Europe

Berlin Pride: ISIS still inspires terrorism in Europe – but who carries out these attacks?

ISIS’ extremist tenets often appeal to second-generation Muslim immigrants in Europe and the US. Sunday, July 26, German police shot dead the suspected perpetrator of a car-ramming attack on Berlin’s Pride march, which had left one dead and 20 injured the day before.

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.

Irish Presidency Sets Out EU Agenda Before Parliament Committees

A series of Irish ministers appeared before European Parliament committees on 13 and 14 July to present the priorities of Ireland's Council Presidency, which runs until the end of 2026. Key themes included EU competitiveness, support for Ukraine, enlargement, health, education, agriculture, trade, and security.

EU Strikes Deal on €115 Million AGILE Defence Innovation Programme for SMEs

European Parliament negotiators and the Irish Presidency of the Council have reached a provisional political agreement on AGILE, a new €115 million programme designed to channel rapid, targeted funding to small and medium-sized enterprises developing emerging and disruptive defence technologies. The agreement, concluded just four months after the Commission tabled its proposal, is on track to make the programme operational from early 2027.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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’.

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.

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

Belgium's Overlooked Appeal: A Country That Rewards the Curious Traveler

Wedged between France, Germany, and the Netherlands, Belgium draws far fewer international visitors than its neighbors despite offering a dense concentration of medieval architecture, culinary heritage, and cultural institutions. The country's compact geography allows travelers to move between contrasting regions within a matter of hours.

Beyond the Capital: Discovering the Czech Republic's Lesser-Known Cultural and Natural Landmarks

While Prague draws millions of visitors annually, the Czech Republic harbours a wealth of historic towns, dramatic landscapes, and cultural heritage sites that remain relatively uncrowded. From the spa triangle of western Bohemia to the karst caves of Moravia, the country offers diverse destinations well outside the tourist mainstream.

Poland Emerges as a Leading Destination for Cultural Tourism in Europe

Poland's combination of medieval architecture, UNESCO-listed sites, and a growing arts scene has positioned it as one of Europe's most visited cultural destinations. Cities such as Kraków, Warsaw, and Gdańsk attract millions of international visitors annually, drawn by a history that spans centuries of Central European civilization.

Gozo Draws Growing Numbers of Visitors Seeking Malta's Quieter Side

The smaller of Malta's two main inhabited islands has seen a marked rise in eco-conscious tourism, driven by its rural landscapes, coastal caves, and slower pace of life. Infrastructure improvements and heritage designations have positioned Gozo as a distinct alternative to the busier Maltese mainland.

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.

The Food Sectors Reshaping Europe's Consumer Markets

Several food categories are expanding rapidly across European markets, driven by shifting consumer habits, demographic change, and evolving regulatory frameworks. From plant-based proteins to functional beverages, the continent's food economy is undergoing measurable structural transformation.

Cypriot Food Culture Steps Onto the World Stage

Cyprus's centuries-old culinary traditions are attracting growing international attention, with dishes rooted in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern influences finding audiences well beyond the island. Recognition from food critics, diaspora communities, and tourism authorities has helped position Cypriot cuisine as a distinct gastronomic identity within the broader Mediterranean landscape.

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.

Culture

Stone Witnesses: Latvia's Medieval Fortresses and the Shaping of the Baltic Region

Latvia's surviving medieval castles stand as physical records of the crusading orders, merchant republics, and competing empires that shaped the eastern Baltic coast over several centuries. From Riga's riverside fortifications to the lakeside ruins of Koknese, these structures offer historians and visitors direct access to a layered European history.

Stone Before the Pyramids: Malta's Temple Builders Left a Civilization the World Is Still Decoding

Malta's megalithic temples, among the oldest freestanding stone structures on Earth, predate both Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids by several centuries. Archaeological evidence from these sites continues to reshape understanding of prehistoric social organization and ritual life in the central Mediterranean.

Song and Dance Festivals Keep Estonia's Cultural Identity Alive

Estonia's choral singing tradition, rooted in the 19th century national awakening, continues to serve as a powerful expression of collective identity. The country's Song and Dance Celebration, recognized by UNESCO, draws tens of thousands of performers and spectators from across the Baltic nation and its diaspora.

Where Roman Walls Meet Rooftop Bars: Croatia's Urban Heritage in the 21st Century

Croatia's historic cities, including Split and Dubrovnik, continue to function as living urban centres while preserving millennia of layered architectural heritage. The tension between cultural conservation and modern city life shapes policy, tourism, and daily existence for residents across the Adriatic coast.

Science

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.

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.