Let’s Tune In To The EU’s Periphery: Italy Protects Made In Italy Label
The Italian government raided facilities manufacturing purses for Dior and Armani in order to protect the Made In Italy brand.
The Italian government raided facilities manufacturing purses for Dior and Armani in order to protect the Made In Italy brand.
In February 2024, President Lula attended the 37th African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, promoting Brazil’s ties with the Global South. His comments labelling the Gaza conflict as genocide at the hands of Israel sparked international controversy, straining relations with Israel and affecting his domestic approval. Despite criticism, Lula remains steadfast, aligning Brazil with Global South priorities.
While Spain has made progress protecting women, young girls remain vulnerable.
Central Asia is a vast and resource-rich region situated between three major centers of influence. Formerly part of both the Russian Empire and then the Soviet Union, its nations have only recently gained independence following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. They continue to be influenced by Moscow, although they have made some significant strides towards autonomy in their own right. The Russian military’s actions in Ukraine have continuously eroded the credibility of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), a Russian-led military alliance. This, coupled with a significant loss of soft power in the countries of the post- Soviet space, which traditionally formed part of its sphere of influence, could create an opening for other influential actors to emerge as real alternative partners. The European Union wishes to consider an even more proactive role in Central Asia, given the young nations’ of Central Asia newfound pragmatism in foreign policy and its potential to enhance EU interests.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk plans to fortify Poland’s eastern border to prevent illegal immigration.
While the European Union puts its efforts into bi and multilateral agreements to resolve the migration crisis, its externalization policies are at the center of discussion and criticism.
Cyprus has been an island divided for decades. The Untied Nations is warning that the opportunity for reunification is now or never.
On December 4th, 2023, UK Home Secretary James Cleverly outlined a “five-point plan” to reduce legal migration by 300,000 through tighter rules, impacting dependants, income thresholds, and job sponsorships. These changes, amidst Rishi Sunak’s pledge to reduce immigration, faced criticism for potentially exacerbating worker shortages and harming economic growth, as well as raising human rights concerns. The divisive plan and the scrutinized Rwanda Scheme indicate the Conservatives’ struggle to balance electoral promises with practical policy delivery.
Greece makes history as the first Orthodox Christian nation to pass legislation allowing same-sex marriage. Italy remains the sole nation in western Europe not allowing same-sex marriages.
More than 9,000 civilians have been murdered since the start of fighting in April, and 7.1 million people have been forced from their homes, resulting in the world’s largest displacement crisis ever. Reports from the village of Ardamata reveal that the RSF launched an ethnically-motivated attack against Masalit civilians, resulting in the murder and displacement of the town’s population. Human Rights Watch warn that this is a sign of ethnically targeted killings against the Masalit.