Heiner Enterich erhält zum 2. Mal die Auszeichnung „Schlummer Atlas-TOP50“ in der Kategorie „Abroad“

Schlummer Atlas-Award TOP50 – eine Auszeichnung für im Ausland tätige Hoteliéren und Hoteliers für herausragende Leistungen im Gastgewerbe

Presidential elections in Lithuania

Great support for the incumbent president Gitanas Nausėda

The renewed victory of incumbent President Nausėda came as no surprise: Nausėda received the highest level of support in the history of presidential elections to date. There were two established politicians in the run-off, both of whom achieved their goal: Šimonytė managed to reach the run-off round, and Nausėda improved on his result. In addition to the established candidates, several newcomers also took to the political stage in the elections, while the results of the openly pro-Russian candidates shook up the country. Given the upcoming parliamentary elections, the result should not be overestimated, but initial conclusions can still be drawn about the mood of the population.

Italian refugee reception centre in Albania

Planned opening of the first extraterritorial refugee camp in an EU country

The increasing migratory pressure on Europe is shaping the current discourse. Italy, which is experiencing a significant change in its migration policy under the leadership of the movement led by Giorgia Meloni, is particularly prominent. At the same time, Albania is positioning itself as a reliable partner on the path to EU membership. In light of these developments, innovative solutions are being sought. One notable example is the planned opening of the first extraterritorial refugee camp in an EU country: an Italian camp on Albanian soil, which is triggering both ethical and political discussions.

Are tariffs of all things the salvation of free trade?

We can talk about selective tariffs – but not about protective tariffs

Free world trade is being jeopardised by subsidies. The right response to this is not new subsidies, but selective tariffs in rare exceptional cases: Behind concerns about the effects of economic dependencies, the benefits of open world trade are increasingly being eclipsed. There may be situations in which trade policy dependencies – for example in the case of rare earths – can be mitigated by state intervention. Subsidies to build up own production capacities are significantly less efficient, more expensive and undermine the market principle.

Ghana's parliament passes anti-LGBTQ+ law

After more than 2½ years of deliberation, Ghana's parliament voted in favor of a new anti-LGBTQ+ law, dramatically worsening the situation for homosexuals and sexual minorities.

On January 31, 2021, supporters of the LGBTQ+ community opened an office in Ghana's capital Accra. The office was intended to be both a meeting place and a retreat. The opening, which was accompanied by media attention and a number of foreign ambassadors, quickly attracted a great deal of attention in Ghanaian society. The fierce criticism that followed not only led to the rapid closure of the center, but also to the introduction of a radical anti-LGBTQ+ bill in parliament. It was signed by eight MPs: seven from the opposition NDC (National Democratic Congress) and one from the ruling NPP (National Patriotic Party). Hon. Samuel Nartey George (NDC), who was a close advisor to former President John Mahama before his election as a Member of Parliament, is regarded as the initiator and main proponent of the bill. He classifies homosexuality as a "perversion" that must be severely punished.

The business of poverty migration in Niger

A challenge for Europe too?

The European Union is expanding cooperations with Mediterranean countries from Tunisia to Egypt and Lebanon in a bid to stop boat departures from migrants. But pressure is building up in the Sahel since Niger’s military government re-opened the land route for Migrants to Liba and Algeria. Niger had banned in 2015 under pressure from the EU any help to migrants north of the smuggler hub of Agadez, effectively closing the route. Now with strained relations with the EU since a military coup in July 2023, Niamey has decided to legalize cross-border traffic again. More than 160,000 migrants have left Agadez for Libya and Algeria in the January-April period, UN estimates show. Most migrants are workers from Niger seeking only seasonal employment in Libya but others such as Nigerians will be trying to reach Italy via Libya.

Added value through immersive technologies

Application scenarios for XR technologies in business and society

Extended reality can create added value. The use of immersive technologies can reduce the consumption of resources, increase efficiency and enhance visualisation in a wide range of usage contexts. Our publication shows how this is already happening in industry, education, urban planning, healthcare and culture. In order for Germany to develop and utilise XR technologies, access to virtual environments must be facilitated, skills must be developed and access to the relevant data must be promoted.

European assistance for crisis-ridden Lebanon

Lebanese and international criticism of the EU's new aid package is exaggerated

The EU's new support program for Lebanon expands on its previous commitment to the cedar state. In addition to supporting the provision of basic services (health, education, etc.) for people in need, the EU also wants to focus more on security and migration management. Since the agreement was widely portrayed in Europe and Lebanon as a kind of “refugee deal” to keep migrations away from European shores, the offer was met with rejection in Lebanon's heated domestic political climate. The country considers itself overwhelmed by the presence of 1.5 million Syrian refugees. If the program is implemented properly, it can help Lebanon deal with its economic and social problems and contributes to the strengthening of the Lebanese Armed Forces, one of the few still functioning governmental institutions.

Political polarization characterizes Belgium ahead of the elections

Wahlkampf im Lichte der EU-Ratspräsidentschaft

Am 9. Juni 2024 wird in Belgien gewählt – und zwar auf drei Ebenen: europäisch, national und regional[1]. Vor dem Hintergrund der im Juni endenden belgischen EU-Ratspräsidentschaft stellt sich die Frage, wo das Land einen Monat vor diesem Wahlmarathon steht. Aktuelle Umfragen deuten auf eine Polarisierung der Wählerschaft hin, die Prognosen für eine Regierungsbildung erschweren.

Change of leadership in Singapore

Lawrence Wong takes over as Prime Minister from Lee Hsieng Loong

On May 15, former Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong (51) will take over the reins of government in the island republic of Singapore. He succeeds Lee Hsieng Loong (72), who has led the city state since 2004, as only the fourth head of government in the country's almost sixty-year history since its founding in 1965. The handover of office has been prepared for a long time. Lee had already announced his intention to step down as Prime Minister in 2022. On 5 November last year, he made it clear that he would hand over his office to his deputy Lawrence Wong in November 2024 at the latest. In mid-April, the surprising announcement was made that Wong would be sworn in as the new prime minister on 15 May. The handover of office to Lawrence Wong, who is twenty years younger, marks the start of a generational change. Lee Hsieng Loong, the eldest son of state founder Lee Kuan Yew, is retiring from the front row of politics. Lee will nevertheless remain in the government cabinet in an advisory capacity as Senior Minister.