Subject: The Brief: A Space Oddity
From: EurActiv <[email-masked]>
To: [email-masked]
Date: Thu, 23 Feb 2017 16:23:34 +0000

The Brief: A Space Oddity      subscribe <http://brief.euractiv.eu/> | 
view in browser <http://eurac.tv/6K5n?sid=33541> | unsubscribe
<http://brief.euractiv.eu/?subscribe_action=unsubscribe&email=atourret%40assemblee-nationale.fr&unsubscribe_token=QuUp%40IYgg6LY>

    <http://eurac.tv/6K2j?sid=33541>    Today's EU policy news,
23.02.2017, 5PM

       = A Space Oddity =

      === By James Crisp ===

 The European Commission served up a  Space Oddity
<http://eurac.tv/6K2k?sid=33541> at today’s  midday press briefing
<http://eurac.tv/6K2l?sid=33541>.

 Like everyone else, it was surprised by NASA’s announcement of the
discovery of seven planets outside of our solar system.

 There may not be  Life on Mars <http://eurac.tv/6K2m?sid=33541> but these
exoplanets are earth-sized and could support living beings. This is not
some  Moonage Daydream <http://eurac.tv/6K2n?sid=33541>, it is reality.

 Who knows? In the next  Five Years <http://eurac.tv/6K2o?sid=33541>, we
could be saying  Hallo Spaceboy <http://eurac.tv/6K2p?sid=33541> or even 
Loving the Alien <http://eurac.tv/6K2q?sid=33541>. Unless they turn out to
be  Scary Monsters <http://eurac.tv/6K2r?sid=33541>.

 Unfortunately, it appeared that Ground Control at NASA  forgot to mention
<http://eurac.tv/6K2s?sid=33541> that the EU provided €1.9 million in
funding to the project.

  Little Wonder <http://eurac.tv/6K2t?sid=33541> then that the Commission
was scrambling to snare some of the  Ziggy Stardust
<http://eurac.tv/6K2u?sid=33541> from the amazing discovery.

  Under Pressure <http://eurac.tv/6K3f?sid=33541> from a neatly barbed
question, chief spokesman Margaritis Schinas conceded that the EU
communications effort had been made to look like  Absolute Beginners
<http://eurac.tv/6K2v?sid=33541>.

 “I agree with you entirely. I am taking advantage of the fact that NASA
is asleep now to advance this [Europe’s role],” he joked, suggesting
things were  Hunky Dory. <http://eurac.tv/6K4f?sid=33541>

 But you know who the real  Heroes <http://eurac.tv/6K2w?sid=33541> of this
story are? Belgians.

 It may stick in the craw of the Belgium Bashers, who live in and loathe
Brussels, but  it was Belgians <http://eurac.tv/6K3D?sid=33541> who led the
research and deserve the  Fame <http://eurac.tv/6K2x?sid=33541>.

 Bashers, next time you think of whining about metro escalators that don't
work or post office opening hours ask yourself – have I discovered seven
new planets or even looked  Across the Universe
<http://eurac.tv/6K2y?sid=33541>?

 The true  Starman <http://eurac.tv/6K2z?sid=33541> of the story is
University of Liege astrophysist Michaël Gillon. Not least for naming the
exoplanet system TRAPPIST-1 and proving that space really is the final
front-beer.

 **With sincere apologies to  David Bowie
<http://eurac.tv/6K2A?sid=33541>.*

      == The Roundup ==

 French presidential candidate Emmanuel Macron might have bagged himself a
crucial ally <http://eurac.tv/6K2B?sid=33541> yesterday but rival Benoît
Hamon was unable to do the same <http://eurac.tv/6K2C?sid=33541>. His
difference of opinion with Jean-Luc Mélenchon about the future of Europe
proved too great.

 The EU’s rule of law dispute with Poland
<http://eurac.tv/6K2D?sid=33541> continues after the Commission said it
will consult with the rest of the member states on the issue.

 France and Germany are gearing up for elections and have secured approval
from the EU executive to tighten security
<http://eurac.tv/6K2E?sid=33541>. Their proposals include more power to
monitor internal EU borders.

 EU member states are dragging their feet in implementing reforms
<http://eurac.tv/6K2F?sid=33541>, particularly when it comes to education,
and they have also been urged to target childhood obesity
<http://eurac.tv/6K2G?sid=33541> in schools. But France is leading the way
by adopting a law on multinational companies’ duty of care
<http://eurac.tv/6K2E?sid=33541>. The idea has stalled at European level,
though.

 One group of experts has ranked the countries of the world by their
toxicity <http://eurac.tv/6K2H?sid=33541>. Saudi Arabia earned the dubious
title of most toxic country in the world, while Eastern Europe also
performed poorly.

 Malta is approaching the third month of its stint holding the rotating EU
Presidency. Check out the latest video in our ongoing series
<http://eurac.tv/6K2I?sid=33541> that is examining its priorities.

 The Commission, as expected, warned Italy that it must cut its deficit
or risk being fined <http://eurac.tv/6K2J?sid=33541>. Rome has previously
argued it has had to spend more because of the recent lethal earthquakes
and refugee crisis.

 The Brexit vote is already having an impact on immigration, as the number
of international students choosing to study in the UK has fallen by 41,000
<http://eurac.tv/6K2K?sid=33541> to 134,000 since June. Banking giant HSBC
might also relocate 1,000 staff <http://eurac.tv/6K2L?sid=33541> from its
London base to Paris over the next two years.

 If the UK has a change of heart, could it revoke Article 50
<http://eurac.tv/6K2M?sid=33541>? Andrew Duff doubts it.

 Spaniards sleep 53 minutes less than the European average and it’s
all Francisco Franco’s fault <http://eurac.tv/6K2N?sid=33541>, because
he decided Spain should stick to Central European Time, despite Madrid
being further west than London.

 Yesterday it was eagles, now it’s tigers taking on the drone menace
<http://eurac.tv/6K2O?sid=33541>. China has upped the ante and unleashed a
pack of the Siberian beasts on the autonomous machines.

 *Sam Morgan contributed to this Brief. *

      == Look out for... ==

 Enda Kenny on Brexit and the Irish border. Coming  soon on EURACTIV
<http://eurac.tv/6K4F?sid=33541>.

 *Views are the author's.*

  Share on Twitter <http://eurac.tv/6K5k?sid=33541> / Facebook
<http://eurac.tv/6K5l?sid=33541> / LinkedIn
<http://eurac.tv/6K5m?sid=33541>

        Efficacité et Transparence des Acteurs Européens | ©
1999-2016. EurActiv.com plc

________________________________________________________________

Ce message a fait l'objet d'un traitement anti-virus.
Il est rappelé que tout message électronique est susceptible
d'altération au cours de son acheminement sur Internet.
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

Ce message, ainsi que les pièces jointes, sont établis, sous la 
seule responsabilité de l'expéditeur, à l'intention exclusive 
de ses destinataires ; ils peuvent contenir des informations 
confidentielles. Toute publication, utilisation ou diffusion 
doit être autorisée préalablement. 
Ce message a fait l'objet d'un traitement anti-virus.
Il est rappelé que tout message électronique est susceptible 
d'altération au cours de son acheminement sur Internet. 
________________________________________________________________

Vous pouvez consulter le site de l'Assemblée nationale à 
l'adresse suivante : http://www.assemblee-nationale.fr