Europe

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

France Holds Its Ground as the World's Most Visited Country

France consistently ranks as the world's leading tourist destination, drawing visitors from every continent to its cities, coastlines, and countryside. A combination of cultural heritage, culinary reputation, and transportation infrastructure underpins its enduring appeal.

Remote Workers Reshape Life and Commerce Along Europe's Southern Coasts

A growing wave of location-independent professionals has settled across Portugal, Spain, Greece, and Italy, altering local economies and housing markets in ways that governments are only beginning to measure. The shift has prompted legislative responses, urban planning debates, and a broader rethinking of what tourism and residency mean in the digital age.

Hungary's Medieval Castles Draw Growing Numbers of International Visitors

Hungary's network of medieval and Renaissance castles has become a significant driver of cultural tourism across the country. Sites ranging from the royal palace complex at Visegrád to the hilltop fortress at Eger attract visitors from across Europe and beyond.

Croatia's Lesser-Known Islands Draw Travelers Seeking Quieter Adriatic Escapes

While Hvar and Brač attract the bulk of Adriatic tourism, Croatia's archipelago contains dozens of smaller islands that remain largely off major tourist circuits. Several of these destinations offer preserved natural landscapes, traditional fishing villages, and limited commercial development.

Culinary

Slovak Cuisine Steps Into the European Spotlight as Interest in Regional Dishes Grows

Traditional Slovak cooking, long known primarily within Central Europe, has been attracting broader international attention as food tourism and culinary heritage movements gain momentum across the continent. Dishes rooted in generations of Slovak rural tradition are now appearing on menus well beyond the country's borders.

Slovak Highland Kitchens Step Into Contemporary Dining

Chefs across Slovakia are reinterpreting centuries-old mountain recipes, bringing traditional Carpathian ingredients into modern restaurant culture. The movement reflects a broader European trend of culinary heritage preservation driven by both local restaurateurs and growing food tourism.

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.

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.

Culture

Belgium's Festival Calendar Weaves Together Artistic Heritage and Living Traditions

Belgium hosts a diverse range of annual festivals that draw visitors from across Europe and beyond, celebrating the country's multilayered cultural identity. From medieval historical pageants to internationally recognized music gatherings, the Belgian festival landscape reflects the distinct traditions of its Flemish, Walloon, and Brussels communities.

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.

From Rembrandt to Vermeer: How the Dutch Golden Age Continues to Drive Museum Tourism Across Europe

The artistic legacy of the Dutch Golden Age remains one of the most powerful draws for cultural tourists visiting the Netherlands and beyond. Museums anchored by the works of Rembrandt van Rijn, Johannes Vermeer, and their contemporaries consistently rank among Europe's most visited institutions.

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.

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.