Europe

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Ireland's Train Network Draws Growing Numbers of International Visitors

Rail travel across Ireland has seen a marked rise in interest from international tourists seeking an alternative to road-based itineraries. The country's passenger rail network, operated primarily by Iarnród Éireann, connects major cities and coastal regions in ways that appeal to travelers prioritizing scenery and sustainability.

European Cities Caught Between Tourism Revenue and Resident Frustration

From Barcelona to Amsterdam, European cities are implementing regulatory and infrastructural measures to manage surging visitor numbers. The policy responses vary widely, reflecting differing priorities and political pressures across the continent.

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.

Culinary

A Guide to Belgium's Most Celebrated Culinary Traditions

Belgian cuisine draws from a rich regional heritage, blending French and Flemish influences into a distinctive national food culture. From slow-cooked stews to world-renowned chocolate, the country's dishes reflect centuries of agricultural and culinary tradition.

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.

Sweden's Seafood Heritage Earns a Place on the World Stage

Swedish culinary traditions centered on fish and shellfish have gained growing international recognition, drawing attention to centuries-old preservation and preparation methods. The country's coastal food culture, shaped by geography and climate, is increasingly studied and celebrated beyond Scandinavia.

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.

Culture

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.

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.

From Painted Monasteries to Saxon Fortresses: Romania's UNESCO Heritage Spans Centuries

Romania holds a diverse collection of UNESCO World Heritage Sites that document the country's layered history, from medieval religious art to ancient Dacian citadels. These protected sites draw visitors and scholars from across Europe and beyond, cementing Romania's place on the global cultural map.

Three Languages, One Nation: How Luxembourg Built an Identity on Linguistic Plurality

Luxembourg stands as one of Europe's rare officially trilingual states, operating across Luxembourgish, French, and German in government, education, and daily life. This linguistic framework shapes the country's cultural identity and its role as a crossroads within the European Union.

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.