When you’re taking the train in Europe, governments are usually involved – either through state-run or state-subsidised options. Inevitably, these services have deteriorated over time, due to a lack of competition, while the fares have increased. Just look at France. The Republic’s railway network might be lauded from, but not by the French, whose complaints […]
Last Wednesday, I purposefully moved into the lion’s den.As someone who is used to ask all the tough questions about the EU,I expected to manifestly throw myself into quite an adventure when I decided to cover a ‘Stop Brexit’ march in Luxembourg-City. Little did I know that the excitement to stop this democratic vote wasn’t […]
I would like to reiterate here what I already posted on social media yesterday. The biggest-circulation newspaper in Bulgaria, Trud, published a translated version of my recent article about Robert Schuman. It can be read here. The original was an article published by CityAM.
With the introduction of the first plain packaging legislation for tobacco worldwide in 2012, Australia inspired European countries to follow its example. Both the UK and France now impose similar legislation on tobacco companies, with widespread unintended consequences. It turns out that the measure has no effect on consumption and, even worse, makes life easier […]
The city of New York decided recently to increase the price of a pack of cigarettes to $13, making it one of the most expensive places in the world to buy tobacco. In fact, throughout the years, the East Coast city has been pursuing an aggressive Nanny State policy, ranging even further than just cracking […]
As governments crackdown on the consumption of tobacco worldwide, an analysis of the consequences of these behavioral policies is of vital importance. One of the key measures of anti-smoking advocates is the ban on smoking inside bars. These rules have not only pushed cigarette smokers to the doorstep: it has driven many into hookah bars.
In a little under three weeks’ time, the Germans will be heading to the polls. Angela Merkel is poised to be re-annointed Chancellor. But while her party, the Christian-Democrat CDU/CSU should easily regain power, the German parliament is set to become more diverse – and not necessarily in a good way. Both the liberal democrat […]
Agostina Lorenzini looks nervous as we begin the call on Google Hangout: “Bill, you know I don’t like to talk about myself”. The humility is unreasonable, as it is for most people who contribute a lot and don’t mention their achievements. “The problem with today’s society is that stupid people are full of confidence and […]
Donald Trump has undoubtedly made his disdain for the media part of his political agenda. As the adversarial relationship between the White House and the press intensifies, many look longingly to Europe for an example as to how things should be. But, that’s shortsighted. The relationship between members of the government and the press in […]
Doctors without Borders, often known under its French name Médecins sans frontières (MSF) is an international NGO which seeks to provide medical support in regions struck by crises, including war, natural disasters or epidemics. MSF is currently operating (literally and figuratively) in 60 countries around the globe and also engages in the provision of medicine and […]
Bill Wirtz 