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.

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.

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.

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.

Politics

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Travel

Driving Bulgaria: The Country's Most Rewarding Scenic Routes

Bulgaria offers a diverse network of road trip routes crossing mountain ranges, river gorges, and centuries-old villages. From the Rhodope highlands to the Black Sea coast, the country's road corridors connect distinct natural and cultural landscapes.

Italy's Expanding Rail Network Positions Train Travel as a Viable Alternative to Flying

Italy has invested heavily in high-speed and regional rail infrastructure, connecting major cities and rural destinations with greater frequency and comfort. The shift is drawing both domestic travelers and international visitors away from short-haul flights and toward longer, scenic overland journeys.

Highland Scotland Emerges as a Defining Force in British Tourism

Scotland's Highland region continues to draw international visitors in growing numbers, reinforcing the United Kingdom's position as one of Europe's most sought-after travel destinations. The area's combination of dramatic landscapes, historic sites, and cultural heritage has made it a cornerstone of national tourism strategy.

Latvia's Green Credentials Place It Among Europe's Leading Sustainable Tourism Destinations

Latvia has built a reputation as a model for responsible tourism in the Baltic region, drawing visitors through its extensive forest reserves, low-carbon infrastructure, and nature-based travel offerings. The country's approach balances ecological preservation with growing international interest in outdoor and cultural tourism.

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 to the country's internationally recognized culinary exports. The spice continues to evolve in both agricultural and gastronomic contexts as Hungary balances tradition with modern food culture.

White Truffle Harvest Draws Gourmet Travelers to Northern Italy

The annual truffle season in Italy's Piedmont and Umbria regions has become a significant driver of culinary tourism, attracting visitors from across Europe and beyond. Dedicated festivals, guided hunts, and high-end restaurant experiences have positioned truffle destinations among the most sought-after gourmet travel markets in the continent.

Hungary's Largest Lake Builds a Reputation as a Culinary and Viticultural Destination

Lake Balaton, long known as Central Europe's premier freshwater resort, has steadily developed into a recognized food and wine destination drawing visitors from across the continent. The region's wine districts, local fish traditions, and growing roster of quality restaurants have positioned it alongside more established European culinary circuits.

From Swabian Kitchens to Saxon Cellars: The Case for Germany's Culinary Diversity

Germany's regional food traditions span centuries of distinct cultural, agricultural, and historical influences, producing a culinary landscape far broader than its international reputation suggests. From the coastal fish markets of the North Sea to the wine-growing valleys of the Rhineland, each German region maintains cooking traditions tied closely to its geography and history.

Culture

Portugal's Fado Music Endures as a Living Cultural Touchstone

Fado, Portugal's most iconic musical tradition, continues to shape national identity and attract international recognition decades after its urban origins. The genre, rooted in Lisbon's working-class neighborhoods, holds protected status under UNESCO and maintains a devoted following both domestically and abroad.

Layers of Civilization: What Cyprus's Archaeological Record Tells Us

Cyprus holds one of the Mediterranean's most stratified archaeological landscapes, shaped by successive waves of settlement, conquest, and cultural exchange spanning thousands of years. Its monuments and ruins reflect a contested history that continues to inform modern debates about identity and heritage.

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 Bohemian Gothic to Communist-Era Modernism: How Czech Culture Shapes European Identity

The Czech Republic's layered architectural, literary, and musical heritage continues to draw scholarly and artistic attention across Europe. Its contributions span centuries of Central European history, from medieval royal courts to twentieth-century avant-garde movements.