Europe

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.

£13 Million Satellite Push to Bring Broadband to Remote Trains and Smart Tech to British Farms

The UK Space Agency is backing 16 projects with £13 million in government funding to expand satellite communications, including trialling broadband on remote Scottish railways and developing affordable crop-monitoring sensors for farmers. The investment, delivered through the European Space Agency's ARTES programme, aims to boost connectivity, create high-value jobs, and strengthen Britain's position in global satellite technology.

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.

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.

Politics

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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’.

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.

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

Four Seasons, One Destination: How Austria Draws Visitors the Whole Year Through

Austria's combination of alpine landscapes, imperial history, and cultural depth makes it one of the few European countries capable of attracting international visitors across every season. From winter ski resorts to summer music festivals, the country offers a distinct travel experience regardless of when visitors arrive.

Luxembourg's Fare-Free Transit Network Draws Visitors Across the Grand Duchy

Luxembourg made history in 2020 by becoming the first country in the world to abolish fares across its entire national public transport network. The policy, designed primarily to ease traffic congestion and reduce emissions, has produced a notable secondary effect: a measurable uplift in tourist activity throughout the small but strategically located nation.

Paris Reinvents Itself as Europe's Must-Visit Capital

Paris has long held a singular place in the imagination of travelers worldwide, but increasingly, the French capital is offering far more than the postcard landmarks that defined its reputation for generations. A wave of thoughtful urban transformation, cultural ambition, and culinary reinvention is reshaping what it means to experience this city — and visitors are taking notice.

Dutch Infrastructure Push Broadens Network of Green Transit Corridors

The Netherlands is expanding its network of sustainable travel routes, connecting cities, rural areas, and cross-border destinations through rail, cycling infrastructure, and low-emission ferry links. The initiative reflects a broader national commitment to reducing dependence on private car travel and aligning transport policy with European climate targets.

Culinary

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.

A Guide to the Traditional Dishes That Define Croatian Cuisine

Croatian cuisine draws from centuries of Mediterranean, Central European, and Balkan influences, producing a distinct culinary tradition that varies considerably by region. Visitors to the country encounter a range of dishes rooted in local ingredients, coastal geography, and historical trade routes.

From Ancient Groves to Global Tables: The Rise of Greek Olive Oil

Greek olive oil has built a strong international reputation through a combination of ancient cultivation traditions, favorable geography, and rigorous quality certification. Its presence in premium markets across Europe, North America, and Asia reflects decades of sustained investment in production standards.

Europe's Top Destinations for Food Travelers Heading Into 2026

A growing number of travelers are planning itineraries around culinary experiences rather than traditional sightseeing, and several European cities have emerged as leading destinations for this trend. From long-established gastronomic capitals to rising regional scenes, the continent offers a broad spectrum of food cultures worth exploring.

Culture

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

Lithuania's network of medieval castles serves as a tangible link to the country's grand ducal past, drawing scholars, tourists, and citizens alike. Conservation efforts backed by both national institutions and European Union heritage programs continue to sustain these structures as living monuments of Lithuanian identity.

Ancient Roots, Living Practices: How Greek Cultural Heritage Endures Across the Generations

From Orthodox religious festivals to traditional folk music and regional cuisine, Greece maintains a remarkably continuous cultural identity that spans millennia. Younger generations are actively participating in the transmission of these traditions, ensuring their survival well into the modern era.

Faith, History, and Architecture: Bulgaria's Monasteries Draw Pilgrims and Scholars Alike

Bulgaria's medieval monasteries serve as living repositories of Orthodox Christian heritage, drawing visitors from across Europe and beyond. Their enduring significance lies in a combination of spiritual tradition, architectural distinction, and historical resilience.

Ancient Customs and Craft Keep Romania's Folk Heritage Alive Across Generations

Romania maintains one of Europe's most expansive living folk traditions, spanning handwoven textiles, ceremonial music, and seasonal rituals practiced across rural and urban communities alike. The country's cultural heritage has drawn growing international attention as younger Romanians engage with ancestral practices in new contexts.

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?

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.