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Russia Today
2 days ago
- Politics
- Russia Today
Brussels gripped by anti-Russian ‘war hysteria' – MEP (VIDEO)
Anti-Russian sentiment in Brussels verges on 'war hysteria,' Fernand Kartheiser, a Luxembourgish MEP recently expelled from his parliamentary group over a visit to Moscow, has said to RT. The European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR Group) in the European Parliament expelled Kartheiser on Wednesday, accusing him of 'crossing a red line' with his recent visit to Russia. The MEP explained that his trip last month was an attempt to 're-establish some sort of dialogue' with Russia at a time of international tensions. In an interview with RT on Sunday, Kartheiser admitted he expected the ECR to react badly, given that some in the group maintain 'very pronounced anti-Russian stances.' The expulsion is symptomatic of 'the general attitude towards Russia in the European Parliament,' he said. 'Sometimes I would think that we could touch upon war hysteria. We are not rational in many of our attitudes,' he stated. But common citizens in the EU reacted differently to his Russia visit, he stressed. Kartheiser said that 'people in the streets come to me, congratulate me, shake hands, tap me on the shoulder. It's unbelievable.' 'It is clear that there is a divide between the official circles in the European Union, which have a very anti-Russia stance, and the general public,' according to the MEP. The regular people in the EU are 'much, much more moderate and would really wish to see some dialogue with Russia so that we could sort out our differences in a civilized way,' he added. Ahead of the trip, Baltic and Nordic delegations in the ECR had warned Kartheiser that they would push to exclude him if he went to Moscow, the Luxembourg Times reported. The Baltic, Polish, and Scandinavian factions within the parliamentary group are especially outspoken in their anti-Russian stances, Kartheiser told RT. Brussels adopted a tough stance and imposed sweeping sanctions on Russia after the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022. Despite US President Donald Trump's push to negotiate a peaceful resolution to the conflict, the EU has doubled down on arming Kiev. Moscow has accused Brussels of striving to derail the US-brokered peace effort and stressed that recent EU moves to boost defense spending make it the 'war party' of Europe.
The Journal
2 days ago
- Health
- The Journal
Results of cancer prevention initiative to be presented to EU Parliament
A FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND CANCER prevention initiative promoting physical activity outdoors in green spaces is to present its results to the EU Parliament in Brussels. The Urban Action Against Cancer (UcanACT) pilot project in Kilkenny saw 62 adults aged 50 and over take part in physiotherapist-led exercise programmes across three parks last year. It was part of a three-city pilot also held in Bologna in Italy, and Munich in Germany, which aims to provide community-based outdoor exercise programmes led by experts as a preventative and cancer support tool for over-50s. The Irish men and women taking part included people living with cancer, cancer survivors and individuals without a diagnosis. The results of the pilot will be presented by Kilkenny County Council, the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists and the EU partners to the EU Parliament on Wednesday for assessment for wider rollout. The project will also be showcased as part of Your Council Day on June 27, which celebrates the services and work carried out by Ireland's county and city councils. Patrick Griffin, a Kilkenny-based prostate cancer survivor, who took part in the pilot said: 'An exercise regime was suggested to me because decreased energy is a common side-effect following radiation therapy. 'I always walked for fitness and never had an interest in gyms, but my wife had mentioned that I was slouching on our walks together,' the 78-year-old said. Advertisement 'I noticed many benefits as a result of the programme: my posture is better and my overall energy and concentration are stronger. 'The team were so well organised. They were genuinely watching out for each individual, adjusting exercises where needed, which is of massive benefit.' Over three years, Kilkenny County Council led the local implementation of UcanACT, working alongside the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists (ISCP) and EU partners. The project aimed to create a safe space where people could exercise at their own pace, tailored to their abilities, participants reported feeling encouraged and supported. Janette Boran, Healthy Kilkenny co-ordinator at the county council, said participants saw significant benefits. 'Through focus groups, participants shared their positive experiences, highlighting key benefits such as improved fitness, better balance and strength, improved sleep quality, stronger social connections and reduced anxiety,' she said. 'The results of this study also reported that participants had significant reduction in fatigue and improvement in quality-of-life scores. 'Many also mentioned how exercising outdoors was important for their mental wellbeing. 'The programme has received strong support from the participants, and many who took part reported that they were surprised at what they were able to achieve with the guidance of a physiotherapist. 'The sessions were individualised within a group setting, so the full group met together but the activity was very tailored to accommodate the varied needs of the participants.'
Telegraph
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Belgium bugs stadium to spy on Chinese tech bosses
Belgian security services bugged a football stadium in a probe into alleged corruption involving Huawei and the European Parliament. Listening devices were placed in a corporate box being used by the Chinese tech giant to entertain MEPs at Lotto Park, the home of RSC Anderlecht. Investigators also listened to conversations by one of Huawei 's top lobbyists in his car as part of the sprawling investigation. To date, the probe has seen more than 20 premises raided and requests lodged for the immunity of four MEPs to be lifted as investigators look into suspected corruption within the EU Parliament. When the investigation was first revealed to the public in March, the Belgian authorities said 'regular invitations to football matches' were being used by lobbyists linked to Huawei to secure favourable political statements. The Chinese state-backed tech firm rented a corporate box at Anderlecht's stadium for the 2024/2025 season, the Politico news website reported. The Belgian Pro League's most successful-ever side hosted clubs like Porto and Fenerbahce this season in the Europa League, Europe's second-tier competition. Belgian authorities are looking into whether the private box was used as part of an attempt to schmooze MEPs, which could be later used to further Huawei's position in EU policymaking. Two of the four MEPs for whom investigators have requested their parliamentary immunity to be lifted have admitted to attending football matches at Anderlecht. Daniel Attard, a Maltese socialist, and Nikola Minchev, a Bulgarian liberal, said they didn't know they'd been invited by Huawei in separate statements. 'I was not made aware that the invitation originated from any company, or that it involved a corporate box,' said Mr Attard, after watching Anderlecht's Europa League clash with Hungarian side Ferencváros in February 2024. 'I was simply informed by my assistant that a friend of his had tickets to the match and asked whether I would be interested in accompanying him and his son,' he added, in the statement published on Facebook. Mr Minchev said his parliamentary assistant told him a 'friend and neighbour' had invited him to watch a fixture against Ludogrets, from his native Bulgaria, in October 2024. Both MEPs have strongly denied any wrongdoing and have not been charged by the authorities. Requests were also lodged for the immunity of Fulvio Martusciello and Salvatore De Meo, two Italians from the centre-right European People's Party, to be lifted. They also have not been charged and deny any wrongdoing. The European Parliament has desperately tried to clamp down on lobbying efforts within its institution after several scandals in recent years. Several high-profile MEPs and former MEPs, including a vice president of the Parliament, were arrested in a probe into the 'Qatargate' scandal, where the Gulf nation was accused of using cash handouts to seek favourable decisions on visas and flight rules. Officials have since restricted the movement of lobbyists inside the Parliament's Brussels and Strasbourg seats in hope of deterring meetings with MEPs. MEPs can technically accept gifts of up to €150 in value but must declare them on a register of interests, meaning there is a fine line between lobbying and entertaining. Huawei and the Belgian prosecutor's office have been approached for comment on the latest allegations involving its box at Anderlecht. A spokesman for the football club said it had 'no intention to renew' its contract with the tech firm, which expires at the end of the season. They also said they had received no prior warning from the Belgian authorities regarding the bugging of the box.
The Independent
08-05-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Hunting wolves is about to become more common in Europe – here's why
Wolf hunting is set to become easier across the EU as the European Parliament votes to loosen restrictions on the practice across its member nations. This move downgrades the animal's protection status, reflecting a similar change under the Bern Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats. EU member states had already approved the measure last month. The change lowers wolves' status in EU law from "strictly protected" to "protected." While this allows EU countries to permit wolf hunting, they remain obligated to prevent the species from becoming endangered. This could involve measures such as limiting hunting seasons. The Bern Convention has, since 1979, protected wolves from being deliberately hunted or captured, except in cases where they posed a serious threat to livestock or human health. This change in EU law reflects a shift in approach to wolf conservation, balancing the need to protect livestock with the ongoing conservation efforts for the species. "Farmers can now breathe a sigh of relief," said lawmaker Herbert Dorfmann of the centre-right European People's Party. "It's time to adapt to today's reality. This means balancing our conservation efforts with protecting farmers," he said. Campaigners and some EU lawmakers have accused European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen, whose own pony was killed by a wolf in 2022, of having a personal motivation for targeting wolves. "This does not help livestock farmers and harms forestry and nature," said Green EU lawmaker Jutta Paulus. Wolves can support forest ecosystems, for example, by keeping game populations under control. The Commission, which made the proposal to change the wolf's status under EU law, said it was based on an in-depth analysis and reasoning including the fact that wolf populations are increasing across the EU, with around 20,300 animals present in 2023 - which has led to increased damage to livestock. The EU had opposed a previous proposal by non-member Switzerland in 2022 to downgrade wolves' protected status under the Bern Convention. The European Parliament approved the proposal on Thursday with 371 votes in favour, 162 against, and 37 abstentions. EU countries must give their final approval to the changes, a vote that is a formality and expected to pass.
Reuters
06-05-2025
- Automotive
- Reuters
European Parliament clears way for fast-track approval of softer car C02 emission targets
BRUSSELS, May 6 (Reuters) - The European Parliament cleared the way on Tuesday to fast-track approval of softer EU C02 emissions targets for cars and vans that will allow automakers more time to comply and reduce potential fines. EU lawmakers voted in favour of a motion for rapid approval of the change, rather than proceeding with months of debate. They will vote again on Thursday on the Commission's proposal itself. The proposal still needs approval from EU governments.
