Europe

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.

Why Poland’s president is invoking wartime history in a dispute with Volodymyr Zelensky

This row is more about domestic Polish politics than any diplomatic incident.

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.

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.

Politics

European Parliament Calls on EU to Condemn Attacks on Aid Workers and Address Global Humanitarian Funding Shortfalls

The European Parliament has adopted a resolution urging the EU to unequivocally condemn the obstruction of humanitarian aid and the killing of aid workers in conflict zones, while also sounding the alarm over a global humanitarian and development funding crisis. The resolution follows a joint communication on humanitarian action published by the European Commission and the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on 27 May 2026.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

How Ukraine’s strikes on Russian warehouses became a problem in Kyrgyzstan

Producers as far afield as Central Asia have been affected by Ukraine’s drones attacks on the e-commerce giant.

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

Portugal's Alentejo Region Draws Growing International Attention

The Alentejo, a vast inland region of Portugal known for its cork forests, medieval villages, and rolling plains, has seen a measurable rise in tourism interest from European and North American travelers. The region offers an alternative to Portugal's more congested coastal destinations, attracting visitors seeking slower-paced rural experiences.

Poland's Baltic Shoreline Draws Growing Numbers of European Visitors

The stretch of Baltic coastline running through northern Poland has attracted increasing international tourism interest in recent years. Cities such as Gdańsk, Sopot, and Kołobrzeg have become focal points for summer travel within Central Europe.

Medieval Frescoes of Northern Romania Pull Increasing International Attention

The painted monasteries of Bucovina, in northeastern Romania, have become a recognized destination on European cultural tourism circuits. Their exterior murals, dating primarily from the 15th and 16th centuries, are protected under UNESCO World Heritage status.

Green Coast and Bay of Biscay Draw Tourists Away from Spain's Crowded South

Northern Spain's Atlantic coastline, stretching across the regions of Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, and the Basque Country, has seen growing interest from European travelers seeking alternatives to the Mediterranean. The area's mild summers, rugged landscapes, and culinary reputation have contributed to its rising profile as a distinct travel destination.

Culinary

Polish Artisan Bakers Draw International Attention as Traditional Craft Finds New Audience

Poland's artisan baking community has gained recognition beyond its borders, with traditional bread-making techniques and regional specialties attracting interest from culinary professionals and food media across Europe and beyond. The movement draws on centuries-old methods while adapting to contemporary demand for fermented, whole-grain, and locally sourced products.

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.

Spain's Diverse Regional Cuisines Emerge as a Major Draw for International Visitors

Spain's culinary landscape, shaped by deeply rooted regional traditions, has become a significant factor in attracting international tourists. From the Basque Country's pintxos culture to the rice dishes of Valencia, distinct food identities are driving dedicated gastronomic travel across the country.

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

Poland's Ryneks: Medieval Market Squares That Anchor Cities Across Centuries

Poland's historic market squares, known as ryneks, remain active civic and commercial centers in cities across the country. Surviving war, partition, and reconstruction, these spaces continue to reflect the architectural and cultural layers of Polish urban history.

Carved in Time: Slovakia's Wooden Churches Stand as Living Monuments of Carpathian Faith

Scattered across the Carpathian highlands of northeastern Slovakia, a collection of centuries-old wooden churches continues to serve active congregations while drawing cultural tourists and heritage scholars from across Europe. Several of these structures carry UNESCO World Heritage designation, reflecting their outstanding universal value.

Italian Craftspeople Find New Markets Through Digital Platforms

Artisans across Italy are leveraging e-commerce and social media to bring traditional crafts to a global audience. The shift has helped preserve centuries-old techniques while opening commercial channels previously unavailable to small workshops.

Museums, Archives and Monuments Embrace Digitization as Europe Races to Preserve Its Past

Institutions across Europe are accelerating efforts to convert physical cultural artifacts into digital formats, driven by concerns over physical deterioration, geographic accessibility, and the long-term survival of heritage collections. The shift is reshaping how millions of people interact with history, while raising unresolved questions about ownership, funding, and the limits of technology.

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.

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?

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.