Europe

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.

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.

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.

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.

Politics

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

Netherlands Canals Draw Travelers Seeking Slower Pace Through Dutch Heartland

The Netherlands' extensive network of historic canals and inland waterways has become a growing draw for travelers choosing unhurried, water-based journeys over conventional tourism. Houseboats, canal bikes, and narrowboat rentals are among the options reshaping how visitors experience the Dutch landscape.

Dutch Infrastructure Push Broadens Network of Green Transit Corridors

The Netherlands is expanding its network of sustainable travel routes, connecting cities, rural areas, and cross-border destinations through rail, cycling infrastructure, and low-emission ferry links. The initiative reflects a broader national commitment to reducing dependence on private car travel and aligning transport policy with European climate targets.

Spain's Parador Network Draws Travelers to Centuries-Old Monuments and Castles

Spain's state-run Paradores network transforms historic castles, monasteries, and convents into working hotels, drawing heritage-focused travelers from across Europe and beyond. The network has become a significant driver of cultural tourism in regions that might otherwise receive fewer visitors.

Beyond the Ski Resorts: Austria's Lesser-Known Alpine Villages Draw Discerning Travelers

Austria's Alps conceal a network of small villages that have preserved centuries-old architecture, traditional customs, and landscapes largely unchanged by mass tourism. These communities offer an alternative to the country's heavily visited resort towns while remaining accessible to international visitors.

Culinary

A Guide to Traditional Finnish Cuisine for the First-Time Visitor

Finnish cuisine draws on centuries of Nordic tradition, combining foraged ingredients, freshwater fish, and hearty rye-based staples. Travelers exploring Finland encounter a food culture shaped by long winters, dense forests, and a close relationship with the land.

At Germany's Weekly Markets, Regional Food Cultures Find a Living Stage

Across Germany, weekly and seasonal food markets continue to serve as active hubs for regional culinary traditions, connecting local producers with urban and rural consumers alike. From Bavaria's open-air Viktualienmarkt in Munich to the historic market squares of smaller towns, these gatherings preserve food practices rooted in centuries of regional identity.

From Żurek to Oscypek: Poland's Regions Guard Their Culinary Identities

Across Poland's diverse regions, traditional dishes and locally produced ingredients continue to define cultural identity and attract growing interest from food tourism. Protected designation systems and grassroots culinary initiatives are helping preserve these traditions for future generations.

Artisan Markets Emerge as Anchors of French Local Food Identity

Across France, weekly and seasonal artisan markets continue to shape how communities source, celebrate, and define regional food traditions. These gatherings function as both commercial venues and cultural institutions, connecting producers directly with consumers in ways that supermarkets cannot replicate.

Culture

Europe's Historic Cities Find New Economic Footing in Cultural Tourism

Cultural tourism has emerged as a significant economic driver across European cities, drawing visitors to museums, heritage sites, and arts festivals year-round. Governments and municipal authorities are increasingly shaping urban development strategies around the sector's continued expansion.

Folklore, Craftsmanship, and Living Traditions: How Croatia Safeguards Its Cultural Heritage

Croatia maintains a robust framework of institutions, festivals, and UNESCO-recognized practices to preserve its diverse cultural traditions. From intricate lacework to polyphonic singing, the country's heritage remains embedded in daily community life across its regions.

Malta's Baroque Architecture Draws Scholars and Visitors Alike

The Maltese archipelago's rich concentration of Baroque architecture continues to attract researchers, conservationists, and tourists from across Europe and beyond. Valletta, the island nation's capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, stands at the centre of renewed international interest in this historical building tradition.

The Global Reach of Danish Design: Function, Form, and a Century of Influence

Danish design has shaped everything from furniture and architecture to consumer electronics, earning international recognition for its emphasis on simplicity, craftsmanship, and human-centered principles. Rooted in a cultural philosophy that treats utility and beauty as inseparable, Denmark's design tradition continues to influence studios and manufacturers worldwide.

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.