The European Union: Quo vadis?

Tuesday, 2 October 2018 - 11:00 am (CET/MEZ) Berlin | Author/Destination:
Category/Kategorie: General, Editorial, EU blog post series, European Union
Reading Time:  1543 minutes

(Latest update: 7 June 2022) Best of all first: The EU and the Eurozone today have greater approval among its citizens than it did in the past 35 years. This is not just any indicator, but a solid basis and a work order that has so far been adopted only in part to actually address ambitious, long overdue reforms and the necessary reorientation of the EU. A nicely written white paper by the European Commission, which presents possible scenarios until 2025, isn’t enough. What is needed is a “EU Vision 2030” plan with clear timetables and sub-goals, which are constantly being updated, especially as new sub-goals always emerge from ongoing processes, where everyone can find orientation about ongoing and future developments, as well as to participate or in marketing-speak “Europe need a common future and story!” This one is a bit longer and a summary of the current challenges and opportunities, while continuing the article The European Union: Blessing or curse? Past or future?.


Content


Introduction
Today, people in the states of the EU live in better conditions than ever before. It should be clear to the citizens that the future viability of the states depends on their being under the strong umbrella of the EU in order to prepare themselves for the economic challenges from China, and more recently from the US, militarily from Russia (The Washington Post, 13 September 2018: 5 things to know about Russia’s Vostok-2018 military exercises, The Guardian, 20 October2018: Trump says US will withdraw from nuclear arms treaty with Russia, BBC, 21 October 2018: President Trump to pull US from Russia missile treaty, CNN, 21 October 2018: Trump says US is ending decades-old nuclear arms treaty with Russia, BBC, 21 October 2018: Russia nuclear treaty: Gorbachev warns Trump plan will undermine disarmament, CNN, 22 October 2018: Russia fires back after Trump threatens to ditch nuclear arms treaty (“funny” is that the Russian Tsar Putin has been stationed months ago the nuclear first strike weapon system Iskander-K in the region of Kaliningrad, to threaten Europe permanently, and is lamenting now, because adequate countermeasures to safeguard Europe against continued and further threats from the Kremlin shall be initiated (Avangard hypersonic glide vehicle)), NATO, 25 October 2018: Trident Juncture 18, The Washington Post, 25 October 2018: At a pivotal moment for the alliance, NATO launches biggest exercise since the end of the Cold War, The New York Times, 26 January 2019: Saving NATO, Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, The New York Times, 1 February 2019: U.S. Suspends Nuclear Arms Control Treaty With Russia, CNN, 2 February 2019: Russia follows US in suspending INF nuclear missile treaty, The Washington Post, 2 February 2019: Why Putin won’t be mad about Trump pulling out of the INF Treaty, The Guardian, 2 February 2019: Russia follows US in suspending nuclear deal, The New York Times, 2 February 2019: Russia Pulls Out of Nuclear Treaty in ‘Symmetrical’ Response to U.S. Move, The Washington Post, 2 February 2019: Following U.S., Putin suspends nuclear pact and promises new weapons, Jerusalem Post, 2 February 2019: Russia set to develop new and advanced missile systems, The New York Times, 10 February 2019: How Russia Undermined Over 30 Years of Nuclear Arms Control, France24, 12 February 2019: NATO planning for more Russian missiles: Stoltenberg and The Washington Post, 17 February 2019: Withdrawing from the INF Treaty would cripple arms control efforts for decades, The Guardian, 1 July 2019: US arms control office critically understaffed under Trump, experts say, CNN, 20 July 2019: Clock’s ticking on one of world’s most important nuclear treaties. A dangerous arms race may be next, CNN, 27 July 2019: Donald Trump’s most catastrophic decision, BBC, 2 August 2019: INF nuclear treaty: Nato ‘to avoid arms race’ after US-Russia pact ends, The Guardian, 2 August 2019: Nato and Russia trade barbs after collapse of nuclear arms treaty, CNN, 2 August 2019: NATO chief says end of nuclear treaty is ‘serious setback’, after US withdraws, Al Arabiya, 2 AUgust 2019: US to develop new missiles after exiting INF treaty, Times of Israel, 2 August 2019: US to accelerate missile program after ending weapons pact with Russia, Saudi Gazette, 2 August 2019: US pulls out of Soviet-era nuclear missile pact with Russia, Gulf News, 2 August 2019: US ends Cold War missile treaty in bid to counter China, France24, 2 August 2019: US to withdraw officially from Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, DW, 2 August 2019: Opinion: Scrapping the INF treaty is risky — and a lost opportunity, Arab News, 3 AUgust 2019: The arms race has new legs, CNN, 8 August 2019: Russia has released footage of its new ‘Hunter’ stealth attack drone, Jerusalem Post, 12 August 2019: US, Russia nuke tensions may be even worse than Iran threat – analysis, The Guardian, 17 August 2019: The nuclear arms race is back … and ever more dangerous now, CNN, 18 August 2019: What a mysterious explosion tells us about Russia’s ‘doomsday weapon’, France24, 19 August 2019: US tests medium-range cruise missile in the wake of INF treaty exit, The National Interest, 20 August 2019: Russia’s New Weapons: From Doomsday Nuclear Torpedoes to Skyfall Missiles, DW, 20 August 2019: Russia blast radiation caused by Skyfall missile, US experts say, Haaretz, 21 August 2019: Skyfall Explosion: Doomsday Weapon Accident Shows Limits of Putin’s Dangerous Ambitions). How can it nevertheless be that the colorful and cheerful Europe threatens to become a more and more dull, simple, nationalistic, fact- and learn-resistant Europe? The paradox of this is, above all, that it is the EU itself that made it possible to connect different states and their people. On the one hand, it creates EU citizens and patriots and, on the other hand, simple minded state-cross national movements. After all, nationalism by definition can only function within a nation-state, but not across multiple states, unless one understands the EU as such as a nation-state, so that EU nationalism can emerge to develop common, viable and workable solutions. It is hardly to be expected that Europe’s right-wing nationalists are able to think in such a dimension at all, although here they could take an example from the rednecks and hillbillys of the Southern United States, who have at least understood that, albeit coming from different states, they all are US citizens. That would be, even when still annoying, after all, a development and adaptation of the changed realities and general conditions (The Guardian, 21 July 2018: Steve Bannon plans foundation to fuel far right in Europe, BBC, 23 July 2018: Bannon plan for Europe-wide populist ‘supergroup’ sparks alarm, Bloomberg, 24 July 2018: Steve Bannon Wants to Divide and Conquer in Europe Too, The Guardian, 30 July 2018: Europe shouldn’t fear Steve Bannon. It should fear the hype that surrounds him, The Washington Post, 26 September 2018: A nationalist abroad: Stephen Bannon evangelizes Trump-style politics across Europe, The Guardian, 24 October 2018: The real danger to Europe? The lost sense of a common cause, The Guardian, 18 February 2019: EU parliament’s centrist coalition set to lose majority, poll finds, Arab News, 26 June 2019: Critics should not forget EU’s role in preserving peace). Overall, this article is trying to make it clear what Alexander von Humboldt already knew 250 years ago:

“Everything is connected with everything.”


History of Europe and the United Staates of America

“Only who knows where he comes from knows where he is going.” – Theodor Heuss

In order to understand the current developments in Europe, it makes sense to deal with the very varied and multi-faceted history of Europe and the states/federation building processes. This includes numerous regional, national and international armed conflicts, such as the Thirty Years’ War, which began with the Defenestrations of Prague on May 23, 1618. Under the motto “One people, one religion, one leader”, the catholic Emperor Ferdinand II tried to persuade the Protestant electorates to convert to Catholicism. The attempt failed after several lossy battles in favor of a pluralistic solution, because the acting persons came to the realization that diversity is probably better than simplicity. With that everything has already been said and everyone could have gone home happily and contentedly with this knowledge gain, in order to be able to work on a common, peaceful and prosperous Europe from now on. History went a little bit different and many other wars followed, because people are generally far less able to learn than they would like to think of themselves. If World War I and World War II had any good aspects at all, it is that the results are now deeply branded in the European collective memory and, as a result, the European Union was founded. Following the old saying, “When the donkey is too well, he goes on the ice”, from the end of the 2000s onwards, small groups were formed in the states, which eventually gave rise to national movements and parties and in fact found enough supporters to position their crude (conspiracy) theories against the EU. The vast majority of these theories are completely baseless and fact-free, which is what their supporters, who are suffering from extensive fact allergy, especially like about it. But it is also about fear of loss, especially with regard to identities (or social decline or to be even more accurate: If some Germans think that “refugees take away our jobs,” then these people should just keep the following in mind: Should a refugee, who has never been to Germany or even Europe at all, has no language skills, has no idea of how life and the labor market work here (neither in total nor in detail), be able to “take away jobs” from these Germans, then in their lives has so much gone wrong before, that even 12 million refugees and immigrants could not affect their lifes more negative than it already has been affected before. In any case, it is not the refugees who are to blame, but in most cases, they themselves. Presumably, such people would be overwhelmed even with returnable bottle sorting), even though today’s states have no clearly definable national identities because they are made up of colorful collections of duchies and principalities with partly contradictory identities and due to the numerous small and large migrations of the people over the centuries couldn’t develop clearly identifiable identities (The “Heimat” concept (homeland), on the other hand, is much easier to define, even if it can have individual different definitions). The romantic idea that there ever was a homogenous Germany is a very clear self-deception, because the country and also all predecessors in the area of today’s Germany (even more so if one includes Poland and parts of Russia (German Reich) or parts of France and Italy (Holy Roman Empire of German Nations)), Germany has always been heterogeneous, even if there were majorities and continue to exist. The same applies, of course, to all other current EU states as well, and certainly to the US. The EU offers a basic agreement on the basis of geography, namely, “We are all Europeans”, even if not all countries of the continent belong to the EU by now. With the EU still under construction, it will take quite a while for this to happen. On the other hand, how well European integration already works in everyday life is evident in the changed news situation, among other aspects. 20 years ago, only a small section of the population in Europe was interested in politics and politicians in neighboring countries. This has changed over the past decades fundamentally, because the perception has changed. In the past, it was understood as “foreign policy”, and is now understood as “domestic policy”, because the effects can have an affect for everyone.

At this point, it’s worth taking a look at the history of the United States of America. Even if no one-to-one comparisons are possible, the founding of the USA is the first and until today successful European major project, meanwhile not only more successful than the EU itself, but even the only remaining world power (other European projects, such as Canada, Australia or New Zealand, are also going very well. Overall, Europe has left its mark in many parts of the world due to colonization. Often with negative consequences, but often also with positive effects that reverberate to this day), because ultimately it is the anticipation of the EU outside of Europe. The settlements were finally carried out by people from all European countries (today, e.g., about 50 million of the 330 million Americans say to have German ancestors). Even today, the folklore and local features/peculiarities that came with the European settlers have survived in the individual states, are promoted and celebrated accordingly – all under the common roof of the United States. The EU implements this concern, ie the preservation and promotion of specific characteristics, specificities, folklore, language and food/drink, under the motto “united in diversity” even more consistently and extensively by creating appropriate laws and regulations and providing funding (Europe of the Regions, Culture in the European Union, geographical indication, European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, Minority rights, Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and European Convention on Human Rights). In this respect, the EU is reminiscent of the Roman Empire, but on a voluntary basis, ie a federation of different, diversified states, which keep their cultures, languages, religions and other peculiarities, but united under a common roof with self-given, common rules (Transatlantic relations).


Migration debate, xenophobia, racism, right-wing extremism and right-wing terrorism
It is actually unbelievable: the wall fell, fortunately the Soviet Union failed in its own right, as a result of which most of the Eastern Bloc gained its freedom. There was great hope for democracy, freedom and the rule of law. Especially in the eastward expansion of the EU, which only knows freedom from history lessons, the hope for freedom and democracy was huge. It is all the more surprising that the majority have once again been seduced by nationalist demagogues. From the east, this nationalistic nonsense finally rubbed off into East Germany, which was formerly part of the Eastern Bloc. Where the journey will eventually lead to remains open by now. It will certainly not be pleasing for while. Therefore the blog entry The European Union: Migration debate, xenophobia, racism and right-wing extremism was created.


Challenges and solution approaches in keywords


Economic and/or political development
The EU economy continues to develop well, although the federal debts of half of member countries remains above the agreed 60% of GDP. The EU GDP surpasses that of the US. The economic growth was 2.5% in 2017 and is projected to reach 2.3% in 2018, with developments in the member countries varying in some cases significantly (Times of Israel, 23 March 2016: The wolves of Tel Aviv: Israel’s vast, amoral binary options scam exposed, Reuters, 2 July 2018: Beating expectations, euro zone unemployment stable in May, Reuters, 7 September 2018: A decade after Lehman, Europe remains on economic crutches, The Guardian, 21 January 2019: IMF: no-deal Brexit and Chinese slump are biggest economic risks, Los Aangeles Times, 20 April 2019: Shortages hit Cuba, raising fears of new economic crisis, France24, 7 March 2019: ECB to keep rates unchanged amid weakening economy, The New York Times, 7 March 2019: Global Economy Slows, Pushing Europe’s Central Bank to Make a Surprise Move and The New York Times, 24 April 2019: Europe Not Feeling Much Pain From Trump Tariffs, Central Bank Says, The Guardian, 15 May 2019: Populism isn’t the biggest threat to the EU – it’s the east-west divide, The Guardian, 15 May 2019: Merkel: Europe must unite to stand up to China, Russia and US, The Guardian, 16 May 2019: Majority of Europeans expect end of EU within 20 years, Irish Times, 25 July 2019: European Central Bank paves way for fresh stimulus package, BBC, 25 July 2019: Eurozone prepares for interest rate cut as growth slows, Saudi Gazette, 25 July 2019: ECB charts path for new stimulus, Gulf News, 25 July 2019: European Central Bank hints rate cut, Arab News, 31 July 2019: Indecisive Europe must secure its digital sovereignty, Politico.eu, 13 August 2019: Boom time for European tourism, CNN, 14 August 2019: 5 of the world’s biggest economies are at risk of recession, Politico.eu, 19 August 2019: Merkel: ‘Truly united Europe’ includes Western Balkans, Politico.eu, 22 August 2019: EU officials float €100B boost for European companies, Saudi Gazette, 22 August 2019: Eurozone bankers warn of ‘more protracted’ slowdown, Politico.com, 24 August 2019: It’s the economy, Dummkopf! German slowdown spells trouble, Politico.eu, 26 August 2019: Europe’s last line of defense, Gulf Times, 6 September 2019: Merkel hopes China-US trade problems will be solved soon, CNN, 6 September 2019: Caught between human rights and trade, Angela Merkel lands in China, CNN, 11 September 2019: Europe needs Germany to spend big. Don’t hold your breath, Politico.eu, 14 September 2019: Trump poised to hit EU with billions in tariffs after victory in Airbus case, Politico.eu, 13 September 2019: What Europe is really fighting about, CNN, 18 September 2019: A crack just emerged in the financial markets: The NY Fed spends $53 billion to rescue the overnight lending market, BBC, 20 September 2019: Why is the Fed pumping money into the banking system?, The Guardian, 23 September 2019: Eurozone economy slows amid trade decline and Brexit fears, The Guardian, 25 September 2019: Global recession a serious danger in 2020, says UN, The Guardian, 30 September 2019: Christine Lagarde must jump-start change in Europe’s economy, Euronews, 30 September 2019: Using the EU’s own trade rules against it: the scourge of ‘VAT Carousel’ fraud (missing trader fraud), Politico.eu, 2 October 2019: The European way of life in numbers, Reuters, 7 October 2019: Mission impossible: Next EU foreign policy chief warns of EU irrelevance, Politico.eu, 15 October 2019: EU builds anti-Trump trade bazooka, Politico.eu, 19 October 2019: EU at ‘standstill’ over past 5 years, says French business lobby chief, The Guardian, 20 October 2019: World economy is sleepwalking into a new financial crisis, warns Mervyn King, CNN, 24 October 2019: The man who saved the euro bows out amid ‘unprecedented’ dissent at Europe’s central bank, Arab News, 25 October 2019: Europe has become the sick man of the world, CNN, 24 October 2019: Debt and deficit aren’t the same thing. Here’s the difference, Politico.eu, 25 October 2019: Argentine election looms over EU-Mercosur deal, Politico.eu, 31 October 2019: Lagarde’s political bent leaves critics fearing for ECB independence, The New York Times, 1 November 2019: Macron Steps Into a Leadership Vacuum in Europe, and on Some Toes, The Guardian, 4 November 2019: Poll reveals majority of eastern Europeans ‘fearful for democracy’, CNN, 10 November 2019: Two of the world’s biggest economies are at risk of recession, BBC, 21 November 2019: New warning on global economic slowdown, Politico.eu, 21 November 2019: The end of world trade as we know it, Politico.eu, 25 November 2019: Four ways to build trust for the single market, Politico.eu, 28 November 2019: EU rebels fight Commission plan to build WTO court without America, The Economist, 28 November 2019: The twilight of the WTO: The trading system’s referee is about to leave the field, Politico.eu, 6 December 2019: Don’t bank on the ECB saving the planet, The Guardian, 8 December 2019: WTO faces crisis over settlement disputes unless Trump backs off, Jerusalem Post, 9 December 2019: European innovation community extends operations to Israel, The Diplomat, 12 December 2019: Trump’s War on the World Trade Organization, NPR, 18 December 2019: Boeing Is So Big That Its 737 Max Production Halt Will Slow The Economy, Politico.com, 19 December 2019: Trump to now focus on trade deals after USMCA passage, France24, 21 December 2019: French Foreign Minister Le Drian calls for stronger ties between Europe and Latin America, Arab News, 25 December 2019: Europe’s hard choices in 2020, Politico.eu, 26 December 2019: Europe on the wane, DW, 30 December 2019: US, China and Germany profit most from global free trade, says WTO, Politico.eu, 31 December 2019: Europe’s big problems in 2020, WTO, 1 January 2020: The WTO’s 25 years of achievement and challenges, The Guardian, 2 January 2020: Can Merkel and Macron get Franco-German relations back on track?, Politico.eu, 27 January 2020: Europe vows to finally deliver on its unloved industrial strategy, The Atlantic, 31 January 2020: The European Union’s Double Crisis of Legitimacy (the political union is not only desirable, it is long overdue. Instead of shifting decisions from one government to the next for fear of a few nationalist backbenchers, anti-German and EU-hostile anti-democrats and anti-constitutionalists, right-wing extremists and right-wing terrorists, it is high time for the next big step forward to make the EU more powerful and future-proof and at the same time due of the results to take the wind out of the sails of the nationalists, because the successes will expose the “critics” for what they are: substance-less simpletons), Politico.eu, 3 February 2020: Europe’s next crisis: The geopolitical Commission, Arab News, 4 February 2020: Transformation being forced upon the EU, Politico.eu, 5 February 2020: Vestager’s next big fight will be with Europe, Politico.eu, 15 February 2020: Jean-Claude Juncker: Von der Leyen and I are ‘like the two popes’, Gulf Times, 17 February 2020: US economic outlook remains biggest risk to developing world, Gulf Times, 23 February 2020: Let’s come together to tax tech giants, say G20 officials eying $100 bn boost, The Guardian, 9 March 2020: Oil price plunges almost 30% as Saudis vow to step up production, CNN, 9 March 2020: Why oil prices are crashing and what it means, The Guardian, 9 March 2020: Saudi Arabia price war wipes billions from value of major oil firms, Al Arabiya, 18 March 2020: Russia would like to see higher oil prices: Kremlin spokesman, Arab News, 18 March 2020: Aramco plans to speed up big crude output rise: CEO, The National, 18 March 2020: Oil slips to lowest level since 2002 as economies brace for recession, Al Arabiya, 18 March 2020: US crude oil hits 17-year low amid coronavirus, Saudi-Russia price war, CNN, 29 March 2020: Economists and investors are flying blind through a pandemic, Politico.eu, 31 March 2020: EU makes new push for solidarity with €100B unemployment scheme, Jerusalem Post, 2 April 2020: Venezuelan warship shoots, rams into German cruise vessel before sinking, The Economist, 16 April 2020: Pandemic geopolitics: Is China winning?, DW, 23 April 2020: How the coronavirus impacts the book industry (it would be easy to create a common platform. You don’t need 2,000 people for this, just 20 and a data center. The connected publishers can do the rest themselves, thus keeping the costs low. However, there are probably once again single interests that prevent this step. Above all, the corona crisis shows that the German retail sector is hopelessly lagging behind in terms of digitalization. Individuals were well positioned before, but the majority were not. “Traditional retail” in particular will decline because of the crisis while it still believes that “personal advice” would be unbeatable compared to “this Internet that will go away anyway”. A remarkable misjudgment), Politico.eu, 27 April 2020: Macron, the lonely Europeanist, Politico.eu, 4 May 2020: Europe’s economic future in German judges’ hands, CNN, 4 May 2020: Some retailers are too broke to go bankrupt, Politico.eu, 5 May 2020: German court lays down EU law, Yale Global Online, 5 May 2020: Irresponsible Superpowers Must Cooperate, Der Spiegel, 5 May 2020: Future of Our Global Economy: The Beginning of De-Globalization, Politico.eu, 5 May 2020: German high court warns ECB that bond buying could be illegal, Foreign Affairs, 6 May 2020: The Coming Post-COVID Anarchy, Politico.eu, 6 May 2020: Hogan: Brussels will ensure ‘supremacy’ of EU law after German ruling, CNN, 6 May 2020: Europe faces recession of ‘historic proportions’, Politico.eu, 6 May 2020: Europe faces ‘recession of historic proportions’, Politico.eu, 6 May 2020: Hungary no longer a democracy: report, Times of Israel, 6 May 2020: Thus passes the glory of Europe, Yale Global Online, 7 May 2020: Don’t Blame Supply Chains, Politico.eu, 8 May 2020: Sassoli demands bigger European Parliament role in recovery plan, YouTube, 8 May 2020: Secretary-General António Guterres video message on observance of Europe Day, 9 May 2020 (Europe Day), European Union – External Action: Europe Day 2020: Together we are Europe, European Union: Europe Day, Politico.eu, 9 May 2020: EU leaders to Europe on Europe Day: We’re Number 1, The Guardian, 9 May 2020: IMF warns of further drop in global growth due to Covid-19, The Guardian, 10 May 2020: The ‘United States of Europe’ speech that Winston Churchill so nearly made, Politico.eu, 10 May 2020: Paolo Gentiloni: EU emergency finance has no ‘draconian’ strings attached, Politico.eu, 10 May 2020: Brussels eyes a bigger EU shareholder role in the coronavirus recovery, The Guardian, 10 May 2020: Elites have failed us. It is time to create a European republic, Politico.eu, 11 May 2020: Snake oil, quackery and deglobalization, Politico.eu, 11 May 2020: Watchdog slams EU agency for letting boss join lobby group, CNN, 13 May 2020: Europe promises to reopen for summer tourism in wake of coronavirus, Politico.eu, 13 May 2020: The EU is undermining its democracies while funding its autocracies, CNN, 13 May 2020: 2020 is a catastrophe for tourism businesses. Here’s what the industry needs to get back on its feet, CNN, 15 May 2020: Europe’s top three economies are now in recession. The real shock is still to come, Politico.eu, 15 May 2020: Get ready for a two-speed recovery, The Washington Post, 15 May 2020: Europeans emerging from lockdowns are wary of the cheek kiss, Politico.com, 15 May 2020: Coronavirus reheats Europe’s food nationalism, Arab News, 16 May 2020: The EU: Not fatally broken, but it needs fixing soon, Irish Times, 18 May 2020: European project and Ursula von der Leyen face an existential threat in Covid-19, CNN, 19 May 2020: Europe promises to reopen for summer tourism in wake of coronavirus, Politico.eu, 19 May 2020: Ischinger: German-French recovery plan could transform EU and seal Merkel’s legacy, Politico.eu, 19 May 2020: Don’t save the economy. Change the economy., The washington Post, 19 May 2020: The post-American world is now on full display, Politico.eu, 19 May 2020: Franco-German recovery deal meets resistance, Politico.eu, 20 May 2020: German conservatives’ eurobond awakening, Politico, 20 May 2020: Italian PM: Franco-German recovery deal is not enough, Politico, 20 May 2020: Merkel warns against protectionism in face of coronavirus recession, Politico, 21 May 2020: Juncker: EU internal border closures ‘nonsense’ (the Trump administration has announced, that the travel restrictions from Europe to the US will remain in place. The exorbitantly high number of Covid-19 infected and killed in the US given, there will be very few Europeans who would accept the risk of entering the US anyway. In this respect, it’s obviuosly just another misleading election campaign stunt by the Trump administration, to distract Trump voters from the real reasons why Europeans don’t travel to the United States at the moment), Politico.eu, 22 May 2020: This isn’t Europe’s ‘Hamilton’ moment, Der Spiegel, 22 May 2020: Half a Trillion Euros: Merkel and Macron Find the Strength for Europe, Der Spiegel, 22 May 2020: “Times of Struggle”: France and Germany Show the Way Forward in the COVID-19 Crisis, Politico.eu, 22 May 2020: China flexes its trade muscles, Gulf Times, 23 May 2020: Europe’s Hamiltonian moment, Politico.eu, 23 May 2020: ‘Frugal four’ propose ‘loans for loans’ approach to coronavirus recovery fund, The Guardian, 22 May 2020: We lived the European dream. Will any politician stand up for open borders?, The Guardian, 25 May 2020: The Guardian view on Europe and Covid-19: time for true solidarity, The Guardian, 25 May 2020: European Union Dawn of Asian century puts pressure on EU to choose sides, says top diplomat, Irish Times, 25 May 2020: EU divisions laid bare by ‘frugal four’ Covid recovery proposal (“The simple-minded four” would also describe the initial situation well), The Guardian, 26 May 2020: Franco-German plan for European recovery will face compromises, Forbes, 27 May 2020: Canada Opens Door To International Students While U.S. Shuts It, France24, 27 May 2020: EU Commission proposes €750 billion recovery fund in wake of Covid-19 crisis (congratulations to this sensationally good proposal with a lot of foresight and future orientation or according to the American motto “go big or go home!”), BBC, 27 May 2020: Von der Leyen calls €750bn recovery fund ‘Europe’s moment’, CNN, 27 May 2020: EU plans to raise $825 billion for coronavirus relief. Hard-hit countries need help soon, The Guardian, 27 May 2020: European commission: ‘Defining moment’ as EU executive pushes for €500bn in grants, The New York Times, 27 May 2020: A €750 Billion Virus Recovery Plan Thrusts Europe Into a New Frontier, The Washington Post, 27 May 2020: E.U. proposes $825 billion coronavirus rescue plan giving Brussels power to raise money for first time, BBC, 28 May 2020: EU budget: Who pays most in and who gets most back?, Politico.eu, 27 May 2020: Germany’s Scholz sees recovery fund as more than money, The Washington Post, 29 May 2020: Germany, borrowing from Trump, says it wants to make Europe ‘strong again’, Politico.eu, 29 May 2020: Back off, Trump. Germany wants to Make Europe Strong Again, The Washington Post, 29 May 2020: Europeans emerging from lockdowns find conspicuous absence of Americans, The New York Times, 30 May 2020: How We Broke the World, Irish Times, 31 May 2020: National Courts Cannot Override CJEU Judgments, Politico.com, 1 June 2020: G-7 members reject Trump’s bid to bring Russia in from the cold, Der Spiegel, 2 June 2020: Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz: “The EU Consists of More than Just Two Member States”, CNN, 2 June 2020: A lost decade looms for America’s economy, The New York Times, 2 June 2020: Embattled at Home, Trump Finds Himself Isolated Abroad, Too, France24, 3 June 2020: Trump says ‘common sense’ for Russia to rejoin G7, DW, 3 June 2020: Germany unveils stimulus package to kickstart economy, Politico.eu, 4 June 2020: Germany, France launch Gaia-X platform in bid for ‘tech sovereignty’, France24, 4 June 2020: Germany unveils 130-bn stimulus to kickstart virus-hit economy (that’s a really good signal for Germany), Politico.eu, 4 June 2020: Trump’s Europe strategy: Nothing, Der Spiegel, 4 June 2020: A Foreign Policy Conundrum: Merkel and the EU Trapped between China and the U.S., BBC, 4 June 2020: Eurozone in fresh emergency action to boost economy, Politico.eu, 5 June 2020: EU eyes return to free travel by early July, Arab News, 5 June 2020: G20 discusses long-term vision for the digital economy, The Guardian, 6 June 2020: Europe’s big two kiss and make up for pandemic rescue deal, Politico.eu, 6 June 2020: German court ruling could tear EU apart, warns senior judge, BBC, 10 June 2020: Outlook for virus-hit global economy ‘dire’, The National, 10 June 2020: Italy and Greece sign deal defining Mediterranean maritime zones, Politico.eu, 11 June 2020: EU leaders deeply divided on recovery budget, Michel tells Parliament, CNN, 11 June 2020: Trump authorizes sanctions against International Criminal Court officials (well, he’s still on course by acting like your average banana republic dictator), Politico.com, 12 June 2020: Brussels plans to counter Chinese and U.S. subsidies, Politico.eu, 14 June 2020: Trump’s WTO criticism is ‘damaging,’ says trade body’s chief, The National, 14 June 2020: Europe stands united with fiscal support package of requisite magnitude, IMF says, Der Spiegel, 15 June 2020: Wolfgang Schäuble on Germany and Europe: “We Germans Have Reached Agreements with NATO and We Must Adhere to Them”, France24, 15 June 2020: Grand reopening? FRANCE 24 and Deutsche Welle at France-Germany border, The Guardian, 15 June 2020: Germany and France reopen borders as Europe emerges from lockdown, Politico.eu, 15 June 2020: Transatlantic blues as Pompeo holds EU talks, France24, 16 June 2020: Italy’s Conte says EU virus recovery funds will be spent wisely, Politico.eu, 16 June 2020: New factions emerge in EU recovery fund fight, Politico.eu, 18 June 2020: Merkel: Coronavirus pandemic revealed Europe’s fragility, The Guardian, 18 June 2020: The end of tourism? , France24, 18 June 2020: Merkel urges EU to agree on €750 billion recovery plan by end of July, The Guardian, 18 June 2020: The end of tourism?, Times of Israel, 18 June 2020: EU okays landmark Israel ‘Open Skies’ aviation deal, despite annexation tensions, Politico.eu, 18 June 2020: Threat of EU-US trade war grows amid digital tax stand-off, Arab News, 18 June 2020: EU leaders under pressure as bloc approaches crossroads, France24, 19 June 2020: Merkel urges EU to agree on €750 billion recovery plan by end of July, DW, 19 June 2020: EU leaders hold virtual summit on coronavirus recovery plan, The Guardian, 19 June 2020: Angela Merkel fears economic crisis is being underestimated in EU, France24, 19 June 2020: Divided EU leaders face challenges on Covid-19 stimulus package, Politico.eu, 19 June 2020: In budget summit, EU leaders live up to low expectations, CNN, 19 June 2020: Which international destinations are reopening to tourists?, Politico.eu, 21 June 2020: Europe’s post-lockdown rules compared, BBC, 24 June 2020: What the Dutch can teach the world about remote work, Politico.eu, 24 June 2020: Conference on EU future edges closer — but with clear limits, CNN, 24 June 2020: European chocolates, olives and 28 other items could be hit with $3.1 billion in new US tariffs, Politico.eu, 24 June 2020: Hey, big spender! EU prepares to splash the cash, Arab News, 25 June 2020: Trump tears up traditional US approach to Europe, BBC, 25 June 2020: US threatens tariffs on EU beer, gin and olives, Politico.eu, 26 June 2020: Merkel: Europe must set ‘good example’ and fight protectionism, The Guardian, 26 June 2020: Do not assume US still aspires to be a world leader, Merkel warns, Politico.eu, 26 June 2020: Europe’s bank needs more money to fund EU recovery plan, The Guardian, 26 June 2020: ‘For Europe to survive, its economy needs to survive’: Angela Merkel interview in full, Politico.eu, 26 June 2020: We’ll all be speaking German soon, Politico.eu, 26 June 2020: Merkel’s Germany will outlast her, Irish Times, 27 June 2020: New EU borrowing plan could accelerate green recovery, Politico.eu, 27 June 2020: Von der Leyen urges leaders to agree on EU budget by ‘summer break’, The Guardian, 29 June 2020: Poland should get less from Covid-19 fund due to rights record, claim EU member states (rightly so. As the Poles claim that they are a Christian nation (according to their reactions on the migratin crsis, they don’t even have the slightest idea what Christian values are), they should know the biblical “eye for an eye” concept pretty well), Politico.eu, 29 June 2020: Merkel’s Dr. No gets his toughest mission yet, France24, 29 June 2020: Macron and Merkel meet to discuss EU recovery plan, The Guardian, 29 June 2020: Europeans’ trust in US as world leader collapses during pandemic, DW, 30 June 2020: Opinion: Angela Merkel’s moment to define the EU’s future, France24, 1 July 2020: Germany assumes EU presidency as Merkel pushes for massive bloc-wide recovery plan (it is becoming increasingly clear that it is once again time for big pictures and visions of an integrated EU and that real leaders must courageously go ahead, take the EU population with them, animate them, cheer them up – just as outstanding coaches in team sports have to do it in order to ultimately win the trophy. Because of and through Corona, the EU has once again been “given” a time window for major changes. This means that the most important basic requirements are already in place: money is there, there is general consensus, there is a spirit of optimism right up to impatience, and there is pressure to change for years. There is a lot to do, but it can be taken as a very positive challenge because it means work for everyone. What does it start with? Development clear specifications and requirements for the individual departments (economy, education, social issues, environment, digitization, EU defense etc.). After that, only one thing is missing, namely the starting shot! It is actually very simple and only needs to be done), DW, 1 July 2020: Angela Merkel’s last EU Council Presidency — what to expect, Politico.eu, 3 July 2020: European Parliament leaders in Spanish spat, CNN, 4 July 2020: The UK is reopening for business. London may never be the same, DW, 4 July 2020: Donald Trump slams ‘far-left fascism’ at Mt. Rushmore speech for July 4 (fortunately, our freak shows are not called Trump, but instead AfD, NPD, Reichsbürger, Rassemblement National, Partij voor de Vrijheid, Fidesz, PiS, English Defense League and how else Europe’s anti-constitutional and democratic freak shows, racists and fascists call/name themselves. So there is little reason for arrogance as long as we don’t get our own extremists under control), CNN, 4 July 2020: Cracks in the Trump-Europe relationship are turning into a chasm, Politico.eu, 4 July 2020: EU budget rules to come back after crisis: Dombrovskis, DW, 5 July 2020: Faith leaders call to keep EU’s religious freedom envoy, BBC, 6 July 2020: US to withdraw visas for foreign students if classes moved fully online, France24, 7 July 2020: Eurozone economy to plunge 8.7% this year after hit from Covid-19, CNN, 7 July 2020: International students may need to leave US if their universities transition to online-only learning (this has, of course, undeniable advantages: Instead of exposing yourself to the risk of an infection from the Trump virus when studying at Harvard University or other US universities, you can instead study online from your safe home country, while enjoying the benefits of universal health care. The necessary literature is available in European university libraries as well. Only the study experience and networking in the US cannot be replaced by online studies. Foreign students spend approximately $ 45 billion annually. They will be missing in the future), France24, 7 July 2020: US says foreign students whose classes move online due to Covid-19 have to leave, CNN, 7 July 2020: There are more than 1 million international students in the US. Here’s where they’re from, Irish Times, 7 July 2020: The Irish Times view on the dual threat of coronavirus and Brexit, Politico.eu, 7 July 2020: Why the recovery fund won’t work, Politico.eu, 9 July 2020: With Eurogroup, Donohoe wins the tough job of economic recovery, Politico.eu, 9 July 2020: European Parliament clashes with Merkel over rule of law in budget talks, Politico.eu, 9 July 2020: Merkel sees tough road to EU budget and recovery deal, Politico.eu, 10 July 2020: Charles Michel’s small cuts set stage for big EU budget fight, Politico.eu, 10 July 2020: Rutte says Michel’s EU budget plan is an improvement, Politico.eu, 10 July 2020: Bulgaria, Croatia enter euro waiting room, The Guardian, 11 July 2020: Global ‘catastrophe’ looms as Covid-19 fuels inequality, DW, 11 July 2020: Foreign students in US face ‘huge amount of stress and fear’ after visa change, The Guardian, 12 July 2020: EU leaders are split over coronavirus recovery, DW, 13 July 2020: German Chancellor Angela Merkel says EU leaders ‘remain apart’ on coronavirus recovery deal, France, 13 July 2020: EU summit may not reach recovery fund deal: Merkel, DW, 13 July 2020: EU foreign ministers meet to discuss Hong Kong, Turkey, The Guardian, 13 July 2020: The world needs grown-up leadership. Time for Germany to step up, Arab News, 13 July 2020: IMF predicts worst Mideast downturn in half century, The National, 13 July 2020: IMF cuts Middle East and Central Asia economic outlook as pandemic persists, France24, 14 July 2020: Trump administration reverses course on order barring some foreign students, CNN, 14 July 2020: Trump administration drops restrictions on online-only instruction for foreign students, CNN, 14 July 2020: US allies once seemed cowed by China. Now they’re responding with rare coordination, Politico.eu, 15 July 2020: The coronavirus recovery plan that von der Leyen built, DW, 15 July 2020: China’s economic loss could be Morocco’s gain, Politico.eu, 23 July 2020: EU can’t have it both ways with Turkey, Arab News, 23 July 2020: Macron wants EU to punish Turkey, NPR, 24 July 2020: ICE Confirms New Foreign Students Can’t Take Online-Only Course Loads In The U.S., Politico.eu, 24 July 2020: EU vows tougher response on hybrid threats, France24, 25 July 2020: EU recovery plan deals a blow to popular Erasmus exchange programme, DW, 26 July 2020: Opinion: The dollar determines Cubans’ everyday lives, DW, 27 July 2020: Don’t take unnecessary risks, a second coronavirus wave is definitely coming!, The Guardian, 27 July 2020: Germany by far most admired country, with US, China and Russia vying for second – global poll (Gallup, 27 July 2020: U.S. Leadership Remains Unpopular Worldwide), BBC, 28 July 2020: Pandemic cost tourism industry ‘at least $320bn’, France24, 28 July 2020: Covid-19 cost tourism sector $320 billion in first five months of 2020, the UN says, DW, 28 July 2020: Will Donald Trump’s visa restrictions slow down America’s economic revival?, Arab News, 28 July 2020: Europe’s COVID-19 recovery choice: Responsibility or ruin, The Washington Post, 29 July 2020: ‘Revenge travel’ is the phenomenon that could bring back tourism with a bang, BBC, 30 July 2020: Coronavirus: US economy sees sharpest contraction in decades (well, the Trump virus strikes with all severity. Who would have thought that? Probably everyone who deals with the economy, and therefore definitely no one from the Trump administration), CNN, 30 July 2020: US economy posts its worst drop on record, The Guardian, 30 July 2020: Can Germany now hold the European team together?, DW, 31 July 2020: Eurozone GDP drops 12.1% in record pandemic plunge, Politico.eu, 31 July 2020: The historic coronavirus recession — by the numbers, The New York Times, 31 July 2020: Despite Historic Plunge, Europe’s Economy Flashes Signs of Recovery, France24, 2 August 2020: Tourist sites are empty as Covid-19 travel restrictions limit movement, DW, 3 August 2020: Coronavirus: How are the 4 biggest economies trying to stem insolvencies?, DW, 5 August 2020: Opinion: Trans-Atlantic romanticism ends with Donald Trump, Foreign Policy, 7 August 2020: It’s a New Europe—if You Can Keep It, CNBC, 7 August 2020: Canada to impose tariffs on $2.7 billion in U.S. goods after Trump reignites trade feud (all major US trading partners should band together and collectively impose 25% punitive tariffs on all US products, goods and services. Within no time, the Trump gang would be send to hell by the Republicans. In addition, it would suddenly become clear that the US has been living at the expense of its trading partners for decades when it comes to total accounts (products, goods, services and finances)), CNN, 9 August 2020: ‘Everything is gone.’ Flooding in China ruins farmers and risks rising food prices, Financial Times, 9 August 2020: National budget rules to remain suspended next year, Brussels says, Politico.eu, 10 August 2020: EU governments roll back wage support despite corona uncertainty, BBC, 10 August 2020: Opposition disputes Lukashenko landslide win, Reuters, 10 August 2020: Bloody clashes in Belarus as West condemns crackdown after election, CNN, 10 August 2020: As Belarusians take to the streets, authoritarian leaders rally behind Lukashenko, Politico.eu, 10 August 2020: Germany, France knock down Trump push for WHO overhaul, DW, 12 August 2020: Many German firms ignore partners’ human rights abuses, Al Arabiya, 12 August 2020: An Israeli-Saudi ‘Silicon Wadi’ will benefit both countries, Politico.eu, 12 August 2020: From Stilton to Feta, 5 cheeses that stunk up trade deals, France24, 14 August 2020: EU ministers agree to new round of sanctions on Belarus as protests escalate, Politico.eu, 14 August 2020: Belarus frees protesters as workers turn on Lukashenko, France24, 15 August 2020: ‘No more torture,’ say demonstrators as Belarus faces weekend of protests, BBC, 15 August 2020: Belarus: Thousands protest outside state TV building, France24, 16 August 2020: Lukashenko addresses supporters amid rival rallies in Belarus, BBC, 16 August 2020: Belarus: Mass protest eclipses defiant Belarus leader’s rally, The New York Times, 16 August 2020: Belarus Protests Eclipse Rally in Defense of Defiant Leader, The Guardian, 16 August 2020: ‘We will win’: Vast Belarus rally adamant Lukashenko must go, DW, 17 August 2020: EU emergency summit on Belarus: What’s at stake?, Politico.eu, 18 August 2020: In Belarus, fighting for democracy — and LGBTQ rights, Irish Times, 18 August 2020: Russia warns EU leaders over Belarus ahead of crisis talks, DW, 18 August 2020: Belarus: Fractures form in diplomatic elite, France24, 18 August 2020: Demonstrations held outside prison in Belarus where husband of opposition leader is held, DW, 18 August 2020: Is Belarus closer to the West, or to Russia?, BBC, 18 August 2020: Belarus unrest: President Lukashenko accuses opposition of staging coup, DW, 18 August 2020: Exclusive: Lukashenko regime ‘clearly’ at an end in Belarus, says Schäuble, The Guardian, 18 August 2020: Lukashenko: President hints at fresh repression to keep grip on power, DW, 19 August 2020: EU rejects Belarus presidential election result, France24, 19 August 2020: EU will not recognise Lukashenko’s re-election, plans sanctions on those behind protest crackdown, Politico.eu, 19 August 2020: EU leaders back sanctions on ‘substantial number’ of people in Belarus, DW, 19 August 2020: EU rejects Belarus election result, vows quick sanctions, BBC, 19 August 2020: Belarus unrest: Lukashenko steps up efforts to reassert control, The Guardian, 19 August 2020: Belarus crisis: EU says it does not recognise election results, Politico.eu, 19 August 2020: European leaders mix condemnation and caution on Belarus, DW, 20 August 2020: Opinion: Putin wants Belarus in Moscow’s orbit — with or without Lukashenko, France24, 20 August 2020: Macron, Merkel offer EU mediation for Belarus election stand-off in concert with Russia, NPR, 21 August 2020: How To Invest — Even During A Pandemic, Der Spiegel, 21 August 2020: The End of Lukashenkism? On the Knife’s Edge in Belarus, DW, 21 August 2020: Belarusians ‘will never accept’ Lukashenko’s leadership, says opposition’s Svetlana Tsikhanouskaya, France24, 21 August 2020: Belarus opposition summoned as Tikhanovskaya voices defiance, NPR, 21 August 2020: PHOTOS: Belarus’ Massive And Unprecedented Protests, DW, 23 August 2020: Belarus: Protesters flood Minsk, defying Lukashenko’s threats, France24, 23 August 2020: Massive crowd gathers for ‘New Belarus March’ despite Lukashenko’s warnings, Politico.eu, 23 August 2020: Belarus protests continue after Lukashenko digs in, DW, 23 August 2020: Baltic nations form human chains in support of Belarus protests, France24, 23 August 2020: Lukashenko warns of border threats as Belarus opposition calls for Minsk rally, Politico.eu, 23 August 2020: Europe’s 5G plans in limbo after latest salvo against Huawei, Arab News, 24 August 2020: German finance minister sees ‘no way back’ from EU joint debt, BBC, 26 August 2020: The remote hideout of the World Bank, Israel Hayom, 26 August 2020: Europe is clinging to the Palestinians (once again the already well-known and typical Likudnik and anti-EU propaganda. The EU and most member states would be pretty happy, if and when the letter of intent between the UAE and Israel would be filled with life. There are still a myriad of unchallenged issues to overcome, so that it is far to early to celebrate. At the same time the Israel Hayom is Netanyahu’s advertisement agency, so that the Likudniks make clear what kind of supporters they are looking for: racist, far-right-wing and/or autocratic governments. Pretty telling), France24, 27 August 2020: Putin vows military support for Belarus’ Lukashenko, Politico.eu, 27 August 2020: Putin uses Jacob Blake shooting to call US and EU hypocrites on Belarus (good, old Soviet-style propaganda), The Guardian, 27 August 2020: Belarus protests: Putin ready to send Lukashenko military support, Israel Hayom, 27 August 2020: Ashkenazi meets EU counterparts in Germany on first diplomatic trip overseas, Politico.eu, 27 August 2020: EU too slow to help Belarus, says Lithuania, France24, 27 August 2020: EU condemns crackdown on Belarus opposition as Putin offers to help Lukashenko, Politico.eu, 27 August 2020: Beatings and humiliation: Detained in Belarus tell all, The Guardian, 3 September 2020: Switzerland Voters reject EU immigration curb, DW, 6 September 2020: Belarus: Tens of thousands defy threats and march in Minsk (2020 Belarusian protests), BBC, 6 September 2020: Belarus Lukashenko: Protesters defy heavy security, France24, 6 September 2020: Tens of thousands attend Belarus protest against Lukashenko, France24, 7 September 2020: Masked men reportedly seize senior Belarusian opposition figure Maria Kolesnikova in Minsk, DW, 8 September 2020: Belarus protest leader Kolesnikova detained at Ukraine border, France24, 8 September 2020: Will souring China-Australia relations force a rethink on trade?, CNN, 8 September 2020: These three women stood up to Europe’s longest-serving dictator. Here’s what happened to them, Foreign Policy, 8 September 2020: The Pandemic Is Showing What the EU Is Good For, NPR, 9 September 2020: ‘Terror Against The People’: Belarus Detains Another Opposition Leader, Politico.eu, 10 September 2020: EU’s fraud busters struggle with pandemic overload, The New York Times, 11 September 2020: Pandemic Intensifies Food Insecurity, Leaving ‘Children Screaming in Hunger’, CNN, 11 September 2020: Rented penguins and $300,000 dinners: The wildest holiday requests from the super rich, France24, 12 September 2020: Belarus police arrest dozens of protesters at anti-Lukashenko rally, France24, 13 September 2020: Tens of thousands of Belarus protesters rally on eve of Putin-Lukashenko talks (DW, 14 September 2020: Putin pledges a $1.5 billion loan while meeting Lukashenko in Sochi), The Guardian, 13 September 2020: Belarus: 100,000 join rally against Lukashenko on eve of Putin showdown, CNN, 15 September 2020: Trump less trusted internationally than Putin and Xi after Covid-19 response, Politico.eu, 15 September 2020: Ursula von der Leyen’s State of the Union speech: As it happened, France24, 16 September 2020: EU’s von der Leyen unveils blueprint for recovery in ‘state of the union’ address, The New York Times, 16 September 2020: Europe Is Preparing for the Worst, Politico.eu, 16 September 2020: Von der Leyen challenges EU capitals to step up, Foreign Policy, 16 September 2020: The Dutch Don’t Love Europe—and Never Did, DW, 16 September 2020: Global economy coping with coronavirus better than expected: OECD, The Guardian, 17 September 2020: European Union: Belarus sanctions in doubt as Cyprus demands action against Turkey, Politico.eu, 18 September 2020: EU foreign ministers to try to break deadlock on Belarus sanctions, The Guardian, 18 September 2020: Belarus: ‘Another iron curtain’ could come down across Europe, warns UN, DW, 19 September 2020: Belarus police detain hundreds at women’s rally against Lukashenko’s rule, Politico.eu, 19 September 2020: Why Putin hasn’t won the game in Belarus, France24, 19 September 2020: Belarus police detains hundreds in women’s anti-Lukashenko protest in Minsk, BBC, 19 September 2020: Belarus protests: Opposition icon, 73, among hundreds detained in Minsk, The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, 20 September 2020: An ICIJ Investigation: FinCEN Files, The New York Times, 20 September 2020: Cuba’s Economy Was Hurting. The Pandemic Brought a Food Crisis., Buzz Feed News, 20 September 2020: We Got Our Hands On Thousands Of Secret Documents. Let’s Break Them Down. (despite all the justified criticism and commotion, one should leave the church in the village. Many of the cases that have now been “uncovered” have already been negotiated and punished. Of course, it’s annoying that something like this continues to happen, even though everyone involved has vowed to stop it as soon as possible. For the most part, this is now working quite well, at least as far as SMEs are concerned. If you were caught laundering money here, that would mean not only a stay in prison but also the withdrawal of your business license and thus the economic end. In this respect, it is incomprehensible that bank managers, after the allegations become known, go to the dominatrix they trust, have their buttocks spanked with a rivet board in order to do appropriate penance and then go home, where they eat a pea soup with a extra sausage. The fact that big banks are repeatedly highlighted is in the nature of things, because the leaks should of course say “If we can catch the big ones, what do we do with the small ones?” They are threatening scenes that are actually quite effective. As someone from the construction and real estate industries, you naturally know that the situation was much more dramatic. Until the late 1980s/beginning of the 1990s it was “good form” to participate in semi-legal deals. That has changed considerably, not least because of the increasingly restrictive legal situation and the risk of discovery. Measured in terms of business volume, it is actually the small private banks that are involved heavily, to stay in business at all (or were even founded for the purpose). Now, therefore, big banks are being pilloried again, which transaction volume from bad deals is negligible in relation to the total transaction volume, so that the small banks get scared and follow the regulations. How helpful this is remains to be seen. In any case, the big banks around the globe have lost market value and have therefore had to pay their fine in advance without a trial and on the basis of previous convictions. Whether that is fair is at least questionable), DW, 20 September 2020: FinCEN Files: Tracing the flow of dirty money, BBC, 20 September 2020: FinCEN Files: All you need to know about the documents leak, Irish Times, 20 September 2020: The FinCEN files: The billion dollar a month money trail, CNBC, 21 September 2020: Leaked U.S. government files suggest Deutsche Bank tops list of suspicious transactions, The Guardian, 21 September 2020: Banking: Barclays and HSBC shares fall after reports of alleged suspicious transfers, BBC, 21 September 2020: HSBC’s shares dive to lowest level since 1995, France24, 21 September 2020: Global banks enabled ‘Ponzi scheme’, moved vast sums of illicit money, leak shows, DW, 21 September 2020: Cyprus blocks EU sanctions against Belarus (which says something about the Cypriot government’s non-existent understanding of democracy and about their desire to support the Belarusian dictator Lukashenko against his people. Perhaps it is just hasty obedience in order to be able to join the Russian alliance in the Eastern Mediterranean after leaving the EU. At the same time, however, it also shows why the principle of unanimity must be given up in favor of the majority principle. It cannot be that a single EU state can hold the entire EU hostage for its fantasies), Financial Times, 21 September 2020: Cyprus blocks EU sanctions on Belarus, France24, 21 September 2020: Belarus opposition urges Brussels to ‘be more brave’ on sanctions, The Guardian, 21 September 2020: Cyprus: EU fails to agree on Belarus sanctions after government blocks plan, Politico.eu, 21 September 2020: Borrell admits EU’s credibility ‘at stake’ over failure to sanction Belarus, Politico.eu, 21 September 2020: Conference on EU’s future derailed by leadership fight, The National, 22 September 2020: Cyprus refuses to back EU sanctions on Belarus unless action taken against Turkey, Politico.eu, 22 September 2020: France’s EU minister urges Cyprus to stop linking Belarus sanctions to action on Turkey, France24, 22 September 2020: World should not be dominated by US-China ‘rivalry’, Macron tells UN, Politico.eu, 22 September 2020: EU must use hard power with ‘not so nice’ Russia and Turkey, says French minister, BBC, 22 September 2020: UN General Assembly: US-China tensions flare over coronavirus, Politico.eu, 22 September 2020: ‘I agree with the chancellor.’ German leadership hopeful sees no need to change course, CNN, 23 September 2020: Leaders spar at UN General Assembly amid global crisis, France24, 23 September 2020: Belarus leader Lukashenko holds secret inauguration amid continuing protests, Politico.eu, 24 September 2020: 2020: The year diplomacy died, Politico.eu, 25 September 2020: ECB tensions resurface as pandemic second wave builds, DW, 25 September 2020: Opinion: FinCEN Files should trigger outrage, Politico.eu, 25 September 2020: In global power contest, Charles Michel says EU takes US over China, France24, 26 September 2020: Belarus police detain dozens of women at anti-Lukashenko protest, The National, 26 September 2020: Global trade recovers to 75% of pre-pandemic levels as monthly exports rise, BBC, 27 September 2020: Switzerland referendum: Voters reject end to free movement with EU, France24, 27 September 2020: ‘Lukashenko has to go,’ says France’s Macron, France24, 27 September 2020: Tens of thousands protest in Belarus despite police detentions, Politico.eu, 28 September 2020: Germany seeks breakthrough on linking EU payouts to rule of law, Politico.eu, 29 September 2020: Poland, Hungary to set up rule of law institute to counter Brussels (of course, no extreme right-winger worldwide ever lived a law abiding life ever, even though they expect it from everyone else. The autocrats from the “new eastern block” are a bunch of weirdos and, on top, using the term “double standard” shows the full scale antisemitism in the east, by trying to equate themselves to the persecution of the Jews – typical brownshirt BS), Politico.eu, 30 September 2020: Commission report finds many EU nations fall short on rule of law, Politico.eu, 30 September 2020: Live blog: European Council summit
communication_2020_rule_of_law_report_en
Global Times, 31 October 2020: Closer EU-India ties may accelerate geopolitical realignment, DW, 1 October 2020: Opinion: Words alone won’t enforce EU rule of law, Politico.eu, 1 October 2020: EU bangs the Brexit negotiating table (but stays in the room), DW, 1 October 2020: Turkey, Belarus, Armenia-Azerbaijan present EU with tough test, France, 2 October 2020: EU leaders approve sanctions on Belarus officials after Cyprus drops veto threat, DW, 2 October 2020: Opinion: This isn’t how the EU increases its international influence, Politico.eu, 2 October 2020: EU sanctions 40 Belarusian officials, but not Lukashenko, DW, 2 October 2020: Belarus cancels all accreditation for foreign journalists, Bloomberg, 2 October 2020: What a Second Bauhaus Movement Means for Europe, Arab News, 3 October 2020: Changing of the guard in Germany, France24, 4 October 2020: Belarus police fire water cannon, detain anti-Lukashenko protesters, The Guardian, 4 October 2020: Live Coronavirus: close to 35m cases worldwide; 10,499 new infections in Russia, DW, 5 October 2020: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya calls for German mediation in Belarus, Reuters, 5 October 2020: EU budget rules to remain suspended in 2021: Commission, DW, 6 October 2020: Angela Merkel meets Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Belarus opposition leader visits Berlin wall, France24, 7 October 2020: Belarus opposition leader Tikhanovskaya added to Russia’s wanted list, Arab News, 7 October 2020: Europe’s contradictions exposed by Middle East crises, DW, 8 October 2020: European Parliament urges EU to snub Saudi G20 Summit, DW, 9 October 2020: Opinion: Nobel Prize for the WFP is an appeal for greater cooperation, Politico.eu, 9 October 2020: As EU debates rule of law, Norway’s already making offenders pay, Politico.eu, 10 October 2020: Fear and loathing (of Donald Trump) in the EU, The New York Times, 10 October 2020: Europe’s Economic Recovery Is a Summer Memory, The National, 10 October 2020: Extreme poverty in Middle East and North Africa doubled between 2015 and 2018, DW, 11 October 2020: Belarusian protesters clash with police, dozens arrested, France24, 11 October 2020: Scores detained as Belarus police crack down on opposition protesters, Israel Hayom, 11 October 2020: US imposes new Iran sanctions that may spook European banks, DW, 12 October 2020: Belarus threatens to use firearms against protesters, BBC, 12 October 2020: Belarus protests: Police authorised to use lethal weapons, DW, 12 October 2020: Humanitarian aid is an investment in the future, BBC, 13 October 2020: EU gets $4bn bargaining chip in US trade row, CNN, 13 October 2020: EU ready to hit US exports with tariffs over Boeing subsidies if talks fail, The Guardian, 13 October 2020: Trade: WTO rules EU can apply tariffs on US goods as row deepens, The New York Times, 13 October 2020: Europe Can Impose Tariffs on U.S. in Long-Running Aircraft Battle, Politico.eu, 13 October 2020: No more Mr. Nice Europe, Arab News, 13 October 2020: Global economy recovering faster than expected, IMF says, The Guardian, 13 October 2020: Saudi Arabia fails to join UN human rights council but Russia and China elected, European Commission, 14 October 2020: Press statement by President von der Leyen on the New European Bauhaus, Politico.eu, 15 October 2020: EU shoots for €10B ‘industrial cloud’ to rival US, Politico.eu, 15 October 2020: Europe wants ‘strategic autonomy’ — it just has to decide what that means, DW, 17 October 2020: New Zealand: Jacinda Ardern’s Labour Party wins landslide, France24, 17 October 2020: New Zealand’s Ardern wins landslide victory in pandemic-focused elections, BBC, 17 October 2020: New Zealand election: Jacinda Ardern’s Labour Party scores landslide win, CNN, 17 October 2020: New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern wins second term in landslide election victory, The Guardian, 17 October 2020: NZ election: Jacinda Ardern hails ‘very strong mandate’ after Labour landslide, NPR, 17 October 2020: New Zealand PM Ardern Wins Re-Election In Best Showing For Labour Party In Decades, The New York Times, 17 October 2020: Jacinda Ardern, Hero to Liberals Abroad, Is Validated at Home, DW, 18 October 2020: Thailand’s protests and their digital dimension, Times of Israel, 18 October 2020: Huge crowds in Bangkok challenge Thai protest ban for fourth day, DW, 18 October 2020: Belarus: Thousands turn out for protests despite police threat to open fire, The Guardian, 18 October 2020: Thailand Protest leaders play cat and mouse with police as thousands rally, DW, 18 October 2020: Bolivia heads to the polls in contentious presidential elections, Politico.eu, 20 October 2020: Reporter’s Notebook: Trump, Biden and the ‘f****** Germans’ (one can probably assume that the German government would have even voluntarily let Nord Stream 2 disappear into oblivion, if the nutjobs of the governments of the EU eastward expansion and the Trump administration had not so vehemently demanded it. Instead, completing the project has now become a matter of credibility. After Trump’s dealings with the EU and individual EU states over the past four years, it is of course also about not making a single political success possible for him before the presidential elections, no matter how small, and that works surprisingly well. Although the Trump administration is currently trying desperately to promote the “Three Seas Initiative” in order to increase its influence on the EU eastward expansion along the way, the USA can directly bury its economic goals without the cooperation of the EU core countries. Neither Paris, Rome nor Berlin will submit to the Trump dictation. This, of course, against the background that Trump’s policies are just as insane as Putin’s policies. However, this cannot hide the fact that neither Berlin, Paris nor Brussels have any convincing counter-strategies. “We wait for the next US president” is neither sufficient nor a strategy at all. All current and many future challenges are already known, so that appropriate concepts for investments can be developed, which in the end should lead to much more European self-sufficiency in order to, among other things, decouple from Trump’s trade war with China. Also in other areas, such as NATO / Common Security (the EU sees itself as “soft power”, but without appropriate armament and defense structures that take part in solving problems in Europe, the Levant and North Africa with credible clout, from “soft power” only “chat room” remains) or international treaties (e.g. the Iran deal), it is clear that the EU has to develop its own lines and solutions in order to be able to keep up with future global competition), Al Arabiya, 20 October 2020: Israel’s EAPC pipeline company says it will bring UAE oil to Europe in new deal (Trans-Israel pipeline), Reuters, 20 October 2020: Israeli pipeline company signs deal to bring UAE oil to Europe, Financial Times, 20 October 2020: Israel and UAE sign visa and pipeline deals to cement alliance, The National, 21 October 2020: Coronavirus: Workforce is automating faster than expected, World Economic Forum says, Politico.eu, 20 October 2020: Parliament set to climb down in EU budget fight, Palestine Chronicle, 21 October 2020: European Hypocrisy: Empty Words for Palestine, Deadly Weapons for Israel, DW, 21 October 2020: EU agriculture policy: What are the bones of contention?, Politico.eu, 21 October 2020: Don’t stop saving ‘zombie’ jobs, DW, 21 October 2020: Opinion: EU fails to introduce real agricultural reform, Haaretz, 21 October 2020: Europe Lost Nearly 60 Percent of Its Jewish Population in Past Half Century, New Study Shows, Jerusalem Post, 22 October 2020: Why is the EU silent in the face of Turkish provocations toward Greece?, DW, 22 October 2020: Belarus opposition wins European Parliament rights award, France24, 22 October 2020: Democratic opposition in Belarus awarded 2020 Sakharov Prize, DW, 25 October 2020: Belarus: Over 100,000 protest against Lukashenko ahead of strike ultimatum, The Guardian, 25 October 2020: Belarus: ‘People’s ultimatum’ protest met with violent crackdown, France24, 27 October 2020: France encourages EU allies to take measures against Turkey after Erdogan’s boycott calls (the custom union with Turkey should be put on hold and additonal 10% tariffs placed on all products from Turkey into the EU), Politico.eu, 27 October 2020: EU mulls trade action against Turkey, France24, 27 October 2020: Belarus workers, students start nationwide strike in new challenge to Lukashenko, Arab News, 27 October 2020: How Erdogan steered Turkey from ‘zero problems’ to zero friends, Politico.eu, 29 October 2020: EU eyes tighter grip on data in ‘tech sovereignty’ push, The National, 30 October 2020: Eurozone’s surprise third-quarter GDP recovery will be short-lived, economists warn, BBC, 30 October 2020: Eurozone bounces back to economic growth, Politico.eu, 30 October 2020: Cash clash and coronavirus lockdowns: Budget talks head into November, The Guardian, 30 October 2020: The world is rocked by protest – but does taking to the streets ever work?, Politico.eu, 30 October 2020: Eurozone economy jumps ahead of feared second coronavirus crash, Der Spiegel, 30 October 2020: Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan: “India Is a Fascist State, Inspired by the Nazis”, Politico.eu, 4 November 2020: Trump or Biden, Europe is the loser (it is apparently time to take off the rose tinted glasses when assessing the USA and its democratic basis. The US has never been a so-called “full democracy” according to the Democracy Index. Even US experts estimate the situation in such a way that “the USA is on the way to democracy”. Trump has now made it clear for four years that this path is not his path. This has been foreseeable for years and has noticeable consequences in practice. In the US institutions hollowed out by Trump, one can often no longer find any contact persons because thousands of positions are vacant. It cannot be made clearer that there is no interest in a dialogue. What does this mean for Germany and the EU? For Germany, first of all, what has already been described several times in some of the articles on this blog, namely the much clearer assumption of personal responsibility and initiative in many areas (trade, economy, climate, security, etc.). For the EU, this should mean, among other things, a considerably deepened Union, possibly in connection with the concentration on the core EU, in order to be able to act quickly. And what about NATO? With Trump’s second term in office, only a rump organization with Canada, the EU (Common Security and Defense Policy), Great Britain and Australia would remain. In addition to the various negative consequences for the EU, this has the remarkable advantage of a multi-trillion investment program for domestic demand, if only to become largely self-sufficient in the areas of energy, technology and weapons technology), Politico.eu, 4 November 2020: Time for Europe to move past ‘pax Americana’, Politico.eu, 5 November 2020: Macron calls for a ‘refoundation of the Schengen area’, DW, 6 November 2020: EU sanctions on Lukashenko, son over Belarus crackdown, Politico.eu, 7 November 2020: US election: Europe’s winners and losers, DW, 7 November 2020: What a Biden presidency might mean for Europe, Politico.eu, 7 November 2020: Europe congratulates Biden (and itself), Politico.eu, 8 November 2020: ‘Despite defeat, Trumpism lives on’: Europe’s papers on Joe Biden’s victory, CNN, 8 November 2020: Europe can shut down terror attacks quickly. But it’s still unable to prevent them, Politico.eu, 8 November 2020: What Biden means for Europe, Politico.eu, 9 November 2020: Orbán threatens to veto EU budget, recovery fund over rule of law (that’s easy to solve. The payments to Poland and Hungary will be frozen until the matter is resolved to create enough time for renegotiations. In the meantime, the other states will receive the agreed funds in return for agreeing to the rule of law clause. The EU must clearly oppose the constant attempts of blackmail from the EU’s eastward expansion and south-east Europe, if only in the interests of its own ability to act), DW, 9 November 2020: Coronavirus vaccine: EU reaches deal with Pfizer, BioNTech, France24, 10 November 2020: EU imposes retaliatory tariffs on US over Boeing-Airbus spat, Politico.eu, 10 November 2020: Council and Parliament reach deal on EU budget, Times of Israel, 10 November 2020: German FM: Biden’s election an opportunity for US to rejoin Iran deal, Politico.eu, 10 November 2020: EU budget deal: What you need to know, Politico.eu, 11 November 2020: Commission fires first shots in battle for more health power, The Guardian, 11 November 2020: Europe can’t afford to lose another generation to youth unemployment, Politico.eu, 13 November 2020: EU threatens more Belarus sanctions after protester’s death, CNN, 14 November 2020: No tourists allowed: These places are still keeping travelers out during the pandemic, The Hill, 14 November 2020: Trump national security adviser to lead US delegation for Southeast Asia summit, Reuters.com, 15 November 2020: Asia form world’s biggest trade bloc, a China-backed group excluding U.S (up to this point, America’s and Europe’s too-brief thinkers were claiming that there would be no bipolar world economy and that the very thought of it would be ridiculous – and now it is a reality. The Chinese are once again showing the world that they are the better chess players: Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), ASEAN–China Free Trade Area (ACFTA), Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)), The Guardian, 15 November 2020: Simon Birmingham urges China to respect ‘spirit’ of new Asian trade pact, France24, 15 November 2020: Asia forms world’s biggest trading bloc, excludes America, DW, 15 November 2020: Asia-Pacific nations sign world’s biggest free-trade agreement (Donnie managed to “decouple from China” incredibly well, but somehow differently than announced. Indeed, under the leadership of China, Asia is decoupling the US. It remains to be seen whether Joe Biden will be able to get a grip on the chaos caused by #45. That’s a bigger challenge), BBC, 15 November 2020: RCEP: Asia-Pacific countries form world’s largest trading bloc, DW, 15 November 2020: Germany’s famed church tax income plummets during pandemic, Politico.eu, 15 November 2020: Europe’s Biden bind: Stick with US or go it alone?, CNN, 16 November 2020: China signs huge Asia Pacific trade deal with 14 countries, Al Jazeera, 16 November 2020: Why is Asia-Pacific’s new trade deal so important?, The Washington Post, 16 November 2020: French and German foreign ministers: Joe Biden can make transatlantic unity possible (a very good, promising and open approach to initiate the “New Deal”. Joe Biden and Kamala Harris need relief and support measures from the Europeans, who have an obligation here to help ensure that the presidency of the two can also be successful in terms of foreign policy), Politico.eu, 16 November 2020: Berlin stresses US ties after Macron knocks minister’s pro-American op-ed, DW, 16 November 2020: Poland and Hungary veto EU budget plan, BBC, 16 November 2020: EU budget blocked by Hungary and Poland over rule of law issue (the main question is how one can take Poland and Hungary out of the disbursement processes and freeze disbursements in such a way that it continues to run normally for the other EU states, while Poland and Hungary gain time to find out whether they want to remain in the EU or to leave. Such a process can take years. Years during which the Polish and Hungarian governments would have to explain to their people why they had ruined their countries and given up democracy in favor of kleptocracy), The Guardian, 16 November 2020: EU faces crisis as Hungary and Poland veto seven-year budget, The New York Times, 16 November 2020: Hungary and Poland Threaten E.U. Stimulus Over Rule of Law Links, Politico.eu, 16 November 2020: Hungary and Poland block EU coronavirus recovery package, NPR, 17 November 2020: Hungary And Poland Block EU Budget With Pandemic Relief Funds For Hard-Hit Nations, DW, 17 November 2020: Germany remains optimistic after EU budget veto, Politico.eu, 17 November 2020: EU’s €1.8T game of chicken over budget and coronavirus fund, France24, 18 November 2020: Hungary says it blocked EU budget over migration ‘blackmail’ (the EU should rid itself as soon as possible off of the facist east bloc), DW, 19 November 2020: Chinese President Xi Jinping blasts protectionism in APEC speech, The Guardian, 19 November 2020: Xi Jinping warns against protectionism in apparent swipe at US, DW, 19 November 2020: Hungary, Poland hold EU hostage over budget (the EU25 should think much more about how to get rid of Hungary and Poland (possibly also Slovenia) as quickly as possible. The easiest way to get there would be to completely stop the payment of EU funds to the two countries, both from the Corona aid fund and from the budget, while excluding them from all decision-making processes. Poland would be bankrupt within a few months, the leadership of which will then lead the mock battle over alleged German war reparations, but to do so would have to terminate all contracts with Germany and de facto split up Poland in order to create the necessary basis and Hungary’s leadership has been in Putin’s pocket for years which is why it has wanted to cause the EU the greatest possible damage for years. In addition, Orban’s ramblings about Hungary as an alleged “freedom fighter” can then come true. At the same time, one has to wonder how much his voters must be blinded when they confuse Orban’s autocratic kleptocracy with freedom), CNN, 19 November 2020: Obama’s insights on Merkel, Putin and other leaders in his new book, Politico.eu, 19 November 2020: EU ministers agree to draw up new sanctions on Belarus, DW, 19 November 2020: EU to slap sanctions on Belarus firms close to Lukashenko, Politico.eu, 19 November 2020: Hungary and Poland must back down in EU budget fight, says Romania’s PM, Reuters, 19 November 2020: Our pandemic-hit world as seen from above, Politico.eu, 19 November 2020: Germany to Turkey: Calm tensions or face EU sanctions, France24, 20 November 2020: ‘We will work relentlessly to find the solution’: EU’s Sefcovic on rule of law crisis, Politico.eu, 20 November 2020: EU will eventually resolve budget deadlock, Hungary’s Orbán says, France24, 20 November 2020: EU co-operation crisis: Hungary, Poland veto EU budget over rule of law, DW, 21 November 2020: Opinion: What role will the EU play in foreign affairs?, DW, 21 November 2020: Will German companies stop cooperating with Belarus?, Irish Times, 21 November 2020: Fintan O’Toole: Ireland can be the middle island between the EU and Biden’s US, DW, 22 November 2020: Belarus: Thousands continue anti-president protests in Minsk, Arab News, 22 November 2020: The EU between marital squabble and divorce — the budget and Brexit, Politico.eu, 24 November 2020: ECB cannot ignore questions about debt forgiveness, Politico.eu, 25 November 2020: EU’s foreign policy gender plan faces resistance from Poland and Hungary, The National, 25 November 2020: The Iranian spy whose Paris ‘bomb plot’ could have sparked a war, Politico.eu, 25 November 2020: French proposal to buy a new EP building in Strasbourg causes outrage (instead of having to spend more money on the nonsense to travel between Brussels and Strasbourg and thereby unnecessarily complicate the work of Parliament, all activities should in principle be concentrated in Brussels and the sites in Strasbourg should be abandoned), Politico.eu, 25 November 2020: Helle Thorning-Schmidt is front-runner to lead conference on Europe’s future, DW, 26 November 2020: Russia pressures Lukashenko to change constitution (another successful propaganda show à la Kremlin :-D ), Politico.eu, 26 November 2020: Beijing’s influence in European Parliament draws fresh scrutiny, DW, 26 November 2020: Hungary, Poland vow to veto EU COVID recovery fund mechanism, Politico.eu, 26 November 2020: Hungary and Poland escalate budget fight over rule of law, Politico.eu, 27 November 2020: Terror trial in Antwerp to test EU-Iran relations, Politico.eu, 27 November 2020: Europe: Caught between a rule-of-law fight and a hard Brexit, Politico.eu, 27 November 2020: Swedish academic’s imminent execution raises EU-Iran tensions, Al Arabiya, 28 November 2020: Belgium court charges Iranian diplomat with 20-year prison term over terrorism, DW, 29 November 2020: Belarus protesters gather in Minsk districts, hundreds arrested, Irish Times, 29 November 2020: Chris Johns: Economies may enjoy ‘roaring twenties’ if ministers learn lessons, DW, 30 November 2020: Hong Kong’s democracy movement in dire straits as Beijing tightens grip, Politico.eu, 30 November 2020: Merkel says ‘all sides’ must make compromises to break budget deadlock, NPR, 30 November 2020: Biden Is Good News For Europe, But China Challenges Await, Haaretz, 1 December 2020: European Allies Pushed Back When Trump Sanctioned Iran’s Banks, The Guardian, 1 December 2020: Von der Leyen Hungary and Poland should take EU budget row to court, Politico.eu, 1 December 2020: The von der Leyen Commission end-of-year report card, The Atlantic, 1 December 2020: The Nazi Inspiring China’s Communists, The Guardian, 1 December 2020: An effective response to Europe’s fiscal paralysis, Politico.eu, 2 December 2020: EU-US ‘tech alliance’ faces major obstacles on tax, digital rules, The New York Times, 2 December 2020: Biden: ‘We’re Going to Fight Like Hell by Investing in America First’, DW, 2 December 2020: Poland and Hungary gamble on funding with EU budget veto, Politico.eu, 2 December 2020: How Europe can bypass Poland and Hungary’s vetoes, DW, 2 December 2020: Coronavirus: Former French President Valery Giscard d’Estaing dies of COVID at 94, Politico.eu, 2 December 2020: Von der Leyen threatens EU recovery fund without Hungary and Poland (very good approach. The EU should even go further and organize the budget until 2027 without Poland and Hungary. This would mean that both countries could think about whether they want to continue to belong to the EU by 2027 – of course without receiving the previous, lavish support from Brussels, which in Hungary alone finances 50% of all infrastructure measures. Poland and Hungary are the largest net recipients of Brussels development aid payments. Their populations will certainly react enthusiastically to the complete failures of their national leaderships if they are missing several 100 billion euros in their budget over the period), DW, 2 December 2020: Coronavirus: Former French President Valery Giscard d’Estaing dies of COVID at 94, Politico.eu, 2 December 2020: Former French President Valéry Giscard d’Estaing dead at 94, France24, 3 December 2020: ‘The president who modernised France’: political leaders remember Valéry Giscard d’Estaing, France24, 3 December 2020: French press bids ‘adieu’ to former president Valéry Giscard d’Estaing, The Guardian, 3 December 2020: Electric cars More than 500,000 full electric cars sold in Europe in 10 months, Politico.eu, 3 December 2020: Poland blinks first ahead of showdown at the EU budget corral, DW, 3 December 2020: UN: COVID-19 to worsen poverty in 47 poorest nations, Politico.eu, 3 December 2020: 7 things to know about Europe’s plan to boost democracy, DW, 3 December 2020: Belarus police get rougher to protect Alexander Lukashenko, Politico.com, 3 December 2020: Don’t expect Biden to ‘reset’ relations with Beijing, DW, 4 December 2020: Viktor Orban: Hungary will stick by EU budget veto threat (hopefully it stays that way. The money that Brussels doesn’t spent on Hungary and Poland can be spent on meaningful projects in other EU states instead), France24, 4 December 2020: Remembering Giscard d’Estaing, fighting to ski despite Covid-19 & decoding ‘The Crown’, Politico.eu, 4 December 2020: Viktor Orbán rejects rule of law compromise idea, France24, 4 December 2020: Giscard grasped the 70s mood, but French women won their own rights, The Washington Post, 6 December 2020: McCarthyism was never defeated. Trumpism won’t be either., DW, 8 December 2020: Poland, Hungary face growing calls to drop EU budget veto, Politico.eu, 8 December 2020: EU lobby register falls short of transparency demands, DW, 9 December 2020: Hungary’s budget veto leaves Orban isolated, France24, 9 December 2020: Poland, Hungary accept German EU budget offer as ‘D-Day’ approaches, Arab News, 9 December 2020: EU to toughen sanctions on Turkish drilling — draft statement, Politico.eu, 9 December 2020: EU leaders to line up new sanctions on Turkey at summit, Arab News, 9 December 2020: Turkey brushes off any EU sanctions over east Med crisis, Europa.eu, 9 December 2020: Security Union: A Counter-Terrorism Agenda and stronger Europol to boost the EU’s resilience, DW, 10 December 2020: EU breaks deadlock on budget, coronavirus recovery fund, DW, 10 December 2020: EU Special Representative: ‘We see a pattern of violations in Belarus’, France24, 11 December 2020: EU Summit: Turkey says European sanctions plan is ‘biased, unlawful’, Politico.eu, 11 December 2020: EU leaders demand banking union progress, France24, 11 December 2020: EU reaches landmark budget deal with Hungary and Poland, Politico.eu, 11 December 2020: EU leaders move toward sanctioning Turkey, The National, 11 December 2020: EU agrees to map out sanctions on Turkey over Mediterranean drilling, NPR, 11 December 2020: EU Ends Standoff, Moves Forward With Budget And Coronavirus Relief Fund, Arab News, 13 December 2020: France, other European countries withdraw from business forum over Ruhollah Zam execution, Politico.eu, 13 December 2020: EU countries withdraw from Iran business forum over journalist’s execution, Al Arabiya, 13 December 2020: Iran forum postponed as journalist, diplomats withdraw over journalist’s execution, The National, 14 December 2020: World’s 20 largest economies rebound in Q3 after Covid-induced declines, OECD says, Politico.eu, 14 December 2020: Norway’s push for a change to ‘bad deal’ with EU (pretty unbelievable how many Europeans are falling for nationalistic fruitcakes like the Centre Party at the moment. At the same time, of course, it also reflects the problems in the educational systems – Norway–European Union relations), Politico.eu, 15 December 2020: Germany pushes EU regulator on approving coronavirus vaccine before Christmas, Politico.eu, 15 December 2020: Jourová: EU won’t use rule of law powers in ‘activist’ way, Politico.eu, 16 December 2020: Belarus opposition leader calls on EU to do more, Reuters, 17 December 2020: Cuban economy shrank 11% in 2020, government says, The New York Times, 17 December 2020: Powerful Nor’easter Leaves New York City With Its Biggest Snowfall in Years, Politico.eu, 17 December 2020: EU top court gears up for rule-of-law battle (of its life), BBC, 17 December 2020: Jacob Rees-Mogg accuses Unicef of ‘playing politics’ over UK food campaign (Great Britain’s most overrated Tory politician Rees-Mogg also speaks up and rightly gets a lot of headwind for it, because it is thanks to the failed politics of the Tories that the situation has escalated so far so that Unicef has to intervene – The Guardian, 17 December 2020: Free school meals scheme in one of UK’s poorest areas faces axe), Saudi Gazette, 17 December 2020: UNICEF to feed children in UK for first time, The Guardian, 17 December 2020: Jacob Rees-Mogg under fire for dismissing Unicef’s UK grants as stunt, Politico.eu, 18 December 2020: Angela Merkel’s rule-of-law legacy: A divided Europe, Politico.eu, 18 December 2020: EU recovery fund deal may get money flowing in summer, The Times, 19 December 2020: ‘To win against Russia and China we must beat them at their own game’, DW, 24 December 2020: Rural EU citizens more anti-European and anti-democratic — study, BBC, 26 December 2020: American parenting styles sweep Europe, The Guardian, 26 December 2020: China: Economy to overtake US as world’s biggest by 2028, report predicts, BBC, 26 December 2020: Chinese economy to overtake US ‘by 2028’ due to Covid, The Atlantic, 27 December 2020: ‘I Believe That the U.S.A. Can Be the Crucial Player’, DW, 30 December 2020: Moldova’s Maia Sandu: ‘I want to be the president of European integration’, Reuters, 31 December 2020: U.S. slaps tariffs on French and German wines, aircraft parts amid EU dispute, DW, 31 December 2020: EU ‘regrets’ new US tariffs on German, French products, CNN, 31 December 2020: 2020 was a terrible year for Europe. 2021 is unlikely to be much better, Politico.eu, 1 January 2021: Two options for Europe’s coronavirus economy: Bad or a lot worse, Politico.eu, 1 January 2021: Germany’s drive for EU-China deal draws criticism from other EU countries, The Guardian, 3 January 2021: Tesla Manufacturer almost hits 500,000-car delivery target for 2020 despite pandemic, Politico.eu, 4 January 2021: European elections to watch in 2021, Arab News, 4 January 2021: Divided EU cannot afford to waste any more time, Politico.com, 5 January 2021: Biden Wants to Boost Democracy. He Should Shelve the Summit and Look to Europe., BBC, 6 January 2021: Kim Jong-un says North Korea’s economic plan failed, The Guardian, 6 January 2021: North Korea: Kim Jong-un says economic plan a near-total failure at rare political meeting, The Times, 6 January 2021: Kim admits grave economic crisis in North Korea, CNN, 6 January 2021: The world’s most powerful passports for 2021, Saudi Gazette, 7 January 2021: Foreigners to be allowed to run Saudi-owned companies, The New York Times, 11 January 2021: Trump’s Brand Loses Its Luster in the Backlash (serious companies have no choice but to break off business relationships with Trump companies if they want to avoid economic losses and reputational damage), France24, 11 January 2021: Trump administration redesignates Cuba as state sponsor of terror, The Guardian, 12 January 2021: Pompeo scraps Europe trip after EU leader calls Trump ‘political pyromaniac’, Arab News, 13 January 2021: Crown prince: $6 trillion of investment opportunities available in Saudi Arabia over next decade, DW, 15 January 2021: EU launches Year of Rail campaign amid drop in passenger numbers, Politico.eu, 17 January 2021: France pushes suspension of EU-US trade dispute, BBC, 17 January 2021: Eurostar: Government urged to ‘safeguard’ rail firm’s future, DW, 18 January 2021: China’s economic growth slowest in 4 decades amid pandemic, BBC, 18 January 2021: Covid-19: China’s economy picks up, bucking global trend, The Guardian, 18 January 2021: China: Beijing reports strongest growth in two years after Covid-19 recovery, Politico.eu, 19 January 2021: Borrell says he’s not to blame for controversial EU statement on Venezuela, Politico.eu, 21 January 2021: Beijing’s rise rekindles EU-India romance, BBC, 22 January 2021: Google threatens to withdraw search engine from Australia, The Guardian, 22 January 2021: Google threatens to leave Australia – but its poker face is slipping, Politico.eu, 22 January 2021: Baltics threaten to hold up EU coronavirus recovery fund over rail project, Al Jazeera, 23 January 2021: It is time to rethink international development cooperation, Al Arabiya, 23 January 2021: Belarus police arrest 100 anti-Lukashenko protesters, DW, 23 January 2021: Davos: China’s Xi urges cooperation to reboot global economy, Politico.eu, 25 January 2021: Xi warns Biden and EU not to reignite Cold War, BBC, 26 January 2021: Covid vaccine hopes lift IMF’s global growth forecast, DW, 26 January 2021: EU pins hope on Norway raw materials discovery, Politico.eu, 26 January 2021: Merkel sides with Xi on avoiding Cold War blocs, Irish Times, 26 January 2021: US and Chinese economies expected to recover quicker from pandemic than Europe, DW, 26 January 2021: Coronavirus: Angela Merkel warns Davos against vaccine race, Politico.eu, 26 January 2021: EU citizens stopped at UK border with extra demands to prove status, DW, 29 January 2021: The Lukashenko regime’s persecution of Belarus journalists, Politico.eu, 29 January 2021: Europe gives Biden a one-finger salute, DW, 1 February 2021: Myanmar coup: Germany condemns army takeover, France24, 1 February 2021: Myanmar military coup draws condemnation from around the world, BBC, 1 February 2021: Myanmar military coup: ‘Our world turned upside down overnight’, The Guardian, 1 February 2021: Myanmar: Army takes power in coup as Aung San Suu Kyi detained, Al Jazeera, 1 February 2021: Why Myanmar’s military seized power in a coup, Politico.eu, 2 February 2021: Europe’s economy fell again at year-end, pressuring governments, DW, 3 February 2021: Most Germans feel pandemic has not drastically changed their lives, survey finds, France24, 3 February 2021: China, Russia block UN Security Council condemnation of Myanmar coup, Foreign Policy, 3 February 2021: The EU Tries and Fails Again on Venezuela, Der Spiegel, 4 February 2021: From Brussels to the Rest of the World: How Europe Became a Model for the 21st Century, DW, 6 February 2021: Angela Merkel says Belarus protesters not forgotten, BBC, 6 February 2021: Myanmar coup: Internet shutdown as crowds protest against military, The Guardian, 6 February 2021: Myanmar: Tens of thousands protest against coup despite internet blackout, The National, 6 February 2021: Internet blackout in Myanmar as generals seek to curb anti-coup protests, The Washington Post, 6 February 2021: Myanmar’s military built a new capital as a haven for power. Other countries have tried that, too., DW, 6 February 2021: Nigerian economist poised to become first female WTO chief, BBC, 6 February 2021: Biden ends deadlock over first African and first woman to lead WTO, DW, 7 February 2021: Cuban government opens up economy, BBC, 7 February 2021: Cuba opens up its economy to private businesses, France24, 7 February 2021: Cuba opens up its private sector in major economic reform, BBC, 7 February 2021: Cuba opens up its economy to private businesses, CNN, 7 February 2021: Why the generals really took back power in Myanmar, The Sunday Times, 7 February 2021: Burmese protesters raise flowers and three fingers against might of the military junta, DW, 7 February 2021: Myanmar: Huge turnout for anti-coup protests, France24, 7 February 2021: Thousands gather in Myanmar for a second day of protests against military coup, The National, 7 February 2021: Internet restored in Myanmar as mass rallies against coup rage, Reuters, 7 February 2021: EU ambassador to Switzerland says treaty talks finished – Blick, DW, 7 February 2021: Opinion: With COVID vaccines, Joe Biden keeps America First stance, Arab News, 7 February 2021: The Empires Strike Back at Europe, DW, 9 February 2021: Myanmar police fire rubber bullets at protesters defying ban, France24, 9 February 2021: Myanmar military raids Suu Kyi’s party offices as UN slams ‘unacceptable’ violence, DW, 9 February 2021: ‘We’re not going to let them get away with this,’ activist tells DW, BBC, 9 February 2021: Myanmar coup: Police use force as protesters defy ban, DW, 9 February 2021: COVID: EU’s reconstruction fund slowly gets into gear, Politico.eu, 9 February 2021: Borrell defends controversial Russia trip, threatens sanctions, DW, 9 February 2021: Belarus: Protesters in for the long haul as standoff continues, DW, 9 February 2021: Myanmar coup: What’s in store for democracy in Southeast Asia?, DW, 10 February 2021: Myanmar coup: US, UN condemn violence against protesters, Politico.eu, 10 February 2021: China group in EU Parliament accused of not registering financial support, France24, 11 February 2021: US sanctions Myanmar military as protesters continue to defy crackdown, Arab News, 12 February 2021: The fundamental problems at the heart of the EU, Arab News, 12 February 2021: Squeezed by sanctions, pandemic, Cuba finally opens up economy, DW, 12 February 2021: Myanmar: UN rights body spotlights human rights violations, France24, 12 February 2021: UN demands Myanmar’s military release Aung San Suu Kyi, reinstate govt, Politico.eu, 12 February 2021: Majority of citizens optimistic about EU but want reform: poll, Al Arabiya, 12 February 2021: EU seeks to disperse $900 bln in recovery funds before the end of summer, Der Spiegel, 12 February 2021: Foreign Policy Impotence: Brussels Pushes Firmer Stance after Embarrassment in Moscow, Politico.eu, 13 February 2021: EU foreign policy RIP, France24, 13 February 2021: Anger over mass arrests in Myanmar at protests against coup, The National, 13 February 2021: Myanmar protesters block arrests as UN demands Suu Kyi’s release, The New Yorker, 14 February 2021: Military Imposes Full Grip on Myanmar in Overnight Crackdown, Politico.eu, 14 February 2021: Energy pact divides EU as Spain threatens walkout, DW, 15 February 2021: Myanmar: Military deploys armored vehicles in major cities, France24, 15 February 2021: Myanmar junta deploys troops against fresh rallies as France vows support for protests, BBC, 15 February 2021: Myanmar coup: Military takes country offline for second night, Al Jazeera, 15 February 2021: Myanmar blocks internet for second night in bid to choke protests, Arab News, 16 February 2021: Europe must recognize Palestine to revive two-state solution, France24, 17 February 2021: Is Hungary Russia’s Trojan horse in Europe?, Arab News, 17 February 2021: World closer to holding firms accountable wherever they operate, Politico.eu, 18 February 2021: Biden takes the EU back to the future, Arab News, 18 February 2021: Why the West may be on the march again, France24, 19 February 2021: Myanmar’s anti-coup movement mourns death of young protester shot in the head, Politico.eu, 19 February 2021: Majority of young Europeans worry most about physical safety, poll says, Politico.eu, 19 February 2021: What you need to know about Georgia’s political crisis, Politico.eu, 19 February 2021: Europe looks to go it alone on microchips amid US-China clash, DW, 21 February 2021: Myanmar coup: UN chief Guterres slams ‘deadly violence’, DW, 21 February 2021: Myanmar coup: Protesters undeterred by police killings, France24, 22 February 2021: Myanmar’s junta warns against ‘riot and anarchy’ as thousands continue protests, BBC, 22 February 2021: Myanmar coup: Protesters defy military warning in mass strike, Die Zeit, 22 February 2021: EU Stability Pact: Scrap the pact!, The Guardian, 22 February 2021: ‘Five twos revolution’: Myanmar protesters hold general strike as crowds gather, Arab News, 22 February 2021: Germany and EU will badly miss Merkel’s leadership, DW, 23 February 2021: EU questions German COVID border closures, The Guardian, 23 February 2021: European Union: Six countries told to lift Covid border restrictions, The New York Times, 23 February 2021: Can You Believe This Is Happening in America?, Politico.eu, 24 February 2021: Venezuela expels EU ambassador in reaction to sanctions, CNN, 24 February 2021: The worldwide web as we know it may be ending, DW, 25 February 2021: Coronavirus: EU leaders consider vaccine passports (even when tourism plays a major economic role in some EU federal states, one has to ask how useful Corona tourism can be? If your customers are dying just because you wanted to save one season but lose the next, the approach was definitely not the right one), France24, 25 February 2021: Covid-19: EU summit to tackle slow vaccine rollout, travel certificates, France24, 27 February 2021: Thousands rally in Tunisia to support moderate Islamist party’s push for govt reshuffle, BBC, 27 February 2021: Myanmar coup: UN ambassador fired after anti-army speech, NPR, 27 February 2021: Myanmar Ambassador Fired After Extraordinary Rebuke Of The Military Before The U.N., Politico.eu, 27 February 2021: EU summons ambassador to Cuba over letter to Biden, Arab News, 27 February 2021: Don’t blame globalization for failures of governance, Reuters, 27 January 2021: Lawmakers push for European due diligence law on environmental, human rights

EPRS_BRI(2020)659299_EN

EPRS_STU(2020)654191_EN
France24, 28 February 2021: Thousands protest in Martinique against insecticide ‘impunity’, NPR, 28 February 2021: It’s Not Just Texas. The Entire Energy Grid Needs An Upgrade For Extreme Weather, France24, 28 February 2021: New deaths mark bloodiest day yet in Myanmar’s nationwide anti-coup protests
GlobalTrends_2040
DW, 2 March 2021: Coronavirus: Austria and Denmark break ranks with EU on vaccines (there are always some fools who believe they can reach their goals with stupid and short-sighted nationalism and thus put the community at risk. That should come with a corresponding price tag in the future. On the other hand, the Kurz administration, like the Netanyahu administration, is facing a large wave of corruption allegations. That is probably the real reason for the meeting), CNN, 2 March 2021: Europe’s unified vaccination strategy is splintering as countries turn to Israel, China and Russia for help, Al Arabiya, 2 March 2021: Controversial EU-Iran business forum goes ahead despite outcry (not only the forum should be strengthened, but also many other initiatives, especially since Europe has a responsibility to deliver. Because Europe it has not fulfilled its part of the Iran deal, Iran is fulfilling its obligations less and less – Europe Iran Business Forum), France24, 2 March 2021: Anti-coup protesters clash with security forces in Myanmar, Al Arabiya, 2 March 2021: Belarusian journalist sentenced to 6 months in prison for report on protester death, The New Yorker, 2 March 2021: A Digitally Savvy Nation Poses a New Challenge for the Military, The Guardian, 3 March 2021: Denmark under pressure to drop plans to work with Israel on vaccines, Arab News, 3 March 2021: Danish PM under pressure for working with Israel on vaccines, The Washington Post, 4 March 2021: Inflation isn’t a real danger. But its prophets may hold the economy back., Politico.eu, 4 March 2021: Portugal’s ‘ghost’ EU presidency racks up in-person expenses, France24, 5 March 2021: Italy blocks AstraZeneca shipment to Australia amid vaccine shortage row, DW, 5 March 2021: Coronavirus: Australia wants EU to ‘review’ Italy’s vaccine block (and rightly so: Australia and New Zealand are the easternmost outposts of the western world and most reliable allies in all of Asia. Support should actually be a matter of course), France24, 5 March 2021: France, EU back Italy’s decision to block Covid-19 vaccine shipment to Australia, The Guardian, 5 March 2021: Australia: Germany voices concern over Italy’s block of vaccine export, CNN, 5 March 2021: Every investor wants an answer to this question, France24, 5 March 2021: Diplomatic revolt against Myanmar’s junta deepens amid brutal crackdown, DW, 5 March 2021: Lithuania to Belarus: ‘Rather watch hell freeze over’ than deliver Tsikhanouskaya, CNN, 5 March 2021: Shot in the head. A bullet in the lung. Evidence suggests Myanmar’s security forces are shooting to kill., Reuters, 5 March 2021: US, EU agree tariff freeze in aircraft dispute, eye China, BBC, 5 March 2021: US and EU suspend tariffs in Boeing Airbus row, DW, 6 March 2021: Belarus anti-government protesters receiving medical treatment in Germany, France24, 6 March 2021: UN envoy urges Security Council to take action against Myanmar’s junta, DW, 6 March 2021: Myanmar: Defiant anti-coup movement returns to streets, The Guardian, 6 March 2021: Myanmar: Stop military killing protesters, envoy tells security council, DW, 6 March 2021: US Senate narrowly passes $1.9 trillion COVID relief bill, France24, 7 March 2021: Myanmar protesters vow more rallies after military raids on opposition figures, Gulf News, 7 March 2021: 5 tips to manage supply chain risk in uncertain times, Jerusalem Post, 8 March 2021: Israel, Cyprus and Greece agree to link power grids via subsea cable (European taxpayers therefore not only pay for the electricity that Israel taps, but even for the cable itself with which Israel taps into the European electricity grid), DW, 8 March 2021: Longest and deepest subsea power cable to be connected between Cyprus, Greece, and Israel, France24, 8 March 2021: In Myanmar, anti-coup protesters ‘troll’ police with creative forms of civil disobedience, NPR, 8 March 2021: Grateful For Taxes, The Guardian, 9 March 2021: Myanmar’s street protesters need the world’s help to restore democracy, DW, 9 March 2021: OECD hikes 2021 world growth forecast to 5.6%, BBC, 9 March 2021: OECD: Prospects brighter for global economy, DW, 9 March 2021: Coronavirus: How can travel be more sustainable post-pandemic?, The Guardian, 9 March 2021: Brexit triggers exodus of Japanese firms from UK to EU, The Guardian, 9 March 2021: Mexico Protests against attacks on women turn violent, as tension with president escalates, DW, 9 March 2021: European Parliament strips Carles Puigdemont of immunity (it was about time. After all, the EU claims to stand for law and justice. Against this background it is of course not possible to help Spanish criminals evade prosecution), The Guardian, 9 March 2021: Spain EU parliament strips Carles Puigdemont and two other Catalans of immunity, The Algemeiner, 9 March 2021: Hungarian, Czech Premiers to Meet Israeli PM on Pandemic Strategy (the next corrupt EU traitors to do some election campaign for the “Crime Minister”), Politico.eu, 9 March 2021: Coronavirus pandemic ‘weakening’ rule of law in EU countries: Report, Al Jazeera, 9 March 2021: Myanmar party official dies in custody amid torture allegations, DW, 10 March 2021: Myanmar coup: Military cracks down on free speech, press freedom, France24, 10 March 2021: Myanmar security forces surround striking rail workers opposed to military coup, The Guardian, 10 March 2021: Myanmar: Security forces arrest 200 in military coup protests, Politico.eu, 10 March 2021: Trump leaves Biden with an EU trade time bomb, DW, 11 March 2021: Poland and Hungary file complaint over EU budget mechanism, Politico.eu, 11 March 2021: Hungary and Poland to Brussels: See you in court, France24, 11 March 2021: UN Security Council urges restraint in Myanmar as US imposes new sanctions, Al Arabiya, 11 March 2021: Saudi Arabia, Germany sign MoU to produce hydrogen, CNN, 12 March 2021: Streets of blood in Myanmar town as UN fears ‘crimes against humanity’, DW, 12 March 2021: Germany’s COVID management: World wonders what’s gone wrong (in retrospect one has to state that Germany’s federalism has brought about a series of small and large catastrophes, which then led to the overall situation. Added to this are the political statements and contributions, some of which are fatal, from which no party can acquit itself. In the future there must be emergency ordinances for pandemic cases, which ensure that the decision-making powers are concentrated on the federal government. Germany is the miniature version of the EU: The prime ministers of the federal states thought taht they can do what they want and thus contributes to the expansion and exacerbation of the problems. Overall, however, there are two positive aspects: 1. With the exception of the Federal Minister of the Interior, Horst Seehofer, Germany acts in solidarity and not egotistically nationalistically in the sense of the EU. 2. Never before has it been so largely clear how high and extensive the urgent need for renovation on almost the entire public infrastructure and the largely neglected digitization is. The resulting investment requirements and pressures should give the economic upturn to be expected after Corona additional wings. Overall, however, it must also be stated that a not small minority of German citizens are contributing to the exacerbation of the corona crisis through their grossly negligent behavior. Responsible action is completely alien to these Covidiotes and, like small children, must be constantly reminded to follow the simplest rules), The Algemeiner, 12 March 2021: China, Iran, North Korea Seek Support at UN to Push Back Against Unilateral Force, Sanctions, The National, 12 March 2021: Coronavirus leading to ‘baby bust’ as European birth rates plummet, Arab News, 12 March 2021: Don’t wait until Dubai ‘party’ has already started, says Credit Suisse analyst, The National, 12 March 2021: Four million girls to miss out on education due to climate change, Malala says, Gulf Times, 12 March 2021: $400 for rice and beans? The UN counts cost of ‘man-made’ famines, NPR, 12 March 2021: Biden And ‘Quad’ Leaders Launch Vaccine Push, Deepen Coordination Against China, France24, 13 March 2021: More killed in Myanmar on anniversary of deadly shooting that sparked 1988 protests, BBC, 13 March 2021: ‘Mandalay was a massacre’: Security forces fire at protests, The Times, 13 March 2021: Brexit and the pandemic deliver record hit to trade with the EU, The Hill, 13 March 2021: Maher: US ‘lost’ to China, too focused on ‘woke competition’ and ‘lizard people’, The Guardian, 14 March 2021: Kosovo opens embassy in Jerusalem after Israel recognises its independence, DW, 14 March 2021: Myanmar: More protesters killed in weekend violence, France24, 14 March 2021: Several killed during fresh Myanmar protests as martial law imposed in two townships, BBC, 14 March 2021: Myanmar protests: Protesters killed in bloody Yangon crackdown, Al Jazeera, 14 March 2021: Myanmar security forces kill dozens of anti-coup protesters, Arab News, 14 March 2021: Myanmar on path to becoming a failed state, The Guardian, 15 March 2021: Myanmar: Outrage after activist allegedly tortured to death, DW, 16 March 2021: China gets German children’s book about COVID withdrawn, The Guardian, 17 March 2021: Myanmar: Yangon becomes battle zone as junta enforces martial law, CNN, 17 March 2021: Fears grow for Myanmar residents in areas sealed off by military and under internet blackout, DW, 17 March 2021: Opinion: EU-Turkey migration deal is a humanitarian failure, The Guardian, 19 March 2021: G7 moves closer to offering Covid financial support for developing nations, Politico.eu, 19 March 2021: Guy Verhofstadt gets Parliament’s top post for conference on EU’s future, CNN, 20 March 2021: No vaccines, no leadership, no end in sight. How Brazil became a global threat, The Guardian, 20 March 2021: ‘Genocidal’: Bolsonaro uses Brazil’s dictatorship-era law as protesters depict him as a Nazi, Die Zeit, 20 March 2021: Oliver Blanchard: “Be Prepared!”, DW, 20 March 2021: Tokyo Olympics: International spectators to be barred from events, Irish Times, 20 March 2021: Spectators from abroad will be banned at Tokyo Olympics, DW, 22 March 2021: Myanmar coup: Mass protests fail to attract global solidarity, France24, 22 March 2021: EU sanctions Myanmar junta chief over coup and protest crackdown, BBC, 22 March 2021: Factory blaze adds to computer chip supply crisis, CNN, 22 March 2021: US and allies sanction Myanmar’s military for violent repression of protesters, The New York Times, 22 March 2021: Biden Team Preparing Up to $3 Trillion in New Spending for the Economy, The Washington Post, 22 March 2021: White House preps $3 trillion package on infrastructure, pre-K, climate, DW, 22 March 2021: Top European officials slam China’s response to sanctions (as an additional countermeasure, the EU should sanction KP functionaries from the closest circle around Xi Jinping. The investment agreement should also been taken off the table. The EU and its states should also think about expelling some Chinese ambassadors), The Hill, 22 March 2021: US announces sanctions for Chinese officials over human rights abuses, Politico.eu, 22 March 2021: China throws EU trade deal to the wolf warriors, CNN, 23 March 2021: Could China’s aggressive Xinjiang sanctions counter-punch risk alienating the European Union?, Politico.eu, 23 March 2021: David Sassoli to China: Europe is no ‘punching bag’, NoArielTies.org, 23 March 2021: Ariel University and Horizon 2020: The EU is legitimizing Israel’s illegal settlements, France24, 23 March 2021: Biden looks to ‘revitalise’ ties at EU video summit, The Guardian, 23 March 2021: Taiwan China threat to invade is ‘closer than most think’, says US admiral, Gulf Times, 23 March 2021: EU and US sanctions step up pressure on Myanmar military, Arab News, 24 March 2021: New privatization law to boost national economy, BBC, 24 March 2021: Egypt’s Suez Canal blocked by huge container ship, CNN, 24 March 2021: Suez Canal blocked by traffic jam after massive container ship runs aground, The New York Times, 24 March 2021: Suez Canal Blocked After Giant Container Ship Gets Stuck, Al Jazeera, 24 March 2021: Suez Canal blocked by massive container ship Ever Given: Live, Arab News, 24 March 2021: Tenth of world trade halted as container ship blocks Suez Canal, Gulf News, 25 March 2021: FNC Parliamentary Division participates in 4th meeting of GCC-European Parliamentary Committee, Xinhua, 25 March 2021: China, Hungary agree to strengthen cooperation in various fields, CNN, 25 March 2021: Suez Canal could be blocked for weeks. Here’s what we know, DW, 26 March 2021: Chinese sanctions threaten EU investment pact, Arab News, 26 March 2021: Turkey, China place economic ties ahead of ideology, Politico.eu, 26 March 2021: Joe Biden, honorary EU leader for a day, BBC, 26 March 2021: Suez blockage is holding up $9.6bn of goods a day, DW, 26 March 2021: Suez Canal still blocked as frustrations grow, BBC, 26 March 2021: Xinjiang cotton: Western clothes brands vanish as backlash grows, The Times, 26 March 2021: Boycott western brands, Beijing tells shoppers (as a countermeasure, all western companies should immediately switch from Chinese to Indian producers), CNN, 26 March 2021: Chinese celebrities rush to defend Beijing’s Xinjiang policy by cutting ties with international brands, Mercator Institute for China StudiesN, 26 March 2021: Likeminded coordination boosted, with Chinese pushback, The Algemeiner, 26 March 2021: ‘Badge of Honor’: China Sanctions UK Politicians for Xinjiang ‘Lies’, France24, 26 March 2021: Despite international pressure, Myanmar’s ruling junta continues to crush dissent, BBC, 26 March 2021: Suez Canal: Ships stuck in ‘traffic jam’ as salvage efforts continue, CNN, 26 March 2021: Global shipping was in chaos even before the Suez blockage. Shortages and higher prices loom, The Guardian, 26 March 2021: Suez canal: Japanese owner of stricken ship talks of plan to refloat it, The Hill, 26 March 2021: Boat blocking Florida highway sparks viral comparison to Suez Canal situation, Bloomberg, 26 March 2021: German Court Temporarily Holds Law on EU Covid Recovery Fund (hard to believe that, after Poland and Hungary have been calmed down and support the special budget, now of all people those, who made sure that a Nazi party sits in numerous Landtag parliaments and in the Bundestag, are allowed to file an EU-hostile complaint with the Federal Constitutional Court), Politico.eu, 26 March 2021: Constitutional complaint against EU recovery fund filed in Germany, Al Arabiya, 26 March 2021: Suez Canal blockage could cost $6 bln to $10 bln in lost trade, says study by Allianz, The New York Times, 26 March 2021: Analysis: Stuck Ship Reveals Harsh Truth About Globalization, Arab News, 26 March 2021: Suez Canal blockage is a wake-up call, Arab News, 26 March 2021: EU extends olive branch to Ankara with key conditions, The Times, 26 March 2021: I’ll save world from an over-mighty China, vows Biden, The Atlantic, 26 March 2021: The EU’s Pandemic Reversal of Fortune, The Algemeiner, 26 March 2021: Israel Steps up Quantum Tech Race Amid Threat of Exclusion From European Research Projects, The Econmist, 26 March 2021: Why the Suez Canal and other choke-points face growing pressure, Foreign Policy, 26 March 2021: We All Live in Germany’s World, Politico.eu, 26 March 2021: EU wrestles for control of euro clearing after Brexit, DW, 27 March 2021: Suez Canal blockage: 4 of the biggest trade chokepoints, The Economist, 27 March 2021: Why the EU is still wary of America, DW, 27 March 2021: Myanmar: Deadliest day since the military coup, CNN, 27 March 2021: More than 90 killed in Myanmar in deadliest day since start of protests, BBC, 27 March 2021: Myanmar: Dozens killed as army opens fire on protesters during ‘deadliest day’, France24, 27 March 2021: Megaship blocking Suez Canal moves slightly, still unclear when it will refloat, BBC, 27 March 2021: ‘Our customers are worried about the Suez Canal blockage’, The Guardian, 27 March 2021: Myanmar: More than 90 reported killed on ‘day of shame’ for armed forces, Eurointelligence, 27 March 2021: How we lost the narrative, CNN, 27 March 2021: Efforts to dislodge stranded Suez Canal container ship intensify as backlog grows, BBC, 27 March 2021: Suez Canal: Fresh effort to refloat wedged container ship, The Washington Post, 27 March 2021: Suez Canal mishap puts battered supply chains under more pressure, Al Jazeera, 27 March 2021: ‘Day of shame’: Dozens of anti-coup protesters killed in Myanmar, The Guardian, 28 March 2021: Myanmar: Global calls to tackle military’s ‘reign of terror’ after worst mass killing, Jerusalem Post, 28 March 2021: Iran says it can be alternative to Suez after ship stuck, France24, 28 March 2021: Global condemnation of Myanmar military’s ‘reign of terror’ after deadliest day since coup, BBC, 28 March 2021: Myanmar coup: Generals celebrated amid global fury over massacre, CNN, 28 March 2021: UN officials condemn Myanmar junta after 100-plus civilians killed in one day, The Guardian, 28 March 2021: Britain’s ‘brutal’ cuts to overseas aid put African science projects in peril, Politico.eu, 28 March 2021: US, European defense chiefs condemn violence in Myanmar, The Hill, 28 March 2021: Biden under pressure to spell out Cuba policy, DW, 29 March 2021: Ever Given ship freed in Suez Canal, The Guardian, 29 March 2021: Suez canal Ever Given container ship freed after a week, DW, 29 March 2021: Myanmar: Thousands take to streets as others flee, France24, 29 March 2021: Suez Canal traffic resumes after stranded container ship freed, NPR, 29 March 2021: Ship Happens: Coffee, Livestock, Ikea Furniture Among The Objects Stuck At The Suez, BBC, 29 March 2021: Suez Canal: How did they move the Ever Given?, DW, 29 March 2021: Margrethe Vestager: EU antitrust czar and Big Tech’s fiercest opponent, Al Arabiya, 29 March 2021: Saudi Arabia launches initiative to support shipping lines amid Suez blockage, Politico.eu, 29 March 2021: China’s new bogeyman: Europe (so what? It’s far more important for the EU to team up very closely with the US, Canada, UK, New Zealand, Australia, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Vietnam, India and other democratic states in Central Asia against Chinese, Russian and North Korean aggressions in order to maintain the democratic, rule of law-driven, free, western lifestyle), Foreign Policy, 29 March 2021: This Is Europe’s Vaccine Rollout Going According to Plan, The Guardian, 30 March 2021: EU plan threatens British participation in hi-tech research (there should be a differentiation. Of course, it makes a lot of sense to develop key technologies only within the EU and to completely exclude third countries from these developments. When developing low-key technologies, on the other hand, it makes sense to continue to work with third countries), France24, 30 March 2021: Beijing imposes sweeping overhaul of Hong Kong’s electoral system, Politico.eu, 30 March 2021: Lukashenko plays the Poland card and ratchets up tensions with Warsaw, France24, 31 March 2021: BBC correspondent leaves China amid safety worries, ‘propaganda campaign’, CNN, 31 March 2021: Children among the dead and injured in Myanmar military airstrikes, say activists, The Guardian, 31 March 2021: Poland: EU takes government to court over law that ‘undermines judges’, The National, 1 April 2021: Worst is still to come in Myanmar, UN envoy says, Haaretz, 1 April 2021: Can Israel’s Eilat Become an Alternative to Suez Canal? (the “Gulf of Eilat”, mentioned in the article, is of course the Gulf of Aqaba in the real world), DW, 1 April 2021: Why is Japan not taking a firm stand against Myanmar junta?, The Guardian, 1 April 2021: Dire situation in North Korea drives ‘collective exit’ of diplomats, DW, 3 April 2021: Myanmar: At least 550 civilians killed since coup, France24, 3 April 2021: Last ships stranded in Suez Canal pass through on Saturday, CNN, 3 April 2021: Europe is torn over whether to take Putin’s help on vaccines, The Guardian, 3 April 2021: Suez canal blockage: Queue of ships expected to be cleared by end of day, The Times, 3 April 2021: Myanmar tyrant partied on Bloody Saturday as troops opened fire on children, DW, 4 April 2021: Myanmar: Germany’s Heiko Maas cautions about threat of civil war, The Guardian, 4 April 2021: Myanmar Protesters paint anti-coup slogans on Easter eggs, Politico.eu, 4 April 2021: Lockdown turns Brussels’ EU district into a real ghost town, The Washington Post, 4 April 2021: U.S. emerges as main engine for global economic recovery, Foreign Affairs, 5 April 2021: The New Age of Protectionism, Freedom House, April 2021: Freedom in the World 2021: Democracy under Siege, The National, 6 April 2021: IMF raises global economic forecast but warns of uneven recovery and daunting challenges, DW, 6 April 2021: EU to Turkey: Human rights issues are nonnegotiable, Al Jazeera, 6 April 2021: EU chiefs raise ‘deep worries’ over rights in Turkey with Erdogan,France24, 6 April 2021: Human rights ‘non-negotiable’, EU officials tell Erdogan in Turkey, The Guardian, 6 April 2021: From housing to vaccine passports, politicians act as if young people don’t exist, France24, 6 April 2021: IMF and France hail US push for a global minimum corporate tax, CNN, 6 April 2021: Nigeria’s President Buhari describes prison break which freed nearly 2000 inmates as ‘act of terrorism’, Politico.eu, 6 April 2021: IMF boosts eurozone’s growth forecast, NPR, 6 April 2021: Rising Tide: Powerful U.S. Growth Set To Lift Global Economy, IMF Says, Foreign Policy, 6 April 2021: The Death of Neoliberalism Is Greatly Exaggerated, The Guardian, 7 April 2021: G20 Group: takes step towards global minimum corporate tax rate, Politico.eu, 7 April 2021: Juncker tries to take the sting out of Sofagate, Al Jazeera, 7 April 2021: ‘Vaccine policy is economic policy,’ IMF chief stresses, Politico.eu, 7 April 2021: What ‘Sofagate’ says about Charles Michel, The Economist, 7 April 2021: China’s rulers want more control of big tech, Politico.eu, 8 April 2021: Turkey, Russia lead Europe’s incarceration rates, DW, 8 April 2021: EU and Turkey’s ‘sofagate’ blame game enters round 2 (Sofagate – at the end of the day it’s the wrong discussion. Instead of dealing with itself again, it should be about curbing the destructive actions of the autocrat and Muslim Brother Erdogan. With the help of self-dwarfing or the gift of enlarging the customs union without any compensations, this will most certainly not succeed), DW, 9 April 2021: In Myanmar, military matters are a lucrative family affair, The National, 9 April 2021: Could Europe’s reemergence in Asia be a win-win this time?, Palestine Chronicle, 10 April 2021: Mossad Reportedly Interrogates Palestinian Journalist in Spain (when something like that can happen within the EU, organized by an EU-hostile foreign government from the Middle East, the EU has lost the war on terror), The Guardian, 11 April 2021: Colombia’s cartels target Europe with cocaine, corruption and torture, DW, 12 April 2021: EU sanctions Iran officials over protest crackdown, Politico.eu, 12 April 2021: EU sanctions Iran for 2019 protest crackdown, Al Jazeera, 12 April 2021: EU sanctions elite Iran commander over 2019 protests, Politico.eu, 12 April 2021: Europe deserves Erdogan’s sofa, France24, 13 April 2021: Iran ‘suspends’ cooperation with EU on multiple fronts after officials blacklisted, NPR, 13 April 2021: Biden’s National Security Team Lists Leading Threats, With China At The Top, France24, 13 April 2021: US officials tour Europe to shore up allied support on Russia, China and Iran, Die Zeit, 13 April 2021: A European Super League: The Europeanization of Football, The New Yorker, 13 April 2021: The Parisians Housing Refugees During the Pandemic, DW, 14 April 2021: EU, India seek closer ties to fight coronavirus pandemic, Politico.eu, 15 April 2021: EU-UK trade deal moves toward ratification in European Parliament, Arab News, 15 April 2021: Europe and Middle East would be stronger together, Reuters, 16 April 2021: Hungary blocks EU statement criticising China over Hong Kong, diplomats say, US News, 16 April 2021: Hungary Blocks EU Statement Criticising China Over Hong Kong, Diplomats Say, France24, 16 April 2021: China posts record GDP growth in first quarter as Covid-19 recovery accelerates, DW, 16 April 2021: Multilateral Agreements: Post-Cotonou: EU reaches agreement with African, Caribbean and Pacific States, France24, 16 April 2021: A retiring Castro to bring younger face to Cuba’s communists, DW, 16 April 2021: How Cubans earn a living from standing in line, France24, 16 April 2021: A page turns in Cuba as Raul Castro makes way for next generation, The Hill, 16 April 2021: Cuba readies for life without Castro, The Times, 17 April 2021: There’s still time to escape China’s clutches, Al Jazeera, 17 April 2021: As Cuba turns page on Castro era, economic reform gains urgency, France24, 18 April 2021: Cuban economy, internet on party agenda ahead of Castro exit, Times of Israel, 18 April 2021: German police raid call centers allegedly running Israel-linked investment scams, BBC, 19 April 2021: Biden tax changes could be ‘significant’ for Ireland, France24, 19 April 2021: Cuba’s Communist Party appoints Diaz-Canel as leader, replacing Raul Castro, Al Jazeera, 19 April 2021: Cuba has a new leader and it’s not a Castro, Der Spiegel, 20 April 2021: Paradise Lost: Joe Biden Declares War on Tax Havens – in Europe, Too, Politico.eu, 20 April 2021: Merkel: Retreat from multilateralism is world’s ‘biggest threat’, DW, 21 April 2021: Top German court tosses objection to EU coronavirus recovery fund, DW, 22 April 2021: EU economy ‘on crutches,’ warns ECB chief Christine Lagarde, Foreign Policy, 23 April 2021: Europe’s Far-Right Seeks to Unite, New York Magazine, 23 April 2021: Biden Plans to Visit the E.U. and U.K. This Summer, The Atlantic, 24 April 2021: No One Is Saving Myanmar, DW, 26 April 2021: Germany, France praise European solidarity against COVID, DW, 27 April 2021: France and Germany back US on 21% minimum corporate tax proposal, Politico.eu, 28 April 2021: How will the EU repay the billions to fund Europe’s recovery?, The New Yorker, 28 April 2021: Cuba After the Castros, Politico.eu, 29 April 2021: Recovery fund slalom: 5 things to know about Europe’s relief package, BBC, 30 April 2021: Eurozone suffers double-dip recession as pandemic impact continues, CNN, 30 April 2021: Europe’s recession deepened in the first quarter but the recovery is underway, Politico.eu, 30 April 2021: London flamed for lack of strategy after UK-Norway fish talks collapse, The New York Times, 30 April 2021: Europe’s Economy Shrinks, Sliding Back Into Recession, The Guardian, 30 April 2021: European Union ‘Groundless’ Russian sanctions against its officials condemned (the terror regimes in Russia and China seem to feel pretty safe. That should be changed as soon as possible), France24, 30 April 2021: Russia bars eight EU officials from entry in tit-for-tat move, Politico.eu, 30 April 2021: Russia bans top EU officials in retaliation for sanctions, DW, 1 May 2021: Cracks appear in China’s New Silk Road, Reuters, 1 May 2021: Pandemic and economic crisis dampen May Day in Cuba, DW, 1 May 2021: Russia-West ties hit low with diplomat expulsions, The Guardian, 2 May 2021: Myanmar: Seven killed as security forces open fire on protesters, France24, 2 May 2021: Several dead as Myanmar security forces fire at protesters calling for ‘spring revolution’, The Guardian, 2 May 2021: Germany: Stand up to China and Putin? Foreign policy at heart of vote, DW, 3 May 2021: UN study: Online sales boom in 2020 during pandemic, lockdowns, CNN, 3 May 2021: They are hunted and in hiding but Myanmar’s journalists continue to report the truth, Politico.eu, 4 May 2021: Corporate executives ‘freaking out’ over EU supply chain plans, NPR, 4 May 2021: In The CIA’s 1st Plot Against The Castros, Fidel Wasn’t The Target, DW, 4 May 2021: Cracks appear in China’s New Silk Road, France24, 4 May 2021: G7 foreign ministers call for solidarity to tackle global threats, DW, 4 May 2021: G7 foreign ministers meet in London with Myanmar on the agenda, DW, 5 May 2021: WHO to set up pandemic early warning center in Germany, Politico.eu, 5 May 2021: EU and UK reach deal after row over bloc’s ambassador, Al Jazeera, 5 May 2021: G7 ends talks with criticism of China and Russia, Politico.eu, 6 May 2021: As pandemic eases, EU leaders get social in Porto, Arab News, 6 May 2021: Myanmar military outmaneuvers ASEAN neighbors, Politico.eu, 6 May 2021: Biden makes the EU look like the bad guys (not really, as it was and still is “Amewrica First” when it comes to Vaccines and Vaccinations. In addition to the vaccine export stop, the USA is also holding back raw materials for the production of vaccines. Against this background, calling for vaccine patent waivers is pure populism), DW, 7 May 2021: EU leaders to talk over social strategy in Porto summit, France24, 7 May 2021: EU leaders to discuss social issues, Covid-19 vaccine patents at Porto summit, DW, 7 May 2021: Human rights have no place in Swiss-Chinese trade deal, BBC, 7 May 2021: China’s exports soar as US recovers and India stalls, Gulf Times, 7 May 2021: Myanmar junta says no Asean envoy visit until stability restored, The Guardian, 7 May 2021: The Jersey fishing standoff shows Brexit has only just begun, Gulf Times, 7 May 2021: China’s trade surges as global stimulus keeps export boom going, The Hill, 7 May 2021: Blinken calls for Taiwan to join World Health Assembly in opposition to China, DW, 8 May 2021: EU leaders adopt Porto declaration on social rights, employment, Arab News, 8 May 2021: Interview: A shared ‘forward-looking spirit’ underpins EU-Saudi partnership, The National, 9 May 2021: Europe Day is a reminder that working together is the best response to our common challenges, Politico.eu, 9 May 2021: On Europe Day, EU kicks off ‘conference’ on its future, France24, 9 May 2021: ‘A European model’: Macron lauds EU response to pandemic at Strasbourg conference, Gulf News, 10 May 2021: In pictures: What happens to flagship structures after Expo 2020 Dubai?, Gulf News, 10 May 2021: Expo 2020 Dubai: What you need to know about the German Pavilion, Gulf News, 10 May 2021: Austrian companies to showcase futuristic solutions at Expo 2020 Dubai, Arab News, 10 May 2021: Turkey wants to start a fresh chapter with EU despite obstacles, Politico.eu, 16 May 2021: EU foreign ministers to discuss Israel-Palestine conflict on Tuesday, The Guardian, 18 May 2021: Analysis EU sidelined and divided as war rages again in Middle East (the EU states merely pursue different economic interests in the region and understandably have no interest in further involvement. After all, they would have to be powdered with a clasp bag if they were to allow themselves to be militarily drawn into the more than 100-year-old Middle East conflict and thus finally bring the Middle East conflict to Europe, including the influx of even more Muslim and Jewish extremists and terrorists), Politico.eu, 18 May 2021: Borrell calls for Israeli-Palestinian ceasefire, but Hungary blocks joint EU position (not very surprising. Still, it is interesting that the only supporter of Netanyahu is his autocratic colleague from Hungary. In the past few months, backbenchers and Israel lobbyists have called for the country to join the EU. There is at least one clear answer to that: Forget about it!), DW, 18 May 2021: Middle East seeks a mediator as Israel strikes Gaza, Politico.eu, 18 May 2021: Eurostar says it’s been saved by French railways and other investors, Forbes, 20 May 2021: Much Maligned Multinational Enterprises Are Essential To Biden’s Build Back Better Agenda, Politico.eu, 21 May 2021: Viktor Orbán’s gift to the EU: A glimpse of our dysfunction, Politico.eu, 21 May 2021: BY THE NUMBERS: Where Europe stands on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict: Polls, Jerusalem Post, 21 May 2021: EU criticism of Israel is pandering to Muslim voters, Hungarian PM says (“I think that we gradually have to move towards qualified majority voting in foreign policy,” – this are the good news. After this goal will be achieved, Eastern European autocrats like Orban can tell nonsense as much as they want to. Nobody will listen anymore. The Visegrad Group has worked towards this for years and are now almost there), Politico.eu, 21 May 2021: Lithuania pulls out of China’s ’17+1′ bloc in Eastern Europe, DW, 23 May 2021: Belarus diverts plane to arrest activist journalist, France24, 23 May 2021: Belarus forcefully diverts Ryanair flight to detain opposition blogger, DW, 23 May 2021: Belarus flight: Germany demands explanation of diversion, arrest, France24, 23 May 2021: Fighting erupts in Myanmar town on Chinese border, Politico.eu, 23 May 2021: EU blasts Belarus for ‘hijack’ of airliner and arrest of activist, The Guardian, 23 May 2021: Belarus: Country accused of ‘hijacking’ Ryanair flight diverted to arrest blogger, France24, 24 May 2021: Police and soldiers killed in clashes with rebel fighters in eastern Myanmar, DW, 24 May 2021: Belarus: EU calls for international probe into forced landing of Ryanair plane, France24, 24 May 2021: ‘Aviation piracy’: EU leaders mull response to forced diversion of plane to Belarus, BBC, 24 May 2021: Western powers voice outrage as Belarus accused of hijacking plane, CNN, 24 May 2021: Belarus accused of ‘state-sponsored piracy’ as Ryanair says KGB agents were on diverted plane, The Guardian, 24 May 2021: Belarus Country’s KGB believed to be on plane forced to land in Minsk, says Ryanair CEO, Irish Times, 24 May 2021: Forced landing of Ryanair flight is ‘piracy in the skies’, says Taoiseach, The Washington Post, 24 May 2021: Europe moves to isolate Belarus after plane is forced to land, Politico.eu, 24 May 2021: UK pushes ahead with plan to charge EU citizens to visit, France24, 24 May 2021: EU leaders agree more sanctions on Belarus over plane diversion, Irish Times, 24 May 2021: EU to sanction Belarus and seal airspace over forced Ryanair landing, BBC, 25 May 2021: EU agrees new Belarus sanctions after plane arrest, The Guardian, 25 May 2021: EU imposes new economic sanctions on Belarus over ‘hijacked’ flight, DW, 25 May 2021: Belarus: European airlines halt flights amid outrage over plane arrest, France24, 25 May 2021: Air France among airlines suspending flights over Belarus as EU seeks to punish Minsk, The National, 25 May 2021: Belarus to pay ‘bitter price’ over Roman Protasevich arrest, The Guardian, 25 May 2021: Belarus: Journalist’s father says video confession carried out under duress, BBC, 25 May 2021: Belarus flights redirected after Roman Protasevich’s arrest, CNN, 25 May 2021: Airlines avoid Belarus after ‘state-sponsored hijacking’ of Ryanair flight, The National, 25 May 2021: How the EU’s Belarus sanctions will affect air travel, NPR, 25 May 2021: Biden Administration Strikes Deal To Bring Offshore Wind To California, The Atlantic, 25 May 2021: Other Regimes Will Hijack Planes Too, The Washington Post, 25 May 2021: ‘Confession’ video of Belarus dissident suggests torture, experts say, Politico.eu, 25 May 2021: After Trump, EU feels a more familiar US arrogance, The Atlantic, 26 May 2021: The West Is Failing Belarus, CNN, 26 May 2021: Sofia Sapega, Russian student arrested alongside Belarus activist, appears in ‘confession’ video, DW, 26 May 2021: Switzerland backs away from economic treaty with EU, France24, 26 May 2021: Switzerland ends talks with EU on co-operation agreement, Politico.eu, 26 May 2021: Switzerland ends talks on EU partnership treaty, CNN, 26 May 2021: ‘All Belarusians are hostages to Lukashenko’s regime,’ say citizens now cut off from Europe, The Times, 26 May 2021: Belarus becoming North Korea of Europe, says exiled opposition leader, Politico.eu, 27 May 2021: EU recovery cash inches forward, too slowly for some, Der Spiegel, 28 May 2021: Freezing Payments and Halting Exports: How the EU Wants to Sanction Belarus, Politico.eu, 28 May 2021: Lithuania expels two Belarusian diplomats, France24, 28 May 2021: Putin hails closer relations with Belarus in meeting with Lukashenko, BBC, 28 May 2021: Belarus plane diversion: Putin plays down crisis at talks with Lukashenko, Politico.eu, 28 May 2021: Agriculture reform talks break up without agreement: EU officials, Al Jazeera, 28 May 2021: Putin offers Belarus leader support amid plane diversion scandal, The Atlantic, 28 May 2021: The Ryanair Hijacking Pierced the Delusion of Flight, The National, 28 May 2021: Putin to meet Lukashenko in display of support after Belarus plane diversion, The New York Times, 28 May 2021: The Economy Is Spinning Its Wheels, and About to Take Off, Politico.eu, 28 May 2021: In Europe, a coronavirus boom for foreign surveillance firms, Washington Post, 29 May 2021: Covid pushed millions worldwide from the middle class to poverty. One man is trying to work his way back., DW, 29 May 2021: Belarus: Opposition calls for a day of solidarity on anniversary of major arrest, BBC, 30 May 2021: Belarus: Hundreds join global solidarity protests, CNN, 30 May 2021: How Belarus ‘hijacking’ has redrawn Europe’s air map, DW, 31 May 2021: Belarusian opposition gets a hand from allies in Germany, DW, 31 May 2021: Belarus enacts new rules restricting citizens from leaving, France24, 1 June 2021: European Union to launch Covid-19 recovery plan in June, Irish Times, 1 June 2021: Extra €3.5bn spend to jumpstart Covid recovery to be announced, DW, 1 June 2021: EU’s first public prosecutor’s office starts operating (European Public Prosecutor’s Office), France24, 1 June 2021: New European Public Prosecutor’s Office joins EU ‘Justice League’, BBC, 1 June 2021: Eurozone inflation up sharply as economies reopen, The Guardian, 1 June 2021: Ransomware: White House contacts Russia after hack of world’s largest meatpacking company, Politico.eu, 1 June 2021: NGOs blast EU tax transparency bill as ‘almost meaningless’, NPR, 1 June 2021: A Cyberattack Has Disrupted The World’s Largest Meat Processing Company, The New York Times, 1 June 2021: Beef Supply Disrupted After Meat Processor Hit by Ransomware Attack, Washington Post, 1 June 2021: JBS, world’s biggest meat supplier, says its systems are coming back online after cyberattack, The New York Times, 1 June 2021: Americans Don’t Want to Return to Lousy Low Wage Jobs, Politico.eu, 3 June 2021: The EU has introduced a new ‘digital’ ID. Here’s what it means for you., DW, 2 June 2021: EU agrees to new tax transparency rules for multinationals, BBC, 2 June 2021: JBS: World’s largest meat supplier hit by cyber-attack, DW, 4 June 2021: US voting rights restrictions are a warning to all democracies, Politico.eu, 4 June 2021: Germany chides Hungary (again) over blocked Hong Kong support, The Guardian, 4 June 2021: Belarus: EU bans country’s planes from its airspace over activist’s arrest, Reuters, 4 June 2021: Ukraine must show good will if it wants Russian gas transit, Putin says (is Nord Stream 2 just an economic project? Obviously not. It is a political weapon of the Kremlin. The partner countries’ warnings about Russian reprisals are becoming true. Berlin has to take countermeasures here and shouldn’t even start gas deliveries through the pipeline), DW, 5 June 2021: G7 agrees ‘historic’ global minimum corporate tax rate, The Guardian, 5 June 2021: G7: UK chancellor announces ‘historic agreement’ on tax reform, BBC, 5 June 2021: G7: Rich nations back deal to tax multinationals, CNN, 5 June 2021: G7 backs Biden’s sweeping overhaul of global tax system, France24, 5 June 2021: G7 nations sign historic pact to make tech giants pay fair taxes, The Times, 5 June 2021: Will this crackdown bring Silicon Valley giants to heel?, The Washington Post, 5 June 2021: Yellen says inflation could reach 3 percent this year as U.S. recovers, Irish Times, 5 June 2021: Global tax rate: Ireland could lose €2bn a year under proposed reforms, says Donohoe, DW, 6 June 2021: Coronavirus digest: UK urges G7 to vaccinate world by 2022 (this can only be a very bad joke. BoJo, of all people, whose uninhibited vaccination nationalism has led the Kingdom to not exporting a single dose but, on the contrary, importing heaps of additional doses from the EU, is playing the moralist now? Then let him start to export tons of vaccine. He will never catch up with the EU because Brussels has been exporting vaccine right from the start, including to Israel, so that Netanyahu can now play the “Corona Champion”), BBC, 6 June 2021: Covid: PM to push for world vaccination by end of 2022, The Sunday Times, 6 June 2021: Let’s jab the world by end of next year — PM, The Guardian, 6 June 2021: Brexit: Fears for rights of EU citizens still waiting for UK settled status, DW, 6 June 2021: NATO: Jens Stoltenberg warns Russia and Belarus, The Guardian, 6 June 2021: Joe Biden: US president trumpets democracy abroad in Post op-ed – as threats spread at home, The National, 6 June 2021: Explainer: ‘Historic’ G7 deal is a step in the right direction to save $240bn a year in lost tax revenues, BBC, 6 June 2021: G7 tax deal doesn’t go far enough, campaigners say, The Guardian, 6 June 2021: Myanmar: Junta forces reportedly kill 20 civilians in fresh clashes, The Washington Post, 6 June 2021: Joe Biden: My trip to Europe is about America rallying the world’s democracies, The National, 6 June 2021: Biden looks to reset relations with Europe trip, France24, 7 June 2021: The rules for travel hotspots as Europe gears up to welcome back tourists, DW, 7 June 2021: Germany calls for abolition of EU foreign policy vetos (Who would have expected that an enemy of the EU like Orban of all people would bring the EU decisively forward? The abolition of the unanimity rule has been overdue for years. After all, it is the biggest obstacle on the way to an efficient EU that is capable of making decisions and acting in time), The Guardian, 7 June 2021: European Commission: Plans to ban UK from science projects dropped after backlash, France24, 7 June 2021: ‘Hit-and-run tourism’: Anger as large cruise ships return to Venice, Politico.eu, 7 June 2021: The EU’s Brexit arsenal: How Brussels can hit the UK, The Washington Post, 7 June 2021: Feds recover millions in ransomware payments from Colonial Pipeline hackers, The New York Times, 7 June 2021: Much of Ransom Paid in Pipeline Cyberattack Is Recovered, Justice Dept. Says, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2021: U.S. government recovered millions of dollars paid in Colonial Pipeline hack ransom, The Hill, 7 June 2021: Biden invites Ukraine’s president to the White House, DW, 7 June 2021: Europol launches raids in ‘major’ operation, also in Germany, Atlantic Council, 7 June 2021: Secretary General Stoltenberg explains why NATO is getting serious about cyber and China ‘is not an adversary’, DW, 8 June 2021: Internet outage exposes fragility of global digital infrastructure, The Guardian, 8 June 2021: ‘Wakeup call’: Major internet outage ‘shows infrastructure needs urgent fixing’, DW, 8 June 2021: UN War Crimes Tribunal upholds genocide conviction for Ratko Mladic, ‘Butcher of Bosnia’ , The Guardian, 8 June 2021: Ratko Mladic: ‘Butcher of Bosnia’ loses appeal against genocide conviction, France24, 8 June 2021: UN court upholds conviction of former Bosnian Serb military chief Ratko Mladic on war crimes charges, BBC, 8 June 2021: Srebrenica massacre: UN court rejects Mladic genocide appeal, DW, 8 June 2021: Trojan Shield: Europol details massive organized crime sting, The Guardian, 8 June 2021: Organised crime: Hundreds arrested in sting after underworld app hacked, BBC, 8 June 2021: Hakan Ayik: The man who accidentally helped FBI get in criminals’ pockets, The Times, 8 June 2021: British drug gangs among 800 criminals caught in FBI global spy app sting, The Guardian, 8 June 2021: Brexit Trade war threats will not wash with voters, Frost tells EU as row deepens, The Times, 8 June 2021: Northern Ireland sausage ban is bonkers, says Eustice, The Guardian, 8 June 2021: Joe Biden’s mission at the G7 summit: to recruit allies for the next cold war, Irish Times, 8 June 2021: Frost and Sevcovic to meet amid mounting NI protocol crisis, Politico.eu, 8 June 2021: Orbán taunts Germany by doubling down on support for China, The New York Times, 8 June 2021: Senate Overwhelmingly Passes Bill to Bolster Competitiveness With China, The Washington Post, 8 June 2021: Senate approves sprawling $250 billion bill to curtail China’s economic and military ambitions, France24, 9 June 2021: Biden Europe tour: US president aims to restore alliances during visit, CNN, 9 June 2021: Biden takes the lead role he’s always craved in his high-stakes first trip abroad as president, The Guardian, 9 June 2021: Europeans’ confidence in EU hit by coronavirus response, DW, 9 June 2021: Munich Security Report: Is China a partner, rival or both?, Politico.eu, 9 June 2021: Commission threatens to sue Germany over EU law supremacy dispute, Politico.eu, 9 June 2021: European Commission declares war on German arrogance, The National, 9 June 2021: Global trade set for strong 2021 rebound after proving resilient during pandemic, The Atlantic, 9 June 2021: Joe Biden Worries That China Might Win, The New York Times, 9 June 2021: The Biden administration is trying to ease trade tension with its European allies, in part to help counter China., France24, 10 June 2021: UK’s Johnson hails Biden as ‘breath of fresh air’ in meeting ahead of G7, CNN, 10 June 2021: The US President is crafting a message of a united west against an ‘aggressive Russia and a competitive China,’ CNN reporter says, Politico.eu, 10 June 2021: Europe’s love (or not) for Biden — mapped, The New York Times, 10 June 2021: U.S. Consumer Prices Rise, a Bigger Jump Than Expected, DW, 11 June 2021: EU and UK reach fishing deal for 2020-21, Al Jazeera, 11 June 2021: Will G7 green initiative have more climate cred than China’s BRI?, DW, 11 June 2021: G7 summit 2021 in Cornwall — live updates, The National, 11 June 2021: G7 summit opens with pledge to rebuild world economies, France24, 11 June 2021: G7 summit: Leaders set to discuss Covid recovery and climate action, BBC, 11 June 2021: G7: Boris Johnson kicks off summit with plea to tackle inequality, CNN, 11 June 2021: Macron to G7: Enough talk, more action, NPR, 11 June 2021: Moments You Missed As The G-7 Leaders Meet For The 1st Time Since COVID-19, The Hill, 11 June 2021: In Europe, Biden seeks to reassert U.S. climate leadership, The New Yorker, 11 June 2021: For Biden, Trump Is an Easy Act to Follow in Europe, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2021: Biden presses allies for bolder front against rising Chinese influence, BBC, 12 June 2021: G7 summit: Infrastructure plan to rival China adopted, The Guardian, 12 June 2021: G7 summit: Biden wins backing for infrastructure push to rival China’s ‘belt and road’ initiative, DW, 12 June 2021: US President Biden persuades G7 to be more competitive towards China, France24, 12 June 2021: Biden urges G7 leaders to create unified front to counter China, CNN, 12 June 2021: Biden causes sighs of relief among world leaders even as G7 divisions linger, The Times, 12 June 2021: G7 summit: Fun and frolics on the beach, but this is war on two fronts, The National, 12 June 2021: Swords out as the G7 nations bicker on the Cornish coast, The Guardian, 12 June 2021: Boris Johnson reiterates threat to suspend Northern Ireland protocol, The Times, 12 June 2021: Johnson turns up heat in sausage row, The Hill, 12 June 2021: Biden presses G-7 to take firmer stance against China, Gulf News, 12 June 2021: G7 seeks to counter China with grand infrastructure plan, The Hill, 12 June 2021: Biden has convinced allies ‘America is back,’ says France’s Macron, The National, 13 June 2021: G7 seals ‘Build Back Better for the World’ pact to address Covid pandemic, DW, 13 June 2021: G7 final communique calls for new COVID origin probe, pledges 1 billion vaccines — live updates, BBC, 13 June 2021: G7 to donate one billion vaccine doses by next year, The Guardian, 13 June 2021: Britain will be America’s pet. But it’s Europe’s future that’s at stake, The Washington Post, 13 June 2021: America is back. And it’s popular., France24, 13 June 2021: G7 takes China to task on rights, pledges more vaccines to poorer countries, The New York Times, 13 June 2021: G7 Summit Ends in Broad Agreement, With Edges Blunted, The Washington Post, 13 June 2021: G-7 leaders end summit; Biden says ‘America is back at the table’, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2021: G-7 nations condemn forced labor, rebuke China over human rights abuses. The Guardian, 14 June 2021: Brexit: UK and EU try to settle standoff over Northern Ireland checks, Irish Times, 14 June 2021: European leaders confront Johnson over failure to implement NI protocol, DW, 14 June 2021: NATO must ‘stand up’ to authoritarian regimes China and Russia, says Stoltenberg, The Guardian, 14 June 2021: US: Food banks brace for demand as Republicans end unemployment benefits, Irish Times, 14 June 2021: EU is not a ‘bloc’ – don’t call it one, Politico.eu, 14 June 2021: G7 ‘extras’ guest list reveals UK foreign policy aims, The National, 14 June 2021: Nato summit: leaders adopt tough stance on Russia and China, Al Jazeera, 14 June 2021: Belarus opposition says jailed journalist is a ‘hostage’, BBC, 14 June 2021: Belarus parades detained journalist Protasevich at media event, The Hill, 14 June 2021: Biden reflects on ‘diminished’ GOP at NATO in wake of post-Trump fallout, The Atlantic, 14 June 2021: The Wreckage Donald Trump Left Behind, DW, 14 June 2021: EU-US ties: Undoing Donald Trump’s trade war, Times of Israel, 14 June 2021: UN rights experts claim Chinese minorities targeted in organ harvesting, Der Spiegel, 15 June 2021: A Visit to the Belarus Opposition: The Courageous Women of Minsk, The Guardian, 16 June 2021: Brexit: UK asks EU to suspend Northern Ireland sausage ban, BBC, 16 June 2021: Biden: How Europeans have reacted to president’s visit, DW, 16 June 2021: Karim Khan sworn in as new ICC chief prosecutor (Karim Ahmad Khan), Politico.eu, 16 June 2021: EU’s Borrell on Russia: Prepare for relations to get worse, DW, 16 June 2021: EU agrees fresh Belarus sanctions over Ryanair diversion, Politico.eu, 17 June 2021: POLITICO China Direct: ‘Intellectually challenged’ EU — Jets and nukes — Draghi’s double act, CNN, 17 June 2021: Kim Jong Un admits North Korea is facing ‘tense food situation’, DW, 17 June 2021: UK, US agree truce in Airbus-Boeing dispute, Politico.eu, 17 June 2021: Biden-Putin summit gives US allies hope of better Russia ties, The Guardian, 18 June 2021: Analysis: Eyebrows raised as EU ‘citizen’s debate’ to be short on EU citizens, BBC, 18 June 2021: UK food and drink exports to the EU almost halve in first quarter, France24, 18 June 2021: UN elects Guterres for second five-year term as secretary-general, The Guardian, 18 June 2021: Myanmar: United Nations condemn military coup, France24, 18 June 2021: UN General Assembly calls for halt of weapons to Myanmar, DW, 18 June 2021: Merkel, Macron: ‘Russia is a big challenge for us’, The Guardian, 18 June 2021: Kiwi wars: The golden fruit fuelling a feud between New Zealand and China, Politico.eu, 18 June 2021: Europe needs to stop fixating on Silicon Valley, says EU commissioner, DW, 18 June 2021: Why are sanctions against Belarus not more effective?, BBC, 18 June 2021: Coronavirus: Setback for EU in legal fight with AstraZeneca, DW, 18 June 2021: UN calls for arms embargo against Myanmar, The Washington Post, 18 June 2021: The post-covid luxury spending boom has begun. It’s already reshaping the economy., Politico.eu, 19 June 2021: Conference on the Future of Europe must make EU ‘fit for purpose’ first plenary told, BBC, 19 June 2021: Myanmar: Who are the ethnic armies training protesters?, The Sunday Times, 20 June 2021: Imperialist EU punishes nations it dislikes, says Hungary’s Viktor Orban (there is a very simple solution to that: Leave the EU and run to you sugar daddy Putin), Politico.eu, 20 June 2021: Hungary’s Orbán under fire over call to disempower European Parliament, CNN, 19 June 2021: Joe Biden wooed many on his tour of Europe. It’ll take much more to fix the damage wrought by Trump, The New York Times, 20 June 2021: New York Faces Lasting Economic Toll Even as Pandemic Passes, The Guardian, 21 June 2021: Sweden Prime minister Stefan Löfven loses no-confidence vote, France24, 21 June 2021: Sweden’s political survivor Lofven finally stumbles, DW, 21 June 2021: Swedish Prime Minister Lofven loses no confidence vote, Politico.eu, 21 June 2021: Swedish government on the brink after PM Löfven loses no-confidence vote, CNN, 21 June 2021: Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven ousted in no-confidence vote, The Guardian, 21 June 2021: Belarus EU widens sanctions to make Lukashenko regime ‘run dry’, DW, 21 June 2021: EU agrees on increased sanctions against Belarus, NPR, 21 June 2021: Cargo Is Piling Up Everywhere, And It’s Making Inflation Worse, DW, 21 June 2021: China, India drive Asia to defy COVID-19-induced investment slump, Irish Times, 21 June 2021: EU to blacklist 86 Belarus officials and companies, Independent, 22 June 2021: ‘Negotiating sausages while the world burns’: Brussels can’t move on from Brexit – no matter how hard it tries, DW, 23 June 2021: EU threatens action against Hungary’s controversial LGBT+ bill, France24, 23 June 2021: Germany came out in rainbow colours in defiance of UEFA’s refusal of LGBT lights, NPR, 23 June 2021: German Stadiums Will Show Their Rainbow Colors To Support Hungary’s LGBTQ Community, DW, 23 June 2021: EU launches coronavirus stimulus program, France24, 23 June 2021: Hungary’s new anti-LGBTQ law a ‘shame’ that contravenes EU values, von der Leyen says, Financial Times, 23 June 2021: Berlin and Paris propose reset for EU relations with Moscow, BBC, 24 June 2021: Dutch PM Rutte: No place in EU for Hungary with anti-LGBT law (of course, Mark Rutte is right and there is more. Orban’s role as the leader of the inner-European EU haters would justify his expulsion. In addition, he is the sales representative and main gateway for all non-European enemies of the EU, from Vladimir Putin to Xi Jinping to Benjamin Netanyahu. The expulsion of Hungary would be problematic insofar as the absolute majority of Hungarians are EU supporters, which is why a regime change should be worked on), Reuters, 24 June 2021: “Too much”: EU leaders confront Hungary’s Orban over new anti-LGBT law, Politico.eu, 24 June 2021: EU startup fund overwhelmed by high demand, The Washington Post, 25 June 2021: Dutch leader tells Hungary: If you don’t like LGBT rights, you can leave the E.U., The New York Times, 25 June 2021: Europe’s Divisions on Vivid Display Over Hungary and Russia, New York Magazine, 26 June 2021: When Ransomware Hackers Tried to Ruin Summer on Martha’s Vineyard, Miami Herald, 26 June 2021: A cruise ship set sail from Port Everglades. It’s the first from the U.S. in 15 months, DW, 28 June 2021: Belarus freezes migrant cooperation deal over EU sanctions, France24, 28 June 2021: Belarus recalls envoy from Brussels in response to EU sanctions, Politico.eu, 28 June 2021: Central Europe’s future is in its cities, CNN, 29 June 2021: Millions of jobs and a shortage of applicants. Welcome to the new economy, France24, 1 July 2021: Concerns over rule of law as Slovenia takes over EU presidency, Politico.eu, 1 July 2021: A call for vigilance as Slovenia’s EU presidency begins, Financial Times, 1 July 2021: Slovenia’s EU presidency gets off to rocky start, Politico.eu, 1 July 2021: Rule of law disputes cast shadow over opening of Slovenia’s EU Council presidency, Arab News, 2 July 2021: Foundation stone laid for $880m Chinese LED project in Saudi Arabia’s Jubail, Politico.eu, 2 July 2021: Janša pushes gripes with Brussels as Slovenia takes EU presidency, BBC, 2 July 2021: US jobs growth picks up speed amid reopening, Politico.eu, 2 July 2021: Orbán, Le Pen, Salvini join forces to blast EU integration, Irish Times, 2 July 2021: Biden hails ‘historic progress’ on economy ahead of July 4th celebrations, DW, 3 July 2021: The global tax revolution is coming, The Times, 5 July 2021: EU parties of the far right combine to challenge Brussels ‘superstate’, The National, 5 July 2021: Business activity in Arab world’s largest economies picks up on vaccination boost, NPR, 5 July 2021: Capitalism Has Become An Ideology In Today’s America. Here’s How It Happened, DW, 6 July 2021: Lukashenko’s archenemy gets long jail sentence in Belarus, France24, 6 July 2021: Belarus opposition figure and leading Lukashenko critic jailed for 14 years, The Atlantic, 6 July 2021: The Autocrat’s Legacy, The New York Times, 6 July 2021: Cuomo Declares a Gun Violence Emergency in New York State (Gun laws in New York), USA Today, 6 July 2021: Cuomo declares NY state of emergency to address surge in gun violence. Here’s what that means, The Hill, 6 July 2021: Cuomo declares ‘state emergency’ on gun violence in New York, BBC, 6 July 2021: New York governor declares gun violence a health emergency, CNN, 7 July 2021: New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo declares gun violence emergency in his state, DW, 7 July 2021: Lithuania to build wall along Belarus border, Irish Times, 7 July 2021: Lithuania accuses Belarus of flying in migrants to send on to EU, France24, 7 July 2021: Hungary’s controversial anti-LGBT law goes into effect despite EU warnings, DW, 7 July 2021: European Parliament demands action over Hungary’s anti-LGBTQ law, The Washington Post, 7 July 2021: A Dutch journalist exposed the mob and defied death threats. Now he’s been shot in the head. (when it comes to press freedom, there is, however, a very clear distinction between state-organized criminals, such as in Hungary, Poland, Slovenia or Bulgaria, and “private-sector” criminals, such as in Amsterdam. The state criminals are far more dangerous), BBC, 8 July 2021: The growing Gulf rivalry that’s pushing up oil prices, France24, 8 July 2021: Japan imposes virus state of emergency in Tokyo area throughout Olympics, CNN, 8 July 2021: Tokyo Olympics will be held under a state of emergency as Japan mulls opening ceremony fan ban, Irish Times, 8 July 2021: Japan declares Covid-19 state of emergency in Tokyo ahead of Olympics, The Guardian, 8 July 2021: Tokyo to be put under state of emergency for duration of 2020 Olympic Games, Politico.eu, 8 July 2021: Europe’s startup funding set for record year, DW, 9 July 2021: Vietnam to gain as EU-China investment pact stalls, CNN, 9 July 2021: $350M ‘palace on rails’ luxury train concept unveiled, DW, 9 July 2021: Lithuania starts building Belarus border anti-migrant fence (obviously the Belarusian border guards are just as incompetent as dictator Lukashenko himself), CNN, 9 July 2021: How marginalized communities in the South are paying the price for ‘green energy’ in Europe, Politico.eu, 9 July 2021: How America fell out of love with Europe, DW, 10 July 2021: Haiti: Interim government requests troops from US, UN to help secure country, France24, 10 July 2021: G20 ministers endorse ‘historic’ global deal to tax multinationals, DW, 10 July 2021: G20 countries back global tax reform, says Germany’s finance minister, Irish Times, 10 July 2021: United States says Ireland will be encouraged to sign up to G20 tax deal, The National, 10 July 2021: G20 warns of fragility of global economic recovery and rising risk of Covid-19 variants, The New York Times, 10 July 2021: Global Tax Overhaul Gains Steam as G20 Backs New Levies, DW, 11 July 2021: Moldova votes in snap election aimed at weakening Russian influence, CNN, 11 July 2021: Haitians hope ‘the truth will come out’ as foreign investigators probe brutal murder of their President, The Sunday Times, 11 July 2021: Haiti’s president is dead — but why did it take a hit squad of 28?, NPR, 11 July 2021: Thousands In Cuba Demonstrate In One Of The Biggest Anti-Government Protests, France24, 11 July 2021: Thousands join rare anti-government protests in Cuba, Miami Herald, 11 July 2021: ‘We are not afraid!’ Cubans take to the streets to demand freedom, food, vaccines (it is and remains a tragedy. The regime has all options at hand, but blocks them time and time again. The country could already prosper for a long time and, with appropriate planning, offer relative prosperity for all residents if it weren’t for the corrupt and incompetent leadership. Cuba is and will remain an island, so that imports and exports can be centrally controlled and customs duties can be levied in order to generate additional and permanent income, so that the disproportionate dependence on tourism and aid from Cubans in exile can be reduced. For everything else there are very well-functioning, private-sector solutions. You just have to allow them. Just reducing the investment backlog, which amounts to at least 50 years (basically the entire island has to be completely renewed/renovated), would be a gigantic economic program with lifelong, relatively well-paid jobs for up to 20% of the population. Instead, the regime continue to rely on reprisals, decay, lack of prospects and resignation. The saloon communists of the West, who for decades have thought they have to pat and kiss the dictatorial regime’s buttocks instead of helping the population, also contribute their share to the catastrophic conditions under which large parts of the population have to live. There is only one point that can be positively attributed to the incompetent regime and that arises from the incompetence of the regime, the associated decay of the entire island infrastructure since the revolution and the hardly ever industrialization of the island: the environment, flora and fauna are in a comparatively good condition (Economy of Cuba)), France24, 12 July 2021: Thousands of Cubans take to the streets in rare anti-government protests, BBC, 12 July 2021: Cuba protests: Thousands rally against government as economy struggles, CNN, 12 July 2021: Cubans take to streets in rare protests over lack of freedoms and worsening economy, Miami Herald, 12 July 2021: Thousands of people flood streets near Little Havana to support protesters in Cuba, The Guardian, 12 July 2021: Thousands march in Cuba in rare mass protests amid economic crisis, NBC News, 12 July 2021: ‘We are no longer afraid’: Thousands of Cubans protest against the government, Reuters, 12 July 2021: Cuba sees biggest protests for decades as pandemic adds to woes, DW, 12 July 2021: Cuba: Thousands turn out to anti-government protests, The Guardian, 12 July 2021: President claims protests part of US plot to ‘fracture’ Communist party (*hahaha* whenever some dictatorial and/or failed government have to admit to itself that the entire social and societal system is a one big mess, they try to shift the responsibility onto “foreign forces”. Instead, all they have to do is to look in the mirror to see who the fool is in the game), Miami Herald, 12 July 2021: Cuba leader denies repression, says blackouts, U.S. embargo led to massive protests, France24, 12 July 2021: Biden says US stands with Cuban people and urges govt to ‘hear’ protesters, BBC, 12 July 2021: Cuba protests: Thousands rally against government as economy struggles, CNN, 12 July 2021: Biden calls on Cuban regime to ‘hear their people and serve their needs’ amid rare protests, The Washington Post, 12 July 2021: Cubans, broken by pandemic and fueled by social media, confront their police state, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2021: Biden says U.S. stands with Cuban protesters, but officials deflect policy criticism, The Hill, 12 July 2021: Protests escalate US-Cuba tensions, The New York Times, 12 July 2021: ‘Everyone Has a Tipping Point’: Hunger Fuels Cuba’s Protests, The Washington Post, 12 July 2021: No telling whether the Cuban protesters will prevail, but their courage is undeniable, Der Spiegel, 12 July 2021: Dealing with Europe’s Autocrats: It’s Time to Cut Funding for Orbán, DW, 12 July 2021: Lithuanian FM: Belarus using refugees as ‘hybrid weapon against EU’, France24, 12 July 2021: EU hits pause on US digital levy to focus on global corporate tax plan, Irish Times, 12 July 2021: Ireland may support global tax deal, Donohoe says, Politico.eu, 12 July 2021: Borrell: Slovenia’s Janša ‘does not represent’ EU on Iran, Miami Herald, 12 July 2021: White House doesn’t rule out sending troops to Haiti, says political future unclear, The New York Times, 12 July 2021: To Help Haiti, Stop Trying to Save It, Politico.eu, 12 July 2021: Moldova on pro-EU course after elections, Gulf Times, 13 July 2021: Cuba blames US ‘asphyxiation’ as protests erupt, France24, 13 July 2021: Unrest spreads in South Africa in wake of Zuma jailing as grievances boil over, The Guardian, 13 July 2021: Cuba At least 140 reportedly detained or disappeared after historic protests, Politico.eu, 13 July 2021: EU urges Cuba to ‘immediately’ release detained protesters, Miami Herald, 13 July 2021: Blaming U.S. for protests, Cuba official says actions could trigger exodus from the island, Tampa Bay Times, 13 July 2021: The U.S. has the duty to act in support of the Cuban people, The National, 13 July 2021: Funding to Mena start-ups rises 64 per cent to $1.2bn in first half of 2021, France24, 14 July 2021: US urges Cuba to lift internet restrictions after anti-government protests, DW, 14 July 2021: Cuba confirms death of man at antigovernment protests, BBC, 14 July 2021: US warns businesses over China’s Xinjiang province, DW, 14 July 2021: South Africa: Looters pounce in fallout from Zuma trial, CNN, 14 July 2021: Cuban YouTuber says she is being taken away by state security during live interview, DW, 14 July 2021: Belarus extends crackdown to human rights and news groups, The Times, 14 July 2021: Cuba’s apologists need to face the grim reality, DW, 14 July 2021: South Africa’s deadly unrest, looting reveals state failures, The Guardian, 14 July 2021: ‘Legal Polexit’ Poland court rules that EU measures are unconstitutional, Politico.eu, 14 July 2021: Battle of the courts: Contradictory rulings in Poland, EU raise specter of ‘Polexit’, DW, 14 July 2021: Top Poland court ruling moves toward undermining EU laws, Politico.eu, 14 July 2021: UK inflation rises sharply, turning heat on Bank of England, The Washington Post, 14 July 2021: Cuba and Haiti upheaval could mean twin migration crises, DW, 15 July 2021: South Africa will deploy 25,000 troops to help quell unrest, Politico.eu, 15 July 2021: Why Merkel can’t stop apologizing, France24, 15 July 2021: On the road to Polexit? Poland pushes back in battle against EU rule, DW, 15 July 2021: Cuba: Government tries to placate protesters with concessions, Politico.com, 15 July 2021: Belarus cracks down on medical workers while virus rages on, CNN, 15 July 2021: Biden promises answers on European travel ban ‘in the next several days’, NPR, 15 July 2021: Biden Says The U.S. Would Offer Aid To Cuba If He Had Assurances About The Regime, The National, 15 July 2021: Flash floods and thunderstorms in Oman dampen Eid Al Adha spirit, France24, 16 July 2021: Hundreds missing in Germany after massive floods leave scores dead, CNN, 16 July 2021: Germany mounts huge rescue effort after floods leave dozens dead and many more missing, France24, 16 July 2021: Europe floods: Officials warn such disasters to become more common, The Guardian, 16 July 2021: Climate scientists shocked by scale of floods in Germany, Reuters, 16 July 2021: At least 44 dead, dozens missing as floods sweep through western Europe, CNN, 16 July 2021: Deadly flooding in Europe, Haaretz, 16 July 2021: Over 110 Dead, Dozens Missing as Severe Floods Strike Europe, Times of Israel, 16 July 2021: Death toll climbs to 118 in Germany, Belgium as devastating storms ravage Europe, Arab News, 17 July 2021: UN chief: World faces a ‘hurricane of humanitarian crises’, Jerusalem Post, 16 July 2021: Floods in Germany claim 103 victims, more than 1,000 missing – watch, Der Spiegel, 16 July 2021: Did Climate Change Cause This? Flood Disaster Could Become a Major Issue in German Election, DW, 16 July 2021: The climate crisis can’t be stopped, we must adapt, Arab News, 16 July 2021: US must avoid unwittingly helping the Cuban government, Jerusalem Post, 16 July 2021: ‘Cuba Libre’ message painted outside Cuba’s US embassy in Washington, Arab News, 16 July 2021: Digitization a key driver of today’s economies, ABC News Australia, 16 July 2021: Flooding in Germany and Belgium leaves more than 100 dead, hundreds missing in one district alone, The Guardian, 16 July 2021: Death toll exceeds 150 as Germany and Belgium hit by devastating floods, The Washington Post, 17 July 2021: Death toll from European floods climbs to more than 150, The Telegraph India, 17 July 2021: 1,000 missing in western Germany and Belgium floods, NPR, 17 July 2021: The Death Toll From The Floods In Europe Has Topped 150 As Water Recedeseuters, 17 July 2021: Belgium sets day of mourning as flood deaths hit 20, Politico.eu, 17 July 2021: ‘How many dead will we accept?’ European floods expose failure to heed climate warnings, DW, 17 July 2021: German president to flood victims: ‘Your fate has broken our hearts’ — live updates, The New York Times, 17 July 2021: The Extent of Flooding in the Hardest-Hit Areas of Europe, DW, 17 July 2021: Belgians pick up the pieces after deadly floods, France24, 17 July 2021: At least 150 dead, hundreds missing in devastating European floods, DW, 17 July 2021: After western Germany’s catastrophic floods, cleanup begins, Miami Herald, 17 July 2021: The Latest: Belgium govt raises flood death toll to 20 (2021 European floods), The Guardian, 17 July 2021: Europe floods Death toll exceeds 170 as Germany and Belgium hit by devastating floods, CNN, 17 July 2021: Singapore and the UK are both planning to ‘live with Covid.’ They are worlds apart on how to do that, Al Jazeera, 17 July 2021: ‘The town has been destroyed’: Germany deals with flood aftermath, Times of Israel, 17 July 2021: Experts warn Europe floods show need to curb emissions, adapt urban planning, BBC, 17 July 2021: Europe floods: Rescuers race to find survivors as hundreds remain missing, CNN, 17 July 2021: Desperate search for survivors as western Europe reels from a ‘catastrophe of historic proportion’, The National, 17 July 2021: Floods in parts of the UAE after heavy rain, Gulf News, 17 July 2021: UAE weather: Cloudy skies, rain in Dubai’s Hatta, Al Ain, Sharjah, Ajman, dusty conditions in some areas due to strong winds, The Washington Post, 17 July 2021: Canada’s farmers brace for new heat wave as scorching summer leaves cherries roasting on trees, Politico.eu, 17 July 2021: Von der Leyen pledges EU support on visit to flood-hit region, Al Jazeera, 17 July 2021: Cuba’s president slams social media ‘hatred’ after protests, Gulf News, 17 July 2021: Horrifying flood fury: Extreme weather in the age of climate change, The Washington Post, 17 July 2021: As the Bootleg Fire burns, locals are faced with the realities of climate change — and remain skeptical, Miami Herald, 17 July 2021: Prelude to an assassination: Betrayal by guards and frantic call from Haiti to Florida, New York Magazine, 17 July 2021: Scenes of Devastation After Deadly Floods in Germany and Belgium, Miami Herald, 17 July 2021: Hundreds from Miami protest at Cuban Embassy and White House, chanting ‘libertad’, New York Magazine, 17 July 2021: The Travel Industry Is a Total Mess, But Everyone Is Traveling Anyway, The New York Times, 17 July 2021: ‘No One Is Safe’: Extreme Weather Batters the Wealthy World, Miami Herald, 17 July 2021: ‘Si Cuba está en la calle, Miami también.’ Thousands rally for end to Cuban dictatorship, The Washington Post, 17 July 2021: After unrest and arrests, Cuban government holds flag-waving rally as show of strength, Miami Herald, 17 July 2021: Hundreds of Cubans are still detained after anti-government protests, human-rights groups say, Los Angeles Times, 18 July 2021: Europe flood death toll tops 180 as rescuers dig deeper, CNN, 18 July 2021: Enormous scale of destruction is revealed as water subsides after historic western Europe flooding, France24, 18 July 2021: Merkel visits areas devastated by ‘terrifying’ floods as death toll tops 180 in Europe, The Atlantic, 18 July 2021: Black Lives Matter Misses the Point About Cuba, The Guardian, 18 July 2021: From Cuba to Palestine, when revolutionaries end up as dictators, the people pay the price, Politico.eu, 18 July 2021: Merkel pledges stronger post-flood focus on ‘climate protection’, The National, 18 July 2021: Cuban government holds mass rally in Havana after protests, The Guardian, 18 July 2021: ‘I’m surprised it took so long’: Cubans find anger in their souls, Miami Herald, 18 July 2021: Rally in solidarity with Cuban protests forms on the steps of the Freedom Tower, Arab News, 18 July 2021: OPEC+ agrees oil supply boost from August as prices surge, NPR, 18 July 2021: OPEC And Allied Nations Have Agreed To End A Dispute That Has Roiled Energy Prices, The New York Times, 18 July 2021: OPEC Plus Agrees on Oil Production Increase, DW, 19 July 2021: Germany’s know-it-all attitude after the floods helps no one (of course, it is initially a tightrope act or as it is called: “keep measure and balance”. From a distance, the topic can be divided into four phases: First of all, it is about giving consolation and support to those affected (some communities will only be able to be supplied temporarily for months, have mobile toilet and washing facilities and fresh water tanks in the village squares, until the infrastructure (water, sewage, electricity, telephone, internet, television, etc.) is restored and something like normal returns). As was to be expected during election campaign times, this is currently mixed, unfortunately, with blame that has been shot from the hip and just as unsustainable. Here, too, it is urgent and prompt to find “measure and balance” in order not to escalate the situation any further. Then it is about raising tax money in unbelievable amounts for the renewal and repair of the public infrastructure (traffic and transport infrastructure, supply and discharge of drinking and service water, electricity, telephone, etc.). The previously announced 300 million euros can only be a start. Phases 3 and 4 are much more positive because they are about reconstruction. For city planners, architects, project developers and construction companies this is “a dream”, because in many cases they now have white sheets in front of them and can thus avoid the bad planning of the past and at the same time implement sustainable, future-oriented new building measures that take climate change into account. The only downer is the partial loss of old and historical buildings, with the majority of the loss being attributable to post-war buildings, which are not significant in terms of architecture and building history. So it is a mixed balance, the successful implementation of which will take 10 to 15 years and depends to a large extent on the timely provision of public funds/subsidies and permits), DW, 19 July 2021: How can we prepare for extreme flooding?, Irish Times, 19 July 2021: The Irish Times view on protests in Cuba: the US embargo must end, Politico.eu, 19 July 2021: Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine see joint path to EU, The Times, 20 July 2021: Global stocks tumble amid Covid concerns and rising inflation rate, Politico.eu, 20 July 2021: EU unveils critical rule-of-law report as internal fissures widen, France24, 21 July 2021: Pfizer/BioNTech to produce Covid-19 vaccine in S.Africa, Politico.eu, 21 July 2021: South African company to help produce BioNTech/Pfizer vaccine for Africa, DW, 21 July 2021: Tokyo Olympics unable to heal Japan-South Korea rift, Politico.com, 21 July 2021: Cuba protests ignite 2024 GOP primary, The Guardian, 22 July 2021: Cuba US sanctions security chief and special forces over crackdown on protests, France24, 22 July 2021: Death toll from rioting in South Africa rises to more than 330, government says, DW, 22 July 2021: Biden announces fresh sanctions against Cuba, BBC, 22 July 2021: Olympics opening ceremony director sacked for Holocaust joke (We really have to rethink this “Cancel Culture” nonsense, especially since almost everyone has done or said some thoughtless nonsense at a young age. After all, that’s what youth is there for. Otherwise, the current culture of outrage ensures that the most suitable people are no longer doing the jobs, but rather some weird chew, hermit or people who have already committed themselves to a lifelong vow of silence in childhood. That can hardly be wanted. Optionally, the statutory private privacy regulations must be supplemented in such a way that actions or statements from more than five or ten years ago, based on the statutory limitation periods, may no longer have any consequences), Japan Times, 22 July 2021: Director of Olympics opening ceremony sacked over past Holocaust joke, Reuters, 22 July 2021: Opening ceremony director fired on Tokyo Games eve over Holocaust joke, Politico.eu, 22 July 2021: How the Zoom revolution will transform the Brussels bubble, CNN, 22 July 2021: The door is closing on Chinese tech IPOs on Wall Street, Los Angeles Times, 22 July 2021: Tokyo Olympics teeter on the edge of being both a psychological and political drama, The New Yorker, 22 July 2021: Tokyo’s Olympics Have Become the Anger Games, The Washington Post, 22 July 2021: Cuba censored the Internet amid protests. Florida leaders want Biden to respond with balloon-based wireless., Politico.eu, 22 July 2021: Olympic chiefs reject call for EU flag at Tokyo opening ceremony, Gulf News, 22 July 2021: US-China trade keeps gaining despite soaring political and tariffs on goods, The New Yorker, 22 July 2021: Is Cuba’s Communist Party Finally Losing Its Hold on the Country?, The Washington Post, 22 July 2021: U.S. imposes sanctions on Cuban officials following attacks on protesters, Los Angeles Times, 22 July 2021: Biden hits Cuba with more sanctions over its crackdown on protesters, Miami Herald, 22 July 2021: Miami Mayor Francis Suarez says Biden’s Cuba condemnation, sanctions are ‘not enough’, The Washington Post, 23 July 2021: Japan’s Olympics kick off amid a cascade of disasters, The Times, 24 July 2021: Nearly a third of bank audits substandard, warns regulator, The Hill, 24 July 2021: How the EU is stepping up to fight money laundering, Miami Herald, 24 July 2021: ‘Communism is a failed system.’ In Florida, Democrats promote Biden’s stance on Cuba., France24, 24 July 2021: Lula: ‘Jair Bolsonaro is an agent of genocide’, The Washington Post, 24 July 2021: Europe’s hotels and restaurants are eager to welcome tourists — if they can find enough staff, The Guardian, 25 July 2021: Cuba: Leftists begin to turn their fire on the ‘harmful practices of the state’, Arab News, 25 July 2021: Protests across Tunisia as COVID-19 surges and economy suffers, France24, 26 July 2021: Tunisian president’s supporters clash with Ennahda opponents outside parliament, DW, 26 July 2021: Tunisia: President dismisses PM Mechichi, freezes parliament, BBC, 26 July 2021: Tunisia President Kais Saied accused of coup amid clashes, France24, 26 July 2021: Clashes erupt outside parliament after Tunisian president ousts PM, suspends legislature, The Guardian, 26 July 2021: Tunisia President accused of staging coup after suspending parliament, Al Arabiya, 26 July 2021: Tunisia’s Kais Saied responds to coup claims: ‘Revise your constitutional lessons’, Times of Israel, 26 July 2021: US urges democracy maintained in Tunisia, as birthplace of Arab Spring in crisis, BBC, 26 July 2021: White House: US to maintain Covid foreign travel restrictions, DW, 26 July 2021: Coronavirus digest: Leading doctors say delta variant is fast, fit and formidable, Reuters, 26 July 2021: U.S. will not lift travel restrictions, citing Delta variant, White House says, The Wall Street Journal, 26 July 2021: U.S. to Keep Covid-19 Travel Restrictions Due to Delta Variant, Official Says, The Guardian, 26 July 2021: Coronavirus live: US keeps travel ban on UK and Schengen area; Thailand reports record case numbers, Politico.eu, 26 July 2021: US to maintain travel restrictions, citing Delta variant, The New York Times, 26 July 2021: White House Will Keep Travel Bans, Citing Delta Variant Concerns, NPR, 26 July 2021: Iranian Railway, Ancient Chinese City Among New UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Miami Herald, 26 July 2021: Cuba protesters in Washington want President Biden to do more to pressure the regime, DW, 27 July 2021: Tunisia: A political crisis fueled by economic woes, Politico.eu, 27 July 2021: Can Macron and Draghi form post-Merkel alliance?, DW, 27 July 2021: Tunisia: EU’s Borrell calls for quick return to stability, Politico.eu, 28 July 2021: ‘Huge disappointment’ in EU over Biden’s continuing travel ban, The New Yorker, 28 July 2021: Mandela’s Dream for South Africa Is in Ruins, France24, 29 July 2021: Tunisia president asks former national security adviser to temporarily run interior ministry, Politico.eu, 29 July 2021: EU and Cuba clash over condemnation of protest crackdown (here, too, the Cuban regime is emulating its great role model Russia: Lies and propaganda), Miami Herald, 29 July 2021: Biden will meet Cuban American activists at the White House on Friday, Al Arabiya, 29 July 2021: Tunisia’s president appoints Reda Gharslawi to run interior ministry, The National, 29 July 2021: Tunisia’s president says $4.8 billion of public money squandered, France24, 29 July 2021: Tunisian president pledges to protect freedoms, Reuters, 29 July 2021: Ever Given, the ship that blocked the Suez Canal, arrives in Rotterdam, ABC News, 29 July 2021: Ever Given cargo ship that blocked the Suez Canal finally arrives in Rotterdam, The Washington Post, 30 July 2021: The Ever Given, Fresh From Suez, Becomes a Tourist Attraction, DW, 30 July 2021: US hits Cuba with new sanctions as Biden vows further action, BBC, 30 July 2021: Covid and a coup: The double crisis pushing Myanmar to the brink, Politico.eu, 30 July 2021: Borrell: EU’s ‘insufficient’ vaccine donations open door for China, DW, 30 July 2021: Thailand moves to strengthen EU ties amid US-China rivalry, DW, 30 July 2021: ECB says EU banks ‘robust’ after stress test, Haaretz, 30 July 2021: The Political Compromise That Saved Tunisia Is Now Tearing It Apart, The Guardian, 31 July 2021: Myanmar: Junta accused of crimes against humanity six months on from coup, DW, 31 July 2021: Myanmar: Rights group slams junta ahead of coup anniversary, The National, 31 July 2021: Jordan’s Arab Bank reports 20% rise in first-half profit as operating income climbs, France24, 1 August 2021: Tourists and villages evacuated as wildfires rage across Turkey, Greece, Italy, CNN, 1 August 2021: ‘The animals are on fire,’ say devastated farmers as wildfires sweep Turkey, France24, 1 August 2021: Security forces in Tunisia arrest two MPs from party opposed to president’s consolidation of power, Arab News, 1 August 2021: Egyptian foreign minister: We trust wisdom of Tunisian leadership on managing current crisis, France24, 2 August 2021: Tunisia’s president replaces finance and communications ministers in latest government shake-up, Politico.eu, 2 August 2021: EU pledges to step up efforts to help Lithuania stem migration from Belarus (Seal off the entire border on the Latvian, Lithuanian and Polish side towards Belarus, 200% tariffs on supplies and services from Belarus, stopp importing Belarus’ most important export goods, sanction the complete leadership of Belarus and cut off the entire country from financial support so that it becomes 100% Putin’s patient. He will not be able to believe his luck to be allowed to feed another failed state), Arab News, 2 August 2021: Egypt, Algeria agree on ‘full support’ for Tunisian president, The Atlantic, 2 August 2021: Hot The Bobos Broka America, DW, 4 August 2021: Cuban government asks for humanitarian aid, Politico.eu, 4 August 2021: Biden’s Brussels pick isn’t just one of the president’s men, The Times, 4 August 2021: Lithuania seeks EU help as Belarus increases flights of Iraq migrants, Politico.eu, 4 August 2021: Belarus migrant arrivals could reach 10,000 in weeks, warns Lithuanian minister, Der Spiegel, 4 August 2021: Rising Malnourishment: Global Food Prices Spike in Response to the Pandemic, Irish Times, 4 August 2021: The Irish Times view on the death of a Belarusian dissident in Kiev: the long arm of Lukashenko, The Atlantic, 4 August 2021: The International Travel Restrictions Make Little Sense, Politico.eu, 4 August 2021: Von der Leyen insists US lift travel ban for Europeans, DW, 5 August 2021: EU summons Belarus envoy over ‘instrumentalization’ of migrants, The Times, 5 August 2021: Old regime has failed to update its revolutionary script, DW, 5 August 2021: Coronavirus digest: US plans to allow vaccinated foreign travelers, Politico.eu, 5 August 2021: US set to require foreign travelers to be fully vaccinated, BBC, 6 August 2021: US economy adds more jobs than expected in July, DW, 6 August 2021: Poland should not stay in EU ‘at all costs,’ says minister (good riddance!), DW, 6 August 2021: France forecasts historic fall in wine production, France24, 7 August 2021: Cuba legalizes small and medium enterprises in boost for private sector, BBC, 7 August 2021: Cuba allows small and medium-sized private businesses, Times of Malta, 7 August 2021: Cuba legalizes small and medium enterprises in boost for private sector, Politico.com, 7 August 2021: ‘Powerful signal’: Biden’s infrastructure bill sends message to China, The New York Times, 7 August 2021: Cubans Want Much More Than an End to the U.S. Embargo, Politico.eu, 8 August 2021: Weidmann: ECB can’t protect governments from higher borrowing costs if inflation spikes, The National, 8 August 2021: EU tells Belarus it could toughen sanctions amid border dispute (Belarus–European Union relations, Eastern Partnership), Politico.eu, 8 August 2021: Belarus opposition confident of change despite year of ‘hell’ unleashed by Lukashenko, The National, 8 August 2021: An overland route to rival Suez: the wild ambition of Iraq’s Al Faw port, DW, 9 August 2021: A year after anti-Lukashenko protests began, Belarus within Putin’s reach, Politico.eu, 9 August 2021: What the UN’s new climate warnings mean for Europe, France24, 9 August 2021: Lukashenko defiant as Western powers levy new sanctions on Belarus, a year after disputed reelection, Politico.eu, 9 August 2021: UK, US and Canada impose fresh sanctions on Belarus (the earlier the better and, above all, as extensive as possible), Gulf News, 9 August 2021: Dubai’s private sector is hiring again, July sees biggest growth since November 2019: IHS Markit, The New York Times, 9 August 2021: Climate Denial, Covid Denial and the Right’s Descent, The Washington Post, 9 August 2021: Cuban-exile community worries and mobilizes to support loved ones on the island, Arab News, 10 August 2021: Budget figures indicate Saudi Arabia’s robust economic progress, France24, 10 August 2021: Latvia declares state of emergency over Belarus migrant influx, Politico.eu, 10 August 2021: Europe was the world’s great tech enforcer. Not anymore., The Guardian, 10 August 2021: Food security: Global food supplies will suffer as temperatures rise – climate crisis report, The Hill, 11 August 2021: Belarus blocks entry of US ambassador as retaliation for sanctions, Arab News, 11 August 2021: 370 Iraqi would-be migrants to EU flown home from Belarus, Politico.eu, 11 August 2021: 5 key questions on tighter Belarus sanctions, Al Arabiya, 11 August 2021: Spain seizes Lebanese hash cannabis worth $470 mln in Atlantic Ocean: Irish Times, The Atlantic, 11 August 2021: 9/11 Was a Warning of What Was to Come, DW, 11 August 2021: Exclusive: German chancellor candidate Olaf Scholz calls for ‘a new policy’ toward eastern Europe and Russia, Politico.eu, 12 August 2021: Germany’s Scholz calls for EU Ostpolitik, Bloomberg, 12 August 2021: China’s Port Shutdown Raises Fears of Closures Worldwide, The Guardian, 13 August 2021: ‘An economic calamity’: Africa faces years of post-Covid instability, CNN, 13 August 2021: Belarus floods the European Union with migrants, taking a page out of Putin’s playbook, Miami Herald, 13 August 2021: Biden sanctions more Cuban officials for repression of July 11 protesters, Bloomberg, 13 August 2021: Consumer Sentiment in U.S. Plunges to Lowest Since 2011, Reuters, 13 August 2021: U.S. consumer sentiment plummets in early August to decade low, DW, 14 August 2021: Dozens dead in Haiti earthquake, France24, 14 August 2021: Deadly 7.2-magnitude earthquake wreaks havoc in Haiti, BBC, 14 August 2021: Haiti struck by deadly 7.2-magnitude earthquake, CNN, 14 August 2021: Earthquake strikes near Haiti, Miami Herald, 14 August 2021: At least 229 dead after major earthquake rocks Haiti. The toll is likely to grow, NPR, 14 August 2021: At Least 227 Are Dead After A 7.2 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Haiti, Bloomberg, 14 August 2021: Global Supply Chains Are Being Battered by Fresh Covid Surges, DW, 15 August 2021: Haiti: Death toll in massive earthquake rises to over 700, NPR, 15 August 2021: Photos: Scenes From The Haiti Earthquake, The New York Times, 15 August 2021: More Than 700 Dead in Haiti Earthquake; Injured Overwhelm Hospitals, Miami Herald, 15 August 2021: As death toll passes 700, rescue crews face difficult challenges after Haiti earthquake, The Guardian, 16 August 2021: Haiti: Country braces for storm Grace as PM warns earthquake death toll could rise, DW, 16 August 2021: Has Eastern Europe wised up to Chinese investment?, BBC, 16 August 2021: Haiti earthquake: Death toll climbs as tropical storm nears, CNN, 16 August 2021: Tropical depression threatens further devastation in earthquake-hit Haiti, NPR, 16 August 2021: Rescuers In Haiti Scramble To Save People Trapped In Rubble As Death Toll Tops 1,400, France24, 17 August 2021: Search for Haiti quake survivors continues as storm approaches, The Guardian, 17 August 2021: Haiti: Tropical Storm Grace’s heavy rains pour misery on earthquake survivors, Der Spiegel, 17 August 2021: Lukashenko’s Revenge: How Belarus Is Funneling Refugees into the EU, The New York Times, 17 August 2021: Haiti Quake Toll Leaps to Nearly 2,000 Dead as Rain Pelts Survivors, DW, 17 August 2021: Germany’s Merkel slams Belarus over refugee treatment, France24, 18 August 2021: Critics say new Cuba cybersecurity law limits freedom, Politico.eu, 18 August 2021: Poland sends troops to Belarus border to halt migrants, The New York Times, 18 August 2021: ‘We’re on Our Own’: Quake Survivors Despair at Lack of Government Aid, Der Spiegel, 18 August 2021: Legal Loggerheads: Stewing Conflict Between German High Court and the EU Could Boil Over, France24, 19 August 2021: Anger, despair mount in Haiti over halting earthquake relief efforts, NPR, 19 August 2021: Haiti’s Earthquake Has Left Hospitals Overwhelmed, And Aid Isn’t Coming Quick Enough, Arab News, 19 August 2021: Poland accuses neighbor Belarus of pushing migrants across its borders, Politico.eu, 19 August 2021: EU on a ‘tightrope’ as winter gas supply worries increase, France24, 19 August 2021: US sanctions more Cuban officials over protest crackdown, Miami Herald, 19 August 2021: Parents enter the fray in Florida feud over masks in schools. Trial starts Monday, Politico.eu, 20 August 2021: After Afghanistan: What the UK and Europe should do next, France24, 20 August 2021: Foreign aid trickles into rural Haiti as officials fear many still buried in rubble, Miami Herald, 20 August 2021: Biden might take harder line in Cuba, Venezuela to make up for bungled exit from Afghanistan, The Atlantic, 20 August 2021: Liberal Democracy Is Worth a Fight, DW, 21 August 2021: Africa: Vaccination rollout hindered by hesitancy, low supply, CNN, 22 August 2021: Parts of Middle East running out of water and becoming uninhabitable, The National, 22 August 2021: Australian PM defends Covid strategy as anti-lockdown protests go on, Gulf Times, 23 August 2021: ‘EU needs own geopolitical muscle independent of US’, France24, 22 August 2021: Afghan ‘tragedy’ shows EU needs geopolitical muscle: Borrell (it would be very good if the EU finally set up its own army. However, when it comes to common defense, the EU is in a deep comatose sleep. Afghanistan is far away. The impacts are not close enough and loud enough to finally wake up the deciders. It will probably take a few more crises and millions of refugees before the lights in the sleeping car compartment are switched on), Politico.eu, 23 August 2021: IMF awards Belarus $1B to fight coronavirus, France24, 23 August 2021: Belarus accused of ‘weaponising’ migrants as thousands stranded at EU border (Austria supports the Belarusian dictatorship with 400 million euros annually, so that it can hardly be assumed that the EU will actually adopt full sanctions against Belarus. Chancellor Kurz likes the dictator from Minsk too much for that), Politico.eu, 24 August 2021: On independence day, Ukraine foreign minister pushes for EU membership, DW, 25 August 2021: Afghan migrants trapped at the border between Poland and Belarus, The National, 25 August 2021: WHO experts say search for Covid origins has ‘stalled’, DW, 25 August 2021: Bangladesh: Islamists emboldened by Taliban win in Afghanistan, Politico.eu, 25 August 2021: Polish-Belarusian migration crisis gets political, Irish Times, 25 August 2021: Fighting for basic human rights is not some delusional feminist obsession, CNN, 25 August 2021: China wants families to have three children. But many women aren’t convinced, Miami Herald, 25 August 2021: U.N. seeks $187 million to help Haiti in its recovery after devastating earthquake, The Washington Post, 25 August 2021: Anatomy of a massacre: How one nation’s military terrorized its people with weapons of war, DW, 26 August 2021: Court tells Poland, Latvia to aid migrants on Belarus border, The Guardian, 27 August 2021: Coronavirus live news: UK reports 100 deaths and 38,046 new cases – as it happened, CNN, 29 August 2021: Europe’s disunity and lack of trust imperils the continent’s future, Irish Times, 30 August 2021: European shares close little changed amid UK bank holiday, The Times, 30 August 2021: Europe risks irrelevance unless it muscles up, Irish Times, 30 August 2021: Housing should be affordable, secure and appropriate. It’s a right, The Times, 30 August 2021: World’s first famine driven by climate change not conflict, Irish Times, 30 August 2021: George Soros: Investors in Xi’s China face a rude awakening, The New York Times, 30 August 2021: The World Is Still Short of Everything. Get Used to It., Politico.eu, 31 August 2021: Poland plans a state of emergency on border with Belarus, DW, 31 August 2021: Poland seeks state of emergency at Belarus border, Miami Herald, 31 August 2021: U.S. uses choppers, ships and military personnel to deliver aid to Haiti quake victims, Politico.eu, 1 September 2021: EU regulator warns of ‘high risks’ for market crash, Politico.eu, 1 September 2021: WHO, Berlin float sanctions if countries suppress information on pandemics, The Times, 1 September 2021: Poland set to declare state of emergency over migrant crisis, Politico.eu, 1 September 2021: Lithuania slams shut the door to the EU for irregular migrants, DW, 2 September 2021: A single European railway with Connecting Europe Express, The Guardian, 2 September 2021: US withdrawal from Afghanistan will lead to EU army, says top diplomat, The National, 2 September 2021: How 9/11 changed airline travel forever, DW, 2 September 2021: Emerging economies stymied by rising interest rates and COVID, Politico.eu, 3 September 2021: West lacks clear plan to rival China’s ‘Belt and Road,’ Estonia says, The Guardian, 4 September 2021: Brexit: Irish Sea row risks damaging UK-EU relations long term, says minister, DW, 5 September 2021: Sri Lanka: COVID, economic crisis cause food shortages, Politico.eu, 6 September 2021: For EU, Afghanistan is now a four-letter word, The Guardian, 6 September 2021: Boris Johnson’s biggest lie about Europe is finally coming home to roost, BBC, 6 September 2021: Belarus jail terms for opposition figures Kolesnikova and Znak, CNN, 6 September 2021: Belarus opposition figure and protest leader sentenced to 11 years in jail, The New York Times, 6 September 2021: Belarus Opposition Leader Sentenced to 11 Years in Prison, ABC News, 6 September 2021: Polish lawmakers uphold state of emergency at Belarus border, Politico.com, 6 September 2021: Why Trump’s steel tariffs are now Biden’s political headache, The Guardian, 7 September 2021: Hong Kong: international companies reconsider future in wake of security law, Politico.eu, 9 September 2021: Hopes of EU fiscal reform on the rocks after pushback from eight capitals, Arab News, 9 September 2021: Von der Leyen to lay out EU’s path forward, Reuters, 9 September 2021: U.S., EU officials to kick off new trade, tech council on Sept. 29 -White House, Politico.eu, 9 September 2021: Transatlantic trade deal rises from the grave to fight China, The National, 9 September 2021: The UK-US ‘special relationship’ is at breaking point, Politico.eu, 10 September 2021: EU warns of ‘instability’ if Northern Ireland protocol is unpicked, DW, 11 September 2021: Merkel: Belarus migrant push at EU border ‘unacceptable’, The Sunday Times, 12 September 2021: Iraqi refugees being steered through the forests of Belarus and into the EU, DW, 12 September 2021: Belarus: Lukashenko eyes $1 billion arms deal with Russia, Der Spiegel, 13 September 2021: Egypt Picks Europe Over China: High-Speed Rail to Connect Red Sea and Mediterranean, DW, 13 September 2021: Norway election: Conservative PM concedes after left-wing opposition victory, Politico.eu, 14 September 2021: Classified: Ursula von der Leyen’s draft State of the European Union speech (kind of), DW, 14 September 2021: The EU’s 4 persistent problems still dogging the bloc, The Guardian, 15 September 2021: European Union: Von der Leyen: EU must acquire ‘political will’ to build own military, DW, 15 September 2021: The EU’s spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak, France24, 15 September 2021: ICC backs crime against humanity probe into Philippines’ ‘war on drugs’, DW, 15 September 2021: EU to prioritize global vaccination, von der Leyen says in State of EU address, Politico.eu, 15 September 2021: Von der Leyen finds EU’s soul — and its weakness — in State of Union address, DW, 15 September 2021: What does the end of the Merkel era mean for Southeast Asia?, France24, 15 September 2021: Von der Leyen hails EU vaccine progress, pledges 200 million jabs for low-income countries, Politico.eu, 15 September 2021: EU proposes new law to speed up in global chips race , CNN, 15 September 2021: Biden announces trilateral partnership with UK and Australia (the EU’s progressive self-dwarfing in this matter is becoming unbearable), Irish Times, 15 September 2021: EU needs political will to build defence policy, says von der Leyen, Politico.eu, 15 September 2021: EU launches ‘Global Gateway’ to counter China’s Belt and Road, The National, 15 September 2021: Global economy to expand by 5.3% in 2021, says UN – the fastest pace in 50 years, Global Times, 16 September 2021: EU eyes geopolitical power in 2021 SOUA, loses faith in US, CNN, 17 September 2021: Trump abandoned this giant trade deal. Now, China wants in, New York Magazine, 17 September 2021: Occupy Wall Street Changed Everything, CNN, 17 September 2021: Washington has a China fixation and France got in the way, The Guardian, 19 September 2021: Analysis: Slow but steady has seen the EU win out in the vaccine race (the interesting part is that corona nationalism and the export bans on raw materials and vaccines in the US and UK have left a lot more deaths than in the EU. At the same time, the EU’s multinational approach has contributed to the fact that vaccination rates are now much better in the EU than in the US and UK. Well done Brussels!), Al Arabiya, 19 September 2021: World leaders return to UN General Assembly with focus on COVID, climate change, Politico.eu, 19 September 2021: EU-Australia trade deal runs aground over submarine furor, NPR, 20 September 2021: After Months Of Bans, Fully Vaccinated Travelers Will Be Allowed To Fly To The U.S., The National, 20 September 2021: US to lift flight ban for fully vaccinated travellers from UK and Europe, Politico.eu, 20 September 2021: US to lift travel ban on European citizens, Al Arabiya, 20 September 2021: France could block EU-Australia trade deal in retaliation for submarine crisis, CNN, 20 September 2021: French submarine dispute could torpedo EU-Australia trade talks, The Guardian, 20 September 2021: Aukus: France tries to delay EU-Australia trade deal amid fallout, BBC, 20 September 2021: US lifts Covid travel ban on UK and EU citizens, France24, 20 September 2021: US to end travel ban for fully vaccinated passengers in early November, CNN, 20 September 2021: US will reopen to fully vaccinated foreign visitors, The Guardian, 20 September 2021: Covid: US to lift travel ban for fully vaccinated passengers from UK and EU, The New York Times, 20 September 2021: The U.S. will lift travel restrictions for foreigners who are fully vaccinated, easing a source of tension with Europe., The Times, 20 September 2021: France threatens to block EU trade deal with Australia, Politico.eu, 20 September 2021: EU court fines Poland €500K a day over refusal to shut down coal mine, CNN, 20 September 2021: Poland ordered to pay $580,000 fine for each day coal mine remains open, The Guardian, 20 September 2021: Poland: Warsaw vows to keep coalmine open despite €500,000-a-day ECJ fine, The Times, 20 September 2021: Evergrande is rattling the markets — and putting Beijing to the test, Haaretz, 21 September 2021: EU Backs France in Submarine Dispute: ‘Is America Back? We Don’t Know’, The New York Times, 21 September 2021: In U.N. Debut, Biden Confronts Doubts About U.S. Global Leadership, NPR, 21 September 2021: Why The City Will Survive The Age Of Pandemics And Remote Work, The New York Times, 21 September 2021: Australia’s Submarines Make Waves in Asia Long Before They Go to Sea, Politico.eu, 21 September 2021: US-EU tech alliance is off to a bad start, The National, 21 September 2021: OECD: global economic recovery gathers pace but remains uneven, CNN, 21 September 2021: Four bodies found on Polish-Belarus border (the dictator Lukashenko not only kills his own compatriots, but also his guests from all over the world), Politico.eu, 21 September 2021: EU’s Breton calls for ‘pause and reset’ in transatlantic relationship, BBC, 21 September 2021: Joe Biden urges unity amid tensions with allies, Politico.eu, 21 September 2021: How Germany learned to stop worrying and love EU bailouts, Miami Herald, 22 September 2021: Americans are out, Russians are in: Cuba’s tourism is severely disrupted by pandemic, Politico.eu, 22 September 2021: Commission offers insurers capital relief in return for their investment firepower, Arab News, 22 September 2021: Challenges of today’s world require a reformed UN, Politico.eu, 22 September 2021: EU ambassadors back German nominee for top finance job, Haaretz, 23 September 2021: Once Israel’s National Airline, El Al Is Fast Becoming the Haredi Carrier, Politico.eu, 24 September 2021: EU’s free-traders defeat French push to punish US, France24, 25 September 2021: US and allies vow to pursue ‘free and open’ Indo-Pacific region at Quad summit, BBC, 25 September 2021: German frontrunner Olaf Scholz: ‘EU and UK will have to work together as friends’, Politico.eu, 25 September 2021: The Joe they don’t know: Europe reckons with Biden’s Asia push, BBC, 26 September 2021: Iceland misses out on Europe’s first female-majority parliament after recount, The Sunday Times, 26 September 2021: Macron has a golden chance to switch axis of the EU from Berlin to Paris, Politico.eu, 27 September 2021: EU envoys create 11th-hour hitch for transatlantic tech alliance, The National, 28 September 2021: Oil tops $80 per barrel to reach three-year high as supply tightens and demand rises, CNN, 28 September 2021: China’s power shortage threatens more supply chain chaos, Politico.eu, 29 September 2021: The transatlantic relationship descends into a food fight, France24, 29 September 2021: US, EU seek to ease tensions with trade, tech talks, Politico.eu, 29 September 2021: The fault lines hindering plans for a strong US-EU alliance on tech and trade, The Guardian, 29 September 2021: Belarus: EU seeks to tighten visa rules amid growing migrant crisis, Politico.eu, 29 September 2021: Have we reached peak stupidity?, CNN, 29 September 2021: Supply chain workers warn of a ‘system collapse’, France24, 29 September 2021: EU court cancels Morocco trade deals over Western Sahara dispute, DW, 29 September 2021: EU court annuls Morocco trade agreements over Western Sahara, Irish Times, 30 September 2021: Cliff Taylor: Confused about the global corporate tax deal? Here’s your guide, Politico.eu, 30 September 2021: European banks debate rival to US payment giants, France24, 1 October 2021: EU postpones long-planned trade talks with Australia over submarine row, BBC, 1 October 2021: Aukus: Australia-EU trade talks delayed as row deepens, The Guardian, 2 October 2021: ‘I’m quitting politics’, says Rodrigo Duterte – for a second time, France24, 2 October 2021: Philippine President Duterte announces retirement in surprise move, The National, 2 October 2021: Philippine President Duterte to retire from politics, Times of Israel, 2 October 2021: Philippines’ Duterte says he’ll retire, citing views that ‘I’m not qualified’, Arab News, 2 October 2021: There’s a ‘mutual wish to further intensify EU-Saudi cooperation,’ EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell tells Arab News, The Guardian, 2 October 2021: ‘A perfect storm’: Supply chain crisis could blow world economy off course, France24, 2 October 2021: Dutch PM under protection as the ‘Mocro Mafia’ drug cartel sows fear in the Netherlands, The Hill, 2 October 2021: European-Japanese space mission captures pictures of Mercury, Gulf Times, 3 October 2021: Philippines’ Duterte says daughter running for president in 2022 elections, Irish Times, 3 October 2021: Pandora Papers: Leaked files show hidden financial affairs of world leaders, The Guardian, 3 October 2021: Pandora papers: Biggest ever leak of offshore data exposes financial secrets of rich and powerful, BBC, 3 October 2021: Secret wealth of leaders exposed in document leak, The Hill, 3 October 2021: Pandora Papers roil Pakistani politics; PM pledges investigation, DW, 3 October 2021: Pandora Papers: Secret tax havens of world leaders, celebrities revealed, The Hill, 3 October 2021: ‘Pandora Papers’: Massive leak exposes offshore dealings of 35 world leaders, NPR, 3 October 2021: What the ‘Pandora Papers’ show about how the powerful hide money from public view, The Washington Post, 3 October 2021: BILLIONS HIDDEN BEYOND REACH, Politico.eu, 4 October 2021: Meet the European leaders named in the Pandora Papers, Arab News, 4 October 2021: IMF urges Algeria to ‘recalibrate’ economy, Politico.eu, 4 October 2021: EU countries warned to ‘not overreact’ to energy price surge, The New York Times, 4 October 2021: Oil and Gas Prices May Stay High as Investors Chase Clean Energy, Irish Times, 4 October 2021: Pandora Papers: Ireland used as de facto ‘offshore’ location, CNN, 4 October 2021: Giant inflatable sails could make shipping greener, The Guardian, 4 October 2021: At a glance: Key revelations from the Pandora papers, France24, 4 October 2021: World leaders scramble to limit fallout from Pandora Papers revelations, BBC, 4 October 2021: Pandora Papers: World leaders deny wrongdoing after leaks, CNN, 4 October 2021: Here are 5 takeaways from the Pandora Papers, NPR, 4 October 2021: Pandora Papers show how tax havens are part of the global inequity problem, Politico.eu, 5 October 2021: The web of connections behind Brussels lobbying, The National, 5 October 2021: IMF: World faces ‘hobbled’ recovery with possible cumulative loss of $5.3tn, Politico.eu, 5 October 2021: EU too: Brussels gets mad at Ted Cruz, DW, 5 October 2021: Calls for Lukashenko to face international tribunal, The National, 6 October 2021: EU states at odds over solution to record surge in energy prices, Politico.eu, 6 October 2021: After the honeymoon, how to make the EU-US relationship work, The National, 6 October 2021: Europe divided on plans for its own army after Aukus submarine row (let the Eastern EU states fully rely on NATO if they think that this is a clever idea. The Western EU states should instead form a strong defense structure in addition to NATO), Politico.eu, 6 October 2021: For EU leaders, ‘strategic compass’ points in different directions, Politico.com, 7 October 2021: IMF board weighs top official’s fate in wake of China scandal, The National, 8 October 2021: OECD says deal reached on global minimum corporate tax rate, Politico.eu, 8 October 2021: World’s largest companies to pay more under global tax overhaul, Politico.eu, 8 October 2021: The lost summer: Central and Eastern Europe pays price for slow coronavirus vaccination, Irish Times, 8 October 2021: OECD hails global tax deal to deliver 15% minimum corporate rate, Politico.eu, 8 October 2021: Explained: What bombshell Polish court ruling means for EU, The Times, 8 October 2021: Poland ‘risks EU exit’ for defying Brussels over laws, Politico.eu, 8 October 2021: Polish ruling puts Ursula von der Leyen under pressure (the EU-hostile PiS was elected by a majority and thus the majority of Poles chose their foreseeable fate themselves. The only worrying thing is that investors have not yet looked for replacement locations, as they are threatened with a very unpleasant awakening in Poland), The Guardian, 8 October 2021: Poland: Brussels vows swift response to country’s ruling against EU law, CNN, 8 October 2021: 136 countries agree to minimum corporate tax rate, BBC, 8 October 2021: Nations agree to 15% minimum corporate tax rate, DW, 9 October 2021: Hungary: Orban signs resolution supporting Polish court ruling (it’s about high time to cut off Poland and Hungary from any economic aid flow from Brussels), The New York Times, 10 October 2021: What America’s Port Crisis Looks Like Up Close, The Atlantic, 11 October 2021: Washington Is Getting China Wrong, Politico.eu, 11 October 2021: After slapping down top EU court, Poland asks for its help, Irish Times, 11 October 2021: Polish ruling represents far greater threat to the EU than Brexit, Politico.eu, 12 October 2021: Europe’s gas price surge is about to hit you in the belly, The National, 12 October 2021: IMF lowers growth estimate as global economy faces ‘hobbled recovery’, CNN, 12 October 2021: The global supply chain nightmare is about to get worse, Politico.eu, 12 October 2021: Why the rule of law matters, The Guardian, 12 October 2021: The cult of Boris Johnson’s optimism is all that’s left of a Brexit plan, Al Arabiya, 13 October 2021: Taliban warn EU, US envoys of Afghan refugees if sanctions persist, Gulf Times, 13 October 2021: New contracts needed to boost Europe gas supplies: Russia, Al Arabiya, 13 October 2021: Global shipping situation to get worse before getting better: DHL ecommerce VP, The Guardian, 13 October 2021: EU: Energy official says bloc must end reliance on foreign fossil fuels, CNN, 13 October 2021: The latest on the global supply chain crisis, BBC, 13 October 2021: Vulnerable North Koreans at risk of starvation – UN, France24, 13 October 2021: EU moves to mitigate soaring energy prices ahead of winter months, NPR, 13 October 2021: There’s a backlog at U.S. ports. Here’s how Biden hopes to get you your goods, faster, The Hill, 13 October 2021: Biden threatens to call out companies that don’t help end supply bottlenecks, The New York Times, 13 October 2021: China’s Power Problems Expose a Strategic Weakness, Politico.eu, 14 October 2021: If the Commission won’t act on rule of law, the Parliament will, The National, 14 October 2021: IEA: global energy crisis could boost oil demand by 500,000 barrels per day, Politico.eu, 14 October 2021: US, allies to promise ‘disruptive action’ against ransomware gangs, DW, 14 October 2021: The EU must not enable the UK’s duplicitous government, France24, 14 October 2021: IMF and G20 urged to tackle supply bottlenecks threatening global economy, DW, 14 October 2021: Germany’s Angela Merkel receives Spain’s Carlos V European Award, The New York Times, 14 October 2021: U.S. Regains Seat at U.N. Human Rights Council, 3 Years After Quitting (United Nations Human Rights Council), The Washington Post, 14 October 2021: U.S. regains seat on U.N. Human Rights Council, reversing Trump withdrawal, France24, 14 October 2021: US to rejoin UN Human Rights Council after walk-out under Trump, CNN, 15 October 2021: US officially rejoins controversial UN Human Rights Council, Politico.com, 15 October 2021: U.S. to reopen border to international travelers on Nov. 8, The Washington Post, 15 October 2021: It’s not just the United States. Inflation is soaring around the world., Foreign Policy, 15 October 2021: ‘It Was Like Having the Chinese Government in the Room With Us’, Politico.eu, 15 October 2021: Australian trade minister leaves UK with no deal, The National, 16 October 2021: Free flow of trade crucial for post-Covid economic recovery, experts say, NPR, 16 October 2021: High schoolers are training to drive 18-wheelers amid a shortage of truck drivers, The Washington Post, 16 October 2021: In allied capitals, a nuanced, cautious view of Biden, Arab News, 17 October 2021: Euro zone’s trade surplus narrows; supply bottlenecks continue: Economic wrap, Politico.com, 17 October 2021: A Ukrainian Oligarch Bought a Midwestern Factory and Let it Rot. What Was Really Going On?, The Guardian, 17 October 2021: Suez taught us our future lay in Europe. So will Brexit, DW, 17 October 2021: EU warns of fuel poverty due to energy price crunch, The Washington Post, 17 October 2021: Fully vaccinated travelers can come to the U.S. even if their doses are mixed, authorities say, France24, 18 October 2021: China’s economy slows as Covid, energy crisis and property woes take toll, Jerusalem Post, 18 October 2021: Don’t base Israeli-German ties only on the Holocaust – opinion, Politico.eu, 18 October 2021: EU to seek sanctions on Belarus airline over migrant arrivals, France24, 18 October 2021: US industrial output drops in Sept as supply issues plague economy, DW, 18 October 2021: Trucker shortage affecting European logistics, The New Yorker, 18 October 2021: America’s Workers Are Fighting Back: Can They Win?, Politico.eu, 18 October 2021: EU’s Borrell fires back at Putin by saying gas price surge is political, CNN, 18 October 2021: China’s economy is getting walloped by crises in energy, shipping and real estate, Al Arabiya, 19 October 2021: Riyadh Winter Wonderland back in Saudi Arabia, 40 pct larger than previous season, Politico.eu, 19 October 2021: Ursula von der Leyen, Mateusz Morawiecki clash in European Parliament, Irish Times, 19 October 2021: EU ready to fight back against Polish attack on bloc’s legal order (Parliament and the Commission have now shown more than enough forbearance with Poland. Now is the time to take action. First freeze all payments to Poland and then withdrawal the voting rights. Warsaw then has time to think about the pros and cons of a Polexit, while the EU can devote itself to other issues), Politico.eu, 19 October 2021: Warsaw and Brussels wage no-win battle over rule of law, BBC, 19 October 2021: Polish PM accuses EU of blackmail in law row, France24, 19 October 2021: Polish PM accuses EU of ‘blackmail’ in escalating dispute over rule of law, The Times, 19 October 2021: EU threatens to strip Poland of voting rights in legal supremacy row, The Guardian, 19 October 2021: Poland: Prime minister escalates war of words with EU over rule of law, DW, 19 October 2021: Polish leader blasts EU over rule of law dispute, CNN, 19 October 2021: EU warns Poland it will pay for challenging common law, Politico.eu, 19 October 2021: Brussels restarts its fiscal governance debate, DW, 19 October 2021: Lobbies undermine EU’s green farming plan, NPR, 19 October 2021: Here’s why Zillow won’t be buying any more homes to renovate and resell this year, The Hill, 19 October 2021: Are supply chain disruptions the beginning of the end of globalization?, The Guardian, 19 October 2021: Police investigate reports of spiking by needle at Nottingham clubs, Politico.eu, 19 October 2021: Leaders look to break EU’s impasse on trade deals, The New York Times, 19 October 2021: China’s Bullying Is Becoming a Danger to the World and Itself, Al Arabiya, 20 October 2021: Police raid homes, businesses across Germany, Italy, Bulgaria in Italian mafia probe, Haaretz, 20 October 2021: The Harsh Truth Biden Needs to Tell Israelis Now About Their Future (that’s a must-read for anyone who is interested in resolving the given problems and challenges), South Florida Business Journal, 20 October 2021: These financial firms are flocking to the ‘Wall Street of the South’, Politico.eu, 20 October 2021: Germany proposes joint border patrols on Polish territory, The New York Times, 20 October 2021: Evergrande Isn’t China’s Only Economic Worry, Politico.eu, 21 October 2021: Europeans, US agree on withdrawing digital taxes and retaliatory measure, Irish Times, 21 October 2021: What is cum-ex trading and what is Ireland’s role in it?, The National, 21 October 2021: EU law row with Poland dominates Brussels summit, Irish Times, 21 October 2021: Poland’s challenge to EU law a ‘slap in the face’, Taoiseach says, DW, 21 October 2021: EU stands firm in the face of Polish defiance, The Guardian, 21 October 2021: EU summit: Merkel calls for compromise amid row over Polish ECJ snub, DW, 21 October 2021: Germany, 4 EU states launch military reaction force initiative — report (great, and a long overdue step), Politico.eu, 21 October 2021: In EU leaders’ toolbox: Many wrenches, few quick fixes, Irish Times, 21 October 2021: Irish banks and funds used in multibillion-euro tax fraud by hedge funds, traders, Politico.eu, 21 October 2021: Have we reached peak China?, DW, 21 October 2021: MEPs push for ‘upgrade’ in EU-Taiwan ties, Politico.eu, 21 October 2021: Poland’s ‘Russian roulette’ with the EU, The Washington Post, 21 October 2021: Rich countries saved themselves during the pandemic. Poorer countries are reeling., New York Magazine, 21 October 2021: Behold the Insane Traffic Jam at the Port of Los Angeles: The supply-chain crisis, up close., The Washington Post, 21 October 2021: We’re headed for a global energy crisis. What we need is a transition strategy., Daily Mail, 22 October 2021: Two more women claim to have been injected on night out as spiking victim, 25, is pictured unconscious in hospital bed after being ‘jabbed with Ketamine’ in a nightclub as man, 35, is held and two teenagers, 18 and 19, are arrested, The New York Times, 22 October 2021: ‘Needle Spiking’ of Women in Britain Stirs Alarm Over New Kind of Assault, Arab News, 22 October 2021: Europe’s two greatest powers closed for business at crucial time, DW, 22 October 2021: Turkey to declare 10 ambassadors ‘persona non grata’ (whenever you think that the criminal sultan and his gang of robbers can not become more nuts, they prove the exact opposite. At the same time, of course, it also proves that they have no place in the EU. Apparently he was incited to this matter during the Friday hatred prayer with his Muslim Brotherhood. It is time to take tougher countermeasures against Turkey, e.g. bans on the Directorate of Religious Affairs and their vassal organizations and the Justice and Development Party in Germany and the EU, tightening the visa programs for Turks, massive travel warnings for Turkey issued by the EU and the USA, tighten regulations for the customs union, and some more economic sanctions, etc. For the ambassadors concerned, it is of course like being awarded the Medal of Freedom and Medal of Honor when they were declared undesirable by the dictator. The countries concerned should also think hard about closing their embassies. After all, you don’t negotiate with Islamist despots), The National, 23 October 2021: Turkish President Erdogan moves to expel ambassadors from 10 countries, including US, Al Arabiya, 23 October 2021: EU: Turkey expelling 10 ambassadors will not intimidate, sign of authoritarian drift, The New York Times, 23 October 2021: Erdogan Threatens to Expel 10 Western Ambassadors, Arab News, 23 October 2021: Turkey to expel US envoy and nine others, Erdogan says, The New York Times, 23 October 2021: Turkish Opposition Begins Joining Ranks Against Erdogan, Al Arabiya, 23 October 2021: Turkish opposition parties join ranks to push out Erdogan: Report, The Guardian, 23 October 2021: Turkey President Erdogan threatens to eject 10 western diplomats over support for activist, BBC, 23 October 2021: Turkey moves to throw out US envoy and nine others, Politico.eu, 23 October 2021: Merkel warns hardening politics threaten EU, The Guardian, 23 October 2021: ‘Real opportunities’ Australia wants deeper energy ties to help Taiwan decarbonise, amid China tensions, France24.com, 23 October 2021: Turkey’s Erdogan wants US, French ambassadors declared ‘persona non grata’, The National, 23 October 2021: Turkish President Erdogan moves to expel ambassadors from 10 countries, Politico.eu, 23 October 2021: Turkey calls 10 western ambassadors ‘persona non grata’ over civil rights criticism, CNN, 23 October 2021: Turkey’s president has ordered 10 ambassadors to be declared ‘persona non grata’ for backing jailed activist, Al Arabiya, 24 October 2021: German lawmaker demands sanctioning Turkey, confronting Erdogan’s ‘authoritarianism’, Miami Herald, 24 October 2021: PortMiami goes fishing for more cargo business as ships back up off California coast, The Hill, 24 October 2021: IMF economist expecting inflation pressure through mid-2022, Arab News, 25 October 2021: London exhibition pushes UNESCO to list Palestinian refugee camp as World Heritage Site, Al Arabiya, 25 October 2021: US hits out at Sudan’s military after coup, freezes $700 mln in economic aid, Arab News, 25 October 2021: Sudan general declares state of emergency after military coup, The Times, 25 October 2021: Xi is revealing his own weakness by missing Cop26, Israel Hayom, 25 October 2021: Israeli official: Sudan military leader’s takeover likely to boost normalization, The Guardian, 25 October 2021: Sudan: Army seizes power in coup and detains prime minister, CNN, 25 October 2021: The military has taken over in Sudan. Here’s what happened, BBC, 25 October 2021: Sudan’s military seize power in coup, France24, 25 October 2021: Sudan anti-coup protests: ‘We are headed into the unknown, but we will not surrender’, The New York Times, 25 October 2021: Sudan’s Military Seizes Power, Casting Democratic Transition Into Chaos, DW, 25 October 2021: Sudan’s military seizes control in coup, The Times, 25 October 2021: Poland warns EU against starting ‘third world war’ in row over justice reforms (the Polish government is one big freak show, but not the funny type of freaks. These knee jerk gave up on universial rights and the independence of judges, and therefore are fully responsible for alle consequenzes coming from Brussels, including freezing the budget. It’s high time to create a mechanism to kick out “members” like that, who are in the real world full blown EU hostil. They clearly don’t belong to the Union), DW, 25 October 2021: EU calls Polish PM out for ‘war rhetoric’, France24, 25 October 2021: Turkey’s Erdogan U-turns on threat to expel Western ambassadors, The Guardian, 25 October 2021: Turkey backs down on threat to expel foreign ambassadors, DW, 25 October 2021: Erdogan walks back threat to expel diplomats, Al-Monitor, 25 October 2021: Erdogan backpedals on threat to expel 10 Western ambassadors, The Washington Post, 25 October 2021: California’s unemployment fraud reaches at least $20 billion, DW, 25 October 2021: Europol investigation busts 150 ‘high value’ darknet vendors, France24, 26 October 2021: Police in US, Europe arrest 150 suspects in global dark web sting, Politico.eu, 25 October 2021: ‘No role’ for EU court in Northern Ireland disputes, says UK Brexit minister, Arab News, 26 October 2021: Brussels and London remain tangled up in Brexit, Gulf Times, 26 October 2021: Police arrest 150 people globally in dark web sting, The National, 26 October 2021: Sudan army head says new PM will be appointed but denies coup, Times of Israel, 26 October 2021: Top Sudan general: Detained PM is being held at my home for his safety, Politico.eu, 26 October 2021: Europe’s next rule of law problem: Angela Merkel, DW, 26 October 2021: Explained: Why Turkish President Erdogan is backpedaling in diplomatic row, The New York Times, 26 October 2021: Poland’s Heartland Would Rather Keep E.U. Money Than Break With Bloc, DW, 27 October 2021: EU fines Poland €1 million per day over judicial reforms (long overdue, but still just a start. The EU will have to come up with a lot of measures and mechanisms to better and lastingly protect the EU from right-wing and left-wing nationalist attacks from within the EU states), France24, 27 October 2021: EU court fines Poland $1.2 million per day as rule-of-law row escalates, BBC, 27 October 2021: Poland told to pay €1m a day in legal row with EU, CNN, 27 October 2021: EU’s top court fines Poland 1 million euros a day over judiciary spat, Politico.eu, 27 October 2021: Poland hit with record €1M daily fine in EU rule-of-law dispute, The Guardian, 27 October 2021: Poland: Country fined €1m a day over controversial judicial changes, Irish Times, 27 October 2021: Poland accuses EU of blackmail over €1m daily fine (just as ridiculous as typical PiS speech. No wonder that many inside and outside Poland would like to see the Polexit happen as soon as possible), The Times, 27 October 2021: EU dither is allowing Putinism to take hold, Politico.eu, 27 October 2021: EU backs Moldova with €60M amid Putin’s gas squeeze, Arab News, 27 October 2021: Riyadh now home to 44 regional HQs of global firms, reveals city’s ‘attraction’ czar, The New York Times, 27 October 2021: Higher Food Prices Hit the Poor and Those Who Help Them, Khaleej Times, 28 October 2021: UN urges Sudan military leaders to restore civilian-led government, Politico.eu, 28 October 2021: Brussels offers Poland a bitter pill to get its recovery funds, Arab News, 28 October 2021: Saudi Arabia will welcome a million cruise ship passengers by 2028, Cruise Saudi MD claims, Politico.eu, 28 October 2021: Ursula von der Leyen rejects UK call to change EU court’s Northern Ireland role, The Guardian, 28 October 2021: ‘We have heard the warnings’: European Investment Bank to end all loans to oil and gas firms, BBC, 28 October 2021: US growth slows to just 2% as Delta hits economy, Politico.eu, 29 October 2021: Mario Draghi’s new mission: Saving the multilateral order, Times of Israel, 29 October 2021: October surprise: Who’s who in the unprecedented wave of investment scam raids, Politico.eu, 29 October 2021: Parliament sues Commission for not using new rule-of-law power, Al Arabiya, 29 October 2021: EU parliament sues European Commission over inaction on the rule of law, CNN, 29 October 2021: European Parliament sues Commission over ‘failure’ to apply rule of law powers, Politico.eu, 29 October 2021: Putin the gas overlord, filthy seas and the rise of the rat army, Politico.eu, 29 October 2021: Moldova strikes Gazprom deal after gas shortage, Times of Israel, 29 October 2021: In major shift, Germans begin targeting platforms driving Israel’s online fraud, Politico.eu, 29 October 2021: Eurozone inflation surges to 4.1 percent amid strong growth, DW, 29 October 2021: Why African nations doubt OECD tax plan, BBC, 29 October 2021: What we’re getting wrong about the ‘Great Resignation’, Politico.eu, 29 October 2021: Biden, Macron and the rise of the ‘meh’ men, Gulf Times, 30 October 2021: G20 leaders seek consensus on climate, economy, vaccines, Arab News, 30 October 2021: G20 leaders meet after two years, with climate, COVID and economy in focus, Politico.eu, 30 October 2021: France requests tougher EU action over UK fishing row in private letter, The Guardian, 30 October 2021: G20: Leaders to endorse Biden proposal for global minimum corporate tax, BBC, 30 October 2021: Climate and Covid top agenda as world leaders meet, France24, 30 October 2021: Climate, economy and vaccines top of agenda at G20 summit in Rome, NPR, 30 October 2021: The G-20 gets together for the 1st time since the pandemic. Here’s what you missed, The Hill, 30 October 2021: Biden administration announces easing of some tariffs on EU steel, aluminum, Politico.eu, 30 October 2021: Trump-era tensions set to cool under U.S.-EU deal, DW, 31 October 2021: G20: World leaders make new climate bid to avert drastic global warming, Politico.eu, 31 October 2021: EU and US look to gang up on China after trade war truce, Irish Times, 31 October 2021: G20 leaders back global minimum 15% tax from 2023, The Guardian, 31 October 2021: ‘People treated like weapons’: More deaths feared at Poland-Belarus border, CNN, 31 October 2021: G20 leaders fail to make a net-zero pledge, BBC, 31 October 2021: G20 pledge climate action but make few commitments, France24, 31 October 2021: G20 leaders release watered-down final statement on climate commitments ahead of COP26, Gulf Times, 31 October 2021: G20 leaders struggle to secure climate breakthrough at Rome summit, The National, 31 October 2021: Dubai reclaims top spot in October as world’s busiest international airport, OAG says, Arab News, 31 October 2021: Saudi Aramco tops Apple, Google to be world’s most profitable company in Q3, Al Arabiya, 31 October 2021: Highlights of what was agreed to at the G20 summit in Rome, Arab News, 1 November 2021: West failing to back up its condemnations of Israel with action, Irish Times, 1 November 2021: ‘A new industrial revolution is essential’, Attenborough tells Cop26, NPR, 1 November 2021: The U.S. has new COVID vaccine rules for international travelers. Here’s what to know, DW, 2 November 2021: First chips, now magnesium: Carmakers grapple with the next supply crisis, Gulf News, 3 November 2021: Why investing in Dubai’s DEWA is the way forward, DW, 3 November 2021: Taiwan receives first-ever official EU delegation, France24, 3 November 2021: European Parliament delegation visits Taiwan amid tensions with China, Reuters, 3 November 2021: Taiwan welcomes first official European Parliament delegation, Politico.eu, 4 November 2021: Beijing fires warning at EU after MEPs meet Taiwan president, The Guardian, 4 November 2021: Net zero transition: Half world’s fossil fuel assets could become worthless by 2036, DW, 4 November 2021: Lukashenko leverages Belarus’ influence as a transport hub, Politico.eu, 4 November 2021: European universities warn of risks as UK remains outside EU science , Netherland News Live, 4 November 2021: Von der Leyen defends 50-kilometer flight with private jet: ‘No more efficient option available’ Abroad (cool stunt! :-D .. the plane hardly comes up to travel altitude! The debate about it is of course again a typical envy debate. After all, if you could, you’d do it the same way. If she had been traveling with her entire wagon train, the complainants would have wept about it, too. If there were helipads everywhere, I would only be traveling by helicopter to avoid the annoying traffic), Daily Sabah, 4 November 2021: Von der Leyen stands by 50km private flight amid climate crisis, DW, 4 November 2021: Why China’s property crash isn’t a new Lehman moment, The National, 5 November 2021: Global economy set for ‘stable growth’ by 2023 as headwinds diminish, Moody’s says, DW, 5 November 2021: US issues $10m bounty in hunt for DarkSide hackers, Gulf Times, 5 November 2021: Qatar Airways brings Airbus A380 back temporarily to meet demand, Miami Herald, 5 November 2021: Vote for your favorite Miami sandwich in our very unscientific, highly subjective poll, Jerusalem Post, 6 November 2021: Global powers could suffer financially in the move away from fossil fuels – study, Irish Times, 7 November 2021: EU may shelve free-trade pact with UK if article 16 deployed – Coveney, BBC, 7 November 2021: Brexit: UK -EU trade deal could collapse over NI row, says Coveney, CNN, 7 November 2021: The United States is opening to vaccinated international travelers on Monday. Here’s what to expect, BBC, 7 November 2021: US to reopen borders to vaccinated travellers after 20 months, DW, 8 November 2021: UN: Millions more people on the ‘edge of famine’, The National, 8 November 2021: Millions reliant on aid as Myanmar hurtles towards civil war, UN says, Irish Times, 8 November 2021: Q&A: What is Article 16 and what could happen if it is triggered by the UK?, The Washington Post, 8 November 2021: International travel ban ends as borders open to visitors from dozens of countries, The New York Times, 8 November 2021: With Tears, Hugs and Balloons, U.S. Allows Vaccinated Travelers to Enter, Irish Times, 8 November 2021: ‘Significant gaps remain’ between UK and EU on NI protocol, Donaldson says, Miami Herald, 8 November 2021: South Beach Wine & Food Festival has more events, same COVID rules. Tickets now available, Gulf Times, 8 November 2021: US welcomes first travellers as Covid travel curbs lifted, Los Angeles Times, 9 November 2021: Supply chain problems delay shipments for California farmers, The National, 9 November 2021: World Food Programme to double number of people receiving assistance in Lebanon, Jerusalem Post, 9 November 2021: EU close to deal on new round of Belarus sanctions, diplomats say, The National, 9 November 2021: Saudi Arabia’s third-quarter GDP grows at the fastest pace since 2012, Times of Israel, 9 November 2021: France’s Azoulay re-elected to head UNESCO as it seeks to woo back Israel, US (getting the USA back on board is of course of great importance not only for UNESCO but also for the USA, which is why efforts are being made accordingly. Israel, on the other hand, still owes a lot of money to UNESCO. As long as this is not paid for, there is no reason for UNESCO to put efforts in a freeloader or, if so, only to collect the debts), BBC, 9 November 2021: EU accuses Belarus of gangster-style migrant abuse, Politico.eu, 9 November 2021: EU preps new Belarus sanctions to quell surging migrant crisis (the sanctions are working better and better and should therefore be expanded considerably. Belarus is becoming Putin’s problem more and more, and that is a good thing), DW, 9 November 2021: How will EU react to Poland-Belarus border crisis?, BBC, 9 November 2021: Hundreds of migrants at Belarus’ border with Poland, France24, 9 November 2021: EU’s von der Leyen calls for new sanctions on Belarus over migrant influx, DW, 9 November 2021: Germany wants new EU sanctions for Belarus, BBC, 10 November 2021: Belarus accused of terrorism over migrant crisis, BBC, 10 November 2021: US prices rising at fastest rate for three decades, Politico.eu, 10 November 2021: European defense leaders warn: Belarus migrant crisis could morph into military crisis, The Washington Post, 10 November 2021: Prices up 6.2% in October over a year ago, the largest annual rise in 30 years, The New York Times, 10 November 2021: Fastest Inflation in 31 Years Puts More Heat on Washington, BBC, 11 November 2021: Belarus threatens to cut off gas to EU in border row (fortunately, the buttocks of the butcher of Minsk are on ice. A very good time for the EU to finally put the political end to the state terrorist – not only in its own interest, but also to liberate the Belarusian population from the Belarus gulag), The Guardian, 11 November 2021: Belarus Lukashenko threatens to cut gas deliveries to EU if sanctioned over border crisis, The Times, 11 November 2021: Huge far-right protest as Belarus threatens to cut off Europe’s gas, Politico.eu, 11 November 2021: Lukashenko threatens EU with gas cutoff as border tensions rise, Irish Times, 11 November 2021: Article 16 loses power as UK negotiating tool as EU hardens approach, Politico.eu, 11 November 2021: EU countries urge hard line toward UK over Northern Ireland, The New York Times, 11 November 2021: Migrants in Peril, and Raw Emotions, in European Border Standoff, DW, 12 November 2021: Kremlin vows not to cut gas supplies to EU, France24, 12 November 2021: EU sees ‘progress’ as Turkey curbs Belarus flights, Russia dismisses gas threats, The Times, 12 November 2021: Responsible or not, Belarus faces consequences, Politico.eu, 12 November 2021: EU admits US shift to Asia is ‘undeniable’, New York Times, 12 November 2021: Migrants Say Belarusians Took Them to Border and Supplied Wire Cutters, Politico.eu, 13 November 2021: EU admits US shift to Asia is ‘undeniable’, NPR, 13 November 2021: 79-foot Christmas tree arrives in New York City’s Rockefeller Center, Politico.eu, 13 November 2021: Putin chides Lukashenko over threat to cut off gas to EU, Miami Herald, 14 November 2021: Biden, Xi to meet as inflation threatens the economies of both the U.S. and China, The National, 14 November 2021: EU prepares more sanctions in Belarus border crisis, Al Arabiya, 14 November 2021: Belarus’ authoritarian president Lukashenko raises stakes with the West, France24, 14 November 2021: EU readies sanctions for ‘human trafficking’ over Belarus border crisis, Politico.eu, 14 November 2021: Josep Borrell: More Belarus sanctions to come Monday, The New Yorker, 14 November 2021: Europe’s Migration Crisis, Born in Belarus, France24.com, 15 November 2021: Cuban police deployed as opposition prepares to defy ban on nationwide protest, The Guardian, 15 November 2021: Belarus: EU agrees new sanctions over border crisis, BBC, 15 November 2021: EU to widen Belarus sanctions as border row grows, DW, 15 November 2021: Will fresh EU sanctions on Belarus make a difference?, France24.com, 15 November 2021: EU to impose new sanctions on Belarus in migrant crisis at Polish border, Haaretz, 15 November 2021: Israel Asked U.S. to Pressure European, Arab Countries to Increase Aid to PA (it’s part of the obligations of the occupying power Israel to fully take care for the Palestinians. The EU and the Arab states should mind their own businesses and leave it to Israel to take care for Palestine and the Palestinians), Gulf Times, 15 November 2021: EU vows Belarus sanctions as migrants mass at the border, Politico.eu, 16 November 2021: EU delays UK sanctions package amid new talks, The Times, 16 November 2021: Belarus border crisis escalates with tear gas and water cannon fired at migrants (in view of the late summer temperatures in the border region, the Polish defense should rely more on the use of water anyway. Well-watered guests of Lukashenko (and indeed everyone and not only those who are directly involved in attempting to storm the Polish border fortifications) simply freeze better to the ground and of course also commit fewer crimes. On the one hand a very humane and efficient problem solution, on the other hand even very environmentally friendly and therefore sustainable. Incidentally, Lukashenko is also entrusting the full care and entertainment of his guests. They will then be returned to their home countries within two weeks), Politico.eu, 16 November 2021: EU and US face hard road to confront China’s dirty steel, The Guardian, 16 November 2021: The Poland-Belarus border crisis is what happens when humans are treated as weapons, Politico.eu, 16 November 2021: Stop calling what’s happening with Belarus a migration crisis, The Guardian, 16 November 2021: Belarus: Polish police fire teargas at people trying to cross border, BBC, 16 November 2021: Polish forces tear-gas migrants at Belarus border, The New York Times, 16 November 2021: Uneasy About the Economy, Americans Are Spending Anyway, The Washington Post, 16 November 2021: Americans are unhappy about the economy but still spending big, France24, 17 November 2021: Armenia-Azerbaijan ceasefire holds one day after deadly border clashes, DW, 17 November 2021: Belarus: Lukashenko agrees to EU talks on ending migrant standoff, The Washington Post, 17 November 2021: How luxury survived the pandemic, France24, 17 November 2021: Merkel and Lukashenko discuss need for talks, aid in migrant border crisis, Arab News, 17 November 2021: Manufactured migration crisis a potent weapon for EU’s enemies, The Times, 17 November 2021: Belarus border crisis ‘could last years’, Poland warns, as violent clashes continue, The Washington Post, 17 November 2021: Belarus’s Lukashenko tried to use migrants as a weapon. That’s now turned against him., The New York Times, 17 November 2021: The Supply-Chain Crisis Is a Labor Crisis, Los Angeles Times, 18 November 2021: How online shopping is polluting California’s Inland Empire, Politico.eu, 19 November 2021: British, Estonian troops to be sent to Poland amid border crisis, BBC, 19 November 2021: Belarus’s Lukashenko tells BBC: We may have helped migrants into EU, Politico.eu, 19 November 2021: Lukashenko on migrants: ‘They’re not coming to my country, they’re going to yours’ (no, they are his guests, so that he has to take care of them), Irish Times, 20 November 2021: Fintan O’Toole: EU knows making political polluter Britain pay for actions is vital, Al Arabiya, 20 November 2021: Foreign tourists back in New York, long business recovery seen ahead, Gulf Times, 20 November 2021: Vietnam’s resort island welcomes first tourists after nearly two years, The National, 20 November 2021: Dubai Harbour’s new cruise terminals to receive 150,000 visitors this season, CNN, 20 November 2021: Alpine country goes back into lockdown, suspending tourism as the holiday season starts, Politico.eu, 20 November 2021: EU’s external walls are dividing bloc internally, CNN, 20 November 2021: EU realizes it can’t rely on America for protection. Now it has a plan for a new joint military force, The Guardian, 21 November 2021: Instability grips a weakened Europe as global predators smell blood, DW, 21 November 2021: Poland: Belarus crisis is ‘greatest attempt to destabilize Europe’ since Cold War, Politico.eu, 22 November 2021: Uzbekistan restricts travel to Belarus to help EU with border crisis, The National, 22 November 2021: Belarus calls for German intervention in migrant crisis (no single EU country will take in Lukaschenko’s guests. They are his problems), Arab News, 22 November 2021: Belarus says it does not want confrontation, wants EU to take migrants, Politico.eu, 22 November 2021: David Frost tells EU: British divergence just ‘beginning’, DW, 22 November 2021: Migrants dying on Poland’s border is new low for EU, The New York Times, 22 November 2021: Trying to Blur Memories of the Gulag, Russia Targets a Rights Group (BBC, 11.11.2021: Memorial: Russia moves to close major human rights group, Memorial International, Joseph Stalin, Gulag, Stalinist repressions), The National, 23 November 2021: Dubai economy to grow at a faster pace in 2022 amid Expo boost and digital economy push, Al Arabiya, 23 November 2021: Turkish lira in historic 15 percent crash after Erdogan stokes fire sale, Politico.eu, 23 November 2021: German conservatives vie to preserve European Parliament power, Haaretz, 23 November 2021: Turkish Lira Sees Historic 15% Crash as Erdogan Defends Interest Rate Cuts, Politico.eu, 23 November 2021: Commission aims to blacklist transport companies helping Belarus smuggle people into the EU, Irish Times, 23 November 2021: A UK move to override European court would be ‘direct attack’ on rule of law, says former chief justice, France24, 23 November 2021: EU readies sanctions against Belarus transport, CNN, 23 November 2021: The West’s leaders agree that democracy is under attack. How they can defend it is less obvious, DW, 23 November 2021: EU lawmakers pass farming subsidy deal, France24, 23 November 2021: EU parliament greenlights farm subsidy plan, Politico.eu, 23 November 2021: ‘All talk and no walk’: America ain’t back at the WTO, DW, 23 November 2021: EU to ‘blacklist’ firms trafficking migrants, The New York Times, 23 November 2021: As Virus Cases Rise in Europe, an Economic Toll Returns, The Times, 24 November 2021: West has a week to stop the rot at Interpol, CNN, 24 November 2021: China’s disappearing ships: The latest headache for the global supply chain (perhaps in return, all Chinese ships should be removed from the AIS system as soon as they leave Chinese waters), Miami Herald, 24 November 2021: No hugging, no shaking hands: Here’s a look at COVID rules for Miami Art Week fairs, Newsweek, 25 November 2021: Joe Biden’s Summit for Democracy Is Missing Some Surprising Countries, DW, 25 November 2021: Celebrating the world’s first ever Day of the Mediterranean, The Washington Post, 26 November 2021: Dow posts worst drop of 2021 amid variant news, Arab News, 26 November 2021: From the Mediterranean to Europe — the complicated path of natural gas, Politico.eu, 26 November 2021: EU tries on new role as tech venture capitalist, France24, 27 November 2021: French forces face violent protests after crossing into Niger from Burkina Faso, CNN, 27 November 2021: Travel doors slammed shut around the world, France24, 27 November 2021: Police fire tear gas at protesters as anger over attacks mounts in Burkina Faso, BBC, 27 November 2021: Covid: South Africa ‘punished’ for detecting new Omicron variant, France24, 27 November 2021: Protesters block roads in Serbia over lithium mining project, DW, 27 November 2021: Serbia: Protesters block roads over new mining laws, Arab News, 27 November 2021: Fears of new coronavirus variant weigh on oil prices, Gulf Times, 27 November 2021: Qatar’s macroeconomic indicators improving, returning to positive economic growth: EIU, NPR, 27 November 2021: American whiskey makers set their sights on Europe as Trump-era tariffs are lifted, Arab News, 28 November 2021: Why the world cannot afford the UN to fail, NPR, 28 November 2021: The WHO is seeking a new treaty on handling future pandemics. It could be a hard sell, Los Angeles Times, 28 November 2021: Crime on L.A. trains, buses rises as riders return: ‘Poor people are suffering the most’, San Francisco Chronicle, 28 November 2021: The GOP is blaming coordinated retail thefts on 7-year-old Prop. 47, DW, 28 November 2021: Iceland’s left-right coalition retakes office, Politico.com, 28 November 2021: World Health Organization criticizes travel bans on southern African countries, CNN, 29 November 2021: Travel restrictions and the new variant: Updates by country, The Times, 29 November 2021: Markets rebound after bleak Black Friday, Khaleej Times, 29 November 2021: Covid-19 Omicron variant: 15 countries that have imposed travel bans, restrictions, BBC, 29 November 2021: Queen of Barbados – but just for one last day, CNN, 29 November 2021: Barbados is ready to ditch Britain’s Queen. For many in the country, the move has been a long time coming, The New York Times, 29 November 2021: What Europe Can Teach Us About Jobs, Arab News, 30 November 2021: How Europe can be an effective partner to the MENA region, Politico.eu, 30 November 2021: NATO warns Russia of ‘high price’ for any attack on Ukraine, BBC, 30 November 2021: Global markets fall after Moderna Omicron warning, Politico.eu, 1 December 2021: EU makes late bid to rival China on the Silk Road, CNN, 1 December 2021: Europe’s $340 billion answer to China project, France24, 1 December 2021: Tel Aviv ranked world’s priciest city for first time, Politico.eu, 1 December 2021: EU grants emergency asylum measures for Belarus border — but insists no crisis yet, DW, 1 December 2021: EU makes efforts to strengthen eastern border with Belarus, The Times, 1 December 2021: EU suspends asylum rules to tackle Belarus border crisis, DW, 1 December 2021: OECD cuts global economic outlook amid omicron scare, Politico.eu, 2 December 2021: Top EU official warns privacy rules may need to change, Al Arabiya, 2 December 2021: EU members agree more sanctions against Belarus targets, New York Post, 2 December 2021: Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lighting, NBC New York, 2 December 2021: Watch Time Lapse of 2021 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree From Arrival to Lighting, Politico.eu, 2 December 2021: China Direct: Beijing’s envoy tours Europe — Belt vs Gateway — MI6 warning, Bloomberg, 2 December 2021: Hungary Sinks EU’s Joint Role in Biden’s Democracy Summit (Very good. What the EU does not succeed in, among other things because of the “principle of unanimity” which is ultimately nothing else but a weapon of the eternal troublemakers, has to be clearly emphasized elsewhere, namely that Hungary is not only no longer a democracy, but would not even become a member of the EU in the current constitution. Hungary’s stands are of course not hindering Ursula von der Leyen or Charles Michel to state the obvious on the topic. An international event with such a top-class cast is of course the perfect setting to present countries with significant democratic deficits on the big stage. Ducking away is no longer possible for these countries), Politico.eu, 2 December 2021: EU fines banks €344M over ‘Sterling Lads’ foreign-exchange cartel, France24, 3 December 2021: With its ‘Global Gateway’, EU tries to compete with China’s Belt and Road Initiative, Gulf Times, 3 December 2021: Didi begins plan for US delisting, Hong Kong share sale, Los Angeles Times, 3 December 2021: ‘Keep the customer happy?’ Small businesses reel under inflation, France24, 3 December 2021: Ride-hailing giant Didi exits New York stock exchange, bowing to regulatory pressure from China, Politico.eu, 4 December 2021: Far-right leaders fail to tie the knot (“Nationalists together against Europe” – even the brown shirts should actually notice that this is doomed to failure from the start. On the other hand, they are busy with themselves for a while), The Times, 4 December 2021: Xi lures Commonwealth with military diplomacy, France24, 4 December 2021: French Champagne houses raise a toast to expected record sales in 2021, Arab News, 4 December 2021: Hundreds more migrants leave Belarus on Iraq-bound flight, NPR, 4 December 2021: A discomfort with Western liberalism is growing in Eastern Europe, Miami Herald, 4 December 2021: From a gallon of milk to a can of Coke — how prices of everyday items have risen, BBC, 6 December 2021: US boss fires 900 employees over Zoom, DW, 6 December 2021: COVID: Malaysia’s tourism sector faces collapse, Haaretz, 6 December 2021: Israel Joins Major EU Research Program That Excludes Settlements, Times of Israel, 6 December 2021: Israel, sans West Bank, officially joins EU’s huge flagship R&D program, Irish Times, 6 December 2021: Irexit leader wages war on Covid-19 certs in role paid by EU, Politico.eu, 6 December 2021: EU flexes geopolitical muscle with new trade weapon, BBC, 6 December 2021: Evergrande shares slump on renewed default fears, CNN, 6 December 2021: Evergrande shares crash after debt warning, Politico.eu, 6 December 2021: The global fight for democracy begins at home, CNN, 7 December 2021: The EU is finally putting its money where its mouth is on China, BBC, 7 December 2021: The Canadian city to visit this winter, Jerusalem Post, 7 December 2021: Israel signs Horizon Europe deal despite West Bank exclusion (well, when it comes to putting EU tax money into their pockets for dubious projects, experience has shown that the Israeli governments find it easy to adhere to international laws and to see the illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem as such – unfortunately mostly only then), The Times, 7 December 2021: Evergrande bond default ‘looks inevitable’ after payment missed, Khaleej Times, 7 December 2021: New weekend: UAE announces reduced working week, CNN, 7 December 2021: China threatens the US with retaliation over diplomatic boycott of Winter Olympics (the Chinese leadership can try to reverse guilt and there will certainly be many grateful buyers for the lie at home. The fact is, however, that the political boycott of the Winter Games is the consequence of blatant violations of human rights and international law by China. Of course, the German government does not want to offend any important trading partner more than necessary, but it is rather embarrassing that the Federal Republic of all countries did not immediately sided with the USA, Canada, Australia and the UK, especially since it was Nazi Germany that, with the 1936 Summer Olympics, virtually provided the blueprint for the upcoming propaganda show in China. Berlin is currently sending the signal to Beijing: “Oh, we did it in 1936 too. We hope you enjoy doing it as well!” One can only hope that Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock will quickly gain format and influence so that in the future China will get the responses in a way that is understood there. In any case, caresses are the wrong way to go), Gulf News, 7 December 2021: UAE weekend change: All you need to know, Khaleej Times, 7 December 2021: New UAE weekend: Working hours on Friday, rest of the week explained, The Washington Post, 7 December 2021: United Arab Emirates moves weekends to Saturday-Sunday, announces shorter workweek, CNN, 7 December 2021: China pumps $188 billion into the economy to counter real estate slump, France24, 7 December 2021: Near default, China’s property giant Evergrande prepares for restructuring, Politico.eu, 8 December 2021: The class of 2022, Irish Times, 8 December 2021: Non-Irish EU citizens will need ‘travel clearance’ to cross Border under UK plan, Gulf Times, 9 December 2021: Evergrande and Kaisa cut by Fitch to default, The Guardian, 9 December 2021: Brexit: UK proposes US-style waivers for EU citizens crossing Irish border, The National, 9 December 2021: Fitch downgrades Evergrande and declares developer in default, The Guardian, 9 December 2021: US ‘An urgent matter’: Biden warns democracy is under threat at summit, CNN, 9 December 2021: Evergrande has defaulted on its debt, Gulf News, 9 December 2021: Yas Island set to dazzle visitors during the festive season, Politico.eu, 10 December 2021: Macron urges Scholz to ‘invent’ new financial solutions for EU, Irish Times, 10 December 2021: Britain drops demand for removal of ECJ role from NI protocol, Foreign Policy, 10 December 2021: Why China Is Freaking Out Over Biden’s Democracy Summit, France24, 10 December 2021: On Human Rights Day, US slaps sanctions on firms, officials in China, Myanmar and N. Korea, The Atlantic, 10 December 2021: COVID Has Broken the Economy, The National, 11 December 2021: US expands sanctions against six countries after democracy summit, CNN, 11 December 2021: World’s top tourist destination on ‘very high’ travel risk list, NPR, 11 December 2021: New York City is decked out for the holidays, but business owners are anxious, France24, 12 December 2021: As EU-Taiwan ties deepen, cybersecurity is front and centre, France24, 12 December 2021: G7 urges Iran to agree nuclear deal, warns Russia against invasion of Ukraine, Politico.eu, 13 December 2021: EU slaps sanctions on Russian mercenary group Wagner, The Times, 13 December 2021: Macron seizes his chance to take the reins in Europe, Politico.eu, 13 December 2021: EU court president warns European project is in danger, France24, 13 December 2021: EU imposes sanctions on Russian mercenary group Wagner over human rights abuses, DW, 13 December 2021: EU sanctions Russian ‘Wagner’ mercenary group, Politico.eu, 14 December 2021: Meet the sopranos: France creates choir of EU agriculture diplomats, The Times, 14 December 2021: Beware of China’s bad Belt and Road deals, says Washington, Arab News, 14 December 2021: Arabic calligraphy added to UNESCO heritage list, France24, 14 December 2021: Congolese rumba, soundtrack of African history, added to UNESCO heritage list, The Times, 14 December 2021: Belarus opposition leader jailed for 18 years in Lukashenko’s ‘revenge’, Politico.eu, 14 December 2021: Commission calls for tougher border rules to tackle migrants, disease and terrorists, The National, 14 December 2021: Tougher European border controls proposed, Arab News, 14 December 2021: Virus and migrant worries spur EU to toughen border rules, The Atlantic, 14 December 2021: China’s Big New Idea, Gulf Times, 15 December 2021: Belarus opposition leader Tikhanovsky jailed for 18 years, CNN, 15 December 2021: Microsoft warns China, Iran, North Korea and Turkey are exploiting software vulnerability, The Guardian, 15 December 2021: If Olaf Scholz is serious about progress, he must back a patent waiver for Covid vaccines (A proposal that raises more questions than answers: Who will compensate Biontech for the lost profits? German taxpayers certainly not. What would British companies say if they had to release their patents for free use? The most important question, however, is who should ever be so stupid again in the future to finance the most extensive research work with an uncertain outcome at all if you know from the start that if you are successful you will not be able to earn any money with it?), Foreign Policy, 15 December 2021: Europe Accidentally Built an ‘Amnesty International With Guns’, Gulf Times, 15 December 2021: Qatar Tourism unveils luxury offerings at ITLM Cannes 2021, The Economist, 16 December 2021: All at sea: Why supply-chain snarls still entangle the world, The Economist, 16 December 2021: Why Americans are rethinking where they want to live, Politico.eu, 17 December 2021: Portuguese investor will buy Euronews, The Guardian, 17 December 2021: Explainer Northern Ireland: what are EU and UK proposing and will deal be done?, Politico.eu, 17 December 2021: Weird war on migrants and the Great British F*** Off, BBC, 17 December 2021: Brexit: UK signs free trade deal with Australia, DW, 17 December 2021: Charlemagne Prize: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya among three winners from Belarus, Foreign Policy, 17 December 2021: Why Ukraine’s Fight Against Corruption Scares Russia, Jerusalem Post, 18 December 2021: India working on free trade agreements with Israel, Middle East nations, The Guardian, 18 December 2021: Supply chain: Problems could last two years, experts warn, DW, 20 December 2021: WEF calls off Davos meeting over omicron, Politico.eu, 20 December 2021: Davos forum called off for January 2022, will go virtual, Irish Times, 20 December 2021: Question mark over OECD global tax rate as Biden agenda falters, The Guardian, 20 December 2021: Davos: Economic forum delayed until summer amid Omicron fears, NPR, 20 December 2021: Stocks around the world were hit hard by omicron fears. Here’s 3 things to know, Politico.eu, 20 December 2021: UK hints at banning Chinese imports with forced labor links, The Times, 21 December 2021: Selfridges’ billionaire suitors close to sealing takeover deal (interesting. The same guys who are asking for the support by German taxpayers to run their “Galeria” business are on shopping tour elsewhere), Politico.eu, 21 December 2021: UK to EU: Our position on Northern Ireland is unchanged, France24, 21 December 2021: Belarus, Poland block UN team from accessing border amid migrant crisis, Politico.eu, 21 December 2021: Euronews defends independence after buyout by Hungary-linked firm (just another worthless Hungarian propaganda channel), Reuters, 21 December 2021: European gas prices hit record as Russian flows via Yamal reverse (so much for “Nord Stream 2 is a purely economic project”. The Kremlin terrorist tries to secure his only reliable source of income through blackmail and military aggression and at the same time wants to prevent the energy transition. It is time to turn to other, albeit more expensive, alternatives and at the same time to devote more time to the energy transition), DW, 21 December 2021: Belarus, Poland deny UN access to border as migrants wait, Politico.eu, 21 December 2021: Zemmour’s money man at the heart of the European Commission, Gulf News, 21 December 2021: 2021 from above: Our top aerial photos of the year, Arab News, 21 December 2021: Why Europe needs its own army, Politico.eu, 22 December 2021: Brussels starts legal action against Poland over ruling questioning primacy of EU law, Irish Times, 22 December 2021: Minimum corporation tax rate will not abolish competition, EU says, Politico.eu, 22 December 2021: Bid to set a global minimum tax rate gets underway in EU, DW, 22 December 2021: Anti-government protesters sentenced in Belarus, Irish Times, 22 December 2021: Helping businesses reap the benefits of EU trade agreements, Politico.eu, 22 December 2021: EU and UK reach deal on shared fishing stocks for 2022, The Times, 23 December 2021: Gas and electricity bills ‘to rise 50% by spring’, Politico.eu, 23 December 2021: EU pushes on with global minimum tax rate despite US stalemate, France24, 23 December 2021: Macron, Draghi call for reform of EU fiscal rules to allow more investment, Politico.eu, 23 December 2021: Macron and Draghi jointly call for softer fiscal rules, The Times, 23 December 2021: Give us more fishing permits or EU will retaliate, France warns, NPR, 23 December 2021: New Year’s Eve celebrations will still be on in Times Square, but with smaller crowds, Arab News, 23 December 2021: Europe’s defense offers lessons for the Gulf (interesting read. With the actual political landscape given, there will be most likely two EU defense structures, one formed by the Western EU countries and one by the new East bloc, while the first will be a pretty close one and the second more lax, as ultra-nationalistic authoritarians doesn’t like cooperations at all, while crying like little babies if they don’t get their way), DW, 24 December 2021: 2021 supply shortages: Year of waiting followed by year of anxiety, France24, 24 December 2021: Covid-19 overshadows global Christmas celebrations for a second year, DW, 24 December 2021: Pandemic overshadows another holiday season, CNN, 24 December 2021: Putin’s bid to rewrite history, The New York Times, 24 December 2021: Thousands of Christmas Flights Canceled as Omicron Spreads, NPR, 24 December 2021: Once again, COVID means scaled-back Christmas celebrations around the world, The Times, 25 December 2021: Xi’s zero-Covid strategy is on thin ice as Omicron skates towards the Games, Foreign Policy, 25 December 2021: The Year Germany Said Auf Wiedersehen to Angela Merkel, NPR, 25 December 2021: Miami wants to become crypto’s financial capital. New York’s response? Bring it on, The Times, 25 December 2021: US imports ban over Uighur abuse is economic bullying, says China, The Sunday Times, 26 December 2021: Thirty years on, collapse of the Soviet Union haunts Russians again (the implosion and selfdestruction of the Soviet Union was a great joy for the liberated peoples of the former Eastern Bloc and a very good reason for a boisterous celebration in the rest of the world. In addition to the founding of the European Union, that was the most beautiful event in the second half of the 19th century), Times of Israel, 26 December 2021: Hundreds of thousands of chickens to be culled as bird flu spreads; egg shortage due, France24, 26 December 2021: Large Israel bird flu outbreak kills 2,000 wild cranes, Gulf Times, 26 December 2021: EU weighs new powers to maintain supplies during crises, Arab News, 27 December 2021: The challenge of making Riyadh a global city in less than 10 years, Al Arabiya, 27 December 2021: Taiwan chip industry emerges as battlefront in US-China, Haaretz, 27 December 2021: Putin, Xi and Khamenei All Know: America’s ‘Rules-based Order’ Is Over, Politico.eu, 27 December 2021: Next year will be critical for the rule of law, The Washington Post, 27 December 2021: The spyware crisis is much bigger than NSO Group, Politico.com, 27 December 2021: Technology: The new rules of Monopoly, The National, 28 December 2021: Russia welcomes UAE and others to UN’s top chamber, Politico.eu, 28 December 2021: EU’s Šefcovic warns of Brexit deal ‘collapse’ if UK exits Northern Ireland Protocol, The Guardian, 29 December 2021: Eastern European countries adopting authoritarian measures in face of Covid, Politico.eu, 29 December 2021: Baerbock demands forced-labor ban, won’t attend Olympics, The National, 31 December 2021: Europe marks 20 years of shared notes and coins with New Year’s Day spectacle, The Guardian, 31 December 2021: Restored Big Ben to bong again at midnight to bring in new year (there are buildings that are located in specific cities, but actually belong to the whole world, such as the Great Pyramids in Egypt, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin or Big Ben in London, so that the whole world is interested in their fate), The Times, 31 December 2021: Ones to watch: the world in 2022, The Guardian, 31 December 2021: New Year’s Eve 2021: celebrations around the world amid concern over Covid, France24, 31 December 2021: World welcomes 2022 with muted celebrations despite Omicron fears, BBC, 31 December 2021: New Year’s Eve: Firework displays welcome 2022, France24, 31 December 2021: Germany backs France for ‘more sovereign’ Europe as Paris set for turn at EU presidency, DW, 1 January 2022: France takes over EU presidency with push for ‘strategic autonomy’, Gulf Times, 1 January 2022: Macron takes over EU presidency amid looming national election, Arab News, 1 January 2022: France takes the EU helm at a crucial time, France24, 1 January 2022: France takes over EU presidency as national election looms, DW, 1 January 2022: ECB lights up to celebrate 20 years of the euro, Gulf Times, 1 January 2022: World ushers in 2022 under Covid-19 cloud, The National, 1 January 2022: The euro at 20: how resilient currency united Europeans, Miami Herald, 1 January 2022: Vandals set fire to Key West’s most famous landmark, causing ‘extensive damage’, The Economist, 1 January 2022: Charlemagne: How Europe’s politicians started to think of themselves as European, The Scotsman, 1 January 2022: As Covid threat diminishes, despots like Vladimir Putin and dangerous climate change are demanding more attention – Scotsman comment, CNN, 2 January 2022: 2022 could be a make-or-break year for Europe, Politico.eu, 2 January 2022: EU flag under the Arc de Triomphe comes down as culture war boils, The Guardian, 2 January 2022: France: EU flag removed from Arc de Triomphe after rightwing anger, BBC, 2 January 2022: EU flag removed in Paris after right-wing outrage, DW, 2 January 2022: France removes EU flag from Arc de Triomphe after right-wing outrage, Politico.eu, 3 January 2022: Thousands of websites taken offline in Brexit domain name change, Gulf News, 3 January 2022: #DubaiDestinations: Topgolf adds a new dimension to Dubai as a golfing destination, Politico.eu, 3 January 2022: A wonk’s guide to the French EU presidency policy agenda, The National, 3 January 2022: French flag row hangs over start of Macron’s EU presidency, Politico.eu, 3 January 2022: What the French think of the EU presidency, in charts, The Guardian, 3 January 2022: Why Europe’s Muslims are braced for France’s stint running the EU presidency, Foreign Policy, 3 January 2022: Germany Nervously Tests the Indo-Pacific Waters, The New York Times, 3 January 2022: Silicon Valley’s philosophy of “fake it until you make it” got its comeuppance in Elizabeth Holmes., The Guardian, 4 January 2022: European Union: Top diplomat visits Ukraine frontline in show of solidarity (anyone who has been dwarfing themselves on the subject of their own security for decades and thereby presents themselves as a sacrificial lamb will of course not be taken seriously in negotiations or only be noticed at all. The EU and the federal states, above all Germany, have brought this about themselves and they do not learn from it either, but continue to be only too happy to offer themselves as sacrificial cattle for the Russian slaughterhouse. They not only have to live with the expected results, but above all justify them to themselves and others. In view of the distance of light years between the full-bodied Sunday speeches (“We want to help shape and take on more responsibility!”) and the facts on the ground (almost exactly the opposite happens there), it is rather surprising that the EU and/or its federal states are still at all occasionally be involved in diplomatic and/or military missions. After all, nobody in the world needs such a bunch of nationalistic weaklings and talkers), The Guardian, 5 January 2022: Kazakhstan protests President threatens ruthless crackdown, The Times, 5 January 2022: Kazakh cabinet quits as protesters set fire to city hall, Jerusalem Post, 5 January 2022: Russia sends paratroopers to Kazakhstan to quell deadly unrest, The National, 5 January 2022: Police kill ‘dozens’ of protesters in Kazakhstan, Politico.eu, 5 January 2022: Brussels gets flak for disregarding trade deal watchdogs, The New York Times, 5 January 2022: Find out what’s behind the revolt in Kazakhstan, and why it matters., Arab News, 5 January 2022: More than 200 detained in Kazakhstan unrest, president removes ex-leader from post, The National, 6 January 2022: What is happening in Kazakhstan and why are people protesting?, Politico.com, 6 January 2022: Blinken urges ‘peaceful’ resolution to Kazakhstan chaos, The Times, 6 January 2022: Protests in Kazakhstan: five things you need to know, DW, 6 January 2022: What’s behind the unrest in Kazakhstan?, The National, 6 January 2022: ‘Dozens’ of Kazakhstan protestors killed by police in Almaty (it is always the same, whether Belarus, Russia, Syria, China or now Kazakhstan: When autocrats/dictators lose control of the situation, they jabber something about alleged “foreign provocateurs are threatening our peace-loving autocracy/dictatorship” to justify to shoot at their own people. In this case, once again supported by Putin’s mercenaries, as he cannot afford that democracy-like state structures are established on Russia’s borders, because that would be his political end. His war crimes in Syria, Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova are always warnings to the Russian population: “If I did something like that abroad, what do you think I would do to you if you would oppose my dictatorship?” At least the deployment in Kazakhstan now offers him a face-saving opportunity to withdraw his troops from the Ukrainian border), Al Arabiya, 6 January 2022: Moscow-led alliance sends first troops to Kazakhstan: Statement, DW, 6 January 2022: Deadly clashes in Almaty protests, The Times, 6 January 2022: Russia sends troops to quell Kazakh protests, The Guardian, 6 January 2022: Kazakhstan Dozens of protesters and police dead amid unrest, France24, 6 January 2022: Deadly clashes rock Kazakhstan’s largest city as crisis escalates, Politico.com, 6 January 2022: Biden talks tough on Putin, but European allies are less ready for a fight, DW, 6 January 2022: In pictures: Kazakhstan protests escalate, The New York Times, 6 January 2022: In Kazakhstan, Putin Seizes on Unrest to Try to Expand Influence, The National, 6 January 2022: US expected to be world’s biggest LNG exporter, Politico.eu, 6 January 2022: France eyes quick anti-China action to bail out Lithuania in trade war, The Washington Post, 6 January 2022: Russian troops intervene in protest-roiled Kazakhstan, where security forces have killed dozens of demonstrators, France24, 7 January 2022: Kazakhstan president authorises security forces to ‘fire without warning’, Foreign Policy, 7 January 2022: 3 Big Things to Know About the Russian-Led Alliance Intervening in Kazakhstan, BBC, 7 January 2022: Troops told to fire without warning in Kazakhstan, France24, 7 January 2022: Russian intervention in Kazakhstan risks ‘destabilising’ ethnic divides, The Times, 7 January 2022: Russian troops pour into Kazakhstan in protest crackdown, The National, 7 January 2022: ‘Shoot to kill’ Kazakh president tells police as protests escalate, Politico.eu, 7 January 2022: Putin’s Kazakh gambit tightens his grip on ex-Soviet space, Arab News, 7 January 2022: New privatization rules signed off in Saudi Arabia to encourage investors, France24, 7 January 2022: Macron, EU’s von der Leyen call for end to Kazakhstan violence, Politico.eu, 7 January 2022: Stoltenberg: NATO will be ready if Russia talks fail, The Guardian, 7 January 2022: Kazakhstan: President vows to destroy ‘bandits and terrorists’ behind protests, Arab News, 8 January 2022: UN calls on all involved in Kazakhstan unrest to choose peace over violence, Business Insider, 8 January 2022: Blinken issues warning to Kazakhstan. ‘Once Russians are in your house, it’s sometimes very difficult to get them to leave’ (that’s obviously very true. Just ask Syria, Ukraine, Libya, Georgia, or Moldova, just to name a few), BBC, 8 January 2022: Kazakhstan unrest: Blinken questions Russian troop deployment, The Times, 8 January 2022: Kazakhstan protests: Rumblings in Russia’s underbelly, The Guardian, 8 January 2022: Kazakhstan: Former national security chief detained on suspicion of treason, BBC, 8 January 2022: Kazakh ex-intelligence chief arrested for treason, DW, 8 January 2022: Kazakhstan arrests ex-intelligence agency chief, France24, 8 January 2022: Putin and Kazakhstan leader Tokayev discuss steps ‘to restore order’, DW, 8 January 2022: Kazakhstan protests: Boon or bane for Putin?, The National, 8 January 2022: UAE stresses need for security and stability in Kazakhstan, NPR, 8 January 2022: There’s chaos in Kazakhstan. Here’s what you need to know, Haaretz, 9 January 2022: Israeli NSO Spyware Found on Activists’ Phones in Kazakhstan, Irish Times, 9 January 2022: Kazakhstan: 164 people, including two children, killed in violent unrest, BBC, 9 January 2022: At least 164 killed in Kazakhstan unrest – reports, France24, 9 January 2022: More than 150 deaths and thousands arrested after Kazakhstan unrest, Al Arabiya, 9 January 2022: Kazakhstan says ‘strategic facilities’ under guard after unrest, The National, 9 January 2022: Europe fears economic consequences if Russia is heavily sanctioned, DW, 9 January 2022: Amid unrest Kazakhs seek bread, information, Khaleej Times, 10 January 2022: Kazakhstan’s internet shutdown leaves millions in the dark during unrest, Politico.eu, 10 January 2022: All is not well in the transatlantic relationship, The Times, 10 January 2022: US dodges Russian demands for Nato curbs on eve of Ukraine talks, France24, 10 January 2022: Kazakhstan says nearly 8,000 arrested after week of deadly unrest, Politico.eu, 10 January 2022: Russia downplays Ukraine invasion, but US makes no concessions, The Times, 10 January 2022: Russia rejects US plea to withdraw border troops, CNN, 10 January 2022: US: No breakthrough in ‘frank and forthright’ talks with Russia over Ukraine crisis (absolutely right. Putin is not interested in negotiations, otherwise he would have turned up with negotiating options instead of the comic that he presented instead. Putin’s Russia, an economic dwarf, has exactly three significant export items on offer, namely oil, natural gas and war crimes. He does not want to deliver the first two to Ukraine; he has been supplying the latter since 2014. Now he wants to increase the “export quota” by sending more mercenaries to Ukraine. The fact that he is only negotiating with the USA is understandable and logical. Through permanent, military self-dwarfing, the EU has made itself an international laughing stock. So there is not a single comprehensible or reasonable reason why one should waste time negotiating with such a bunch of wimps about war and peace in Europe. You simply force a solution uplon them that they can’t defend themselves against because they don’t want it anyway. Instead, they wave the white flag before the actual battle), The National, 10 January 2022: US and Russia share ideas but little progress after key Ukraine talks, Al Arabiya, 10 January 2022: Two Ukraine soldiers killed as tensions with Russia soar, The Guardian, 10 January 2022: Ukraine: US-Russia talks ‘useful’ but no progress made (Kim Jong-un was able to enforce his wish to talk to Trump. Now Putin was able to get his way with Biden. Nothing came of this with the former and it is to be expected that the same will be the case for the latter), BBC, 10 January 2022: Russia downplays threat to Ukraine in Geneva talks, The Times, 10 January 2022: Germany should arm Ukraine to atone for Nazi crimes, ambassador says (Kiev is neither completely wrong nor completely right, especially since there are a whole lot of shades of gray between black and white, which is why even experts can come to quite controversial or diametrically opposing assessments. It’s always a question of perspective. That Ukraine has now come to this assessment and reaches for every straw is understandable in view of the threat posed by Putin’s hordes. Whether or not the argument will work is of course an entirely different question. In the interests of common security in the EU, however, it is correct that the delivery of defensive weapons should have taken place a long time ago. Nord Stream 2 is one thing, territorial integrity something else and much higher in importance. One cannot gild the butt of the war criminal Putin on the one hand and leave his victims out in the cold. Where is the “values-led foreign policy approach” or does it take a vacation on certain issues?: Germany–Ukraine relations, Reichskommissariat Ukraine, Ukraine during World War II, War in Donbas, Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation. At the same time, nobody should be fooled. The Scholz administratio (Putin’s 5th column shows in the first test that neither the EU nor the USA can rely on them, but instead waits subservient for the orders and instructions from the miniature dictator from Moscow. Anyone who acts so completely irresponsibly instead of taking a clear and unambiguous position in favor of Ukraine poses an intentional danger for the European project. If this comes from the leadership of Europe’s largest economy, then it even actually poses a serious security threat to Europe) will pursue the same appeasement strategy towards Putin’s dictatorship as Neville Chamberlain did towards Hitler (and at the same time inadvertently allowing states friendly to Ukraine to bring in weapons and materials to increase resistance to Russian aggressions). In addition, there is shockingly strong sympathy among the German public for Putin’s regime, stronger than for the democratic USA. It was the USA who brought Germany freedom, democracy and prosperity and Russia the exact opposite. After all, economic interests also play a major role. The “Eastern Committee of the German Economy” is a lobby association to which, among other things, the largest German stock corporations belong. From there, business contacts to Eastern Europe, among others, are strengthened and maintained. They are largely indifferent to the rule of law and territorial integrity. As long as they can conduct their business, the despot Putin can do what he wants from their point of view. If that means that entire states lose their freedom, so that the dwarf with the Napoleon complex from the Kremlin can advance his great power fantasies (even the Soviet Union 2.0 will never become a world power again), then that’s how it should be. The problem with this is not only that the association sees the world this way, but above all that it can enforce this world view due to economic power. This also applies to dealing with the procedures of the Communist Party dictatorship in China), France24, 10 January 2022: No breakthrough in Russia-US talks on troop build-up near Ukraine, The New York Times, 10 January 2022: Russia has begun positioning helicopters, a possible sign that planning for an attack against Ukraine continues., NPR, 10 January 2022: Russia digs in on Ukraine never joining NATO, on a day of talks with the U.S., The Hill, 10 January 2022: US looks to ward off Ukraine conflict in talks with Russia, The New York Times, 10 January 2022: In Talks on Ukraine, U.S. and Russia Deadlock Over NATO Expansion, Politico.eu, 11 January 2022: New Bundesbank boss warns high inflation could last longer than expected, The Times, 11 January 2022: Russian-led forces ‘will leave Kazakhstan within two weeks’, The Guardian, 11 January 2022: Kazakhstan: Russian-led military bloc to start withdrawing troops, says president, France24, 11 January 2022: Kazakhstan leader says defeated ‘coup,’ vows Russian troops will leave, Politico.eu, 11 January 2022: Europe is missing in action on Ukraine — it doesn’t have to be, The Times, 11 January 2022: Climate change is our biggest long-term threat, says World Economic Forum, Politico.eu, 12 January 2022: NATO, Russia in a standoff after talks in Brussels, France24, 12 January 2022: Deadly clashes break out once more at Armenia-Azerbaijan border, DW, 13 January 2022: Russia-led troops start withdrawing from Kazakhstan, France24, 13 January 2022: Russian-led troops begin withdrawal from Kazakhstan after deadly protest crackdown, DW, 13 January 2022: Ukraine crisis: A geopolitical chance for the EU?, Politico.eu, 14 January 2022: European leaders grieve for David Sassoli at state funeral in Rome, Arab News, 14 January 2022: What comes next in Europe might surprise us, The National, 15 January 2022: EU unimpressed by Kremlin ‘intimidation’ over Ukraine, DW, 15 January 2022: Russian troops return after deployment in Kazakhstan, CNN, 15 January 2022: Putin presents a profound threat to peace in Europe as ‘drumbeat of war’ sounds on Russia-Ukraine border, Khaleej Times, 15 January 2022: ‘We are fasting as if it’s Ramadan’: Sri Lanka on the brink of bankruptcy; millions bear the brunt, France24, 15 January 2022: In Kazakhstan, opacity around civilian casualties and arrests of activists, The Guardian, 16 January 2022: Kazakhstan: Authorities raise death toll from unrest to 225, Irish Times, 16 January 2022: The Irish Times view on European defence: impetus for ‘Strategic Compass’ sought (the EU has incredible potential, but at the same time is far from realizing it. In view of Putin’s continued aggression against Ukraine, but also against Poland, the Baltic States, Sweden and Finland, this becomes particularly clear again. In this case, this has to do with the military self-districting of the EU states, which are individually defenseless against Russia, but also with the fact that the EU, as a result of a lack of foresight, is ignorant of the importance of security policy (security policy takes effect when nothing else does. Fair-weather politicians consistently ignore this aspect until it is too late) and, guided by short-sighted, mostly rather dull nationalism, has decreed military impotence. All serious mistakes. For years this blog has also been pointing out the consequences, but a simple “you see, I’ve been telling you for years!” of course doesn’t do the trick right now. As in many other cases, it would have been nicer to have been taught something else instead of being confronted with what was already to be expected. In order to be better positioned in the future, one first has to look at the “misconstructions” of western political systems in order to be able to understand why the EU fails time and time again and is therefore completely ignored when it comes to existential security issues (even if one tries to cushion this with a cosmetic-diplomatic concealer so that the credibility of the EU is not damaged even further internationally than the state decision-makers are already doing). By far the biggest problem is that state leaders do not pursue medium and long-term strategies, but think in terms of election periods. That may be logical and correct in and of itself, but it always deals a blow to the EU’s viability, especially since the leaders are committed to their own state, but not to the same extent to the EU. Unlike politicians, constructs like the EU thrive on medium- and long-term development strategies, which are in general supported by the large party blocs in the center, even if there are different views on the details. If politician X in EU state Y now makes decision Z for tactical reasons, which may seem sensible for partisan reasons, he simultaneously undermines the medium and long-term prospects of the EU. It is particularly explosive when it comes to politicians and parties who have little or nothing to do with the rule of law and democracy, but instead have a lot of sympathy for senseless, small-minded nationalism (about the dull nationalism that has prevailed over the centuries repeatedly led to devastating wars in Europe, the EU and its predecessor organizations were once founded). At first glance, they are only dwarfing their own EU states, which at least has some ironic aspects. Instead of “restoring their great, heroic nations” to their supposed “old glory”, they achieve the exact opposite: they isolate their allotments, devalue them, diminish their future prospects and thus look more like break clowns than serious EU member states. Unfortunately, it does not stop there, but also has a negative impact on the EU. The weaker the individual EU states are or become, the weaker the EU itself becomes. However, the EU and its member states will only be fit for the future and able to survive if the EU is perceived as a strong, unified, united community, which is currently the case almost exclusively in economic terms. In many other areas, a lot of improvements have to be made in order to be able to keep up at all. The EU likes to see itself in the role of a “soft power”. In times like the present, this is a romantic-sentimental idea, albeit a partially understandable one, but it simply does not meet the actual challenges. No one needs a “soft power” when at the same time a “hard power” is holding a pistol to their head, while pulling the safety pin of a hand grenade. The EU must be both and be able to do both at the same time in order to be fit for the future and capable of surviving. Of course, this only works with extensive inner unity. If a “downsize” should first be necessary for the EU to become fully capable of acting again, then this should be pushed accordingly, in order to build an “EU 2.0” around the founding states, while at the same time “EU 1.0” is rolled back and terminated. After all, it makes no sense to work on a construct that is only supported by some of the members, while another part is only member to tap into funds and at the same time work massively against the success of the EU. The latter can also do this outside the EU, but would not be rewarded with massive financial aid from Brussels for their subversive and destructive activities), Politico.eu, 17 January 2022: Polish envoy’s bid for top EU post sparks Brussels backlash, BBC, 17 January 2022: Anxious wait for news after tsunami cuts off Tonga, DW, 17 January 2022: German Chancellor Scholz and Spanish PM Sanchez discuss relaxing EU fiscal policy, The Atlantic, 17 January 2022: The Silent, Vaccinated, Impatient Majority, Politico.eu, 18 January 2022: Roberta Metsola elected European Parliament president, CNN, 18 January 2022: New EU President immediately questioned on her views on abortion, The Guardian, 18 January 2022: European Union: EU parliament elects anti-abortion Maltese MEP as president, France24, 18 January 2022: Malta’s Roberta Metsola elected EU Parliament’s third woman president, The National, 18 January 2022: Maltese woman becomes youngest EU Parliament president, Al Arabiya, 18 January 2022: US warns Belarus over role in aiding potential Russia invasion of Ukraine, NPR, 18 January 2022: An undersea cable fault could cut Tonga from the rest of the world for weeks, Miami Herald, 18 January 2022: Crackdown against July 11 protesters and their families continues in Cuba despite outcry, DW, 18 January 2022: Roberta Metsola wants to ‘truly reform the European Parliament’, France24, 19 January 2022: France’s EU presidency: Macron calls for European ‘collective security’ pact, dialogue with Russia, Politico.eu, 19 January 2022: Antwerp’s diamond industry battles banks over shuttered accounts, DW, 19 January 2022: Macron proposes security pact to make Europe a ‘power of the future’, Politico.com, 20 January 2022: U.S. charges Belarus with air piracy in reporter’s arrest, Irish Times, 20 January 2022: EU plans three-year extension to UK clearing system access, Politico.eu, 20 January 2022: Europe is ready to shed its fiscal straitjacket, NPR, 20 January 2022: With U.S. focused on defense, China’s trade and infrastructure sweep Southeast Asia, The National, 21 January 2022: UK tells allies to cut economic dependence on Russia and ‘step up’ in support of Ukraine, France24, 21 January 2022: On the hunt for Syrian war criminals hiding out in Europe, The National, 21 January 2022: Oil rally slows after hitting seven-year high as US inventories rise, Arab News, 22 January 2022: Germany’s Lufthansa is set to buy 40% stake in Alitalia successor ITA, Politico.eu, 22 January 2022: UK accused of leaving EU citizens in limbo over post-Brexit residence, France24, 22 January 2022: Hundreds detained in Kazakhstan in wake of violent unrest, The Sunday Times, 23 January 2022: The inside story of the cookbook boom — how Jamie Oliver made millions, DW, 23 January 2022: An uneasy calm in Kazakhstan, Politico.eu, 24 January 2022: EU to weigh €1B aid package for Ukraine, The Times, 24 January 2022: Gas prices will stay high ‘until 2025’, Politico.eu, 24 January 2022: Forget NATO, Ukraine must refocus on the EU, BBC, 24 January 2022: The rebirth of Cuba’s abandoned city, Irish Times, 24 January 2022: Rosslare Europort sees post-Brexit boom in European freight volumes, DW, 25 January 2022: Germany’s goal of a European federal state proves elusive, Politico.eu, 25 January 2022: Good work, Volodya! Putin resurrects NATO, The Guardian, 25 January 2022: Russia: US finalising plans to divert gas to Europe if Moscow cuts off supply, CNN, 25 January 2022: How Putin’s $11 billion pipeline split NATO and the EU at a time of crisis, Arab News, 25 January 2022: Europe should work with Gulf amid emerging security threats, The New York Times, 25 January 2022: The U.S. plans to bolster Europe’s fuel supply to blunt the threat of a Russian cutoff., The Washington Post, 25 January 2022: As Ukraine crisis looms, Europe fears Kremlin will cut off its gas supply, DW, 25 January 2022: Ukraine: Joe Biden says US could sanction Vladimir Putin, CNN, 26 January 2022: Chanel sends princess on horseback down the runway in Paris, Politico.eu, 26 January 2022: Intel wins appeal against €1.06 billion EU antitrust fine, Arab News, 27 January 2022: EU’s lack of unity leaves it open to extortion (thanks to the German Scholz administration), Politico.eu, 27 January 2022: The Netherlands’ earthshaking gas deal with Germany, Foreign Policy, 22 January 2022: A Russia-Ukraine War Could Ripple Across Africa and Asia, The Times, 27 January 2022: China punishes Slovenia for ties with Taiwan, CNN, 27 January 2022: Russian gas shutdown would be ‘catastrophic’ for Europe, Arab News, 28 January 2022: We must stop pretending the EU is a great power (absolutely right and spot on), Al Arabiya, 28 January 2022: US, EU working to source natural gas in case of Russia ‘supply shocks’: Statement, Arab News, 28 January 2022: UK and Australia double down on their relationship, Times of Israel, 28 January 2022: Finland alleges diplomats’ phones hacked with Israeli spyware, France24, 28 January 2022: What are the reasons behind the ‘Great Resignation’ in the US?, Foreign Policy, 28 January 2022: Russia Can Win in Ukraine Without Firing a Shot, San Francisco Chronicle, 28 January 2022: Why are so many San Franciscans moving to Montana?, The Economist, 29 January 2022: Russia’s roulette: A war in Ukraine could have global consequences, CNN, 29 January 2022: EU chief tells CNN ‘nothing off table’ in response to Russia, The National, 29 January 2022: Millions travel for Chinese New Year despite pleas to stay put, The New York Times, 29 January 2022: U.S. Sanctions Aimed at Russia Could Take a Wide Toll, CNN, 29 January 2022: How war in Ukraine could disrupt the world, The New York Times, 29 January 2022: Putin Has Long Tried to Balance Europe. Now He’s Working to Reset It., The Guardian, 31 January 2022: Unlike Putin’s Russia, the west doesn’t know what it wants in eastern Europe, France24, 1 February 2022: Eurozone unemployment hits its lowest level on record, CNN, 1 February 2022: Myanmar’s coup leaders tried to crush resistance. But one year on, it’s stronger than ever, France24, 1 February 2022: Myanmar coup anniversary: Government in exile urges France to act against junta, The Guardian, 1 February 2022: From eastern Europe we watch Ukraine in fear. Its fate could decide the continent’s future, France24, 1 February 2022: ‘Leave or die’: Myanmar refugees recount how they fled the junta, Politico.eu, 1 February 2022: New trucker rules shake up European logistics, The Guardian, 1 February 2022: Myanmar: Silent strike empties streets on anniversary of coup, France24, 1 February 2022: Activists stage ‘silent strike’ as Myanmar marks coup anniversary under fresh sanctions, Politico.eu, 2 February 2022: Europe is ready to pay the cost of Russia sanctions, The Times, 2 February 2022: Witnesses break silence on moment Kazakhstan pro-democracy rally turned deadly, Politico.eu, 2 February 2022: EU drafts counteroffensive to China, US on technology rules, BBC, 2 February 2022: EU moves to label nuclear and gas as sustainable, Politico.eu, 2 February 2022: EU under fire for ‘imperfect’ move to call gas and nuclear sustainable, DW, 2 February 2022: European Commission declares nuclear and gas to be green, The New York Times, 2 February 2022: Wealth Inequality Is the Highest Since World War II, The Atlantic, 3 February 2022: The Reason Putin Would Risk War, The New York Times, 3 February 2022: Europe Thinks Putin Is Planning Something Even Worse Than War, Politico.eu, 4 February 2022: NATO’s Stoltenberg to become Norway’s next central bank chief, The Guardian, 4 February 2022: Meta: Firm to bring in mandatory distances between virtual reality avatars, Miami Herald, 4 February 2022: She makes 120 cocktails an hour and tells bad jokes. Meet your new robot bartender, DW, 6 February 2022: Why the EU needs Russian energy giant Gazprom, NPR, 6 February 2022: Beijing and Moscow unite in efforts to redefine democracy itself, DW, 6 February 2022: How Russia is helping the US reassert its dominance in European security, The Times, 7 February 2022: Former general Leonid Ivashov attacks Putin for ‘provoking war’, Al Arabiya, 7 February 2022: Europe to launch multi-billion euro tech fund, says French finance minister, The Times, 7 February 2022: Kazakhstan holds its breath and waits for reform after protests, Politico.eu, 8 February 2022: Commission moves to cut Polish funds over unpaid coal mine fine, The Times, 8 February 2022: Rees-Mogg given Brexit job as PM courts Tory right, Politico.eu, 8 February 2022: Boris Johnson names Jacob Rees-Mogg as Brexit minister in mini-reshuffle (this is another disaster within the Brexit disaster), BBC, 8 February 2022: Rees-Mogg in new Brexit role as PM reshuffles team (Jacob Rees-Mogg becomes “Minister for Brexit Opportunities”. Most people say that it is the only job Brexit ever created), The Guardian, 8 February 2022: UK: Rees-Mogg becomes minister for Brexit opportunities in Boris Johnson reshuffle, Politico.eu, 8 February 2022: Top French minister: Europe shouldn’t be ‘dragged’ into following US on Nord Stream 2, DW, 8 February 2022: Turow coal mine: EU to withhold Poland funds over dispute, Politico.eu, 8 February 2022: Commission moves to cut Polish funds over unpaid coal mine fine, CNN, 9 February 2022: A giant donut-shaped machine just proved a near-limitless clean power source is possible, The Times, 9 February 2022: Fusion power breakthrough smashes world record, The New York Times, 9 February 2022: Russia can seize control over Ukraine or keep strong economic ties to Europe. It will be hard to do both., Politico.eu, 9 February 2022: Good news for France and Italy as Brussels looks to keep debt rules on ice in 2023, CNN, 11 February 2022: US auto factories disrupted by Canadian trucker rally, The New York Times, 11 February 2022: Carmakers closed plants as far as Alabama as blockades on the U.S.-Canada border continued. Follow business news., Politico.eu, 11 February 2022: France’s Bruno Le Maire tells Germany not to ‘close doors’ on EU budget reforms, CNN, 12 February 2022: Canadian judge issues order allowing police to remove protesters at critical bridge to US, Arab News, 12 February 2022: Israel would be better off working with the UN than attacking it, Radio Free Europe, 13 February 2022: For The First Time, Orban Hints At Hungary Leaving The European Union (he left the EU a long time ago without leaving, so that he could continue to be fed by Brussels. Putin will be pleased that the first country will voluntarily return to the Soviet Union), Politico.eu, 14 February 2022: EU power to slash funds will face fresh fights after court verdict, DW, 14 February 2022: Ukraine crisis: What can the US expect from Germany? (how Olaf Scholz managed to gamble away so much international trust in such a short time is remarkable. It’s just unbelievable how he could stumble like that, and this after being world champ in crisis management Angela Merkel’s student and vice chancellor for years. It will take years to put things right again, quite independently from if Ukraine is joining NATO, which itself knows that it is far from being ready to meet the admission requirements and that the significantly higher EU access requirements are even harder fulfill. Overall, however, as after Afghanistan, the considerable weaknesses of the EU security and defense policy are becoming all too clear. Nevertheless, there are still incorrigible people who believe that they would do better on their own than in a group – they just won’t, but on the contrary, contribute to further self-dwarfing and the loss of importance of Europe on the world stage – self-chosen fate. However, the $1 million question over the next few years will also be how to bring Ukraine closer to the EU so that it can be included in the “Common Security and Defense Policy”. That will also depend on how the EU manages to set up a joint, active EU army to complement NATO. This step, which has been overdue for 20 years and is becoming ever more urgent in view of the mounting challenges, can no longer be ignored even by the simple-minded peace movement and name dancers. Neither Germany’s ever-increasing responsibility in the military defense of European interests against ongoing and escalating Russian aggression. Not to mention the challenges in the Eastern Mediterranean and North Africa. If Europe doesn’t want to be overwhelmed by crises all the time, it has no choice but to invest heavily in defense. Otherwise, Germany and Europe’s future prospects will crumble before our very eyes. There are, of course, those in Europe that would be only too happy to see this happen, but they also fell for Russian and Chinese state propaganda and see Putin and Xi Jinping as democrats suffering from military aggression from NATO. However, the simpletons cannot credibly explain why they didn’t finally move to Russia, China or Saudi Arabia, even though in their views everything is terrible in the democratic West. So Europe’s decision makers can completely ignore their voices and instead focus on securing the future of Europe), The National, 15 February 2022: ‘Transparency needed on debt’ to cut developing nations’ financial risk, World Bank says, Politico.eu, 15 February 2022: Russia-Ukraine tensions could trigger market crash, says EU regulator, Arab News, 15 February 2022: Vital for Europe to be Africa’s partner of choice, Politico.eu, 15 February 2022: Brussels, EU governments on collision course over Pegasus spyware, The Guardian, 15 February 2022: Cuba: Protesters sentenced to up to 20 years as hundreds more await verdicts, Politico.eu, 15 February 2022: EU pitches broadband satellite plan, France24, 16 February 2022: EU’s top court ‘on right track’ to cut funds to Poland, Hungary for violating democratic rights, CNN, 16 February 2022: EU top court paves way to cut billions to Poland and Hungary, Politico.eu, 16 February 2022: The EU got its legal OK to cut funds. Now what?, The Times, 16 February 2022: EU court dismisses challenge by Hungary and Poland in ‘rule of law’ row, Politico.eu, 17 February 2022: Germany to back EU’s women quota plan after a decade, Politico.eu, 17 February 2022: EU ramps up Big Tech clampdown without 3 top antitrust investigators, The Times, 18 February 2022: How the West can defeat the Xi-Putin axis, Irish Times, 19 February 2022: EU is not at the table when it comes to dealing with the crisis in Ukraine, The New Yorker, 19 February 2022: Does the U.S.-Russia Crisis Over Ukraine Prove That the Cold War Never Ended?, The Guardian, 20 February 2022: Medicine: How Covid changed treatments for the future, The New York Times, 20 February 2022: Vast Leak Exposes How Credit Suisse Served Strongmen and Spies, BBC, 20 February 2022: Credit Suisse denies wrongdoing after big data leak, The Guardian, 20 February 2022: Revealed: Credit Suisse leak unmasks criminals, fraudsters and corrupt politicians, The New York Times, 20 February 2022: Bond Between China and Russia Alarms U.S. and Europe Amid Ukraine Crisis, Miami Herald, 20 February 2022: Swiss leak provides look behind curtain at how dictators, kleptocrats, spies stash cash, DW, 20 February 2022: Credit Suisse had autocrats, criminals as clients, Politico.eu, 21 February 2022: More EU airlines suspend Ukraine flights, The Times, 21 February 2022: Hedge funds linked to gas price turmoil, says Shell, The Guardian, 21 February 2022: Ukraine: Belarus should face same sanctions as Russia in event of invasion – EU, France24, 22 February 2022: Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General: ‘This is a crisis created by Russia alone’, Politico.eu, 22 February 2022: Germany shelves Nord Stream 2 pipeline (now the same ones will be crawling out from under their rocks and out of their caves who were already of the opinion in 2014 that Russia would be able to cope even if the West stopped buying oil and gas at all, especially since one could finally sell to China. Sure, just like in 2014, you could also sell to China in 2022, but then as now at significantly reduced purchase prices than those paid by the West. Since the Russian state budget is dependent on the income, it will have the already known consequences: Real wages continue to fall, investments cannot or only partially take place, Russian in-house production, including in the food sector, is of ridiculous quality and the Russian economy is still decoupling further away from the world market than it has already done. As a small foretaste, the Russian stock exchanges reacted to the “positive prospects” with a price drop of 17%. As usual, Putin’s far-sightedness extends to the tip of his own nose – DW, 22 February 2022: Gold, oil prices surge as Putin orders troops to Ukraine), France24, 22 February 2022: Live: Ukraine minister urges EU to promise future membership, Irish Times, 22 February 2022: Ukraine-Russia: EU to ban lending to Russian central bank after Putin orders troops over border, NPR, 22 February 2022: Oil prices are surging toward $100 a barrel. Here’s what that means for you, The National, 22 February 2022: EU sanctions Russia in ‘answer to grave violations’ in Ukraine, Al Arabiya, 22 February 2022: Biden cuts Western financing for Russian sovereign debt in first tranche of sanctions, DW, 22 February 2022: Ukraine crisis: EU agrees to Russia sanctions package, Jerusalem Post, 23 February 2022: Credit Suisse scandal is nothing new for bank that helped Nazis, Al Arabiya, 25 February 2022: EU targets Russian economy after ‘deluded autocrat’ invasion of Ukraine, The Times, 25 February 2022: Fog of war descends to obscure the fate of markets, The National, 25 February 2022: Joe Biden nominates Ketanji Brown Jackson to US Supreme Court, The Times, 26 February 2022: BP quizzed by minister over links to Russia, CNN, 26 February 2022: Russia’s economy is surprisingly tiny. Here’s why it matters so much to you, The National, 27 February 2022: EU funds purchase of weapons for Ukraine, steps up Russia sanctions, targets Belarus, CNN, 27 February 2022: Norway says its sovereign fund will divest from Russia, Politico.eu, 27 February 2022: Slovakia pushes for ‘special track’ for Ukraine toward joining EU, BBC, 27 February 2022: BP to offload stake in Rosneft amid Ukraine conflict, Gulf News, 28 February 2022: A look at West’s toughest sanctions yet on Russia, The National, 28 February 2022: How Europe can boost energy security and reduce its reliance on Russian gas, France24, 28 February 2022: Belarus approves hosting nuclear weapons, Russian forces permanently, Gulf News, 28 February 2022: FIFA throws Russian team out of World Cup, IOC calls for Russia sports ban, NPR, 28 February 2022: Russia’s central bank doubles a key interest rate as sanctions spark economic turmoil, Jerusalem Post, 28 February 2022: World will not stay the same after Ukraine-Russia war – EU’s Josep Borrell, The New York Times, 28 February 2022: Sanctions Leave Russian Economy Reeling, Times of Israel, 28 February 2022: Ukraine’s leader signs application to join EU as round of talks with Russia ends, Los Angeles Times, 28 February 2022: Putin’s fears of a unified, stronger Europe are fast becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy, The New York Times, 28 February 2022: Switzerland, setting aside a tradition of neutrality, said it would freeze Russian assets., Arab News, 28 February 2022: World must prove that might does not make right, The New York Times, 28 February 2022: Ukraine Presents a Moral Crisis, Not Just a Military One, Los Angeles Times, 28 February 2022: Russians line up at banks as ruble plunges, interest rates jump and sanctions bite, The Atlantic, 28 February 2022: Putin Accidentally Revitalized the West’s Liberal Order, The Washington Post, 28 February 2022: In just 72 hours, Europe overhauled its entire post-Cold War relationship with Russia, CNN, 28 February 2022: Russia is waking up to sanctions. The West must not stop here, The Hill, 28 February 2022: Multinationals flee Russia, punishing Moscow, New York Magazine, 28 February 2022: Russia’s War of Self-Destruction, CNN, 28 February 2022: Two Russian oligarchs call for an end to Putin’s war, The Washington Post, 28 February 2022: U.S., European allies freeze ‘Putin’s war chest’ as Russia careens toward economic crisis, The Guardian, 28 February 2022: Ukraine conflict leads EU to rid itself of Russian sacred cows, CNN, 28 February 2022: Russia faces financial meltdown as sanctions slam its economy, Politico.com, 28 February 2022: Russia-Ukraine conflict: European plan to donate fighter jets to Ukraine collapses, Jerusalem Post, 1 March 2022: Ukraine conflict: Mastercard blocks multiple Russian financial firms, France24, 1 March 2022: Russia, Belarus suspended by World Rugby ‘until further notice’, Der Spiegel, 1 March 2022: European Commission Vice President Margrethe Vestager: “This Is a Cold War for the 21st Century”, The National, 1 March 2022: Russian rouble’s freefall comes to a halt after central bank intervention, Haaretz, 1 March 2022: Apple pauses sales in Russia and stops all exports, The Hill, 1 March 2022: Belarus president stands in front of battle map indicating Moldova invasion plans, CNN, 1 March 2022: Why did it take the West so long to wake up to Putin’s outrages?, The New York Times, 1 March 2022: I’m a Cold War Historian. We’re in a Frightening New Era., Arab News, 2 March 2022: Revitalized West poised to challenge the narrative of decline, CNN, 1 March 2022: The West’s $1 trillion bid to collapse Russia’s economy, BBC, 1 March 2022: How climate change is re-shaping the way Gen Z works, France24, 1 March 2022: Ukraine war brings Sweden, Finland even closer to NATO, The Hill, 2 March 2022: Russian economy taking ‘serious blows,’ Kremlin says, The Washington Post, 2 March 2022: U.S. to expand financial attack, aiming to seize billions held by Putin allies, The National, 2 March 2022: Russia-Ukraine war latest: UN votes to condemn Moscow’s aggression, The New York Times, 2 March 2022: Eastern European countries fear catastrophe as Vladimir Putin seeks to reclaim Russia’s lost sphere of influence., The National, 2 March 2022: Roman Abramovich confirms he is selling European champions Chelsea, Al Arabiya, 2 March 2022: UN General Assembly in historic vote denounces Russia over Ukraine invasion, NPR, 2 March 2022: How everyday Russians are feeling the impact from sanctions, The Atlantic, 2 March 2022: Why the Cultural Boycott of Russia Matters, NPR, 2 March 2022: Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich will put Chelsea Football Club up for sale, France24, 2 March 2022: As it happened: UN General Assembly overwhelmingly reprimands Russia for Ukraine invasion, CNN, 2 March 2022: Europe is making once-unimaginable decisions to counter Putin’s aggression, BBC, 2 March 2022: Russia faces war crimes probe for Ukraine invasion, France24, 2 March 2022: War in Ukraine sparks anti-Russian cultural backlash, DW, 2 March 2022: UN: Large majority backs condemnation of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Politico.eu, 2 March 2022: Ukraine war blurs Brussels’ plans to reapply debt, deficit rules , The Guardian, 2 March 2022: UN: Emergency session votes to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and calls for withdrawal, DW, 2 March 2022: Sanctions on Russia: Death by a thousand cuts (if Putin continues his wars as before, he will lead Russia to total ruin just as his Soviet predecessors successfully did with the Soviet Union. That would be extremely desirable for the democracy, security, freedom and stability of the world. In addition, it will also become very uncomfortable for Putin domestically if, as at the end of the Soviet era, a veritable famine spreads. These are excellent prospects in the medium and long term), Politico.eu, 2 March 2022: EU explores measures to shelter economy from Russia sanctions blowback, The Times, 2 March 2022: Johnson under pressure to match EU’s oligarch sanctions, DW, 2 March 2022: Ukraine conflict: Japan stiffens resolve on Russia, but it comes with a price, The Atlantic, 2 March 2022: Russia’s Looming Economic Collapse, CNN, 3 March 2022: Russia’s largest airline yanked from global reservation systems, NBC News, 3 March 2022: Democrats put pressure on Biden to ban Russian oil imports, The Guardian, 3 March 2022: The west has declared all-out financial war with Russia. What does this mean?, CNN, 3 March 2022: Biden’s Middle East allies change tune on Ukraine war as conflict escalates, The Guardian, 3 March 2022: Ikea: Retailer closes all stores and factories in Russia amid exodus of western firms, Jerusalem Post, 3 March 2022: Russia-Ukraine war is Europe’s hour to act, France24, 3 March 2022: Fortress Russia: Has Putin built a sanctions-proof economy?, The Guardian, 3 March 2022: Europe: We must be more independent and shore up its defence, says Macron, CNN, 3 March 2022: Russian oil isn’t sanctioned, but nobody wants to touch it anyway, DW, 3 March 2022: War in Ukraine: Will it bring Sweden and Finland closer to joining NATO?, The Guardian, 3 March 2022: Putin’s war is a watershed moment for the EU – the days of ‘never again’ are back, Miami Herald, 3 March 2022: Ukraine’s top diplomat in Havana: Cuba’s vote at the U.N. ‘gives us cautious hope’, DW, 3 March 2022: War in Ukraine: Will it bring Sweden and Finland closer to joining NATO?, Politico.eu, 3 March 2022: EU’s next possible Russia targets: Ports, oligarch families, trust funds, Los Angeles Times, 3 March 2022: Palaces, super-yachts, Swiss accounts. How rich is Putin and can sanctions hurt him?, Politico.eu, 3 March 2022: Economic pain keeps on coming for Russia as invasion rages, Al Arabiya, 3 March 2022: Canada to raise tariffs on Russian imports, send rocket launchers to Ukraine, Jerusalem Post, 4 March 2022: Russia stops space cooperation with US: ‘Let them fly on brooms’, The National, 4 March 2022: Covid panic-buying forces Hong Kong shops to ration rice and toilet paper, Politico.eu, 4 March 2022: The EU’s plan to cure its Russian gas addiction, Gulf Times, 4 March 2022: Russia’s crypto volumes are stalling across major exchanges, Ukraine sets up multiple crypto wallets, The National, 4 March 2022: Ukraine conflict poses increased risk to global economic outlook, Moody’s says, Politico.com, 4 March 2022: U.S. added 678,000 jobs in February in sign of economic health, The National, 4 March 2022: S&P downgrades Russia ratings deeper into ‘junk’ for second time in a week, Arab News, 4 March 2022: Russia-Ukraine conflict puts global economy recovery at high risk: Moody’s, Politico.eu, 4 March 2022: The EU’s plan to cure its Russian gas addiction, NPR, 4 March 2022: Russia blocks access to Facebook, Politico.eu, 4 March 2022: Brussels paves way to slap trade tariffs on Russia, Al Arabiya, 4 March 2022: US taking ‘all measures’ to stop Russia benefiting from IMF assets: Treasury official, Politico.eu, 4 March 2022: Economic meltdown gives Putin a route back to Soviet repression, NPR, 4 March 2022: Not every war gets the same coverage as Russia’s invasion — and that has consequences, Politico.eu, 4 March 2022: The EU should borrow together once again — this time for common defense, CNN, 4 March 2022: European stocks could be heading for a bear market, BBC, 5 March 2022: Putin says sanctions over Ukraine are like a declaration of war (grteat, that the sanctions are obviously working pretty well. The more, the better), The Economist, 5 March 2022: Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine is wrecking two countries, Arab News, 5 March 2022: The world’s leading luxury brands suspend business in Russia, Al Arabiya, 5 March 2022: War in Ukraine will have ‘severe impact’ on global economy: IMF, The National, 5 March 2022: Singapore to impose sanctions on Russian banks and cryptocurrency funding, DW, 5 March 2022: Members of Putin’s inner circle hit by Western sanctions, Politico.eu, 5 March 2022: Russia obstructs Iran nuclear deal as the Kremlin frets over its oil income, The Atlantic, 5 March 2022: The Russian Elite Can’t Stand the Sanctions, Irish Times, 5 March 2022: Russians brace for big squeeze as rouble loses third of value, DW, 5 March 2022: China lowers economic growth goal, Politico.eu, 5 March 2022: Italy seizes oligarchs’ yachts, villas, The Economist, 5 March 2022: The exodus: Western businesses pull out of Russia, Politico.eu, 5 March 2022: Moldova issues plea for aid as Ukraine war brings multiple crises, The National, 6 March 2022: Russians rush to shop amid fears for the future and a free-falling rouble, CNN, 6 March 2022: ‘How fast could you sell this?’ Russian elites scramble to move, sell assets to get ahead of international crackdown, The National, 6 March 2022: US and Europe discuss plans to ban Russian oil imports, Blinken says, The Hill, 6 March 2022: Efforts to decimate Russian economy threaten to boomerang, France24, 7 March 2022: Western nations face a challenge seizing property from Russian oligarchs, The New York Times, 7 March 2022: As U.S. Weighs Russian Oil Ban, Gas Prices Surge and Stocks Fall, The Washington Post, 7 March 2022: Democrats, Republicans reach deal to ban Russian energy imports, suspend normal trade relations, Haaretz, 7 March 2022: Ukraine War: Time Is No Longer on Putin’s Side, The New York Times, 7 March 2022: Why China Can’t Bail Out Putin’s Economy, The Washington Post, 7 March 2022: The world of inconsistencies between Ukraine, the Middle East, and beyond, Arab News, 7 March 2022: Foreign investors unlikely to rush back to Iran, New York Magazine, 7 March 2022: The West’s Sanctions on Russia Are Working Too Well, The National, 7 March 2022: Russia-Ukraine war latest: Europe steps back from US effort to ban Russian oil and gas, Politico.eu, 7 March 2022: Germany’s Scholz rejects calls to ban Russian oil and gas, DW, 7 March 2022: Ukraine war: Will Arab oil save the world from soaring prices?, Al Arabiya, 8 March 2022: Germany calls on OPEC to increase oil output, Arab News, 8 March 2022: Brent prices break $130 as US bans Russian crude imports over Ukraine invasion, DW, 8 March 2022: Joe Biden bans US imports of Russian oil, gas after Ukraine’s pleas, Politico.eu, 8 March 2022: Commission plans to get EU off Russian gas before 2030, Al Arabiya, 8 March 2022: Biden bans all Russian oil imports to the US, but warns ‘it will cost us’, France24, 8 March 2022: Live: Biden announces ban on Russian oil imports over Ukraine invasion, Politico.eu, 8 March 2022: Shell to divest from all Russian oil and gas, CNN, 8 March 2022: How Russia’s war could knock out Europe’s economy, Politico.eu, 8 March 2022: EU diplomats green-light further sanctions against Russia, The Times, 8 March 2022: Shell apologises and cuts ties with Moscow over invasion, Politico.eu, 8 March 2022: Germany’s Lindner pushes back on new EU debt as response to Ukraine war, The Guardian, 8 March 2022: UK faces large EU bill over Chinese imports fraud, Politico.eu, 8 March 2022: EU makes it clear crypto is covered in sanctions against Russia, Belarus, The Washington Post, 8 March 2022: McDonald’s, Starbucks and Coca-Cola halt business in Russia, Politico.eu, 8 March 2022: A ‘6-point plan’ to save Europe’s gas market, The Hill, 8 March 2022: Lawmakers wary of potential oil talks with Venezuela, Saudi Arabia and Iran, Politico.eu, 8 March 2022: Dutch PM Mark Rutte against new EU debt as response to Ukraine war, The Washington Post, 8 March 2022: The Ukraine war could leave hundreds of millions hungry around the world, The Atlantic, 8 March 2022: Of Course Putin Is Being Canceled, Politico.eu, 8 March 2022: ‘We told you so!’ How the West didn’t listen to the countries that know Russia best, The New York Times, 8 March 2022: How the Putin Shock Might Affect the World Economy, CNN, 9 March 2022: Moscow Stock Exchange to remain closed on March 9, Gulf News, 9 March 2022: Oil price at $150? What does it mean for you and me, The Guardian, 9 March 2022: History is brutally back, and Ukraine will test Europe’s appetite for the consequences (leaving aside the question to what extent “complicity through active passivity or complete omissions” is not already a fact, it is obvious that NATO and the EU are in a lost position as long as they play by rules while Putin knows none. He is completely indifferent to the dead, even in his own ranks. The already devastating destruction and enormous human casualties are not enough for him at all. His anger and ruthlessness are heightened by Russian casualties, his army’s ineptness, and the increasing desertions of his soldiers. Even if it goes against all Western understanding and all Western logic, NATO and the EU will not be able to avoid the question of when they have to intervene to stop Putin’s genocide against Ukraine and the Ukrainians for much longer. This war, too, is documented far too well and in real time for one to be able to excuse oneself later with pretended, alleged unawareness of the situation on the ground), The National, 9 March 2022: Oil may hit $240 if EU follows suit with sanctions on Russian crude, Jerusalem Post, 9 March 2022: Russia-Ukraine war: Russia, Belarus suspended from OECD, The Hill, 9 March 2022: Major US companies leave Russia in droves amid Ukraine conflict, CNN, 9 March 2022: How Putin ‘destroyed’ the ruble and brought Russia to the brink of default, The Washington Post, 9 March 2022: Fearing crackdown, thousands of Russians crowd into few remaining trains and planes to flee, DW, 9 March 2022: EU parliament demands end to ‘golden passports’ for Russians, The Atlantic, 10 March 2022: For the West, the Worst Is Yet to Come, The Guardian, 10 March 2022: Australia: floods Insurance fine print may mean thousands of victims are unable to claim, report says, The Guardian, 10 March 2022: The west v Russia: why the global south isn’t taking sides, NPR, 10 March 2022: U.S. colleges are cutting their partnerships and financial ties with Russia, The Washington Post, 10 March 2022: Schadenfreude at sea: The Internet is watching with glee as Russian oligarchs’ yachts are seized, Miami Herald, 10 March 2022: Miami gaining tech ‘superstar’ status — but report warns of challenging ‘side effects’, Politico.eu, 10 March 2022: Putin’s war seduces Europe’s farmers away from Green Deal, The Atlantic, 10 March 2022: Russia’s Economic Blackout Will Change the World, France24, 10 March 2022: Macron welcomes EU leaders for Ukraine crisis talks at Versailles, NPR, 11 March 2022: Why Belarus is so involved in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Jerusalem Post, 11 March 2022: China’s computers hacked by US to attack Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, The National, 11 March 2022: Biden moves to strip Russia of preferred trade status, The New York Times, 11 March 2022: Putin Wants a Clash of Civilizations. Is ‘The West’ Falling for It?, Jerusalem Post, 11 March 2022: Russia-Ukraine war: US, G7, EU to strip Russia of ‘most favored nation’ status – source, Arab News, 11 March 2022: Ukraine war compounds food-security woes of Middle East and North Africa, The New York Times, 11 March 2022: Live Ukraine Updates: Biden Moves to Suspend Normal Trade With Russia, The Washington Post, 11 March 2022: War is exacerbating food prices and shortages abroad, especially for food-insecure nations, Politico.eu, 11 March 2022: At summit, leaders see EU redrawn by Russia’s war (it’s slowly becoming inexplicable what’s going on there. Putin’s war in the Ukraine is in full swing and the heads of state are already at loggerheads again instead of finally getting the EU army up and financing it jointly so that it will be powerful enough), Haaretz, 11 March 2022: The Great Jewish Oligarchs’ Escape: ‘The Ground Is Trembling. They Will Stream Into Israel’, Los Angeles Times, 11 March 2022: Biden, Europe revoke Russia’s trade status, ratcheting up economic pain for Putin, Jerusalem Post, 11 March 2022: EU unveils fourth set of sanctions against Russia, Politico.eu, 11 March 2022: Macron delays eurobond debate amid frugal pushback, The New York Times, 11 March 2022: Europe’s Trains Take Fighters to Ukraine, and Bring Back Refugees, CNN, 11 March 2022: Chinese tech stocks plunge after US names companies for potential delisting, Politico.eu, 11 March 2022: EU leaders fail to set a date to end energy dependence on Russia, CNN, 11 March 2022: Russia’s richest businessman tells Putin: Don’t take us back to 1917, The Washington Post, 11 March 2022: Biden, European allies move to strip Russia of trade status, CNN, 11 March 2022: Biden calls for suspending normal trade relations with Russia and will ban imports of vodka and seafood, Politico.eu, 11 March 2022: EU hits Russia with new sanctions on luxury goods, metals and energy projects, CNN, 11 March 2022: Europe sets 2027 deadline to end reliance on Russian oil and gas, DW, 10 March 2022: Russian gas edging towards extinction in Europe, Politico.com, 11 March 2022: Biden moves to reimpose Cold War trade restraints on Russia, CNN, 11 March 2022: In Moscow, McDonald’s packs up, radio falls silent and the brain drain begins, DW, 11 March 2022: Why is the UAE a hot spot for Russians dodging sanctions?, The Guardian, 11 March 2022: G7 nations strip Russia of ‘most favoured nation’ status, Politico.eu, 11 March 2022: Removing Russia’s trade privileges — what you need to know, The New York Times, 11 March 2022: The Price of Putin’s Belligerence, CNN, 11 March 2022: Could Middle East nations come to the rescue as the Ukraine war drives up oil prices?, Irish Times, 11 March 2022: Covid hit some incomes, this crisis will hit everyone’s, DW, 11 March 2022: EU leaders pledge increased military aid for Ukraine — live updates, The Guardian, 11 March 2022: Russians using Serbian loophole to avoid EU flights ban, Irish Times, 11 March 2022: Ukraine: Situation in Mariupol ‘critical’ as EU ready to impose harsher sanctions on Russia, CNN, 12 March 2022: End of an era in Russia as sanctions bite and Western companies take flight, DW, 12 March 2022: Europe is bankrolling Putin’s war on Ukraine, CNN, 12 March 2022: War has brought the world to the brink of a food crisis, Arab News, 12 March 2022: The world is entering uncharted territory, The New York Times, 12 March 2022: A Trans-Atlantic Energy Pact Would Counter Russia’s Might, The National, 12 March 2022: World’s biggest sailing yacht owned by Russian billionaire is seized by Italian police, DW, 12 March 2022: Finland’s much-delayed nuclear plant launches, Arab News, 12 March 2022: Gulf to play key role as EU plans to cut Russian gas imports, says envoy, The Wall Street Journal, 12 March 2022: Covid-19 Taught Americans How to Let Go of Their Steady Paychecks, The Guardian, 12 March 2022: Live Russia-Ukraine war: Russia will only take Kyiv if city is ‘razed to the ground’, Zelenskiy says, as Moscow threatens western shipments, Politico.eu, 12 March 2022: EU’s Borrell makes premature pledge of €500M more military aid to Ukraine, The National, 13 March 2022: Ukraine is upending the world order – but not how Russia thought it would, Arab News, 13 March 2022: Palestinian Chileans hopeful about new president, The Times, 13 March 2022: Andrey Kurkov: Ukrainians will never be Russians, DW, 13 March 2022: Can Venezuela help tame global energy prices?, The Guardian, 13 March 2022: Putin and Trump have convinced me: I was wrong about the 21st century, Politico.eu, 14 March 2022: EU will pay for the war, but the bill won’t be split evenly, The New York Times, 14 March 2022: How Not to Have a Putin Recession, Politico.eu, 14 March 2022: EU to sanction Chelsea FC owner Roman Abramovich in new oligarch package, The New Yorker, 14 March 2022: How Big a Threat to the U.S. Economy Is the War in Ukraine?, The National, 14 March 2022: EU imposes fourth set of sanctions against Russia, The Hill, 14 March 2022: Russian war, inflation pinch US economy, The National, 14 March 2022: Energy markets need more investment to avoid supply shocks, says Dr Al Jaber, Times of Israel, 14 March 2022: EU slapping Russian-Israeli Abramovich, other oligarchs with more sanctions, Irish Times, 14 March 2022: Aircraft lessors face billions in write-offs as planes re-registered in Russia, Politico.eu, 14 March 2022: Ukraine presses the EU to get real about trading with the enemy, The Times, 14 March 2022: Russian debt default on the cards after Kremlin issues warning, CNN, 14 March 2022: Russia could default on its debt within days, France24, 14 March 2022: As it happened: Over 2.8 million have fled Ukraine, EU agrees on fourth set of Russian sanctions, DW, 14 March 2022: Russia’s invasion of Ukraine drives global food insecurity, Al Arabiya, 15 March 2022: Russian invasion poses ‘clear, growing threat’ to food security in Ukraine: FAO, Reuters, 15 March 2022: Russia quits Council of Europe rights watchdog, France24, 15 March 2022: Nobel laureate Stiglitz calls on Europe to do without Russian gas, DW, 15 March 2022: Russia formally departs Council of Europe, France24, 15 March 2022: Russia says quitting Council of Europe, BBC, 15 March 2022: Russia sanctions Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton and others, The Times, 15 March 2022: Brain drain: educated Russians flee Putin’s regime while they can, DW, 15 March 2022: Ukraine’s economy is more than just wheat and commodities, Irish Times, 15 March 2022: The Irish Times view on Western relations with Riyadh: the blood in Saudi barrels, The Times, 15 March 2022: The strongmen are stumbling into oblivion, Al Arabiya, 16 March 2022: Russia quits Council of Europe rights watchdog, DW, 16 March 2022: US Federal Reserve plans several rate hikes to curb inflation, NPR, 16 March 2022: Fears are growing that Russia will default on its debt. Here’s what you need to know, Politico.eu, 16 March 2022: Europe has met its pain threshold on Russia sanctions. It wasn’t that high, DW, 16 March 2022: What happens if Russia takes over Western companies’ stores and factories?, The Times, 16 March 2022: Germany accused of trying to water down Russia sanctions, Politico.eu, 16 March 2022: Next sanctions round will test EU unity on how hard to hit Russia, DW, 17 March 2022: Sri Lanka seeks IMF bailout amid shortages, rising public anger, Politico.eu, 17 March 2022: Ukraine’s businesses want EU cash and Turkish battleships to keep economy alive, DW, 17 March 2022: Ukraine war: Russia blocks ships carrying grain exports, Los Angeles Times, 18 March 2022: Not everyone wants to make Putin an economic pariah over the Ukraine war, Politico.eu, 18 March 2022: Brussels split over who will be crypto watchdog, France24, 18 March 2022: ‘Democracy is standing up against autocracy’ in Ukraine, EU’s von der Leyen says, CNN, 18 March 2022: Burger King franchise ‘refuses’ to close 800 Russian restaurants, Politico.eu, 18 March 2022: From ‘Londongrad’ to Kremlin foe: City of London sours on Moscow business, DW, 18 March 2022: Swiss commodities traders help fill Putin’s war coffers, BBC, 18 March 2022: Roman Abramovich’s jet among 100 planes grounded by US, Politico.eu, 18 March 2022: EU has ‘very reliable evidence’ China is considering military support for Russia, Al Arabiya, 19 March 2022: Chinese official calls sanctions on Russia increasingly ‘outrageous’ (they obviously fear that they are the next in line. If they start a war on Taiwwan they will soon find out), The Hill, 19 March 2022: How China impacts US gas prices, Al Arabiya, 19 March 2022: Ukraine’s Zelenskyy urges Switzerland to crack down on Russian oligarchs, Arab News, 19 March 2022: Biden doubles down on transatlantic ties, Al Arabiya, 19 March 2022: Africa mostly quiet amid widespread condemnation of Russia, NPR, 19 March 2022: In Thailand, the pandemic helped a famous beach recover from an onslaught of tourists, The National, 19 March 2022: Global markets continue rebound as US stocks notch biggest weekly gains since 2020, BBC, 19 March 2022: UK grounds private jet with possible Russian links – Shapps, Irish Times, 19 March 2022: Fintan O’Toole: Putin miscalculated the loyalty of his cheerleaders in the West, Politico.eu, 20 March 2022: ‘I don’t feel safe going back.’ Russia’s future has gone into exile, NPR, 20 March 2022: The U.S. may force companies to disclose climate risks, marking a historic change, CNN, 20 March 2022: Biden’s European trip will be heavy on displays of Western unity but could be light on actions to stop Putin’s Ukraine war, Arab News, 20 March 2022: Food price shocks necessitate Moroccan welfare state, The Sunday Times, 20 March 2022: If we’re no longer mates with China, it will cost us, The National, 20 March 2022: How an ‘iron army’ of grocery runners is feeding Shanghai as Covid hits again, The New York Times, 20 March 2022: Ukraine War Threatens to Cause a Global Food Crisis, The Guardian, 20 March 2022: Germany agrees gas deal with Qatar to help end dependency on Russia, DW, 20 March 2022: German minister calls for new EU-US trade deal — report, DW, 21 March 2022: Germany strikes green energy deals in UAE and Qatar, The Guardian, 21 March 2022: Lukashenko is dragging Belarus closer to a war that most of its citizens don’t want, DW, 21 March 2022: Saudi Arabia and China: New best friends?, The Guardian, 21 March 2022: $17bn of global assets linked to 35 Russians with alleged ties to Putin, The National, 21 March 2022: EU to establish crisis reaction force with up to 5,000 troops, DW, 21 March 2022: EU approves security policy for rapid reaction force, The New York Times, 21 March 2022: America’s Economy in the European Mirror, Arab News, 21 March 2022: Building a more strategic EU-Saudi Arabia partnership, The National, 21 March 2022: Russia’s diplomatic isolation set to deepen in fresh UN vote on Ukraine, The New York Times, 21 March 2022: How One Oligarch Used Shell Companies and Wall Street Ties to Invest in the U.S., NPR, 21 March 2022: The U.S. warns companies to stay on guard for possible Russian cyberattacks, Politico.com, 22 March 2022: Canada: Trudeau will be prime minister until 2025, Al Arabiya, 22 March 2022: EU leaders to agree to jointly buy gas, LNG, hydrogen: Summit draft statement, Jerusalem Post, 22 March 2022: Russia withdrew from WWII peace treaty talks with Japan, Politico.eu, 22 March 2022: War in Ukraine could lead to more EU-US cooperation, EU’s Šefcovic says, Al Arabiya, 22 March 2022: Groundwater contributes around $230 billion to global economy per year: FAO, Politico.eu, 22 March 2022: Alexei Navalny given 9-year jail term after being found guilty on fraud charges, Jerusalem Post, 22 March 2022: Ukraine’s Zelensky will take part virtually in NATO summit, Politico.eu, 22 March 2022: Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy tops POLITICO 28 poll as most powerful person in Europe, CNN, 22 March 2022: Consequences of Putin’s “aggression against Ukraine span well beyond Europe,” EU Commission President says, The New York Times, 22 March 2022: Ukraine War and Pandemic Force Nations to Retreat From Globalization, Miami Herald, 22 March 2022: ‘Prohibited tourism’: Miami judge deals major blow to cruise companies that traveled to Cuba, The Hill, 22 March 2022: Five ways US sanctions are hurting Russia, The Times, 22 March 2022: Run on banks and empty shelves as sanctions bite in Russia, DW, 22 March 2022: Renault resumes car production in Russia as rivals withdraw, The Guardian, 23 March 2022: ‘We’re going back to a USSR’: long queues return for Russian shoppers as sanctions bite, Arab News, 23 March 2022: As Ukraine war ends first month, Putin hits back at sanctions with oil payment changes, Politico.eu, 23 March 2022: Rubles for gas: Putin trolls the West over its energy addiction, France24, 23 March 2022: Threat looms of Russian attack on undersea cables to shut down West’s internet, Politico.eu, 23 March 2022: Live blog: European Council summit, DW, 24 March 2022: Putin’s war in Ukraine may still fail, Politico.eu, 24 March 2022: EU negotiators agree new rules to rein in tech giants , Arab News, 24 March 2022: West unites to back Ukraine and seek ‘ruinous cost’ for Putin, Politico.eu, 24 March 2022: Oil has an autocracy problem, Irish Times, 24 March 2022: Europe facing ‘long haul’ over Russian invasion, says Taoiseach, Politico.eu, 24 March 2022: Charles Michel reelected as European Council president, BBC, 24 March 2022: Russia’s cost of living soars by more than 14% (that should at least be doubled to 30% and more, just to remind the Russians on a daily basis how great and awesome their leadership is), Irish Times, 24 March 2022: Democratic systems pitted against authoritarian rule as western leaders gather, CNN, 24 March 2022: Gas prices are high. Oil CEOs reveal why they’re not drilling more, DW, 24 March 2022: Ukraine: Biden says NATO ‘never been more united’ — live updates, Politico.eu, 24 March 2022: Germany’s Scholz rejects Putin’s rubles-for-gas demand, France24, 24 March 2022: ‘Putin banked on NATO being split, he’s getting the opposite,’ Biden says, The Atlantic, 24 March 2022: Biden Can’t Paper Over the West’s Disunity, DW, 24 March 2022: G-7 leaders warn Russia against using chemical weapons in Ukraine, The National, 25 March 2022: Shocks of today may echo 1970s but it is 1991 we should look to for comparisons, CNN, 25 March 2022: US and EU announce task force on reducing dependence on Russian oil and gas, The National, 25 March 2022: US to increase natural gas supplies to EU to reduce reliance on Russia, France24, 25 March 2022: France opens inquiry into Interpol chief for alleged torture, acts of barbarism, The New York Times, 25 March 2022: European Union countries agree to jointly purchase gas., Arab News, 25 March 2022: Houthis hit ‘backbone of the global economy’ in Jeddah oil depot strike, The Washington Post, 25 March 2022: The ‘deglobalization’ of Moscow, Politico.eu, 25 March 2022: EU chiefs channel energy at cutting off Russian gas, The Times, 25 March 2022: Putin’s crimes will stain Russia for decades, Irish Times, 25 March 2022: EU moves to cut Russian energy dependence and curb cost crisis, Arab News, 25 March 2022: Oil update — Prices drop as supply concerns ease, US to provide EU with more LNG to reduce Russian dependency, Politico.eu, 25 March 2022: EU, US strike preliminary deal to unlock transatlantic data flows, The New Yorker, 25 March 2022: The Biden Official Who Pierced Putin’s “Sanction-Proof” Economy, Politico.eu, 25 March 2022: Spain, Portugal get ‘special treatment’ from EU leaders to keep power prices down, Arab News, 25 March 2022: Russian influencers re-emerge from UAE, Egypt to dodge Instagram ban, Politico.eu, 25 March 2022: EU ushers in brave new world of Big Tech regulation, The Guardian, 25 March 2022: US plan to provide 15bn cubic meters of natural gas to EU alarms climate groups (umm .. Putin is a war criminal and dictator, but not a “climate group”), Politico.eu, 25 March 2022: US pledges to boost gas imports to the EU, Al Arabiya, 25 March 2022: ‘Hostile operation’ targeted Aramco facility in Jeddah: Arab Coalition, Politico.eu, 25 March 2022: Leaders rebuff Zelenskyy’s latest pitch to join EU, France24, 25 March 2022: US strikes liquid gas deal with EU as bloc seeks to cut dependency on Russia, CNN, 25 March 2022: EU officials agree on sweeping new rules targeting Big Tech, DW, 25 March 2022: NATO, G7, EU leaders display unity, avoid confrontation with Russia, France24, 25 March 2022: Russian journalists quit over Putin ‘propaganda’, DW, 26 March 2022: Ukraine: Biden calls for Putin’s removal during Warsaw speech, CNN, 26 March 2022: Zelensky’s Ukraine is real. Putin’s doesn’t exist, Arab News, 26 March 2022: Ukraine represents a watershed moment for global corporations, The Times, 28 March 2022: The West must back Ukraine for a long war, The Hill, 28 March 2022: The US-Europe transatlantic partnership is showing its resilience, The Atlantic, 28 March 2022: The World Is Splitting in Two, The National, 28 March 2022: Europe recommends ending golden passports and visas for Russians, Politico.eu, 28 March 2022: Excuses, excuses? Why some companies won’t stop trading in Russia, The New York Times, 28 March 2022: Putin and the Myths of Western Decadence, Politico.eu, 28 March 2022: EU ‘ready’ to set up fast-track trade routes for Ukraine, Irish Times, 29 March 2022: Ukrainians rush for jobs in Poland as return remains uncertain, Politico.eu, 29 March 2022: US Treasury: More Western sanctions to target Russian economy, supply chains, The New York Times, 29 March 2022: More workers quit in February as job openings stayed high., DW, 29 March 2022: War in Ukraine is latest threat to millennial finances, Politico.eu, 29 March 2022: Annalena Baerbock: Germany knew about Russian energy risks — and did nothing, Al Arabiya, 29 March 2022: EU to lend Tunisia 450 million euros for budget support, commissioner says, France24, 29 March 2022: UN helicopter crashes in DR Congo, killing eight peacekeepers aboard, Politico.eu, 29 March 2022: Eastern EU countries in cry for help over refugee health costs, The National, 29 March 2022: Germany sees Russian fossil fuel purge as ‘de facto embargo’, Politico.eu, 29 March 2022: EU and UK at odds over how to coordinate sanctions against Russia, Politico.com, 30 March 2022: Canada’s bombshell political deal is impossible to predict – but we’ll give you a shot at figuring it out, DW, 30 March 2022: EU proposes new rules to tackle ‘fast fashion’, France24, 30 March 2022: Several EU countries expel Russian diplomats over alleged spying, DW, 30 March 2022: Human Rights Watch slams IOC, FIFA over awarding of events, Politico.eu, 30 March 2022: Poland to EU: Follow our lead on scrapping Russian energy, NPR, 30 March 2022: Poland says its ban on all Russian oil and gas imports is the most radical in Europe, DW, 30 March 2022: China and Russia meet to discuss Ukraine, Afghanistan, Politico.eu, 30 March 2022: EU raided Gazprom in Germany: report, CNN, 30 March 2022: The Great Resignation is taking root around the world, DW, 30 March 2022: Germany says Putin agreed to keep payments for gas in euros, Jerusalem Post, 30 March 2022: South Ossetia to hold referendum to join Russia in future, Al Arabiya, 31 March 2022: Biden to announce ‘largest release’ of oil reserves in history: White House, BBC, 31 March 2022: Germany condemns Putin gas supply “blackmail”, Arab News, 31 March 2022: Europe’s Russian gas in jeopardy, Ukraine braces for new assaults, BBC, 31 March 2022: Ukraine war: Russia threatens to stop supplying gas if not paid in roubles, Politico.eu, 31 March 2022: Russia crisis gives EU a grim sense of what’s to come with China, The Atlantic, 31 March 2022: There Is No Liberal World Order, BBC, 31 March 2022: Biden orders ‘unprecedented’ release of oil reserves, The Times, 31 March 2022: Oil prices fall as President Biden considers release from strategic reserve, Time, 31 March 2022: ‘Putin’s Appetite Will Only Grow.’ Estonia’s Prime Minister Says We’re Not Doing Enough to Stop Russia, Haaretz, 31 March 2022: Ukraine War Exposes How Russian Oligarchs’ Dirty Money Has Polluted the Jewish World, Politico.eu, 31 March 2022: EU countries should set up Ukrainian cash conversion scheme, Commission suggests, Irish Times, 31 March 2022: European governments reject Putin threats over gas supplies as ‘blackmail’, Haaretz, 31 March 2022: The Real Reason Why Big Business Suddenly Loves Ukraine, Hates Russia, NPR, 31 March 2022: Russia’s war in Ukraine reminds Georgians of what they survived in 2008, Reuters, 1 April 2022: Russia’s Gazprom exits German business amid row over pricing, NPR, 1 April 2022: After 2 years of empty airports, the demand for travel is at a high. So are airfares, The Times, 1 April 2022: Putin threatens Europe’s gas supply — but backs down, NPR, 1 April 2022: Russia threatens to fine Wikipedia if it doesn’t remove some details about the war, CNN, 1 April 2022: Europe rejected Putin’s ultimatum. So why is Russian gas still flowing?, New York Magazine, 1 April 2022: How Russia’s Oligarchs Laundered Their Reputations in the West, DW, 1 April 2022: Sergey Lavrov visits India with US relations at a crossroads, Politico.eu, 1 April 2022: ‘We will help you rebuild your cities,’ European Parliament president tells Ukrainians, The New York Times, 1 April 2022: War in Ukraine Compounds Hunger in East Africa, Politico.eu, 1 April 2022: Eastern Europeans push for new penalties as EU sanctions fail to end Putin’s war (in the short term, this certainly makes sense from a Polish and Baltic point of view, but what will come of it in the medium and long term? After all, Russia will not disappear overnight, but will remain a neighboring country. The country is already Europe’s Iran. If they want to turn it into Europe’s North Korea, it will have negative consequences for decades. Are the Baltics and Poland willing to pay the price for this, or will it be just another welcome reason to demand even more development aid from Brussels? Germany will only be able to gradually phase out Russian energy supplies in exchange for substitute suppliers, because otherwise the economy would collapse. Poland would like to see that, but in the end they would also have to do without German development aid via Brussels, which makes up a not inconsiderable part of their national budget), Al Arabiya, 1 April 2022: Russia will not turn off gas supplies to Europe from Friday: Kremlin, DW, 1 April 2022: Ukraine war pushes eurozone inflation to record 7.5%, Politico.eu, 1 April 2022: Russia threatens to limit agri-food supplies only to ‘friendly’ countries, DW, 1 April 2022: EU-China summit focuses on war in Ukraine amid tense relations, The New York Times, 1 April 2022: Wonking Out: The Curious Case of the Recovering Ruble, DW, 2 April 2022: Australia and India sign ‘historic’ trade deal, NPR, 2 April 2022: UNESCO says 53 cultural sites in Ukraine have been damaged since the Russian invasion (no matter how hard Putin’s cultural Taliban try, they will not be able to wipe out Ukrainian culture), The Algemeiner, 2 April 2022: Russia Headed for Recession Despite Ruble Rebound, US Says, DW, 2 April 2022: Experts warn Black Sea mines pose serious maritime threat, Irish Times, 2 April 2022: EU confronts UK on wind turbines in first WTO dispute since Brexit, Politico.eu, 2 April 2022: The end of the Budapest–Warsaw axis, DW, 2 April 2022: Are German companies in Russia war collaborators?, BBC, 2 April 2022: Ukraine war to halve global trade growth, warns WTO, Arab News, 3 April 2022: How Ukraine war is making the Arab region’s food security crisis worse, Irish Times, 3 April 2022: ‘You’re checking the price of everything now’ – cost of living hits home, Arab News, 3 April 2022: Ukraine crisis contributes to strategic shift in Middle East, Politico.eu, 3 April 2022: EU warns of tougher sanctions after reports of civilian executions in Russia-held Ukrainian towns (Instead of insisting on the complete exit from Russian natural gas, which is currently not possible at all, it would make sense to first reduce imports of Russian oil and coal to zero in order to then gradually follow suit on the subject of natural gas. As long as there are not enough replacement supplies, there is no point in thinking about “quick exits”.), BBC, 3 April 2022: EasyJet cancels 100 flights due to Covid absences, The Guardian, 3 April 2022: Will western leaders cut and run as the costs of the Ukraine war mount?, Politico.eu, 3 April 2022: EU warns of tougher sanctions after reports of civilian executions in Russia-held Ukrainian towns, DW, 3 April 2022: Has globalization passed its peak?, The New York Times, 4 April 2022: The Ruble Has Bounced Back. What Does That Mean?, The Washington Post, 4 April 2022: Bucha massacre tests Europe’s ‘red lines’ on Russian energy, Politico.eu, 4 April 2022: Orbán win sets stage for more EU battles on democracy and Russia (the EU has every opportunity to effectively contain Orban, above all to block all budget funds. Putin’s war of aggression against Ukraine shows where it leads when you approach Eastern Bloc tyrants with appeasement. Does it have to come to that with Orban?), The Guardian, 4 April 2022: Orbán’s victory in Hungary adds to the darkness engulfing Europe, Politico.eu, 4 April 2022: In a twist, the Netherlands and Spain partner up on fiscal rules, DW, 4 April 2022: Ukraine: Germany expels Russian diplomats with Bucha deaths in focus — live updates, Politico.eu, 4 April 2022: EU weighs ban on Russian oil over war crimes as pressure builds on Berlin, DW, 4 April 2022: Orban needs to change course in Hungary, The Guardian, 4 April 2022: Victory of Putin ally Orbán in Hungary may trigger freeze on EU funding, NPR, 4 April 2022: Australia steps up missile upgrade due to growing threats from China and Russia, The Atlantic, 4 April 2022: The West’s World War II Moment, Jerusalem Post, 4 April 2022: Russia to resume flights with Israel and 51 other ‘friendly’ countries, Politico.eu, 5 April 2022: Von der Leyen, Borrell to meet Zelenskyy in Kyiv, NPR, 5 April 2022: World Bank says war shocks will drag on Asian economies, The Hill, 5 April 2022: Africa looks to renewables to curb warming, boost economies, The New York Times, 5 April 2022: Why Germany Can’t Just Pull the Plug on Russian Energy, The National, 5 April 2022: Oil prices edge higher as US and Europe consider fresh sanctions on Russia, France24, 5 April 2022: Top EU body launches procedure to strip Hungary of funding over corruption, Al Arabiya, 5 April 2022: US to ban ‘all new investment’ in Russia on Wednesday: Source, France24, 5 April 2022: Baltic states end Russian gas imports – but can the rest of Europe follow suit?, The New York Times, 5 April 2022: “Russia is half of our business.” Or it was. The Ukraine war is reverberating in Europe’s factories and warehouses., France24, 5 April 2022: Orban’s Hungary risks EU funding cut over corruption fears, The Guardian, 5 April 2022: European Commission launches rule-of-law disciplinary procedure against Hungary, BBC, 5 April 2022: Ukraine war: More than 60% of Putin’s war chest frozen, Truss says, The Guardian, 5 April 2022: EU to propose fresh sanctions including ban on Russian coal, CNN, 5 April 2022: Europe is finally coming after Russia’s energy, Politico.eu, 5 April 2022: Poland ‘not there yet’ in backtracking on judicial reforms to get EU cash, The Hill, 5 April 2022: Saudi state oil producer set to raise prices amid Ukraine crisis, Politico.eu, 5 April 2022: Poland vetoes EU tax reform again, dismisses ulterior motives (another country for the list of “tax havens”), DW, 5 April 2022: Germany and partners pledge €695 million to Moldova to assist with Ukraine refugees, NPR, 5 April 2022: How Russia rescued the ruble, Politico.eu, 5 April 2022: EU launches process to slash Hungary’s funds over rule-of-law breaches, DW, 5 April 2022: EU to propose ban on Russian coal, The Guardian, 5 April 2022: World may be on brink of new inflationary era, says central bank chief, DW, 5 April 2022: What impact does the EU’s rule-of-law mechanism have?, Politico.eu, 5 April 2022: EU avoids imposing sanctions on Russian oil, despite war crimes in Ukraine, The Hill, 6 April 2022: What comes after Putin?, Politico.eu, 5 April 2022: Ukraine says EU road links won’t make up for loss of Black Sea trade, The New York Times, 5 April 2022: What Ever Happened to the Great Resignation?, DW, 5 April 2022: Why Southeast Asia continues to buy Russian weapons, Politico.eu, 5 April 2022: How Russia’s vigorous ruble defense could backfire, The National, 6 April 2022: Russia pays bondholders in roubles after US blocks dollar payments, The New York Times, 6 April 2022: Fed minutes showed ‘many’ officials in favor of a big rate increase., The Washington Post, 6 April 2022: By denying a Ukrainian culture, Putin flattens his own, Al Arabiya, 6 April 2022: New US sanctions target Russia’s largest bank, Putin’s kids, Politico.eu, 6 April 2022: War, inflation upend EU’s post-pandemic recovery plans, The New York Times, 6 April 2022: Economists See Things One Way. ‘Ordinary’ People See Them Another., The Washington Post, 6 April 2022: U.S. widens sanctions against Russia as questions about effectiveness mount, Politico.eu, 6 April 2022: UK delays tariffs on Russian whitefish, The New York Times, 6 April 2022: Why Russian Sanctioins Won’t Stop Putin, Politico.eu, 6 April 2022: UK targets biggest Russian bank with fresh sanctions, The Hill, 6 April 2022: Senators close in on deal on Russia trade, oil ban, The Times, 6 April 2022: Putin’s big lie makes most Russians complicit, Politico.eu, 6 April 2022: Why only coal? Europe can afford to ban Russian gas too, The Times, 6 April 2022: EU to snatch Kremlin’s oil and gas profits to rebuild Ukraine, The Guardian, 6 April 2022: Sri Lanka facing imminent threat of starvation, senior politician warns, Irish Times, 6 April 2022: ‘They need money’: Irish politicians call for support for Moldova’s refugee crisis, CNN, 6 April 2022: Janet Yellen warns of ‘enormous’ economic repercussions from war in Ukraine, The Guardian, 6 April 2022: Why are people protesting in Sri Lanka?, DW, 6 April 2022: EU threatens legal action over Malta’s ‘golden passport’ scheme, CNN, 6 April 2022: US pushes Russia to the brink of default, DW, 6 April 2022: How can the EU survive without Russian coal?, BBC, 6 April 2022: Who are Putin’s daughters? What we know about his family, DW, 6 April 2022: Ukraine: US announces new sanctions, hitting Putin’s daughters, major Russian banks — live updates, The National, 7 April 2022: Russia-Ukraine live: UN suspends Moscow from Human Rights Council, rance24, 7 April 2022: Chile’s Boric unveils economic recovery plan, DW, 7 April 2022: Ukraine: EU agrees new sanctions targeting Russian coal — live updates, The National, 7 April 2022: Middle East and Africa food security threatened by Ukraine invasion, US official says, DW, 7 April 2022: UN votes to suspend Russia from its Human Rights Council despite opposition, The Times, 7 April 2022: UN suspends Russia from human rights body over atrocities in Ukraine, The National, 7 April 2022: Janet Yellen calls for improved cryptocurrency rules, DW, 7 April 2022: If Europe is done with Russian energy, where will Moscow sell its oil and gas?, The Hill, 7 April 2022: Senate votes 100-0 to limit trade with Russia, ban oil imports, Reuters, 7 April 2022: EU’s full ban on Russian coal to be pushed back to mid-August – sources, Irish Times, 7 April 2022: Russia suspended from UN human rights council over Ukraine, Al Arabiya, 7 April 2022: Russia rejects suspension from UN rights council as ‘illegal, politically motivated’, NPR, 7 April 2022: U.N. members vote to suspend Russia from the Human Rights Council, Politico.eu, 7 April 2022: Orbán emerges as the loudest opponent of EU sanctions on Russian oil, Arab News, 7 April 2022: United Nations suspends Russia from human rights body over Ukraine, The New York Times, 7 April 2022: Ukraine Live Updates: In Congress and at U.N., Votes to Further Isolate Moscow, Politico.eu, 7 April 2022: Crypto lobbyists condemn industry trolls targeting MEPs, Al Arabiya, 7 April 2022: Russia will defend its interests, Kremlin says after UN human rights body suspension, The Times, 8 April 2022: Russian metals giant demands war crimes inquiry over Bucha, The New York Times, 8 April 2022: Globalization Is Over. The Global Culture Wars Have Begun., The National, 8 April 2022: Russia’s invasion of Ukraine pushes food prices up to record levels, Politico.eu, 8 April 2022: Caviar, vodka and Putin’s daughters sanctioned by EU, Al Arabiya, 8 April 2022: Analysis: Russia’s ruble rebound not quite what it seems, CNN, 8 April 2022: Europe turns its back on Russian coal. Is oil next?, France24, 8 April 2022: As it happened: EU’s Von der Leyen promises to speed up Ukraine membership process, Politico.eu, 8 April 2022: EU freezes assets of 4 Russian banks, The Atlantic, 8 April 2022: Why Europe Needs Ukraine, The Guardian, 8 April 2022: Putin still has friends in the west – and they’re gaining ground, DW, 8 April 2022: Ukraine: EU chief offers Kyiv fast track to membership, France24, 8 April 2022: God, church, Tsar: The world of Russian oligarch Malofeyev and his Western associates, Politico.eu, 9 April 2022: EU’s diplomatic delegation to Ukraine moves back to Kyiv, CNN, 9 April 2022: From Pakistan to Peru, soaring food and fuel prices are tipping countries over the edge, Los Angeles Times, 9 April 2022: Will Hungary’s Orban be the wedge Putin drives between Western allies?, DW, 9 April 2022: How Putin’s war is affecting the world economy, CNN, 9 April 2022: Banks are making big money off of Russian debt, Politico.eu, 10 April 2022: Russian oil and gas embargo could stop war within weeks, says former Putin adviser, NPR, 10 April 2022: From Nuremberg to Darfur, history has seen some war criminals brought to trial, The Hill, 10 April 2022: Hungary’s descent into autocracy is an alarm for global democracy, CNN, 10 April 2022: The struggle to hold Putin accountable, The Times, 10 April 2022: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya aims to topple ‘Kremlin’s puppet’ in Belarus, BBC, 11 April 2022: War to cut Ukraine’s economy by nearly half, The National, 11 April 2022: Has Putin lost Asia too?, Arab News, 11 April 2022: EU outlier Orban faces isolation due to support for Putin, The Atlantic, 11 April 2022: The Other Threat to Democracy in Europe, The Hill, 11 April 2022: Here’s how the Russia-Ukraine war is driving up prices, BBC, 11 April 2022: Hidden wealth of one of Putin’s ‘inner circle’ revealed, Irish Times, 11 April 2022: Ukraine war spurs enlargement discussions for both Nato and the EU, CNN, 11 April 2022: Oil prices tumble as economies show signs of strain, The Guardian, 11 April 2022: Heed the events in France – populism is gaining ground and only a revolution can stop it, DW, 11 April 2022: What are the COVID entry rules for travelers to European countries?, Irish Times, 11 April 2022: Pandora Papers: New release reveals more than 800 Russians behind secret companies, San Francisco Chronicle, 12 April 2022: Inflation means a Bay Area resident will spend $4,400 more for the same stuff this year, NPR, 12 April 2022: 3 things to know as Russia heads to a historic debt default, The Hill, 12 April 2022: Inflation hits the grocery story: Fish, meat up 13.4 percent, 99 cent limes, NPR, 12 April 2022: How soaring inflation forces stark choices, Irish Times, 12 April 2022: Fintan O’Toole: Threat to democracy alive and well in West, Politico.eu, 12 April 2022: Crypto crackdown ripples through the Baltics, CNN, 12 April 2022: ‘Recession shock’ is coming, Bank of America warns, France24, 12 April 2022: War hits Ukraine’s farms: Russian invasion threatens world’s breadbasket, Politico.eu, 12 April 2022: Dutch scandal serves as a warning for Europe over risks of using algorithms, CNN, 12 April 2022: Italian Police seize properties belonging to former Haas F1 driver Nikita Mazepin, The New York Times, 12 April 2022: Inflation Is About to Come Down — but Don’t Get Too Excited, Politico.eu, 13 April 2022: UK inflation rose by 7 percent in March, The National, 13 April 2022: US temporarily extends federal mask mandate for travel, Times of Israel, 13 April 2022: Tax haven Jersey seizes $7 billion in suspected Abramovich-linked assets, The National, 13 April 2022: Ukraine economy to contract more than 35% this year as war continues, IIF says, Politico.eu, 13 April 2022: How Germany Inc. played Russian roulette — and lost, The National, 13 April 2022: Roman Abramovich’s $120m French Riviera mansion seized by French authorities, Politico.eu, 13 April 2022: Gas embargo to plunge Germany into ‘sharp recession,’ according to experts, DW, 13 April 2022: EU uses development aid to strongarm Africa on migration, CNN, 13 April 2022: The world’s top city destinations in the Covid era, BBC, 13 April 2022: Jersey court seizes $7bn of Roman Abramovich’s assets, DW, 13 April 2022: UN warns of ‘great finance divide’ as COVID shocks, debt, hits poorest hardest, The New York Times, 14 April 2022: We May Be on Track for a Recession Just as the 2024 Campaign Kicks Off, Politico.eu, 14 April 2022: Brussels warns EU countries that ruble gas payments may breach sanctions, The National, 14 April 2022: Fiji investigates arrival of Russian oligarch’s superyacht, Miami Herald, 14 April 2022: State Department warns of ‘systemic and violent repression’ in Cuba in latest report, Irish Times, 14 April 2022: Interest rates will rise – but how high will they go?, DW, 14 April 2022: Why Pakistan’s politicians play the anti-America card, Politico.eu, 14 April 2022: ECB increasingly isolated as other central banks take action to control inflation, DW, 14 April 2022: Germany’s Baerbock urges faster aid ‘to avoid hunger crisis’ in Niger, The Times, 14 April 2022: Alisher Usmanov: Germany seizes superyacht owned by oligarch’s sister, DW, 14 April 2022: Germany earmarks €3 billion for floating LNG terminals, Irish Times, 14 April 2022: War in Ukraine supercharging crisis for world’s most vulnerable, says UN chief, DW, 14 April 2022: War in the world’s breadbasket, The National, 15 April 2022: Full steam ahead, DW, 15 April 2022: Görlach Global: Democracy is in crisis, DW, 15 April 2022: As global food prices soar, will the EU face food shortages?, Politico.eu, 15 April 2022: Hunger games: Ukrainians slam Western agribusinesses for staying in Russia, The Economist, 16 April 2022: What is at stake in Ukraine, The New York Times, 16 April 2022: Travel’s ‘Great Comeback’ Has a Price: Chaos, DW, 16 April 2022: Ukrainians queue up for Russian warship stamp, The Guardian, 16 April 2022: 40,000 jobs at risk as foreign pupils shun UK language schools, DW, 16 April 2022: Why climate action holds the key to German security, Miami Herald, 17 April 2022: Egg hunts plus bubble balls equal big Easter fun. See photos of a Miami Eggstravaganza., NPR, 17 April 2022: The Ever Forward is finally free from the Chesapeake Bay — one month later, DW, 17 April 2022: Ukraine war: Will the wheat crisis bring more food independence?, Politico.eu, 17 April 2022: Diversification from Russian gas ‘possible and feasible,’ says Draghi, Irish Times, 17 April 2022: Is the pursuit of happiness making us miserable?, CNN, 17 April 2022: Can the world’s largest plane ever fly again?, BBC, 17 April 2022: Ukraine war: Trucks stuck at Poland-Belarus border as EU sanctions deadline passes, The Hill, 18 April 2022: Biden to require US-made steel, iron for infrastructure, Jerusalem Post, 18 April 2022: IMF expects ‘significant’ pledges for new Resilience and Sustainability Trust, The Hill, 18 April 2022: LNG exports will add to climate change, Haaretz, 18 April 2022: ‘Great Alarm’: First Detected Use of Mysterious Israeli Spyware on EU National, Times of Israel, 18 April 2022: UAE used Israeli-made spyware to hack UK PM Johnson’s official residence — report, Haaretz, 18 April 2022: U.K.’s PM Johnson’s Office Among Dozens of EU Targets of NSO Spyware, Report Says, The New York Times, 18 April 2022: Bleak assessments of the Russian economy clash with Putin’s rosy claims., Los Angeles Times, 18 April 2022: Coachella 2022: Swedish House Mafia x the Weeknd and Doja Cat x Taco Bell close Day 3, Vulture, 18 April 2022: The Highs, Lows, and Whoas of Coachella 2022, The Atlantic, 18 April 2022: Scenes From Coachella 2022, The Guardian, 18 April 2022: Coachella: high-energy hedonism, surprise stars and Covid concerns, The New Yorker, 18 April 2022: How Democracies Spy on Their Citizens, CNN, 18 April 2022: Western exodus could cost 200,000 jobs in Moscow, says mayor, The New York Times, 19 April 2022: South Africa Live Updates: Government Shifts to Rebuilding After Disastrous Flooding, Arab News, 19 April 2022: For Palestinians, food insecurity is now an existential threat, The New York Times, 19 April 2022: Inflation, Interest and the Housing Paradox, Al Arabiya, 19 April 2022: IMF representative talks Ukraine economy, Russia sanctions, global inflation, Politico.eu, 19 April 2022: The plan to rebuild a green Ukraine, The Atlantic, 19 April 2022: How Diverse Democracies Can Protect Their Citizens, DW, 19 April 2022: Summer season without Russian tourists, NPR, 19 April 2022: Who is the real Elvira Nabiullina?, Politico.eu, 19 April 2022: IMF warns of inflationary spiral (Lipstick index), The Times, 19 April 2022: IMF slashes global growth forecast as it warns of inflation danger, The Guardian, 19 April 2022: Shanghai prepares to ease Covid lockdown as factories reopen, BBC, 19 April 2022: The country that became a ‘micronation capital’, DW, 19 April 2022: IMF slashes global growth outlook amid Ukraine war, Al Arabiya, 20 April 2022: US imposes additional Russia-related sanctions: Treasury Department, Politico.eu, 20 April 2022: Ukraine war piles pressure on southeastern Europe to find new gas, The New York Times, 20 April 2022: Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen walked out of a G20 meeting as Russia’s finance minister spoke., CNN, 20 April 2022: US Treasury secretary and other finance ministers walk out of G20 meeting with Russia, Politico, 20 April 2022: Yellen, other officials bolt G-20 meeting in protest against Russia, Los Angeles Times, 20 April 2022: Inflation brings California food banks a surge in first-time users on ‘razor’s edge’, The Atlantic, 20 April 2022: Russia’s Isolation From the West Will Outlast the War, NPR, 20 April 2022: A key Texas bridge lost $1 billion per week during governor’s slowdown, The Times, 20 April 2022: Russia upgrades northern fleet as Finland debates joining Nato (to put even more military pressure on Finland, just to make sure that the country will finally ask for NATO admission is a great act of support. Thanks for that one, Vladimir), The Hill, 20 April 2022: Gas is falling as an electricity source and may have peaked, DW, 20 April 2022: Will the West ever deal with Putin again?, NPR, 20 April 2022: Migrant workers in China find new jobs — and precarious conditions — in COVID control, Politico, 20 April 2022: Russian and Belarusian tennis players banned from competing at Wimbledon, BBC, 20 April 2022: Germany rules out immediate end to Russian oil imports, DW, 20 April 2022: How to help Ukraine’s war-ravaged economy, France24, 20 April 2022: War in Ukraine threatens geopolitical balance in the Arctic, DW, 20 April 2022: G20 finance officials walk out in protest of Russian attendance, The New York Times, 21 April 2022: Fed chair Powell calls a faster pace of rate increases ‘appropriate.’, The Atlantic, 21 April 2022: How ‘Big Disinformation’ Can Overcome It’s Skeptics, The New York Times, 21 April 2022: Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen calls for a reshaping of global supply chains that are ‘not secure.’, The National, 21 April 2022: World leaders call for unified efforts to ensure quick economic recovery, Al Arabiya, 22 April 2022: Amsterdam Trade Bank, part of Russia’s Alfa Bank, declared bankrupt, Politico.eu, 22 April 2022: Trolling Russia, Ukraine registers Moskva shipwreck as ‘underwater cultural heritage’ (*hahahaha*), Arab News, 22 April 2022: The far right takes Europe down a perilous path, DW, 22 April 2022: Germany’s Social Democrats, Russia, and the failures of the past, NPR, 22 April 2022: Despite U.S. sanctions, oil traders help Russian oil reach global markets, DW, 22 April 2022: Shanghai COVID lockdown threatens new export delays, CNN, 22 April 2022: Hong Kong and Shanghai lose their international luster as Covid restrictions bite, Politico.eu, 22 April 2022: EU prepares to hit Putin with new sanctions plan next week, The Economist, 23 April 2022: Why the Federal Reserve has made a historic mistake on inflation, The National, 23 April 2022: Big technology companies face hefty fines as EU agrees on new law governing content rules, NPR, 23 April 2022: EU law targets Big Tech over hate speech, disinformation, The Guardian, 23 April 2022: Putin has ignited a new anti-colonial struggle. This time, Moscow is the target, Arab News, 23 April 2022: A difficult decade ahead for the UN, The Guardian, 23 April 2022: In Mariupol, Putin now rules a wasteland pitted with mass graves, NPR, 23 April 2022: A tour boat with 26 people aboard has gone missing in northern Japan, The Guardian, 23 April 2022: Back in the USSR: Lenin statues and Soviet flags reappear in Russian-controlled cities, Politico.eu, 23 April 2022: Big Tech firms set to face tough EU content rules, France24, 23 April 2022: EU agrees on new legislation to tame internet ‘Wild West’, DW, 23 April 2022: EU strikes deal to tame internet giants, Google, Facebook, The Guardian, 24 April 2022: Nine people found from tour boat that went missing in rough waters off Japan, BBC, 24 April 2022: Japan: Ten confirmed dead from missing tourist boat, The New York Times, 24 April 2022: With Us or With Them? In a New Cold War, How About Neither., The National, 25 April 2022: German coalition divide over heavy weapons supplies to Ukraine deepens (actually, one would have to laugh at the naive ignorance and stupidity of “Olaf und den Ampelmännchen” (chancellor Scholz’s coalition) if the consequences weren’t so dramatic: 1. so far, one has obviously learned far too little from the completely failed appeasement policy towards Putin, and it even gives the impression that one wants to return to it in order to satisfy the love for Putin and the passionate anti-Americanism of the left wing of the SPD, 2. turning a blind eye to facts and figures out of sheer cowardice is exactly what spurs on bar thugs like serial war criminal Putin even further. They start small (Georgia and Moldova) and, after realizing that the West only wets itself anyway and at most gives Sunday speeches, then really get going. Assuming that Putin would cease warfare after he might take Ukraine is as likely as Easter and Christmas on the same day. In fact, in that case he would move on to Georgia and Moldova, target Finland and the Baltics, and finally attack at least Poland. This is also why it is of the utmost importance that he is not allowed to win in the Ukraine and that this must therefore be prevented by all means, regardless of whether German Putinversteher, who are now apparently completely disconnected from reality, “do not want to inflict humiliation on the poor, little serial war criminal Putin “, 3. Putin wants to achieve Russian imperialism with the complete destruction of Western values and ways of life. According to his ideas, all European states should be militarily subdued, democracy, freedom and the rule of law should be abolished, NATO should be abolished and, of course, the American security umbrella for Western and Central Europe should be cleared. The German government is making his efforts easier for him by shining through active passivity, instead of doing what would be right better yesterday than tomorrow, by helping Ukraine to create the best defensive possible, while at the same time draining Putin’s coffers and putting up an effective European security architecture (if the Visegrad states still don’t want to participate, they can stay out and take care of their own security – which of course won’t succeed, although Hungary’s Orban apparently can’t wait to finally become part of the Soviet Union again) as quickly as possible. This is grossly negligent and thus violates the oath of office taken to avert damage to Germany. In fact, the federal government has already caused massive damage to Germany in the few months it has been in office, 4. in Putin’s troubled world, all states south and west of Russia’s true borders are already warring parties. Berlin’s attempt to use the excuse “Moscow could see us as a war party” to avoid having to deliver has thus become obsolete. Putin has viewed Germany as a war party for weeks. There are no longer any credible excuses for Berlin to continue refusing to work. Organizing any nonsense or making untenable statements to distract from the topic no longer work as smokescreens either, 5. What has apparently also remained completely unconsidered is that President Biden in the USA could certainly be replaced in the next election by #45 and, even after the start of Putin’s war of annihilation against Ukraine, he positioned himself very clearly in favor of Putin and against NATO. The significant security risks for Germany and the EU would then come from two sides (not even considering China)), Politico.eu, 25 April 2022: Tax Bitcoin, says ECB executive, NPR, 25 April 2022: Twitter reaches deal to sell to Elon Musk for about $44 billion (for a return to a halfway civilized interaction between users on Twitter, this is very bad news), The New York Times, 25 April 2022: Elon Musk and Twitter Reach Deal for Sale, Politico.com, 25 April 2022: World’s richest man buys ‘free speech’ for $44 billion, France24, 25 April 2022: Twitter confirms sale of company to Elon Musk for $44 billion, Irish Times, 25 April 2022: Twitter accepts Elon Musk’s $44bn takeover offer, CNN, 25 April 2022: Elon Musk to buy Twitter in $44 billion deal, France24, 25 April 2022: Trump rules out Twitter return as Musk announces $44 bn purchase (wait and see. After #45’s own “social network” entered the long line of failed Trump projects and instead developed into just another platform for hate and hate speech by and for right-wing extremists, right-wing radicals and other losers from this specific scene, President Tweety might soon have no other choice but to return to Twitter to gain the necessary reach he needs to spread his nonsense to a larger audience), BBC, 25 April 2022: Elon Musk strikes deal to buy Twitter for $44bn, Los Angeles Times, 25 April 2022: Conservatives ecstatic about Elon Musk buying Twitter: ‘Time they get their comeuppance’, Al Arabiya, 25 April 2022: India, EU agree to broaden trade ties amid Ukraine war, Politico.eu, 25 April 2022: Don’t expect Macron’s win to reset UK-France ties, The Times, 25 April 2022: China wants us to bow, says defiant Australia, CNN, 25 April 2022: Foreign investors are ditching China. Russia’s war is the latest trigger, BBC, 25 April 2022: Ukraine war: US wants to see a weakened Russia, The National, 26 April 2022: Russia suspends gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria, Politico.eu, 26 April 2022: Russia to halt gas shipments to Poland and Bulgaria, Arab News, 26 April 2022: More female tech startup entrepreneurs in Saudi Arabia than in Europe: Report, The National, 26 April 2022: Food and energy prices to stay at ‘historically high levels’ until 2024, World Bank says, The New York Times, 26 April 2022: Why U.S. Oil Companies Aren’t Riding to Europe’s Rescue, Al Arabiya, 26 April 2022: Saudi Arabia boasts higher women-in-tech startup rates than Europe: Research report, The Hill, 26 April 2022: Stocks sink as inflation, recession fears rattle Wall Street, The New Yorker, 26 April 2022: Why Elon Musk Bought Twitter, The Atlantic, 26 April 2022: Elon Musk Buying Twitter Is Weird, Chaotic, and a Little Bit Awesome, Politico.com, 26 April 2022: EU backs Lithuania’s plan to aid firms amid China’s embargo, The New York Times, 26 April 2022: Elon Musk Is a Problem Masquerading as a Solution, Politico.eu, 26 April 2022: France allows exceptions to food labeling rules amid war in Ukraine, The Hill, 26 April 2022: Five things to watch as Elon Musk acquires Twitter, Politico.eu, 26 April 2022: Poland prepares to limit flights to and from Warsaw, NPR, 26 April 2022: Shares continue to slump as fears about the economy and earnings grip Wall Street, Politico.eu, 26 April 2022: Germany says Russia oil embargo would be ‘manageable’, CNN, 26 April 2022: A major recession is coming, Deutsche Bank warns, The Times, 26 April 2022: Twitter must be responsible, Elon Musk warned by UK and EU after takeover, CNN, 26 April 2022: Why no one dare tell China’s Xi the awful truth — zero-Covid isn’t working, Politico.com, 26 April 2022: Talks of suspending California’s gas tax increase fizzle out, BBC, 26 April 2022: Ukraine war to cause biggest price shock in 50 years – World Bank, CNN, 26 April 2022: This is the video Chinese censors don’t want you to see or share, BBC, 26 April 2022: New Brexit rules caused major shock to UK-EU trade, France24, 26 April 2022: Moldova urges calm, boosts security after Transnistria blasts, Haaretz, 27 April 2022: Why Every Democracy Should Fear Israeli Spyware, The National, 27 April 2022: Global action needed to prevent food crisis in Middle East and North Africa, warns IMF (what is interesting about it is that the countries of the Arabian Gulf, among others, repeatedly insist on their independence, but when they have to take responsibility for the region by using their enormous wealth to alleviate problems, they immediately call for “international help” and the supposed “responsibility of the international community”. This naturally raises the question of how independent and self-responsible these countries actually are when they cannot or do not even want to solve their own problems in the MENA region?), Politico.eu, 27 April 2022: It’ll take more than tanks to ease Germany’s guilt, Al Arabiya, 27 April 2022: UN tourism body suspends Russia’s membership over Ukraine war, Moscow says it quit, France24, 27 April 2022: Measles cases surge 80% as Covid interrupts vaccination campaigns, The Hill, 27 April 2022: Five things to know about Transnistria, a potential hot spot in Russian conflict, Politico.eu, 27 April 2022: Poland and Bulgaria start life with no Russian gas, France24, 27 April 2022: In bulletproof vests and helmets, Ukrainian farmers risk lives to plough fields, BBC, 27 April 2022: Transnistria and Ukraine conflict: Is war spreading?, Politico.eu, 27 April 2022: You’re next: Kremlin warns anyone not paying in rubles also faces gas shutoff, Irish Times, 27 April 2022: Ukraine war: Europe cannot depend on Russia for trade, Zelenskiy warns after gas shutoff, CNN, 27 April 2022: China’s Xi calls for ‘all-out’ infrastructure splurge to rescue economy, The Times, 27 April 2022: Russia’s casual savagery is seared into its soul, DW, 27 April 2022: Russia’s Gazprom halts gas supplies to Poland, Bulgaria, France24, 27 April 2022: EU says ‘era of Russian fossil fuels in Europe is coming to an end’, CNN, 27 April 2022: Poland and Bulgaria are receiving gas from EU neighbors, European Commission president says, DW, 27 April 2022: Europe prepared for Russia’s gas ‘blackmail,’ EU chief says — live updates, BBC, 28 April 2022: Ukraine War: Russia gas supply cuts ‘blackmail’, says EU, The Guardian, 28 April 2022: Moldova facing ‘dangerous moment’ amid fears it could be drawn into Ukraine war, BBC, 28 April 2022: Nature loss: Insatiable greed degrading land around the world – UN, The Atlantic, 28 April 2022: Coachella Defeated My Cynicism About Music Festivals, CNN, 28 April 2022: Soaring costs and shortages push German industry to the brink, NPR, 28 April 2022: Canada’s House backs a motion recognizing Russia’s actions in Ukraine as genocide, Politico.com, 28 April 2022: U.S. economy shrank by 1.4 percent in Q1 but consumers kept spending, BBC, 28 April 2022: Mysterious Zamestim artwork in St Petersburg signals Russia’s anti-West defiance, CNN, 28 April 2022: Elon Musk wants to ‘authenticate all real humans’ on Twitter. Here’s what that could mean, Politico.eu, 28 April 2022: Commission’s ruble-for-gas scheme won’t work, Bulgaria warns, NPR, 28 April 2022: What Russia cutting off energy to Poland and Bulgaria means for the world, Politico.eu, 28 April 2022: Ukraine files first war crimes charges against Russia over Bucha killings, BBC, 28 April 2022: How reliant is the world on Russia for oil and gas?, CNN, 28 April 2022: Russian gas customers in Europe may accept Putin’s payment terms, Politico.eu, 28 April 2022: EU Council in limbo as top official departs before successor appointed, The New York Times, 28 April 2022: G.D.P. Report Shows the U.S. Economy Shrank, Masking a Broader Recovery, NPR, 28 April 2022: Disney says Florida would have to pay nearly $1 billion to dissolve special district, The Hill, 28 April 2022: Global food insecurity: Why Putin’s battle for Ukrainian farmland is so dangerous, The Washington Post, 28 April 2022: Economy shrinks 1.4% in first 3 months of year, raising recession fear, DW, 28 April 2022: Germany top buyer of Russian energy since Ukraine invasion began: report, Politico.eu, 29 April 2022: Eurozone inflation hits fresh record as growth slows in first quarter, DW, 29 April 2022: Elvira Nabiullina: The central banker Vladimir Putin is relying on to clean up Russia’s economic mess, Politico.eu, 29 April 2022: Italy faces uphill bid for EU bailout fund’s top job, CNN, 29 April 2022: A new realization dawns for Washington, Europe, Kyiv and Moscow, Politico.eu, 29 April 2022: Macron’s victory raises hopes of an EU free-trade boom, France24, 29 April 2022: Can Europe afford to wean itself off Russian gas?, Politico.eu, 29 April 2022: Russia faces threat of sanctions on nuclear power industry as Germany backs uranium ban, CNN, 29 April 2022: Much of Europe is facing stagflation. France is already there, The Times, 29 April 2022: Populists on the retreat as eastern Europe veers left, DW, 30 April 2022: Europe cooperates on gas, as Russia turns off taps to Poland and Bulgaria, The Times, 30 April 2022: Inside Transnistria: is this next on Putin’s hit list?, NPR, 30 April 2022: What is May Day? For the most part, the opposite of capitalism, The Hill, 30 April 2022: Beware of the inflation hawks, The Atlantic, 30 April 2022: Putin Isn’t The Only Autocrat Misusing History, The Guardian, 1 May 2022: ‘I don’t feel safe here’: Transnistria fears could spark Moldova exodus, France24, 1 May 2022: France: Low growth and inflation increase risk of stagflation, DW, 1 May 2022: Germany to support Russian oil embargo: sources, The Times, 1 May 2022: Russia ‘is already paving the way for a takeover of Moldova’, France24, 1 May 2022: EU to propose phasing out Russian oil in new sanctions wave, CNN, 1 May 2022: Beijing shuts Universal Studios, bans restaurant dining in major escalation of Covid restrictions, The Times, 1 May 2022: ‘Putin fixer’s troll factory’ turns fire on social media and pop stars, The New York Times, 1 May 2022: Inside China’s Zero-Covid Fortress, Xi Admits No Doubts, Arab News, 2 May 2022: World needs to find bandwidth to deal with multiple crises, The Hill, 2 May 2022: Germany, India sign $10.5B green development deal, France24, 2 May 2022: Finnish group scraps nuclear plant deal with Russia’s Rosatom, CNN, 2 May 2022: China is obsessed with disinfection against Covid. But is it causing more harm than good? (even before Corona, it was clear that to ensure security of supply and to secure supply chains, one has to think much more intensively about relocating productions. Corona has also made this clear to the general European public. In addition to relocating productions to India or relocating back to Europe, relocating productions to in Africa, especially North Africa, could and should also be considered. On the one hand, this would ease the pressure to migrate by creating incentives to stay. On the other hand, one would immediately enter the competition for Africa with China), The Hill, 2 May 2022: EU anti-fake news agency now targeting Chinese propaganda, Politico.com, 2 May 2022: Supreme Court has voted to overturn abortion rights, draft opinion shows, The Guardian, 2 April 2022: What would victory actually mean now for Ukraine – and for Europe?, The Hill, 2 May 2022: US labor market will recapture all jobs lost during pandemic by end of August, CNN, 2 May 2022: Why the food crisis sparked by Russia’s war hasn’t hit Gulf states yet, DW, 2 May 2022: New Zealand welcomes tourists as border reopens, Irish Times, 2 May 2022: EU population can expect economic pain from Russian oil embargo, CNN, 2 May 2022: Germany will support an EU oil embargo on Russia, DW, 2 May 2022: Ukraine: UEFA bans Russian teams from Champions League — live updates, France24, 2 May 2022: Russia thrown out of women’s Euro, banned from European club football next season, Politico.eu, 3 May 2022: Draghi: EU needs ‘pragmatic federalism,’ more integration, Jerusalem Post, 3 May 2022: Europe should establish coordinated body on Abraham Accords – MK (when a picture perfectly sums up why it isn’t going to happen, then the picture on top of this article: as long as there is a possibility that one or both self-declared enemies of the EU, Netanyahu and/or Trump, could return to office, the EU would be right out stupid to commit itself to a course that could benefit one or both of them, while the EU itself will gain very little from it, as supporting the accords is of symbolic nature only without practical use), CNN, 3 May 2022: Supreme Court draft opinion that would overturn Roe v. Wade published by Politico, Politico.eu, 3 May 2022: EU smells trouble, and Trump, in US abortion fight, NPR, 3 May 2022: The complex effort to hold Vladimir Putin accountable for war crimes, Politico.eu, 3 May 2022: EU set to sanction Credit Bank of Moscow and Russian Agricultural Bank, DW, 3 May 2022: Germany: Top court upholds Syrian’s conviction as accessory to torture, Irish Times, 3 May 2022: The Rise and Fall of the Neoliberal Order: A compelling analysis, DW, 3 May 2022: Russian war censorship denounced on World Press Freedom Day, The National, 3 May 2022: BP loses $20bn on Russia exit but underlying profits rise, Politico.eu, 3 May 2022: European Parliament votes in favor of reforming EU elections (it’s good. A large-scale Weimar Republic doesn’t help anyone, but only causes further fragmentation and thus more and more incapacity to act. The splinter parties, which have set up a comfortable life in Brussels but are useless and therefore superfluous anyway, will have to try it with work in the future to earn a living. That can’t hurt), Irish Times, 3 May 2022: The EU is set to move against Orban’s illiberal democracy. But will it work?, The Times, 3 May 2022: To beat Vladimir Putin the West must help Belarus too, CNN, 3 May 2022: Finnish group ditches Russian-built nuclear plant plan, Jerusalem Post, 3 May 2022: EU targets Russian Patriarch Kirill in new round of proposed sanctions, The National, 4 May 2022: Russia-Ukraine live: EU proposes ban on Russian oil imports, Foreign Policy, 4 May 2022: Belarus Is the Other Loser in Putin’s War, The National, 4 May 2022: Biden to speak with G7 about further Russia sanctions, Politico.eu, 4 May 2022: EU targets head of the Russian church in new sanctions, DW, 4 May 2022: European Commission calls for new sanctions on Russia, The National, 4 May 2022: World hunger doubled in the five years before Ukraine’s breadbasket was hit by war, Politico.eu, 4 May 2022: EU’s Russian oil ban hits trouble as countries argue over key details, DW, 4 May 2022: EU’s Charles Michel vows to increase Moldova support, The National, 4 May 2022: Oil prices jump as EU proposes phased Russian crude embargo, Politico.eu, 4 May 2022: Russian oil ban: Slovakia can’t accept EU’s current sanctions plan, BBC, 4 May 2022: Ukraine war: EU plans Russian oil ban and war crimes sanctions, DW, 4 May 2022: UN: Millions more people faced hunger in 2021, Politico.eu, 4 May 2022: Head of Germany’s Russophile business lobby group resigns, France24, 4 May 2022: US makes biggest interest rate hike in 22 years in bid to tame soaring inflation, NPR, 4 May 2022: The EU just proposed a ban on oil from Russia, its main energy supplier, BBC, 4 May 2022: US makes biggest interest rate rise in 22 years, Politico.eu, 4 May 2022: On sanctions, von der Leyen speaks as Putin’s prosecutor and EU’s wartime leader, NPR, 4 May 2022: The Fed raises interest rates by the most in over 20 years to fight inflation, The Hill, 4 May 2022: Fed hikes interest rates by half-percentage point, Arab News, 4 May 2022: Saudi central bank raises interest rates in line with US Fed’s decision, The New York Times, 4 May 2022: Fed raises rates half a percentage point, its largest increase since 2000., Al Arabiya, 4 May 2022: Saudi Arabia’s economy to exceed $1 trillion for first time in history: IMF estimate, Arab News, 4 May 2022: UN: Record number of people without enough to eat in 2021, DW, 4 May 2022: European Commission calls for new sanctions on Russia, The Guardian, 5 May 2022: Fashion industry: Xinjiang cotton found in Adidas, Puma and Hugo Boss tops, researchers say, The National, 5 May 2022: Russia-Ukraine live: EU nations nearing agreement on new sanctions, top diplomat says, DW, 5 May 2022: Western companies leave Russia — taking Russian jobs with them, The Guardian, 5 May 2022: The Guardian view: What follows Roe v Wade: it doesn’t stop here, Arab News, 5 May 2022: Why Europe is engaging emerging powers in Africa and Asia-Pacific, The Guardian, 5 May 2022: After victory in the US, now the far right is coming for abortion laws in Europe, DW, 5 May 2022: China’s COVID curbs rattle EU business confidence, Politico.eu, 5 May 2022: Von der Leyen’s team scrambles to find Russia oil ban compromise, The New York Times, 5 May 2022: Europe’s Quest to Replace Russian Gas Faces Plenty of Hurdles, CNN, 5 May 2022: China’s economy is going backwards, Politico.eu, 5 May 2022: Stagflation looms for UK economy, CNN, 5 May 2022: Europe should call Russia’s bluff on energy, The Times, 5 May 2022: How Russian aggression has shifted the balance of power in Europe, CNN, 5 May 2022: Russians steal vast amounts of Ukrainian grain and equipment, threatening this year’s harvest (in addition to the less desired and above all very negative aspects of grain shortages and the resulting significant price increases, a very positive aspect from Putin’s point of view is of course that he will now be able to play te the “great savior” in Africa with the help of grain stolen from Ukraine, where up to now Ukrainian grain has covered up to 50% of the total requirements, by using grain as a weapon in order to tie African countries more closely to himself. Ultimately, of course, the Africans don’t care where the grain comes from, the main thing is that it is delivered and at a reasonably bearable price. The fact that the price only goes through the roof because Putin is waging his war of annihilation against Ukraine plays a rather subordinate role in view of empty stomachs), The National, 6 May 2022: Saudi Arabia plans to attract investment worth $32bn to its mining and minerals sector, Irish Times, 6 May 2022: EU sanctions more troublesome for Europe than Russia, claims Orban (what else could Putin’s lapdog Orbán say?), France24, 6 May 2022: At least 75 killed in recent Haiti gang battles: UN, The Guardian, 6 May 2022: Wheat: Ukraine’s harvest may fall by 35%, satellite images suggest, Irish Times, 6 May 2022: The Irish Times view on Europe-Russia relations: the continent’s fateful barriers, The National, 6 May 2022: View from the Chatham House top table: wheels are coming off rules-based order, Politico.eu, 6 May 2022: Capacity crunch: Post-pandemic staff shortages threaten aviation recovery, DW, 6 May 2022: Victory Day in Europe: Ukraine war puts spotlight on Russia, Irish Times, 6 May 2022: European Parliament demands return of 400 ‘stolen’ aircraft from Russia, France24, 6 May 2022: Ukraine: Whats does it take to prosecute war crimes?, Politico.eu, 6 May 2022: Ukraine urges allies to step up arms deliveries (the Ukrainian government should think about how to formulate the desire for support, because if the way supporters are treated remain like now, Western publics will sooner rather than later turn against Ukraine, and that will also have a negative impact on the scope of the support measures), CNN, 6 May 2022: Belarus jails student a year after forcing down the airliner she was traveling on, Irish Times, 6 May 2022: Europe and Russia, 2022: A fast-changing continent in five graphics, DW, 6 May 2022: Ukraine: EU struggles to find unity on Russian oil embargo, Politico.eu, 6 May 2022: EU rewrites oil ban to give Hungary, Slovakia and Czech Republic more time, CNN, 6 May 2022: Why US politicians are trying to break the world’s oil cartel now, Irish Times, 6 May 2022: G7 and Ukraine to hold talks as EU seeks accord on new Russia sanctions, Politico.eu, 6 May 2022: For Europe, an oil embargo is not the way to go, DW, 7 May 2022: Russia’s war in Ukraine: Germany faces a reckoning (hardly to assume that the Ukraine will soon disappear from the western agenda. The representatives of Ukraine will take care of that. The more important question is how the Russia networkers can be prevented from doing business with the regime for an as yet unclear period of time, in order to ensure that the country is placed in an economic situation that precludes further foreign policy adventures for a longer period of time. Opinions can obviously differ about the rejection of Ukraine’s membership to the NATO in 2008. In view of the situation at the time, I still think the decision was okay, but there are different points of view. Since then, the starting position has changed several times. Recently even so dramatic that a complete reassessment is required. While Ukraine’s NATO membership was refrained from in 2008 to prevent Putin from invading Ukraine, this argument has been obsolete since February 2022 at the latest (actually since the Russian invasion of Crimea and eastern Ukraine from 2014), so that only some formal aspects against Ukraine’s admission to NATO are left. The priority is that the party to be admitted is not at war. This is another reason why it is important that Ukraine wins the war against the aggressor Russia. Admission to the EU should be easier, but not much easier. Taking Cyprus as an example, the entire country, including the territory occupied by Turkey in the north, was admitted to the EU. The same could be done with Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia, in a way that does not damage or devalue the “normal admission procedure” to the EU. Of course, it is also clear that the admission processes will not be a question of months but of years), DW, 8 May 2022: EU citizens are full of hope for the future of Europe, The National, 8 May 2022: UK imposes ‘£1.7 billion of trade’ sanctions on Russia and Belarus, Politico.eu, 8 May 2022: EU’s Russian oil ban stalls as Hungary holds up sanctions, DW, 8 May 2022: Ukraine: G7 to impose fresh sanctions on Russia — live updates, France24, 8 May 2022: G7 countries pledge to stop Russia oil imports, Al Arabiya, 8 May 2022: US imposes sanctions on 27 Gazprombank executives, Russian TV stations, Jerusalem Post, 9 May 2022: US, Israel, Cyprus, Greece to intensify cooperation on energy, economy (now, that’s somehow funny. After years of negotiations about “EastMed this and EastMed that”, even the participants in this found out themselves that nobody will finance it, after pretty much everyone had already told them so years ago, because the profitability isn’t given. In the end, it might not even be enough to finance the undersea power cable from Cyprus to Israel, with the help of which Israel is to be connected to the European power grid), New York Magazine, 9 May 2022: Biden Can Fight Inflation by Repealing Trump’s Tariffs. Why Hasn’t He?, CNN, 9 May 2022: The Middle East won’t rescue Europe if it turns off Russian oil, France24, 9 May 2022: Macron says would take ‘decades’ for Ukraine to join EU, Politico.eu, 9 May 2022: Macron floats European ‘community’ open to Ukraine and UK, DW, 9 May 2022: Moldova’s struggle with ‘frozen conflict’ and Russian uncertainty, The Guardian, 9 May 2022: Philippines: Ferdinand Marcos triumphs in presidential election, DW, 9 May 2022: EU leaders tell Ukraine: ‘Future of Europe is also your future’, France24, 9 May 2022: Macron calls for ‘European political community’ that could include Ukraine, UK, The National, 10 May 2022: France’s Macron joins push for EU oil embargo on Russia, The Times, 10 May 2022: Macron calls for new ‘European political community’ — and Britain could join, France24, 10 May 2022: Doubts emerge over Macron’s proposal for new EU ‘community’ of aspiring states, The National, 10 May 2022: Sanctions imposed on Russia over Ukraine invasion hit ransomware gangs, The Guardian, 10 May 2022: Philippines election: Torture survivors from Marcos era in shock after son’s win, France24, 10 May 2022: Heavy shelling in Odesa places global grain shipments at risk, Politico.eu, 10 May 2022: EU drafts plans to send cash to Hungary if Orbán agrees to Russian oil ban, The Guardian, 10 May 2022: Sri Lanka: Troops rescue ex-PM as houses torched in deadly night of unrest, BBC, 10 May 2022: Sri Lankan troops ordered to open fire on looters and vandals as protests continue, Politico.eu, 10 May 2022: Still a big noise: Orbán flexes power over EU oil ban, The Guardian, 10 May 2022: EU: Hopes for ban on Russian oil despite Hungary comparing plan to ‘nuclear bomb’, Politico.eu, 10 May 2022: It’s time the EU plays hardball with Hungary, DW, 10 May 2022: How much oil does Europe need?, NPR, 10 May 2022: Leonid Kravchuk, independent Ukraine’s 1st president, dies at age 88, DW, 10 May 2022: Philippines: Can Ferdinand Marcos Jr. presidency mend EU ties?, The Hill, 10 May 2022: UN approves Czech Republic to replace Russia on rights body, DW, 10 May 2022: Leonid Kravchuk: The man who buried the Soviet Union, Politico.eu, 10 May 2022: EU plans to help Ukraine’s food exports dodge Black Sea blockade, Al Arabiya, 10 May 2022: Ukraine to halt key Russian gas transit to Europe, use alternative, Arab News, 10 May 2022: GCC-EU energy cooperation needed now more than ever, Politico.eu, 11 May 2022: French prosecutors probe Interpol boss over torture claims, France24, 11 May 2022: UN chief ‘deeply concerned’ about risks of global hunger due to war in Ukraine, DW, 11 May 2022: How great power competition is complicating global cooperation, Politico.eu, 11 May 2022: EU tensions grow over Russian oil ban as Hungary demands exemption, BBC, 11 May 2022: Sri Lanka crisis: Ex-PM flees to naval base as arson attacks spread, Politico.eu, 11 May 2022: Ukraine needs €500B to €600B for reconstruction: Commission’s Dombrovskis, The Hill, 11 May 2022: High inflation: Products that had significant price spikes in April, Foreign Policy, 11 May 2022: Biden and Xi Struggle to Compete in Asia, The Economist, 11 May 2022: The Northern Ireland protocol could soon spark a new row between Britain and Europe, France24, 12 May 2022: Russian blockade of Ukraine’s ports puts global food supply at risk, NPR, 12 May 2022: Among the many losses of the war in Ukraine: nearly 5 million jobs, France24, 12 May 2022: Live: EU to help break blockade on Ukraine’s Odesa to free up grain exports, Jerusalem Post, 12 May 2022: Stolen Ukrainian grain was smuggled via Russian ships from Crimea to Syria, CNN, 12 May 2022: Ukraine gives Europe another wakeup call on Russian gas, The Guardian, 12 May 2022: How should a Marshall plan for Ukraine work?, Politico.eu, 12 May 2022: Liberal MEPs push to add Gerhard Schröder to EU’s Russia sanctions list, The Times, 12 May 2022: UK economy contracts in March, CNN, 12 May 2022: Saudi Aramco eclipses Apple to once again become the world’s most valuable company, Politico.eu, 12 May 2022: If Finland and Sweden join NATO, it’s on Russia, Financial Times, 12 May 2022: Italy’s PM Draghi floats creation of oil consumer ‘cartel’ after Biden talks, DW, 12 May 2022: Sri Lankans running out of food, fuel and medicine, Politico.eu, 13 May 2022: EU considers shelving ban on Russian oil as Hungary blocks sanctions (time to cut off even more EU subsidies to Hungary. After all, Orbán shows every day that Hungary does not belong in the EU, but would rather love to be part of the Soviet Union 2.0 yesterday than tomorrow), The Guardian, 13 May 2022: ‘Incredible cruelty’: Gang battles leave 150 dead in Haitian capital, France24, 13 May 2022: Live: EU ramps up military aid to Ukraine as diplomatic efforts intensify, Politico.eu, 13 May 2022: EU lands new law to fight off hackers in critical sectors, DW, 13 May 2022: G7: Germany seeks ‘powerful sign of unity’ for Ukraine, The Guardian, 13 May 2022: Netherlands: Suspect held over 1994 Rwandan genocide, Politico.eu, 13 May 2022: In Orbán’s obstruction, some EU capitals see useful delay of oil embargo, DW, 14 May 2022: G7 warn of global food crisis, vow indefinite supply of weapons for Ukraine, CNN, 14 May 2022: 4 reasons the economy looks like it’s crumbling — and what to do about it, DW, 14 May 2022: India bans wheat exports amid severe heat wave, Politico.eu, 14 May 2022: Orbán won’t make Hungarians pay war price (the entire article assumes that Orbán would make any constructive contributions to the EU at all. But this is not the case. He is a declared enemy of the EU and democracy, and at the same time one of Putin’s most loyal friends. The only reason why Orbán has not yet initiated Hungary’s exit from the EU is that he and his deeply corrupt regime want to continue to make personal gain from EU development aid from Brussels. It is high time to put all development aid budgets for Hungary on hold and at the same time to suspend all voting rights. There is no quicker or more effective way of showing the Hungarian population where the autocrat Orbán is steering their country), The Hill, 14 May 2022: Upcoming trade meeting a chance for WTO to prove it’s still relevant, Politico.eu, 14 May 2022: G7 presses China to put real pressure on Putin to stop Ukraine war, Irish Times, 14 May 2022: G7 nations call on China not to help Russia amid global food and energy crises, The Times, 14 May 2022: Liz Truss was sent to stop a trade war — now No 10 fears she could start one, The Guardian, 15 May 2022: China’s struggles delight some – but should make us all nervous, Arab News, 15 May 2022: Macron’s confederation for democracy, DW, 16 May 2022: Russia looms large at EU-US trade and tech talks in Paris, France24, 16 May 2022: Sri Lanka’s new PM wins support for ‘economic war cabinet’ amid worsening crisis, DW, 16 May 2022: Lockdowns cripple Chinese economy, Politico.eu, 16 May 2022: EU sanctions deal could still be weeks away, Borrell says, Miami Herald, 16 May 2022: Reversing Trump measures, U.S. will expand flights to Cuba and resume family reunifications, Politico.eu, 16 May 2022: EU climate legislation faces a divided Parliament, The National, 16 May 2022: McDonald’s to exit Russia over ‘humanitarian crisis in Ukraine’, Politico.eu, 16 May 2022: A green salvo to counter Putin’s war in Ukraine, Miami Herald, 16 May 2022: In a first, U.S. government green-lights American investment in private business in Cuba, Irish Times, 16 May 2022: Nato says Kyiv can win war as Moscow accused of causing food crisis, Politico.eu, 16 May 2022: Europe’s leaders fall out of key on Ukraine, DW, 16 May 2022: African food prices soaring amid Ukraine war, The Guardian, 16 May 2022: Bank of England: ‘Apocalyptic’ food prices will be disastrous for world’s poor, says governor, BBC, 16 May 2022: Turkey says it will veto Nordic states’ Nato bids, The New York Times, 16 May 2022: After 32 years, McDonald’s plans to sell its Russia business. (now, that’s a very precise and at the same time painful kick in the butt of the Putin regime. McDonald’s activities in Russia once embodied a spirit of optimism, peace and East-West rapprochement. The departure shows quite unmistakably how Putin’s Russia is actually doing today: once again on a steep downward course. No Western company’s departure could better symbolize the hopelessness and lack of future prospects of the Russian population), The Guardian, 16 May 2022: McDonald’s to sell its business in Russia after 30 years, BBC, 17 May 2022: McDonald’s to leave Russia for good after 30 years, CNN, 17 May 2022: McDonald’s is leaving Russia altogether, The National, 17 May 2022: Oil prices surge as China starts easing Covid-19 restrictions, CNN, 17 May 2022: World’s largest aircraft owner lost 113 planes to Russia due to sanctions, The Times, 17 May 2022: Backlash over Andrew Bailey’s warning that food shortage poses ‘apocalyptic’ inflation threat, CNN, 17 May 2022: Europe is still confused about how to pay its Russian gas bills, Politico.eu, 17 May 2022: EU’s startup accelerator fund hit by delays, The National, 18 May 2022: EU unveils first long-term strategy to shape future Gulf ties, Politico.eu, 18 May 2022: In talk of boosting EU defense, Brussels means business, France24, 18 May 2022: Belarus introduces death penalty for ‘attempted’ terrorism, Politico.eu, 18 May 2022: EU earmarks €2B to ease pain of Russian oil ban , The National, 18 May 2022: What’s on the agenda at Davos 2022: Business Extra, Politico.eu, 18 May 2022: Russia takes first steps to withdraw from WTO, WHO (once again on the express way to it’s final downfall. Congrats!), BBC, 18 May 2022: EU reveals its plans to stop using Russian gas, Politico.eu, 18 May 2022: EU to pitch in €9B for Ukraine as it weighs financing options for reconstruction, NPR, 18 May 2022: Rare monkeypox outbreak in U.K., Europe and U.S.: What is it and should we worry?, Politico.eu, 19 May 2022: Europe’s energy security asymmetry, BBC, 19 May 2022: Russian McDonald’s buyer to rebrand restaurants, Politico.eu, 19 May 2022: EU treaty change ‘not a taboo,’ says Scholz, The Times, 19 May 2022: Black Sea blockade in Russia-Ukraine war threatens world food supply (Putin is killing Africans and Asians en mass), Politico.eu, 19 May 2022: The incredible shrinking Global Britain (not so gratifying for the Brits, but all the more gratifying for me as almost all of my predictions so far have come true. Ultimately, it can be summed up in one sentence: “Brexiteers are nationalist idiots and economically illiterate”.), The National, 19 May 2022: US accuses Russia of using food as a weapon in Ukraine, DW, 19 May 2022: One tiny company is wrecking the American solar industry – why?, Politico.eu, 19 May 2022: Brexit tensions mean Brits won’t get EU science cash, Brussels warns, The New York Times, 19 May 2022: In Russia, as Prices Soar, the Outlook for Its Economy Grows ‘Especially Gloomy’, Al Arabiya, 19 May 2022: ‘No shortcuts’ to Ukraine EU membership: German chancellor Scholz, DW, 19 May 2022: Are European academics helping China’s military?, Arab News, 19 May 2022: UN urges Ukraine grain release, warn of ‘mass hunger’ that could last for years, Politico.eu, 19 May 2022: Monkeypox outbreak: What we know so far, DW, 19 May 2022: Romania’s Constanta port becomes hub for Ukraine’s grain, Politico.eu, 20 May 2022: G7 raises close to $20B for Ukraine, The Times, 20 May 2022: How Putin’s pals are still living the high life in Laundromat London, Politico.eu, 20 May 2022: Western allies ramp up rhetoric against Russia, want to see ‘defeat’ of Moscow, The Guardian, 20 May 2022: Supply crisis: US accuses Russia of weaponising food and holding global supplies ‘hostage’, BBC, 20 May 2022: Ukraine says giant Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant can’t supply Russia, Politico.eu, 20 May 2022: Pegasus’ complex structure hinders EU spyware probe, The Algemeiner, 20 May 2022: WHO Calls Emergency Meeting as Monkeypox Cases Top 100 in Europe, First Detected in Israel, The National, 20 May 2022: Stealing from history, Arab News, 20 May 2022: Why there’s more than economics to the G7’s role, Politico.eu, 20 May 2022: 4 things to watch as countries meet for the World Health Assembly, Times of Israel, 21 May 2022: Australian PM concedes defeat, ending party’s 9-year rule; was firm backer of Israel, France24, 21 May 2022: Live: Russia cuts off gas exports to Finland after payments dispute, The National, 21 May 2022: Australia’s Labor celebrates general election win, France24, 21 May 2022: Albanese to be PM as Labor ousts Australian conservatives after decade in power, CNN, 21 May 2022: Australian voters deliver strong message on climate, ending conservative government’s 9-year rule, Al Arabiya, 21 May 2022: Russia bans 963 Americans from entering country, adds 26 new Canadians (very funny. If there hadn’t been a newspaper report about it, nobody would have noticed. Not even the sanctioned themselves. As if there were anyone stupid enough to go to Russia voluntarily right now. In fact, even the Russians themselves are fleeing Russia), Politico.eu, 21 May 2022: UK-linked media magnate Lebedev hit by Canada sanctions, NPR, 21 May 2022: Russia has cut off its natural gas exports to Finland in a symbolic move, Politico.eu, 21 May 2022: Russia halts gas supply to Finland amid payments, NATO rows, Al Arabiya, 21 May 2022: Russia stops Finland gas flow over payments dispute, Politico.eu, 21 May 2022: Australia votes for change with election win for Labor Party, Irish Times, 21 May 2022: Russia stops delivering gas to Finland as Zelenskiy says only diplomacy will end war, The Times, 21 May 2022: Australian election result 2022: Labor’s Anthony Albanese wins, BBC, 21 May 2022: Australia election: Anthony Albanese vows unity after Labor seizes power, DW, 21 May 2022: Australian Labor Party defeats Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s coalition, The Guardian, 21 May 2022: Australia election: Conservative government voted out after nine years, DW, 21 May 2022: Monkeypox: Berlin records first cases of rare virus, Jerusalem Post, 21 May 2022: Europe has gone from being critical of Israel to admiring it (in fact, there are always the same European backbenchers who make statements about EU-Israel relations in the manner described in the article. All other assumptions are more likely to stem from the fact that someone is hoping for a job. In any case, it has little to do with the actual circumstances, in terms of Putin’s war against Ukraine, the Iran deal that Trump canceled under pressure from Netanyahu or Palestine/the Palastinians. At the same time, of course, it can only be a good thing if the numerous Sunday speeches are actually perceived as described in the article. What is true is that the vast majority of European governments have reacted positively to Netanyahu being history because he is seen as an untrustworthy and unreliable interlocutor and certainly not a partner. There are also some reservations about the Benett administration because of Netanyahu’s long reign and the few positive aspects it has brought to EU-Israel relations. Apparently triggered by the introduction of various European states to the EU (Serbia, North Macedonia, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine, etc. – all countries have one thing in common: they are all European states), people in Israel seem to get the impression that they could make another attempt at becoming an EU member. Since the reasons why accession failed earlier are still valid, so hopes shouldn’t be hanged too high), BBC, 21 May 2022: Australia election: Anthony Albanese leads Labor to Australian election victory, DW, 21 May 2022: Abortion in EU: Fragile progress — and tightened laws, The National, 22 May 2022: France says it may take Ukraine ‘15 or 20 years’ to join EU, The Algemeiner, 22 May 2022: Yandex Wants to Move Headquarters to Israel, With Conditions, The Guardian, 22 May 2022: Tony Abbott and Scott Morrison have emptied the Liberals’ broad church, The Hill, 22 May 2022: Baby formula bill faces rocky terrain in Senate, NPR, 22 May 2022: Abbott CEO apologizes for the formula shortage as the first overseas shipment arrives, The Guardian, 22 May 2022: US: Baby formula shipment arrives from Europe, providing ‘some relief’ for families, Politico.eu, 22 May 2022: German finance chief calls for more fiscal discipline across EU, CNN, 22 May 2022: Australia has a new left-leaning government: Here’s what you need to know, The Guardian, 22 May 2022: The food crisis is what happens when global chains collapse. We might need to get used to it, DW, 22 May 20222: Can Gen Z handle inflation better than older generations?, CNN, 22 May 2022: Biden offers message for Kim Jong Un as he wraps first leg of his Asia trip, The Sunday Times, 22 May 2022: New Australian PM Anthony Albanese promises to end climate wars, DW, 22 May 2022: Olaf Scholz: Germany will work to restart Ukrainian grain exports to Africa, CNN, 22 May 2022: Japan turns away from post-WWII pacifism as China threat grows, DW, 22 May 2022: Australia: PM-elect Albanese wants to ‘end climate wars’, France24, 22 May 2022: Covid, Ukraine war weigh heavily as WHO opens annual assembly, DW, 22 May 2022: SIPRI: From climate to war, world entering a critical era, The National, 23 May 2022: US flight brings tonnes of baby formula from Germany, Times of Israel, 23 May 2022: European Parliament president to Knesset: To be antisemitic is to be anti-European, Haaretz, 23 May 2022: In Jerusalem, EU Parliament President Vows to Fight Antisemitism, The Guardian, 23 May 2022: Live Australia election: Anthony Albanese takes charge as Labor inches towards majority government, Politico.eu, 23 May 2022: As monkeypox cases rise, European countries urged to take extra steps, The Times, 23 May 2022: Joe Biden tries to pivot to Asia — but that’s easier said than done, Arab News, 23 May 2022: First baby formula shipment, enough for thousands of US infants, arrives from Europe, The National, 23 May 2022: US unveils Indo-Pacific pact to assert Asia leadership, The Guardian, 23 May 2022: Stoking fear and hatred held the Coalition in power – finally Australia had enough, DW, 24 May 20222: Russia: Alexei Navalny appeal fails, will move to a ‘maximum-security’ jail, The National, 24 May 2022: Joe Biden says Quad leaders are ‘navigating a dark hour’, Jerusalem Post, 24 May 2022: Russia taunts US on global food security crisis (“Russian harvest” means that they have stolen several thousand tons of Ukrainian wheat to use it as a weapon in Asia and Africa. If Putin isn’t reaching his goals in these regions he will starve millions of Africans and Asians to death), The National, 24 May 2022: Russia-Ukraine live: EU blames Moscow for global food crisis, Politico.eu, 24 May 2022: The European Central Bank — still waiting for Godot?, NPR, 24 May 2022: Monkeypox isn’t like COVID-19 — and that’s a good thing, Arab News, 24 May 2022: DCO, WEF launch digital initiative to boost global investment flows, DW, 24 May 2022: Ukraine’s future role as European energy supplier, Politico.eu, 24 May 2022: Von der Leyen: Russia oil sanctions won’t be approved at EU summit, The New York Times, 24 May 2022: Live Updates: World Leaders Call for Action to Free Trapped Ukrainian Food, DW, 24 May 2022: Russia dominates Davos WEF even as Russians go missing, Politico.eu, 24 May 2022: EU moves to confiscate Russian oligarchs’ assets, The Times, 24 May 2022: The Quad flexes its muscles against Chinese militarisation, NPR, 24 May 2022: Cuba hopes if it builds new hotels, tourists will come, after a long COVID shutdown, Politico.eu, 24 May 2022: Poland accused of hostage diplomacy as global tax debate scrapped, The Times, 24 May 2022: Xi reaps whirlwind of bromance with Putin, DW, 24 May 2022: ‘Quad’ talks in Japan open with eyes on China and Ukraine, Politico.eu, 25 May 2022: Rubles for gas: Who’s paid so far?, Al Arabiya, 25 May 2022: Explainer: Ukraine looks for ways to get its grain out, Politico.eu, 25 May 2022: Russian parliament green-lights closure of ‘unfriendly’ Western news bureaus, BBC, 25 May 2022: Putin weaponising Ukraine’s crops, says Polish PM, Politico.eu, 25 May 2022: Brussels to make skirting sanctions an EU-wide crime, DW, 25 May 2022: Baltic Sea countries rally together against Russia, Politico.eu, 25 May 2022: China’s fragility feeds the doom mongers in Davos, Al Arabiya, 25 May 2022: Annual gathering at Davos overshadowed by global economic worries, Politico.eu, 25 May 2022: Out to lunch: Russian envoy to EU claims packed schedule despite public freeze-out, Politico.eu, 25 May 2022: Climate burns the right, The New York Times, 26 May 2022: U.S. Aims to Constrain China by Shaping Environment Around It, Blinken Says, The Washington Post, 26 May 2022: Davos ends with Germany pushing global work on climate, war, DW, 26 May 2022: Enough talking — it’s time to act, Politico.eu, 26 May 2022: EU’s Russian oil ban hangs by a thread as mood darkens in Brussels, CNN, 26 May 2022: China plays for influence in South Pacific with security proposal and diplomatic tour, NPR, 26 May 2022: ‘How to Murder Your Husband’ writer found guilty of murdering her husband (some guide books don’t seem to be as good as one might think), Politico.com, 26 May 2022: Blinken calls China ‘most serious long-term’ threat to world order, DW, 26 May 2022: Blinken warns China threat greater than Russia long term, BBC, 27 May 2022: Japan opens up to foreign tourists after two years, DW, 27 May 2022: German minister slams Putin over food crisis on Ukraine trip, CNN, 27 May 2022: Ukraine war threatens Iran’s last economic lifeline, DW, 27 May 2022: The China shock: Germany turns away from its biggest trading partner, The Hill, 28 May 2022: Navalny in prison: How a thorn in Putin’s side reaches the outside world, New York Magazine, 28 May 2022: Is New York Ready for Recession? The economic warning lights are flashing red., Politico.eu, 27 May 2022: Putin: We could reopen Odesa, but we want sanctions removed (since when are war criminals like Putin are allowed to make demands?), Arab News, 27 May 2022: Western establishment will pay a political price for inflation, Politico.eu, 27 May 2022: Zelenskyy invited to EU leaders’ summit amid sanctions spat, The Hill, 28 May 2022: Without summits, a West Asia ‘Quad’ makes progress, Politico.eu, 28 May 2022: How to end Russia’s Black Sea blockade, The Times, 28 May 2022: Russia is winning battle to control the world’s wheat, The Guardian, 28 May 2022: ‘Get ready for Nuremberg 2.0’: Kremlin mulls show trials based on second world war tribunals, DW, 28 May 2022: Too little, too late? Tourism revives in North Africa, The Sunday Times, 29 May 2022: Uighurs, Covid and economy are unpicking China’s cult of Xi Jinping, Al Arabiya, 29 May 2022: EU mulls compromise to break deadlock on Russian oil embargo, Politico.eu, 29 May 2022: As it happened: European Council summit, DW, 29 May 2022: Egypt signs €8 billion deal with Siemens for high-speed rail system, The Times, 30 May 2022: Germany ‘breaks its promise’ to give Kyiv more heavy weapons (the worst case has now occurred. What has been discussed in this blog for years has now happened and in this situation of all things we have a Putin-affine, latently anti-American, little EU-affine, inward-looking SPD-led government (with the exception of the Green’s). It couldn’t have been much worse. If we get through this unscathed, then that has a lot to do with luck, because due to weaknesses inherent in the SPD, “Olaf and the traffic light men” are obviously not in a position to react appropriately to the multiple crises – apart from the fact that they doesn’t want to at all, but instead prefer to continue playing “nationalist allotment garden club” and thus sacrifices thousands of Ukrainians on the one hand, just to give their favorite dictator and war criminal Vladimir Putin an advantage on the other. For Germany’s reputation, this is already an outright catastrophe, for the EU and NATO it is an ordeal, also brought about with German help. Apart from a vote of no confidence and new elections, there will soon be no other options for action to at least not further escalate the considerable damage that has already occurred), CNN, 30 May 2022: China, Pacific islands unable to agree on security pact, Politico.eu, 30 May 2022: Orbán demands further exemptions from Russian oil sanctions, France24, 30 May 2022: Russian speakers reject the ‘language of the enemy’ by learning Ukrainian, Politico.eu, 30 May 2022: EU moves step closer to deal on Russian oil embargo, The Guardian, 30 May 2022: UK: Further 71 cases of monkeypox detected in England, DW, 30 May 2022: Could naval convoys lift the blockade on Ukraine grain?, Politico.eu, 30 May 2022: Dutch and Danish gas buyers warn of Russian shutoff, CNN, 30 May 2022: European Council aims to reach political agreement on Russian oil embargo on Monday, EU official says, The National, 30 May 2022: EU leaders face Russian oil deadlock as Hungary digs in, The Times, 30 May 2022: EU’s Russian oil ban attempts falter, The New York Times, 30 May 2022: Ukraine Live Updates: Europe’s Leaders Hammering Out Deal on Russian Oil Embargo, Arab News, 30 May 2022: Our YouGov Ukraine poll exposes deep Arab mistrust of the West, Irish Times, 30 May 2022: EU edges closer to deal on Russian oil with pipeline exception, Al Arabiya, 30 May 2022: Putin tells Erdogan Russia ready to export fertilizers, food if sanctions are lifted, Arab News, 30 May 2022: Despite direct economic consequences, study finds majority of Arabs do not care about Ukraine-Russia war, DW, 31 May 2022: EU leaders hail ‘solidarity’ in compromise on Russia oil ban after summit (in fact, the EU has once again allowed itself to be blackmailed by Orban instead of showing him clear boundaries by agreeing on a “27-1” resolution. After all, Orban’s Hungary is only a member of the EU on paper, but it has actually been in Putin’s pocket for years), The Guardian, 31 May 2022: Alexei Navalny: Putin’s political foe faces extra 15 years in jail over ‘extremism’ claims, Foreign Policy, 31 May 2022: As China’s Economy Falters, Be Careful What You Wish For, Politico.eu, 31 May 2022: Russia halts gas supply to the Netherlands, The Times, 31 May 2022: EU oil embargo: careful trade-off seeks to limit the pain, Arab News, 31 May 2022: UN holds ‘constructive’ talks in Moscow on grain, fertilizer exports, Politico.eu, 31 May 2022: 6 things to know about the EU’s Russian oil ban, CNN, 31 May 2022: The EU’s Russian oil ban is a big achievement, but the limits of Western unity will face further tests down the road, The New York Times, 31 May 2022: Live Updates: E.U. Looks to Get Ukraine Grain Exports Moving Again, Politico.eu, 31 May 2022: Eurozone inflation jumps to new record at 8.1 percent, DW, 31 May 2022: Russia’s Gazprom cuts supplies to Netherlands, France24, 31 May 2022: EU agrees ban on ‘more than two thirds’ of Russian oil imports, Politico.eu, 31 May 2022: Only Black Sea ships will allow Ukraine to feed the world again, The National, 31 May 2022: Africa fears ‘catastrophic’ food crisis from Ukraine war, DW, 31 May 2022: Jailed Kremlin critic Navalny says he faces 15 more years imprisonment (well, here too Putin shot himself in both feet. With each additional sentence, rather than a full rehabilitation of Navalny, Putin achieves the exact opposite of what he set out to achieve: he created a martyr), CNN, 31 May 2022: Russia is about to shut off some of Germany’s gas, The Times, 31 May 2022: Let Germany lead the rebuilding of Ukraine (yes, that should indeed be imposed on Germany, simply because deliveries of heavy weapons are constantly being announced but are not happening, even though the industry could have been delivering for eight weeks. Thousands of Ukrainian civilians have already died as a result. Subsequent generations in Germany will have to listen to this and have no choice but to agree to the allegations. In the meantime, one can no longer even hope that it won’t become more dramatic, because it is not only foreseeable but already clearly recognizable that things will get worse. All this apparently just so that the SPD can help its favorite dictator and serial war criminal, Tsar Vladimir, to secure the throne at any price and even overtake the AfD on the right and the SED successor club, Die Linke, on the left. Completely irresponsible and absolutely unworthy of a German federal government), The New York Times, 31 May 2022: President Biden: What America Will and Will Not Do in Ukraine, DW, 31 May 2022: Eurozone inflation reaches record 8.1% in May, Politico.eu, 31 May 2022: After Orbán pipes up, Hungary skips Russian oil ban, CNN, 1 June 2022: Brace yourselves for an economic ‘hurricane,’ Jamie Dimon says, Politico.eu, 1 June 2022: Hungary throws new spanner into EU sanctions talks, DW, 1 June 2022: Poland: European Commission unlocks COVID funding, Jerusalem Post, 1 June 2022: Wheat can’t be ‘weapon of war’, Pope says, urging lifting of Ukraine block, Politico.eu, 1 June 2022: The Czech and Hungarian fondness for emergency powers, CNN, 1 June 2022: Why Russia isn’t hurting even as it cuts off Europe’s gas, Politico.eu, 1 June 2022: EU gives Poland route to pandemic recovery cash, NPR, 1 June 2022: The Biden administration has announced new funding to help food supply chains, Politico.eu, 1 June 2022: Germany loses EU sway as Eastern Europe turns away over Russia (as was to be expected. The new governing coalition, particularly the SOPD, is not up to the task), Arab News, 1 June 2022: Russia and Iran: What next for the world’s most-sanctioned states?, Politico.eu, 1 June 2022: Olaf Scholz’s Kaiser complex leaves Ukraine in the lurch, DW, 2 June 2022: Investors cash in on food commodities as the poor go hungry, Politico.com, 2 June 2022: European Parliament bars Russia-backed lobbyists, Arab News, 2 June 2022: US welcomes OPEC+ move to boost oil supply, recognizes Saudi role in achieving consensus, Al Arabiya, 2 June 2022: OPEC+ alliance boosts oil production as energy prices soar, BBC, 2 June 2022: Meza Malonga: The Afro-fusion food making waves, Politico.com, 2 June 2022: Orbán wins again as furious EU envoys take church patriarch off Russian sanctions list (one should simply hand over the “new Eastern Bloc” to Putin. They’re useless anyway), The Guardian, 2 June 2022: Russia is winning the economic war – and Putin is no closer to withdrawing troops, Politico.com, 2 June 2022: Amid Commission rebellion, von der Leyen defends Polish recovery cash plan, DW, 2 June 2022: Netherlands green lights North Sea gas production with Germany, DW, 3 June 2022: Music festival season kicks off in Europe, Politico.eu, 3 June 2022: Macron’s party proposes new European centrist alliance, DW, 4 June 2022: Russia plans to restart German telescope without permission, Jerusalem Post, 4 June 2022: Suspect in Litvinenko poisoning dies in Moscow (finally, some good news from Moscow), BBC, 4 June 2022: Russian man accused of Alexander Litvinenko killing dies of Covid-19, DW, 4 June 2022: Russian suspect in spy poisoning dies of COVID, Politico.eu, 4 June 2022: Russia isn’t alone in stealing food — the EU does it too, Al Arabiya, 4 June 2022: Moscow expects big jump in profits from energy exports in 2022, DW, 5 June 2022: German Economy Minister Robert Habeck seeks new partnerships with Israel and Jordan (it is remarkable that the EastMed pipeline fantasy is still haunting, although it is as clear as day that it would be a purely political project with no economic benefits. Since neither Israel nor Cyprus can afford the adventure, one can count on one finger who would have to pay for the billion dollar grave. So it’s no wonder that Italy and the USA have since dropped out of the project. On the other hand, Israel could ship to Egypt, where there are LNG terminals, so Israeli-Lebanese gas could be liquefied and shipped to Europe. That would even be economically viable. In parts of Israeli politics, people are also trying to get rich in other energy fields by making wild speculations, such as using a pipeline that has been embezzled from Iran to transport oil from the Arab Gulf States to Ashdod and ship it to Europe from there. However, neither the suppliers nor the recipients of the oil are enthusiastic about the idea), BBC, 5 June 2022: China fighter jet intercepts Australian plane – Canberra, NPR, 5 June 2022: A fire at a depot in Bangladesh has killed at least 49 and injured more than 100, The Times, 5 June 2022: Is Putin winning the economic war over Ukraine?, DW, 5 June 2022: Kazakhstan: Voters decide on post-Nazarbayev reform, France24, 5 June 2022: Shipping movement continues in the Black Sea despite Ukraine war, sanctions, BBC, 5 June 2022: Bangladesh fire: Nearly 50 killed, hundreds injured in depot blast, Jerusalem Post, 6 June 2022: Israeli-Russian trade still prospering despite Ukraine War, The Guardian, 6 June 2022: Kazakhstan: Founding figure Nazarbayev stripped of privileges in referendum, The Economist, 7 June 2022: The pandemic has accelerated a global decline in the rule of law, CNN, 7 June 2022: ‘Uninvestable’ China could make a comeback, The Times, 7 June 2022: Russia’s UN ambassador walks out as food shortage blamed on invasion, Irish Times, 7 June 2022: World Bank warns many countries headed for recession, Arab News, 7 June 2022: World Bank slashes global growth forecast to 2.9%, warns of ‘stagflation’ risk, NPR, 7 June 2022: With Cubans leaving en masse, much of Cuba’s real estate is up for sale, The New York Times, 7 June 2022: Global Growth Will Be Choked Amid Inflation and War, World Bank Says).

European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control: Coronavirus/COVID-19: Situation update worldwide

moving-into-the-slow-lane-press-conference-presentation-in-english–dlp-4866

200108-best-countries-overall-rankings-2020


Foreign policy
With Donald Trump’s US (The Making of Donald Trump) becoming increasingly isolated, foreign policy is bringing some additional responsibilities to the EU. After all, it is good to see and know that the US Congress and the US Senate decide and act in part completely contrary to Trump’s ideas and wishes and that, of course, to cushion the disaster Trump and thus to minimize national and international damage (The New Yorker, 11 July 2018: The Borowitz Report: Merkel Asks Mueller If There’s Anything She Can Do to Help, Independent, 3 August 2018: Thousands protest for a fourth consecutive day in Iran on eve of US sanctions, Politico.com, 7 September 2018: Obama delivers full-throated rebuke of Trump’s presidency, The Washington Post, 7 September 2018: ‘It sure isn’t normal; it’s radical’: Former president Barack Obama says Trump and Republicans are knowingly dividing America, The Atlantic, 16 September 2018: American Democracy Is in Crisis, The New York Times, 25 September 2018: U.N. General Assembly Updates: Trump Speaks Out on Globalization, NBC News, 26 September 2018: Trump’s U.N. speech pitting globalism against patriotism proves the president has no idea what patriotism means, The Guardian, 28 September 2018: It’s not just Trump. Much of America has turned its back on Europe, The Washington Post, 1 October 2018: USMCA: Who are the winners and losers of the ‘new NAFTA’?, The Guardian, 2 October 2018: Global image of US is historically bad under Trump, says poll, Handelsblatt, 4 October 2018: Special-Purpose Vehicle: Defying Trump, EU plans to support trade with Iran, The New York Times, 1 November 2018: The Wrong Way to Punish Iran, USA Today, 2 November 2018: Top Trump officials say new U.S. sanctions will choke Iran’s economy, CNN, 2 November 2018: Trump set to reimpose all Iran sanctions lifted by Obama, NBC News, 2 November 2018: The Trump team’s trade sanctions were not what Iran hawks wanted, Reuters, 2 November 2018: U.S. says SWIFT could be sanctioned if it deals with sanctioned entities, BBC, 2 November 2018: Trump administration to reinstate all Iran sanctions, The Washington Post, 2 November 2018: Iran braces for oil sanctions after currency crash, protests, The Guardian, 4 November 2018: Iran braces for fresh US sanctions including oil embargo, Haaretz, 4 November 2018: Thousands of Iranians Mark Anniversary of U.S. Embassy Takeover in Tehran as Trump Restores Sanctions, The New York Times, 4 November 2018: Europe Plans a Way to Evade Sanctions on Iran. Will It Work?, The Guardian, 5 November 2018: Why Europe wants to sidestep US sanctions over Iran nuclear might, The Guardian, 5 November 2018: ‘People are despairing’: Iranians brace for sanctions to bite and The New York Times, 5 November 2018:As U.S. Sanctions on Iran Kick In, Europe Looks for a Workaround, The Washington Post, 8 November 2018: ‘Protect Mueller’: Protesters across U.S. decry president’s dismissal of Sessions as attorney general, The New York Times, 30 November 2018: A European Goes to Trump’s Washington, The New York Times, 30 November 2018: Trade Pact Is Signed, but U.S.-Canada Rift Remains, The New York Times, 30 November 2018: Trump Claims Nafta Victory but Deal Faces Long Odds in U.S., CNN, 30 November 2018: The G20 summit is a glimpse at the future world order and The Guardian, 30 November 2018: The Guardian view on Donald Trump’s credibility: America’s compromised leader, The Guardian, 1 December 2018: We shouldn’t rush to save the liberal order. We should remake it, The Guardian, 29 December 2018: America’s new year’s resolution: impeach Trump and remove him, The Washington Post, 31 December 2018: Trump turned the White House into a madhouse, The New York Times, 1 January 2019: The Trump Tax Cut: Even Worse Than You’ve Heard, DW, 9 January 2019: EU lawmakers decry Washington downgrading of EU ambassador, Der Spiegel, 11 February 2019: Interview with Obama Adviser Ben Rhodes: ‘Trump Is Just Tearing Things Down’, The Guardian, 24 February 2019: ‘You’re fired!’ America has already terminated Trump and The New York Times, 4 March 2019: In a Change of Tone, U.S. Restores E.U.’s Diplomatic Status). Meanwhile, the EU continues to seek ways, together with China and Russia, to prevent sanctions not only against small and medium-sized businesses, which can easly ignore them, when not doing any business in the US, but as well by multinational corporations from Europe. Overall, the issue isn’t only about Iran, but also about the security and interests of Europe and the sovereignty of the EU, which shall be significantly curtailed by the extortionate measures of the current US government. A process that the EU will accompany with resistance, of course, so that despite all the cheers from the United States, there are and will be repeated attempts to undermine the sanctions in order to minimize the damage caused). These measures will certainly not lead to an increase in trade and investment by the affected European companies with and in the US and Israel. It is more likely that the investments in Asia and the Gulf States will be strengthened, to reduce the potential damages posed by the current US and Israeli governments (Pew Research Center, 1 Octobewr 2018: Continuing negative ratings for Trump and U.S. in Germany, Pew Research Center, 1 October 2018: Trump’s International Ratings Remain Low, Especially Among Key Allies, The Washington Post, 4 December 2018: ‘Chaos breeds chaos’: Trump’s erratic and false claims roil the globe. Again., The New York Times, 5 December 2018: Trump Gets It All Wrong, The Guardian, 6 December 2018: Trump’s European diplomats tied in knots over rise of populism, The Guardian, 18 December 2018: Blind creature that buries head in sand named after Donald Trump, The New York Times, 21 January 2019: The Economy Won’t Rescue Trump, France24, 27 February 2019: ‘Conman’ Trump broke law in office, Cohen tells Congress in explosive testimony, The Washington Post, 4 April 2019: This is how bad Trump derangement syndrome has gotten in Washington, The Washington Post, 5 April 2019: Trump’s next possible Fed nominee can’t understand basic policy issues, The New York Times, 23 May 2019: Julian Assange’s Indictment Aims at the Heart of the First Amendment, The Washington Post, 21 June 2019: The Trump economy house of cards collapses, The Guardian, 22 June 2019: In Moscow, Riyadh and Washington, this is the age of the shameless lie, BBC, 31 July 2019: Does the US economy need a boost?, The New York Times, 31 July 2019: Fed Set to Lower Rates for First Time Since Financial Crisis, Washington Post, 31 July 2019: If the U.S. economy is in good shape, why is the Federal Reserve cutting interest rates?, BBC, 31 July 2019: US interest rate cut fails to impress Trump, CNN, 31 July 2019: The Fed cut rates for the first time since 2008, The New York Times, 1 August 2019: Why Was Trumponomics a Flop?, The Guardian, 4 August 2019: Two mass shootings in US leave at least 29 dead as Trump faces criticism, BBC, 4 August 2019: Two US mass shootings in 24 hours, France24, 4 August 2019: Police investigating possible hate crime at deadly mass shooting in El Paso, Texas, The Guardian, 4 August 2019: Trump tweets as gun violence and white nationalist terrorism stalk America, The New York Times, 3 August 2019: 2 Days, 2 Cities, 2 Shootings, at Least 29 Dead, CNN, 4 August 2019: Another weekend, two more mass shootings in America, The Washington Post, 4 August 2019: Cities grieve after two mass shootings leave 29 dead, USA Today, 4 August 2019: In the wake of two more hate-fueled mass shootings, when do we call it domestic terrorism? (Mass shootings in the United States), Haaretz, 5 AUgust 2019: ‘When Will Trump Stop Demonizing Immigrants?’: U.S. Jewish Leaders ‘Rage’ in Wake of Mass Shootings, The National, 5 August 2019: Trump says ‘hate has no place’ in US after two mass killings (said by US Hate Preacher-in-Chief), The New York Times, 31 July 2019: Why Does Trump Fan the Flames of Race-Based Terrorism, Washington Monthly, 4 August 2019: Trump Still Refuses to Condemn Violent White Supremacy, The New York Times, 4 August 2019: El Paso Shooting Suspect’s Manifesto Echoes Trump’s Language, BBC, 5 August 2019: 8chan far-right forum offline as Cloudflare cuts support, CNN, 5 August 2019: The US is under attack from within. Is this ever going to end?, France24, 5 August 2019: Trump supporter jailed for sending bombs to Democrats, CNN, 5 August 2019: Trump blames everything but his own words for hate in America, The New York Times, 5 August 2019: Trump, Tax Cuts and Terrorism, BBC, 5 August 2019: El Paso shooting: Has US neglected fight against white extremism?, Gun laws in New Zealand, Irish Times, 6 August 2019: Barack Obama urges people to reject leaders who demonise others, CNN, 6 August 2019: 2 countries issued travel warnings about the United States after a weekend of mass shootings, The Guardian, 7 August 2019: El Paso congresswoman Veronica Escobar to Trump: ‘You are not welcome here’, BBC, 7 August 2019: President Trump to visit mass shooting sites amid criticism, Amnesty USA, 7 August 2019: Global human rights movemnet issues travel warning for the U.S. due to rampant gun violence, The Washington Post, 7 August 2019: Gun violence in America prompts Amnesty International and a growing list of countries to issue travel warnings, USA Today, 8 August 2019: Amnesty International issues warning about travel to US amid ‘high levels of gun violence’, Jerusalem Post, 8 August 2019: After shootings, Amnesty International issues travel warning for the U.S., Al Jazeera, 9 August 2019: Mass shootings: The most American way to kill and die, CNN, 10 August 2019: The world wonders what’s happened to America, Arab News, 10 August 2019: US mass shootings are a symptom of a sick society, The New York Times, 11 August 2019: Inside the Government, Addressing Domestic Terrorism Has Been Fraught, CNN, 12 August 2019: Trump is impeaching himself, CNN, 14 August 2019: Obama was better for stocks than Trump – From Reagan to Trump: Here’s how stocks performed under each president, BBC, 14 August 2019: Share markets tumble as recession fears grow, The New York Times, 16 August 2019: With Trump as President, the World Is Spiraling Into Chaos, The Washington Post, 17 August 2019: Trump has one playbook, and very few plays left in it, CNN, August 2019: ‘Not for sale’: Inside Greenland, the world’s largest island, BBC, 19 August 2019: Trump calls for big rate cut and economic stimulus, Arab News, 19 August 2019: Economists fear a US recession in 2021, The Guardian, 21 August 2019: Danish PM ‘surprised and disappointed’ over cancelled Trump visit, Reuters, 21 August 2019: G7 or G5? Trump and Johnson add unpredictability to French summit, BBC, 21 August 2019: Greenland: Trump criticises ‘nasty’ Denmark over cancelled visit, NPR, 21 August 2019: The Federal Budget Deficit Is Getting Bigger As Spending Grows, Irish Times, 21 August 2019: Lies, bullsh*t and knowledge resistance: A spotter’s guide, Politico.com, 21 August 2019: Trump says he wanted to give himself Medal of Honor, BBC, 23 August 2019: Trump responds with fury over Fed chief’s speech, Politico.com, 24 August 2019: Trump storm blows into Macron’s G7 seaside summit, The Washington Post, 24 August 2019: ‘Senseless disputes’: E.U.’s Tusk says Trump’s trade wars are damaging global economy, France24, 24 August 2019: G7 leaders arrive for summit in France as global disputes threaten unity, The Washington Post, 24 August 2019: With the global economy slowing and the U.S.-China trade war escalating, Trump arrives at G-7 with a list of grievances, Politico.com, 24 August 2019: Donald Tusk: G7 summit may be last chance for unity, NPR, 24 August 2019: Trade And Economic Tensions Loom Over G-7 Summit In France, Politico.com, 24 August 2019: Democrats can’t just unwind Trump’s foreign policy, The National, 24 August 2019: G7 unity threatened by global disputes ahead of France summit, i24 News, 24 August 2019: EU leaders round on Trump over trade war risks at G7, Politico.eu, 24 August 2019: Air Boris blasts into Biarritz, CNN, 25 August 2019: Macron sparks confusion after inviting Iran’s foreign minister to G7 summit, France24, 25 August 2019: Iranian foreign minister makes surprise appearance at G7 summit (as always, there were demonstrations at this G7 summit as well. Organized with the help of SmartPhones, to demonstrate against globalization and progress. Leaving garbage dumps and destroyed environment, to demonstrate against environmental degradation. This does not include arrivals and departures. Attacking Policemen, to vehemently insist that the police should protect them. Groaning to the point of hearing loss, because no one would hear their voices. Insulting politicians and threatening their life and limb, but expecting that these politicians shall turn policies in their favor. Being intelligence-free, in this case the red shirts are just as gifted as the brown shirts. The usual madness to stupor during G7 meetings), CNN, 25 August 2019: After Trump appears to soften on trade war, White House says he wanted higher tariffs, The Guardian, 25 August 2019: G7: Trump’s demands for Russia’s readmission cause row in Biarritz, CNN, 25 August 2019: Macron sparks confusion after inviting Iran’s foreign minister to G7 summit, BBC, 26 August 2019: G7 summit: Iranian foreign minister attends unexpected talks, The New York Times, 25 August 2019: Rule 1 at the G7 Meeting? Don’t Get You-Know-Who Mad, BBC, 26 August 2019: Amazon fires: G7 leaders close to agreeing plan to help, says Macron, Times of Israel, 26 August 2019: G7 wrestles with Iran, Amazon fires and trade, but its own unity is shaky, Arab News, 26 August 2019: US training helps Saudi pilots avoid civilian casualties, DW, 26 August 2019: G7 summit in Biarritz winds down after three days of talks, BBC, 26 August 2019: G7 summit: Trump ‘would meet Iran’s Rouhani if circumstances right’, The Guardian, 26 August 2019: Macron says Trump-Rouhani talks could happen within weeks, Politico.com, 26 August 2019: Trump says there’s a ‘good chance’ he meets with Iran’s Rouhani, The Guardian, 26 August 2019: World leaders create their own realities at the G7 summit, The Guardian, 26 August 2019: Biarritz was an empty charade. The G7 is a relic of a bygone age, Politico.com, 26 August 2019: Relief and trepidation as Trump looks to rebrand the G7, The Guardian, 26 August 2019: Bantering blonds and cringeworthy kisses: G7 was the dinner party from deepest hell, Israel Hayom, 26 August 2019: French president hopes US, Iranian leaders will meet ‘in coming weeks’, CNN, 26 August 2019: Macron shook up the G7 with his fancy diplomatic footwork, France24, 26 June 2019: A tale of two alphas: Trump, Macron and the rocky road to rapprochement, Politico.com, 26 August 2019: ‘Sorry, it’s the way I negotiate’: Trump confounds the world at wild G-7, CNN, 27 August 2019: Trump leans into his chaotic style, Israel Hayom, 27 August 2019: Trump, Rouhani talk of possible meeting to solve nuclear impasse, The Guardian, 27 August 2019: G7 summit: last rites of old order as Trump’s theatre looms next year, Times of Israel, 27 August 2019: Bilateral eyes: Internet sizzles over Melania Trump making googly eyes at Trudeau, Politico.eu, 27 August 2019: G7 struggle to lighten darkening economic outlook, Arab News, 31 August 2019: Divide and rule: Trump’s strategy in Europe, The Guardian, 4 September 2019: US ambassador calls for less ‘invective’ in EU relationship – but exempts Trump, Politico.eu, 4 September 2019: Trump administration wants to ‘reset’ relations with EU, Arab News, 4 September 2019: Global order in danger of ending with a whimper, Politico.eu, 4 September 2019: Trump’s EU envoy wants ‘impasses’ (aka Juncker, Tusk and Mogherini) ‘to go away’, The New York Times, 4 September 2019: San Francisco Declares the N.R.A. a ‘Domestic Terrorist Organization’ (one step into the right direction, especially as the NRA’s lobbying is to a great deal responsible for significantly more deaths and injuries each year due to so-called “domestic terrorism/homegrown terrorism” than all the dead and injured by non-American terrorists combined), CNN, 7 September 2019: Pence’s disastrous trip abroad sparks wit in response, Reuters, 6 September 2019: Pentagon chief suggests European allies replace funds diverted to border wall, The Guardian, 14 September 2019: Trump’s new world disorder: competitive, chaotic, conflicted, The New York Times, 24 September 2019: Trump Celebrates Nationalism in U.N. Speech and Plays Down Iran Crisis, Reuters, 24 September 2019: Trump accuses Iran of ‘blood lust’ in U.N. speech but says there is path to peace, The Washington Post, 24 September 2019: Pelosi announces impeachment inquiry, says Trump’s courting of foreign political help is a ‘betrayal of national security’, CNN, 24 September 2019: House launches formal impeachment inquiry into Trump, BBC, 25 September 2019: Trump impeachment: Pelosi launches formal inquiry into Ukraine claims (BBC, 24 September 2019: Donald Trump: How could he be impeached?), Jerusalem Post, 25 September 2019: Jewish Democrats express support for impeachment inquiry against Trump (revenge is sweet, after Trump had called Jewish US Democrats disloyal (BBC, 21 August 2019: Trump accuses Jewish Democrat voters of ‘great disloyalty’). Now it turns out that he himself is the one who is potentially criminally disloyal to the US)), Politico.eu, 26 September 2019: Tusk hits back at Trump, Al Jazeera, 2019: How has my country voted at the UN?, Palestine Chronicle, 27 September 2019: United Nations Parade of World Leaders: A Circus Where Whip Is Wielded by Big Five, Jerusalem Post, 30 September 2019: Why the US and UK suck at making deals, The New York Times, 2 October 2019: Trump’s Assault on the State Department Must Be Stopped, CNN, 17 October 2019: Trump to host G7 at his own Florida resort property (just another presidential corruption case. What a lucky coincidence that the financially battered “Trump National Doral Miami” will now be experiencing a months-long, free and international advertising campaign to boost sales and save the facility from renewed bankruptcy), BBC, 17 October 2019: Trump golf course to host next G7 summit, The Washington Post, 17 October 2019: Trump has awarded next year’s G-7 summit of world leaders to his Miami-area resort, the White House said, The New York Times, 17 October 2019: Trump Will Host 2020 G7 Summit at His Doral Resort, Al Jazeera, 17 October 2019: Trump will host G7 summit next year at one of his own properties, The Washington Post, 18 October 2019: Trump’s decision to host G-7 at his golf club creates awkwardness for world leaders, The New York Times, 19 October 2019: After Criticism, Trump to Select New Location for G7, CNN, 20 October 2019: Trump reverses course and says his Florida resort won’t be used for G7 summit, The Guardian, 20 October 2019: Donald Trump ditches plan to host G7 at his Doral resort, blaming ‘irrational hostility’, France24, 20 October 2019: Trump drops controversial plan to host G7 summit at his Florida golf resort, Jerusalem Post, 23 October 2019: Trump’s foreign policy: We will not support any friend or oppose any foe, Reuters, 25 October 2019: U.S. bars airline flights to all Cuban airports except Havana from December 10, CNBC, 25 October 2019: Trump administration to ban US flights to all Cuban cities except Havana, USA Today, 28 October 2019: Trump administration bans US flights to all Cuban cites except Havana, Arab News, 26 October 2019: The Arab world deserves better: Here’s how, Politico.eu, 26 October 2019: How the baby boomers broke America, NPR, 26 October 2019: George Soros: Open Societies Are Under Threat, Politico.eu, 27 October 2019: Donald Trump’s failed war on terror, Politico.eu, 31 October 2019: Report urges US to repair EU ties, calls Brussels ‘nascent power’, Foreign Policy, 1 November 2019: Tired of U.S. Dependence, South Korea Seeks to Build—and Sell—Its Own Weapons, The Washington Post, 4 November 2019: In South Korea, military cost dispute and Trump’s moves in Syria fuel doubts over U.S. commitment (not only has Trump bankrupted numerous companies, but he also seems to be well on the way to doing so with the US as such, while at the same time enriching himself on the expense of the US taxpayers (Impeachment)), The Guardian, 16 November 2019: Europeans in peril as Trump and Xi prowl the world stage, CNN, 18 November 2019: Beijing tells US to stop ‘flexing muscles’ in South China Sea as it sends new carrier, Politico.eu, 18 November 2019: Diplomacy, disrupted, Politico.com, 25 November 2019: Democracies on the verge of a nervous breakdown, The Economist, 28 November 2019: The twilight of the WTO: The trading system’s referee is about to leave the field, Al Jazeera, 30 November 2019: The WTO 20 years after the ‘battle of Seattle’, The Guardian, 8 December 2019: WTO faces crisis over settlement disputes unless Trump backs off, The Diplomat, 12 December 2019: Trump’s War on the World Trade Organization, Politico.com, 19 December 2019: Congress sends spending deal to Trump, ending shutdown threat, NPR, 19 December 2019: Senate Approves $1.4 Trillion Spending Agreement Ahead of Shutdown Deadline, The National, 29 December 2019: The US is to blame for its foreign policy paralysis over the past decade, The Guardian, 30 December 2019: This was the decade the US’s self-serving myths fell apart, DW, 30 December 2019: US, China and Germany profit most from global free trade, says WTO, WTO, 1 January 2020: The WTO’s 25 years of achievement and challenges, Politico.eu, 2 January 2020: The 5 most important races for the Arctic, The Washington Post, 12 January 2020: For Trump, foreign relationships aren’t about strategy. They’re about cash., Politico.eu, 16 January 2020: Trump is not the cause of cooling EU-US ties, says Merkel, The Washington Post, 16 January 2020: ‘You’re a bunch of dopes and babies’: Inside Trump’s rant at generals (said Cadet Bone Spur), Arab News, 26 January 2020: EU must realize it cannot be everyone’s friend, Politico.eu, 28 January 2020: Europe adrift in a Trump world, The Guardian, 7 February 2020: Power is everything and progressives forget this at their peril, The Guardian, 14 February 2020: The trouble with anti-populism: why the champions of civility keep losing.

Here’s something to laugh about: On the announcement of GM in the US to lay off staff because the sales of cars in the US generally sinks, product prices (including steel from China) had noticeably increased and therefore the cost structure need to be changed, the “stable genius” Trump advised to “bring a car on the market that sells well,” so that the reduction in staff could be prevented (CNN, 27 November 2018: Trump says he was ‘very tough’ on GM’s Barra over plant closures). Amazing, what kind of “innovative ideas” national socialism can produce. On the other hand, of course, the approach itself is completely understandable, why Trump should recommend all starving people in the world to just eat more and recommend the people living in poverty to seak for well-paid jobs to solve these challenges extensively, unbureaucratically and in a timely manner.


Sources
In addition to own investigations, assessments and reviews these are: The National from Abu Dhabi (UAE). Die Presse and Kurier from Austria. NATO and Politico.eu from Belgium. Al Arabiya and Gulf News from Dubai (UAE). Arte and France24 from France. Bertelsmann Stiftung, Bundesagentur für Arbeit, Bundeskriminalamt, Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung, Cicero, Der Spiegel, Deutsche Welle (DW), Die Welt, Die Zeit, Focus, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Frankfurter Rundschau, Handelsblatt, 3sat (Germany, Austria, Switzerland), heute-journal, International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), Jetzt.de, Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS), n-tv, Statista.com, Süddeutsche Zeitung, Tagesschau and The European from Germany. The Irish Times from Ireland. Haaretz, Israel Hayom, i24 News, The Jerusalem Post and The Times of Israel from Israel. Palestine Chronicle and The Palestine Telegraph from Palestine. Al Jazeeera and Gulf Times from Qatar. Arab News and Saudi Gazette from Saudi Arabia. BBC, Middle East Eye, Reuters, The Guardian and The Telegraph from the United Kingdom. Al-Monitor, Bloomberg, CNN, Council on Foreign Relations, Financial Times, NBC News, NPR, PBS, Politico.com, The Atlantic, The Huffington Post, The New York Times, The Washington Post and USA Today from the United States of America and other sources linked in the text. The linked articles and contributions reflect the views, opinions and analyzes of the respective editorial offices, authors and journalists.

This contribution is sporadically supplemented and extended.

Read more on Center for European Integration Studies, VOLT Europa, United Europe, Pulse of Europe and Promoting our European way of life.


Overview EU series:

White_Paper_on_the_future_of_Europe

47244656633_en




Recommended posts:

Share this post: (Please note data protection regulations before using buttons)

El Alamein in Egypt

El Alamein in Egypt

[caption id="attachment_236602" align="aligncenter" width="590"] © Haddara/cc-by-3.0[/caption][responsivevoice_button voice="UK English Female" buttontext="Listen to this Post"]El Alamein (lit. the two flags) is a town in the northern Matrouh Governorate of Egypt. Located on the Arab's Gulf, Mediterranean Sea, it lies 106 kilometres (66 mi) west of Alexandria and 300 kilometres (186 mi) northwest of Cairo. As of 2007, it had a population of 7,397 inhabitants. The town is located on the site of the ancient city Antiphrai (Greek: Ἀντίφραι). [gallery size="large" gss="1" ids="2...

[ read more ]

The hostel Af Chapman

The hostel Af Chapman

[caption id="attachment_151985" align="aligncenter" width="590"] © Holger.Ellgaard/cc-by-sa-3.0[/caption][responsivevoice_button voice="UK English Female" buttontext="Listen to this Post"]The af Chapman, formerly the Dunboyne (1888–1915) and the G.D. Kennedy (−1923), is a full-rigged steel ship moored on the western shore of the islet Skeppsholmen in central Stockholm, Sweden, now serving as a youth hostel. The ship was constructed by the Whitehaven Shipbuilding Company, located in Whitehaven, Cumberland (present-day Cumbria), and launched in February 1888. It was originally known...

[ read more ]

Theme Week Venice - La Dolce Vita

Theme Week Venice - La Dolce Vita

[caption id="attachment_146341" align="aligncenter" width="590"] © venedig.com[/caption][responsivevoice_button voice="UK English Female" buttontext="Listen to this Post"]What looks like a somewhat bizarre fashion show is actually the Carnevale di Venezia with its over 900 years old history. Today however, is almost exclusively only for the entertainment of the countless tourists from all over the world and takes place in the historic city centre. [caption id="attachment_146342" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Porta Magna Arsenale © Svartkell[/caption]Venice, the once richest city i...

[ read more ]

Theme Week Dresden - The Zwinger

Theme Week Dresden - The Zwinger

[caption id="attachment_6355" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Dresdner Zwinger © der-dresdner-zwinger.de[/caption][responsivevoice_button voice="UK English Female" buttontext="Listen to this Post"]The Zwinger (Der Dresdner Zwinger) is a palace in Dresden built in Rococo style and designed by court architect Matthäus Daniel Pöppelmann. It served as the orangery, exhibition gallery and festival arena of the Dresden Court. The location was formerly part of the Dresden fortress of which the outer wall is conserved. The name derives from the German word Zwinger (outer ward of a concentric castl...

[ read more ]

Theme Week Argentina - Córdoba

Theme Week Argentina - Córdoba

[caption id="attachment_163469" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Teatro del Libertador © Nicolás Riofrio/cc-by-sa-3.0[/caption][responsivevoice_button voice="UK English Female" buttontext="Listen to this Post"]Córdoba is a city located in the geographical center of Argentina, in the foothills of the Sierras Chicas on the Suquía River, about 700 km (435 mi) northwest of the Buenos Aires. It is the capital of Córdoba Province and the second most populous city in Argentina after Buenos Aires, with about 1.3 million inhabitants. It was founded on 6 July 1573 by Jerónimo Luis de Cabrera, who ...

[ read more ]

Theme Week Moldova - Soroca

Theme Week Moldova - Soroca

[caption id="attachment_215125" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Soroca Fort © Photobank MD[/caption][responsivevoice_button voice="UK English Female" buttontext="Listen to this Post"]Soroca is a city and municipality in Moldova, situated on the Dniester river about 160 km north of Chișinău. It is the administrative center of the Soroca District. Soroca had an estimated 37,500 inhabitants. The city has a sizable Romani (Gypsy) minority and is popularly known as the "Romani capital of Moldova." The locality was greatly extended in the 19th century, during a period of relative prosper...

[ read more ]

Clearwater Beach in Florida

Clearwater Beach in Florida

[caption id="attachment_168994" align="aligncenter" width="590"] © Shannon Leigh Sandusky/cc-by-sa-3.0[/caption][responsivevoice_button voice="UK English Female" buttontext="Listen to this Post"]Clearwater Beach includes a resort area and a residential area on the Gulf of Mexico in Pinellas County on the west central coast of Florida. Located just west over the Intracoastal Waterway by way of the Clearwater Memorial Causeway from the city of Clearwater, of which it is part. Clearwater Beach is characterized by white sand beaches stretching for 2.5 miles (4 km) along the Gulf and sits on a bar...

[ read more ]

Theme Week Uzbekistan - Samarkand

Theme Week Uzbekistan - Samarkand

[caption id="attachment_208700" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Registan Square © Ekrem Canli/cc-by-sa-3.0[/caption][responsivevoice_button voice="UK English Female" buttontext="Listen to this Post"]Samarkand, alternatively Samarqand, is a city in south-eastern Uzbekistan and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Central Asia. There is evidence of human activity in the area of the city from the late Paleolithic era, though there is no direct evidence of when Samarkand was founded; some theories propose that it was founded between the 8th and 7th centuries B.C. Prospering from it...

[ read more ]

The DFB Hotel in Brazil

The DFB Hotel in Brazil

[caption id="attachment_153881" align="aligncenter" width="590"] © CampoBahia.de[/caption][responsivevoice_button voice="UK English Female" buttontext="Listen to this Post"]With its newly created sport and nature resort, campo bahia is a unique and sustainable joint Brazilian and German project of the future. campo bahia in Bahia, Brazil is starting its unique sport and nature resort in 2014 as a joint German and Brazilian project of the future, which has been confirmed by the German Football Association as the training camp for the German national team during its stay for the FIFA World Cup ...

[ read more ]

Île de la Cité

Île de la Cité

[caption id="attachment_163538" align="aligncenter" width="590"] © GuidoR/cc-by-sa-3.0[/caption][responsivevoice_button voice="UK English Female" buttontext="Listen to this Post"]The Île de la Cité is one of two remaining natural islands in the Seine within the city of Paris (the other being the Île Saint-Louis). It is the centre of Paris and the location where the medieval city was refounded. The western end has held a palace since Merovingian times, and its eastern end since the same period has been consecrated to religion, especially after the 10th-century construction of a cathedral pr...

[ read more ]

Return to TopReturn to Top
Sailing yacht and Marco Polo in Tallinn Bay © Pjotr Mahhonin/cc-by-sa-4.0
The Marco Polo

MS Marco Polo is a cruise ship owned by the Global Maritime Group under charter to UK-based Cruise & Maritime...

© flickr.com - Anthony Quintano/cc-by-2.0
One57 in New York

One57, formerly known as Carnegie 57 and nicknamed "The Billionaire Building", is a 75-story (marketed as 90-story) supertall skyscraper at...

© flickr.com - Alistair/cc-by-sa-2.0
Theme Week East Jerusalem – The American Colony Hotel

The American Colony Hotel is a luxury hotel located in a historic building in East Jerusalem which previously housed the...

Schließen