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Bardella poised to run for French Presidency in 2027 if Le Pen is barred

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Church of Norway sees surge in membership, driven by young families and a sense of community

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Border security: MEPs approve gradual roll-out of Entry-Exit System

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EU to name seven ‘safe’ countries for asylum returns

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The European Commission plans to classify Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, India, Kosovo, Morocco, and Tunisia as "safe third countries of origin,"...
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Belgian army launches cybersecurity hub in Bruges

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MEPs and Ukrainian lawmakers reaffirm commitment to shared European future

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EU to tighten rules on foreign investment screening

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MEPs head to Washington DC to strengthen transatlantic relations

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European Parliament condemns human rights violations in Cameroon, Iran, and Belarus

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Remembering Bucha: justice Is the foundation of true peace

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Bardella poised to run for French Presidency in 2027 if Le Pen is barred

Bardella poised to run for French Presidency in 2027 if Le Pen is barred Bardella poised to run for French Presidency in 2027 if Le Pen is barred
  Jordan Bardella, president of France’s far-right National Rally party, has announced he plans to run for president in 2027 if Marine...
Read More...

Church of Norway sees surge in membership, driven by young families and a sense of community

Church of Norway sees surge in membership, driven by young families and a sense of community Church of Norway sees surge in membership, driven by young families and a sense of community
After years of declining numbers, the Church of Norway is experiencing a surprising revival. Membership is on the rise, especially among young...
Read More...

Border security: MEPs approve gradual roll-out of Entry-Exit System

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  The European Parliament’s Civil Liberties Committee has given the green light to gradually roll out the new Entry-Exit System (EES)...
Read More...

EU to name seven ‘safe’ countries for asylum returns

EU to name seven ‘safe’ countries for asylum returns EU to name seven ‘safe’ countries for asylum returns
The European Commission plans to classify Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, India, Kosovo, Morocco, and Tunisia as "safe third countries of origin,"...
Read More...

Belgian army launches cybersecurity hub in Bruges

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  The Belgian army is expanding its cyber capabilities with a new cybersecurity department in Bruges, located on the campus of Howest University...
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MEPs and Ukrainian lawmakers reaffirm commitment to shared European future

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  In a virtual meeting on Tuesday, senior members of the European Parliament and Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada reiterated their strong support...
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EU to tighten rules on foreign investment screening

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  The European Parliament’s International Trade Committee has approved updated rules to strengthen the EU’s approach to screening foreign...
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MEPs head to Washington DC to strengthen transatlantic relations

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A delegation from the European Parliament is set to visit Washington DC from Wednesday to Friday for high-level discussions with members of...
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European Parliament condemns human rights violations in Cameroon, Iran, and Belarus

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Read More...

Remembering Bucha: justice Is the foundation of true peace

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At an event in Kyiv marking the third anniversary of Bucha’s liberation, European Parliament Vice-President Martin Hojsík stressed the urgent...
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In response to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the European Commission is proposing to extend sanctions to include diamonds, marking the 12th round of measures

against Moscow. Russia, the largest producer of rough diamonds globally, is facing potential restrictions on its diamond exports to the European Union (EU). The proposed ban is set to take effect in January as part of the ongoing efforts to hold Russia accountable for its actions.

While EU sanctions since 2022 have covered various sectors such as coal, gas, gold, vodka, and caviar, diamonds mined in Russia have thus far escaped restrictions. The proposed measure aims to address this gap and bring diamonds under the umbrella of sanctions.

Antwerp, the world's diamond capital, has been a key player in the global diamond trade, handling over 80% of all rough diamonds globally. The city, historically known for its diamond industry since the 15th century, has been a significant hub for trade. However, Russia's contribution, accounting for one in four diamonds traded in Antwerp before the war, is now under scrutiny.

Belgium has been reluctant to impose a ban on Russian diamonds to protect its diamond industry. The proposed ban would impact the import of Russian diamonds, leading to increased expenses and potential cost hikes for consumers. Some diamond dealers in Antwerp have already faced pressure from their business partners to halt supplies from Russia.

Russian diamonds have been criticized on ethical grounds, with over 90% of them produced by Alrosa, a company mostly owned by Russian government entities. The US had previously imposed a ban on imports of rough diamonds from Russia and sanctioned Alrosa in April 2023. Critics argue that buying Russian diamonds directly contributes to financing the war in Ukraine, leading to calls for them to be considered conflict diamonds, akin to "blood diamonds."

The EU's final decision on the proposed ban will be made by its 27 member states in the coming weeks. However, enforcing a ban on Russian diamonds poses challenges due to the lack of transparency in the diamond trade. Diamonds often change hands numerous times between mine and market, making it difficult to trace their origin.

While the ban may lead to fewer purchases of jewelry funding the Kremlin's war in Ukraine, closing major loopholes, especially in the diamond supply chain, is crucial for its effectiveness. The involvement of major players like India, where much of the world's diamonds are cut and polished, will play a significant role in the success of the proposed ban. Photo by James St. John, Wikimedia commons.

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