Articles archive
Low cost coal's 'double threat' to health and climate
The consumption of coal in Europe is increasing because of low prices, but the real costs – its serious impact on health and significant contribution to climate change – are not being taken into account, writes Diana G Smith
Cameron 'squeezed in the middle' of UK's Europe debate
The surge in UKIP's popularity is pushing David Cameron to the right, but the British people actually support the EU's progressive measures such as limiting bankers' bonuses – which gives the prime minister a problem, writes Jean Lambert MEP
US ambassador: Europe's humanitarian crisis 'enormous'
Europe's unemployed youth is losing faith in the EU and sees Brussels as part of the problem not the solution, warns US ambassador William Kennard – as Justin Stares reports from Brussels
EU enlargement 'part of solution to economic crisis'
Continuing to expand the EU's borders by admitting new countries is part of the solution to the region's economic crisis, Stefan Füle said yesterday – as he urged membership candidates to overcome so-called 'enlargement fatigue'
Norway option a 'clear choice' for Britain in Europe
If it took the 'Norway option' outside the EU but part of EFTA, Britain could control its own affairs, save money, free business from unnecessary regulations and reduce unemployment, claims Hugo van Randwyck
Pilot training 'struggling' with modern challenges
Pilot training programmes are struggling to catch up with the challenges posed by new technologies, and have not been spared the impact of cost-cutting – but old-fashioned 'stick and rudder' skills remain essential, writes Nico Voorbach
Microsoft hit with €561m EU fine over browser choice failure
Microsoft has been fined €561m by the EU's competition authorities for breaking a legal requirement to make customers aware of alternatives to its Internet Explorer web browser
The EU then and now: in need of a shake-up?
Our secret columnist looks back to study the state the EU was in two decades ago: facing economic difficulties, debates about its future, concern about conflict in the neighbourhood and in a need of a shake-up at the top
UK Lords extol benefits of EU enlargement
The enlargement of the EU has economic and security benefits for new and existing member states, but the entry criteria should be more strictly enforced than in the past, a British House of Lords committee says
I left UKIP because it is not a 'serious party' - says Andreasen
UKIP will never be a 'serious' option to the mainstream political parties as long as Nigel Farage leads it, writes Marta Andreasen MEP - explaining her defection to the Conservative Party
Biofuels craze sparks land use conflicts
Biofuels are a prominent part of the renewable energy mix, but demand for energy crops is increasing the pressures on land usage. Meeting the sustainability challenge is vital, writes Professor Martin Weih
Seven days - a week in the life of Peter Styles
The week starts with rehearsals for a St Patrick's night concert of Irish music – before attention turns to university work, debates about fracking, a talk on wind turbines, and the welcome discovery that next week will not be quite as busy as expected
Bulgaria: where western democracy meets Russian-style corruption
The post-communist transition model in countries such as Bulgaria combines western-style democracy with Russian-type oligarchy, a recipe for corrupt public institutions, argues Ognyan Minchev
Germany in Europe: funny peculiar, not funny ha ha
Germany is at the same time a dedicated member of the EU and a firm defender of its national interest, a position that will present a series of dilemmas in the months ahead, writes our secret columnist in Brussels
Attractive models in ads a turn-off for consumers
Advertisers should exert some caution when utilising attractive models in ads because users might feel threatened by such images – potentially damaging the brand, writes Dr Tamara Ansons