Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash In her bid to become Executive Vice-President for a Clean, Just and Competitive Transition, Commissioner-Designate Teresa Ribera’s fielded difficult questions from MEPs in the European Parliament. Her appearance has now led to a furious row between the two biggest groups in the parliament. The Socialists claim that the EPP’s…
Month: November 2024
Taiwan’s Commitment to Climate Action
Photo by You-Chen Hsu on Unsplash Climate change has greatly affected countries around the world. As a member of the international community, Taiwan also faces serious challenges in this area. In recent years, we have witnessed the most severe drought in a century, intense rainfall, and devastating typhoons, writes Peng Chi-ming. President Lai Ching-te is…
Trump Is Back
Irishman Pat Cox, a former President of the European Parliament, has two words for it: “Buckle up.” That is his short, sharp and sweet reaction to Donald Trump’s victory in the U.S election, one which has confounded many, including pollsters who got their predictions badly wrong. The result was confirmed on Sunday when Arizona, the…
Chemical Weapons Today
Photo by Mick Henson on Unsplash. As we commemorate armistice day, and the end of hostilities in World War One, let us remember that Chemicals were first weaponised for warfare in 1914 and killed thousands of foot soldiers in an agonising death. Today, 110 years later the use of chemicals by mafia states to kill…
Is Immigration Tearing Europe Apart?
Photo by Melany Rochester on Unsplash When historians look back on pivotal moments that reshaped Europe, they may well choose 2015-16. Not Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, nor the way Covid laid bare our economic weaknesses, but when immigration started to tear Europe apart, writes Giles Merritt. Far-right populists have succeeded in inflaming voters across the…
Russia’s Growing Influence in Africa
Photo by Alex Radelich on Unsplash Russia’s increasing presence in Africa marks an important shift in global geopolitical dynamics. Unlike the Soviet Union, which had a more ideological approach, today’s Russia operates as an oligarchic, authoritarian state, with a focus on securing political, economic, and military ties on the African continent. While Russia’s strategy may…
Parliament Hearing for Ekaterina Zaharieva
Photo by Drew Hays on Unsplash MEPs have quizzed the Bulgarian candidate for the Startups, Research and Innovation portfolio in Ursula von der Leyen’s EU Commission. Ekaterina Zaharieva faced deputies on the the Industry, Research and Energy Committee on Tuesday. In her introductory remarks, Commissioner-designate Zaharieva expressed her desire to place Research and Innovation (R&I)…
Historic Win in US Elections for Republicans
Photo by Jigar Panchal on Unsplash EU chief Ursula von der Leyen has warmly congratulated Donald Trump on his election as the 47th President of the United States of America. But others have cautioned that his win now presents a profound challenge to world stability. Following Trump’s bigger than expected victory, von der Leyen said…
Campaign to Improve Animal Welfare
Photo by Suzanne Tucker on Unsplash Campaign group Compassion in World Farming is calling for improved animal welfare at EU level. It wants European lawmakers to ensure that such action is central to the new Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare’s role in the new mandate and not just to the job title, in the…
Russian Imperial Aspirations in Africa
Photo by Hans Veth on Unsplash Russia increasingly strives to expand its influence in African countries by employing diplomatic, economic, and military levers. Facing international isolation due to the war in Ukraine and Western sanctions, Moscow is turning its attention to the African continent, viewing it as a strategic opportunity to enhance its influence and…