⊂ EUROPE ⊃
Poll shows majority of Britons want to remain in the EU: A poll conducted by the BMG Research group for British newspaper „The Independent“ shows that 10 percent more Britons want to remain in the European Union. Of the respondents, 51 percent backed „remain,“ while 41 percent voted „leave.“ Prime Minister Theresa May said on Sunday she would not be derailed from leaving the EU, laying the groundwork for difficult meetings this week in which she will try to unite a divided cabinet behind her vision for post-Brexit Britain.
dw.com, reuters.com
Vestager to investigate Ikea’s taxes: EU Commissioner for Competition Margrethe Vestager is poised to open a formal probe into the tax affairs of Ikea, according to sources familiar with the investigation. The inquiry into the company could come early this week and would be the latest in a series of cases that have targeted aggressive tax avoidance by multinationals. The inquiry is expected to focus on rulings issued to the company by the Netherlands that allegedly allowed the company to cycle profits through the EU.
politico.eu
European far-right parties against EU: Leaders of Europe’s far-right parties gathered in Prague to discuss their views and unify their stance on immigration and other issues. France’s National Front leader Marine le Pen and Geert Wilders of the Dutch Party for Freedom met in the Czech capital as part of the nationalist Europe of Nations and Freedom coalition. They attacked the EU for its migrant policies, accused its leader of trying to create a super state run by Brussels and praised US President Donald Trump’s approach to migration.
euronews.com, cbsnews.com
-Advertisement-
Lions Club Brussels-Charlemagne: Do good and gain good. – The 8th edition is led by the slogan “Children are our future”. All raised funds will be used to support a private shelter named “Arbre de vie” and the “Action Medeor”, an initiative to prevent and treat malaria in two hospitals in the Republic of Congo. Amazing prizes worth around 12.800 Euro and tickets from the oldest non-profit lottery “Deutsche Fernsehlotterie” are hidden behind the windows. With a little luck you can profit on the 24th from an additional raffle or become a millionaire in 2018. Order here projects@lions-charlemagne.be – www.lions-charlemagne.be
Mueller obtains Trump transition emails: Special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian contacts with US President Donald Trump’s campaign has gained access to thousands of emails sent and received by Trump officials before the start of his administration. Many of the emails include national security discussions about possible Trump international aims as well as candid assessments of candidates for top government posts, according to reports. Information provided by the CIA helped Russian security services foil an attack on St Petersburg’s Kazan cathedral, US and Russian leaders say.
time.com (Mueller), bbc.com (CIA)
Australian tried to sell missile parts for North Korea: The federal police said Sunday that they had arrested an Australian man who was charged with acting as an economic agent for North Korea by trying to help the isolated country sell its missile parts and other military technology abroad. The police accused the man of violating both United Nations sanctions and Australian law by attempting to conduct trade deals on behalf of North Korea — the first time such charges have been filed in Australia.
nytimes.com
⊂ QUOTES ⊃
„Hatred towards Jews must never be allowed to take hold again in Germany.“
German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere said in an interview that he supports creating the position of anti-Semitism commissioner in the next German government.
dw.com
⊂ COUNTRIES ⊃
Protests in Romania: Around 2,000 people have marched in Bucharest to protest new laws that critics allege will put the justice system under political control. Campaigners – comprising 70 different groups, some from the Romanian diaspora elsewhere in Europe – have written an open letter to MEPs, the EU Commission and the European Council.
euronews.com
Spain’s PM pushes for return to normality in Catalonia: In the final campaign days before Catalonia’s regional election, Spain’s prime minister has urged voters to restore normality. Mariano Rajoy called for an end to an economically-damaging independence drive. He made the appeal at a rally in Tarragona, in support of his Popular Party candidate. The push for secession from Spain has divided both the region and the country, led to a business exodus and put Spain’s economic prospects in jeopardy.
euronews.com
German anti-Semitism commissioner idea backed by Interior Minister: Acting Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere said in an interview with German newspaper „Bild am Sonntag“ that he supports creating the position of anti-Semitism commissioner in the next German government. He also expressed his concern over the increase in anti-Semitic agitation in Germany. Meanwhile, the number of new asylum seekers arriving in Germany is expected to be lower than the maximum intake of 200,000 being pushed by some corners of the Bundestag.
dw.com
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shoepassion.com
New Austrian government pledges pro-EU approach: The new Austrian government led by a conservative and a nationalist party is pledging to tighten the country’s asylum and immigration regulations while maintaining a firm commitment to the EU. Under the deal reached late Friday night, Sebastian Kurz, head of the Austrian People’s Party, will become chancellor, which will make him Europe’s youngest leader when he is sworn in on Monday.
washingtonpost.com
Ukraine protesters seek Poroshenko’s removal: Supporters of Ukraine opposition politician Mikheil Saakashvili clashed with police in the capital Kiev in a protest to demand that parliament initiate impeachment of President Petro Poroshenko. Ukraine may deport Saakashvili to Georgia, Prosecutor General Yuriy Lutsenko told reporters on Friday. He was released after being detained for crossing the country’s border in a move that Ukraine’s authorities called illegitimate.
bloomberg.com
Germany: Christmas market terrorist Anis Amri may have been used as lure dw.com
Turkey: Detained German Mesale Tolu to appear in Istanbul court dw.com
⊂ JOB-BOARD ⊃
politjobs.eu: Bitkom sucht Referent europäische Digitalpolitik (w/m) *** Int. Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory seeks Innovation Project Manager *** Int. Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory seeks Project Assistant for EU Funded Projects *** PwC seeks Public Affairs Senior Manager Belgium *** Johnson & Johnson seeks Policy Assistant, Government Affairs & Policy EMEA *** Public Policy Manager, Connectivity *** Ryanair offers Public Affairs internship
politjobs.eu, politjobs.eu/submit (Inserat schalten)
⊂ MALFUNCTION ⊃
Pentagon’s secret investigation into UFOs: A secret Pentagon programme existed for at least three years and spent more than 20 million dollars in research on UFOs, according to multiple media reports. The programme produced documents describing sightings of unidentified flying objects that reportedly moved very fast with no clear sign of propulsion or hovered with no readily apparent means of lift. The „Times“ reported that alongside their regular work, Pentagon officials were still examining incidents reported by members of the US military.
npr.org, dw.com