Europe
Raising a child to 18 in the UK costs more than £200,000 – here’s why
Thilo R. Huning, University of York and Isabelle Huning, University of York - Before having our first baby last year, we wondered whether we had the money, time and necessary skills to raise...
Small farms take centre stage in European push to bolster local food trade
Amid international supply-chain disruptions, the EU is stepping up efforts to ensure the European food system benefits family farmers, Europe’s regions and its consumers. By Alex Whiting - When Paolo Colzi left his job...
Fighting housing shortage: Airbnb & Co should share more data with authorities to prevent fraud
The business of platforms like Airbnb and Booking is booming: more and more private apartments are being rented out online. While this is good for tourists and hosts, it also leads to significant problems in many cities: fraud, housing shortages and rising rents can be the consequences. So far, there is no uniform system for data collection in the EU, which makes it difficult to control and prevent fraud and its negative effects. This is now set to change. Airbnb welcomes the EU’s breach. Paris, Porto and Vienna: Europe’s major cities are popular travel destinations. Accordingly, many people vacation there. Around a quarter of all overnight stays are now booked...
Estonia’s e-governance revolution is hailed as a voting success – so why are some US states pulling in the opposite direction?
Erik S. Herron, West Virginia University - Estonia, a small country in northern Europe, reached a digital milestone when the country headed to the...
Halting discrimination: International day of persons with disabilities
Vincent is the happy father of two children and loves surfing. Like Vincent, around 87 million people in the EU have a disability. On this International day of persons with disabilities, the EU reaffirms its commitment to breaking down...
What is an abaya − and why does it cause such controversy in France? A scholar of European studies explains
Armin Langer, University of Florida - Worn by some Muslim women, an abaya is a long, loose-fitting, robelike garment that covers the entire body, except for the face, hands and feet. Through the abaya, women can express their religious identity and dedication to following Islamic guidelines regarding modest attire. In more conservative social circles, the abaya is part of expected dress conforming to social norms and culture. In Saudi Arabia, for example, women were required to wear an abaya until 2018. Worn over everyday clothing, the abaya is typically paired with...
European cybersecurity is getting its own legs to stand on
With cyberattacks on the rise against everything from businesses to critical infrastructure, companies, governments and researchers are joining forces to strengthen firewalls. By Tom Cassauwers In February last year, as oil prices spiked following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, computers stopped working...
As climate change intensifies, Europe seeks local ways to adapt
European projects are helping cities and regions find the best ways to adjust to more frequent – and increasingly severe – heat waves, storms and floods. By Andrew Dunne - In Greece’s capital Athens,...
European Leaders decide to open accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova in a historic summit
Brussels - On 14-15 December, the European Council has decided to open accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova. It is a landmark moment for the people of both countries, who have consistently shown their European...
Meet the EU’s answer to crypto: the e-euro
Iordanis Kalaitzoglou, Audencia - In a bid to play catch up with technology companies and younger generations of consumers,...
