M. Šimečka: Fico Risks Isolating Slovakia by Threatening to Block EU Conclusions

Flanders (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Less than one-third of new childcare spots promised in Flanders have actually materialized. Up to 2,000 out of the over 6,000 new childcare spots promised in Flanders since the beginning of the present legislative mandate have actually been put in place.

How many new childcare places have actually been activated?
Why is Flanders struggling to expand chil

The decision delays Spain’s nuclear phase-out and reopens questions over energy security, waste and transition planning
Spain has granted both reactors at the Almaraz nuclear power plant permission to operate until 8 June 2030, shifting closure dates originally set for 2027 and 2028. This extension provides the electricity system with more low-carbon power amidst international energy uncertainty

The call comes at a crucial time. Latvia, a strong advocate for Ukraine, has significantly boosted its defense expenditure following Russia’s full-scale invasion, despite the detrimental impact on its eastward economic ties. However, ahead of the national election on October 3, parties suggesting that Riga should seek more returns for its sanctions and military assistance are gaining momentu

Bangkok, Thailand, 17 August (Brussles Morning Newspaper) The Thailand gun crackdown is putting growing pressure on firearms dealers in Bangkok’s historic gun district, where traders say restrictions on legal sales risk hurting established businesses without addressing the country’s large illicit weapons market.
The government has moved to tighten controls after a series of deadly shootings, inc

For years, the number 37 trillion cells was widely accepted in popular science. This estimate originated from a 2013 study where scientists initially counted cell types in the human body.
A large-scale study in the journal PNAS challenged this, analyzing over 1,500 scientific publications to determine the cell mass for people of various sexes, ages, and weights:

Adult man (70 kg): approximately

The British embassy in Washington expressed significant concern to the White House regarding an incident, according to two officials who spoke under anonymity due to national security matters.
Within the U.K. government, there was apprehension that Wiles’ phone might have been hacked once more. The White House chose not to comment.
Previously, the White House and the FBI initiated an investi

Cairo, Egypt, 16 August (Brussles Morning Newspaper) Donald Trump’s envoys have joined a fresh round of high-level talks in Egypt aimed at breaking the deadlock over the Gaza peace plan, bringing US representatives together with Egyptian, Qatari and Turkish mediators as the future of the ceasefire hangs on unresolved demands from Israel and Hamas.
Jared Kushner and former UN Middle East envoy Ni

For some time, I have monitored the work of Argentine Prosecutor Fernando Arrigo, whose actions in several high-profile cases have sparked concerns among human rights observers. I first encountered his name in the prosecution of Russian spiritual teacher Konstantin Rudnev, a case noted for procedural anomalies, questionable evidence practices, and an unusual emphasis on depicting a dissident as a

Dhaka, 16 August (Eurotoday Newspaper) Bangladesh has put fresh conditions around Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s proposed visit to India, saying the diplomatic atmosphere must improve as Dhaka waits for New Delhi to act on requests to extradite former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and other fugitives. The intervention leaves Bangladesh India relations at a delicate point despite weeks of contact

Moritz Oppelt, the CDU justice minister of Baden-Württemberg, argued that the law should protect local politicians who often face severe criticism.
“Top politicians must endure tough criticism,” he stated. “In our democracy, it is essential to freely discuss and harshly criticize political decisions at both federal and state levels. Insults in politics shouldn’t be normalized, but there are