Hans Von der Brelie
Europeans' Stories
Never again a blackout: High voltage from mega power storage units
The EU is preparing a package of measures for the expansion of the electricity grid. The aim is to achieve faster authorisations and intelligent electricity grids so that a rapid response can be made to grid fluctuations.
Europeans' Stories
Renaturalisation of wetlands slows global warming and species decline
For many centuries, farmers drained swamps to gain arable land. But this contributes to climate change. The European Union wants to change this, and an EU law sets out a detailed timetable: By 2050, half of the damaged moors are expected to be "healed" - a third of them through rewetting.
Europeans' Stories
Currency changeover in Bulgaria: the euro replaces the lev in January
In an interview with Euronews, Plamen Ralchev says: “The euro is a lifeboat that Bulgaria should board!" The scientist at the University of National and World Economics warns against right-wing populist parties exploiting the currency debate.
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Europeans' Stories
Rail Baltica could be used for defensive military purposes
Construction on the 870-km-long Rail Baltica through Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia is gathering momentum, as the line switches from the Russian broad gauge to the European standard gauge. The EU is covering a large part of the costs.
Europeans' Stories
Latvia: Shooting training at schools and dragon teeth at the border
To protect themselves from unpleasant surprises, Poland and the Baltic states are fortifying their EU external border with tank barriers and minefields. And Latvia has introduced “military lessons” as a compulsory subject in schools.
Europeans' Stories
Estonia phases out Russian as a language of instruction
The Republic of Estonia is reforming its school system. Russian will gradually be phased out as a language of instruction by the year 2030. Soon all children will only be taught in Estonian – even children in the predominantly Russian-speaking areas in the North-East.
Euronews Witness
Moldova at the crossroads: tensions with Transnistria ahead of EU membership referendum
In October Moldovans will vote on making EU membership a constitutional goal. A 'yes' vote would put the pro-Western leadership on a collision course with the Russia-leaning breakaway region in the east.
Euronews Witness
Where are the most Roma-friendly towns in the Western Balkans?
Europe's 12 million Roma still experience discrimination and prejudice, but some local officials in the Western Balkans have won EU recognition for their efforts to combat negative attitudes. Reporter Hans von der Brelie travelled through Montenegro, Serbia and Bosnia to find out more.
Euronews Witness
Creative caring: Social solutions to elderly welfare in the Netherlands
The Netherlands is regarded as having one of the best systems for elderly care in the world, but it faces many challenges including an increasingly ageing population. Restricted by a severe shortage of care workers the Dutch have come up with innovative solutions, as Hans von der Brelie found out.
Euronews Witness
Fearing Russian invasion Estonia's civilians heed their country's call to arms
EU member Estonia feels threatened by neighbour Russia. This year, the small NATO country will invest over 3% of its GDP to beef up its defence capabilities. It has also been hosting NATO exercises and training civilians in trench warfare, as EuronewsWitness reporter Hans von der Brelie discovered.
Euronews Witness
Inside Marseille’s deadly drug wars: Why are youths killing youths?
Forty-nine people were killed in drug-related shoot-outs between rival gangs in Marseille in 2023 - and the killing is ongoing. Is the situation in the French port city spiralling out of control? Euronews Witness heads south to find out.
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