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September 25, 2026
MEPs Head to Oulu, Europe's 2026 Capital of Culture
Culture

MEPs Head to Oulu, Europe's 2026 Capital of Culture

Eleanor Ashcombe

What might Canada’s EU ‘associate membership’ look like, and is it even a possibility?
Geopolitics

What might Canada’s EU ‘associate membership’ look like, and is it even a possibility?

Kenneth Armstrong

Abdominal aortic aneurysms can cause years of anxiety, even without symptoms
Health

Abdominal aortic aneurysms can cause years of anxiety, even without symptoms

Ukachukwu Abaraogu

Culture

MEPs Head to Oulu, Europe's 2026 Capital of Culture

MEPs Head to Oulu, Europe's 2026 Capital of Culture

A delegation from the European Parliament's Committee on Culture and Education is travelling to Oulu, Finland, from 21 to 23 September to assess the city's programme as European Capital of Culture 2026. The three-day visit will take in major legacy projects, including a new museum, a repurposed Alvar Aalto-designed industrial silo, and key civic and cultural institutions.

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Eleanor Ashcombe
September 21, 2026
Medieval Frescoes of Northern Romania Pull Increasing International Attention
Travel

Medieval Frescoes of Northern Romania Pull Increasing International Attention

The painted monasteries of Bucovina, in northeastern Romania, have become a recognized destination on European cultural tourism circuits. Their exterior murals,…

July 13, 2026
Cypriot Food Culture Steps Onto the World Stage
Culinary

Cypriot Food Culture Steps Onto the World Stage

Cyprus's centuries-old culinary traditions are attracting growing international attention, with dishes rooted in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern influences fin…

July 13, 2026
Why Poland’s president is invoking wartime history in a dispute with Volodymyr Zelensky
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.

July 15, 2026
Culture

Europe's Festival Calendar Attracts Record International Interest Ahead of 2026

A growing number of European cultural, music, and arts festivals are drawing visitors from across the globe as the conti…

Europe's Festival Calendar Attracts Record International Interest Ahead of 2026
Culture

From Bohemian Gothic to Communist-Era Modernism: How Czech Culture Shapes European Identity

The Czech Republic's layered architectural, literary, and musical heritage continues to draw scholarly and artistic atte…

From Bohemian Gothic to Communist-Era Modernism: How Czech Culture Shapes European Identity
Culinary

Slovak Cuisine Steps Into the European Spotlight as Interest in Regional Dishes Grows

Traditional Slovak cooking, long known primarily within Central Europe, has been attracting broader international attention as food tourism and culinary heritage movements gain momentum across the con…

Ireland's Coastal Tourism Corridor Reshapes Atlantic Travel Routes
Travel

Ireland's Coastal Tourism Corridor Reshapes Atlantic Travel Routes

Travel

Finland's Lakeland Region Draws Visitors in Every Season

Beyond the Beaten Path: Bulgaria's Lesser-Known Destinations Draw Curious Travelers
Travel

Beyond the Beaten Path: Bulgaria's Lesser-Known Destinations Draw Curious Travelers

Europe's Festival Calendar Attracts Record International Interest Ahead of 2026
Culture

Europe's Festival Calendar Attracts Record International Interest Ahead of 2026

A growing number of European cultural, music, and arts festivals are drawing vis…

From Bohemian Gothic to Communist-Era Modernism: How Czech Culture Shapes European Identity
Culture

From Bohemian Gothic to Communist-Era Modernism: How Czech Culture Shapes European Identity

The Czech Republic's layered architectural, literary, and musical heritage conti…

Ireland's Coastal Tourism Corridor Reshapes Atlantic Travel Routes
Travel

Ireland's Coastal Tourism Corridor Reshapes Atlantic Travel Routes

The Wild Atlantic Way, stretching more than 2,500 kilometres along Ireland's wes…

Beyond the Beaten Path: Bulgaria's Lesser-Known Destinations Draw Curious Travelers
Travel

Beyond the Beaten Path: Bulgaria's Lesser-Known Destinations Draw Curious Travelers

Bulgaria offers a range of underexplored destinations spanning medieval monaster…

Slovenia's Mountain Lakes Draw International Visitors to the Julian Alps
Travel

Slovenia's Mountain Lakes Draw International Visitors to the Julian Alps

Slovenia's alpine lakes, particularly Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj, have become est…

Culinary

From Forest to Fork: How Latvia's Wild Larder Is Shaping a New Baltic Culinary Identity

Latvia's deep foraging traditions, rooted in centuries of rural life, are finding renewed expression in contemporary res…

From Forest to Fork: How Latvia's Wild Larder Is Shaping a New Baltic Culinary Identity
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 …

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

Europe

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

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.

Spain's Transplant Model: Three Decades on Top

Spain's Transplant Model: Three Decades on Top

For more than 30 years, Spain has held the position of world leader in organ transplantation, underpinned by a nationally coordinated system endorsed by the World Health Organization. In 2025, Spain recorded 53.2 deceased donors per million population and performed over 6,300 transplants.

Eight lifesaving ways to improve wildfire risk management

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.

Europe's Skies: Building Stronger Air Defence Together

Europe's Skies: Building Stronger Air Defence Together

Across the European continent, a quiet but consequential transformation is taking shape. Nations that once relied heavily on individual national systems are increasingly pooling resources, expertise, and technological ambition to construct a more unified and resilient aerial security architecture. This shift reflects a broader understanding that collective investment in shared infrastructure yields far greater protection than fragmented, go-it-alone approaches.

Politics

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Healthcare Students Get Upfront Help With Placement Costs

Healthcare Students Get Upfront Help With Placement Costs

From the 2026/27 academic year, eligible healthcare students in England will receive advance payments for placement travel and accommodation costs, removing the need to fund expenses out of pocket before reimbursement. The measure is intended to ease cost-of-living pressures and widen access to rural and coastal placements where costs can be highest.

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

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.

Spain Pays Out €494m in Fertiliser Aid to Farmers

Spain Pays Out €494m in Fertiliser Aid to Farmers

Spain has begun disbursing fertiliser purchasing subsidies to 249,376 farmers as part of a broader €700 million relief package tied to the Middle East crisis. Payments of up to €92.50 per hectare for irrigated land and up to €38.33 for dry-farmed land are being issued from 4 September 2026.

EU Backs Spain's Push to Elevate Outermost Regions

EU Backs Spain's Push to Elevate Outermost Regions

The European Commission has adopted a new Outermost Regions Strategy that reflects Spanish government priorities, recognising these territories not merely as areas requiring special support but as strategic assets in European geopolitics. The communication, which replaces the 2022 strategy, arrives at a critical moment as negotiations over the 2028–2034 Multiannual Financial Framework get underway.

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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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.

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.

Geopolitics

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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.

Ceuta crisis: anti-migrant ‘invasion’ rhetoric threatens Europe’s food supply and economy

Ceuta crisis: anti-migrant ‘invasion’ rhetoric threatens Europe’s food supply and economy

Migrant workers are vital to Spain’s vast agriculture sector, but they are often hidden from view.

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.

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

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

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Transylvania's Medieval Saxon Settlements Draw Travelers Seeking Pace Over Spectacle

Transylvania's Medieval Saxon Settlements Draw Travelers Seeking Pace Over Spectacle

The fortified villages of Transylvania's Saxon heartland, many listed under UNESCO protection, offer visitors a landscape largely unchanged since the Middle Ages. Travelers who move through the region slowly — on foot, by bicycle, or by horse-drawn cart — tend to access layers of rural life that faster itineraries bypass entirely.

Estonia's Hidden Gems: A Guide to the Country's Most Rewarding Destinations Outside the Capital

Estonia's Hidden Gems: A Guide to the Country's Most Rewarding Destinations Outside the Capital

While Tallinn draws the majority of visitors to Estonia, the country's diverse regions offer medieval towns, pristine islands, and ancient forests that reward those who venture further. From the university city of Tartu to the windmill-dotted island of Saaremaa, Estonia's lesser-known destinations provide a fuller picture of Baltic culture and landscape.

Sweden's Island Chains Draw a New Wave of Nordic Travelers

Sweden's Island Chains Draw a New Wave of Nordic Travelers

Sweden's vast archipelagos, stretching along its Baltic and western coasts, have emerged as a distinct travel category within Scandinavia. Visitors increasingly seek out these island networks for their combination of accessible wilderness, maritime heritage, and low-density tourism.

Dutch Infrastructure Push Broadens Network of Green Transit Corridors

Dutch Infrastructure Push Broadens Network of Green Transit Corridors

The Netherlands is expanding its network of sustainable travel routes, connecting cities, rural areas, and cross-border destinations through rail, cycling infrastructure, and low-emission ferry links. The initiative reflects a broader national commitment to reducing dependence on private car travel and aligning transport policy with European climate targets.

Culinary

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Ireland's Coastal Communities Gain Recognition for Seafood-Driven Culinary Identity

Ireland's Coastal Communities Gain Recognition for Seafood-Driven Culinary Identity

A growing number of restaurants along Ireland's Atlantic coastline have built reputations around locally sourced seafood, drawing visitors and culinary attention to towns once known primarily for fishing. The trend reflects both the country's maritime geography and a broader European appetite for regional, provenance-focused dining.

Slovenia's Wine Regions Step Onto the World Stage

Slovenia's Wine Regions Step Onto the World Stage

Slovenian wines have attracted growing attention from international critics, sommeliers, and export markets in recent years. The country's three primary wine regions each offer distinct characteristics that have contributed to a broadening global reputation.

A Guide to Germany's Most Iconic Traditional Dishes

A Guide to Germany's Most Iconic Traditional Dishes

German cuisine reflects centuries of regional tradition, with hearty staples ranging from slow-braised meats to dense rye breads. Travelers moving through the country's sixteen federal states will encounter a distinct culinary landscape in each.

Spain Emerges as Benchmark for Global Olive Oil Quality

Spain Emerges as Benchmark for Global Olive Oil Quality

Spanish producers have positioned the country at the forefront of international olive oil standards, driven by advances in cultivation techniques and rigorous certification processes. The development carries significant implications for global trade and consumer expectations across European and export markets.

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.

Abdominal aortic aneurysms can cause years of anxiety, even without symptoms

Abdominal aortic aneurysms can cause years of anxiety, even without symptoms

Regular scans help clinicians monitor small aneurysms, but patients describe recurring fears and confusion about what they can safely do.

Culture

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From Painted Monasteries to Saxon Fortresses: Romania's UNESCO Heritage Spans Centuries

From Painted Monasteries to Saxon Fortresses: Romania's UNESCO Heritage Spans Centuries

Romania holds a diverse collection of UNESCO World Heritage Sites that document the country's layered history, from medieval religious art to ancient Dacian citadels. These protected sites draw visitors and scholars from across Europe and beyond, cementing Romania's place on the global cultural map.

Across Europe, Local Festivals and Folk Customs Are Finding New Audiences

Across Europe, Local Festivals and Folk Customs Are Finding New Audiences

Regional traditions ranging from Alpine cattle drives to Balkan folk music gatherings are attracting renewed interest from younger generations and international visitors alike. Scholars and cultural organizations point to a combination of digital preservation, tourism investment, and post-pandemic identity politics as key drivers of this revival.

Italy's Cultural and Creative Industries Continue to Shape European Standards

Italy's Cultural and Creative Industries Continue to Shape European Standards

From classical music institutions to global fashion houses, Italy maintains a defining influence across Europe's cultural and creative landscape. Its contributions span centuries of artistic tradition while remaining embedded in contemporary design, gastronomy, and performing arts.

Painted in Blue and White: How Portugal's Azulejo Tradition Endures

Painted in Blue and White: How Portugal's Azulejo Tradition Endures

Portugal's distinctive ceramic tile art, known as azulejo, continues to shape the country's architectural identity and cultural memory. From medieval facades to contemporary public installations, the tradition bridges centuries of artistic practice.

Science

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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.

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.

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.