Europe

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.

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.

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.

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.

Politics

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

European Startups Eye 'Nomad Citizen' Model as Alternative to Traditional Welfare Frameworks

A growing movement among European entrepreneurs is exploring portable, membership-based social protection schemes as alternatives to state-tied welfare systems. The concept, broadly referred to as 'nomad citizen' infrastructure, aims to decouple social benefits from national residency requirements.

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’.

Travel

Scattered Across the North Sea: Denmark's Island Network Draws Curious Travelers

Denmark encompasses hundreds of islands, many of which remain largely off the beaten path for international visitors. These territories offer a range of landscapes, cultural traditions, and maritime histories distinct from the Danish mainland.

Enduring Draw: How Greece's Ancient Sites Continue to Shape Global Tourism

Greece's archaeological landmarks, from the Acropolis of Athens to the ruins of Delphi, remain among the most visited heritage sites in the world. Their sustained appeal reflects a combination of historical depth, UNESCO recognition, and ongoing preservation efforts.

Driving Bulgaria: The Country's Most Rewarding Scenic Routes

Bulgaria offers a diverse network of road trip routes crossing mountain ranges, river gorges, and centuries-old villages. From the Rhodope highlands to the Black Sea coast, the country's road corridors connect distinct natural and cultural landscapes.

Carpathian Mountains Emerge as a Premier Destination for Europe's Adventure Travellers

Romania's Carpathian range has drawn growing international attention as one of Europe's most accessible yet largely unspoiled wilderness destinations. The region offers a rare combination of dense forests, large carnivore populations, and medieval landscapes that few other European destinations can match.

Culinary

A Guide to the Traditional Dishes That Define Croatian Cuisine

Croatian cuisine draws from centuries of Mediterranean, Central European, and Balkan influences, producing a distinct culinary tradition that varies considerably by region. Visitors to the country encounter a range of dishes rooted in local ingredients, coastal geography, and historical trade routes.

From Svíčková to Sourdough: How Czech Cuisine Is Redefining Its Identity

Czech gastronomy is undergoing a quiet transformation, as chefs and food producers across the country draw on centuries-old culinary traditions while embracing contemporary techniques and ingredients. The result is a food culture that is increasingly attracting international attention.

Slovenia's Culinary Identity Takes Root in Local Soil

Slovenia has emerged as one of Europe's most distinctive food destinations, built on a foundation of locally sourced ingredients and regional agricultural traditions. The country's dining culture reflects a deep connection between its farmers, producers, and restaurant kitchens.

From Forest Floor to Fine Dining: How Nordic Foraging Is Redefining Finnish Cuisine

Finland's vast forests and Arctic landscapes have long supplied rural communities with wild ingredients. Now, those same ingredients are driving a broader movement in high-end restaurants across the country and beyond.

Culture

Museums, Archives and Monuments Embrace Digitization as Europe Races to Preserve Its Past

Institutions across Europe are accelerating efforts to convert physical cultural artifacts into digital formats, driven by concerns over physical deterioration, geographic accessibility, and the long-term survival of heritage collections. The shift is reshaping how millions of people interact with history, while raising unresolved questions about ownership, funding, and the limits of technology.

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.

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.

Ancient Gaelic Roots Drive a New Wave of Irish Cultural Renewal

Ireland is experiencing a broad cultural revival rooted in Gaelic language, music, and tradition. Government policy, grassroots communities, and educational institutions are collectively contributing to renewed interest in the country's pre-colonial heritage.

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.