Photo by Andrew Lvov on Unsplash The new EU-Ukraine Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) has entered into force. As of 29 October, the EU and Ukraine will benefit from an enhanced, stable, fair and permanent trade framework. The EU also says the upgraded DCFTA delivers additional, mutually beneficial trade liberalisation, while taking fully into account…
Author: Martin Banks
Brussels Transforms With Every Passing Month
Photo by Bao Menglong on Unsplash It’s been compared to a cultural playlist on shuffle for a capital city that never hits pause. So, if you are craving a bit of light this November you might like to follow the lights of 13 cafe-theatres during Bruxelles en Scènes, which bring laughter, jazz, song and conviviality back…
More Must be Done to Bring Peace to Sudan
David McAllister has called on all sides in the bitter conflict in Sudan to do more for peace in the embattled country. Centre-right deputy David McAllister, who is Chairman of the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, said, “The situation in Sudan remains catastrophic. After more than two years of conflict, thousands of people have lost…
Annual Poppy Appeal Launched by British Legion
Photo by Guillaume Bleyer on Unsplash The annual launch of the UK’s Royal British Legion poppy appeal has been marked with a moving tribute to the war dead. It comes just ahead of Remembrance Day in November in honour of Britain’s military veterans. The 2025 poppy appeal organisers seek to help over thousands of people…
Sakharov Prize Awarded to 2 Journalists in Prison
Photo images Credit: © L.S/ Belta AFP & Z.T/Netgazeti MEPs have welcomed the decision by European Parliament group leaders to award the 2025 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to journalists Andrzej Poczobut and Mzia Amaglobeli. Named after the Soviet dissident Andrej Sakharov it is the EU’s highest distinction in the field of human rights. Every…
New Report Focusses on Scandal of Food Waste
EU and Ukraine Step Up Pressure On Russia
Photo by Ryan Faulkner on Unsplash The EU and Volodymyr Zelensky have joined forces in a fresh attempt to being peace to war-torn Ukraine. Ahead of a key summit on Ukraine this week, they issued a strongly worded statement. It reads, “We are all united in our desire for a just and lasting peace, deserved by…
Baixo Alentejo Honoured as City of Wine 2026
Photo by Noelia Vega on Unsplash The southern Portuguese city of Baixo Alentejo has been recognised as the European Wine City for 2026. The announcement, made at an event in Brussels on Wednesday, recognises its wine growing heritage stretching back many years. Awarded by RECEVIN, the title celebrates regions that combine excellence in winemaking with…
Call to End Energy Dependence on Russia
Danger Posed by Octopus Farming
Photo by Diane Picchiottino on Unsplash A new report warns of the disastrous implications for the marine environment, animal welfare, and food security of octopus farming and the expansion of carnivorous aquaculture. It claims the world’s first octopus farm proposed by Spanish company Nueva Pescanova, could require up to 28,000 tonnes of wild-caught fish in…










