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In the east of Ukraine, in the region of Donetsk, the Russians are advancing in areas where, until recently, Ukranian troups managed to resist for two years. On the ground, the situation is extremely difficult. With a shortage of doctors, medical teams on the front line have been working for months without ever handing over.

The number of Ukranian soldiers that have been killed or injured is undisclosed. In the region of Donetsk, medical teams are carrying out intense work beyond the combat to try to save as many people as possible.

Ukraine: Medics on the front line

Since the current Slovakian government came into power a year ago, there have been several attacks on the cultural scene. The Minister of Culture Martina Šimkovičová has fired some of the most creative people in the country, including the head of the National Theatre and the director of the National Gallery. The government is now also in charge of which artistic projects will be supported. Critics feel that Slovakia is heading towards authoritarianism. The world of culture wants to defend itself, thousands of artists have gone on strike in protest.

The Slovakian government is taking radical measures against the cultural scene, with artists protesting against them.

Slovakia's fight for artistic freedom

In July 2024, Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban decided to help Russian and Belarusian citizens to get visas. The official reason given was that there is an urgent need for skilled workers. The EU is outraged and has expressed fear for its safety since with this simplified process, Hungary is opening Europe's doors to spies who may then continue to travel further into the EU.

The EU is worried about security, but the fact that Hungary is making it easier for Russian and Belrusian citizens to get visas could also be an opportunity for the Russian opposition.

How Hungary is helping Russians and Belarusians get visas

It's one of the oldest cases of non-compliance with EU law. In 2007, Ireland was convicted of failing to comply with the Birds Directive. To this day, the case remains open and the Commussion is still waiting for Ireland to comply. Bird populations have fallen by 63% in Ireland, which is higher than the global average. So way have they been taking so long and how will it impact biodiversity?

Ireland is still struggling to comply with the 2007 Birds Directive.

Ireland's birds still at risk

Whilst Germans love a beer or two, they also care about their health. This is especially true for those under 40. According to the national institute for statistics, alcohol-free beer production has almost doubled in ten years in Germany, meaning it is the top producer of it in Europe.

Alcohol-free beer is more popular than ever. In Germany more than double is consumed today than ten years ago.

Germany's alcohol-free beer boom

Found in pans, clothing and fire-fighting foams, PFASs or "eternal pollutants" are everywhere. In the Netherlands, they are getting increasingly concerning, however. Samples taken from food and water have revealed that the PFAS rates in cities like Amsterdam are too high. This report comes from Schipol Airport in the Dutch capital, where this issue is of particular concern.

At Schipol Airport in Amsterdam, the ground is contaminated by "eternal pollutants". Local residents and NGOs have their say.

Managing underground PFASs in the Netherlands

Founded in 2019 in Vienna, the human rights and humanitarian aid organisation SOS Balkanroute, which is funded by donations, looks after people fleeing
their country and supports local humanitarian aid networks in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Since Hungary and then Croatia closed their borders, more people are trying to enter the EU via Bosnia. But it's a riskier route. We join SOS Balkanroute on the border between Bosnia and Croatia. It's an area where defenseless people are exposed to smuggler networks and brutal pushbacks.

The humanitarian organisation SOS Balkanroute is working to ensure that migrants are better treated.

The Balkan Route: a lawless zone?

Denmark, a leader in digital tech, is rethinking its approach in schools. With screens seen as a distraction and social media harmful, the Ministry of Education has urged a return to the basics. At the ‘Marienschule’ in Tondern, they've taken the leap. Tablets have been ditched for books and pencils.

Denmark is dialing digital down, with one school swapping screens for paper to boost focus and learning.

The Danish School Going back to Books and Pens

Since the end of 2016, Italy has authorised the cultivation of light cannabis. In other words, hemp for industrial use with less than 0.2% THC content. However, the right-wing and extreme-right Italian government wants to change the law and de facto equate “light” cannabis to cannabis with a narcotic effect.

Since the end of 2016, Italy has authorised the cultivation of light cannabis. In other words, hemp for industrial use with less than 0.2% THC content.

Is Italy's cannabis production under threat?

Romania, home to Europe's largest bear population outside Russia, is struggling with increasing bear attacks. A recent deadly attack on a teenage hiker has ignited political debate, pushing lawmakers to approve the culling of 500 bears to manage the overpopulation of this protected species.

After many vicious attacks and hot political debates, Romania is grappling with its massive bear population. 

Politics and society
ARTE Journal

All videos

Ukraine: Medics on the front line

Slovakia's fight for artistic freedom

How Hungary is helping Russians and Belarusians get visas

Ireland's birds still at risk

Germany's alcohol-free beer boom

Managing underground PFASs in the Netherlands

The Balkan Route: a lawless zone?

The Danish School Going back to Books and Pens

Is Italy's cannabis production under threat?

Romania Gets Tough on Its Brown Bear Problem

Politics and societyARTE Journal

All videos

Ukraine: Medics on the front line

Slovakia's fight for artistic freedom

How Hungary is helping Russians and Belarusians get visas

Ireland's birds still at risk

Germany's alcohol-free beer boom

Managing underground PFASs in the Netherlands

The Balkan Route: a lawless zone?

The Danish School Going back to Books and Pens

Is Italy's cannabis production under threat?

Romania Gets Tough on Its Brown Bear Problem

Politics and society
ARTE Journal