The new common standard for mobile phone chargers will save consumers lots of euros - and lots of hassle. Will PC chargers be next?

In its digital competitiveness report released in August 2009, the Commission of the European Union concludes that Europe is not taking full advantage of digital content markets, and that American content has cornered the market. Stories like that of Remedy Entertainment's Max Payne - successful European digital content snapped up by American companies with an eye for what sells - are common.

Since its presidency began on July 1st, there has been a lot of description and analysis of the Swedish presidency in various media. The expectations are high after the Czechs. Certainly too high: – just getting Barroso reelected will be time consuming, and soon we will start talking up the Spanish presidency.– Lobbyists have already moved on trying to influence their priorities at an early stage. Nevertheless, for those of you who here now and need to get things done with the Swedes, here are some helpful tips.

The option to learn a second language at the European Institutions' Schools comes too late - and the languages they ought to learn aren't in the curriculum. Since these kids will be governing Europe in 30 years, the time for reform is now.

Finland’s amateur fishermen were livid this week, as the European fisheries ministers decided that after January 1, 2010 the hobbyists can no longer sell their coastal water catch to a local seafood restaurant without risking as of yet unspecified penalties. The decision – the purpose of which is to limit recreational fishing where it is considered to threaten endangered fish stocks – was part of an agreement on a new control regime to prevent fishermen across the EU from landing illegal catches.