Whether we view the natural environment as a separate realm or a part of a larger one, it is clear that ongoing economic growth depends on the subjugation of the natural environment to sustain the economic system. This economic system has altered the nature of environmentally related human and economic activity. However, the concern is clear: while economic activity fosters development across va

En vacances, que ce soit à la plage ou en montagne, vous vous demandez peut-être ce qui vous attend à la rentrée. Ne vous inquiétez pas, POLITICO vous propose un guide des événements politiques de la fin de l’été.

Humanists International is set to release the newest edition of its worldwide benchmark on the treatment of humanists, atheists, and the non-religious during a hybrid event in the EU district.
On Wednesday, 25 February 2026, Humanists International will hold the launch of its 2025 Freedom of Thought Report at Press Club Brussels Europe. The event will gather EU policymakers, human-rights officia

In response to the BBC report, Starmer informed journalists: “During the weekend, I was advocating at the Munich Security Conference that the U.K. and Europe must enhance their efforts in defense and security.”
He further stated: “This means we need to accelerate defense spending.”
Two defense insiders, one current and one former official, revealed to POLITICO that the shi

Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) is an essential global governance indicator, scrutinized by investors, credit rating agencies, multilateral lenders, European institutions, and policymakers. The 2025 CPI highlights a global trend where institutional credibility is a form of power.
The index ranks 182 countries on a scale from 0 to 100, where 0 indicates extrem

At the Munich Security Conference, the U.S. adopted a gentler approach, though Europe still feels cautious.
In Brussels, during a Eurogroup meeting of finance ministers, the informal E6 grouping, consisting of Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, and Poland, is gaining attention. These leading European economies are collaborating closely, sparking discussions about the EU possibly headi

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) unanimously reaffirmed its opposition to a new protocol on involuntary placement and treatment in mental healthcare, emphasizing it would hinder the elimination of coercive practices in these settings.
Assembly Stands Firm on Human Rights
PACEs was asked by the Council’s executive body, the Committee of Ministers, for its opinion on a dra

Starmer accused Mandelson of “repeatedly lying” to No. 10 about his ties with Epstein, while the police and government remain at odds over revealing Downing Street’s knowledge through documentation. The prime minister has faced scrutiny for appointing Mandelson despite his ongoing connection with Epstein post-conviction and has vowed transparency—a promise complicated by the with

BRUSSELS—European Union leaders have agreed to a comprehensive restructuring of the bloc’s economy to address a significant triple threat from Washington, Beijing, and Moscow, supporting urgent reforms aimed at creating “European champions” capable of competing in a challenging global landscape.
Meeting Thursday at a 16th-century castle in eastern Belgium, the 27 heads of state endorsed what Euro

He appealed to supporters with themes familiar to Make America Great Again supporters, focusing on shared (often economic) interests rather than the democratic values and rule of law that have historically united the alliance.
“We are connected by the deepest bonds nations could share, shaped by centuries of shared history, Christian faith, culture, heritage, language, ancestry, and the sacrifices