Europe

Over the last few months I have made many recommendations, as a rapporteur for the European Parliament on the prevention of radicalisation. Some of these should be implemented immediately to strengthen security. And the EU is the right level at which to act, since the threat we face is as common to the member states as it is mobile. You just have to look at where the so-called “foreign fighters” come from to understand that this is a Europe-wide issue: 1,200 from France, 600 from Germany, 440 from Belgium, 250 from the Netherlands. … [Read more...] about Europe must tighten its borders, and France must face its demons

But again, let us retain a sense of proportion: Molenbeek has more than 100,000 inhabitants, 40,000 of whom are of Moroccan provenance. The population is young, but has a very high unemployment rate (some 40%). It means that there are thousands of Molenbeek residents of Moroccan provenance under 30 years of age and without jobs. Militant Salafism may have a huge impact on some of these young people, who, after a process of radicalisation, may later be persuaded to turn their own demise into a “heroic” death. It makes them, at least once in their life, heroes in the eyes of their comrades and in the eyes of Allah. … [Read more...] about Is Molenbeek Europe’s jihadi central? It’s not that simple

On Tuesday, the number of cases in the country passed 44,000, while almost 2,900 people have died. The Iranian government warned the epidemic could run for several more months and cost over 10,000 lives. Tehran's struggle to bring the virus' spread under control has been made more difficult by the US sanctions. … [Read more...] about Europe and Iran complete first INSTEX deal dodging US sanctions

A casual glance at the headlines would certainly suggest a stumbling China is the main challenge for the global economy right now. Apple has blamed slowing sales of the iPhone in that country for weakening sales. So have companies such as the chip-makers Nvidia and Intel, the equipment manufacturer Caterpillar, and the industrial conglomerate 3M. … [Read more...] about Don’t blame China – this global economic slowdown is made in Europe

Towards the end of the show the office-appropriate pieces, in grey, camel and black, were remade in tulle or embellished with crystals. Vivid coloured tights - grass green, sky blue and yolk yellow - peeked out as models strode forward. The final looks were silken suits decorated with graphic floral prints. The impression was of an army of corporate drones whose fabulous inner selves were bursting to reveal themselves. … [Read more...] about Prada rips up rulebook for pleated midi skirts in Milan