There’s something in the water – E.coli to be precise. After high levels of the bacteria were found in the Seine, questions were raised about how safe it would be for the triathletes and open water swimmers competing in the 2024 Olympics. Meanwhile, just before the Oxford and Cambridge boat race in March, both teams … Read more
The European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) was supposed to be a game-changer in Europe’s quest to tame the titans of cyberspace. However, now that the DMA has come into effect, it appears that it will fall into the same pitfalls as previous EU efforts. Brussels has once again cast too wide a regulatory net, … Read more
As we try to balance the challenges of tackling climate change, promoting healthy diets and enabling farmer livelihoods, one thing is clear: sustainable agriculture is the only way forward. These three major challenges encompass the three dimensions of sustainability: social, environmental and economic. The most important question is: are we doing enough? Despite significant recent … Read more
Shaping an ambitious and stable space agenda for Europe requires not only diplomatic self-confidence, but also a solid foundation in science and technology. These features are indeed a must-have when working with the 22 member states of the European Space Agency (ESA). Josef Aschbacher is Director General of ESA and will take up that role … Read more
It’s an unavoidable sight: across Europe, almost all major cities have a competing network of open-top buses vying for visitors’ attention, with agents pushing leaflets into the hands of bewildered tourists. The rival companies, all with similar names and color schemes, charge outrageously high prices. And it’s hard to argue that they encourage exploration, instead … Read more
The plants slowly suffocate, wither and dry out. They die en masse, the leaves fall and the bark turns gray, creating a sea of black and white. Since scientists first discovered it Xylella fastidiosa in 2013 in Puglia, Italy, it killed a third of the region’s 60 million olive trees – which once produced almost … Read more
There are more than 500 submarine cables worldwide. They often connect continents, from Europe to Australasia, providing internet connectivity to billions of people, many of whom have no idea they even exist. They are one of those components of our global infrastructure that are fundamental to our way of life and yet largely undervalued. Not … Read more
The EU’s incoming digital identity wallet has led to claims on social media and by politicians that Brussels plans to take away citizens’ privacy and exert control over their lives. The wallet, which is still in the pipeline, is an app that will allow users to store important information such as official ID and banking … Read more