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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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’.

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.

Travel

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

The archipelagos of Madeira and the Azores have seen growing international recognition as distinct travel destinations within Portugal's broader tourism landscape. Their combination of volcanic landscapes, year-round mild climates, and accessible flights from major European cities continues to attract a widening range of visitors.

Four Seasons, One Destination: How Austria Draws Visitors the Whole Year Through

Austria's combination of alpine landscapes, imperial history, and cultural depth makes it one of the few European countries capable of attracting international visitors across every season. From winter ski resorts to summer music festivals, the country offers a distinct travel experience regardless of when visitors arrive.

France's Most Celebrated Scenic Drives: Routes Through Landscape and History

France offers a network of roads that traverse diverse terrain, from Atlantic coastlines to Alpine passes and Mediterranean vineyards. Several routes have earned international recognition for their combination of natural scenery, cultural heritage, and driving accessibility.

Slovakia's High Tatras Emerge as a Premier Destination for European Outdoor Tourism

The High Tatras mountain range in northern Slovakia has gained growing recognition among outdoor enthusiasts across Europe, attracting hikers, skiers, and nature tourists to one of the continent's most compact yet diverse alpine environments. The region offers year-round recreational opportunities within a protected national park that spans the border between Slovakia and Poland.

Culinary

Shifting Harvests: How a Warming Climate Is Rewriting Europe's Food Map

Rising temperatures and increasingly erratic weather patterns are altering what crops European farmers grow, where they grow them, and how reliably they can be harvested. From Scandinavian vineyards to drought-stressed olive groves in Andalusia, the continent's food landscape is undergoing a measurable transformation.

From Balkan Staple to Global Health Phenomenon: The Rise of Bulgarian Yogurt

Bulgarian yogurt, long a dietary cornerstone of the Balkans, has gained international recognition as a probiotic-rich food linked to digestive health and longevity. Its rise reflects both growing consumer interest in fermented foods and the enduring scientific fascination with the bacteria that define it.

Austria's Wine Industry Earns a Place Among Europe's Most Respected Producers

Once overlooked in favor of its French and Italian neighbors, Austrian wine has steadily built a reputation for quality that now draws attention from sommeliers and collectors worldwide. Grapes native to the region, rigorous classification standards, and a commitment to sustainable viticulture have positioned Austria as a serious force in the global wine market.

From Mountain Pastures to Table: How the Carpathians Shape Romanian Cuisine

Romania's culinary traditions draw deeply from the Carpathian mountain range, where centuries of pastoral life, forest foraging, and seasonal farming have produced a distinctive regional food culture. Dishes rooted in smoked meats, aged cheeses, and fermented vegetables continue to define Romanian identity both domestically and within the broader European gastronomic landscape.

Culture

Stone and Scripture: Ireland's Medieval Abbeys Stand as Living Records of a Monastic Past

Scattered across Ireland's landscapes, ancient abbeys and monastic ruins document over a millennium of religious, artistic, and cultural history. These sites continue to draw scholars and visitors seeking to understand the island's formative centuries.

Ancient Roots, Living Practices: How Greek Cultural Heritage Endures Across the Generations

From Orthodox religious festivals to traditional folk music and regional cuisine, Greece maintains a remarkably continuous cultural identity that spans millennia. Younger generations are actively participating in the transmission of these traditions, ensuring their survival well into the modern era.

From Slow Living to AI Art: The Cultural Currents Reshaping Europe

Across the continent, Europeans are embracing a set of converging cultural movements that reflect shifting values around technology, identity, and everyday life. From Scandinavian-influenced minimalism to the resurgence of craft traditions, these trends are leaving measurable marks on fashion, food, media, and public space.

Malta's Capital Cements Its Place on Europe's Cultural Map

Valletta, the smallest capital city in the European Union, has built a sustained reputation as a hub of Mediterranean heritage, arts, and architecture. Its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and its tenure as a European Capital of Culture have reinforced Malta's standing within the broader European cultural landscape.

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.