Central Europe Steps Up as an EU Policy Force

Italy and EU Agree Energy Bill Protections

Italy's government and the European Commission have reached an agreement on measures under decree-law 21/2026, aimed at shielding households and businesses from rising energy costs. The Italian authorities will formally notify the temporary measures under EU state aid rules, with the Commission committing to assess them as a priority.

Mediterranean Now a Strategic EU Priority, Croatia Says

Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković declared at the MED9 Summit in Split that the Mediterranean has become a strategically important area where many of the EU's key interests converge. The summit marked the culmination of Croatia's presidency of the MED9 group.

Nine Southern European Nations Back Stronger EU

Nine Southern European countries convened on 7 October 2026 to coordinate positions on EU security and governance. Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković said the group faces shared challenges including inflation, global conflicts, climate-related disasters, and irregular migration.

Europe's Street-Level Commerce Holds Its Ground

Across European cities and towns, traditional markets, independent bakeries, and neighbourhood shops continue to serve as central points of daily life. These spaces function not only as retail outlets but as enduring fixtures of local culture and community.

A bestselling novel was pulled from a French literary prize after AI accusations – what next?

The latest literary AI scandal forces us to question what we expect of writers. Some French authors argue AI is now part of our lives – and authorship is evolving.

Spain's Bone Marrow Registry Nears 533,000 Donors

Spain's bone marrow donor registry has grown to nearly 533,000 registered individuals, with 77 new donors enrolling each day in the first eight months of 2026. The figures, released on World Bone Marrow Donor Day, mark a sustained acceleration driven by younger recruits and improved matching technology.

Spain Launches Campaign to End Abortion Stigma

Spain's Health Minister Mónica García has unveiled a national campaign to combat the guilt and social stigma surrounding abortion, insisting that women need not demonstrate suffering for their decision to be respected. The campaign also targets structural barriers within the public health system, where nearly eight in ten abortions in 2024 were carried out in private clinics.

How the emojis and fashion choices of Germany’s far-right supporters get around the ban on Nazi symbolism

The extreme right has learned to navigate Germany’s strict laws on extremist symbols

Espresso Bars to Sidewalk Cafés: How Europe Drinks Coffee

Coffee consumption across Europe is shaped less by ingredient than by ritual, with distinct national customs governing everything from cup size to the hour of the day. From Italy's standing espresso bars to the unhurried café terraces of France, the continent's relationship with coffee reflects deeper social habits.

MEPs Head to Oulu, Europe's 2026 Capital of Culture

A delegation from the European Parliament's Committee on Culture and Education is travelling to Oulu, Finland, from 21 to 23 September to assess the city's programme as European Capital of Culture 2026. The three-day visit will take in major legacy projects, including a new museum, a repurposed Alvar Aalto-designed industrial silo, and key civic and cultural institutions.

Bulgaria Bridges State and Civil Society on Corruption

Bulgarian Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova has met with the leadership of Transparency International Bulgaria to discuss anti-corruption efforts, good governance, and closer cooperation between state institutions and the non-governmental sector. The talks also touched on Bulgaria's bid to join the OECD as a key foreign policy priority.

Anne Carson wins Nobel prize in literature – how she discovered new possibilities within language

At a time when scholarship and creative writing are often treated as separate pursuits, Carson has shown how deeply they belong together.