Europe

Why Poland’s president is invoking wartime history in a dispute with Volodymyr Zelensky

This row is more about domestic Polish politics than any diplomatic incident.

England out of the World Cup, but this team may have helped redefine a nation

It could be time for a new idea of what Englishness really means – and footballers are helping to shape it.

Fifa president Gianni Infantino set for fourth term – despite World Cup controversies

National football associations are lining up to endorse Infantino for a fourth term as Fifa president.

EU Strikes Deal on €115 Million AGILE Defence Innovation Programme for SMEs

European Parliament negotiators and the Irish Presidency of the Council have reached a provisional political agreement on AGILE, a new €115 million programme designed to channel rapid, targeted funding to small and medium-sized enterprises developing emerging and disruptive defence technologies. The agreement, concluded just four months after the Commission tabled its proposal, is on track to make the programme operational from early 2027.

Politics

UK Government Awards £8.7 Million to Rape Crisis England & Wales for Round-the-Clock Survivor Support

The Ministry of Justice has awarded £8.7 million to Rape Crisis England & Wales to continue its 24/7 free and confidential helpline for survivors of rape and sexual abuse. The funding, running from October 2026 to September 2029, forms part of the government's broader commitment to halve violence against women and girls.

If Europe wants to ‘go it alone’ on security, countries need to learn to sing from the same songsheet

Splits are appearing in Europe’s approach to Russia’s aggression just when it needs to present a united front.

European Parliament Calls on EU to Condemn Attacks on Aid Workers and Address Global Humanitarian Funding Shortfalls

The European Parliament has adopted a resolution urging the EU to unequivocally condemn the obstruction of humanitarian aid and the killing of aid workers in conflict zones, while also sounding the alarm over a global humanitarian and development funding crisis. The resolution follows a joint communication on humanitarian action published by the European Commission and the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on 27 May 2026.

Italy's New Front Against Organized Crime: Protecting Vulnerable Families from Mafia Networks

Italy has passed a landmark unanimous parliamentary law allowing the state to remove women and children from mafia-controlled family environments, offering them legal protection and a path to a life free from organized crime. The legislation marks a significant evolution of the anti-mafia framework built by legendary magistrates Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino.

Economy

Germany Weighs the Return of Coal as Energy Security Concerns Mount

Germany, long committed to phasing out coal-fired power generation, has faced renewed pressure to reconsider that trajectory following disruptions to natural gas supplies from Russia. The debate reflects broader tensions across Europe between climate commitments and the practical demands of energy security.

Business

Gianni Infantino wants to sell the World Cup – but it’s not his to sell

The game belongs to the fans. Fifa would do well to remember that. It’s clear from the generally horrified reaction to Gianni Infantino’s plan to turn the World Cup into an investment vehicle that the Fifa boss has gone too far.

The idea of the ‘company man’ was forged decades ago. Its problems still haunt leaders today

If we are serious about equality, appointing more women to leadership roles should be accompanied by questioning the model of leadership itself.

Tech Giants Navigate EU's Digital Services Act Era

Across Europe, a fundamental shift is underway in how technology companies operate, communicate, and structure their digital offerings. The Digital Services Act — one of the most ambitious regulatory frameworks for online platforms in the world — is compelling major tech players to rethink their approach to everything from content moderation to algorithmic transparency. In recent months, this transformation has moved from boardrooms and legal departments into the visible fabric of how platforms actually function for everyday European users.

From Fuel Prices to Investment Risk: How an Iran Nuclear Agreement Could Reshape European Finances

A renewed nuclear agreement with Iran carries broad economic consequences that extend well beyond diplomatic circles. European households and investors could feel the effects through energy markets, trade flows, and shifting geopolitical risk.

Geopolitics

How Ukraine’s strikes on Russian warehouses became a problem in Kyrgyzstan

Producers as far afield as Central Asia have been affected by Ukraine’s drones attacks on the e-commerce giant.

Ships stuck in the Strait of Hormuz region may be biosecurity risks when they leave. What can we do?

Idle vessels accumulate biofouling quickly, especially in tropical waters. But there are precautions other ports can take against alien pests, parasites or disease.

Russia is cutting off Ukraine’s grain exports again, threatening a critical harvest and global food security

Ukraine has proposed a deal to halt attacks on civilian targets in the Black Sea – an effort to allow grain shipments to resume from both countries.

Why new Houthi threats in the Red Sea could spell trouble for global oil prices and inflation

Each year, about 10–12% of global shipping trade passes through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait – whose name means ‘Gate of Tears’.

Travel

Latvia's Coastal Strip Draws Growing Numbers of European Visitors Each Summer

Latvia's Baltic shoreline has attracted increasing attention from European travelers seeking quieter alternatives to crowded Mediterranean destinations. The region's combination of white sand beaches, pine forests, and historic seaside towns has positioned it as a notable entry in the broader Baltic tourism landscape.

Greece's Lesser-Known Islands Draw Travelers Seeking Alternatives to Aegean Crowds

While Santorini and Mykonos dominate international tourism marketing, a collection of Greek islands remains comparatively undiscovered by mass tourism. These destinations offer distinct cultural heritage, archaeological sites, and landscapes accessible to independent travelers.

Beneath the Mediterranean: Malta's Waters Draw Divers From Across the Continent

Malta has established itself as one of Europe's premier scuba diving destinations, offering a combination of warm, clear waters, dramatic underwater topography, and accessible wrecks. The archipelago's position in the central Mediterranean gives it conditions that attract both novice and experienced divers year-round.

France's Most Celebrated Scenic Drives: Routes Through Landscape and History

France offers a network of roads that traverse diverse terrain, from Atlantic coastlines to Alpine passes and Mediterranean vineyards. Several routes have earned international recognition for their combination of natural scenery, cultural heritage, and driving accessibility.

Culinary

Belgium's Brewing Tradition Endures as Global Appetite for Specialty Beer Grows

Belgium's centuries-old beer culture has maintained its international reputation through a combination of protected heritage status, monastic brewing traditions, and a thriving craft sector. The country's breweries continue to attract visitors and export their products to markets worldwide.

From Rye Bread to Fine Dining: Estonia's Food Culture Finds New Direction

Estonia's culinary landscape is undergoing a quiet but steady transformation, with local chefs and producers drawing on Nordic influences and a renewed interest in traditional Baltic ingredients. The shift reflects broader changes in how Estonians relate to their agricultural heritage and regional identity.

Slovenia's Wine Routes Offer Travelers a Gateway to the Country's Viticultural Heritage

Slovenia's network of designated wine roads winds through three distinct wine-growing regions, connecting vineyards, cellars, and rural villages across the small Central European nation. The routes attract visitors seeking both scenic landscapes and an introduction to a wine culture that dates back to antiquity.

Spain's Diverse Regional Cuisines Emerge as a Major Draw for International Visitors

Spain's culinary landscape, shaped by deeply rooted regional traditions, has become a significant factor in attracting international tourists. From the Basque Country's pintxos culture to the rice dishes of Valencia, distinct food identities are driving dedicated gastronomic travel across the country.

Culture

Where Roman Walls Meet Rooftop Bars: Croatia's Urban Heritage in the 21st Century

Croatia's historic cities, including Split and Dubrovnik, continue to function as living urban centres while preserving millennia of layered architectural heritage. The tension between cultural conservation and modern city life shapes policy, tourism, and daily existence for residents across the Adriatic coast.

From Roman Ruins to Baroque Squares: Slovenia's Historic Towns Stand as Living Archives

Slovenia's compact geography conceals a remarkably dense concentration of historic urban centres, each shaped by successive waves of Roman, Habsburg, and Venetian influence. Towns such as Ptuj, Škofja Loka, and Piran continue to draw visitors and scholars as tangible records of Central European and Mediterranean history.

Italian Craftspeople Find New Markets Through Digital Platforms

Artisans across Italy are leveraging e-commerce and social media to bring traditional crafts to a global audience. The shift has helped preserve centuries-old techniques while opening commercial channels previously unavailable to small workshops.

The Global Reach of Danish Design: Function, Form, and a Century of Influence

Danish design has shaped everything from furniture and architecture to consumer electronics, earning international recognition for its emphasis on simplicity, craftsmanship, and human-centered principles. Rooted in a cultural philosophy that treats utility and beauty as inseparable, Denmark's design tradition continues to influence studios and manufacturers worldwide.

Science

Chores or no chores? The economic psychology of giving kids pocket money

If we do pay our kids for their chores, do we risk creating kids who care more about money than doing good deeds for their own sake?

Nasa’s new space telescope will tackle some of the universe’s biggest mysteries

The Nancy Grace Roman telescope will probe dark energy and discover exoplanets.

Cracking the code: can AI help us decipher ancient languages?

AI can help move analysis forward, but human ingenuity is still essential in this field.