Europe

While a Huawei network might work very well on a day-to-day basis, Pantucci said, the fear is that in a confrontation with China, "a computer gets turned on and all the data gets transferred to Shanghai -- or someone is able to get in and shut off a power system." That's just the system itself. Once built, it will need to be maintained, which Pantucci says could see Chinese staff being sent over to work in Europe: "Some of them could very well be doing their jobs. But others could be doing something else." … [Read more...] about China is a massive headache for Europe

"It might be because we set up the tests in a very short time making us capable to identify them," the minister told reporters. "What matters is to contain the fire as fast as possible, that's why we need to know the patient's history, find the people that patient was in contact with, to meet them, speak to them and give them the instructions to first of all stay at home and avoid any contact." … [Read more...] about French health officials confirm three cases of Wuhan coronavirus, the first in Europe

"Erdogan consistently says Turkey cannot take any more people," said international relations professor Huseyin Bagci of Ankara's Middle East Technical University. "There is a real fear, by the Turkish side, that from Idlib, a huge wave of refugees can become a reality."  … [Read more...] about Ankara Warns of EU Migrant Deal Ahead of German Chancellor’s Visit

Reports earlier in the week claim that Prime Minister Boris Johnson has approved plans to fast-track a U.S. trade deal as leverage when dealing with the EU, with a government source giving an example, saying: “If we can do a deal on beef with the US, that is beef we don’t need to buy from Ireland, which means we have some leverage with the EU.” … [Read more...] about EU Draws up List of British Financial Industries to Punish

So far, the E.U. has shown itself completely powerless to stop Orbán’s assault on democratic institutions. The European Commission is suing Hungary in the European Court of Justice over the higher education law passed last year, but the damage of that law is already done, and if it is overturned, Orbán’s party will simply find another excuse to keep CEU out. In September, the European Parliament voted to censure Hungary under Article 7 of the Treaty on European Union, which allows the union to revoke certain rights from a member state in breach of its core principles. That could lead to punitive measures including the suspension of Hungary’s voting rights, but Poland would probably veto such a move. … [Read more...] about Hungary’s Eviction of Soros-Backed University Is Another Win for Europe’s Far Right