The Russian State Duma is due to proceed with the second reading of legislation that foresees fines for those who search for "explicitly extremist content" on the Internet. Due to their content, roughly 5,500 websites, including many international news sites, are currently blocked in Russia. Users can only access them...
France: what to make of Bayrou’s austerity package?
With its national debt at record levels, the "moment of truth" has come for France. Under this motto, Prime Minister François Bayrou has unveiled a budget proposal that involves billions in cuts. In addition to merging authorities and freezing public spending, including pension payments and social benefits, two public holidays...
Is AI slowing down human development?
Many observers are concerned about the harmful effects of artificial intelligence on humanity. A new study by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is now fuelling fears that AI is slowing down human development progress. Commentators make suggestions as to how governments and leaders can steer the influence of AI...
US tariffs: another reprieve for the EU
In the trade dispute between the US and the EU, President Donald Trump has delayed the introduction of higher tariffs from 9 July to 1 August. A spokesperson for EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that negotiations on a tariff deal were "entering the final phase". Numerous other...
Spain: clashes between far-right groups and migrants
The town of Torre-Pacheco in southern Spain has been the scene of rioting and racist violence over the last few days. The unrest erupted after a pensioner was reportedly attacked by young people with a migrant background and right-wing extremists launched a "hunt for migrants" in the town where many...
U budget: asking too much of member states?
The EU Commission has proposed a new budget for the period from 2028 to 2034 which totals some two trillion euros - around 700 billion euros more than is planned in the current budget. At the same time, less money is to be allocated to fixed areas, in a bid...
Sticking point gas supplies: is Fico’s blockade justified?
Slovakia is blocking the adoption of the 18th EU sanctions package against Russia. It foresees a halt to Russian gas supplies from the end of 2027, to which Slovakia cannot agree without substantial compensation from Brussels, the country's Prime Minister Robert Fico insists. The move has sparked controversy even among...
Trump Sends a New Message to Putin
The President toughens his stance with more arms for Ukraine. It took six months, but President Trump seems to have concluded that Vladimir Putin doesn’t want peace in Ukraine. The Russian will have a “lovely” talk with the President “and then the missiles go off that night,” Mr. Trump said...
Countering Russian Cruise Missiles and Long-Range Drones
Russian long-range drone and cruise missile developments, production increases, and Western interceptor capabilities. Over the past week, Russia has launched over 1,800 Geran-2 (the indigenized version of the Iranian Shahed-136) alongside decoy long-range drones. This marks a sharp increase in the average intensity of long-range drone attacks per day, peaking...
Spain’s Baffling Russian Gas Addiction
The EU has published tough new measures to phase out Russian fossil fuel imports. It’s now facing opposition from an unexpected member. After years of hesitation, the EU has published a bold plan to phase out Russian fossil fuels. But as with NATO’s pledge to raise defense spending, Spain has...