Europe

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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, wildlife watchers, and nature photographers. From the High Tatras to the Slovak Paradise, the country's protected areas provide access to rare ecosystems largely absent elsewhere on the continent.

Austria's Mountain Railways: A Guide to the Country's Most Celebrated Scenic Rail Corridors

Austria's alpine geography has produced some of Europe's most dramatic rail journeys, connecting historic cities with remote mountain passes and lakeside valleys. Several routes carry UNESCO recognition or protected heritage status, drawing rail travelers from across the continent.

Beyond the Capital: Germany's Lesser-Known Cities Draw Growing Traveller Interest

While Berlin remains Germany's most-visited city, a number of regional destinations across the country offer distinct cultural, historical, and natural attractions. Cities such as Erfurt, Regensburg, and Freiburg have each built reputations as compelling alternatives for travellers seeking deeper engagement with German heritage.

Spain's Atlantic Archipelago Draws Tourists Through Every Season

The Canary Islands, a Spanish autonomous community situated off the northwest coast of Africa, maintain a subtropical climate that sustains tourism well beyond Europe's traditional summer months. The archipelago has become a cornerstone of Spain's strategy to extend its appeal as a year-round destination.

Culinary

Between Schnitzel and Sourdough: How Vienna Is Redefining Its Culinary Identity

Vienna's restaurant landscape has evolved to balance its deep-rooted Habsburg-era food traditions with a growing appetite for contemporary, internationally influenced cuisine. The Austrian capital now hosts a diverse range of dining establishments that draw on both local heritage and global culinary movements.

A Guide to the Essential Dishes of Cypriot Cuisine

Cyprus has developed a distinct culinary tradition shaped by its Mediterranean location and centuries of cultural exchange. Travelers to the island encounter a food culture rooted in fresh local ingredients, grilled meats, and slow-cooked preparations.

Dutch Culinary Heritage Finds New Momentum Across Regional Markets

Across the Netherlands, traditional regional food products and preparations that once faded from mainstream consumption are experiencing a measurable resurgence. Local producers, regional cooperatives, and specialty retailers are driving renewed interest in distinctly Dutch flavors tied to specific provinces and historical practices.

From Fishing Port to Fine Dining: The Rise of Copenhagen as a Gastronomic Powerhouse

Copenhagen has transformed over the past two decades from a modest Northern European capital into one of the world's most influential culinary destinations. The city's rise is rooted in a convergence of pioneering restaurants, a thriving food culture, and a regional philosophy that reshaped how the world thinks about Nordic cuisine.

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 Rhythms, New Platforms: Lithuania's Living Folk Heritage Finds a Global Audience

Lithuania's centuries-old folk traditions, from polyphonic singing to intricate textile crafts, are experiencing renewed vitality through digital archiving projects and social media communities. Cultural institutions and grassroots practitioners alike are leveraging online tools to preserve and transmit heritage that predates written records.

Across Borders and Screens: How a New European Generation Is Reshaping Cultural Identity

Generation Z in Europe is forging a cultural identity that blends national heritage with transnational digital influences, challenging traditional boundaries of language, nationality, and belonging. Researchers and cultural institutions across the continent are documenting a measurable shift in how young Europeans define themselves.

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.

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.