Europe

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.

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.

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.

Europe's Skies: Building Stronger Air Defence Together

Across the European continent, a quiet but consequential transformation is taking shape. Nations that once relied heavily on individual national systems are increasingly pooling resources, expertise, and technological ambition to construct a more unified and resilient aerial security architecture. This shift reflects a broader understanding that collective investment in shared infrastructure yields far greater protection than fragmented, go-it-alone approaches.

Politics

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

Finland's National Parks: A Guide to the Country's Most Celebrated Natural Reserves

Finland's network of national parks spans vast stretches of wilderness, from Arctic fells in the north to forested lakeshores in the south. These protected areas draw visitors seeking hiking, wildlife observation, and access to some of northern Europe's most intact natural landscapes.

Estonia's Hidden Gems: A Guide to the Country's Most Rewarding Destinations Outside the Capital

While Tallinn draws the majority of visitors to Estonia, the country's diverse regions offer medieval towns, pristine islands, and ancient forests that reward those who venture further. From the university city of Tartu to the windmill-dotted island of Saaremaa, Estonia's lesser-known destinations provide a fuller picture of Baltic culture and landscape.

Budget Travelers Turn to Eastern Europe and the Balkans for Summer 2026

As travel costs across Western Europe continue to rise, a growing number of visitors are directing their summer plans toward Eastern Europe and the Balkans, where living costs and tourist prices remain considerably lower. Destinations including Albania, North Macedonia, and Bulgaria have emerged as practical alternatives to the continent's more established holiday markets.

Riga Draws International Tourists With One of Europe's Most Intact Art Nouveau Districts

The Latvian capital of Riga holds one of the largest and best-preserved collections of Art Nouveau architecture in the world, drawing visitors from across Europe and beyond. The historic district has earned UNESCO World Heritage recognition and continues to anchor the city's identity as a cultural destination.

Culinary

How Michelin's Expanding Reach Is Transforming the Way Europeans Eat Out

The Michelin Guide has broadened its scope across Europe, recognising a wider range of cuisines and dining formats beyond the traditional fine-dining establishment. This shift is influencing restaurant investment, culinary tourism, and the career trajectories of chefs across the continent.

Marry Me Chicken Pasta: The Dish Behind a Viral Culinary Phenomenon Sweeping European Home Kitchens

A one-pot pasta dish known as 'Marry Me Chicken' has gained widespread popularity across Europe, drawing on classic Mediterranean ingredients to produce a creamy, sun-dried tomato sauce paired with chicken and pasta. The recipe's simplicity and dramatic name have contributed to its sustained presence on cooking platforms and in home kitchens across the continent.

Netherlands Coastal Food Traditions Draw Global Culinary Attention

Dutch coastal cuisine, long rooted in North Sea fishing heritage, has begun attracting serious international interest from chefs, food historians, and culinary institutions. Traditional preparations centered on herring, mussels, and smoked eel are now appearing on menus and in food programs well beyond the Netherlands' borders.

Traditional British Regional Foods Gain Ground on the World Stage

Dishes and food traditions rooted in Britain's distinct regional identities are attracting growing international attention, earning formal recognition from culinary bodies and cultural heritage organizations. From Cornish pasties to Yorkshire pudding, the breadth of Britain's localized food culture is being reassessed by a global audience.

Culture

Lithuanian Baroque Architecture Draws Growing International Recognition

Lithuania's rich tradition of Baroque architecture, centered largely in Vilnius, has attracted sustained interest from European cultural institutions and heritage organizations. The country's historical artistic legacy continues to position it as a significant destination within Europe's broader cultural landscape.

Across Borders and Screens: How a New European Generation Is Reshaping Cultural Identity

Generation Z in Europe is forging a cultural identity that blends national heritage with transnational digital influences, challenging traditional boundaries of language, nationality, and belonging. Researchers and cultural institutions across the continent are documenting a measurable shift in how young Europeans define themselves.

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.

Vienna Remains a Living Archive of European Art and Musical Heritage

Vienna continues to function as one of Europe's foremost cultural capitals, drawing artists, musicians, and scholars from across the continent and beyond. Its institutions and public spaces sustain a creative ecosystem rooted in centuries of artistic tradition.

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.