Morning bird: The future of the Western Balkans is in the EU, leaders agreed at a summit in Brussels. The Louvre returns to normal after a jewel theft.
The latest declaration of the European Union states that the "acceleration of the accession process" of Balkan countries to the EU is in the mutual interest of both parties. According to him, the countries seeking membership must intensify their reform efforts. In parallel, the European Union must intensify its internal preparations and reforms. After a four-member group of thieves disguised as workers broke into the most visited museum in the world, the Louvre, on October 19, the exhibits had to be closed. Now they are beginning to gradually reopen to the public.
Europe gives a chance to the Balkans
The future of the Western Balkans is in the European Union, agreed the EU leaders and their Western Balkan partners in Brussels. The expansion of the current twenty-seven members is, according to them, a realistic possibility that needs to be taken advantage of. The new Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš participated in the negotiations. The leaders agreed on a five-page joint statement, the Brussels Declaration, the server Ceskenoviny.cz reported.
"The Russian aggression against Ukraine and the growing geopolitical challenges highlight the need for ever stronger ties between the EU and the Western Balkans,"
is stated in the document. The EU and Western Balkans summit took place on the eve of the EU summit, which starts today in Brussels.
The Louvre has partially reopened to the public
The management of the Louvre partially reopened its premises on Wednesday. This happened after a major jewelry robbery, which occurred and also in the middle of an ongoing strike by employees. "The museum is open, but some spaces are not accessible due to protests," said the spokesperson. Therefore, hundreds of tourists also gathered in anticipation in front of the Louvre on Wednesday, which is the most visited museum in the world, as Al Jazeera pointed out.
China is exploiting US-funded nuclear technology research
China is using partnerships with American researchers funded by the Department of Energy to provide the Chinese military with access to sensitive nuclear technologies and other innovations with economic and security applications, according to a publicly released congressional report. The authors of the report argue that the United States must do more to protect its research and ensure that the results of work financed by taxpayer dollars do not benefit Beijing. The investigation is part of efforts to create a protective barrier that would block American research in support of building China's military strength at a time when both countries are competing in both the technological and military fields, the agency AP wrote.
Oscars broadcast to leave television and move to YouTube from 2029
The Oscar movie award ceremony will move to YouTube in 2029. This is a pivotal moment for the entertainment industry. YouTube has indeed signed a "multi-year agreement" for the "exclusive global rights to the Oscars". The aforementioned agreement will be valid until 2033. It appears that YouTube has outbid the television channel ABC and other bidders in a recent auction. Details, however, were not immediately available, pointed out simultaneously with this CNN.
Sources: Ceskenoviny.cz, AP, CNN, Al Jazeera
