Double Tenth

Taiwan National Day

Taiwan’s new ambassador in Brussels has made an impassioned plea for his nation’s sovereignty to be respected. Speaking on Tuesday (30 September) at a reception to mark the Country’s National Day, Professor Dr Shieh Jhy-Wey, who took up his new post only a week ago, said, “Sometimes I am asked: why not just give up?…

USCIRF Recommends Uzbekistan for Special Watch List Over Religious Freedom Violations

Photo by Ozodbek Erkinov on Unsplash

Photo by Ozodbek Erkinov on Unsplash According to the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), Uzbekistan should be added to the U.S. State Department’s Special Watch List for engaging in systematic violations of religious freedom. The recommendation comes in the commission’s latest reporting, which highlights an array of laws and administrative practices that it says punish…

Moldova at the Crossroads

Photo by Sasha Pleshco on Unsplash

Photo by Sasha Pleshco on Unsplash On 28 September 2025, Moldova arrives at a critical crossroad, not only electing a new parliament but also determining its geopolitical future. These elections will either reinforce the country’s commitment to European integration or lead to its transformation into a grey zone of instability along the borders of the…

Stronger EU-Africa Relationship Needed

Photo by Henrik Hansen on Unsplash

Photo by Henrik Hansen on Unsplash The EU-Africa relationship offers great investment and trade opportunities, according to Europe’s business community. But they also warn that stronger and more targeted action is needed from policymakers is needed to overcome existing hurdles. Although the EU remains the top trading partner for African countries, with an estimated €467.2…

A Call to Support Taiwan’s Participation in ICAO

Photo by Hieu on Unsplash The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) convenes its Assembly once every three years, writes Chen Shih-kai. During the event, multilateral meetings and discussions are held to draw up global civil aviation regulations and standards. Nations abide by the conclusions drawn at the Assembly, ensuring the safe and orderly growth of…

Fresh Aid for Ukraine to Prepare for Winter

Photo by Evgeny Opanasenko on Unsplash

Photo by Evgeny Opanasenko on Unsplash The European Commission says it is allocating an extra €40 million in humanitarian funding to help Ukrainians endure a fourth winter of Russia’s war of aggression. This new support will strengthen the country’s preparedness for winter and protect civilians against extreme cold. Comment came from Hadja Lahbib, who is…

Deteriorating Political Crisis in Serbia

Photo by Valery Tenevoy on Unsplash

Photo by Valery Tenevoy on Unsplash   The Socialists and Democrats in the EU Parliament are sounding the alarm over the rapidly deteriorating political crisis in Serbia.   The group, the 2nd biggest in the assembly, is also calling out the European People’s Party (EPP) for what S and D calls its complicit silence and…

Sudan’s Secretary Bird Takes Flight in New Direction

Photo by Elize Bezuidenhout on Unsplash

Photo by Elize Bezuidenhout on Unsplash In the last days of August, Sudan’s two rival governments both held cabinet meetings which, in their different symbolisms, reflected very different visions for the future of their benighted country. Those different visions were best captured in the redesigned state coat of arms that hung on the wall behind…