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Insight Europe
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London
October 14, 2026
UK Presses Russia on War Crimes at Warsaw Forum
Geopolitics

UK Presses Russia on War Crimes at Warsaw Forum

Sebastian Thornleigh

When Europe’s monastic libraries were looted, Britain’s richest book collectors went hunting
Culture

When Europe’s monastic libraries were looted, Britain’s richest book collectors went hunting

Kelsey Williams

ECB Calls for Simpler Rules in EU Banking
Economy

ECB Calls for Simpler Rules in EU Banking

Marcus Winterbourne

Politics

Nine Southern European Nations Back Stronger EU

Nine Southern European Nations Back Stronger EU

Nine Southern European countries convened on 7 October 2026 to coordinate positions on EU security and governance. Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković said the group faces shared challenges including inflation, global conflicts, climate-related disasters, and irregular migration.

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Sebastian Thornleigh
October 14, 2026
Poland's Historic Cities Emerge as Culinary Destinations for a Growing Wave of Visitors
Culinary

Poland's Historic Cities Emerge as Culinary Destinations for a Growing Wave of Visitors

Cities including Kraków, Gdańsk, and Wrocław have seen a marked rise in visitors drawn by regional cuisine, food markets, and gastronomic heritage tours. Poland…

July 13, 2026
Ships stuck in the Strait of Hormuz region may be biosecurity risks when they leave. What can we do?
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 dise…

August 7, 2026
Ancient Rites and Maypoles: How Sweden Keeps Midsummer Alive
Culture

Ancient Rites and Maypoles: How Sweden Keeps Midsummer Alive

Midsummer remains one of Sweden's most widely observed cultural celebrations, blending pre-Christian fertility rituals with contemporary family gatherings. The …

July 13, 2026
Europe

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 …

Wildfires: why disposable BBQs are being banned from some parks and beaches
Travel

Off the Beaten Path: Cyprus's Rural Villages Draw Visitors Seeking Traditional Life

Away from the coastal resorts, Cyprus harbours a network of mountain and rural villages where traditional architecture, …

Off the Beaten Path: Cyprus's Rural Villages Draw Visitors Seeking Traditional Life
Flanders and Wallonia Position Belgium as a Premier Destination for Medieval Tourism
Travel

Flanders and Wallonia Position Belgium as a Premier Destination for Medieval Tourism

Belgium's well-preserved medieval city centers, Gothic architecture, and UNESCO-listed historic sites attract visitors from across the globe each year. The country's relatively compact geography makes…

Latvia's Capital Emerges as a Rising Destination for Short-Stay European Travelers
Travel

Latvia's Capital Emerges as a Rising Destination for Short-Stay European Travelers

Between Cathedral Spires and Startup Campuses: Germany's Cities Navigate Centuries of Change
Culture

Between Cathedral Spires and Startup Campuses: Germany's Cities Navigate Centuries of Change

Stone Witnesses: How Lithuania's Medieval Fortresses Anchor a Nation's Cultural Memory
Culture

Stone Witnesses: How Lithuania's Medieval Fortresses Anchor a Nation's Cultural Memory

Wildfires: why disposable BBQs are being banned from some parks and beaches
Europe

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 bet…

Off the Beaten Path: Cyprus's Rural Villages Draw Visitors Seeking Traditional Life
Travel

Off the Beaten Path: Cyprus's Rural Villages Draw Visitors Seeking Traditional Life

Away from the coastal resorts, Cyprus harbours a network of mountain and rural v…

Flanders and Wallonia Position Belgium as a Premier Destination for Medieval Tourism
Travel

Flanders and Wallonia Position Belgium as a Premier Destination for Medieval Tourism

Belgium's well-preserved medieval city centers, Gothic architecture, and UNESCO-…

Latvia's Capital Emerges as a Rising Destination for Short-Stay European Travelers
Travel

Latvia's Capital Emerges as a Rising Destination for Short-Stay European Travelers

Riga is attracting growing attention from European short-break travelers drawn t…

Between Cathedral Spires and Startup Campuses: Germany's Cities Navigate Centuries of Change
Culture

Between Cathedral Spires and Startup Campuses: Germany's Cities Navigate Centuries of Change

Germany's major urban centers have long served as crossroads of European history…

Travel

Scattered Across the North Sea: Denmark's Island Network Draws Curious Travelers

Denmark encompasses hundreds of islands, many of which remain largely off the beaten path for international visitors. Th…

Scattered Across the North Sea: Denmark's Island Network Draws Curious Travelers
Culinary

From Field to Table: How Paprika Shapes Hungarian Cuisine and National Identity

Paprika has served as a cornerstone of Hungarian cooking for centuries, influencing everything from everyday home meals …

From Field to Table: How Paprika Shapes Hungarian Cuisine and National Identity

Europe

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Fifa president Gianni Infantino set for fourth term – despite World Cup controversies

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

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.

Berlin Pride: ISIS still inspires terrorism in Europe – but who carries out these attacks?

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

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

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If Europe wants to ‘go it alone’ on security, countries need to learn to sing from the same songsheet

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

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.

French student protests: comparisons with 1968 will only serve the political extremes

French student protests: comparisons with 1968 will only serve the political extremes

Both far left and far right will try to make political capital out of the unrest.

EU Backs Spain's Push to Elevate Outermost Regions

EU Backs Spain's Push to Elevate Outermost Regions

The European Commission has adopted a new Outermost Regions Strategy that reflects Spanish government priorities, recognising these territories not merely as areas requiring special support but as strategic assets in European geopolitics. The communication, which replaces the 2022 strategy, arrives at a critical moment as negotiations over the 2028–2034 Multiannual Financial Framework get underway.

Economy

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Spain's Fishing Sector Faces Key EU Negotiations

Spain's Fishing Sector Faces Key EU Negotiations

Spain's Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Luis Planas met with representatives of the fishing and aquaculture sector on 4 September 2026 to address pressing challenges, including EU quota negotiations for 2027 and the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy. Planas signalled stability for major Atlantic fisheries while drawing firm lines on Mediterranean fishing-day reductions.

Eurozone Inflation Climbs to 3.8% in September

Eurozone Inflation Climbs to 3.8% in September

Euro area annual inflation is expected to reach 3.8% in September 2026, up from 3.2% in August, driven largely by a sharp acceleration in energy prices, according to a flash estimate from Eurostat. The full set of harmonised consumer price data for September is scheduled for release on 16 October 2026.

Eurozone Unemployment Holds at 6.4% in July 2026

Eurozone Unemployment Holds at 6.4% in July 2026

The euro area unemployment rate remained stable at 6.4% in July 2026, according to Eurostat, though it edged up from 6.3% recorded in the same month a year earlier. Some 11.264 million people in the euro area were without work, while youth unemployment in the bloc eased month-on-month to 14.9%.

Eurozone Construction Output Falls 1.3% in June

Eurozone Construction Output Falls 1.3% in June

Eurostat's first estimates show seasonally adjusted construction production in the euro area fell 1.3% in June 2026 compared with May, with specialised construction activities recording the steepest monthly drop. On an annual basis, construction of buildings in the euro area contracted 6.5%, even as diverging national trends highlighted an uneven picture across Member States.

Business

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EU AI Act: Building Trust Through Transparency

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.

The idea of the ‘company man’ was forged decades ago. Its problems still haunt leaders today

The idea of the ‘company man’ was forged decades ago. Its problems still haunt leaders today

If we are serious about equality, appointing more women to leadership roles should be accompanied by questioning the model of leadership itself.

Tech Giants Navigate EU's Digital Services Act Era

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

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

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Ceuta crisis: anti-migrant ‘invasion’ rhetoric threatens Europe’s food supply and economy

Ceuta crisis: anti-migrant ‘invasion’ rhetoric threatens Europe’s food supply and economy

Migrant workers are vital to Spain’s vast agriculture sector, but they are often hidden from view.

Russia’s new jet-powered drones mark latest evolution in air war above Ukraine

Russia’s new jet-powered drones mark latest evolution in air war above Ukraine

Ukraine is struggling to defend its cities against aerial attack as Russia introduces a new, long-range drone to the war.

Why new Houthi threats in the Red Sea could spell trouble for global oil prices and inflation

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’.

UK Presses Russia on War Crimes at Warsaw Forum

UK Presses Russia on War Crimes at Warsaw Forum

Britain's Deputy Ambassador to the OSCE called out Russia's violations of international humanitarian law in Ukraine, citing torture, enforced disappearances and the unlawful transfer of children. The UK reaffirmed its support for accountability mechanisms and renewed its call for an unconditional ceasefire.

Travel

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France's Atlantic and Mediterranean Shores Draw International Tourism to Regional Economies

France's Atlantic and Mediterranean Shores Draw International Tourism to Regional Economies

France's coastline, stretching from the English Channel to the Mediterranean Sea, continues to attract visitors from across the globe. Coastal regions including Normandy, Brittany, the Basque Country, and the French Riviera each offer distinct landscapes, culinary traditions, and historical heritage that sustain year-round tourism activity.

Poland's Baltic Shoreline Draws Growing Numbers of European Visitors

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.

Al-Andalus Legacy Captures Renewed Interest From Scholars and Travelers Worldwide

Spain's centuries-long period of Moorish rule, known historically as Al-Andalus, continues to attract growing academic study and cultural tourism. Landmarks such as the Alhambra palace complex and the Great Mosque of Córdoba stand as principal focal points of this enduring global fascination.

Sweden's Rail Network Opens Pathways to Remote Nordic Landscapes

Sweden's Rail Network Opens Pathways to Remote Nordic Landscapes

Sweden's extensive railway system connects urban centres to vast stretches of wilderness, offering travellers direct access to forests, mountain ranges, and Arctic terrain. The country's rail infrastructure has positioned train travel as a primary means of exploring some of Northern Europe's most isolated regions.

Culinary

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Italy's Culinary Regions Reclaim Their Place on the Global Table

Italy's Culinary Regions Reclaim Their Place on the Global Table

Italian regional cuisine, long overshadowed by internationally standardized versions of pasta and pizza, is experiencing a broader cultural and commercial revival. Food festivals, government-backed initiatives, and a growing appetite among travelers for authentic local gastronomy are driving renewed interest in Italy's diverse culinary traditions.

From Svíčková to Sourdough: How Czech Cuisine Is Redefining Its Identity

From Svíčková to Sourdough: How Czech Cuisine Is Redefining Its Identity

Czech gastronomy is undergoing a quiet transformation, as chefs and food producers across the country draw on centuries-old culinary traditions while embracing contemporary techniques and ingredients. The result is a food culture that is increasingly attracting international attention.

Poland's Historic Cities Emerge as Culinary Destinations for a Growing Wave of Visitors

Poland's Historic Cities Emerge as Culinary Destinations for a Growing Wave of Visitors

Cities including Kraków, Gdańsk, and Wrocław have seen a marked rise in visitors drawn by regional cuisine, food markets, and gastronomic heritage tours. Poland's distinct culinary traditions, rooted in Central European and Jewish influences, are increasingly recognized as a driver of cultural tourism.

Slovenia's Wine Routes Offer Travelers a Gateway to the Country's Viticultural Heritage

Slovenia's Wine Routes Offer Travelers a Gateway to the Country's Viticultural Heritage

Slovenia's network of designated wine roads winds through three distinct wine-growing regions, connecting vineyards, cellars, and rural villages across the small Central European nation. The routes attract visitors seeking both scenic landscapes and an introduction to a wine culture that dates back to antiquity.

Health

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How a traditional Nordic way of eating could help you live longer

How a traditional Nordic way of eating could help you live longer

Adopting a Nordic diet could cut your risk of heart disease and diabetes.

Abdominal aortic aneurysms can cause years of anxiety, even without symptoms

Abdominal aortic aneurysms can cause years of anxiety, even without symptoms

Regular scans help clinicians monitor small aneurysms, but patients describe recurring fears and confusion about what they can safely do.

Spain's Bone Marrow Registry Nears 533,000 Donors

Spain's Bone Marrow Registry Nears 533,000 Donors

Spain's bone marrow donor registry has grown to nearly 533,000 registered individuals, with 77 new donors enrolling each day in the first eight months of 2026. The figures, released on World Bone Marrow Donor Day, mark a sustained acceleration driven by younger recruits and improved matching technology.

Spain Launches Campaign to End Abortion Stigma

Spain Launches Campaign to End Abortion Stigma

Spain's Health Minister Mónica García has unveiled a national campaign to combat the guilt and social stigma surrounding abortion, insisting that women need not demonstrate suffering for their decision to be respected. The campaign also targets structural barriers within the public health system, where nearly eight in ten abortions in 2024 were carried out in private clinics.

Culture

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MEPs Head to Oulu, Europe's 2026 Capital of Culture

MEPs Head to Oulu, Europe's 2026 Capital of Culture

A delegation from the European Parliament's Committee on Culture and Education is travelling to Oulu, Finland, from 21 to 23 September to assess the city's programme as European Capital of Culture 2026. The three-day visit will take in major legacy projects, including a new museum, a repurposed Alvar Aalto-designed industrial silo, and key civic and cultural institutions.

From Ramparts to Identity: How Luxembourg's Military Past Defines Its Present

From Ramparts to Identity: How Luxembourg's Military Past Defines Its Present

Luxembourg's centuries-old fortifications, once among the most formidable in Europe, remain central to the small nation's cultural identity and international recognition. The remnants of its layered defensive architecture continue to draw visitors and shape how Luxembourg presents itself to the world.

From Thracian Gold to EU Membership: How Bulgaria's Deep Past Informs a Continental Future

Bulgaria's archaeological record stretches back thousands of years, placing it among Europe's oldest continuous civilizations. That heritage now carries measurable weight in cultural diplomacy, tourism, and the broader European identity project.

Ancient Rhythms, New Platforms: Lithuania's Living Folk Heritage Finds a Global Audience

Ancient Rhythms, New Platforms: Lithuania's Living Folk Heritage Finds a Global Audience

Lithuania's centuries-old folk traditions, from polyphonic singing to intricate textile crafts, are experiencing renewed vitality through digital archiving projects and social media communities. Cultural institutions and grassroots practitioners alike are leveraging online tools to preserve and transmit heritage that predates written records.

Science

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Chores or no chores? The economic psychology of giving kids pocket money

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?

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

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.

UK Launches New Air Quality Alert Service

UK Launches New Air Quality Alert Service

The UK government has launched a new opt-in air quality alerts service, allowing people to receive SMS or email warnings when pollution levels in their chosen local areas are forecast to be high. The service tracks five key pollutants and forms part of the government's Environmental Improvement Plan.