Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.

As Fairfax Co. considers changes to massage therapy oversight, small businesses worry about impact
Fairfax County has started the process of rewriting its regulations for massage therapy businesses for the first time in decades. Fairfax County has started the process of rewriting its regulations for massage therapy businesses for the first time...

EU finalises General-Purpose AI Code of Practice ahead of AI Act rollout
This comprehensive voluntary framework is designed to guide the development and deployment of powerful AI systems in the EU. The Code aims to bridge the gap between innovation and regulation, offering a practical path for developers to align with...

France and Việt Nam: Healing the Past, Building the Future
The visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to Việt Nam on May 26, 2025, marked a pivotal moment in strengthening bilateral relations between both countries. This relationship carries a complex colonial legacy and is now evolving into strategic...

Does Spain have €1 homes?
Italy and France have both made headlines in recent years for luring newcomers to underpopulated villages with the promise of homes which cost just €1. But does Spain have them as well? Recent coverage by our colleagues at The Local France...

Thélios Expands Eyewear Manufacturing Hub in Italy With New Industrial Facility
LONGARONE, Italy — “This is a win-win situation,” said Toni Belloni, president of LVMH Italy, at the inauguration on Thursday of the new industrial facility of eyewear firm Thélios. Located in Longarone, in the heart of Italy’s eyewear...

What are the best 8 website builders for my small business?
It has been estimated that the cost to any business that doesn’t have a website averages at £173,769 per year in lost revenue, despite the average monthly running cost of a website being less than £18. If creating a website for your business can...

Over K1 billion invested by EU in PNG
THE European Union has over the years invested more than K1 billion in Papua New Guinea’s key infrastructure, economic and humanitarian programs, says an official. Ambroise Fayolle, the vice president of the European Investment Bank (EIB), said...

Bridgwater small business wins at StartUp Awards 2025
Critical Kit won in the category of Media and Entertainment, celebrating its success in the indie tabletop roleplaying game (TTRPG) space. Read More: Best axe throwers in Europe compete in Bridgwater Bridgwater Town Team relaunches with renewed...

South Korean Banks, the EU, and the Failure of Microfinance in Cambodia
The realities of microfinance lending in small developing countries which lack strong financial regulators has been once again illustrated by new research on the role of South Korean banks in Cambodia. “Preying on Poverty” was published in June by...

Government to help small companies beef up cybersecurity defences
The government is investing £1.3 million to improve security at 500 small companies operating in sensitive sectors such as defence, artificial intelligence and life sciences to prevent their ideas from being stolen by competitors or malicious...

EU unveils $700 million Ukraine support package for energy and infrastructure
Editor's note: The story is being updated. The European Investment Bank Group (EIB) and the European Commission announced nearly 600 million euros ($700 million) in new financing for Ukraine's critical infrastructure and businesses at the Ukraine...
EU's Climate Leviathan: CO₂ Trading Scheme To Cripple German Drivers By 2027
Submitted by Thomas Kolbe Starting in 2027, a price shock at the gas station threatens drivers. The EU Emissions Trading System (ETS II) will be extended to include the transport and building sectors. Another wave of price increases is rolling in....
Bregu: Green Transition in Western Balkans Must Be Equitable
Source: Beta News / Politics | 10.07.25 | access_time 20:46 Climate Change (Photo: Pixabay.com) Climate change in the Western Balkans, just like throughout Europe, jeopardizes the health, puts jobs at risk, deepens inequality and burdens the...

EU carbon tax to hit Greek households
The European Union will implement a new carbon tax on fossil fuels starting January 1, 2027, under the second Emissions Trading System (ETS 2) regulation, targeting buildings, road transport and small industries. The regulation will tax gasoline,...

Pakistan signs €20mn grant deal with EU to boost governance, business environment
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the European Union (EU) on Thursday signed a €20 million grant agreement to launch the “Better Governance and Business Environment” initiative, aimed at strengthening governance and improving competitiveness of the private...

Climate change is already rewriting the job market in the Western Balkans
By Majlinda Bregu Secretary-General, Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) “What remains of life when illusions are gone? Responsibility.” Imre Kertész, Hungarian Nobel Laureate, posed this question with haunting precision. Today, it echoes far...

The EU reported a new package of agreements to support Ukraine worth over €2 billion
On July 10, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen presented a new package of agreements worth €2.3 billion with financial institutions to support Ukraineʼs recovery at the International Conference on Ukraineʼs Recovery in Rome. This...

With Chinatown development planned, group pushes DC Council to prioritize small businesses
As the D.C. Council deliberates the city’s fiscal 2026 budget, one group is pushing council members to reserve money to save Chinatown's small businesses. As the D.C. Council deliberates the city’s fiscal 2026 budget, one group is pushing council...

Small businesses warn personal guarantees is ‘shackling’ growth ambitions
Heavy-handed personal guarantees are “shackling” ambition and risk holding back the growth the economy needs, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has warned. Research by the UK’s largest business group shows that six in 10 (60%) limited...

Why GreenGeeks is the Best Host for Small Businesses
Small business owners face rising demands on their time and resources. With every added responsibility, efficiency becomes valuable. Running secure, fast, and reliable websites is essential, but technical management can be burdensome. GreenGeeks...