And So It Begins…

Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash The European Union has been told it must stand on its own two feet, to fight both climate collapse and the rise of autocrats. The blunt message came from the European Greens as Donald Trump started his 2nd term as US president on Monday. It also follows President Trump’s…

Gabriel Popoviciu Absolved by Romania’s High Court of Cassation and Justice in final ruling

Gabriel Popoviciu

Romanian businessman Gabriel ‘Puiu’ Popoviciu’s lengthy legal battle has reached a final conclusion with a robust and final decision in his favour. On 15 January 2025, Romania’s High Court of Cassation and Justice, Romania’s equivalent of a Supreme Court, upheld an earlier decision by the Bucharest Court of Appeal in July 2024 to completely acquit…

Cybersecurity

Photo by Adi Goldstein on Unsplash

Photo by Adi Goldstein on Unsplash On 10 January, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico suggested that the recent cyberattack on Slovakia’s land registry may have originated from Ukraine. Similarly, Slovakia’s Interior Minister, Michal Š. Eštok noted that the attack could potentially involve cybercriminals operating from Ukraine, referring to a similar breach in Russia. While these…

Zhanna Shamalova, Mastering The Art of Reinvention

Zhanna Shamalova

Zhanna Shamalova represents a notable example of entrepreneurial success in the post-Soviet era, having transformed early adversity into opportunity through strategic vision and adaptability. Her journey from late Soviet Moldova to becoming a sophisticated London-based investor and healthcare innovator illustrates the possibilities that talented individuals may exploit in a period of profound global change. I…

Surviving Crisis and War

Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash It is everyone’s right to know how to prepare for and survive crisis and war when the unthinkable happens, writes Maria Martisiute.  As security is the foundation of everything, according to the recent high-level EU report by the former Finnish President Niinistö, then civil preparedness is the foundation of…

The Defence of Europe

Photo by Arkana Bilal on Unsplash

Photo by Arkana Bilal on Unsplash MEPs have discussed the security situation in Europe and beyond as well as defence and EU-NATO cooperation with the new NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. In his first public discussion with MEPs since taking office as NATO Secretary General, former Dutch PM Rutte said he is deeply concerned about…

China Accused of Discrimination Against EU

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Photo by CDC on Unsplash A key report published on Tuesday (14 January highlights what it calls continued discrimination against EU medical devices in China’s public procurement market. The report will feed into the EU Commission’s assessment on what measures should be taken to restore the EU-China level playing field in this area. The EC…

The Battle Between Truth and Deception

Photo by Myko Makhlai on Unsplash

Photo by Myko Makhlai on Unsplash Russia’s persistent efforts to undermine trust in Ukraine are playing out both domestically and internationally, with the Kremlin deploying a range of propaganda tactics aimed at distorting reality. From claims about Ukraine’s alleged failure to manage effective mobilisation to the unfounded fears of Western support being cut off, the…