Slovenia, with a 10% child poverty rate and a 31% reduction since 2014, leads UNICEF's EU/OECD report on child poverty. The report highlights the importance of cash benefits, labor market reforms, and social protection in reducing child poverty. Slovenia's high minimum wage and free kindergarten are noted as contributing factors to its success. The report also discusses the negative impacts of prolonged poverty on children's emotional and behavioral health, education, and employment prospects. In the EU, children of migrants and those from vulnerable groups face higher poverty rates. Despite a 6 million reduction in child poverty from 2014 to 2021 in the EU and OECD countries, experts believe more can be done to address the issue.

Slovenia leads Europe in reducing child poverty, with only 10% of children living in poverty, a significant drop since 2014. Key factors include high minimum wages, free kindergarten, and effective social protection policies. UNICEF's report highlights the importance of family-friendly policies and cash benefits. The UK, in contrast, has seen a significant increase in child poverty. Persistent poverty has severe long-term effects on children, including emotional and behavioral difficulties. Vulnerable groups include Roma children and migrant families. Despite overall progress in the EU and OECD, significant disparities remain between urban and rural areas and different household types.

Spanish police seized 11 tonnes of cocaine linked to Albanian criminal organizations in two separate operations, underscoring the influence of Balkan mafias in drug trafficking. The cocaine, originating from Colombia via Ecuador, was found in containers at the ports of Vigo and Valencia. The operations led to the arrest of 20 individuals, primarily Albanians, and highlighted the evolving nature of drug trafficking networks in Europe, with Albanian mafias playing a dominant role. The seizures mark a shift from traditional Colombian and Mexican control to more internationalized criminal cooperatives.

A UNICEF report reveals that some of the wealthiest countries in Europe, including the UK, Spain, and Luxembourg, have seen significant increases in child poverty rates between 2014 and 2021. In contrast, poorer countries like Poland and Slovenia have made substantial progress in reducing child poverty. The report highlights the persistent and damaging impacts of poverty on children, including poor health and lower educational attainment. It calls for expanded social protection, access to quality basic services, and employment opportunities with family-friendly policies to address the issue. The report underscores the importance of learning from successful countries to improve children's well-being globally.

New data from UNICEF reveals a significant increase in child poverty in some of the world's richest countries between 2014 and 2021. The report highlights that countries like the UK, Spain, and Luxembourg are struggling with high child poverty rates, while less wealthy nations like Poland and Slovenia are performing better. Despite an overall reduction in poverty, over 69 million children still live in households earning less than 60% of the national median income. The study underscores the persistent and harmful effects of poverty on children and calls for enhanced social protection, access to quality basic services, and employment opportunities with adequate wages to address the issue.

UNICEF's report highlights a significant increase in child poverty in some of the wealthiest European countries between 2014 and 2021, with the UK, Spain, and Luxembourg showing the most alarming trends. Conversely, countries with lower overall wealth, such as Poland and Slovenia, have made notable progress in reducing child poverty. The report underscores the persistent and damaging effects of poverty on children, including poor nutrition, inadequate clothing, and limited educational opportunities, which can have lifelong consequences. UNICEF calls for expanded social protection programs, improved access to basic services, and employment opportunities with adequate pay to address the issue. The report also emphasizes the need for tailored measures to support minority and single-parent families.

Some of the world's richest countries, including the United Kingdom, Spain, and Luxembourg, have seen significant increases in child poverty between 2014 and 2021, according to a UNICEF report. Conversely, poorer countries like Poland and Slovenia have made notable progress in reducing child poverty. The report highlights that economic growth does not necessarily translate to better living conditions for children and emphasizes the need for expanded social protection, access to quality services, and employment opportunities with adequate pay to combat child poverty effectively.

Civilians in Gaza looted aid trucks at the Rafah crossing amid a severe humanitarian crisis exacerbated by prolonged Israeli bombardment. The United Nations has warned of desperate conditions, with widespread displacement and communication blackouts complicating rescue efforts. European lawmakers from the 'Renew Europe' group called for a ceasefire to aid civilians and address the hostage situation. The US defense secretary plans to visit Israel to discuss a transition to targeted strikes against Hamas leaders. Hamas has stated no more hostages will be released until the war ends, demanding the release of Palestinian prisoners in exchange.

Ireland faces a significant decline in the number of Catholic priests, with many clergy members working past retirement age due to a lack of new recruits. Factors contributing to this crisis include the sexual abuse scandal and the church's failure to align with modern societal values. Father Tony Flannery, a retired priest, highlights the need for reforms and the loneliness experienced by aging priests. Efforts to address the shortage include recruiting foreign priests and involving the laity in parish roles. The article underscores the church's struggle to communicate effectively with contemporary society.

Javier Milei, leader of the 'La Libertad Avanza' coalition, won the Argentine presidential election with 55.6% of the vote, defeating the Peronist candidate. Milei, known for his ultra-liberal economic policies and socially conservative views, plans to reduce state intervention, privatize state companies, and dollarize the economy. His victory reflects widespread dissatisfaction with the ruling class amid high inflation and poverty. Critics, including historian Luis Kleiser, warn that Milei's policies could threaten democratic freedoms and human rights.

Spain is implementing stricter regulations on mobile phone use in schools, with varying approaches across its autonomous communities. Catalonia, among other regions, is moving towards stricter rules, while some areas have partial bans. The debate, fueled by parents and educators, centers on the impact of mobile phones on students' academic performance and behavior. UNESCO's report highlights the global trend of restricting mobile phones in classrooms, emphasizing the need for equitable access to educational resources. Other European countries, including France, Italy, and the UK, are also adopting similar measures.

Spain is intensifying efforts to regulate mobile phone use in schools, with various regions implementing stricter rules or complete bans. The debate, fueled by parents and educators, centers on the impact of mobile phones on student behavior and academic performance. While some regions in Spain have adopted partial bans, others like Catalonia are moving towards stricter regulations. The UNESCO report highlights the uneven benefits of technology in education, suggesting resources be redirected to essential educational materials. Similar measures are being considered or implemented in other European countries, including France, Italy, and the UK, to enhance focus and reduce distractions in classrooms.

Civilians in Gaza looted aid trucks at the Rafah crossing amid a severe humanitarian crisis exacerbated by prolonged Israeli bombardment. The United Nations has warned of desperate conditions, with widespread displacement and communication blackouts complicating rescue efforts. European lawmakers from the 'Renew Europe' group called for a ceasefire to aid civilians and address the hostage situation. The US defense secretary plans to visit Israel to discuss a transition to targeted strikes against Hamas leaders. Hamas has stated that no more hostages will be released until the war ends, demanding the release of Palestinian prisoners in exchange.

The Slovakian government, led by populist Robert Fico, has postponed the controversial reform to eliminate the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office until January due to parliamentary opposition. The reform, criticized by the European Commission, has sparked massive protests and concerns about Slovakia's political direction. The Special Prosecutor's Office is handling significant corruption cases involving high-profile politicians and oligarchs. Critics fear Fico's return to power could lead Slovakia to follow Hungary's political path under Viktor Orbán, undermining anti-corruption efforts and shifting away from pro-Western policies.

Slovenia leads in reducing child poverty among EU/OECD countries, with only 10% of children living in poverty, a significant drop since 2014. Key factors include high minimum wages, free kindergarten, and effective social protection policies. UNICEF's report highlights the importance of cash benefits, labor market reforms, and family-friendly policies. The UK, despite its wealth, has seen a significant increase in child poverty. Persistent poverty has severe long-term effects on children, including emotional and behavioral difficulties. Inequalities persist, particularly among migrant children and those in rural areas. More efforts are needed to further reduce child poverty across Europe.

The UK’s tertiary education sector experienced significant growth in funding and capital investment before the COVID-19 pandemic, driven by an increase in student numbers and higher fees from international students. However, the pandemic led to a reevaluation of priorities and a halt in many infrastructure projects. Universities are now facing critical decisions about the future of their estates and the services they should provide in a post-pandemic world.

Ramzan Kadyrov, the leader of Russia's Chechnya region, publicly praised his son Adam for beating a prisoner accused of burning the Quran, sharing a video of the incident. Kadyrov justified the violence as a defense of religious honor. The prisoner, Nikita Zhuravel, has reported the assault to Russian officials. The article also touches on Kadyrov's rule in Chechnya, his relationship with Vladimir Putin, and the involvement of Chechen forces in Ukraine. Russia’s Human Rights Commissioner, Tatiana Moskalkova, expressed disapproval of Kadyrov's actions, emphasizing legal accountability over vigilante justice.

Norway has installed the world's northernmost ground solar panels in the Svalbard archipelago to aid remote Arctic communities in transitioning to green energy. The pilot project, featuring 360 solar panels, aims to provide electricity to Isfjord Radio, a former shipping radio station now serving as a tourist base camp. The initiative benefits from the region's abundant summer sunlight and the reflective power of snow and ice, although the area experiences total darkness from October to February. Store Norske, the state-owned energy group behind the project, is also exploring wind farms to further reduce reliance on fossil fuels. The project serves as a test site to develop Arctic-proven technology for other remote communities.

Germany's national railway company Deutsche Bahn reported record sales for long-distance transport, leading to the addition of new routes across Europe. The European Union aims to double high-speed rail travel by 2030. However, a Greenpeace study found that flying is often cheaper than train travel, which contradicts the goal of promoting more sustainable modes of transportation. Railway engineer Erik Stiegemann and analyst Bernhard Knierim highlighted the comfort and energy efficiency of train travel, but acknowledged the cost barrier that still leads many to choose flying.

Martina Bednarova, a teacher in Prague, was acquitted after telling students that the Russian invasion of Ukraine was not real and spreading Russian propaganda. Despite being dismissed from her school and accused of justifying genocide, the court ruled her actions were not criminal. Analyst Roman Maca criticized her for spreading conspiracies, while lawyer Richard Petrasek highlighted her denial of the war. The school declined to comment on the case.

The Pyrenees-Orientales region in France has declared a 'crisis' level drought, with significant water restrictions imposed to conserve drinking water. The Agly River has nearly dried up, affecting local agriculture and tourism. The region has experienced only 35-40% of its usual rainfall, raising concerns about potential wildfires. In response, activities like car washing and garden watering are banned, with exceptions for reused water systems. Neighboring Spain has also implemented extreme measures, including a €2 billion allocation to address the drought.

The UK’s tertiary education sector experienced significant growth in funding and capital investment before the COVID-19 pandemic, driven by an increase in student numbers and higher fees from international students. However, the pandemic led to a reassessment of priorities and a halt in many infrastructure projects. Universities are now facing the challenge of redefining their post-pandemic estates and funding strategies.

Rory Armstrong explores the rising popularity of manga in Spain, highlighting the record-breaking attendance at the Barcelona Manga Festival and the increase in manga publications since the pandemic. The article discusses the economic impact of manga in Japan and the growth of the Spanish market, noting the lack of sales figures but using the number of new releases as an indicator. The 'Big 3' publishers, Planeta, Norma, and Ivrea, dominate the market, but there's a rise in medium and small publishers. The article also touches on the cultural resonance of manga, with insights from Spanish manga artist Kenny Ruiz, who attributes the genre's appeal to its focus on universal emotions.

France's President Emmanuel Macron defended his controversial pension reform to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64, citing it as necessary for balancing the pension system. Despite widespread protests and a plummeting approval rating, Macron remains firm on implementing the reform by the end of 2023. He condemned the violence in protests and promised to re-engage in dialogue with unions on working conditions. Macron also called for large companies to make an 'exceptional contribution' from their windfall profits to benefit workers.

The article discusses the concept of 'tactical urbanism' and its implications for the future city model of Barcelona. Tactical urbanism refers to small-scale, temporary changes to the urban environment, typically aimed at improving local neighborhoods and city spaces. The article explores how this approach can lead to more sustainable and people-friendly cities. It considers the potential benefits and challenges of implementing such a model in Barcelona, and how it could transform the urban landscape by prioritizing the needs of residents and the environment over traditional, car-centric city planning.

UK universities are grappling with rising energy costs and the need for decarbonisation. Energy bills have surged, prompting a reevaluation of infrastructure spending. Many universities aim for net zero carbon emissions by 2030, but face challenges with older buildings. Smart technology and inclusive design are becoming integral to new projects. Financially, universities are seeing increased income, but face pressure on how to allocate funds, with trade unions advocating for higher teaching wages over capital spending.

A Catalan radio play titled 'Escapism and dime novels' has found success in Ireland, resonating with the country's history of censorship and imprisonment. The creator, Freixes, who has a diverse background in film, illustration, and writing, wrote the play in English and initially faced rejection from local producers. However, RTÉ in Ireland showed interest and recorded the drama in Dublin, hiring actors with Hispanic origins to maintain a foreign accent. Freixes, who also wrote 'El inconsciente de María Gil' for RNE and serves as the official illustrator for the Sitges Film Festival, emphasizes the imaginative power of radio and the differences in quality between Spanish and English-speaking radio productions. RTÉ will promote the play with a special program 'In the wings: Escapism and dime novels' and will broadcast it online, making it accessible in Catalonia.