Europe

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.

£13 Million Satellite Push to Bring Broadband to Remote Trains and Smart Tech to British Farms

The UK Space Agency is backing 16 projects with £13 million in government funding to expand satellite communications, including trialling broadband on remote Scottish railways and developing affordable crop-monitoring sensors for farmers. The investment, delivered through the European Space Agency's ARTES programme, aims to boost connectivity, create high-value jobs, and strengthen Britain's position in global satellite technology.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

From Fuel Prices to Investment Risk: How an Iran Nuclear Agreement Could Reshape European Finances

A renewed nuclear agreement with Iran carries broad economic consequences that extend well beyond diplomatic circles. European households and investors could feel the effects through energy markets, trade flows, and shifting geopolitical risk.

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.

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 disease.

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.

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

Romania's Danube Delta Emerges as a Leading European Eco-Tourism Destination

The Danube Delta, one of Europe's largest and best-preserved wetland systems, is drawing growing international attention as Romania positions the region as a flagship eco-tourism destination. Conservation-aligned travel infrastructure and UNESCO recognition continue to anchor the area's appeal among environmentally conscious visitors.

Venice Moves to Regulate Day Visitors as Italian Cities Rethink Mass Tourism

Venice has introduced entry fees and reservation requirements targeting day-trippers in a bid to manage overcrowding in its historic center. The policy represents a broader shift in how Italian cities approach the economic and cultural pressures of high-volume tourism.

Cyprus Draws Travelers to Its Layered Ancient Past

Cyprus, one of the Mediterranean's oldest continuously inhabited islands, attracts visitors drawn to its diverse archaeological legacy spanning thousands of years. Sites tied to Neolithic settlements, ancient city-kingdoms, and Greco-Roman civilization remain central to the island's cultural identity and tourism landscape.

Lesser-Known European Coastlines Draw Growing Interest as Travelers Seek Alternatives to Crowded Resorts

A shift in European travel patterns points toward smaller, less commercialized coastal destinations as visitors look beyond the continent's most saturated beach destinations. Regions in Portugal, Albania, Slovenia, and the Adriatic's lesser-traveled islands are among those registering increased attention heading into 2026.

Culinary

Alpine Heritage Drives the Identity of Slovenian Cuisine

Slovenia's culinary traditions draw heavily from its Alpine geography, blending Central European ingredients and preservation techniques into a distinct regional food culture. From cured meats to dairy-rich dishes, the country's gastronomy reflects centuries of mountain farming life.

Farm to Fork: How Europe Is Reshaping the Way Its Restaurants Operate

Across the European Union, restaurants and food service providers are increasingly adopting sustainable practices in response to regulatory pressure, shifting consumer expectations, and supply chain realignments. The movement represents one of the most significant structural changes to the continent's food industry in decades.

A Guide to the Essential Foods of Danish Cuisine

Denmark's culinary tradition draws on centuries of Nordic ingredients and preservation techniques, producing dishes that remain central to daily life and cultural identity. Travelers to the country encounter a distinct food culture shaped by rye bread, pickled fish, and open-faced sandwiches.

Belgium's Brewing Tradition Endures as Global Appetite for Specialty Beer Grows

Belgium's centuries-old beer culture has maintained its international reputation through a combination of protected heritage status, monastic brewing traditions, and a thriving craft sector. The country's breweries continue to attract visitors and export their products to markets worldwide.

Culture

Layers of Civilization: What Cyprus's Archaeological Record Tells Us

Cyprus holds one of the Mediterranean's most stratified archaeological landscapes, shaped by successive waves of settlement, conquest, and cultural exchange spanning thousands of years. Its monuments and ruins reflect a contested history that continues to inform modern debates about identity and heritage.

The Race for Cultural Leadership: How Europe's Major Cities Are Shaping Global Creative Power

From Paris and Berlin to Lisbon and Warsaw, European cities are deploying deliberate strategies to expand their cultural reach and establish dominance as global creative hubs. Investment in arts infrastructure, cultural diplomacy, and talent attraction has accelerated across the continent, reshaping the traditional hierarchy of creative capitals.

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.

Constantin Brâncuși Remains a Cornerstone of Romania's Global Cultural Identity

The work of sculptor Constantin Brâncuși continues to shape Romania's standing in the international arts community decades after his death. His monumental sculptures and modernist philosophy attract scholars, tourists, and institutions worldwide.

Science

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?

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.