Author: staff

Published on 15/09/2026 – 6:37 GMT+2 Germany’s finance minister on Monday met the UniCredit CEO to seek guarantees over the future of Commerzbank, as the Italian lender gears up to complete a takeover of its German rival. “It is of paramount importance to the federal government that Commerzbank can continue to fulfil its vital role in financing the German economy,” German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil said in a statement issued after the meeting. “We expect Commerzbank to remain a listed company headquartered in Frankfurt and to continue its strong focus on financing small- and medium-sized businesses.” Despite fierce resistance from…

Why is it easier for a jar of peanut butter to cross EU borders than it is for a European worker? According to the Commission, varying social security systems and professional qualifications make it hard for Europeans to work outside their home country in the bloc. The EU executive’s Fair Labour Mobility Package — unveiled today — aims to fix that. On today’s show, Zoya Sheftalovich and Nick Vinocur dissect the initiative. Next, NATO allies are debating a tougher response as Russian sabotage and hybrid attacks creep closer to home. And eight years after former Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker promised…

Paris and Berlin have never agreed on how far the EU should go in building up its own defence industry versus keeping the market open to outside partners. Now, as Europe’s defence needs to grow more, that disagreement is coming to a head. With Washington gradually pulling back from Europe, Russian pressure mounting on the eastern flank and China’s geopolitical ambitions growing, the EU has rarely faced a more urgent moment to build up its own defence capabilities. But France and Germany cannot agree on how to do it. Ever since Donald Trump returned to the Oval Office in January…

The US Supreme Court on Monday rejected President Donald Trump’s bid to restrict mail ballots for the midterm elections, capping a flurry of last-minute legal action with voting already underway. The decision allows states to continue sending out mail ballots under the same processes they’ve used for years and have accounted for nearly a third of votes cast. The decision also represented a stark defeat for Trump on an issue he consistently has emphasised as vital to ensuring election integrity even though there is virtually no evidence of fraud with mail ballots. According to the Supreme Court majority, the administration’s…

Deutschlands Bildungssystem befindet sich im freien Fall. Nach dem jüngsten PISA-Schock belegt nun auch der neue Bildungsmonitor eine Abwärtsspirale, die jeden Bildungspolitiker und die Regierung alarmieren müssen. Maximilian Stascheit analysiert die Lage und präsentiert fünf konkrete Thesen, wie durch einen Fokus auf Basiskompetenzen und ungeschönte Daten die Trendwende gelingen kann. Im 200-Sekunden-Interview erklärt Bildungsministerin Karin Prien von der CDU, warum das deutsche Aufstiegsversprechen aktuell gebrochen scheint. Sie legt dar, welche entscheidende Rolle frühkindliche Förderung und der elterliche Umgang mit Bildschirmzeiten spielen, um den Absturz an den Schulen zu stoppen. Außerdem: SPD-Verteidigungsminister Boris Pistorius reist in die USA zu seinem Amtskollegen…

Published on 14/09/2026 – 15:11 GMT+2 Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar has announced amendments to the country’s so-called child protection law, which has faced longstanding criticism from Brussels and LGBTQ+ rights groups over its discriminatory provisions. The law was initially adopted in 2021 under Viktor Orbán’s government as a measure to protect minors from paedophilia. It was subsequently amended to effectively prohibit the depiction of homosexuality to minors, on the grounds that such content could pose a risk of paedophilia. The legislation led to books, newspapers and films being pulled from shelves and television schedules. Following protests from international gay…

In practical terms, she has refused to work with the far-right, anti-immigration Sweden Democrats, who Kristersson needs on his side to have any hope of winning.  But she has also ruled out working with the former communists in the Left Party, who Andersson is likewise dependent upon for a majority. The Left Party, which will be emboldened by a bigger haul of seats, has said the price of its support is having ministers in the government — and that’s too far for Thand Ringqvist. Unlike Kristersson, who has led his Moderate Party since 2017, or Andersson, who was prime minister…

Published on 14/09/2026 – 16:42 GMT+2 EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič will visit Manila next week to finalise a trade agreement with the Philippines, the European Commission confirmed to Euronews on Monday. The agreement is nearing conclusion as Brussels has increasingly looked to the Asia-Pacific over the past year to diversify its trade ties. Since the return to power of US President Donald Trump, the global trade order has been shifting, with the EU seeking new markets for its exports. The latest round of EU-Philippines trade talks took place in May, with access to public procurement emerging as the final…

Published on 14/09/2026 – 16:53 GMT+2 A member of the UK armed forces died in Ukraine on Saturday, the British Ministry of Defence has announced. The unnamed service member died as the result of a “road traffic incident,” the ministry said in a statement posted to social media. “The family have been informed and have requested a period of grace before further details are released,” it reads. “Our thoughts and sympathies are with the individual’s loved ones at this difficult time”. Writing on X, British Defence Secretary Wes Streeting added: “This is very sad news for the family and for…

Elena Rybakina has made history for Kazakhstan by becoming the world No. 1 in women’s tennis after defeating Aryna Sabalenka at the US Open. This year, she won both hard court Grand Slam titles. Her achievement marks a new chapter for Kazakhstan, a country not traditionally known as a tennis nation. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev congratulated Rybakina, saying her success can help nurture a new generation of tennis players in Kazakhstan. “It’s history, and I’m very proud representing Kazakhstan. Every time I come back to Kazakhstan, no matter which city I go, it’s always so many kids,” Rybakina said at…