Romania's investment control regime has undergone significant revisions, expanding the scope of scrutinized investments and introducing an examination fee. The regime applies to both EU and non-EU investors and targets investments over EUR 2,000,000 in strategic sectors. The authorization procedure includes a notification requirement, an authorization fee, and a dual notification for transactions that are both foreign direct investments and mergers. The Foreign Financial Contributions Regime in the EU addresses non-EU financial contributions to EU economic operators, with severe penalties for non-compliance. Companies must conduct due diligence, prepare for transactions, and adjust schedules for FDI and FSR authorizations, prioritizing competition-related aspects and seeking legal assistance due to legislative uncertainties.

Romania's investment control regime has undergone significant revisions, expanding the scope of scrutinized investments and introducing an examination fee. The regime applies to both EU and non-EU investors and targets investments over EUR 2,000,000 in strategic sectors. The authorization procedure includes a notification requirement, an authorization fee, and a dual notification for transactions that are both foreign direct investments and mergers. The Foreign Financial Contributions Regime in the EU adds an extra assessment level for non-EU contributions to EU economic operators. Companies must conduct due diligence, prepare for transactions, and adjust schedules for FDI and FSR authorizations. The importance of specialized legal assistance and proactive investment planning is emphasized due to legislative uncertainties and the risk of substantial fines.

The article discusses the influence of Copa-Cogeca, the EU's largest farming lobby, which claims to represent over 22 million European farmers. However, interviews with farmers, insiders, and other stakeholders reveal that the lobby's policies often favor large, industrial farms over smallholders and environmentally conscious practices. The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), which incentivizes industrial agriculture, is a significant part of the EU budget and has been supported by Copa-Cogeca. The lobby has considerable access to EU institutions and has been resistant to stricter environmental regulations. Copa-Cogeca's membership figures are declining, and there is growing dissent among its affiliates who feel marginalized. The article also highlights the challenges faced by small-scale farmers like Stela Zămoiu in Romania, who feel underrepresented by the lobby and the government. The lobby's push for high-tech agriculture is at odds with the vision of many young and small-scale farmers who advocate for sustainable and biodiversity-friendly farming practices.

Since 2017, Romania has been issuing visas to Asian workers to address labor shortages, with non-EU recruitment quotas increasing from 3,000 in 2016 to 100,000 in 2022. These migrants face unprepared institutions, leading to abuse and exploitation. The investigation, conducted with Libertatea and journalists from India and Vietnam, reveals the harsh realities faced by workers like Gurwinder, a civil engineer from India, who experienced employer abuses and considered suicide. Recruitment agencies, such as International Work Finder, have proliferated, with some engaging in unethical practices. Workers incur debts to pay recruitment fees and are often exploited due to their financial vulnerability. The article details the experiences of workers from India, Nepal, and Vietnam, including passport confiscation, unpaid wages, and poor living conditions. Some have witnessed accidents and deaths among their colleagues, with the causes often uninvestigated.

The article discusses the contentious relationship between tech giants like Facebook and Google and news publishers, particularly in the context of the Balkans. It highlights the disparity in profits made by these tech companies from news content and the minimal compensation news publishers receive in return. The article references a Bloomberg analysis and mentions the Australian case where media organizations have been able to negotiate deals with these tech companies. It also touches on the European Union's efforts to enact copyright reform to ensure fair compensation for publishers. The article includes opinions from Tihomir Loza of SEENPM and a professional from the Romanian Center for Independent Journalism, who express skepticism about the effectiveness of Australian-style regulations in other regions and discuss the importance of public funding for journalism to maintain its role in democracy.

The article investigates the ongoing issue of bilge dumping in European waters, where ships illegally discharge oily wastewater containing hazardous substances. Despite efforts by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) to monitor and prevent this through the CleanSeaNet system, the problem persists. The investigation, in partnership with Skytruth, used satellite imagery and machine learning to detect hundreds of potential illegal dumps since 2020. Whistleblowers within the maritime industry have revealed the structural nature of bilge dumping and the methods used to evade detection. The article highlights the lack of enforcement and accountability, with low response rates from EU member states and minimal fines that fail to deter offenders. The impact of bilge dumping on marine life is also discussed, emphasizing the toxic effects on small organisms and the overall environmental threat posed by these frequent, yet less visible, spills.

Romania's Roma minority, historically victimized by society and the state, faces a new challenge with the rise of social media amplifying both activism and hate speech. Despite the prevalence of smartphones, which help uncover police abuses, the Romanian police force is notorious for acting with impunity, particularly towards the Roma. A recent video showing police brutality did not spark widespread protest, and online reactions often supported the police. Activists note that Romanians show more interest in Black Lives Matter protests abroad than in domestic racial abuses. A new law introduces stricter penalties for discriminatory speech and actions against the Roma, but its effectiveness remains untested. The Roma's lack of faith in the justice system, compounded by poverty and lack of education, hinders their pursuit of justice, leaving NGOs and activists to play a crucial role. The European Court of Human Rights has historically ruled in favor of the Roma, but Romanian courts tend to side with the police. A police raid on a Roma settlement in Bolintin-Vale during a lockdown led to allegations of torture, but the case has stalled. The police chief involved was briefly suspended but later reinstated, with local support. Roma activists face a backlash when confronting online hate, and the community remains skeptical about challenging racism on social media platforms.

Romania's Roma minority, historically victimized by society and the state, faces a new challenge with the rise of social media amplifying both activism and hate speech. Despite the prevalence of smartphones, which help uncover police abuses, the Romanian police force is notorious for acting with impunity, particularly towards the Roma. A recent video showing police brutality did not spark widespread protest, and online reactions often supported the police. Activists note that Romanians show more interest in Black Lives Matter protests abroad than in domestic racial abuses. A new law introduces stricter penalties for discriminatory speech and actions against the Roma, but its effectiveness remains untested. The Roma's lack of faith in the justice system, compounded by poverty and lack of education, hinders their pursuit of justice, leaving NGOs and activists to play a crucial role. The European Court of Human Rights has historically ruled in favor of the Roma, but Romanian courts tend to side with the police. A police raid on a Roma settlement in Bolintin-Vale during a lockdown led to allegations of torture, but the case has stalled. The police chief involved was briefly suspended but later reinstated, with local support. Roma activists face a backlash when confronting online hate, and the community remains skeptical about challenging racism on social media platforms.