News

Facial scan should make repatriation of illegal immigrants easier

31 May 2017
Facial scan should make repatriation of illegal immigrants easier

In order to be able to identify illegal migrants more easily, the European Parliament wants to make structural improvements in the operation of Eurodac. This database already contains names, ID card numbers and fingerprints of asylum seekers. “Now it will be possible to store facial scans as well,” …

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Europe investing too little in security and too much in Turkey

31 May 2017
Europe investing too little in security and too much in Turkey

In its draft budget for 2018, the European Union is planning to spend more than EUR 160 billion for the first time ever: a historical record. “While all Member States have to make do with less, for the EU it is still a story of more, more, more. I am mystified as to how that will strengthen support …

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Europe opts for crude free Wi-Fi policy costing EUR 120 million

30 May 2017
Europe opts for crude free Wi-Fi policy costing EUR 120 million

As from September, the European Union will be offering free Wi-Fi in 6,000 to 8,000 municipalities. The European Parliament and Council have reached an agreement in this regard. MEP Anneleen Van Bossuyt, who is following up this dossier on behalf of the ECR group, finds it inexplicable that this …

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EU research funds not to be distributed on a geographic basis

30 May 2017
EU research funds not to be distributed on a geographic basis

The European Parliament wants European research funds to be distributed based on excellence and impact, and not on geography. This can be read in a report approved in the Industry, Research and Energy Committee. It contains a series of recommendations for an enhanced operation of Horizon 2020, the …

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Extra powers for private security firms

29 May 2017
Extra powers for private security firms

At the initiative of Minister of the Interior Jan Jambon, the powers of private security firms have now been widened. “In this way our police services are less burdened and they can concentrate on their core tasks better,” the Minister explains. Specifically, a complete overhaul is taking place of …

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High profile forum on LGBT rights in Brussels

19 May 2017
High profile forum on LGBT rights in Brussels

It’s no coincidence that Brussels provided the backdrop for the fifth edition of the European IDAHOT forum in the week during which the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia & Biphobia takes place. During this international conference on LGBT rights, a host of politicians, academics and …

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