Europe’s students don’t all pay the same way. In southern countries, family support dominates; in Scandinavia, public aid leads; in Germany and beyond, students work to get by. A patchwork system where how you fund your degree depends on where you study.

Food waste remains a persistent challenge in Europe, a fact highlighted by today’s International Day of Awareness of Food Loss.

From gripping murder trials in Italy to dynastic power struggles in Ireland, these are the binge-worthy dramas that captivated you this September, stories of crime, love, betrayal, and empire across Europe and beyond. Images © respective rights holders, used for editorial purposes.

Five stories shaping Europe this week, from burning seas to flooded fields. Rains are destroying harvests, heatwaves are emptying the seas, reindeer herders resist new mines, artists debate boycotts, and politicians push green defence spending.

Oktoberfest opened in Munich last week, but Germany’s beer culture faces new challenges. While the country remains Europe’s largest beer producer, per-capita consumption has fallen to record lows as younger generations drink less.

Fishermen in Malta say that even with more nets, they now catch almost nothing – while one day at sea once earned them a week’s wage. Europe’s seas, especially the Mediterranean, are heating rapidly, threatening traditional livelihoods.

A surge of Russian drone incursions and airspace violations has put Europe on high alert. NATO launched the Eastern Sentry mission and EU states are moving ahead with a “drone wall” to strengthen defenses.

Moscow just launched its answer to Eurovision: Intervision. Four billion viewers claimed, a few thousand on YouTube in reality. No public vote, diplomats as jurors, four and a half hours of controlled spectacle — minus Eurovision’s signature camp, fandoms, and queer culture.

For years, Ahmad Samsam sat in a Spanish prison as a convicted “jihadist.” Now Denmark’s Supreme Court has revealed the truth: he was working undercover for Danish intelligence in Syria. What was framed as terrorism was in fact espionage, and Copenhagen stayed silent while he was jailed.

In parts of Europe, more than one in five people spend over 40% of their income on housing. How much is too much?

Universities across Europe are back in full swing. Choosing which one to attend is often some of the hardest decisions a young adult has to make. Naturally, everyone wants to aim for the best universities, but if you want to stay in Europe, your options may be fewer than you’d like.

Europe’s vast shipping fleet keeps global trade moving, but when vessels reach the end of their lives, the human and environmental toll is immense. Most European-owned ships are dismantled on South Asian and Turkish beaches, where workers face deadly toxins, unsafe conditions, and little protection.

This week, we take you from Austrian alpine farms fighting to stay organic to a Portuguese village resisting lithium mining. On a Greek island, fishers are protecting their sea, while in Brussels the debate continues over the power of Big Pharma.

25 journalists in jail. Independent media silenced. International NGOs pushed out. So why does Europe keep shaking hands with Azerbaijan’s president? Why?

For the first time in EU history, Brussels has proposed sanctions against Israel. The package, announced by Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, includes trade restrictions, asset freezes, and funding cuts.

Financial literacy takes very different shapes across Europe, as surprising mismatches show. Knowing the theory doesn't automatically mean putting it into practice.

Online shopping is booming. In 2024 alone, three out of four (75%) European internet users bought or ordered goods and services online – up from 59% a decade ago. The digital marketplace isn't just growing; it's reshaping how Europeans live and shop.

Spain’s government wanted to cut the standard workweek from 40 to 37.5 hours without reducing pay. The proposal could have improved conditions for over 12 million workers, but conservatives in parliament blocked it before debate even began.

If you’re not obsessed with public transport, you might have missed last weekend's first-ever Tram Driver World Championships. The event featured spectacular disciplines such as tram bowling, tram curling, or target braking.

Europe ships its trash abroad — and Türkiye gets almost 40% of it. India, Egypt, and Southeast Asia take in more. Out of sight, but not out of the planet.

German politicians warn of “welfare tourism” and soaring costs, but the numbers tell another story. Adjusted for inflation, welfare spending in Germany has remained stable for a decade, and fraud is negligible.

Ransomware is no longer just about money, it can also cost lives. Europe faces thousands of attacks each year, crippling hospitals, city halls, and small businesses. While Brussels has launched new laws and cyber response teams, defences remain uneven and gaps persist.

Buy now, pay later feels like a budgeting hack, but in reality it’s a psychological trick that makes spending seem painless. Klarna and similar apps have grown explosively, turning small instalments into a multibillion-euro industry.

From Denmark’s green transition to Europe’s energy struggles, this week brought stories that shape the continent’s future.

Europe is engulfed in flames. Wildfires raging across the continent have burnt more than 1.8 million hectares as of early September – making 2025 the worst year on record.

On 6 December 2024, six Meydan TV journalists, including editor-in-chief Aynur Elgunesh, were arrested in Azerbaijan — part of a sweeping crackdown that has now left 12 of their colleagues behind bars.

Every September, the EU’s direction is set out in the State of the Union speech and this year Ursula von der Leyen struck a sharper tone. She outlined a tougher stance on Israel, renewed backing for Ukraine, defence of a contested US trade deal, and a promise to keep the Green Deal alive.

The Global Sumud Flotilla is the largest civilian mission yet to challenge the blockade of Gaza. With more than 50 ships, 1,000 activists, and 300 tons of aid, it sets sail with the aim of delivering urgent humanitarian supplies to Palestinians.

Books are pricier in Denmark than almost anywhere else, taxed at the world’s highest 25% VAT rate. While readers in Norway pay no VAT at all, Danes spend nearly double on the same titles.

Norway went to the polls last night. Exit polls show Labour in the lead with 28%, keeping Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre in office, but only with the support of smaller left-leaning parties.

France's prime minister François Bayrou has been ousted after losing a no-confidence vote over his austerity plan, making him the second leader in a year to fall over budget fights.

Ever wondered if the coins your country has are boring? Most Eurozone countries repeat the same motif across several or all coins, like Germany’s Brandenburg Gate or Ireland’s harp.

Periods affect over 112 million people in Europe, often causing pain, fatigue, and financial strain when basic products are unaffordable. Period poverty disproportionately impacts young people, homeless women, and other marginalised groups, limiting access to education and daily life.

Where is Europe’s meth hotspot? The answer might surprise you… A data story by Sebastian Gräff.

This week’s top stories take you from student protests shaking Serbia to Europe’s uneven cybersecurity defences. We look at Luxembourg’s cross-border dilemmas, the EU’s looming budget and migration fights, and the growing threat of deepfakes.

The EU regulates more than just borders and budgets. Here are 3 surprising things the EU has taken aim at...

From October 9, every eurozone bank must be able to send instant transfers, money moving in 10 seconds, 24/7, at no extra cost. The EU’s new Instant Payments Regulation promises a big win for consumers and businesses: faster salaries, rent, and cross-border payments without fees.

Serbia’s road to the EU has been a rocky one and three big steps still stand in the way of membership. Here’s what’s left to do.

There's a good chance that the plastic bag you threw away ended up in a landfill outside Europe. For decades, countries from the Global North exported all sorts of waste to Asian nations.

What started as a pirate gas station in Reykjavík revealed something far more dangerous than fuel theft. When Icelandic police shared an AI-altered “suspect photo,” it showed how easily truth can be distorted.

The European Union is losing patience with Viktor Orbán’s government in Hungary. After years of blocking decisions and undermining democracy, Orbán’s anti-Ukraine stance is now seen as a direct security threat.

You've probably never heard of the small Swedish village of Ytterby. Yet in the world of science, it's legendary. Located on an island near Stockholm, Ytterby is considered the place with the richest source of elemental discoveries in the world.

Russia's hybrid warfare in Europe has so far steered clear of crossing any direct thresholds that would trigger a response that goes beyond sanctions – until last week.

Housing struggles are not unique to a single European country. However, some regions struggle more than others. Greece stands out, with more than a quarter of the population spending at least 40% of their disposable income on housing costs.

This week’s roundup takes you from trade wars to misfired missiles, exposing the cracks and contradictions across Europe. From the EU’s shaky “reciprocal” deal with Washington to Germany’s inflated recycling myth, the stories highlight how political promises often clash with reality.

More than 25 years after the end of the Kosovo War (1998–1999), the country still bears the scars from the conflict. During and after the war, Kosovo was left heavily contaminated with explosive ordnance from landmines and unexploded cluster munitions.

Over half of Premier League clubs now wear gambling logos on their shirts, often from companies with no UK license. The global betting industry, set to hit $154 billion by 2030, uses football’s massive reach as its billboard.

Born from a food fight among local youths in the 1940s, La Tomatina has grown into one of Europe’s most unusual summer spectacles. Every year, thousands of visitors descend on Buñol to turn its streets into a sea of red pulp.

Since early August, Portugal and Spain have been hit hard by wildfires. In Portugal alone, more than 200,000 hectares have burned – around 3% of the country’s territory.

Second-hand isn’t just trending in France, it’s reshaping how young Europeans shop. Apps like Vinted promise style that’s cheaper, greener and more original. But swapping Zara for resale doesn’t end overconsumption, as fast fashion sneaks back in through the side door.