The stories we carry: how Hassan Blasim rewrites identity beyond nationalism
What if home isn't a place, but the people we carry in our hearts? In an era of hardening borders and nationalist rhetoric, Iraqi writer Hassan Blasim’s stories reveal identity as neither fixed nor singular - but as a living negotiation between trauma and survival.
European food prices under the microscope: surprising differences across the continent
Food prices in Europe can be surprising—what costs a fortune in one city can be bought for a fraction of the price in another. Differences can be as much as several dozen percent, and some capitals turn out to be cheaper than you might expect.
How much does free education cost in Romania
Romanian parents spend nearly 10,000 RON per year on average for tutoring, after-school programs and school materials, according to a 2024 survey by Save the Children Romania.
The Aegean marine parks or the cartography of sovereignty
Marine parks emerge as geopolitical instruments, where Greece and Turkey cloak territorial claims in the language of environmental protection, turning conservation into cartography.
Blooded minerals of the green transition
Cobalt from the Democratic Republic of Congo powers the global green transition, yet its path runs through Chinese refineries, locking Europe into dependence. Behind every battery lies displacement, pollution, and human rights abuses. Without fair local investment and ethical supply chains, the “green” transition risks becoming a new form of colonial exploitation.
The rationality of far-right irrationalism: how the AfD is reinventing the far-right
Germany’s far-right AfD is undergoing a strategic makeover — not by renouncing its ideology, but by repackaging it in parliamentary politeness. Inspired by Trump-style polarization, it reframes the battle as one between “common sense” conservatism and a radical left elite. Behind the façade lies a deeper threat: the erosion of postwar democratic consensus.
Smart Water, Bright Minds: the startup that rewrites conservation
A group of students from Magoula General High School turned a classroom idea into WaterLoop, an award-winning startup that recycles grey water and detects leaks in real time, cutting consumption by up to 50% without changing daily habits.
What do young people think about military investments in Europe and current war scenarios?
Young people do not appear to be critical of the increase in military spending in Europe: one in four young people see the increase as a potential source of new career opportunities in the sector.
Pesticides in food: EFSA reassures, residues remain within limits and the health risk is low
The European Food Safety Authority's new report confirms that pesticide levels in foods consumed in Europe are largely under control. The results, collected in 2023 on over 146,000 samples, show high compliance with EU regulations and very low consumer exposure.
