Letters: Labour are showing a complete lack of empathy
The party has no clear vision or strategy, and appears to take delight in announcing further cuts that will adversely affect peoples’ lives
Germany’s embarrassing mobile network
Mobile phone coverage is notoriously patchy due to past policy failures and slow infrastructure expansion, leaving rural areas full of dead zones
North Macedonia loses an entire generation
With 59 fatalities and over 200 hospitalisations, the fire at Club Pulse was the stuff of nightmares
The barbarians of Italy’s far south
A vampire-style taste for pig’s blood is found across the country, where it is a key ingredient in traditional cakes and sausages
Can Spain keep the kids away from porn?
Today, it seems that sexual content is so easily accessible online as to have become almost mainstream. Spain’s government is trying to change that
How Le Pen wrote the rules of her own downfall
The far right leader demanded French courts get tough on corrupt politicians. Now she is paying the price
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Weird Europe: Villagers in Cyprus chip in for a giant potato
News that you might have missed from around the continent, selected by Steve Anglesey.
The Wolf Age: Bloodsoaked Britain’s age of terror
CHARLIE CONNELLY on a page-turner which brings to vivid, often gruesome, life one of the most violent periods in the history of Britain
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The UK encouraged Afghan women to take up top judicial roles. Now they need, and deserve, our help, argues Baroness Kennedy.
‘Unsafe’ Bolshoi Theatre blamed for second death in eight years
News that you might have missed from around the continent, selected by Steve Anglesey.
Berlin’s disaster of a new airport is a model of German inefficiency
The country has a reputation for doing things better. But Berlin’s disastrous new airport shows that given a chance, it can stuff things up just as badly as everyone else.
Weird Europe: Baby booted from Danish Commons
News that you might have missed from around the continent, selected by Steve Anglesey.
Kaliningrad: The curious case of Vladimir Putin’s piece of EU territory
The Russian region, disconnected from the motherland and deep in EU territory, is both an asset and a vulnerability for the Kremlin. PAUL KNOTT tells the story of one of the continent’s most intriguing places, where geography and history collide
Why the left will decide the outcome of the French elections
The most vicious presidential contest in almost a century is likely to be decided by left wing voters… even though their own parties don’t have a prayer of winning.
New hope is in the air for Austria and Czechs
Two downfalls hint at a return to more respectable politics in countries at the heart of the continent.
The EU must act now to avoid ‘Polexit’
Huge crowds may have gathered to oppose ‘Polexit’, but the gauntlet thrown down by the country’s populist government still poses an existential threat to the union.
The strange story of the European flag
For many, it inspires cooperation and hope… for others annoyance. But what does the European flag actually stand for?
The dark side of the Dutch
Sensational reports of a plot to kill the Netherlands PM have raised fears about the seemingly sedate, safe country’s descent to narco-state status. But they are
also a reminder of the country’s violent political past.
The African revolution wrecked by France
The violent histories of France’s former African colonies owe much to the continued meddling of Paris and other Western capitals.
Weird Europe: Miss Belarus publicly pledges allegiance to president
Pictures emerged showing the winner posing with other models in the colours of the opposition.
Death on the Seine: The massacre that shames France
This month marks the anniversary of a bloodbath in the centre of Paris, the full story of which is yet to emerge. SUNA ERDEM reports on a tragedy that continues to haunt France.
Decoding the German election: Why every party woke up feeling miserable
The country’s curious election has changed everything.. we just have to wait to see how it has changed.
The ray of hope for progressives coming from Europe
After a dismal decade for centre left parties on the continent, there are now some positive signs tempered by a widespread failure to connect with voters.
Monaco: Still Europe’s shadiest square mile
Sunshine, super-riches… and sleaze. Monaco sits like a melanoma on the Med, a city state throwback autocracy where anything goes – except the payment of taxes. Now the glamour that has always masked the iniquity is overshadowed by a Prince whose personal life is again coming under uncomfortable scrutiny.
Monaco: How Prince Albert created a paradise for the rich
Prince Albert is not only the prince of Monaco but something akin to its general manager. So when his private life comes under the spotlight, so too does his principality.
The supermarket that won the Cold War
MATT KELLY on how the West triumphed over the Soviets in a campaign fought in the aisles and check-outs.
Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis: The battle for a sustainable future will be arduous but worth the fight
Ahead of the Med9 event in Athens, Greek prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis shares his thoughts on the escalating climate and environmental crisis
The war on journalism and the EU’s battle for its core identity
Press freedom is under assault across our continent – including the murder of journalists. Misha Glenny reports on how journalism, an essential element of democracy, is threatened.
The European states failing to protect journalists investigating corruption
The murder of journalists calls into question the ability or willingness of some European states to safeguard the freedom of journalists.
Weird Europe: Convicts’ sundae service from Pope
News that you might have missed from around the continent, selected by Steve Anglesey.
What will be Angela Merkel’s legacy?
Lauded abroad but not always loved at home. What will be the legacy of the chancellor who has ruled Germany since 2005?
Germany returns to the forefront of European youth culture
A 22-year-old from
Frankfurt has become one of TikTok’s biggest stars. SOPHIA DEBOICK explains the simple charm behind his success.. and what it says about
his country.
Germany’s start-up culture breaks the old stereotypes
The country has a reputation for being tech- and risk-averse. But a new generation of entrepreneurs are proving that is no longer the case.
Germany: Does it remain a force for good in the world?
The country is usually seen as a force for stability and symbol of solidity on the international stage. But is that actually so?
From pariah to powerhouse… Germany’s turnaround
How Germany’s influence has grown in the world since the end of World War II.
Angela Merkel’s departure will have consequences for Germany… and the wider world
Post-war Germany has been characterised by good governance and solid leadership. But as the country goes to the polls to replace Angela Merkel, Germans – and the wider world – fear its good run is coming to an end.
Are Michel Barnier’s hopes of beating Emmanuel Macron a grand illusion?
As David Frost moans about the deal they both agreed, Michel Barnier is entering the race to be
Franceʼs president.
Park Life: 10 of Europe’s greatest green spaces
The pandemic has highlighted the importance of our urban parks. TOM CHESSHYRE, author of a new book on the subject, reports on how European cities are making the most of their green spaces, and celebrates the finest examples
Weird Europe: Italian shopkeeper ‘stole’ scratchcard win
News that you might have missed from around the continent, selected by Steve Anglesey.
Germany’s CDU struggle to cope without Angela Merkel as polls get tighter
Angela Merkel has taught Germans to crave stability… but they are still turning away from her party.
Germany’s ‘duel of duels’ taking place on the cobbled wealthy streets of Potsdam
Two of Germany’s candidates for Chancellor are running
in the same constituency – home to the super rich and celebrities.
Weird Europe: Annual Montenegro laziness championships are underway
News that you might have missed from around the continent, selected by Steve Anglesey.
Can French town of Vichy escape its pro-Nazi historical baggage?
The small spa resort in central France which gave its name to Marshal Petain’s pro-Nazi regime carries heavy historical baggage. As the town tries to reinvent itself once more, JOHN LICHFIELD paid it a visit.
Weird Europe: Serbian hermit takes jab at anti-vaxxers
News that you might have missed from around the continent, selected by Steve Anglesey.
The Disaster of Annual: The battle that still haunts Spain
Amid the bloodshed of the 20th century, it remains all but forgotten. But what became known as the Disaster of Annual, 100 years ago this summer, shaped Spain’s traumatic century.
‘Not quite one of us’… The patriotism of an Italian immigrant
PATRICK SAWER on his Italian immigrant mother’s quiet English patriotism
Paul Mason: Fascism in Europe is on the rise… here’s how to fight it
The threat from 21st century fascism is not of a modern day March on Rome or a beerhall putsch. It’s far more insidious. By PAUL MASON, the broadcaster and author of a new book on the subject
Poland’s war on its own press
The country’s media is being forced back to the dark days of the Iron Curtain, warns ex-Europe minister DENIS MACSHANE, a former journalist once arrested in Warsaw by the communist authorities
Weird Europe: Kanye West fans race to Paris suburbs field for gig that never was
More weird news from Europe, including a fake Kanye West gig in a field near Paris, a cow-riding German and the Austrian punk singer who vaccinates his own fans