In which things come together
As we get back into the normal swing of things, some of the bigger projects we have planned for this year are starting to take shape.
It's always a wonderful feeling when something that existed as an idea on paper just a few weeks ago, actually starts happening, slowly turning tangible.
In this case our plan to run themed weeks, during which we highlight an issue or topic, seems to be coming together.
Our first themed week, dealing with labour (policy) and worker's rights across the EU, has been received with great enthusiasm, by both writers and organisations offering their expertise (and some money).
Just a week into planning, we already have pitches confirmed for a number of incredibly interesting and relevant stories dealing with cross-border labour issues and failures or contradictions in EU policy.
I'm incredibly excited to be working on this project, as we've seen that hardly any outlets cover cross-border labour issues and even less the effects EU policy have or could have on it.
Anyway, this is just a short note to say that this is coming up in March, and if you know of any journalists focused on labour or of any stories worth covering, please reach out.
In other news, check out Wester van Gaal's piece on his –– somewhat controversial ––?visit to the United Arab Emirates to find out about their paradoxical green ambitions.
Don't miss Eszter Zalan's article on the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency statements this week on the dire situation around Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
And read up on the issues the use of spyware is causing for the Greek government by Nikolaj Nielsen.
Onwards to more stories you should not have missed this week:
Ukraine
Sanctions targeting Russia's fossil fuel earnings are now in place but as exports by European-controlled tankers persist, revenues still flow into the Kremlin purse.
IAEA chief spent last week in Ukraine and is heading to Russia to seek an agreement on a protection zone. "I don't know for how long we are going to be lucky in avoiding a nuclear accident", he told MEPs.
Czech foreign minister Jan Lipavsky writes that it is self-evident that Vladimir Putin and his cronies must be held accountable for planning and ordering a war of aggression — whatever the legal hurdles.
Labour
If just one-in-five barriers were removed from EU internal border regions, it could gain around two percent in GDP.
"At the current levels, benefits are not enough to lift people out of (relatively) poverty", the EU's advisory Social Protection Committee warned in 2022.
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EU Politics
"We must do everything we can to be ready with this new system for the next European elections," MEP Sandro Gozi said after the committee vote.
The European Parliament does not rule out mandatory anti-harassment training for MEPs — but has left questions of greater support for victims of bullying and abuse open-ended.
Nick Aiossa, deputy director of Transparency International EU said there is a "culture of impunity" in the parliament among MEPs, which contributed to the Qatargate scandal that has rocked the insitution at the end of last year.
Rule of Law
A no-confidence vote on the Greek government is set for Friday, following revelations of state-led surveillance on senior military officials and a minister.
The director of Amnesty International Greece on the political spying scandal that now threatens to bring down prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Activists and NGO staff work with the constant fear that they are being spied on.
Opinion
Over the last few decades, the fossil-fuel industry has shown that you do not need to all-out oppose EU legislation in order to resist it. Muddying the waters can be enough to ensure that action is paused, watered-down, or shelved.
As always, thank you to all new subscribers to this newsletter, and also as always, my various inboxes are open for feedback, suggestions, tips, leaks, ideas and gossip –– now also?on Mastodon.
See you next week,
Realtor Associate @ Next Trend Realty LLC | HAR REALTOR, IRS Tax Preparer
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