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Ugo A Realfonzo

@ugorealfonzo.bsky.social
574 followers 516 following 76 posts

Senior Editor @brusselstimes.com

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Reposted by Ugo A Realfonzo
The Brussels Times @brusselstimes.com · 21/07/2026
The Francisation of Brussels is known as the "oil slick effect" in Flanders, but how did French really take root in the Belgian capital?
brusselstimes.com
How Brussels became a French-speaking city
How Brussels became a French-speaking city
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Ugo A Realfonzo @ugorealfonzo.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
From Schuman to Midi: How the Brussels 'master architect' wants a quality city
brusselstimes.com
From Schuman to Midi: How the Brussels 'master architect' wants a quality city
"Ugliness is not an argument. What do we need? How do we use the resources that are there?"
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Reposted by Ugo A Realfonzo
Frédéric Moreau @goodclimate.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
The C19 Brussels lido. The château de l’Ermitage stood in the Ixelles countryside from the C14 until the 1860s, when it was destroyed as part of the development of avenue Louise. It stood between present day rues Dautzenberg and Gachard and ended its life as an outdoor pool and fitness centre.
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Reposted by Ugo A Realfonzo
Axelle Van Wynsberghe @axelle-vw.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
@ugorealfonzo.bsky.social confirms in a new poll that people want "greater digital sovereignty and a regulated, values-based approach to AI." Europeans assert that the development of AI should be sustainable & geared towards 'improving public services including healthcare, transport and education'.
brusselstimes.com
Deepfakes, sovereignty and generative tools: What do Belgians think of AI?
Europeans, including Belgians, were asked about their use of generative AI, the EU's foreign tech dependencies, and how they think AI should be regulated.
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Reposted by Ugo A Realfonzo
The Brussels Times @brusselstimes.com · 22/06/2026
Europeans, including Belgians, were asked about their use of generative AI, the EU's foreign tech dependencies, and how they think AI should be regulated.
brusselstimes.com
Deepfakes, sovereignty and generative tools: What do Belgians think of AI?
Deepfakes, sovereignty and generative tools: What do Belgians think of AI?
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Ugo A Realfonzo @ugorealfonzo.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
"Nobody believed that it would be possible." The director of what will become one of the biggest museums in Europe – the Kanal-Centre Pompidou museum in Brussels – recently announced he was stepping down, months before November's big opening. I spoke to him to find out why. @brusselstimes.com
brusselstimes.com
'Brussels is afraid to be ambitious': Kanal museum’s quitting director has no regrets
"It’s not easy to fulfil such a project of this scale in Brussels. It will be the biggest museum to open in Brussels in more than a century."
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Reposted by Ugo A Realfonzo
Manuel Müller @manuelmueller.foederalist.eu · 21/05/2026
What could possibly go wrong?
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Reposted by Ugo A Realfonzo
The Brussels Times @brusselstimes.com · 15/05/2026
"Don’t plant before the Ice Saints" went the well-known adage among farmers and gardeners for centuries. Can this explain this week's return to winter weather?
brusselstimes.com
‘Curse’ of Ice Saints: The myth behind Belgium’s cold week in May
'Curse' of Ice Saints: The myth behind Belgium’s cold week in May
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Reposted by Ugo A Realfonzo
Stanley Pignal @spignal.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
Live footage of European GDP falling behind America's. Poor French people on their four-day weekend look inconsolable.
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Reposted by Ugo A Realfonzo
The Brussels Times @brusselstimes.com · 12/05/2026
Multiple sectors across Belgium will be disrupted today due to a national demonstration. Find the latest updates on The Brussels Times live blog. 👉 www.brusselstimes.com/belgi...
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Reposted by Ugo A Realfonzo
The Brussels Times @brusselstimes.com · 12/05/2026
New sanctions on extremist Israeli settlers in the West Bank break the EU's internal political deadlock after Orban's electoral defeat.
brusselstimes.com
EU to sanction Israeli settlers but no trade embargo
EU to sanction Israeli settlers but no trade embargo
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Reposted by Ugo A Realfonzo
Chris Powers @powers.eurosky.social · 11/05/2026
🇬🇪 🥘 Was talking about Maison Khinkali with friends just this weekend, and now @brusselstimes.com is writing about it. A nice review, which reminds how Georgian food is a must-try. www.brusselstimes.com/belgium/2114...
brusselstimes.com
Under the radar: Where can you savour Georgian food in Brussels?
While the Georgian community in Belgium is relatively small, the country's celebrated cuisine is beginning to make its mark.
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Reposted by Ugo A Realfonzo
The Brussels Times @brusselstimes.com · 07/05/2026
After nine hours of negotiations, a deal was found as part of the EU's push to strip back several new digital rules on AI.
brusselstimes.com
EU agrees to water-down AI rules but bans deepfake nude apps
EU agrees to water-down AI rules but bans deepfake nude apps
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Reposted by Ugo A Realfonzo
The Brussels Times @brusselstimes.com · 29/04/2026
"As a criminal, if you can avoid the bank in Belgium, you walk free without any problem of detection."
brusselstimes.com
Why Belgium struggles with ‘dirty money’ in drug trafficking
Why Belgium struggles with 'dirty money' in drug trafficking
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Reposted by Ugo A Realfonzo
Jorge Liboreiro @jorgeliboreiro.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
🚨🚨🚨 Big news from Brussels: the Hungarian veto has been officially lifted. The EU finally adopts its €90 billion loan for Ukraine and the 20th package of sanctions against Russia. It’s done now.
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Reposted by Ugo A Realfonzo
Chris Powers @powers.eurosky.social · 23/04/2026
Interesting guerilla campaign tactic by @canopee.bsky.social in front of the Berlaymont today. At first thought it was @brusselstimes.com Sadly not!
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Reposted by Ugo A Realfonzo
Frédéric Moreau @goodclimate.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
There's lots of very well preserved modernist buildings on the Belgian coast but the Renaissance café in Nieuwpoort by Philibert Vanmarke ceased to be one of them in 2017.
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Reposted by Ugo A Realfonzo
Frédéric Moreau @goodclimate.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
Answer: 1865 view of the Senne river and rue des Poissonniers (at the corner of rue Sainte Catherine) from rue du Marché aux Poulets next to Brucity.
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Reposted by Ugo A Realfonzo
Dave Keating @davekeating.substack.com · 20/04/2026
This very interesting score-settling interview with former 🇪🇺Council chair Charles Michel contains one notable detail on 🇺🇦. Michel seems to confirm that the choreographed moves toward accession are disingenuous, saying that national leaders privately told him "it will never happen". 🧵
brusselstimes.com
After power, after Europe: Charles Michel gets some things off his chest
In an interview with The Brussels Times, Charles Michel wants to settle old scores – from Sofagate to Trump, he believes he has been vindicated on many issues.
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Reposted by Ugo A Realfonzo
The Brussels Times @brusselstimes.com · 18/04/2026
The Brussels municipality was rocked by another huge explosion targeting a shisha café just after midnight last night.
brusselstimes.com
Explosion outside Saint-Gilles café blows out school windows
The Brussels municipality was rocked by another huge explosion targeting a shisha café just after midnight on Friday night.
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Reposted by Ugo A Realfonzo
Nico Schmidt @nicoschmidt.io · 17/04/2026
Big Tech wrote the EU law that hides their data centres' environmental impact. The EU wants to triple its data centre capacity in the next five years. While the full scale of their energy and water footprint is hidden from the public. Our new @investigate-europe.eu investigation reveals why.
Image showing cut out of documents with certain phrases highlighted.
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Ugo A Realfonzo @ugorealfonzo.bsky.social · 17/04/2026
From Brad Pitt to bombs. "Last week, we had Brad Pitt filming in the municipality, now we have a problem with bombings and shootings between dealers." – Mayor of Saint-Gilles Jean Spinette told @brusselstimes.com yesterday, after five serious incidents of violence, including several bombings.
brusselstimes.com
Turf wars in Brussels: Rival gangs feud again in violent week of explosions and shootings
From Brad Pitt to bombings, Saint-Gilles has been gripped by five violent incidents in five days – which the mayor is calling "a war between rival drug families."
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Reposted by Ugo A Realfonzo
The Brussels Times @brusselstimes.com · 14/04/2026
The Justice for Palestine European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) reached one million signatures on Tuesday in three months.
brusselstimes.com
One million Europeans call on EU to suspend Israel association deal
One million Europeans call on EU to suspend Israel association deal
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Reposted by Ugo A Realfonzo
The Brussels Times @brusselstimes.com · 14/04/2026
Eight police officers have been individually charged in connection with the death of Sourour Abouda, a woman who died in custody at a Brussels police station.
brusselstimes.com
Eight officers charged over death of woman who died in Brussels police custody
Eight officers charged over death of woman who died in Brussels police custody
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Reposted by Ugo A Realfonzo
Mujtaba Rahman @mijrahman.bsky.social · 11/04/2026
‼️🇭🇺🇪🇺 Here is a potted timeline thread marking some of the key milestones that built Prime Minister Viktor Orban's illiberal democracy in Hungary over his 16 years in power. His tenure looks likely to end tomorrow. The table stakes for Hungary and Europe could not be higher 1/
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Reposted by Ugo A Realfonzo
Frédéric Moreau @goodclimate.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
"Our national character" helped Brussels avoid the look of a "Petit Paris" - Buls was writing 20 years after the centre was dug up to look exactly like that. Leaving a street of unsaleable knock-off Haussmann apartments that ended up in the possession of the city and thus his responsibility.
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Reposted by Ugo A Realfonzo
The Brussels Times @brusselstimes.com · 09/04/2026
Next to Belgium's second poorest commune, the €550 million development on the canal aims to "encourage the middle-class to settle in Brussels."
brusselstimes.com
Controversial Tour & Taxis project approved amid fears of ‘aggressive gentrification’
Controversial Tour & Taxis project approved amid fears of 'aggressive gentrification'
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Reposted by Ugo A Realfonzo
Szabolcs Panyi @szabolcspanyi.bsky.social · 08/04/2026
💥New call leaks, both transcripts and audio: Sergey Lavrov urges Péter Szijjártó to blackmail the EU Council over Ukraine and later tasks him with sending him EU documents. Hard to tell which part is most damning. Here's the "Kremlin Hotline", part 2.
vsquare.org
Kremlin Hotline: How Hungary Coordinates With Russia Blocking Ukraine From the EU - VSquare.org
Péter Szijjártó offered Sergey Lavrov to send EU documents through the Hungarian Embassy in Moscow. Leaked audio reveals a strikingly deferential, submissive attitude from Szijjártó toward Lavrov.
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Reposted by Ugo A Realfonzo
The Guardian @theguardian.com · 08/04/2026
Israel says operations in Lebanon to continue despite Trump’s ceasefire
theguardian.com
Israel says operations in Lebanon to continue despite Trump’s ceasefire
Israeli military announces further action against Hezbollah, contradicting statements from Pakistan and Iran * Middle East crisis – live updates Israel has said its military operations in Lebanon will continue despite Donald Trump’s ceasefire announcement, with Israeli forces carrying out strikes and telling civilians in the south of the country to leave the areas they are targeting. The office of the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said that Trump’s two-week pause “does not include Lebanon” amid reports of continued artillery and drone strikes, directly contradicting statements made by Iran and Pakistan, which has been mediating in the conflict. Continue reading...
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Reposted by Ugo A Realfonzo
The Associated Press @apnews.com · 06/04/2026
Lebanon’s medics and hospitals are coming under fire as Israel accelerates its war against Iran-backed Hezbollah militants. Doctors say the attacks on Lebanon's health system remind them of similar tactics used in Gaza.
bit.ly
Doctors warn that Israel is targeting Lebanon's health care system, as it did Gaza's
Since the war between Israel and the militant group Hezbollah reignited on March 2, Israel has pushed deeper into southern Lebanon.
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Reposted by Ugo A Realfonzo
Szabolcs Panyi @szabolcspanyi.bsky.social · 03/04/2026
"The espionage accusations surfaced just as the journalist, who has reported extensively on alleged links between Hungarian officials and Moscow, exposed unprecedented Russian influence operations aimed at boosting Orban’s re-election."
article19.org
Hungary: Spy charges for journalist as Orbán escalates attack on media - ARTICLE 19
Hungarian government accuses investigative journalist Panyi of spying for Ukraine. He reports on alleged links between Russia and Hungary.
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Reposted by Ugo A Realfonzo
Media 🇮🇹 @mediasit.skyfleet.blue · 03/04/2026
Giacomo, il 15enne che sta scrivendo a mano i nomi di tutti i bimbi morti a Gaza: “Erano persone”
bologna.repubblica.it
Giacomo, il 15enne che sta scrivendo a mano i nomi di tutti i bimbi morti a Gaza: “Erano persone”
Il ragazzo lo sta facendo come compito a scuola, scelto da lui, proprio in questa forma, grazie all’ispirazione che ha avuto dal sito “Non uno di più” dell’osp…
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Reposted by Ugo A Realfonzo
Amnesty EU @amnestyeu.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
Amnesty & 30 NGOs call on the EU to act following Israel's adoption of a death penalty law that will de facto apply exclusively to Palestinians. EU has a clear stance against the death penalty & must immediately suspend the EU-Israel Association Agreement. www.amnesty.eu/news/death-p...
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Reposted by Ugo A Realfonzo
Andrew Gray @andrewramsaygray.bsky.social · 03/04/2026
From our story on the NATO crisis triggered by the Iran war: Trump's comments have provoked unprecedented concern that the U.S. will not come to the aid of European allies should they be attacked, whether or not Washington formally walks away.
reuters.com
Trump's anger over Iran thrusts NATO into fresh crisis
The 76-year-old alliance has in recent years survived existential challenges, ranging from the war in Ukraine to pressure and insults from Trump. But it is the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran that has near...
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Reposted by Ugo A Realfonzo
The Brussels Times @brusselstimes.com · 03/04/2026
Citizens have been asked to change their daily patterns to save energy, while extra household support from Belgium or the EU seems far off.
brusselstimes.com
Panic or not panic? Belgium and EU try to weather latest energy shocks
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Reposted by Ugo A Realfonzo
Tom Jenkins @tomoljenkins.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
Statement by @eucopresident.consilium.europa.eu @eudiplomacy.bsky.social on the approval of the Death Penalty Bill by the Israeli Parliament. This is a clear violation of Art 2 of the Association Agreement which must now be suspended www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/pre...
consilium.europa.eu
Israel: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the approval of the Death Penalty Bill by the Israeli Parliament
The European Union issued a statement reiterating its principled position against the death penalty in all cases and circumstances and expresses deep concern over Israel’s approval of the Death Penalt...
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Reposted by Ugo A Realfonzo
Szabolcs Panyi @szabolcspanyi.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
💥Now that we’ve released the first part of our joint investigation into Péter Szijjártó’s collusion with Russia, I hope it’s clearer why Orbán’s government tried to preemptively discredit me with bogus espionage allegations.
politico.eu
Orbán’s spies were hunting me, says Hungarian journalist accused of espionage
Szabolcs Panyi tells POLITICO that Budapest’s accusations are “meant to psychologically pressure me and shatter my credibility,” in the wake of his reporting on secret talks between Pét…
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Reposted by Ugo A Realfonzo
euobserver — EU news that matters @euobserver.com · 31/03/2026
"I say to the people of the European Union who have applied pressure ... We are not afraid," said Israel's Ben-Gvir, while wearing a noose lapel-pin.
euobserver.com
No movement on EU sanctions, as Israel passes ‘apartheid’ death penalty
"I say to the people of the European Union who have applied pressure ... We are not afraid," said Israel's Ben-Gvir, while wearing a noose lapel-pin.
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The Brussels Times @brusselstimes.com · 31/03/2026
Students celebrate as the UK rejoins Erasmus+ next year, but stalled talks in other areas reveal deeper Brexit reset struggles.
brusselstimes.com
UK edges closer to EU in post-Brexit reset – but migration remains a sticking point
UK edges closer to EU in post-Brexit reset – but migration remains a sticking point
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Claes de Vreese @claesdevreese.bsky.social · 30/03/2026
New move in academic publishing: The @ec.europa.eu is launching Open Research Europe (ORE), an open access publishing platform for research funded by all EU programmes. @academic-chatter.bsky.social research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/news/all-res...
research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu
A new era for Open Research Europe
European Commission to co-fund new phase of operation for open access publishing platform.
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The Brussels Times @brusselstimes.com · 29/03/2026
How a story about 19th-century poverty in Antwerp gripped the national consciousness of Japan, and why no one in Belgium has heard of it.
brusselstimes.com
Belgium’s unknown story that became a Japanese cult hit
Belgium's unknown story that became a Japanese cult hit
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Reposted by Ugo A Realfonzo
Media 🇮🇹 @mediasit.skyfleet.blue · 29/03/2026
Ilaria Salis: “È un’intimidazione,l’Italia ormai è un regime che reprime chi dissente”
repubblica.it
Ilaria Salis: “È un’intimidazione,l’Italia ormai è un regime che reprime chi dissente”
“È un fatto grave per la democrazia. Gli agenti sono rimasti lì un’ora a farmi domande senza lasciarmi neanche un verbale”
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Reposted by Ugo A Realfonzo
The Guardian @theguardian.com · 28/03/2026
‘The era of invincibility is over’: the week big tech was brought to heel
theguardian.com
‘The era of invincibility is over’: the week big tech was brought to heel
Ruling that Meta and YouTube deliberately designed addictive products marks possible watershed moment for big tech
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Reposted by Ugo A Realfonzo
Mujtaba Rahman @mijrahman.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
After 1.5 weeks in Bxl I'm struck by the fact that the Europeans are becoming very good at creating “coalitions of the willing” for scenarios that will never materialise In Ukraine after a ceasefire with Russia To escort tankers in Straits of Hormuz after a ceasefire with Iran
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Ugo A Realfonzo @ugorealfonzo.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
"At this stage, it remains unclear how return hubs would be operationalised, both legally and in practice." – Senior migration expert from @epc-official.bsky.social told me on Thursday.
brusselstimes.com
How the EU pushed ahead with controversial 'deportation camps'
The European Parliament has approved new rules for expelling undocumented migrants despite a lack of clarity on the controversial "return hubs".
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Reposted by Ugo A Realfonzo
The Brussels Times @brusselstimes.com · 27/03/2026
The European Parliament has approved new rules for expelling undocumented migrants despite a lack of clarity on the controversial "return hubs".
brusselstimes.com
How the EU pushed ahead with controversial ‘deportation camps’
How the EU pushed ahead with controversial 'deportation camps'
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European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) @europeanjournalists.org · 27/03/2026
#Hungary: The Hungarian government has filed charges against one of 🇭🇺 most prominent investigative journalists @szabolcspanyi.bsky.social, who has recently revealed multiple Russian influence operations aimed at boosting Orban’s re-election. We express our full support for Szabolcs Panyi.
theguardian.com
Hungary charges journalist after claims minister was in touch with Moscow
Investigative reporter Szabolcs Panyi covered story alleging foreign minister had passed information to Sergei Lavrov
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Ugo A Realfonzo @ugorealfonzo.bsky.social · 26/03/2026
"This trade deal enshrines the EU's subjugation to US economic interests."
brusselstimes.com
MEPs approve US trade deal as opponents call it a 'capitulation' to Trump
The amended text was passed in the Brussels mini-plenary session with 417 votes in favour, 154 against and 71 abstentions.
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Reposted by Ugo A Realfonzo
Diego Velazquez @diegoinbxl.bsky.social · 25/03/2026
My friend Patrick Galbats, the most talented press photographer I know, is looking for assignments in and around Brussels with international media. He’s versatile, with a sharp but sensitive eye for reportage and documentary work. get in touch! www.patrickgalbats.com contact: pgalbats@me.com
patrickgalbats.com
Patrick Galbats est une artiste et photographe luxembourgeois.
Depuis 2018, Patrick Galbats vit et travaille comme artiste entre Bruxelles et le Luxembourg. De 2001 à 2017, il a travaillé comme photo-journaliste au Luxembourg.
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Vas Panagiotopoulos @vaspanagiotopoulos.com · 24/03/2026
New Tal Dilian statement on #PredatorGate points even more clearly to the 🇬🇷authorities: “I believe it is a crime for private individuals to interfere communications. But it is even more serious crime to organize a conspiracy crime to send innocent people to jail to cover up political authorities.“
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