Europe, Day by Day

A stark warning came this weekend from a leading economics think tank at the informal meeting of EU economic and financial affairs ministers in Budapest.

The EU will face severe economic challenges in the coming decades if it fails to balance its ageing society with its working age population. 

Can Europe avoid this looming demographic time bomb?

The European Court of Justice recently delivered two major rulings against Apple and Google. Apple was fined for corporate tax avoidance, while Google faced penalties for abusing market dominance. Together, the fines amount to more than €15 billion. Will the EU be holding big tech accountable for their shady practices? So, here’s what happened this week and what it means for Europe.

The Swedish appeal court made the news this week by sentencing a Former Swedbank chief executive to 15 months in prison on charges of fraud and market manipulation. She is the highest-ranking Swedish banker to be condemned as part of one of Europe’s largest money laundering scandals. What does this say about white collar criminality in Europe?  And what is the EU doing about it?

The newly elected Labour government is facing a crisis in the prisons system, and forced to release thousands of prisoners early from rapidly overflowing jails. Could a deal to rent out Estonia’s empty prison spaces be a solution?

September marks the return to school for most kids, but not for 126 children with special needs in Ireland who remain without a school place this month.

And the reason for that? As reported by The Irish Times, schools are prioritising teachers for mainstream classes, sidelining those who need the most support.

However, this issue is part of a broader crisis in public education funding affecting countries across Europe.

Why is this happening ,and why is the inspiring profession of teaching losing its appeal and respect?