Plummeting EU development aid risks being compounded by a lack of ambition
The EU Commission wants to create new partnerships with the private sector to plug the gaps left by falling aid budgets. But it still lacks imagination.
Analysis
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Debt: Europe’s biggest financial advantage over US is also its weakness
Europe is the largest holder of US debt, which it could use as leverage. But even if governments could coerce investors into selling trillions in US holdings, Europe would be first to suffer.
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Spotlight on EU Parliament, as MEPs decide future of EU trade
The fate of the EU’s trade relations with the United States and Mercosur lie in the hands of the European parliament, where a simple majority will determine ratification or rejection.
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The UK’s Brexit ‘reset’ bill: popular, but fragile
UK prime minister Keir Starmer spent much of 2025 trying to persuade people there was substance to his ‘reset’ on EU-UK relations, which he’s been talking about since taking power in July 2024.
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Venezuela coup endangers EU efforts on Ukraine ceasefire
The US show of power in Venezuela could make a Ukraine ceasefire less likely, despite new Paris talks on Western peacekeeping troops.
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US could recognise Somaliland in next diplomatic challenge to EU
Speculation is growing that Donald Trump will join close ally Israel in recognising the breakaway republic of Somaliland — in a move that would deepen its existing rift with Brussels about the Horn of Africa.
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A burnt-out Europe: Is a four-day working week within reach?
Europe debates shorter workweeks as Poland pilots a four-day model without pay cuts, following mixed experiences and perspectives from the UK, France, Spain, Lithuania and Greece, balancing productivity, wellbeing and competitiveness concerns.
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Trump’s Congo ‘peace’ deal outflanked EU, left guns blazing
A transactional peace deal brokered by president Trump has paved the way for massive US investment in DR Congo and Rwanda, but the fighting in eastern DR Congo continues.
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Is Greece leading the way for the end of asylum in Europe?
Across Europe, efforts are underway to rewrite the 1951 Refugee Convention. Fear of migration is testing the limits of our humanity.
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Secret plan for east Africa: Austria looking to set up ‘transit centres’ for rejected asylum seekers
An internal document from the home affairs ministry outlines Austrian plans to turn east African countries into “transit hubs” for rejected asylum seekers — regardless of where they come from.
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EU’s week of African summitry ends with slim pickings in Luanda
Having made a series of major financial commitments ahead of last weekend’s G20 summit in Johannesburg, there was little left for the EU-AU summit days later.
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Africa seeks ‘green growth,’ as EU and US stall on climate finance
African leaders are pitching for investment in green growth and industrialisation, as Western powers fail to deliver on climate finance commitments.
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Armenia becomes new EU hope in South Caucasus, as Georgia slips away
As Georgia rapidly moves away from its pro-European course, Armenia is quietly emerging as the EU’s next ally in the South Caucasus. But despite its European aspirations, it’s heavily dependent on Russia for energy and trade.
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EU’s migration dilemma returns as ‘solidarity’ meets political reality
EU member states are once again locking horns over asylum policy, reviving old rifts that never truly healed.
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Russia’s nuclear-arms threats: all bark, no bite
Russian talk of a ‘Poseidon’ nuclear strike on Belgium ironically exposed how far it was from ever using an atomic weapon.
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Europe’s bumpy road to mobility transition
Europe is racing to revolutionise its transport system with high-speed rail and zero-emission mobility, but faces a trillion-euro challenge: overcoming fragmented infrastructure, tight budgets, and the toughest obstacle of all —convincing people to ditch their cars.
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Don’t be too relieved: Dutch election result not ‘end of populism’ or far-right
The number of people who choose to vote far-right remains unchanged (with 48 seats vs 46), and now they have more flavours of far-right to choose from.
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How weakening due diligence EU rules became a ‘betrayal’ for workers
The proposed rollback of the EU’s corporate accountability rules will significantly weaken their ability to address labour violations within the EU, experts and labour union representatives told EUobserver.
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Dutch election likely to see a return to centre, but far-right shows no sign of fading
After the collapse of the far-right government, the Dutch centre is likely to return to power after Wednesday’s election — but can a broad, potentially bland, coalition satisfy voters?
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Sex education remains a tricky topic in many European countries
Some look with envy at countries such as Sweden, where sex education was introduced in the 1940s and made compulsory in 1955. Even in kindergartens, the topic is at least touched upon.