Tagged With "European Parliament"
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Re: EU Parliament Ends Cell Phone Roaming Charges in 2017
I'm guessing this is going to affect pre paid plans and sim cards for travelers. Anybody else know more, please comment.
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Re: EU Parliament Ends Cell Phone Roaming Charges in 2017
Yes, it will apply to prepaid plans, which many Europeans as well as visitors use, but it's not as happily absolute as some of the celebrators make it sound. The final June 2017 step depends on a reform of the European wholesale roaming market in which carriers pay each other for roaming use, and is also subject to limits for those who roam "too much." Here's a quote from one of the Parliament members who was a leading proponent of the law (which also originally included provisions for net...
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Re: EU moves to ban single-use plastics
Just another example of the European Parliament wasting my taxes on a Worldwide problem. The 25% of plastic waste is a good clue to the origin of the problem. Shipping. Cruise ships, cargo ships and container carriers have a choice to make. Pay to have the trash removed in port. Or dump it at sea while they are still off the Radar.
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Re: Finishing college. Need help planning trip to U.K,
Again thanks, this is incredibly helpful!! So I think I'll look at trains for trips from bigger cities to other cities, and fill in the gaps with bus if the pricing works out. A little more planning is needed. Even though it's expensive, I do want to spend around a week in London. Being an architect, there's just so much to see and do there, like seeing the Houses of Parliament and Westminister Abbey. I plan on being on the go almost all day each day there -- can rest later, maybe in the...
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Re: Venice gets OK to tax day-trippers
It seems in line with the per-night local taxes that many, maybe most, cities impose on hotel rooms. And since it was approved by the parliament, perhaps that's an indicator that something may happen soon on plans to keep the huge ships away from the city itself. One hopes.
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Re: It's Euro-official: No more time switches
Where I live in Northern England it's light around 3am in Summer. Which is pretty useless to most. Much better to move the clock one hour and have the daylight in the evening when we can go out with our Family after work. Like wise in the Winter months. We take the Hour off so we can take the kids to school and go to work in the daylight. The kids can come home before its dark at 4pm. The European Parliament is very slow to learn that "One size does NOT fit all"
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Re: It's Euro-official: No more time switches
Two brief remarks: 1. At present there are actually three time zones within the EU. Greece is an hour ahead of Central Europe. 2. The decision to abolish the clock change is the result of an EU-wide public consultation and did not originate in the Commission or the Parliament. In the UK this public consultation was buried by Brexit-related news coverage. I, personally, do not worry too much either way, but I can understand both sides of the argument.
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Re: Celebrating Nature on 7 Continents: Asia, part 3 - European Bee-eaters in Sir Bani Yas Island, United Arab Emirates
Beautiful photos Kirsten!!
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Re: Celebrating Nature on 7 Continents: Asia, part 3 - European Bee-eaters in Sir Bani Yas Island, United Arab Emirates
Bee-eaters are amazing birds. I've never seen more than one or two around, so it must be quite a treat to be at the edge of a migration of them! And they fly so quickly -- amazed you were able to get that last photo framed as well as you did. Thanks for sharing these.
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Re: Celebrating Nature on 7 Continents: Asia, part 3 - European Bee-eaters in Sir Bani Yas Island, United Arab Emirates
Thanks, Marilyn!
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Re: Celebrating Nature on 7 Continents: Asia, part 3 - European Bee-eaters in Sir Bani Yas Island, United Arab Emirates
It was pretty amazing... a bit dizzying actually to try and keep up with all of them!
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Re: 'Uncomfortable memory' tour faces Barcelona slave history
It is good that a people face up to and learn from the past. We must learn from the lessons of history, but I do hope this will not become a "self-flagellation" exercise. At the end of the 18th century, everyone had slaves. Every people, every race, every culture, every country participated in the buying, selling and owning of other people. It was the norm. Fortunately, with a few rare exceptions, modern society has become enlightened and the rights of individuals is now a central focus of...
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Re: 'Uncomfortable memory' tour faces Barcelona slave history
'Presentism' is always a danger for historians, but in this case, there's a real issue of interest based on the late-in-the-day entry into slave-owning by the later Catalan grandees; they went into it when all European countries had already abolished it, and when it had been abolished in many colonial areas. Sadly, not Cuba, Brazil, or, at the beginning of that period, the United States. One of the reasons it's important to consider these past things is because they do enter into the...
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Re: 'Uncomfortable memory' tour faces Barcelona slave history
Slavery is just part of a long cruel history. Wherever there is chance to make money, people of any race or creed will gladly join in. Even the African warlords who sold the "prisoners" to the slave ships played their parts in this piece of history. Even today fortunes are made by sending young men to die in the name of "Defence". Money has no morals.
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Re: The Maltese Islands – Underrated gems or best kept secret ?
What an interesting group of islands. Thanks so much for this article. Wondering - Do people get around mostly by boat ? Is English widely spoken ?
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Re: The Maltese Islands – Underrated gems or best kept secret ?
Hello F-car, people mainly use their cars to get around, which is a pity as the roads are not the best and there are far too many cars for the roads to cope with. There is an extensive bus network which I found more preferable to driving. Boats are used more for leisure but there are many fisherman who make their living from the sea. Although the Maltese have their own language, English is widely spoken and visitors get by without problems. Many locals also speak Italian (them being our...
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Re: The Maltese Islands – Underrated gems or best kept secret ?
Thanks so much Island Man.What a great post! I'll definetly include a visit to Malta in my future travel plans.
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Ottawa – NOT the coldest Capital in the world!
Ottawa is a vibrant and charming small city — so pleasant that it’s hard to believe it’s home to soooo many politicians. Of the national capitals I've visited, Ottawa seems the most livable to me (ie. if...
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Quebec — A Walled European Fortress In America
Quebec, like New York, is both a city and a state (or rather, a province). It’s an island of French heritage and culture within our Anglo-North American continent. We combined this visit with stops in Montreal and...
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Coming: TG's 'European Capital of Culture' Series
TG Update: These articles are now available -Capital of Culture Series: LiverpoolCapital of Culture Series: Marseilles Each year, the EU designates a special city or cities as the European Capital of...
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Pictures from a small island - Portland Bill
Some 5 miles to the south-west of Weymouth is Portland Bill, a narrow promontory (or 'bill') at the southern end of the Isle of Portland, and the southernmost point of Dorset, England. This point of Portland bears the brunt of the many storms that...
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In wake of terror, EU considers airline security
Proposals in the EU Parliament calling for more information about airline passengers to be made available to national authorities are on the table; they would make the Passenger Name Record (PNR) of all passengers arriving and departing EU available....
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Portland Bill Revisited: Pictures from a small island
Begging indulgence from the Senior Gumbo Gurus. Following my previous visit to stormy Portland Bill last week, yesterday the sun came out and the wind picked up a notch more, so I just had to make a quick trip back there to see what might have...
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New safety rules after crash: No solo pilots
In the wake of the Germanwings crash that killed 150 in an apparent suicide-by-pilot, Lufthansa and many others are quickly adopting rules requiring at least two crew members be present inside the cockpit at all times. Lufthansa's announcement covers...
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London legalizes Airbnb, similar rentals
Making good on its February promise to legitimize short-term rentals up to 90 days a year in London (already permitted elsewhere in UK), the UK government's Deregulation Act has been passed in Parliament and, with the Queen's assent, become law....
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UKs First National Civil War Centre to Open With Huge Civil War Re-Enactment
Over 1,000 Civil War re-enactors and cannons from across the UK will be in Newark to help launch the National Civil War Center on May 3 and 4th . The museum recounts the 17th century clashes between King and Parliament . The museum...
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Gumbo’s Pic of the Day, April 3, 2015: A brisk day on Portland Bill
The tip of the isle of Portland in Dorset, England, is called 'Portland Bill' and it is a place that I often visit as it displays dramatic visual day-by-day changes as the weather fronts surge in from the Atlantic. It is a place where no less...
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Airbnb to be legal in London
Britain's Parliament is now considering a bill, proposed by the Housing Minister, to remove London-only restrictions that have made it illegal for tenants and homeowners to rent out their space for short stays without complicated planning permission...
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US-EU Visa Waiver war could get hotter
U.S. hints that Visa Waiver Program may get tighter, rather than complying with EU requirement to include all EU citizens.
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Eastern Europe Rail Odyssey: Budapest to Kiev
Do you love unusual train journeys as much as Wilbur does? Check out this fascinating adventure through eastern Europe.
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Europe won't end visa waiver for Americans...yet
Backing off from a deadline imposed by the European Parliament, the EU's executive won't end visa waivers for the U.S. as negotiations continue.
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So, what’s it worth ?
Bob Cranwell shares a discussion and thoughts on the value of things using a memorable experience in Yemen.
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London Kerfluffle over silent Big Ben
Plans to keep London's famed bell silent for four years of construction work erupt in political infighting
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France, Germany want more taxes from Airbnb
Airbnb and others with their European headquarters in Ireland pay little tax where they do business. Germany and France intend to change that.
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Will Europe end Visa Waiver for Americans?
Europe is threatening to require visas if the U.S. doesn't extend the Visa Waiver program to the 5 EU member states that are excluded.
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Sweden still bans 'spontaneous dancing'
Moving with the music is a no-no in Swedish bars and restaurants, but Parliament says it's time to do away with the rule.
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Peace Tower, Parliament Hill, Ottawa (Where Gumbo was #375)
Gumbo was visiting the Peace Tower, the tallest structure in Canada's Parliament buildidngs in Ottawa.
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Unmissable Sights in Budapest
We often travel to other countries, other cities, but not always for sightseeing. Conference, meeting, maybe for some service. These trips sometimes takes several days, but we can also decide to connect the pleasant to the useful and look around the city. Here is a brief introduction for those, whose destination is Budapest. What is a must see, from the Hungarian capital. I recommend this article, which contains more than 100 sights, for those who want to spend more days in Budapest, or want...
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Why London Should be on your Bucket List this 2020
Need some reasons to visit London? How about a walk in the park? A Harry Potter tour? Shopping (sponsored content)
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Sweden trims parliament in crisis
Along with a host of other measures, Sweden's Riksdag will operate with only 55 members present, representing a spectrum of parties.
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Dec. 20, 2019: Tai Chi on Parliament Hill, Ottawa
DrFumblefinger shares images of a group of adults enjoying the space of Parliament Hill's front lawn in Ottawa.
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EU Parliament: stop charger nonsense
Ten years after a call for a voluntary standard, the EU may legislate a common charger for tablets and mobile phones.
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March 26, 2020: Strömparterren—Stockholm's oldest Public Park
DrFumblefinger visits the oldest public park in Stockholm. While small, it's situated with wonderful views of the city.
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Europe: No more pennies for your thoughts
Europe appears to be on the verge of purging the small copper coins that now cost more to make than they're worth.
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Gumbo's Pic of the Day September 9, 2013: Thingvellir National Park, Iceland
(Oxara River, Thingvellir National Park, Iceland) Thingvellir National Park is of great historic and geologic importance in Iceland. This was the site of Iceland's first parliament more than 1,000 years ago. The Icelandic...
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A journey around Iceland: 1) Reykjavik
(View of Reykjavik, from Hallsgrimkirkja) I love visiting places that are rich in scenery, mountains, rivers, waterfalls and hiking; Iceland seemed a good fit for me. Until a few years ago the cost of a trip to Iceland was...
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A journey around Iceland: 2) The Golden Circle
(Rainbow over Thingvellir National Park, Iceland) The most popular day trip from Reykjavik is to the “Golden Circle” — three beautiful natural attractions which aren't golden or even vaguely circular. The first of...
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Aer Lingus/British Air tie moves closer
The bride and the groom have agreed...but a number of members of the wedding party still need to be satisfied. That's the story as Aer Lingus and IAG, parent of British Air, Iberia and Vueling, move closer to merger. A big hurdle was cleared...
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Europe: Say goodbye to roaming fees, but not so soon
Airport cellphone users...plans still underway to end their roaming charges. Photo: Dmitry Rozhov The previously-announced plan to rid Europe of cellphone roaming charges is still on track, but delayed at the station for...
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More Train Security Coming to Europe
A week after 3 Americans citizens, a French Citizen, and a British citizen stopped a terrorist attack on a train from Amsterdam to Paris, an emergency security meeting about rail passenger safety took place on Saturday in Paris. The meeting was...