An Engaged PVC Value Chain: Paving the Way to a Plastic-Free Future

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The International Religious Freedom (IRF) Roundtable has expressed strong support following the announcement—shared last night on the platform X—of Congressman Mark Walker’s appointment by the Trump administration as the next U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom.
The IRF Roundtable, a diverse and non-partisan coalition of advocates committed to defending

The United Kingdom’s global defence role must be fundamentally rethought, according to a leading UK-based defence expert.

“The UK no longer possesses the financial resources or the political and diplomatic influence it once wielded,”

said Professor Paul Cornish in response to the country’s recently announced Strategic Defence Review (SDR).
Prof. Cornish is a defence and strategy specialist at

Here is a rewritten version of the article titled “Coupes dans l’aide au développement, droits de douane… les alliés des Etats-Unis au Moyen-Orient font face au ‘scénario du pire’” from POLITICO:
Title: Aid Cuts and Tariff Threats Leave U.S. Allies in the Middle East Facing a Worst-Case Scenario
As the United States and Europe weigh reductions in foreign aid and increased trade barriers, their all

Washington – President Donald Trump expressed confidence in reaching a tariff agreement with the European Union, stating he is “100% sure” this will occur. At the start of the meeting on Thursday in Washington, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni echoed his sentiments, asserting her own belief that a deal can be achieved.
However, Meloni, who leads the ultraconservative coalition in

European Central Bank Lowers Key Interest Rates Amid Easing Inflation
17 April 2025
The European Central Bank (ECB) Governing Council has announced a reduction of 25 basis points across its three key interest rates, aiming to support price stability and economic resilience. This decision follows a comprehensive assessment of inflation trends, underlying price pressures, and the efficiency of mone

Members of the European Parliament are set to vote next week on the report for the European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP).
The EDIP aims to strengthen the integration of the European defence industry and serve as a foundational pillar for building a common European defence capability.
With the war in Ukraine still raging and concerns over the future scale of U.S. support for Europe’s securit

Steve Witkoff, a special envoy who has met several times with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, recently told Fox News that a proposed Russian peace deal depends on the status of “five territories of Ukraine.”
Although he did not name the regions explicitly, the areas in question are likely Crimea — which Russia illegally annexed in 2014 — along with Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zapori

EU Enlargement Commissioner Discusses Future Challenges with Journalists Amid Rising Geopolitical Tensions
EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos addressed reporters from various member agencies of the European Newsroom (ENR) about significant milestones and challenges facing countries seeking to join the European Union, particularly in the context of escalating geopolitical tensions.
The Commissio

A Rise in Violence Against Civilians Sparks Concern in South Sudan
A new report by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) reveals a disturbing surge in violence against civilians last year, including a sharp rise in conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV). The findings are based on firsthand accounts from victims and witnesses, as well as insights gathered during field missions and fr

Herent (Eurotoday) – Herent is dealing with regular incidents of trucks getting stuck under low bridges on Bijlokstraat—possibly several times a month. To tackle the issue, local leader Simon Pardon is turning to visual cues and enhanced signage.
The town of Herent, located in the province of Flemish Brabant, Belgium, is taking new steps to prevent trucks from crashing into low-clearance bridges