Tuesday

16th Apr 2024

Ticker

EU paves way for Olympic tourism to Japan

EU ambassadors have added Japan to a list of safe countries, with Australia, Israel, New Zealand, Rwanda, Singapore, South Korea, and Thailand, for which member states are recommended to gradually lift pandemic travel restrictions, Reuters reports. Wednesday's decision, ahead of Japan's Olympic Games, left out UK tourists until at least mid-June, due to concerns over the Indian variant there. Britain also advises against travel to all EU states, except Portugal.

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Police ordered to end far-right 'Nat-Con' Brussels conference

The controversial far-right "National Conservatism" conference taking place in Brussels was ordered to halt at the behest of the local neighbourhood mayor — in what critics described as a publicity victory for the populist right.

Opinion

How Hungary's teachers are taking on Viktor Orban

Orban and his administration are pursuing a strategy of running-down public education in Hungary. They have been explicit in their aims and how their assault on 'non-Christian' teachers is a small price to pay for the cultural shift they want.

Column

What do we actually mean by EU 'competitiveness'?

Enrico Letta and Mario Draghi are coming up with reports on the EU's single market and competitiveness — but although 'competitiveness' has become a buzzword, there's no consensus on a definition for what it actually means.

EU puts Sudan war and famine-risk back in spotlight

The EU is hoping to put the international spotlight back on Sudan amid a war where half the population is at risk of famine. And Josep Borrell, EU foreign policy chief, also warned of Russia's presence in the country.

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