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Insight Europe
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October 15, 2026
Nine Southern European Nations Back Stronger EU
Politics

Nine Southern European Nations Back Stronger EU

Sebastian Thornleigh

When Europe’s monastic libraries were looted, Britain’s richest book collectors went hunting
Culture

When Europe’s monastic libraries were looted, Britain’s richest book collectors went hunting

Kelsey Williams

Mediterranean Now a Strategic EU Priority, Croatia Says
Politics

Mediterranean Now a Strategic EU Priority, Croatia Says

Sebastian Thornleigh

Europe

Europe's Street-Level Commerce Holds Its Ground

Europe's Street-Level Commerce Holds Its Ground

Across European cities and towns, traditional markets, independent bakeries, and neighbourhood shops continue to serve as central points of daily life. These spaces function not only as retail outlets but as enduring fixtures of local culture and community.

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Josephine Thornfield
October 15, 2026
UK Government Awards £8.7 Million to Rape Crisis England & Wales for Round-the-Clock Survivor Support
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 se…

Sebastian Thornleigh
August 24, 2026
Slovakia's Protected Wilderness Draws Growing Wave of Eco-Conscious Visitors
Travel

Slovakia's Protected Wilderness Draws Growing Wave of Eco-Conscious Visitors

Slovakia's nine national parks offer some of Central Europe's most intact natural landscapes, attracting hikers, wildlife watchers, and nature photographers. Fr…

July 13, 2026
Europe's Fashion Landscape: Couture Meets the Secondhand
Lifestyle

Europe's Fashion Landscape: Couture Meets the Secondhand

Europe's fashion culture spans the full spectrum, from high-end designer houses rooted in centuries of craft to a thriving secondhand economy reshaping how cons…

October 15, 2026
Culture

Luxembourg's World Heritage Designation Fuels International Tourism Growth

Luxembourg's UNESCO-listed Old Town and fortifications continue to attract visitors from across the globe, cementing the…

Luxembourg's World Heritage Designation Fuels International Tourism Growth
Travel

Ancient Stone Villages of the Greek Highlands Draw Visitors Seeking Slower Pace

Greece's mountainous interior, long overshadowed by its coastal resorts, shelters hundreds of preserved stone villages w…

Ancient Stone Villages of the Greek Highlands Draw Visitors Seeking Slower Pace
Saxons, Citadels and Cobblestones: Romania's Medieval Towns Hold Their Ground
Culture

Saxons, Citadels and Cobblestones: Romania's Medieval Towns Hold Their Ground

Scattered across the Transylvania and Moldavia regions, Romania's medieval towns retain architectural and cultural features that date back several centuries. Their fortified churches, guild halls and …

Ancient Rites and Maypoles: How Sweden Keeps Midsummer Alive
Culture

Ancient Rites and Maypoles: How Sweden Keeps Midsummer Alive

Poland's Historic Cities Emerge as Culinary Destinations for a Growing Wave of Visitors
Culinary

Poland's Historic Cities Emerge as Culinary Destinations for a Growing Wave of Visitors

Russia’s new jet-powered drones mark latest evolution in air war above Ukraine
Geopolitics

Russia’s new jet-powered drones mark latest evolution in air war above Ukraine

Marina Miron
Luxembourg's World Heritage Designation Fuels International Tourism Growth
Culture

Luxembourg's World Heritage Designation Fuels International Tourism Growth

Luxembourg's UNESCO-listed Old Town and fortifications continue to attract visit…

Ancient Stone Villages of the Greek Highlands Draw Visitors Seeking Slower Pace
Travel

Ancient Stone Villages of the Greek Highlands Draw Visitors Seeking Slower Pace

Greece's mountainous interior, long overshadowed by its coastal resorts, shelter…

Saxons, Citadels and Cobblestones: Romania's Medieval Towns Hold Their Ground
Culture

Saxons, Citadels and Cobblestones: Romania's Medieval Towns Hold Their Ground

Scattered across the Transylvania and Moldavia regions, Romania's medieval towns…

Ancient Rites and Maypoles: How Sweden Keeps Midsummer Alive
Culture

Ancient Rites and Maypoles: How Sweden Keeps Midsummer Alive

Midsummer remains one of Sweden's most widely observed cultural celebrations, bl…

Poland's Historic Cities Emerge as Culinary Destinations for a Growing Wave of Visitors
Culinary

Poland's Historic Cities Emerge as Culinary Destinations for a Growing Wave of Visitors

Cities including Kraków, Gdańsk, and Wrocław have seen a marked rise in visitors…

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 cro…

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

From the Agora to the Algorithm: How Ancient Greece Continues to Shape Civilisation

The philosophical, political, and architectural contributions of ancient Greece remain embedded in the foundations of mo…

From the Agora to the Algorithm: How Ancient Greece Continues to Shape Civilisation

Europe

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Berlin Pride: ISIS still inspires terrorism in Europe – but who carries out these attacks?

Berlin Pride: ISIS still inspires terrorism in Europe – but who carries out these attacks?

ISIS’ extremist tenets often appeal to second-generation Muslim immigrants in Europe and the US. Sunday, July 26, German police shot dead the suspected perpetrator of a car-ramming attack on Berlin’s Pride march, which had left one dead and 20 injured the day before.

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

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.

Irish Presidency Sets Out EU Agenda Before Parliament Committees

Irish Presidency Sets Out EU Agenda Before Parliament Committees

A series of Irish ministers appeared before European Parliament committees on 13 and 14 July to present the priorities of Ireland's Council Presidency, which runs until the end of 2026. Key themes included EU competitiveness, support for Ukraine, enlargement, health, education, agriculture, trade, and security.

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

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.

Politics

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EU steps up international support for Palestinians

EU steps up international support for Palestinians

EU steps up international support for Palestinians with major initiative for Gaza's early recovery and stronger international coordination. Today, the European Commission is convening the second meeting of the Palestine Donor Group (PDG), co-chaired by Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Šuica and Palestinian Authority's (PA) Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa. 65 delegations gather in Brussels for the launch of a new Initiative for early recovery in Gaza and to discuss the Palestinian Authority's Reform Agenda

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

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.

Central Europe Steps Up as an EU Policy Force

Central Europe Steps Up as an EU Policy Force

Leaders from Croatia, Czechia, Hungary, and Slovenia gathered at the Bled Strategic Forum on 1 September 2026 to discuss Central Europe's growing influence in shaping EU policy. Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković joined his counterparts on a panel titled "Shaping Europe from its Centre."

French student protests: comparisons with 1968 will only serve the political extremes

French student protests: comparisons with 1968 will only serve the political extremes

Both far left and far right will try to make political capital out of the unrest.

Economy

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Spain's Fishing Sector Faces Key EU Negotiations

Spain's Fishing Sector Faces Key EU Negotiations

Spain's Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Luis Planas met with representatives of the fishing and aquaculture sector on 4 September 2026 to address pressing challenges, including EU quota negotiations for 2027 and the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy. Planas signalled stability for major Atlantic fisheries while drawing firm lines on Mediterranean fishing-day reductions.

Eurozone Construction Output Falls 1.3% in June

Eurozone Construction Output Falls 1.3% in June

Eurostat's first estimates show seasonally adjusted construction production in the euro area fell 1.3% in June 2026 compared with May, with specialised construction activities recording the steepest monthly drop. On an annual basis, construction of buildings in the euro area contracted 6.5%, even as diverging national trends highlighted an uneven picture across Member States.

Eurozone Unemployment Holds at 6.4% in July 2026

Eurozone Unemployment Holds at 6.4% in July 2026

The euro area unemployment rate remained stable at 6.4% in July 2026, according to Eurostat, though it edged up from 6.3% recorded in the same month a year earlier. Some 11.264 million people in the euro area were without work, while youth unemployment in the bloc eased month-on-month to 14.9%.

Why you should live your life like an accountant – and how you probably already do

Why you should live your life like an accountant – and how you probably already do

Accountants are often thought of as ‘bean counters’, but we all account for elements of our lives.

Business

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

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

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.

EU AI Act: Building Trust Through Transparency

EU AI Act: Building Trust Through Transparency

Across Europe, companies developing and deploying artificial intelligence systems are increasingly adapting to a new regulatory reality shaped by the European Union's Artificial Intelligence Act. Rather than viewing compliance as a burden, many organizations now describe the framework as an opportunity to build trust with consumers, partners, and public institutions alike.

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

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.

Geopolitics

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Russia’s new jet-powered drones mark latest evolution in air war above Ukraine

Russia’s new jet-powered drones mark latest evolution in air war above Ukraine

Ukraine is struggling to defend its cities against aerial attack as Russia introduces a new, long-range drone to the war.

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

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.

UK and Ukraine Sign AI Partnership Declaration to Build Next-Generation Defence Capabilities

UK and Ukraine Sign AI Partnership Declaration to Build Next-Generation Defence Capabilities

The United Kingdom and Ukraine have signed a Joint Declaration of Intent establishing a bilateral artificial intelligence partnership aimed at developing AI-enabled military capabilities. The agreement, published on 24 August 2026, frames technology cooperation as a strategic pillar of mutual defence and Euro-Atlantic security.

Bulgaria Bridges State and Civil Society on Corruption

Bulgaria Bridges State and Civil Society on Corruption

Bulgarian Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova has met with the leadership of Transparency International Bulgaria to discuss anti-corruption efforts, good governance, and closer cooperation between state institutions and the non-governmental sector. The talks also touched on Bulgaria's bid to join the OECD as a key foreign policy priority.

Travel

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Finland's Lapland Emerges as a Year-Round Destination for International Visitors

Finland's Lapland Emerges as a Year-Round Destination for International Visitors

Finland's northernmost region, Lapland, has drawn growing international attention for its distinctive Arctic landscapes and seasonal natural phenomena. Outdoor experiences ranging from aurora borealis viewing to reindeer safaris have positioned the country as a notable destination on the global travel circuit.

Netherlands Canals Draw Travelers Seeking Slower Pace Through Dutch Heartland

Netherlands Canals Draw Travelers Seeking Slower Pace Through Dutch Heartland

The Netherlands' extensive network of historic canals and inland waterways has become a growing draw for travelers choosing unhurried, water-based journeys over conventional tourism. Houseboats, canal bikes, and narrowboat rentals are among the options reshaping how visitors experience the Dutch landscape.

Hungary's Medieval Castles Draw Growing Numbers of International Visitors

Hungary's Medieval Castles Draw Growing Numbers of International Visitors

Hungary's network of medieval and Renaissance castles has become a significant driver of cultural tourism across the country. Sites ranging from the royal palace complex at Visegrád to the hilltop fortress at Eger attract visitors from across Europe and beyond.

Belgium's North Sea Coastline Draws Growing International Tourism Interest

Belgium's North Sea Coastline Draws Growing International Tourism Interest

Belgium's narrow but distinctive stretch of North Sea coastline has attracted increasing attention from international travelers seeking alternatives to more crowded European beach destinations. The region's combination of belle époque architecture, tram infrastructure, and flat sandy beaches has positioned it as a notable coastal tourism market within Western Europe.

Culinary

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Artisan Markets Emerge as Anchors of French Local Food Identity

Artisan Markets Emerge as Anchors of French Local Food Identity

Across France, weekly and seasonal artisan markets continue to shape how communities source, celebrate, and define regional food traditions. These gatherings function as both commercial venues and cultural institutions, connecting producers directly with consumers in ways that supermarkets cannot replicate.

White Truffle Harvest Draws Gourmet Travelers to Northern Italy

White Truffle Harvest Draws Gourmet Travelers to Northern Italy

The annual truffle season in Italy's Piedmont and Umbria regions has become a significant driver of culinary tourism, attracting visitors from across Europe and beyond. Dedicated festivals, guided hunts, and high-end restaurant experiences have positioned truffle destinations among the most sought-after gourmet travel markets in the continent.

A Guide to Traditional Bulgarian Cuisine for First-Time Visitors

A Guide to Traditional Bulgarian Cuisine for First-Time Visitors

Bulgarian cuisine draws on centuries of Balkan, Ottoman, and Slavic culinary traditions, producing a distinct regional food culture. Visitors to Bulgaria encounter a table shaped by locally grown produce, fermented dairy, and slow-cooked meat dishes.

Traditional British Regional Foods Gain Ground on the World Stage

Traditional British Regional Foods Gain Ground on the World Stage

Dishes and food traditions rooted in Britain's distinct regional identities are attracting growing international attention, earning formal recognition from culinary bodies and cultural heritage organizations. From Cornish pasties to Yorkshire pudding, the breadth of Britain's localized food culture is being reassessed by a global audience.

Health

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How a traditional Nordic way of eating could help you live longer

How a traditional Nordic way of eating could help you live longer

Adopting a Nordic diet could cut your risk of heart disease and diabetes.

Belgium's B-FAST Field Hospital Wins WHO Recognition

Belgium's B-FAST Field Hospital Wins WHO Recognition

Belgium's B-FAST mobile field hospital received official WHO verification on 18 September 2026, confirming it meets the highest international quality standards for emergency medical response. The EMT2-classified unit can treat more than 100 patients per day and be operational within 24 to 48 hours of arriving in an affected country.

Spain Launches Campaign to End Abortion Stigma

Spain Launches Campaign to End Abortion Stigma

Spain's Health Minister Mónica García has unveiled a national campaign to combat the guilt and social stigma surrounding abortion, insisting that women need not demonstrate suffering for their decision to be respected. The campaign also targets structural barriers within the public health system, where nearly eight in ten abortions in 2024 were carried out in private clinics.

Spain's Bone Marrow Registry Nears 533,000 Donors

Spain's Bone Marrow Registry Nears 533,000 Donors

Spain's bone marrow donor registry has grown to nearly 533,000 registered individuals, with 77 new donors enrolling each day in the first eight months of 2026. The figures, released on World Bone Marrow Donor Day, mark a sustained acceleration driven by younger recruits and improved matching technology.

Culture

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Ancient Roots, Living Practices: How Greek Cultural Heritage Endures Across the Generations

Ancient Roots, Living Practices: How Greek Cultural Heritage Endures Across the Generations

From Orthodox religious festivals to traditional folk music and regional cuisine, Greece maintains a remarkably continuous cultural identity that spans millennia. Younger generations are actively participating in the transmission of these traditions, ensuring their survival well into the modern era.

Between Forest and Lab: How Finland Weaves Tradition Into a Modern Identity

Between Forest and Lab: How Finland Weaves Tradition Into a Modern Identity

Finland's cultural identity draws equally from ancient connections to its vast natural landscape and a contemporary reputation for design and technological development. The country has cultivated institutions and practices that treat these two threads as complementary rather than competing.

Across Centuries and Borders, Latvia's Choral Tradition Keeps the Nation's Identity Alive

Across Centuries and Borders, Latvia's Choral Tradition Keeps the Nation's Identity Alive

Latvia's Song and Dance Celebration, held every five years in Riga, stands among Europe's largest choral gatherings and carries UNESCO recognition as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The tradition draws participants spanning multiple generations, functioning as both a cultural cornerstone and a living expression of Latvian national identity.

Ancient Rhythms, New Platforms: Lithuania's Living Folk Heritage Finds a Global Audience

Ancient Rhythms, New Platforms: Lithuania's Living Folk Heritage Finds a Global Audience

Lithuania's centuries-old folk traditions, from polyphonic singing to intricate textile crafts, are experiencing renewed vitality through digital archiving projects and social media communities. Cultural institutions and grassroots practitioners alike are leveraging online tools to preserve and transmit heritage that predates written records.

Lifestyle

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The Unhurried Ritual of the European Morning Table

The Unhurried Ritual of the European Morning Table

Across much of Europe, the morning meal is treated less as a nutritional checkpoint and more as a cultural institution. From Parisian café counters to Viennese bakeries, breakfast habits reflect deeply rooted regional traditions.

Europe's Fashion Landscape: Couture Meets the Secondhand

Europe's Fashion Landscape: Couture Meets the Secondhand

Europe's fashion culture spans the full spectrum, from high-end designer houses rooted in centuries of craft to a thriving secondhand economy reshaping how consumers engage with clothing. Both ends of the market continue to grow, reflecting shifting priorities across the continent.

How Europe Turned the Meal Into a Social Institution

How Europe Turned the Meal Into a Social Institution

Across much of Europe, mealtimes function as structured social rituals rather than brief refueling stops, shaped by centuries of cultural tradition. From the extended midday break in Mediterranean countries to the late evening dining habits of Spain and Greece, the European table operates on its own unhurried clock.

Espresso Bars to Sidewalk Cafés: How Europe Drinks Coffee

Espresso Bars to Sidewalk Cafés: How Europe Drinks Coffee

Coffee consumption across Europe is shaped less by ingredient than by ritual, with distinct national customs governing everything from cup size to the hour of the day. From Italy's standing espresso bars to the unhurried café terraces of France, the continent's relationship with coffee reflects deeper social habits.

Science

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

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.

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

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?

UK Launches New Air Quality Alert Service

UK Launches New Air Quality Alert Service

The UK government has launched a new opt-in air quality alerts service, allowing people to receive SMS or email warnings when pollution levels in their chosen local areas are forecast to be high. The service tracks five key pollutants and forms part of the government's Environmental Improvement Plan.

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

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.