# Sweden

A night train of the Osterreichische Bundesbahnen (OBB) Austrian railway company stands on a platform at the railway station in Gries am Brenner at the Austrian-Italian border, on February 23, 2020. Photo: Johann Groder / APA / AFP
A night train of the Osterreichische Bun […]
coronavirus, Environmental pollution, Transportation and mobility

Back on track: Europe’s fading night trains win reprieve

Increasing awareness of the carbon footprint from air travel, coupled with shrinkage in the airline sector due to the coronavirus, mean that night trains may be in line for an unexpected renaissance
1 month ago
European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen (L) and European Council President Charles Michel bump elbows after a news conference following a four-day European summit at the European Council in Brussels, Belgium, early July 21, 2020. Photo: Stephanie Lecocq / Pool / AFP
European Commission President Ursula Von […]
Budget, coronavirus, Health, Infographic

EU’s virus recovery plan: historic but imperfect

The 750-billion-euro coronavirus recovery deal struck by EU leaders may be a historic landmark, but analysts are already warning it comes with substantial flaws
2 months ago
Belgium, Brussels: Ursula von der Leyen (r), President of the European Commission, takes part in a special session on the second day of the EU special summit. Photo: -/EU/XinHua/dpa
Belgium, Brussels: Ursula von der Leyen […]
Budget, coronavirus, Infographic

EU leaders cautiously optimistic deal on virus recovery fund in sight

European Union leaders are currently having major talks for a shared economic stimulus package to recoup the damage caused by the coronavirus pandemic for the fourth day in a row. An agreement seems difficult to reach.
2 months ago
(LtoR) Austria's Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, Netherlands' Prime Minister Mark Rutte, Sweden's Prime Minister Stefan Lofven, Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen (up L), President of the European Council Charles Michel and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen meet on the sidelines of a special European Council summit in Brussels on February 20, 2020, held to discuss the next long-term budget of the European Union (EU). (Photo by Virginia Mayo / POOL / AFP)
(LtoR) Austria's Chancellor Sebastian Ku […]
Budget, coronavirus, Eurozone, Infographic

Sweden and Denmark step out of the shadows as EU’s frugals

Normally perceived as team players, Sweden and Denmark have found themselves playing the unaccustomed role of outliers in EU politics, blocking the widely backed COVID-19 recovery plan
2 months ago
Netherlands' Prime Minister Mark Rutte arrives for a European Union Summit at the Europa building in Brussels on December 12, 2019. - European Union leaders meet without Britain on December 12, but their departing neighbour's absence will not make agreeing a budget any easier. Inside the chamber, the clash over climate take Brexit's place as the dominant theme of the summit, the first to be chaired by incoming EU Council president Charles Michel. (Photo by Kenzo TRIBOUILLARD / AFP)
Netherlands' Prime Minister Mark Rutte a […]
Budget, coronavirus, Eurozone, Health, Infographic, Video, Video 3D

Dutch ‘preachers and salesmen’ lead EU frugality drive

The Netherlands will be at the centre of upcoming talks over European spending on the coronavirus crisis, driven by a mix of traditional Calvinist frugality and political reality, experts say
3 months ago
An asylum seeker is waiting to take a ferry from the port of Mitilini to Athens in Greece. Photo: Socrates Baltagiannis/dpa +++ dpa-Bildfunk +++
An asylum seeker is waiting to take a fe […]
Migrants, Infographic

EU Commission’s long-awaited migration reform plan expected September

The European Union has confirmed that an "EU migration and asylum pact" will be proposed to the 27 member states by autumn, in order to reach an agreement regarding the asylum and migrants allocation within the EU.
3 months ago
The mayor of the Slovenian town of Nova Gorica Klemen Miklavic (L) and his Italian counterpart, mayor of Gorizia Rodolfo Ziberna, cut a symbolic ribbon to inaugurate the reopening of the border between Slovenia and Italy in Nova Gorica, Slovenia on June 15, 2020. Photo: Jure Makovec / AFP
The mayor of the Slovenian town of Nova […]
coronavirus, Tourism, Transportation and mobility, Infographic, Video

EU’s haphazard route to post-lockdown border reopenings

As European countries emerge from coronavirus lockdowns and lift travel restrictions, the EU has aimed to coordinate border reopening among members - but the process has been far from harmonious
3 months ago
Israeli pupils attend a class at the Sadot Elementary School in the town of Pardes Hanna-Karkur in central Israel on May 3, 2020 as the country eases coronavirus lockdown restrictions. Photo: Jack Guez / AFP
Israeli pupils attend a class at the Sad […]
coronavirus, Europe's Youth, Health, Video

Back to school? Officials move warily as challenges loom

Authorities worldwide face the challenge of returning millions of children to schools shut due to the coronavirus, weighing the need to limit educational damage against the risk of a surge in cases
4 months ago