Europe

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.

Wildfires: why disposable BBQs are being banned from some parks and beaches

Disposable BBQs are a major, yet preventable, fire risk. Other picnics are a better bet. There’s something almost comic about the modern British summer ritual: as soon as the mercury climbs, we head to the nearest park, sit cross-legged on scorched grass, and hunch over a flimsy foil tray to sear sausages over an open flame.

After Ceuta, Europe is once again mired in migration chaos of its own making

Anti-immigration critics seized on the Ceuta migrant situation as evidence of the failure of soft policies, but in reality the bloc has become far more restrictionist in the past decade.

Eight lifesaving ways to improve wildfire risk management

Deadly fires in Almería, Spain, have shown that firefighting alone is not enough – people need to be properly prepared.

Politics

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

Andy Burnham is the Labour leader – third time lucky for the UK’s prime minister-in-waiting

His rise this time seemed unstoppable – but Burnham’s route to the top wasn’t always so clear.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Geopolitics

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’.

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

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.

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.

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.

Sweden's Rail Network Opens Pathways to Remote Nordic Landscapes

Sweden's extensive railway system connects urban centres to vast stretches of wilderness, offering travellers direct access to forests, mountain ranges, and Arctic terrain. The country's rail infrastructure has positioned train travel as a primary means of exploring some of Northern Europe's most isolated regions.

France Holds Its Ground as the World's Most Visited Country

France consistently ranks as the world's leading tourist destination, drawing visitors from every continent to its cities, coastlines, and countryside. A combination of cultural heritage, culinary reputation, and transportation infrastructure underpins its enduring appeal.

Cyprus Cements Its Place Among the Mediterranean's Most Sought-After Destinations

The eastern Mediterranean island of Cyprus has drawn growing international attention as a travel destination, offering a combination of historical depth, coastal scenery, and year-round sunshine. Its position at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa lends it a cultural distinctiveness that sets it apart from more heavily trafficked Mediterranean alternatives.

Culinary

A Guide to Austria's Most Iconic Traditional Foods

Austrian cuisine draws on centuries of Central European culinary tradition, blending influences from the former Habsburg Empire into a distinctive national food culture. Visitors to Austria encounter a range of dishes that have remained staples of the country's restaurants, markets, and home kitchens for generations.

Luxembourg's Moselle Valley Positions Itself as a Destination for Wine and Gastronomy Tourism

The Moselle wine region along Luxembourg's southeastern border has become a growing draw for food and wine tourists exploring Western Europe. The area's combination of Rivaner, Riesling, and sparkling Crémant wines pairs with a regional culinary tradition that authorities and producers have worked to promote internationally.

The Food Sectors Reshaping Europe's Consumer Markets

Several food categories are expanding rapidly across European markets, driven by shifting consumer habits, demographic change, and evolving regulatory frameworks. From plant-based proteins to functional beverages, the continent's food economy is undergoing measurable structural transformation.

Romania's Open-Air Markets Keep Traditional Food Culture Alive

Across Romania, weekly and permanent open-air markets continue to serve as gathering points where regional food traditions are preserved and passed between generations. From cured meats to artisan cheeses and foraged forest products, these markets reflect a culinary geography shaped by the country's distinct historical regions.

Culture

Stone Before the Pyramids: Malta's Temple Builders Left a Civilization the World Is Still Decoding

Malta's megalithic temples, among the oldest freestanding stone structures on Earth, predate both Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids by several centuries. Archaeological evidence from these sites continues to reshape understanding of prehistoric social organization and ritual life in the central Mediterranean.

Stone, Steel, and the Danube: How Budapest Became Central Europe's Architectural Benchmark

Budapest's built environment spans more than a millennium of European architectural tradition, from Romanesque foundations to ornate Art Nouveau facades. The Hungarian capital remains one of the continent's most studied cities for its layered urban heritage.

Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp Lead Belgium's Rich Urban Landscape Beyond the Capital

Belgium's cultural and architectural heritage extends well beyond Brussels, with cities such as Bruges, Ghent, and Antwerp each offering distinct historical identities. These urban centers draw visitors from across Europe and beyond through their medieval infrastructure, world-class museums, and established culinary traditions.

Ireland's Ancient East Offers Travelers a Deeper Look at Celtic Heritage

The Ancient East tourism corridor stretching across Ireland's eastern provinces draws visitors seeking cultural depth over rapid sightseeing. The region encompasses thousands of years of layered history, from megalithic tombs to medieval monasteries and Norman castles.

Science

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.

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

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

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.