The EUโ€™s new AI mantra: Weโ€™re open for business

The European Union has pivoted to cheering AI innovation, laying less emphasis on rules that curb potential threats.

Inside the new plan to seize Russiaโ€™s shadow fleet

European countries are pushing for new powers to squeeze Moscowโ€™s shadow fleet after a spate of incidents in the Baltic Sea.

Yrjรถ Kukkapuro, renowned Finnish chair designer, dies aged 91

โ€˜Almost every Finn has sat on a chair he designed,โ€™ his studio says, with his postmodern creations gracing galleries around the worldYrjรถ Kukkapuro, a renowned Finnish designer whose postmodern style of chairs graced waiting rooms, offices and living r…

Ukraine war briefing: Kim Jong-un vows ongoing support for Russiaโ€™s โ€˜just causeโ€™

North Korean leader also pledged further development of nuclear forces; UK foreign secretary says no imminent peace talks with Russia. What we know on day 1,082See all our Ukraine war coverageNorth Korean leader Kim Jong-un has pledged his ongoing supp…

Germanyโ€™s old-school conservatism is well and truly over

Even if Merz stumbles across the finish line and secures a coalition government, the death knell for Christian democracy may well have been sounded.

Denmark gets ready to defend Greenland from Trump โ€ฆ with warm socks

Danish military forks out millions for toasty footwear.

โ€˜Vicious cycleโ€™: far-right parties across Europe are inspiring imitators

Hardline agendas, especially on immigration, are copied by mainstream conservatives in vain effort to win back votesFar-right parties could become the largest force on the right in Europe within a decade, experts have said, as mainstream conservative p…

France to EU: Concede nothing yet to Trump in trade war

Paris is joining a growing chorus of countries casting doubt on an EU push to buy more gas from the U.S.

EU lets Russian LNG slip in new sanctions package

The proposal will not include a blanket prohibition of LNG imports, as scores of EU hawks have been urging.

How Vladimir Putin killed the EUโ€™s frugal coalition

The need to counter Russia is shifting the attitudes of rich northern countries on budget discipline.

Baltic undersea cable likely damaged by โ€˜external influence,โ€™ Latvian broadcaster says

The Latvian Navy sent a patrol to inspect a vessel possibly involved in causing the damage and is contact with NATO allies.

With the knives out on development spending, have we reached โ€˜peak aidโ€™? | Nilima Gulrajani and Jessica Pudussery

From Trumpโ€™s Project 2025 to a huge aid cut by the Dutch, donors are turning their backs on the developing worldForeign aid spending reached a record high of $223bn (ยฃ180bn) in 2023, new figures released this week from the Organisation for Economic Co-…

Why Trumpโ€™s Greenland grab could be a disaster for the planet

The frosty island sits atop giant oil and gas reserves that climate campaigners say must never see the light of day.

EU lines up intel-sharing, cyber squads to stop hospital hacks

EU health care sector pummeled with cyberattacks in recent years.

Austriaโ€™s Kickl brings Europeโ€™s anti-populist firewall crashing down

Herbert Kickl’s rise ends a firewall that has kept populist politicians out of power in EU countries for decades.

EU cider definition becomes โ€˜apple of discordโ€™ for Nordic countries

These measures could significantly impact their industrial-style cider, often just 15% juice.
The post EU cider definition becomes ‘apple of discord’ for Nordic countries appeared first on Euractiv.

NATO to deploy drones, aircraft to counter wave of Baltic Sea cable attacks

Baltic Sea country leaders are meeting in Helsinki after a series of incidents involving energy and data cables.

EU warns US over new AI chips blocks

Export restrictions on cutting-edge microchips will affect some EU countries, including Poland.

Everything we know about cable-cutting incidents in the Baltic Sea

In this episode, host Giada Santana analyses what is behind the cable-cutting incidents in the Baltic Sea with defense editor Aurelie Pugnet and energy & climate reporter Niko Kurmayer. Expert Vladislav Zubok chimes in to draw parallels between now…

Germanyโ€™s Baerbock cautions on Syria as EU signals sanctions relief

Syria’s transitional government โ€œsounds good so far,” Germany’s foreign minister told POLITICO โ€” but actions speak louder than words.

13 times Elon Musk meddled in politics

The X owner and Donald Trump pick will never, ever stop posting โ€” governments be damned.

NATO sends a fleet to guard Baltic Sea cables

The decision follows a spate of suspected sabotage incidents on underwater cables.

Taiwan suspects China of latest attack on undersea cables

A Cameroon-flagged tanker could not be boarded due to rough seas and steamed on toward South Korea.

Helsinki arena to reopen in spring after being left in limbo by Russian sanctions

Finnish real estate company says deal for sports and entertainment venue will restore it to its former gloryHelsinkiโ€™s main sports and entertainment arena is expected to reopen in the spring after getting caught in a Russian sanctions drama that left i…

Owner seeks release of oil tanker seized in Finland cable probe

Investigators said the Eagle S broke the undersea power cable linking Finland and Estonia, and damaged four fibre optic lines by dragging its anchor across the seabed for dozens of kilometres.
The post Owner seeks release of oil tanker seized in Finlan…

Sixty-mile drag mark found near damaged Baltic Sea cable, says Finland

Electricity cable link to Estonia was damaged on Christmas Day in suspected Russian act of sabotageFinnish investigators say they have found a seabed trail stretching almost 100km (about 60 miles) around the site of an underwater electricity cable that…

POLITICOโ€™s most-read stories of 2024

Elections, war and porn: The stories that captured your attention over the past 12 months.

Ukraine war briefing: Russia vows to retaliate after state media reportedly blocked on Telegram in EU

Moscow says the move is โ€˜censorshipโ€™ and that it reserves the right to โ€˜respond in the same mannerโ€™. What we know on day 1,041Russia has vowed to retaliate after the channels of its state media were apparently blocked on the popular Telegram social med…

Ukraine war briefing: Russia must give clearer explanation of Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash, Zelenskyy says

Moscow has confirmed its air defences were repelling Ukrainian drones at the time of planeโ€™s flight but has not admitted it shot it down. What we know on day 1,040Ukraineโ€™s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has called on Russia to provide a clearer expla…

NATO to boost Baltic Sea presence after cables broken

Baltic nations are on alert after a string of outages of power cables, telecom links and gas pipelines since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.
The post NATO to boost Baltic Sea presence after cables broken appeared first on Euractiv.

Hereโ€™s a cause Greta Thunberg and the Pentagon can agree on

The world needs a coalition of the willing to protect our oceans.

As Finland seizes Russian ship, Estonia launches naval patrols

A member of Russiaโ€™s so-called shadow fleet is suspected of damaging an undersea cable.

Estonia begins naval patrols to protect energy cable after suspected sabotage

Move to secure electricity supply comes as Finland investigates tanker that sailed from Russian port Estonia has begun naval patrols to protect a cable supplying electricity from Finland after the suspected sabotage of another one on Christmas Day, the…

Estonia begins naval patrols to protect undersea energy cables with Finland

Estonia’s navy has begun patrolling an undersea cable supplying energy from Finland after a different cable was disconnected from the power grid on Christmas Day in what Finnish authorities suspect is a case of deliberate sabotage.ย 

Finland boards oil tanker suspected of causing internet, power cable outages

The Cook Islands-registered ship, part of the Russian ‘shadow fleet’, was boarded by a Finnish coast guard crew that took command and sailed the vessel to Finnish waters
The post Finland boards oil tanker suspected of causing internet, power cable outa…

Finnish coastguard boards tanker suspected of causing power and internet cable outages

Cook Islands-registered Eagle S was carrying Russian oil in the Baltic SeaFinnish authorities have seized a ship carrying Russian oil in the Baltic Sea on suspicion it caused the outage of an undersea power cable connecting Finland and Estonia a day ea…

Finland probes Russian shadow fleet involvement in new Baltic cable break

Finnish police said there is reason to believe a ship belonging to Moscow’s sanctions-busting shadow fleet caused the damage.

Finland probes Russia-linked tanker for ‘sabotage’ of undersea cable

Finnish authorities are investigating the oil tanker Eagle S, suspected of “aggravated sabotage” to the Estlink 2 power cable between Finland and Estonia damaged on Christmas Day. The tanker is thought to be part of Russia’s “shadow fleet” vessels tha…

Finland-Estonia power cable hit in latest Baltic Sea incident

The Finnish electricity gridโ€™s head of operations said sabotage could not be ruled outAn undersea power cable linking Finland and Estonia broke down on Wednesday, Finlandโ€™s prime minister said, the latest in a series of incidents involving cables and e…

6 times food diplomacy went wrong

From menu complaints to vomiting incidents, some spreads have left hosts โ€” or guests โ€”ย in a pickle.

Weather tracker: Nordic countries set for unseasonably mild Christmas

Temperatures expected to reach about 10C in Copenhagen and highs of 5-6C in Oslo, Stockholm and HelsinkiNordic countries are often associated with cold, snowy winters and temperatures well below zero celsius. However, this year unseasonably mild weathe…

Ghosts of the landscape: how folklore and songs are key to rewilding Finlandโ€™s reindeer

For ecologists restoring the vast bogs of remote Karelia, wild reindeer are not just part of the environment but entwined with the ancient culture of the boreal forestsThe Finnish folk musician Liisa Matveinen lives in a mustard-coloured house in Iloma…

EU leaders committed to increasing NATO defense spending, Greek PM says

A new spending target “will become clear” next year after talks among NATO allies, Greek leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis said.

No surprises here! What is discretionary remains discretionary in the CJEUโ€™s first judgment on temporary protection

  

Dr Meltem Ineli
Ciger, Associate
Professor, Suleyman Demirel University

 

Photo credit: Francisco Anzola, via Wikimedia
Commons

 

On 19 December
2024, the Court of Justice of the European Union gave its judgment in Joined
ca…

Black anti-racism coordinator excluded from European Commission reshuffle

MEPs warn of systemic inequities in EU executive after Michaela Moua left in โ€˜lower positionโ€™ than white peersA group of left-leaning MEPs have warned of โ€œsystemic inequitiesโ€ after it emerged that the EU executiveโ€™s lead official in combating racism, …

The Swedish sobriety secret: dry December โ€“ and off-licences shut on a Saturday night

For decades, the authorities in Sweden have encouraged people to drink responsibly โ€“ and with a state alcohol monopoly, strict rules and growing abstinence, they seem to be succeedingChristmas is synonymous with overindulgence, especially of drink. Som…

Britainโ€™s Baltic defense club falls flat on military spending pledge

U.K. leader Keir Starmer says talking about extra defense spending is tough at the moment.

Starmer wants to โ€˜double downโ€™ on Russia sanctions โ€” but wonโ€™t spell out defense hike

“We have to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position whether or not there are negotiations,” says UK prime minister.

โ€˜Like a giant bird boxโ€™: the volunteers building huge snowdrifts for Finlandโ€™s pregnant seals

As warmer winters melt the snow drifts that endangered Saimaa ringed seals use to raise their young, humans are giving them a helping handWords by Phoebe Weston. Photographs by Samuel BlochEight hours shovelling snow in -20C might not sound like the id…

Northern lights: the six best places in Europe to see the aurora borealis in 2025

Head north, avoid light pollution and seek out high ground โ€“ how to plan to see the northern lightsThe northern lights lit up the skies across the UK and Europe several times this year, and experts are predicting 2025 will be a great year for spotting …

Brussels allows member states to limit access to asylumย 

Regarding pushbacks, member states’ measures must align with EU law, the Commission said.
The post Brussels allows member states to limit access to asylumย  appeared first on Euractiv.

Europe jumps into โ€˜incredibly costlyโ€™ AI supercomputing race

The EU will fund AI-optimized supercomputers across the bloc to help startups compete with U.S. rivals.

Countries back Brusselsโ€™ plan to ban outdoor vaping

But Hungary’s minister reminded countries that the move was nonbinding, as Germany and Greece abstained.

US conservatives look to an unlikely ally in court battle over transgender rights: Europe

The Supreme Court is set to hear oral arguments Wednesday over Tennesseeโ€™s law banning transition-related medical care for minors.

Finnish authorities say new cable cuts accidental

Nordic digital infrastructure provider GlobalConnect told AFP two land-based optic fiber cables connecting Finland and Sweden had been severed on Monday in Finland, causing a ‘major outage,’ with 6,000 households and around 100 companies affected.

European countries give farmers more freedom to shoot wolves

The decision by Bern Convention members is a major win for the EU and Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Finnish telecom company hit by cable outage

Authorities are investigating the cause of the incident.

Finlandโ€™s preparedness isnโ€™t exactly good for business

Being known as a country facing geopolitical threats has its drawbacks โ€” particularly when it comes to the economy.

โ€˜Would you survive 72 hours?โ€™ Germany and the Nordic countries prepare citizens for possible war

Apps and booklets are offering advice on how to build a bunker, stockpile food and live without electricity in case the worst happensGermany is developing an app to help people locate the nearest bunker in the event of attack. Sweden is distributing a …

VDLโ€™s outgoing migration czar casts doubt on presidentโ€™s migrant returns plan

Ylva Johansson reflects on five years leading one of the EU’s thorniest portfolios.

Ukraine war briefing: US urges Zelenskyy to lower conscription age to 18

Biden administration readying another $725m in arms for Kyiv; Zelenskyy to approve tax increases for defence funding. What we know on day 1,009 A senior official in Joe Bidenโ€™s administration has told the Associated Press that the US is urging Ukraine…

Swedish PM says Baltic sea now โ€˜high riskโ€™ after suspected cable sabotage

Regional leaders meet after undersea telecoms cables severed, while Chinese ship remains at anchor nearbyThe Swedish prime minister, Ulf Kristersson, has said the Baltic sea is now a โ€œhigh riskโ€ zone as he met Nordic and Baltic leaders days after a sus…

Baltics Sea region PMs meet to discuss regional security ahead of Trumpโ€™s return

The summit comes at a pivotal time for Europe, which is facing major strategic uncertainties, particularly over support for Ukraine.

Positively surprised by call with Trump, Scholz says

His phone call with the U.S. president-elect was “a very detailed and good conversation,” Scholz tells Sรผddeutsche Zeitung.

What lawmakers should ask the EUโ€™s new tech boss

Queries for Henna Virkkunen: What’s tech sovereignty? How can Europe win the AI race? And how will you enforce EU tech rules?

Finlandโ€™s commissioner hearing: Henna Virkkunen on tech sovereignty, security and democracy โ€” live updates

For Finnish Henna Virkkunen, the EUโ€™s designated new tech boss, Tuesdayโ€™s hearing is a home game.ย 

Life in Finland under a rightwing government | Letters

Readers respond to an article by Mike Watson on public services and politics in the countryI read Mike Watsonโ€™s article on Finland, and was astonished to see someone tell it like it really is here (I moved to Finland believing it was a progressive drea…

Finnish fathers taking nearly double length of paternity leave since 2022 reform

Dads say rule change granting both parents equal time off has helped build bond between children and fathersPaternity leaves in Finland have nearly doubled in length after a 2022 reform of the parental leave system, the social benefits agency has said….

I moved to Finland believing it was a progressive dream. It hasn’t turned out that way | Mike Watson

Long hospital waiting lists, extortionate food bills and rising homelessness. Welcome to life under the most rightwing Finnish government in generationsOulu is five hours north from Helsinki by train and a good deal colder and darker each winter than t…

Finland exports snow-saving mats to ski resorts hit by climate crisis

Preserving previous yearโ€™s snow for start of season can combat increasingly unpredictable wintersBefore the arrival of electric fridges and freezers, people across Finland would saw a block of ice from a river or lake before the spring thaw, thickly co…

Niinistรถ report: How the EU must gear up for future crises

In this episode, host Giada Santana and politics reporter Nicholas Wallace delve into EU-NATO competition, Niinistรถโ€™s intelligence unit proposal, and a bit of Finnish history.

Finlandโ€™s ex-president Niinistรถโ€™s plan to prepare Europeans for war

Niinisto’s plan covers preparing European citizens for crisis and war, bolstering intelligence sharing among EU countries, and deterring adversaries.

Create a CIA-style European spy service, von der Leyen is told

The bloc should green-light a “fully fledged intelligence cooperation service at the EU level,” said former Finnish President Sauli Niinistรถ in a sweeping new report.

Does Germany still believe in Europe?

Scholz now seems to view the bloc as a problem to be managed, while European institutions and member countries seem to regard him as a problem to be managed in return.

USโ€™s little-known weapon for countering foreign disinformation faces uncertain future

The Global Engagement Center has helped thwart Kremlin-backed disinformation campaigns in other countries, but some GOP skeptics may prevent its reauthorization.

EU to spend โ‚ฌ900M on expanding critical technologies

Brussels has lined up cash to prevent European tech companies from falling into foreign hands.

Tove Jansson murals, with hidden Moomins, seen for first time in Helsinki show

Paradise exhibition focuses on public works for factory walls, hospitals and nurseries โ€“ long before Moominmania took holdA white, hippo-like snout, matched in bulbosity by a well-padded paunch, no facial features bar a pair of inquisitive eyes: the si…

Europeโ€™s tech security czar-to-be faces China fight at home

For Finland’s Henna Virkkunen, the question of securing Europeโ€™s digital infrastructure hits close to Helsinki.