Europe’s cost‑of‑living debate was reignited on 2 May, when the central bank confirmed that interest rates would remain elevated for the foreseeable future — a decision that landed heavily with households already stretched by rising prices. The announcement underscored a simple reality: borrowing costs will not fall quickly, and the era of cheap credit that…
© Photo by Planet Volumes on Unsplash The crisis in the Strait of Hormuz has entered a far more dangerous and economically disruptive phase than when tensions first flared, leaving Europe exposed to a shock that is now reshaping global energy markets. The near‑closure of the strait following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, and…
The upcoming plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, taking place from 27 to 30 April 2026, arrives at a pivotal moment for the Union’s political direction. The agenda published for the sitting outlines a week dominated by debates on the EU’s longterm budget, fundamental rights, trade policy and animal welfare, each carrying implications…
Photo by Peter Stawowy on Unsplash The financial management of the EU’s 43 agencies was better in 2024 than in previous years, according to the annual audit report issued today by the European Court of Auditors (ECA). However, the auditors have once again detected issues with budgetary management, public procurement procedures, and management and control…
Photo by Ilyas Dautov on Unsplash Europe today is rethinking its economic security and long-term resilience. Questions of energy autonomy, supply chain diversification, and connectivity have risen to the top of the agenda, accelerated by geopolitical fragmentation and the global green transition. At the same time, Central Asia has emerged as a region of growing…
Photo by Sam Carden on Unsplash An extra two billion people could be fed every year and land around the size of Mexico would be freed up to grow food for people if we ended the feeding of grain to factory farmed animals, according to a new report by Compassion in World Farming. Coming soon…
Photo by MARIOLA GROBELSKA on Unsplash The EU is unlikely to meet its goal of directing 25 % of Aid for Trade funding to the least developed countries by 2030, according to a new report by the European Court of Auditors. While the corresponding EU strategy was updated in 2017 so as better to address…
Photo by Kevin Ache on Unsplash Europe’s largest rare-earth magnet factory has opened in Narva, Estonia. The EU funded factory will produce rare-earth permanent magnets to be used in key economic sectors, for example in electric vehicles, wind turbines and microelectronics. As more than 90% of magnets currently imported in the EU come from China,…
Photo by MW on Unsplash Today, the world faces mounting uncertainties and challenges from prolonged conflicts and democratic backsliding to economic coercion and disinformation campaigns. Authoritarian regimes increasingly employ gray-zone tactics that undermine the rules-based international order. In this fragile global environment, peace cannot be taken for granted. Democracies must unite to bolster resilience and…
Photo by Albert Hyseni on Unsplash While Russia continues to throw unprecedented resources into its war machine, the country’s industrial foundations are showing clear signs of strain. Key strategic sectors including automotive, metallurgy, and agricultural machinery are quietly reducing operations. Enterprises such as AvtoVAZ and KamAZ have transitioned to four-day working weeks, citing falling demand and…
