Norway’s Princess Astrid dies two days after funeral of brother King Harald
Norway’s King has announced that the flag will be flown at half-mast from the Palace balcony on Friday and on the day of her funeral. Read More
ECB chief Christine Lagarde rejects Mélenchon’s debt cancellation proposal
Article 123 of the EU treaty prohibits the ECB from cancelling government debt that it has purchased. Read More
Russian assets are not the focus now, Brussels says as calls for action grow louder
The European Commission is not willing to reopen the contentious debate on the immbolised Russian assets, at least not without a guarantee of success. “Now, the focus is somewhere else,”…
Colombia’s Cali remembers earthquake victims one month on
Residents of Cali gathered to honour those killed in the August 10 earthquake, releasing white balloons and laying flowers one month after the disaster. Read more at Read More
From bottle stoppers to rockets: How Portugal is reinventing cork
Portugal produces around half of the world’s cork. Here, the world’s largest cork company, Corticeira Amorim, continues to open new markets by transforming this ancient natural resource into high-tech materials.…
Are you smarter than a 15-year-old? Test your maths, science and reading with these PISA questions
This week, the OECD’s PISA report has revealed a global decline in 15-year-old’s maths and reading skills — but how much better can the grown-up’s fare? Read More
Military force ‘not enough’ to defeat terrorism, former US ambassador says
On the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, former US Ambassador to the EU Anthony Gardner says “diplomatic, financial and economic” means are also needed to fight terrorism. Read More
European Commission pushes for all-English trade deals despite French opposition
France’s umbrage at the anglophone-only presentation might complicate the ratification of the EU-India trade deal, even though it supports the deal itself and considers India a strategic partner. Read More
The Netherlands, Spain push for EU-wide minimum age on social media
The European Commission is expected to announce a social media ban for minors next week. The Netherlands and Spain want it harmonised, EU-enforced, and extended to video games and AI…
Tourists swim with Greece’s famous black pigs on Atokos island
Greece’s tiny Atokos island attracts tourists who swim with its Mediterranean black pigs, feed them fruit and share the unusual encounter online. Read more at Read More