USCIRF Commissioner Maureen Ferguson civil society groups are often the first to expose religious freedom violations

Russia plans to deploy 10,000 troops to the separatist Transnistria region bordering Ukraine, with the aim of installing a pro-Kremlin government in Moldova ahead of its parliamentary elections. Moldova's Prime Minister Dorin Recean accused Moscow of undermining Moldovan democracy through propaganda and financial influence, expending 1% of Moldova’s GDP on such efforts. He emphasized the need to bolster Moldova's defenses while pursuing EU membership, highlighting the strategic military implications of increased Russian presence near NATO...

Germany's new government plans to implement a €46bn corporate tax break package to stimulate the economy, with Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil set to present the measures aimed at enhancing competitiveness and encouraging investment by summer. Key incentives include allowing companies to deduct 30% of new machinery costs from taxes and gradually reducing the corporate tax rate from 15% to 10% by 2028. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to modernize infrastructure and support...

This article discusses recent political developments in Europe, including the fall of the Dutch government led by far-right leader Geert Wilders, leaving Prime Minister Dick Schoof as a caretaker. It also highlights the escalating trade tensions between the EU and the US, with a significant tariff increase on steel and aluminum announced by the US, coinciding with trade negotiations in Paris, where EU officials express concerns over the impact on ongoing talks. Additionally, EU defense...

Russia's war on Ukraine has highlighted the inefficiency of using expensive missiles against inexpensive drones, prompting European military leaders to seek new defense technologies. Start-ups like Frankenburg Technologies and Nordic Air Defence are emerging to create affordable anti-drone systems, aiming to reduce costs significantly while increasing production capacity. With the urgency of evolving warfare and the looming threat from Russia, there is a call for heightened defense spending and private investment to support innovative solutions...

In North Wales, Enfinium is testing technology to capture carbon dioxide emissions from its waste-to-energy incinerator, aiming to clean its output and potentially earn credits under a proposed UK emissions trading scheme overhaul. The government plans to allow companies that remove CO₂ to sell allowances to polluters, which could incentivize carbon removal technologies, though critics warn it may undermine current emission reduction efforts. While some experts support the initiative, concerns persist about the adequacy of...

Eurozone Inflation Drops Below ECB TargetIn May, Eurozone inflation fell to 1.9%, below the European Central Bank's (ECB) 2% target for the first time in seven months, leading economists to predict potential interest rate cuts. The euro declined by 0.3% following the data release, with expectations for a quarter-point rate cut to 2% anticipated at the ECB's upcoming meeting. Analysts suggest further easing is likely, with core inflation also decreasing to 2.3%, indicating a trend...