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.

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.

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.

EU Strikes Deal on €115 Million AGILE Defence Innovation Programme for SMEs

European Parliament negotiators and the Irish Presidency of the Council have reached a provisional political agreement on AGILE, a new €115 million programme designed to channel rapid, targeted funding to small and medium-sized enterprises developing emerging and disruptive defence technologies. The agreement, concluded just four months after the Commission tabled its proposal, is on track to make the programme operational from early 2027.

Politics

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.

European Parliament Calls on EU to Condemn Attacks on Aid Workers and Address Global Humanitarian Funding Shortfalls

The European Parliament has adopted a resolution urging the EU to unequivocally condemn the obstruction of humanitarian aid and the killing of aid workers in conflict zones, while also sounding the alarm over a global humanitarian and development funding crisis. The resolution follows a joint communication on humanitarian action published by the European Commission and the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on 27 May 2026.

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.

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

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

How Ukraine’s strikes on Russian warehouses became a problem in Kyrgyzstan

Producers as far afield as Central Asia have been affected by Ukraine’s drones attacks on the e-commerce giant.

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’.

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.

Travel

Greece's Most Significant Ancient Sites Draw Visitors From Around the World

Greece holds some of the most well-preserved archaeological sites in the Western world, spanning millennia of civilisation. From the Athenian Acropolis to the sanctuaries of the Peloponnese, these locations remain central to the study of ancient history and continue to attract millions of visitors annually.

Beyond the Eiffel Tower: France's Lesser-Known Regions Draw Growing Traveller Interest

France's appeal extends well beyond its capital, with regions such as Alsace, the Dordogne, and the Auvergne offering distinct cultural and natural attractions. These destinations remain comparatively undervisited despite holding significant historical, culinary, and scenic value.

Netherlands Canals Draw Travelers Seeking Slower Pace Through Dutch Heartland

The Netherlands' extensive network of historic canals and inland waterways has become a growing draw for travelers choosing unhurried, water-based journeys over conventional tourism. Houseboats, canal bikes, and narrowboat rentals are among the options reshaping how visitors experience the Dutch 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.

Culinary

Belgium's Brewing Tradition Endures as Global Appetite for Specialty Beer Grows

Belgium's centuries-old beer culture has maintained its international reputation through a combination of protected heritage status, monastic brewing traditions, and a thriving craft sector. The country's breweries continue to attract visitors and export their products to markets worldwide.

A Guide to the Essential Dishes of Cypriot Cuisine

Cyprus has developed a distinct culinary tradition shaped by its Mediterranean location and centuries of cultural exchange. Travelers to the island encounter a food culture rooted in fresh local ingredients, grilled meats, and slow-cooked preparations.

Classic Viennese Tafelspitz with Apple-Horseradish Sauce

There is a particular hush that falls over a Viennese dining room when a copper pot of Tafelspitz arrives at the table — the broth still trembling, the beef glistening, the scent of root vegetables and bay leaf curling into the air. This is not a dish that shouts for attention; it whispers instead, in the way only true comfort food can. It is the dish of emperors and grandmothers alike, equally at home on the white tablecloths of the Hofburg and the checkered oilcloth of a family kitchen in the countryside.

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.

Culture

Ancient Traditions and Living Heritage: How Cyprus Safeguards Its Cultural Fabric

Cyprus, one of the Mediterranean's oldest continuously inhabited islands, maintains a distinctive cultural identity shaped by millennia of civilizations, languages, and religious traditions. Through institutional frameworks, community practices, and UNESCO recognition, the island actively works to preserve its heritage for future generations.

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.

Stone Witnesses: How Slovakia's Medieval Fortresses Shaped Central European History

Slovakia holds one of the highest concentrations of castle ruins per capita in Europe, with structures dating back to the ninth century. These fortifications served as political, military, and cultural crossroads for empires that once divided the continent.

At the Crossroads of Cultures: How Belgium Shapes European Identity

Belgium's position at the intersection of Latin and Germanic Europe has made it a persistent incubator of art, architecture, and institutional life. From medieval trading cities to the headquarters of major international bodies, the country continues to occupy a singular place in the European cultural landscape.

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.

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?

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.