Culture news

Berlin moves ahead with €130 million culture budget cuts amid protests

Berlin's government has approved a €130 million cut to its cultural budget for 2025, defying weeks of protests and warnings from the arts sector about potential closures and the city’s cultural standing.

24 December 2024

Healthcare

Italy unveils plans for €4.2 million fund to target obesity

The creation of the fund is viewed as a small but meaningful step to address Italy’s looming obesity problem but critics remain unconvinced of its impact.

20 December 2024

Culture news

Investment in UK arts and culture sector suffers alarming 15% fall

Shocking figures reveal the state of freefall for the culture and entertainment sector in terms of the UK's GDP.

19 December 2024

France

French parliament adopts special law to prevent government shutdown

France's parliament has adopted a special law to prevent a government shutdown as a temporary measure to maintain core state functions. The country's Senate passed the law on Wednesday after it went through the National Assembly on Monday.

18 December 2024

Healthcare

Are new, expensive drugs worth it? Not if you're not a recipient

A new study has found that the approval of new drugs in England has come at a heavy cost to the health of many others due to a loss of funding.

14 December 2024

Europe News

Macron seeks new PM as special budget bill is introduced to avoid government 'shutdown'

Outgoing French PM Michel Barnier's cabinet held its last meeting Wednesday, proposing a "special bill" to maintain government operations into 2025. The bill will be debated next week.

11 December 2024

Economy

EU budget: Who pays the most into the EU, and who gains the most?

In the EU budget, wealthier western and northern European nations predominantly serve as net contributors, while central and eastern European members are mainly net recipients.

9 December 2024

Economy

What next for France's finances after the government's collapse?

Without a new budget, the country is facing a deficit of up to 6.6% of the GDP in 2025, more than double the European Union's standard.

6 December 2024

Europe News

Budget crisis and political turmoil: France under EU's close watch

European institutions in Brussels are paying attention not only to the financial discussions but also to the political challenges that are unfolding in France.

3 December 2024

Europe News

Le Pen says no-confidence vote will save France from 'unjust' budget

France's Prime Minister Michel Barnier is set to be ousted after his social security budget failed to receive backing from Marine Le Pen's National Rally.

3 December 2024

Europe News

Russian defence spending rises to record high - a third of the budget

Next year, Moscow's spending on the military and security forces will exceed spending on health care, education and social policy combined

1 December 2024

No Comment

Striking workers in Italy demand wage hikes amid soaring inflation

Italy's main unions held a nationwide strike on Friday to protest a proposed budget law.

29 November 2024

Culture news

Berlin announces huge €130 million cuts to culture budget

Germany’s government has confirmed huge cuts to the culture budget in Berlin.

27 November 2024

Destinations

High peaks, low prices: Georgia might be Europe’s best-kept ski secret

With modern resorts, mounds of snow and legendary hospitality, Georgia is a hidden gem for thrill-seeking skiers.

27 November 2024

Europe

Why so many French MEPs are rejecting von der Leyen's commissioners

As MEPs vote to approve the upcoming European Commission, a significant proportion of those opposing von der Leyen's executive picks are French MEPs.

27 November 2024

Europe News

French PM Barnier warns of 'serious storm' amid budget dispute

French lawmakers have spent weeks debating a budget proposal that has threatened to topple Barnier's cabinet.

27 November 2024

Europe News

French far right threaten to collapse government over budget

Only last month, the French government survived a no-confidence vote brought by the left as the far-right abstained from voting.

25 November 2024

Destinations

Too expensive? Dubai wants to debunk tourists’ ‘misconceptions’

The tourism board is aiming to make Dubai one of the best cities in the world to live in and visit by 2033.

20 November 2024

United Kingdom

Thousands of UK farmers protest against inheritance tax hike

Organisers urged protesters not to bring farm machinery into central London, though some tractors drove past Downing Street covered with signs saying “the final straw” and “no farmers, no food.”

20 November 2024

Economy

How the UK plans to create pension mega funds and unlock billions

British Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said on Thursday the government planned to merge dozens of pension funds with the aim of unlocking tens of billions of pounds for investment and boosting the UK's subpar economic growth.

15 November 2024