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Insight Europe
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October 23, 2026
Manchester City supporters have been gaslit. What happens now?
Europe

Manchester City supporters have been gaslit. What happens now?

Josh Bland

ECB: AI Already Reshaping Europe's Economy
Economy

ECB: AI Already Reshaping Europe's Economy

Marcus Winterbourne

As French protests escalate into riots, they may prove a gift for Marine Le Pen’s right-wing party
Politics

As French protests escalate into riots, they may prove a gift for Marine Le Pen’s right-wing party

Peter McPhee

Culture

EEA Names Winners of "Resilient by Nature" 2026

EEA Names Winners of "Resilient by Nature" 2026

The European Environment Agency has announced the winners of its 2026 "Resilient by Nature" photo competition, drawing nearly 2,800 entries from 35 countries across three thematic categories. Winning images range from a bird navigating trash inside a drainage pipe to a single plant rising from fire-scorched ground.

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Eleanor Ashcombe
October 23, 2026
Moldova Eyes 2028 Deadline in Brussels EU Push
Politics

Moldova Eyes 2028 Deadline in Brussels EU Push

Moldovan Prime Minister Vasile Tofan met three European commissioners in Brussels on 6 October 2026 to advance talks on energy security, internal affairs, and e…

Sebastian Thornleigh
October 7, 2026
Ireland's Rich Literary Tradition Continues to Shape Writers Across Generations
Culture

Ireland's Rich Literary Tradition Continues to Shape Writers Across Generations

Ireland's long history of celebrated authors and poets remains a powerful force in contemporary literary culture, drawing readers, scholars, and emerging writer…

July 13, 2026
Ships stuck in the Strait of Hormuz region may be biosecurity risks when they leave. What can we do?
Geopolitics

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 dise…

August 7, 2026
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, wildlif…

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

Centuries of Song, Dance and Ritual: A Journey Through Bulgarian Folk Heritage

Bulgaria preserves one of the most distinctive folk cultures in the Balkans, shaped by Thracian, Slavic and Byzantine in…

Centuries of Song, Dance and Ritual: A Journey Through Bulgarian Folk Heritage
Abdominal aortic aneurysms can cause years of anxiety, even without symptoms
Health

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.

Ukachukwu Abaraogu
Sweden's Wilderness Areas Emerge as a Benchmark for Sustainable Tourism Across Europe
Travel

Sweden's Wilderness Areas Emerge as a Benchmark for Sustainable Tourism Across Europe

Spain's UNESCO Heritage Sites Drive Growth in Cultural Tourism Across the Peninsula
Culture

Spain's UNESCO Heritage Sites Drive Growth in Cultural Tourism Across the Peninsula

Portugal's Atlantic Islands Emerge as Major Draws for European Travelers
Travel

Portugal's Atlantic Islands Emerge as Major Draws for European Travelers

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 natura…

Centuries of Song, Dance and Ritual: A Journey Through Bulgarian Folk Heritage
Culture

Centuries of Song, Dance and Ritual: A Journey Through Bulgarian Folk Heritage

Bulgaria preserves one of the most distinctive folk cultures in the Balkans, sha…

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

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

Regular scans help clinicians monitor small aneurysms, but patients describe rec…

Sweden's Wilderness Areas Emerge as a Benchmark for Sustainable Tourism Across Europe
Travel

Sweden's Wilderness Areas Emerge as a Benchmark for Sustainable Tourism Across Europe

Sweden's network of national parks has positioned the country as a leading desti…

Spain's UNESCO Heritage Sites Drive Growth in Cultural Tourism Across the Peninsula
Culture

Spain's UNESCO Heritage Sites Drive Growth in Cultural Tourism Across the Peninsula

Spain holds one of the largest concentrations of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in …

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 internat…

EU steps up international support for Palestinians
Travel

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 w…

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

Europe

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UN Mourns King Harald V of Norway

UN Mourns King Harald V of Norway

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed deep sadness at the death of Norway's King Harald V on 28 August, praising the monarch's dedication to children's welfare, environmental issues, and international solidarity. Guterres conveyed his condolences to King Haakon VIII and the Norwegian people.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

Politics

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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."

Mediterranean Now a Strategic EU Priority, Croatia Says

Mediterranean Now a Strategic EU Priority, Croatia Says

Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković declared at the MED9 Summit in Split that the Mediterranean has become a strategically important area where many of the EU's key interests converge. The summit marked the culmination of Croatia's presidency of the MED9 group.

As French protests escalate into riots, they may prove a gift for Marine Le Pen’s right-wing party

As French protests escalate into riots, they may prove a gift for Marine Le Pen’s right-wing party

What started as protests about conditions in French schools has widened into riots about cost of living – and taken hold in other European countries, too.

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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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.

ECB Calls for Simpler Rules in EU Banking

ECB Calls for Simpler Rules in EU Banking

ECB Vice-President Boris Vujčić has made the case for simplifying Europe's banking regulatory framework, arguing that complexity burdens banks without adding meaningful resilience. Speaking at the ESRB's tenth annual conference, he outlined concrete proposals to streamline capital buffers, resolution requirements, and supervisory guidance.

ECB: AI Already Reshaping Europe's Economy

ECB: AI Already Reshaping Europe's Economy

European Central Bank Executive Board member Philip R. Lane has described artificial intelligence as a general purpose technology with the potential to raise productivity and offset the economic impact of Europe's declining working-age population. Speaking at the International AI Summit, Lane pointed to survey data showing AI adoption among European firms and workers is already significant and accelerating rapidly.

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.

Business

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WIPO: Connecting Innovators to Global Markets

WIPO: Connecting Innovators to Global Markets

The World Intellectual Property Organization, a United Nations agency, works to ensure that the ideas of creators and innovators reach markets safely and improve lives globally. WIPO provides cross-border IP protection services, acts as a policy forum, and delivers technical assistance programmes worldwide.

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.

EU Parliament Eases Waste Rules for Small Firms

EU Parliament Eases Waste Rules for Small Firms

The European Parliament has adopted its position on simplifying waste compliance obligations for small and micro enterprises, exempting them from the requirement to appoint authorised representatives in each EU member state where they sell products. The move covers sectors including packaging, batteries, textiles, footwear, electronics and single-use plastics, and is set to last until 2035 or until a broader circular economy act is adopted.

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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Ships stuck in the Strait of Hormuz region may be biosecurity risks when they leave. What can we do?

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.

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.

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.

Russia is cutting off Ukraine’s grain exports again, threatening a critical harvest and global food security

Russia is cutting off Ukraine’s grain exports again, threatening a critical harvest and global food security

Ukraine has proposed a deal to halt attacks on civilian targets in the Black Sea – an effort to allow grain shipments to resume from both countries.

Travel

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

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

Bulgaria offers a range of underexplored destinations spanning medieval monasteries, volcanic lakes, and ancient Thracian ruins. These sites remain largely off mainstream European tourism circuits despite their cultural and natural significance.

Sweden's Rail Network Opens Pathways to Remote Nordic Landscapes

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.

Luxembourg's Fare-Free Transit Network Draws Visitors Across the Grand Duchy

Luxembourg's Fare-Free Transit Network Draws Visitors Across the Grand Duchy

Luxembourg made history in 2020 by becoming the first country in the world to abolish fares across its entire national public transport network. The policy, designed primarily to ease traffic congestion and reduce emissions, has produced a notable secondary effect: a measurable uplift in tourist activity throughout the small but strategically located nation.

Italy's Expanding Rail Network Positions Train Travel as a Viable Alternative to Flying

Italy's Expanding Rail Network Positions Train Travel as a Viable Alternative to Flying

Italy has invested heavily in high-speed and regional rail infrastructure, connecting major cities and rural destinations with greater frequency and comfort. The shift is drawing both domestic travelers and international visitors away from short-haul flights and toward longer, scenic overland journeys.

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.

From Swabian Kitchens to Saxon Cellars: The Case for Germany's Culinary Diversity

Germany's regional food traditions span centuries of distinct cultural, agricultural, and historical influences, producing a culinary landscape far broader than its international reputation suggests. From the coastal fish markets of the North Sea to the wine-growing valleys of the Rhineland, each German region maintains cooking traditions tied closely to its geography and history.

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.

A Guide to France's Most Distinctive Regional Cuisines

A Guide to France's Most Distinctive Regional Cuisines

French cuisine extends far beyond Parisian bistros, with each region offering dishes rooted in local geography, history, and agricultural tradition. From Alsatian choucroute to Provençal bouillabaisse, these preparations reflect centuries of culinary identity.

Health

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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.

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.

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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EEA Names Winners of "Resilient by Nature" 2026

EEA Names Winners of "Resilient by Nature" 2026

The European Environment Agency has announced the winners of its 2026 "Resilient by Nature" photo competition, drawing nearly 2,800 entries from 35 countries across three thematic categories. Winning images range from a bird navigating trash inside a drainage pipe to a single plant rising from fire-scorched ground.

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

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 historic market squares have earned growing recognition from preservation bodies and cultural heritage organizations.

Norse Mythology and Viking History Drive a New Wave of Scandinavian Cultural Exports

Norse Mythology and Viking History Drive a New Wave of Scandinavian Cultural Exports

Sweden's deep-rooted Viking heritage has become a significant source of inspiration for contemporary writers, filmmakers, and game developers. The country's historical legacy increasingly shapes narratives that reach global audiences across multiple entertainment platforms.

Luxembourg's World Heritage Designation Fuels International Tourism Growth

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 small Grand Duchy's place on the European cultural tourism map. The recognition has brought sustained attention to the country's layered medieval and military history.

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.

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.

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.

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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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.

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?

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.