Europe

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.

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.

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.

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

When Leadership Gaps Shape the World's Future

In an era defined by rapid transformation, the spaces between leadership — the pauses, the transitions, the unresolved successions — carry consequences that extend far beyond the immediate moment. Increasingly, political analysts and governance scholars are turning their attention not to who holds power, but to what happens when credible leadership is absent, delayed, or structurally contested.

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.

France Leads European Digital Governance Revolution

France has emerged as a trailblazer in digital governance transformation, with municipalities across the nation implementing cutting-edge technologies to enhance citizen participation and streamline public services. The country's innovative approach combines artificial intelligence, blockchain technology, and user-friendly digital platforms to create more responsive and transparent government operations.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Appetite for Travel: The European Cities Driving a Culinary Tourism Renaissance

Food-focused travel has emerged as one of the fastest-growing segments of European tourism, with travelers increasingly choosing destinations based on local cuisine, food markets, and gastronomic heritage. Cities from San Sebastián to Tbilisi are positioning their culinary identities as primary attractions rather than secondary amenities.

Paris Reinvents Itself as Europe's Must-Visit Capital

Paris has long held a singular place in the imagination of travelers worldwide, but increasingly, the French capital is offering far more than the postcard landmarks that defined its reputation for generations. A wave of thoughtful urban transformation, cultural ambition, and culinary reinvention is reshaping what it means to experience this city — and visitors are taking notice.

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.

Finland's National Parks: A Guide to the Country's Most Celebrated Natural Reserves

Finland's network of national parks spans vast stretches of wilderness, from Arctic fells in the north to forested lakeshores in the south. These protected areas draw visitors seeking hiking, wildlife observation, and access to some of northern Europe's most intact natural landscapes.

Culinary

A Guide to Belgium's Culinary Landscape: From Frites to Flemish Stew

Belgium's food culture extends well beyond its internationally recognized chocolate industry, encompassing a rich tradition of regional dishes, artisan beers, and street foods with deep historical roots. Visitors and food enthusiasts increasingly seek out the country's lesser-known gastronomic offerings, which vary considerably across its linguistic and geographic regions.

Farm to Fork: How European Chefs and Consumers Are Embracing Regional Produce

Across Europe, a measurable shift toward locally sourced ingredients is reshaping restaurant menus, supermarket shelves, and household cooking habits. Driven by a combination of environmental awareness, supply chain concerns, and renewed interest in culinary heritage, the movement has gained sustained momentum in recent years.

Burgundy's Snail Tradition: How a French Regional Dish Became a Global Culinary Landmark

Escargots à la Bourguignonne, a preparation of land snails baked with garlic butter and parsley, has evolved from a centuries-old Burgundian staple into one of France's most recognizable culinary exports. The dish occupies a distinct place in European food culture, bridging rural agricultural tradition with haute cuisine.

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.

Culture

Guardians of the Past: How German Museums Shape Europe's Cultural Memory

Germany's extensive network of museums serves as one of Europe's primary custodians of art, history, and shared heritage. From Berlin's Museum Island to regional institutions across the country, these collections represent centuries of acquisition, preservation, and scholarly stewardship.

At the Crossroads of Three Continents: The Layered Civilizations of Cyprus

Cyprus occupies a unique geographic position in the eastern Mediterranean, placing it at the intersection of European, Middle Eastern, and North African cultural spheres. Centuries of successive rule by distinct empires have left the island with an exceptionally layered archaeological, linguistic, and architectural heritage.

Between Viking Age and Modern Design: Denmark's Enduring Cultural Landmarks

Denmark preserves a layered architectural heritage that spans Norse settlements, medieval castles, and contemporary urban projects. The country's approach to conservation has made its historic sites central to both cultural identity and tourism.

From Kafka to Contemporary Stage: The Enduring Reach of Czech Cultural Expression

Czech literature, visual art, and performing arts have maintained a consistent presence across European cultural institutions for more than a century. From the modernist prose of Franz Kafka to the international staging of contemporary Czech theatre, the country's artistic output continues to circulate well beyond its borders.

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.