Opting out of Democracy  – The Brussels Morning Newspaper

Team Fouad Ahidar (TFA), MR, and Les Engagés criticized Molenbeek's service delays, with acting mayor Amet Gjanaj admitting issues but offering no solutions. The city struggles with 1,200 residence permits and a high volume of emails at the Civil Registry, leading to delays and frustrations. The city faces staff shortages, as seen with the resignation of the city secretary and a cleaners' strike, prompting concerns about the efficiency and transparency of Molenbeek's services. Full Article

MPs voted to remove the requirement for a High Court judge to approve assisted dying applications in England and Wales, making the proposed legislation less restrictive; instead, a voluntary assisted dying commissioner and expert panels will oversee the process. Anti-assisted dying campaigners criticized the move as a weakening of protections for the vulnerable, while supporters viewed it as a positive step forward in the process. Kim Leadbeater's bill, which initially required court approval, will now...

Ministers are accused of showing "contempt" towards farmers by suspending applications for a post-Brexit payment scheme, sparking what is called a "war on farmers". Tory leader Kemi Badenoch criticized Labour for canceling the sustainable farming incentive just before tax returns were due, leading to anger among farmers and protests. Despite Labour's decision, Sir Keir Starmer pointed out that the Tories had also cancelled the scheme without sufficient notice in previous years, leading to further tensions...

The family of Marta Bednarczyk, a 43-year-old mother-of-three found dead in Northamptonshire, described her as the "matriarch of the family". She died from sharp force injury, and a 13-year-old girl has been charged with murder and arson. Marta was a caring woman who moved to the UK from Poland in 2010 and was loved by her family and friends. Full Article

Spain is advancing draft legislation to regulate AI, aiming to prevent unethical use and deepfakes, with fines up to €35 million for noncompliance. The move follows AI-generated attack ads against the government, prompting the need for clear labelling of AI-generated content and oversight by agencies like AESIA. The potential economic impact of AI on Spain's GDP is estimated at 8 percent growth over the next decade, highlighting the importance of responsible AI use. Full Article

France and Germany, along with Austria, Bulgaria, Poland, and Slovenia, are establishing AI Factories to expand Europe's AI infrastructure, with Germany's AI Factory including an experimental platform for innovative AI models. These factories will provide comprehensive support for AI startups and researchers, offering access to high-performance computing resources and technical expertise. Additionally, Austria's AI Factory aims to support ethical and sustainable AI development, while Bulgaria's BRAIN++ Factory focuses on talent development and fostering AI innovation...