All posts tagged: Europes

In Spain, Pope Leo faces Europe’s tensions over faith, migration and life issues

In Spain, Pope Leo faces Europe’s tensions over faith, migration and life issues

Published by Sam Flores

VATICAN CITY (RNS) — When Pope Leo XIV lands in Spain on Saturday (June 6), he will find a country riven by polarization over migration and life issues, and where declining church attendance coexists with a new, striking interest in faith among young people. In short, the pope will land in a European laboratory for many tensions shaping the West: a promising stage to deliver his message of unity, human dignity and peace. Already in 2010, Pope Benedict XVI described Spain as a central place for the “encounter, not conflict,” between faith and secular modernity. Leo struck a similar note in a Feb. 9 letter to 1,600 Spanish priests, saying Spain faces “advanced processes of secularization” and “a growing polarization in public discourse,” but also a “new restlessness” and spiritual searching among young people. Spain, once the home of Catholic missionaries throughout the centuries, is now itself a mission territory where an increasingly small Catholic minority seeks the encouragement of the pontiff. “I think the pope’s visit will be a splendid moment to encourage this …

Europe’s stained glass is stained with antisemitism

Europe’s stained glass is stained with antisemitism

Published by Sam Flores

(RNS) — I have done my share of traveling in Europe, and when I am there, I visit cathedrals. Most are majestic, and they are filled with Christian art that would take a decent docent a decade to unpack for me. I have never been to Brussels, though I would like to visit. And when I am there, I expect to make a special trip to the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula. That is the subject of Flora Cassen’s new book, “Stained Glass: A Reflective History of Antisemitism.” The cathedral is, by all accounts, a masterpiece. Built between the 13th and 15th centuries, it rises above the old town on its own little hill, and when the lights hit the stonework at night, it looks like lace carved out of sky. “Stained Glass: A Reflective History of Antisemitism” by Flora Cassen. (Courtesy image) But I imagine myself stepping inside. I would look intensely and intentionally at the stained-glass windows — the ones donated by Belgium’s first two kings in the 19th century. And …

Finland is Europe’s most digitalised country – but older people are still left behind

Finland is Europe’s most digitalised country – but older people are still left behind

Published by Sam Flores

Around the world, countries are moving towards a more digital way of life. Governments have promoted digitalisation of public services to improve efficiency, cut costs and meet modern demands for speedy responses. Yet this push for the digital has caught some people by surprise. Many older adults now feel they face another hurdle in living an independent life. Across Europe, digitalisation of services is rapidly changing older people’s lives. The post-pandemic movement of booking appointments, vaccines and basic services online accelerated things. Banks and insurance companies now operate mainly online, with in-person options getting rarer by the day in many countries. Our recent study focuses on Finland, the most digitalised country in Europe. Finland’s first national strategy report on digitalisation was back in 1995. This laid the groundwork for online public services, well before initial steps in the UK and other countries, and when using email was not even an everyday experience. Finland’s ombudsman for older people estimated recently that the country has between 500,000 and 600,000 residents over the age of 65 who lack …

How Europe’s AI strategy diverges from Silicon Valley’s

How Europe’s AI strategy diverges from Silicon Valley’s

Published by skeptic

The global AI race is often framed as a battle between the United States and China. But at VivaTech, Europe is expected to make the case for an entirely different model. In recent years, Silicon Valley has pushed aggressively toward scale, speed, and market dominance. Europe, on the other hand, is providing a counterbalance: a vision for artificial intelligence centered on industrial competitiveness and technological sovereignty. That divergence has become more visible over the past year. While American AI companies continue racing to release increasingly powerful models, European policymakers have focused heavily on regulation, transparency, privacy, and infrastructure independence. Critics might claim this approach restrains innovation. Supporters argue Europe is attempting to lead with governance. The debate will loom large at VivaTech 2026, which has become a showcase for Europe’s broader AI ambitions. Where Europe thinks it can win Europe’s AI ambitions are also being shaped by the industries it has historically dominated. While Silicon Valley’s AI boom has largely revolved around consumer platforms and foundation models, many European companies are focused on applying AI …

Europe’s race to secure its energy supplies — live updates – POLITICO

Europe’s race to secure its energy supplies — live updates – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

The fallout from the U.S.-Israel war in Iran is already rippling through global markets. But the worst may still lie ahead for Europe. As oil and gas supplies tighten and prices spike, the shock is seeping into every corner of the economy, from manufacturing to borrowing costs to demand shifts. Against this gloomy backdrop, how can policymakers contain the damage to avoid a deeper economic impact? And beyond the short term, what will this energy shock mean for Europe’s households and its industrial competitiveness? The crisis is also accelerating another shift: Europe’s clean transition. It’s no longer seen predominately as a climate imperative, but a question of economic security. Which policy moves will help safeguard the bloc’s sovereignty while reducing its emissions? Follow all the discussions and news from POLITICO’s Energy & Climate Forum as we unpack these hot-button issues with the policymakers, industry leaders and policy experts shaping Europe’s response. See the full program here and follow along here from 9 a.m. Source link

Trump defrosts relations with Europe’s last dictator, Alexander Lukashenko

Trump defrosts relations with Europe’s last dictator, Alexander Lukashenko

Published by Sam Flores

The man known as Europe’s last dictator may soon be coming in from the cold, as President Donald Trump helps him emerge from years of isolation. Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content. Trump thanked Belarus’ President Alexander Lukashenko for his “cooperation and friendship” in a post on Truth Social earlier this month after a deal to release some political prisoners held by his regime, adding: “So nice!” The U.S. president has also steadily eased sanctions on Belarus’ state institutions and companies, intended to punish Vladimir Putin’s closest geopolitical ally for allowing Russia to use Belarus as a staging ground for his invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Lukashenko, for his part, has expressed hopes of sealing a “big deal” with the U.S., and could attend a meeting of Trump’s Board of Peace later this year. For many living under his regime in Belarus, Lukashenko, 71, is anything but “nice.” In power since 1994, he has been accused of flagrant human rights violations against his critics, wiping out …

Europe’s fight to stay in the AI race – Talking Europe

Europe’s fight to stay in the AI race – Talking Europe

Published by Sam Flores

This week’s special edition of Talking Europe asks whether the EU is ready for the disruption that comes with Artificial Intelligence. It is the most important technological revolution of the century, and is set to impact every aspect of our lives. Whether you are working in a small business or in an industrial giant, whether you are a student, a musician or an author – the anxiety is real. As Nobel prize-winning economist Philippe Aghion puts it: “AI means new ideas and new activities, but it may be that job destruction will occur before job creation. Countries need to adapt.” Our report covers half a dozen EU countries to find out how they are preparing, from grassroots education and upskilling efforts in rural Ireland, to the manufacturing sector, which sees AI and robotics as key to improving productivity and helping offset a shrinking workforce.  We also look at global competition: How does Europe plan to catch up with leaders in the United States and China when it comes to AI infrastructure? We visit one of the EU’s …

Europe’s breakthrough in reversing paralysis after spinal cord injury

Europe’s breakthrough in reversing paralysis after spinal cord injury

Published by skeptic

Once considered impossible, restoring movement after paralysis is becoming a reality thanks to EU-funded researchers who have developed a device that reconnects the brain to the body. Spinal cord injury (SCI) remains one of the most devastating neurological conditions, severing communication between the brain and the body and leaving millions worldwide with permanent paralysis. Despite decades of research, restoring movement after spinal cord injury has remained one of neuroscience’s most intractable problems. An EU-funded initiative supported by the European Innovation Council offers a new route: a fully implantable brain–spine interface that reconnects mind and body, offering fresh hope against paralysis. “Treating patients with paralysis remains one of the greatest challenges of humanity,” said Professor Grégoire Courtine, the neuroscientist at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Switzerland, who led the breakthrough research. He said researchers have tried for decades – and failed – to regrow neurons and fibres with biological approaches. “We have completely changed the approach. Instead of trying to repair the actual injury, we are focusing on what is intact below the injury, but …

Euro-Office, Europe’s open-source alternative to Microsoft Office and Google Docs, launches June 9

Euro-Office, Europe’s open-source alternative to Microsoft Office and Google Docs, launches June 9

Published by skeptic

The Euro-Office text editor in action. NextCloud Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. ZDNET’s key takeaways Euro-Office provides a Europe-based alternative to Microsoft Office and Google Docs. Digital sovereignty is powering the demand for the open-source Euro-Office. The interface and document formats will be familiar to any Microsoft 365 user. Countries outside of the US are sick and tired of paying for what they see as untrustworthy American-dominated software-as-a-service (SaaS). As a result, many countries and companies — especially in Europe — are investing in digital sovereignty initiatives. The latest SaaS to address this need is Euro-Office. Also: France is ditching Windows for digital sovereignty – and its new Linux stack is taking shape Euro-Office’s 1.0 release, available June 9 for anyone to download from the project’s public GitHub repositories, will come with ready‑to‑use web editors for documents, spreadsheets, and presentations that support real‑time collaboration.  The suite is designed to help public authorities, education systems, and regulated industries move away from US‑based productivity clouds while retaining a familiar, Microsoft Office-style workflow …

We’re going on a Bosnian bear hunt … in Europe’s oldest forest | Bosnia and Herzegovina holidays

We’re going on a Bosnian bear hunt … in Europe’s oldest forest | Bosnia and Herzegovina holidays

Published by Sam Flores

‘I know this bear. He knows me. We’ve met several times.” Our guide for the day points to a damaged sign in Sutjeska national park, at the beginning of the trail that descends to the forest of Perućica in south-east Bosnia. The wooden post is covered in scratches from large claws. “Bears are the sharks of the land, because they have the keenest sense of smell on the mountain. They are highly intelligent. I’m deeply persuaded that they know who is a friend and who is a foe. I come often to the forest, so this guy knows my smell. But there was one incident, a hunter who came here to kill, and a bear peeled off his face like an orange.” The Guardian’s journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. With that image, Dejan Elez commands our full attention. A Bosnian Serb law graduate turned ranger and now mountain guide, he is a born storyteller and raconteur. My travel companion, Chris, and I are …