This year’s extreme heatwave struck western Europe with intensity early in May, but countries in eastern Europe, including Romania, are also on the frontline with temperatures exceeding 35-40 degrees, as I write for Inter-Press Service. #central-easterneurope www.ipsnews.net/2026/07/extr...

Extreme Heatwave Escalates Urgency of Climate Adaptation in Europe

As Western Europe endured its worst-ever June heatwave in recorded history, the imperative for climate adaptation is now urgent.

ipsnews.net

A diversion for the weekend>> For those suffering in the extreme heatwave in Europe, here is a dream of ‘Winter’ from the Four Seasons by Vivaldi, and performed by Matej Meštrović and the Croatian Radio-Television Orchestra. #classicalmusic #europe #heatwave www.youtube.com/watch?v=Efyi...

Vivaldi - Winter / Classics for all generations

YouTube video by Matej Meštrović

youtube.com

New Solomon Islands' PM, Matthew Wale, is raising the benchmark for good governance and democratic solidarity in the South Pacific, as I write for Responsible Statecraft in Washington. responsiblestatecraft.org/solomon-isla...

New Caledonia, a French overseas territory in the Pacific, held elections on 28 June. Politics here is defined by the profound stakes for two movements, Loyalist and Pro-Independence, as they battle for security and stability, human rights and historical justice #southpacific #elections #photography

The dramatic Hungarian election held last month, which propelled the pro-democratic Tisza Party into power, is included in my new e-book, ‘Russia’s War and Europe’s Revival.' It's now available through Google Play Books, Apple Books, Smashwords, Kobo and Fable: play.google.com/store/books/...

Russia's War and Europe's Revival by Catherine Wilson - Books on Google Play

Russia's War and Europe's Revival - Ebook written by Catherine Wilson. Read this book using Google Play Books app on your PC, android, iOS devices. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or...

play.google.com

“I will not rule over Hungary; I will serve my homeland,” heralded a great start by new Hungarian Prime Minister, Péter Magyar, on taking office this month. #europe #hungary #democracy www.ipsnews.net/2026/05/what...

What Hungary’s New Pro-Democracy Government Means For Rule of Law

Péter Magyar, leader of the pro-democratic centre-right Tisza Party, has now been sworn into office, bringing hope of democratic reform.

ipsnews.net

For time-constrained readers who follow news of Europe and the Ukraine war, but seek to understand more, I have released a shortform e-book for you. #central-easterneurope #ukraine #europe #news 'Russia's War and Europe's Revival' is now available here: www.smashwords.com/books/view/2...

Russia's War and Europe's Revival

Author and independent journalist, Catherine Wilson, journeyed across eastern and central Europe from Romania, Bulgaria, and North Macedonia to Hungary from late 2024 to the early months of 2025. Alon...

smashwords.com

After Hungary's recent dramatic election it is time to cue Brahms Hungarian Dance No. 5 as you've never heard it played before by Croatian piano maestro, Matej Meštrović... #europeandeu #hungary #central-easterneurope #classicalmusic www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4GF...

Brahms Hungarian Dance No.5

YouTube video by Matej Meštrović

youtube.com

Cities. Urbanization. Volatile climate. Cyclones. Disasters. Poverty. A devastating mix.... #southpacific #tropicalcyclones #cities www.ipsnews.net/2026/04/info...

Informal Settlements Grapple With Climate Extremes in Pacific Islands

A rising cycle of poverty and extreme weather threatens many towns, especially those situated on coastlines, in the Pacific Islands.

ipsnews.net

This month's seismic election in Hungary has unleashed a phenomenal moment of hope and renewal in Europe...! #europe #eu #ukraine #democracy www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...

Hungary bets on Europe – and Ukraine may benefit as a result

After 16 years of Orbán’s illiberal experiment, the Magyar moment has come.

lowyinstitute.org

Are you looking for authentic quality high resolution photos of the Pacific Islands for editorial use? As a journalist, who has reported from the region, I am offering publication quality photos for purchase from my Shootproof site. #photography #media #worldnews catherineew.shootproof.com

Today the EU and notions of European identity are facing enormous challenges from war, Russian aggression and democratic backsliding. As EC President, Ursula von der Leyen, states: 'Make no mistake...this is a fight for our future.' #europeanunion #reneweurope www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...

Europe is grappling with its identity as well as Russian aggression

War and democratic backsliding are threatening core EU tenets, with a fight for its future on the cards.

lowyinstitute.org

The Putin Factor... Ongoing Russia-Ukraine peace efforts must still engage with the tangled web of the Russian leader’s rhetoric, actions and geopolitical ambitions. #ukrainepeace #russia independentaustralia.net/politics/pol...

Russia-Ukraine peace and the Putin factor

Ukraine peace talks may be “95% done”, but Europe knows the final barrier isn’t borders — it’s Vladimir Putin.

independentaustralia.net

If you think western European capitals do Christmas decorations, then you need to visit Bucharest in Romania! This photo was taken in the beautiful Eastern European capital in December last year.... #romania #christmas #central-easterneurope #photography

In the wake of Trump's demeaning treatment (again) of a female journalist, when a Bloomberg reporter was labelled ‘piggy’, this Freudian analysis of his ‘Politics of the Potty’ might go some way to explaining his anti-civilizational reputation! #trump www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/world/united...

The politics of the potty

Trump’s defecating fighter jet is an emblem of a man in revolt against civilisation

prospectmagazine.co.uk

There is no ambiguity now! The Ukraine peace proposal is a spectacular showcase of the U.S. and Trump's weak leadership and impotency in the face of Putin's autocracy. Just as the Gaza ceasefire deal was the work of European and Arab states behind the scenes. kyivindependent.com/state-secret...

Rubio facing scrutiny after telling US senators that 28-point plan is a Russian proposal passed along to Ukraine

The U.S. bipartisan Senate delegation attending the Halifax International Security Forum had received a phone call from Secretary of State Marco Rubio. In it, Rubio was quite frank. According to Rep...

kyivindependent.com

One of the most beautiful statues I have seen during my journalist travels. The graceful rendering of 'The Harpist' located near the National Theatre in Skopje, North Macedonia...! #sculpture #sculptureart #northmacedonia #europeandeu

From Britain and Europe to Australia and the Pacific Islands, unexploded bombs dating back to the Second World War are still being discovered. And in developing countries they still take lives and hinder national development... #pacific #secondworldwarhistory www.ipsnews.net/2025/10/worl...

World War II Era Weapons Still Threatening Lives and Development in the Solomon Islands

The military forces of WW2 left a massive legacy of unexploded ordnance still scattered across the Solomon Islands.

ipsnews.net

International Day of Disaster Risk Reduction is a reminder of the extreme disasters affecting every region of the world. And the central role of the media to inform the public, get out life-saving messages and support recovery... #disasters #naturaldisasters #media www.unesco.org/en/articles/...

Media in the face of disasters

The growing need for institutional preparedness and response strategies

unesco.org

This Sunday the EU, Ukraine and Russia will be closely watching the parliamentary election being held in Moldova, one of immense significance to Ukraine and Europe's resilience against Russian aggression. #moldova #central-easterneurope #ukraine #europeandeu www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...

Why Moldova’s election results matter for Europe’s war with Russia

Vladimir Putin has his eyes on a tiny landlocked country that could prove critical in his campaign against Ukraine.

lowyinstitute.org

Budapest, one of Europe's most mesmerising cities on the Danube River, shrouded in mist and looking enigmatic and otherworldly in January this year... #photography #budapest #traveleurope #central-easterneurope

International partners, including the U.S., Canada and China, have been ousted from this week's Pacific Island leaders' summit in the Solomon Islands. It's an opportunity for the Trump team to rethink the impacts of its policies and actions on the region.. responsiblestatecraft.org/pacific-isla...

Not wanted: US, China barred from major Pacific Island summit

Regional leaders are tired of the geopolitical jousting and great power squeeze on their governments and militaries

responsiblestatecraft.org

It is eighty years since the end of World War II, but, in some far-flung remote countries, leftover ageing weapons and ordnance are still taking a tragic human toll..... #southpacific #secondworldwarhistory #ww2history #history independentaustralia.net/politics/pol...

Deadly threat of unexploded bombs in the Pacific persists 80 years on

Eighty years after WWII, Solomon Islanders face the ongoing threat of death and injury from hidden, unexploded bombs.

independentaustralia.net

Social media is a great place to find fellow fighters for democracy, but nothing will change unless you act in the real world and employ your democratic rights effectively. Witness Ukraine and Romania. #romania #democracy #europeandeu #central-easterneurope www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...

How Romania defied Putin’s interference to choose democracy over division

Nicuşor Dan’s decisive win over a nationalist challenger could mark a broader European trend away from extremist gains.

lowyinstitute.org

The Parliament looms from a white winter sky in Bucharest, Romania, during my visit in November last year, the same month the country's Presidential Election was cancelled following Russian interference. In the May election rerun, democracy won! #photography #fightingfordemocracy #savedemocracy

Child protection, and ensuring lifelong human rights, begins with birth registration... #humanrights #humanrightsnews #SDGs #southpacific #africa www.ipsnews.net/2025/06/rega...

Regaining Progress on Birth Registration Is Critical to Child Protection

Registering the birth of a newborn, taken for granted in many countries, has lifelong repercussions for a child’s health, protection, and well-being.

ipsnews.net

Fiji is underlining its commitment to strengthening democracy and human rights with a new Truth and Reconciliation Commission giving citizens a platform to discuss the impacts of four coups in 38 years. #SouthPacific #Pacific #Goodgovernance #politics #democracy www.ipsnews.net/2025/08/fiji...

Fiji’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission Aims To Restore Trust and Peace After Decades of Political Crises

For 38 years Fiji has endured a political rollercoaster with four armed coups that overturned democratically elected governments.

ipsnews.net

Russia's invasion in 2022 and evasion of a ceasefire isn't just about Ukraine: Putin is playing a long game. www.crikey.com.au/2025/04/03/u...