Europe

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

His rise this time seemed unstoppable – but Burnham’s route to the top wasn’t always so clear.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

Beyond Budapest: Hungary's Rural Landscapes Draw Travelers Seeking Quieter European Destinations

Hungary's countryside regions, from the volcanic hills of the Northern Uplands to the vast plains of the Great Hungarian Plain, are attracting growing interest among travelers looking beyond the country's capital. Historic wine villages, thermal lake resorts, and protected national parks offer a range of experiences that remain relatively undiscovered compared to Western European counterparts.

Slovenia's Lesser-Known Valleys Draw Travelers Away from Bled's Crowded Shores

While Lake Bled remains Slovenia's most photographed destination, several of the country's alpine valleys offer comparable natural scenery with far fewer visitors. Regions such as the Soča Valley, Logar Valley, and the Karst plateau have seen growing recognition among travelers seeking quieter alternatives.

Beneath the Mediterranean: Malta's Waters Draw Divers From Across the Continent

Malta has established itself as one of Europe's premier scuba diving destinations, offering a combination of warm, clear waters, dramatic underwater topography, and accessible wrecks. The archipelago's position in the central Mediterranean gives it conditions that attract both novice and experienced divers year-round.

The Rise of Slow Travel: How a Growing Movement Is Changing the Way Europeans Explore Their Continent

A shift away from rapid, checklist-style tourism is gaining momentum across Europe, with travelers choosing longer stays, local immersion, and lower-carbon transport over traditional package holidays. The trend is influencing everything from regional rail networks to rural hospitality economies.

Culinary

Latvia's Kitchen Turns to the Land: A Culinary Tradition Rooted in Seasons

Latvian cuisine draws heavily from the country's forests, coastline, and agricultural heartland, with seasonal rhythms shaping what appears on the table throughout the year. From rye bread to smoked fish, the foods of Latvia reflect centuries of adapting to a northern European climate and landscape.

A Guide to France's Most Distinctive Regional Cuisines

French cuisine extends far beyond Parisian bistros, with each region offering dishes rooted in local geography, history, and agricultural tradition. From Alsatian choucroute to Provençal bouillabaisse, these preparations reflect centuries of culinary identity.

Portugal's Iconic Custard Tart Fuels a Broader Renaissance in Traditional Pastry

The pastel de nata, Portugal's celebrated egg custard tart, has moved beyond its Lisbon origins to become a catalyst for renewed global interest in Portuguese confectionery. Bakeries and culinary institutions across Portugal are expanding their traditional dessert offerings as demand from both domestic consumers and international visitors continues to grow.

Forgotten Flavors: How Europe's Regional Food Traditions Are Reclaiming Space on the Table

Across Europe, culinary traditions tied to specific regions, seasons, and local producers are experiencing a measurable revival. Shifting consumer preferences, renewed interest in food heritage, and policy support for rural economies are converging to drive the trend.

Culture

Where Roman Walls Meet Rooftop Bars: Croatia's Urban Heritage in the 21st Century

Croatia's historic cities, including Split and Dubrovnik, continue to function as living urban centres while preserving millennia of layered architectural heritage. The tension between cultural conservation and modern city life shapes policy, tourism, and daily existence for residents across the Adriatic coast.

Song and Dance Festivals Keep Estonia's Cultural Identity Alive

Estonia's choral singing tradition, rooted in the 19th century national awakening, continues to serve as a powerful expression of collective identity. The country's Song and Dance Celebration, recognized by UNESCO, draws tens of thousands of performers and spectators from across the Baltic nation and its diaspora.

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.

Italy's Cultural and Creative Industries Continue to Shape European Standards

From classical music institutions to global fashion houses, Italy maintains a defining influence across Europe's cultural and creative landscape. Its contributions span centuries of artistic tradition while remaining embedded in contemporary design, gastronomy, and performing arts.

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.