The two plan to meet behind closed doors Friday in Alaska to discuss ‘land swapping’. What will happen this time? The lessons of Helsinki are clear: putting Donald Trump alone in a room with Vladimir Putin is an unpredictable – and often dangerous – affair. It was 2018 when the...
Thousands evacuated in Spain amid deadly wildfires and new heatwave
Almost 6,000 people have been evacuated from their homes in northern, central and southern Spain as wildfires continue to burn amid a heatwave that could bring temperatures of 44C to some parts of the country. The deadly heat across large parts of Europe has created what scientists have called a...
UK recovers position in EU’s Horizon Europe science research programme
Scientists received €735m in grants in 2024 after UK rejoined programme as associate member post-Brexit. While the UK has to play catch-up, entering three years into the seven-year 2020-27 funding programme, data shows British scientists are punching above their weight with €735m (£635m) in grants in 2024. That ranks the...
EU Enlargement: Investment Engine or Corruption Accelerator?
Despite internal turmoil and external threats, the European Union is moving swiftly to bring Moldova, the Western Balkans, and Ukraine closer to its doorstep — a step Brussels frames as a strategic choice aimed at bolstering democracy and economic stability in the region. Yet behind the lofty declarations of a...
More countries added to UK’s ‘deport first’ scheme for foreign criminals
Former justice secretaries criticise expansion of policy that they say allows perpetrators to go unpunished Foreign criminals from 15 more countries face deportation before they have a chance to appeal in an expansion of the UK government’s “deport first, appeal later” scheme. Ministers are extending the scheme, which applies in...
Chinese Investments in EU Infrastructure: Boon or a New Form of Systemic Corruption?
One of the most striking economic trends in Europe over the past decade has been China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). For countries with limited resources or underdeveloped infrastructure, it has opened doors long shut — bringing long-awaited funds for roads, ports, railways, and energy projects that had languished for...
Europe’s leaders raise pressure on Trump to involve Ukraine in Putin talks
Europe’s leaders have raised the pressure on Donald Trump to involve Ukraine in a planned summit with Vladimir Putin, as Germany warned the White House against any deal hatched “over the heads of Europeans and Ukrainians”. Speaking before a bilateral meeting expected to take place between the US and Russian...
UK firms hiring intentions remain at record low amid rising employment costs
UK businesses are keeping recruitment plans at record lows as they grapple with rising employment costs, economic uncertainty, and slowing demand — a trend hitting young workers hardest. Three separate surveys released Monday showed declining hiring activity, weaker pay growth, and fading business confidence. Many company leaders described themselves as...
Charging ahead: will the UK’s new electric vehicle grant work for you?
Industry experts hope the new subsidy will boost Britain’s EV market – but not all models will be eligible. Is it time to go electric? The UK car industry certainly thinks so and is readying for a surge in demand as a new subsidy scheme cuts the price of some...
The Route of Russian Money in the EU: The Kremlin Sponsors Political Loyalty
Under conditions of international isolation — intensified after the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine — Russia has been actively seeking alternative ways to influence European politics in order to promote its interests. Having failed in its attempts to “befriend” the EU at the official level, Moscow has increasingly...