Epstein’s Shadow Lengthens
The release of over three million pages of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein by the US Department of Justice is more than a tabloid affair; it’s a stark reminder of the rot of elite impunity. Names like Bill Gates, Elon Musk, and Prince Andrew are again linked to the sordid network, not necessarily with new criminal allegations, but reinforcing a pattern of association that erodes public trust. For Europe, the continued mention of Prince Andrew keeps an uncomfortable spotlight on the British monarchy’s judgment. More broadly, it fuels a deeply cynical, anti-establishment mood. When networks of the powerful appear to operate beyond conventional accountability, it corrodes the very foundations of our institutions—a sentiment that populist movements across the continent are quick to exploit. The long-term ripple effect is a growing, dangerous distrust in the systems that govern us. (ZDF)
Italy’s Energy Crisis Deepens
Italian businesses are sounding the alarm over crippling energy costs, a crisis that threatens to stall a core European economy. Since 2019, electricity bills for tertiary sector companies have surged by 28.8% and gas by a staggering 70.4%. For many restaurants and shops, this translates to monthly energy expenses exceeding €2,000. The Confederation of Commerce (Confcommercio) data reveals the tangible impact of failed energy policies and over-reliance on unstable foreign sources. This isn’t just a business problem; it’s a structural threat. Persistently high energy costs render industries uncompetitive, fuel inflation, and ultimately pass the burden to consumers. As Confindustria, the main association representing Italian manufacturing and service companies, presses for rapid government intervention, the situation underscores the urgent need for a pan-European strategy focused on market-based energy diversification and regulatory relief, not subsidies. (Ansa)
Ancient Plagues, Modern Warnings
The verification of a 6th-century mass grave in Jordan from the Justinian Plague offers a powerful lesson in an era defined by our own pandemic experience. This plague, the world’s earliest recorded, killed millions and contributed to the decline of the Byzantine Empire. The archaeological findings, published in the Journal of Archaeological Science, provide a rare empirical window into societal vulnerability and the movement of pathogens in a globalised world—even an ancient one. It serves as a historical case study on how interconnectedness, from trade routes then to air travel now, makes us all susceptible. The data reminds us that pandemics are not just biological events but profound social and political disruptors. Forgetting this history, or failing to invest in robust, decentralised public health intelligence, is a luxury we cannot afford. (The Guardian)
Catch the next Gist for the continent’s moving pieces.
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