Written by Professional journalists
Musical routes of Europe: from folk to festivals
In this episode, Patrycja Gosk from the EURACTIV Poland editorial team takes you on a journey along Europe’s musical pathways.
Apple vs. the EU: who really controls the App Store?
Europe’s new digital rules are shaking up Big Tech. Apple is playing defense – and the outcome could reshape how we use our phones.
EU energy efficiency: big ambitions, harsh realities
The European Union has long championed energy efficiency as a pillar of its green transition.
A question of consent: Meta, ads, and the EU’s fight for digital rights
Meta is under fire from the EU. The heart of the debate? The true value of our consent — and who gets to define it.
Bologna slows down to speed up: how a 30 km/h city is redefining urban living
In January 2023, the Italian city of Bologna introduced a bold new rule: a citywide 30 km/h speed limit on most of its streets. But this wasn’t just about traffic — it marked the beginning of a much bigger urban transformation.
Moving abroad without the paperwork nightmare: what you need to know
Dreaming of starting a new life in another country?
DeepSeek: is China’s AI chatbot a threat to European privacy?
A Chinese AI app is causing a stir in Germany — and it’s not because of its performance.
Billions for real impact — not just for show
Ten years after the last major meeting on the issue, global leaders have come together once again — this time in Seville — to rethink how we fund development in a world facing deepening inequality and rising geopolitical tensions.
Amazon vs. European Parliament: is a corporate giant dodging democratic debate?
Amazon is once again in hot water with the European Parliament — this time for refusing to show up.
Power to the people: how the EU is making the green transition a citizen-led mission
The EC's new initiative puts citizens, local communities, and small organisations at the heart of the energy transition. With a human-first approach, the Citizen Energy Advisory Hub (CEAH) aims to turn sustainable energy from a political promise into a grassroots movement.
PulseZ Youth Festival – win a trip to Brussels!
Young people across Europe are invited to take part in the PulseZ Youth Festival, a dynamic opportunity to have their voices heard, contribute to digital democracy, and join a thriving community of content creators and aspiring media professionals. Submissions are now open—do not miss your chance!
Europe, science, & AI: building a future that’s smart and ethical
Seville becomes a turning point in shaping the EU's vision for how artificial intelligence should transform science — without losing sight of values, people, and trust.
A revolution in the opera house: how a small Austrian city made opera accessible to all
In a world where accessibility technologies are increasingly visible in public life, opera has remained one of the most traditional and exclusive forms of culture — rarely touched by inclusive innovation.
The noise we don’t hear
Why sound pollution is one of Europe’s biggest — and most overlooked — health threats.
More than just rooftops: five facts about solar power
When you think of solar energy, you probably picture panels on the roofs of family homes.
Your smartphone, your planet: the EU’s game-changing rules for greener tech
Big changes are coming to the world of smartphones and tablets — and they're all about making your devices last longer, use less energy, and be easier to repair.
Reporting from the World Press Photo Exhibition 2025 in Amsterdam
The 68th exhibition of the contest with a long tradition looks back at the most impactful photojournalism and documentary photography of the year. It shows the previous year for what it was. As you walk through the exhibition, you see conflict, politics in motion, migration crisis and climate crisis - from all over the world.
What is the European Media Freedom Act?
The European Media Freedom Act, in force since August 8, 2025, is the EU’s first binding regulation to protect media independence and pluralism. It guarantees access to independent content, safeguards journalistic sources, increases ownership transparency, restricts surveillance, and strengthens the EU’s ability to act against media concentration.
The asylum amendment and institutional regression in Greece
The Greek asylum amendment of July 2025 suspends protection rights for arrivals from Libya, igniting strong institutional and legal backlash.
The Game of Thrones at Mount Sinai: confiscations, courtrooms, and clerical chaos
The world’s oldest active Christian monastery faces simultaneous legal expropriation and internal revolt. A May 2025 Egyptian court ruling reclassified the Monastery’s property as state-owned, sparking diplomatic tensions with Greece. Meanwhile, a faction of monks attempted to oust Archbishop Damianos, exposing a deep rift within the cloistered community.
Fix it, don’t ditch it: how the EU’s new labels could change the way you buy tech
A new EU label is turning smartphones and tablets into smarter choices—not just for you, but for the planet too.
Across generations, beyond time: how the EU is designing a fairer future
What if laws didn’t just serve today’s citizens, but also the generations yet to be born? That’s the bold question the European Commission is asking as it takes a groundbreaking step toward long-term, intergenerational justice—with young people playing a key role in shaping it.
Beauty under pressure: what’s really inside your skin fillers?
An EU investigation uncovers hidden risks behind the aesthetic craze.
The Netherlands is pedaling into the future
With cycling to work up by 57% in just one year, the Dutch are proving that two wheels might just be the smartest way forward.
Digital wake-up call for Europe: transform or fall behind
As we reach the halfway mark to 2030, the European Union finds itself at a turning point in its digital journey.
No deal on plastic waste and the future looks dirtier
Plastic pollution UN discussion without a result while microplastics are getting into every crevice of the environment (and our bodies).
Quantum time: how JRC Ispra is plugging Europe into the future of ultra-secure communication
What if time itself could help us build a safer, smarter, and more sovereign Europe?
Energy poverty: the thermostat of inequality in Greece
Amid a relentless heatwave, Greece in 2025 confronts a silent crisis: energy poverty. Cool air has become a privilege, and the most vulnerable pay the highest price. As temperatures soar past 44°C, inequality doesn’t sweat — it burns.
Europe at a crossroads: skills shortages, surpluses, and the digital shift
Why are chefs more in demand than clerks, and why is finding a young truck driver so hard these days?
Who will be replaced by AI? The EU might already know
Forget robots taking over factory floors — the real disruption from artificial intelligence might hit classrooms, offices, and even government meeting rooms.
Europe’s workforce is shrinking – and that’s a big deal
An ageing population, low birth rates and the emigration of young people – this combination could seriously shake the future of the EU labour market. But there's still time to turn the tide.
300 protesters block Israeli ship as EU tensions rise; Kallas warns of consequences
A Greek port protest exposes EU–Israel tensions, prompting new debates on sanctions, Palestine recognition, and a potential migration crisis.
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.
More women behind the wheel: why transport needs gender diversity
Transport is what keeps our world moving — connecting people, goods, and ideas. But despite its importance, it remains one of the most male-dominated industries on the planet. Isn't it time that changed?
The EU at a crossroads: can it deliver on migration reform in time?
With one year left to fully implement the Migration and Asylum Pact, the EU still faces key hurdles. Can it build a fairer, more unified system — and do it in time?
Schools, too many teachers are precariously employed: the EU Commission launches infringement proceedings against Italy.
Too many precarious workers in schools. The European Commission has decided to launch infringement proceedings against Italy over fixed-term teachers' contracts: our country has failed to adapt its national legislation to the Fixed-Term Work Directive.
While Romanians argue over politics on social media and TV, children soak up all the chaos
Political scandals, heated debates, and constant noise are stressing children out in their own homes.
The European confrontation with Palestine
In late July, Europe showed rare signs of breaking from the inertia that has long defined its stance on the Palestinian question. The recognition of a Palestinian state by G7 leaders, the first pressures on Israel, mark a rare window for political realignment. Whether this turn becomes a coherent strategy or fades into symbolism remains to be seen.
Neurotechnology: a gateway to the future or the next regulatory minefield?
Once a science fiction fantasy, neurotechnology is now shaping real policy debates—and young Europeans have a stake in how it all unfolds.
RegTech: making EU law as easy as using an app
Europe doesn’t need less regulation. It needs smarter regulation — and the tech to make it work for people, not against them.
Eumans President Marco Cappato: "Euthanasia and abortion are included in the Charter of Fundamental Rights. The EU must get moving."
Decriminalizing cannabis, euthanasia and abortion in the European Charter of Fundamental Rights, and Ukraine's immediate accession to the EU. These are some of the issues at the heart of the Eumans congress, Marco Cappato's European movement, which spoke to Fanpage.it about the initiatives held in Brussels from March 6 to 8.
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.
The EU Commission is moving ahead with its rearmament plan after Parliament's rejection of the emergency procedure.
The European Commission is forging ahead and has no intention of changing the legislative procedure for approving the rearmament plan, which bypasses Parliament. In short, the EU Commission is ignoring the legal opinion presented yesterday by the Juri Committee, which challenges the use of the urgent procedure.
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 EU High Representative for Foreign Policy's four lessons on democracy
Investments in defending and protecting independent media. These are some of the lessons that the European Union's High Representative for Foreign Policy, Kaja Kallas, highlighted in a speech on the importance of democracy. And how it must be actively chosen every day. Because it can no longer be taken for granted.
Quiz: how much do you know about EU institutions?
Many people find the EU too complicated. Is this the case with you, too? Or are you an EU savant who knows exactly how EU institutions work? Take our quiz to find out.
PulseZ moves forward – join it and show stories that matter to you
Summer and especially August are often referred to as the silly season. It's not the case for PulseZ. We are receiving new pieces of content every day and since they focus on what matters to youth it's definitely not difficult to find topics and stories to cover.
AccessibleEU: going beyond expectations and building a community for change
When goals become the beginning, not the end.
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.
Words that hurt: the hidden bias in machine translation
In an age where AI chooses the gender of your doctor or erases a person’s identity, we have to ask: Can language ever be neutral in the world of algorithms?
What Italians Think of Europe: The Latest Survey Reveals Opinions on the EU
The 2025 Eurobarometer captures Italians' opinions on the European Union, including expectations, fears, and concrete requests. Compared to the EU average, according to the winter survey, a more cautious attitude prevails in Italy: confidence in European cooperation, but less optimism about their own future.
The first European platform to determine if your software is secure is launched: how to use EUVD
The European Union Agency for Information Security (ENISA) has developed a new database that collects information on computer system vulnerabilities. The aim is to strengthen cybersecurity across all EU countries: how it works.
What is the European Union doing for the green transition in the most disadvantaged regions?
Here are some of the initiatives the European Commission has launched to support the green transition in some of the most vulnerable areas, such as islands (there are over two thousand of them in the Union) and regions that have historically depended on coal.
Big tech vs. fact-checking: why social media giants are dodging responsibility
Despite strong EU laws meant to protect users from fake news, new findings from the European Digital Media Observatory (EDMO) suggest that major platforms like Meta and TikTok are only half-heartedly playing by the rules — if at all.
European Commissioner Glenn Micallef on empowering European youth
Join us for the last episode of the Gen-E Talks featuring Glenn Micallef, Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport, as he shares his vision for empowering young people across Europe.
Empowering Europe’s young entrepreneurs: message from Bill Karnazes
Join Bill Karnazes, Chief Services Officer and General Manager of Corporate Services at Viohalco Companies, as he shares a message related to Gen-E 2025 - the largest European entrepreneurship festival, which took place in Athens, Greece, from July 1st to 4th, 2025.
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.
Quiz: How many of these European films have you seen?
This one is for European cinema lovers. But even if you're just getting into European film, give it a shot. Who knows? You might find your new favorite on our list.
Empowering Europe’s young innovators: Roxana Mînzatu
Join Roxana Mînzatu as she delivers an inspiring message to the next generation of entrepreneurs in this episode of Gen-E Talks.
Italians' primary concern is no longer migrants, but the cost of living: the survey
The 2025 Eurobarometer reflects the shifting priorities of European citizens, with a focus on economic and security concerns. The topic of immigration has now become secondary, while global challenges, such as inflation and common defense, are now taking center stage.
Gen-E 2025: Laurence Morvan welcomes Europe’s young innovators
Today's episode of the Gen-E Talks features message by Laurence Morvan, who is the Chair of JA Europe and Chief of Staff to Accenture Europe, Middle East CEO.
What’s the status of the Internship Directive in the EU Parliament: what’s in the text and how it changes internships
The Stage Directive, for which Nicola Zingaretti (PD) is rapporteur, continues its process in the European Parliament. After the Culture Committee's okay, the next steps will be a vote in the European Parliament's Social Affairs Committee and then a vote in plenary in July. Let's see what the text contains and how it could change youth internships, with more protections and guarantees.
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.
What does Romania’s President say about the findings of a poll showing Romanians’ nostalgia for communism
President Nicușor Dan expressed concern over the INSCOP survey commissioned by the Institute for the Investigation of Communist Crimes and the Memory of the Romanian Exile (IICCMER), which shows a growing nostalgia for communism among Romanians.
Out of Office: Europe’s summer pause in politics – an interactive map
While much of Europe relaxes into “Eurosummer,” politics, too, takes a seasonal pause as parliaments enter their summer recess - explore our interactive map that gives you an overview of Europe! But behind this seemingly harmless tradition lie delayed investigations, stalled legislation, and controversial bills hanging in limbo until the halls of power reopen.
Championing youth: Antonella Sberna’s message
Join Antonella Sberna, Vice President of the European Parliament, as she addresses Europe’s young innovators in this episode of the Gen-E Talks.
Post-Brexit Agreement Between the UK and the EU: What Changes for Young Workers?
European Union ambassadors have reached a basic agreement on the rules that will bring the UK and the EU closer together: all that's missing is political approval in the coming days. The texts range from defense to fisheries, from energy to the movement of young people (but there are no details on these).
Accessibility in action: the EU law that could change everyday life for millions
From 28 June 2025, Europe is entering a new phase of accessibility.
Where do Europeans go on holiday?
Ever wondered how often Europeans travel and where they like to go? Eurostat’s latest data reveals big differences across the EU – and shows that Poles aren't exactly packing their bags as often as some of their neighbors.
X Versus Europe: France Leads Criminal Case as EU Users Abandon Platform
Elon Musk’s social media platform X is under criminal investigation in France over allegations of data tampering, fraud, and foreign interference—accusations the company vehemently denies, calling them politically motivated. The case deepens tensions between the tech giant and European authorities already pressuring X under sweeping digital regulations.
New EU taxes on cigarettes, the proposal is official: what changes and how much prices may go up
The European Commission has presented two proposals on tobacco. The first: raise EU-wide minimum taxes on cigarettes and other tobacco products, which have not changed since 2010. The second: take 15 percent of states' revenues.
A message of hope and innovation: Akis Skertsos at Gen-E 2025 in Athens
At the Gen-E 2025 Gala and Awards Dinner in Athens, Greece’s Minister of State, Akis Skertsos, delivered a powerful and heartfelt message to Europe’s next generation of changemakers.
The End of Borderless Europe? A Look Inside the Schengen Slowdown
Celebrating 40 years of existence, the Schengen Area is celebrating by questioning some of its founding principles. Temporary border checks all across Europe are introduced and bring many political and societal considerations.
Europe at a crossroads: navigating the shift in EU-Israel relations amid the Gaza conflict
As Gaza’s rubble grows, so does Europe’s moral burden. Once a champion of human rights, the EU now faces a critical test: remain complicit in silence or act on its founding values. With public anger rising and diplomatic ties fraying, the pressure is mounting. Will it reclaim its moral voice—or lose it for good?
Romanian Senate employees call for antenna removal or capping of radiation levels
The demand follows drastic measures by Romania’s new pro-European government, including cuts to the so-called “antenna bonus” granted to some public employees for alleged radiation exposure.
A Mediterranean on fire, a politics of silence
The Mediterranean is burning—again. From Greece to Turkey and Syria, wildfires now reshape landscapes and lives. As climate extremes intensify, political systems remain reactive, fragmented, and dangerously unprepared.
Romania could have a “digital maturity” law
The head of the Senate Committee for Defense, Public Order, and National Security, PNL member Nicoleta Pauliuc, says she will submit to Parliament the "Online Adulthood Law" – a legislative initiative that sets the age of digital maturity at 16.
A Breakthrough in Celiac Disease: A New Global Standard Could Change Everything
A brand-new international testing standard might finally take the guesswork out of diagnosing celiac disease — and that’s big news for millions of young Europeans living with unexplained symptoms.
Overtourism as a phenomenon or what it means to live in a glass case
As mass tourism reshapes the Mediterranean, locals push back against rising rents, erasure of community, and cities turned into theme parks. This piece explores overtourism’s impact and calls for a new balance between visiting and belonging.
Drafted by deception: African migrants in Russia’s war
Lured by promises of work, visas, or safety, African migrants in Russia are coerced into war. Through contracts they can’t read and threats of deportation, they’re funneled to the front lines in Ukraine—stripped of identity, abandoned by nations, and used as disposable soldiers in a conflict they never chose.
Walk, Bike, Survive: Why the WHO Says It’s Time to Rethink Our Streets
Walking and cycling shouldn’t be dangerous — yet every year, over a million people die on the roads. The WHO’s message is clear: it’s time to build cities where moving without a car isn’t a risk, but a right.
A mobile app created in Romania will help parents do science at home using everyday kitchen items
A team from Romania and Finland is working together to create a free educational mobile app that shows parents how to conduct simple science experiments at home, using everyday household items.
Euroinfluencers of the Past [PODCAST]
How did kings, artists and revolutionaries change the world?
![Euroinfluencers of the Past [PODCAST]](https://www.pulse-z.eu/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/grafiki-strona-2-768x432-1-368x270.png)
TikTok bans #SkinnyTok worldwide – but it was France, not the EU, that made it happen
TikTok responded to direct pressure from the French government by banning the global use of the hashtag #SkinnyTok. The decision raises important questions about the efficacy of EU-level digital regulation.
Language and Identity: Why Minority Communities Need Their Language to Be Seen
For national minorities, language is much more than just a tool for communication. It is a link to their roots, a symbol of belonging, a living history. The right to use one’s language in public spaces is, at its core.
Europe Is (Almost) Green: The EU Edges Closer to Its 2030 Climate Goals
The European Union is getting closer to hitting its 2030 climate targets – but will it get there in time?
Europe’s gates close: Greece as a testing ground for a new migration policy
A decade after the refugee crisis of 2015, Greece has become Europe’s laboratory for a new migration model—one marked by detention, criminalisation, and exclusion. From the barbed-wire camps of Lesbos to the courtrooms of Crete, the human cost of Fortress Europe is no longer an exception, but the rule.
From Fields to Power Plants: Extreme Weather’s Grip on Europe
Droughts cause major issues accross Europe in both energy and food production. What are the current threats and are we ready?
Can We Finally Save The Oceans
In the second week of June, Nice managed to gather all the global interest on ocean protection into one place. President Macron said about the conference, that “never in the history of humanity have we brought together so many people for the oceans.” Is this effort efficient enough to meet the targets that are approaching?
The motion of no confidence against Ursula von der Leyen was rejected: how Italian MEPs voted.
The motion of no confidence in Ursula von der Leyen, who remains at the helm of the European Commission, over the Pfizergate scandal was defeated. A total of 360 MEPs voted against, 175 in favor, and 18 abstained.
“We want elections!”: Serbia is Not Backing Down
Serbians are protesting government corruption since last November. The past weekend's ultimatum by student protest organizers launched a new wave of street blockades, arrests and police violence.
Why the motion of no confidence in Ursula von der Leyen is putting Giorgia Meloni in difficulty
The European Parliament is debating the motion of no confidence against Ursula von der Leyen. This initiative is putting Giorgia Meloni in a difficult position.
L’Ue vuole rimandare la carbon tax, la tassa sulle aziende che inquinano va verso il rinvio al 2027
The EU has introduced a carbon tax on high-emitting imports, effective from 2026. The new Commission proposes to postpone it until 2027 and reduce its impact.
Quiz: When did these countries become EU members?
How confident are you in your knowledge of the EU? Are you good with years and numbers? Do you know when these countries became EU members? Take our quiz and find out.
The European Degree of the Future: Will a Common Academic Label Reshape Universities in the EU?
Europe is dreaming bigger when it comes to education. But how close are we to a truly united academic space?
Who owns the voice of Europe?
Who Owns the Voice of Europe? As algorithms shape what we see, hear, and believe, the EU stands at a crossroads: regulate Big Tech from the outside — or build a civic digital space from within.
