingness to cooperate is on the rise at the bilateral level.
Founded in 1989, the Franco-German Brigade is the only bi-national military organization in the world. Its roughly 6,000 soldiers are stationed in four locations in Germany and three in France.
Jägerbataillon 291 (291st Light Infantry Battalion) in Alsace is the bonly combat unit of Germany's military, the Bundeswehr, permanently stationed outside the country. Soldiers of both nations serve together,but only in the supply and support company and on command levels — all bother units are divided by nation.
In 1995, only a few years after the Franco-German Brigade was founded, Germany and the Netherlands established the German/Netherlands Corps, which commands a Dutch and German division of just over 40,000 soldiers.
At the beginning, only leadership positions were filled by soldiers from both countries, but now Germany and the Netherlands are linking the units of both armed forces further down the chain of
command. Germany's Panzerbataillon 414 (414th Tank Battalion) was attached to the Dutch 43rd Mechanized Brigade in 2016. The Germanb battalion also includes a Dutch company of 100 soldiers who are trained to work with German tanks.
This is the first time that German and Dutch units have integrated forces from the company to the divisional level, similar to the kind of integration envisioned by ECG planners in 1950s. German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen called it a "prime example of how to build a European defense union."
The motivation for increased military integration extends beyond strengthening political ties. EU countries want to save costs and share access to military capabilities other states may lack.
This year marks the beginning of the integration of the entire German See bataillon (Naval Forces Protection Battalion) — consisting of some 800 troops —binto the Dutch Navy, as agreed in 2016.
The Dutch support ship HNLMS Karel Doorman, which is used for amphibious operations, is part of this cooperation. The Dutch Navy had been running the vessel with a reduced crew due to budget constraints, and Germany provided a partner to help operate it.
Regardless of the motivations, EU countries are increasingly recognizing the need to accelerate closer military cooperation within the bloc. This not only applies to smaller nations like the Netherlands, but also to EU heavyweights like France and Germany.
Note EU-Digest: US President Donald Trump's lack of interest in Europe, the increased threat posed by Russia and the UK's looming withdrawal from the EU have given the EU military project new impetus to creating its own independent defense force and also the recent fact that Ankara has signed a defense deal with Moscow, could eventually mean that NATO's days are numbered.
Read more: Changing Europe revives interest in an EU military | Europe| News and current affairs from around the continent | DW | 15.02.2018
1/17/18
Spain: Catalonia prepares for rule by Skype- by Andrew Rettman
The two biggest parties in Catalonia have vowed to put Carles
Puigdemont back in office despite Madrid's threat to maintain direct
rule if they go ahead.
The Junts per Catalunya (JxCat) and ERC parties told El Nacional, a Spanish newspaper, on Tuesday (16 January), that Puigdemont was preparing to be invested as president of the region on 31 January and to carry out his future duties via videolink on online platforms such as Skype from his self-imposed exile in Brussels.
They said he would do it "due to legal imperative".
"I promise to act with complete fidelity to the will of the people of Catalonia," Puigdemont, whose JxCat party came second in regional elections in December, added.
The statement of intent came after the Catalan parliament's own lawyers said on Tuesday that a videolink investiture would have no legal basis.
Note EU-Digest: When is Mr. Piedemont going to "grow-up" and return to Spain to face the Judge in Madrid? It is also high time Belgium stops sitting on their hands and extradites Mr. Piedemont back to Spain. The Catalan voters should also start questioning the Catalan local government at which point they are ending this charade and stop financing Mr. Piedemont's non-productive activities in Belgium with tax payers money.
Read more: Catalonia prepares for rule by Skype
The Junts per Catalunya (JxCat) and ERC parties told El Nacional, a Spanish newspaper, on Tuesday (16 January), that Puigdemont was preparing to be invested as president of the region on 31 January and to carry out his future duties via videolink on online platforms such as Skype from his self-imposed exile in Brussels.
They said he would do it "due to legal imperative".
"I promise to act with complete fidelity to the will of the people of Catalonia," Puigdemont, whose JxCat party came second in regional elections in December, added.
The statement of intent came after the Catalan parliament's own lawyers said on Tuesday that a videolink investiture would have no legal basis.
Note EU-Digest: When is Mr. Piedemont going to "grow-up" and return to Spain to face the Judge in Madrid? It is also high time Belgium stops sitting on their hands and extradites Mr. Piedemont back to Spain. The Catalan voters should also start questioning the Catalan local government at which point they are ending this charade and stop financing Mr. Piedemont's non-productive activities in Belgium with tax payers money.
Read more: Catalonia prepares for rule by Skype
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