The European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) is about to enter a phase of change, with the current mandate set to conclude soon. The selection process for the next EDPS is initiated with the European Parliament hearings scheduled for January 16, as confirmed by a spokesperson for the European Parliament. These hearings, overseen by the Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs Committee (LIBE), were postponed to ensure that both the candidates and lawmakers have adequate preparation time. This careful planning indicates the significance of the role, which is central to overseeing the privacy compliance of EU institutions amid growing concerns about…

The European Commission is currently undertaking efforts to pinpoint the headquarters of the emerging social media platform Bluesky in light of compliance with the Digital Services Act (DSA). A crucial aspect of this regulatory framework involves requiring digital platforms to be legally established within the European Union. Thus far, inquiries to the national regulators of the 27 EU countries have not revealed any connections linking Bluesky to Ireland or the Netherlands—two countries known for hosting numerous U.S. tech giants. In Ireland, where regulatory bodies like Coimisiún na Meán oversee compliance, there has been no notification of Bluesky’s establishment for DSA…

In a significant espionage case, a London court has heard allegations against three Bulgarian nationals residing in the UK: Katrin Ivanova, 33, Vanya Gaberova, 30, and Tihomir Ivanov Ivanchev, 39. Prosecutors claim that these individuals orchestrated “honey pot” operations aimed at kidnapping and potentially killing dissidents and journalists, while also transferring sensitive information to Russian authorities. The trial, which has captured considerable media attention, examines the alleged activities of the defendants over a nearly three-year period, from 2020 to 2023. Alongside the main suspects, two additional defendants, Orlin Roussev and Biser Dzhambazov, have already entered guilty pleas related to espionage,…

Călin Georgescu, a far-right nationalist candidate in Romania’s presidential race, has generated considerable attention by announcing the potential visit of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to Bucharest for a book launch. Georgescu revealed that he wrote the preamble for Kennedy’s latest book, The Real Anthony Fauci: Bill Gates, Big Pharma, and the Global War on Democracy and Public Health, and expressed that RFK Jr had long desired to promote this work in Romania. Supporters have speculated that Kennedy might arrive on December 5, highlighting Georgescu’s growing influence. The candidate’s controversial political stance, notably his denial of the war in Ukraine and…

The German government has made a significant commitment to bolster its domestic semiconductor sector by announcing an investment of approximately €2 billion in subsidies. This investment aims to enhance Germany’s competitiveness in the global market while also mitigating dependence on semiconductor supply chains from countries such as China and the United States. Although further details regarding the allocation and implementation of these subsidies are yet to be disclosed, Germany’s economic ministry has begun soliciting applications from semiconductor firms to aid in upgrading their production capabilities. Key decisions regarding the final subsidy amounts are anticipated to follow the country’s forthcoming elections,…

In November, inflation in the eurozone nudged higher, meeting market forecasts as Germany grappled with its steepest drop in retail sales in two years. According to preliminary data from Eurostat, annual inflation rose to 2.3% in November from 2% in October. This uptick reflects the diminishing deflationary effects of energy prices. Despite surpassing the European Central Bank’s (ECB) target, recent monthly trends indicate a more favorable outlook. Notably, consumer prices decreased by 0.3% in November compared to the previous month, marking the largest monthly decline since January 2024. Although energy prices remained down by 1.9% year-on-year, this decline was less…

Greek sovereign bonds have recently achieved a remarkable milestone, successfully closing the yield gap with French bonds, which is emblematic of Greece’s impressive fiscal reforms and economic resilience. This landmark moment is particularly noteworthy given the backdrop of the eurozone’s sovereign debt crisis, during which Greek 10-year bonds yielded nearly 40 percentage points more than those of France, leaving Greece on the brink of default due to an overwhelming debt burden that exceeded 175% of its gross domestic product (GDP) at the time. However, by late November, Greece’s 10-year sovereign bonds yielded below 3%, equaling the yield on France’s government…

In November 2024, Germany’s labor market displayed unexpected resilience amid concerns over rising unemployment. The Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) reported that the number of unemployed people increased by only 7,000 to reach 2.86 million, a figure significantly less than analysts’ forecasts of a 20,000 rise. While October had already seen a jump of 27,000 unemployed individuals, November’s numbers suggest that the labor market is still managing to absorb the impact of job cuts announced by major firms like Volkswagen and Schaeffler. Despite these job reductions, the overall unemployment rate stood at 5.9%, reflecting a complex picture of stability…

The Swiss economy is currently experiencing a slow but steady expansion, primarily supported by trade, despite facing challenges in its manufacturing sector. Between July and September, the nation’s GDP exhibited a growth rate of 0.4% on a quarter-to-quarter basis, a decline from the 0.6% growth observed from April to June. When adjusted for seasonal factors, the GDP growth for the third quarter was recorded at 0.2%, down from 0.4% in the preceding quarter. This slowdown can be attributed to various factors, most notably the robust performance of trade, which witnessed a rise of 1.4% after enduring four successive quarters of…

The exhibition curated by the anonymous street artist known as Tabby presents a unique artistic exploration centered around the theme of schnitzels. Situated in a minimalist venue on Spiegelgasse, this showcase features an intriguing array of schnitzels that vary in size, thickness, and even maturity. By placing these diverse representations side by side, Tabby invites viewers to engage in comparative analysis, thus prompting discussions about aesthetics, identity, and the mundane objects that make up our culinary culture. In addition to the schnitzel comparisons, the exhibition boasts a significant selection of Tabby’s global street art, with 100 pieces displayed throughout the…