Europe

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.

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.

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.

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.

Politics

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.

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.

UK Government Awards £8.7 Million to Rape Crisis England & Wales for Round-the-Clock Survivor Support

The Ministry of Justice has awarded £8.7 million to Rape Crisis England & Wales to continue its 24/7 free and confidential helpline for survivors of rape and sexual abuse. The funding, running from October 2026 to September 2029, forms part of the government's broader commitment to halve violence against women and girls.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Geopolitics

UK and Ukraine Sign AI Partnership Declaration to Build Next-Generation Defence Capabilities

The United Kingdom and Ukraine have signed a Joint Declaration of Intent establishing a bilateral artificial intelligence partnership aimed at developing AI-enabled military capabilities. The agreement, published on 24 August 2026, frames technology cooperation as a strategic pillar of mutual defence and Euro-Atlantic security.

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.

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’.

Travel

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.

Italian Coastal Destinations Push to Extend Tourism Beyond Peak Summer Months

Coastal regions of Italy are pursuing strategies to attract visitors outside the traditional summer season, aiming to ease overcrowding and distribute economic benefits more evenly across the calendar year. Local governments and tourism bodies have introduced a range of measures to make shoulder and off-season travel more appealing to both domestic and international visitors.

Poland's Tatra Mountains Emerge as a Destination for Adventure Tourism in Central Europe

The Tatra Mountains in southern Poland have drawn a growing number of adventure travelers seeking hiking, skiing, and outdoor recreation. The region offers accessible infrastructure alongside rugged terrain, positioning Poland as a competitive destination within the European outdoor tourism market.

Ireland's Coastal Tourism Corridor Reshapes Atlantic Travel Routes

The Wild Atlantic Way, stretching more than 2,500 kilometres along Ireland's western seaboard, has become one of Europe's most recognised long-distance touring routes. Infrastructure investment and shifting traveller preferences are now driving a new phase in its development.

Culinary

A Guide to Austria's Most Iconic Traditional Foods

Austrian cuisine draws on centuries of Central European culinary tradition, blending influences from the former Habsburg Empire into a distinctive national food culture. Visitors to Austria encounter a range of dishes that have remained staples of the country's restaurants, markets, and home kitchens for generations.

From Balkan Staple to Global Health Phenomenon: The Rise of Bulgarian Yogurt

Bulgarian yogurt, long a dietary cornerstone of the Balkans, has gained international recognition as a probiotic-rich food linked to digestive health and longevity. Its rise reflects both growing consumer interest in fermented foods and the enduring scientific fascination with the bacteria that define it.

The European Cities Drawing Food Travelers From Around the World

A new wave of culinary destinations across Europe is attracting food-focused travelers, driven by evolving restaurant scenes, revived regional traditions, and growing international recognition. From the Basque Country to the Balkans, several cities are reshaping the continent's gastronomic map.

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.

Culture

Luxembourg Emerges as a Growing Hub for Contemporary Arts in Europe

The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg has steadily developed a robust contemporary arts scene, supported by dedicated institutions and cross-border cultural initiatives. Museums, galleries, and public art programs continue to attract international audiences to one of Europe's smallest yet culturally active nations.

Stone Before the Pyramids: Malta's Temple Builders Left a Civilization the World Is Still Decoding

Malta's megalithic temples, among the oldest freestanding stone structures on Earth, predate both Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids by several centuries. Archaeological evidence from these sites continues to reshape understanding of prehistoric social organization and ritual life in the central Mediterranean.

Croatia's UNESCO-Listed Sites Draw Growing International Attention

Croatia's collection of UNESCO World Heritage Sites continues to attract visitors and researchers from across the globe. The country's cultural and natural designations span centuries of history, from ancient Roman architecture to pristine coastal landscapes.

From Longships to Living Culture: How the Viking Age Continues to Define Denmark

Denmark's Viking past extends well beyond museum exhibits and tourist attractions, shaping the country's language, legal traditions, and national self-image. Archaeologists, historians, and cultural institutions continue to uncover and reinforce the depth of that inheritance.

Science

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?

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.

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.

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.