Houses That Heal
Biophilic design, natural materials and smarter technology are creating homes that are better for our health — and for the planet.
Inside this issue
Europe Charts a New Course on Security and Resilience
104 stories · 2 October 2026
Cities as Classrooms
From green skills to lifelong learning, urban education is expanding beyond traditional boundaries.
A Realistic Path on AI
A closer look at the people, practices and public choices shaping the next phase of artificial intelligence.
Oil Prices Edge Higher
Brent crude climbed above $88 a barrel as markets weighed tighter supplies and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
A City for People Again
From greener neighbourhoods to healthier streets, cities around the world are reimagining urban life for a more liveable, resilient future.
Tech Shares Lift Markets
US tech stocks led a broad rally on Tuesday as investors welcomed strong earnings and signs of policy support for innovation.
A Taste of a Kinder World
From regenerative farms to zero-waste kitchens, a new wave of chefs is proving that great food can also be good for people and the planet.
Cities as Places to Belong
As work becomes more flexible, many people are choosing cities for their culture, opportunity and sense of community. How can urban leaders keep that promise alive for everyone?
Euro Gains on Growth Hopes
The euro rose against the dollar after fresh data suggested improving growth prospects in the euro area.
An Old Master for a New Age
The painting’s quiet modernity still speaks to us, centuries on.
Books for a Brighter Future
Four new titles that offer fresh perspectives on how we live, work and build a more sustainable and compassionate world.
A New Era for Urban Mobility
From electric buses to 15-minute cities, transit systems are being rebuilt for a cleaner and more connected future.
Growing a Cooler, Kinder City
For urban planner Leila Haddad, turning rooftops into green spaces is about more than cooler buildings — it’s about stronger communities.
A Museum for a More Open City
A bold new cultural landmark redefines what a public space can be.
Cooler, Greener, More Resilient
Shade, trees, water and nature-based solutions are becoming central to urban climate strategy.
The Next Generation of Cities
As populations grow and climate risks intensify, a new wave of urban innovation is taking shape. What will the cities of 2040 look like — and how can they work for everyone?
IMF Lifts Global Growth Forecast
Resilient services and AI investment drive upward revision.
Why Europe’s Security Can’t Wait
The institutions, investment and shared decisions behind a more resilient European security policy.
An Older, More Diverse Urban World
Cities are adapting to ageing populations and greater cultural diversity with more accessible public spaces, inclusive services and community programmes that bring people together.
More Open, Inclusive and Connected
Cities are finding new ways to bring people together — across generations, cultures and income levels.
Our Cities Are Our Greatest Asset
How the design of everyday places can widen opportunity, strengthen communities and make public life more welcoming.
Clearer Evidence of a Warmer World
New global research shows climate change is accelerating faster in key regions, with significant impacts on coastlines, food security and millions of people.
Europe Must Keep Its Moral Compass
A perspective on the institutions and everyday choices that shape a more open and resilient society.
Venice Biennale names 2027 curator
A story about cultural life, public access and the work of bringing a new audience into the conversation.
A Clearer Picture of a Warmer World
New research shows climate change is accelerating faster in key regions, with significant impacts on coastlines and food security.
How a Hotter World Threatens Health
A new study links higher temperatures to rising respiratory risks and the spread of disease-bearing insects.
Record attendance at Seoul Art Week
A story about cultural life, public access and the work of bringing a new audience into the conversation.
Cities Can Still Be a Force for Good
Urban life is often blamed for today’s challenges. But with bold leadership and a long-term view, cities can still be the places where a fairer, more sustainable future takes shape.
UN Backs New Ocean Protection Treaty
Nations agree on wider marine reserves to protect biodiversity.
Movement, Meaning and a New Generation
How a young choreographer is pushing classical dance into the future.
New festival celebrates women in jazz
A story about cultural life, public access and the work of bringing a new audience into the conversation.
Ocean Ecosystems Under Growing Strain
Warming waters and acidification are reshaping marine life, with cascading effects on fisheries and coastal communities.
Rethinking Housing for a Denser World
Cities are experimenting with more flexible, mixed-use and affordable housing to meet changing needs.
Siemens to Expand AI-Driven Factories
Company plans €10 billion investment to scale industrial automation across Europe.
The Currency of a Healthier Democracy
In an age of doubt, rebuilding trust is Europe’s most urgent and underrated task. Trust in governments, institutions and traditional media has fallen to historic lows. Rebuilding that trust will require competence, transparency and accountability from our leaders.
A Cleaner, Cheaper Battery Within Reach
Breakthroughs in battery chemistry and manufacturing could cut costs, reduce reliance on critical minerals and speed up the green transition.
A Director at the Height of His Powers
Our critic on the year’s most compelling film — a meditation on memory, loss and renewal.
Breakthrough in Malaria Vaccine Trials
Late-stage results show stronger, longer-lasting protection.
How Cities Build Resilience from Below
From green infrastructure to community-led renewal, cities are proving that a more livable, adaptive future is within reach.
The Enduring Power of the Printed Word
From independent bookshops to literary festivals, readers are turning to print not just for escapism, but for deeper connection in a distracted age.
The Race for Europe’s Tech Sovereignty
Why industrial capacity depends on skills, reliable infrastructure and cooperation across the supply chain.
A Stronger Europe Requires Hard Choices
Europe stands at a turning point. The return of great-power rivalry, persistent instability on our borders and rapid technological change have ended the illusion that our security and prosperity can be taken for granted. The choices we make in the next few years will shape not only our economic future, but also the kind of continent we want to be.
Airbus Wins New Orders at Industry Expo
European planemaker secures deals for 120 aircraft as global demand rebounds.
Clean Energy Reaches New Cost Milestone
Renewable power is now the lowest-cost electricity source in most regions.
Global Chip Supply Shows Early Recovery
Output rises as key factories restart after months of disruption.
The Novel Reimagining Our Political Age
A sweeping new work of fiction finds unexpected beauty in a divided world.
A Promising Exoplanet in a Nearby System
Astronomers report new signs of a potentially habitable world just 40 light-years away.
The Fragile Balance of a Changing Planet
As climate risks intensify, countries are racing to adapt. But real progress will depend on whether short-term interests can give way to a more sustainable, shared future.
US and Allies Expand Indo-Pacific Drills
New exercises aim to strengthen deterrence amid rising regional tensions.
A More Confident Europe in a Stormy World
From crisis to agency: the continent can shape its own future.
Europe Bets on Homegrown Defence Industry
The institutions, investment and shared decisions behind a more resilient European security policy.
Europe’s Energy Security After the Crisis
The institutions, investment and shared decisions behind a more resilient European security policy.
Maya Chen Building a More Livable Jakarta
The urban planner on cooler neighbourhoods, flood resilience and cities designed for people.
A More Self-Reliant Europe Is Within Reach
The institutions, investment and shared decisions behind a more resilient European security policy.
How Europe Can Scale Up Defence Production
The institutions, investment and shared decisions behind a more resilient European security policy.
Iconic Paris theatre to reopen next spring
A story about cultural life, public access and the work of bringing a new audience into the conversation.
Productivity, Not Panic: A Smarter AI Future
Artificial intelligence will not replace human judgment — if we choose augmentation over alarm.
A More Confident Europe in a Stronger World
A perspective on the institutions and everyday choices that shape a more open and resilient society.
A Renaissance Master Returns to Public View
A long-lost painting goes on display in London, offering new insights into the artist’s late period and his lasting influence.
Can the EU Afford a More Independent Future?
A perspective on the institutions and everyday choices that shape a more open and resilient society.
Consumer Confidence Shows Signs of Recovery
A new survey points to improving household confidence in Europe, driven by cooling inflation.
Why Slowness Still Matters in a Digital Age
A perspective on the institutions and everyday choices that shape a more open and resilient society.
Why Stronger Cities Make Stronger Societies
How the design of everyday places can widen opportunity, strengthen communities and make public life more welcoming.
Cybersecurity Readiness Lags Growing Threats
New report warns that many organisations remain vulnerable despite rising attacks, calling for higher investment and stronger coordination.
Ocean Warming Reaches New Depths, Study Finds
Temperatures in the deep ocean are rising faster than previously thought, with wide-ranging effects on marine life.
The Next Chapter for Transatlantic Relations
The institutions, investment and shared decisions behind a more resilient European security policy.
Why the Renaissance Still Speaks to Our Time
A long-lost masterpiece on display in London reveals how art endures not as a fossil of beauty, but as a source of civic insight.
European Retailers Invest in Digital Payments
New partnerships aim to make cross-border payments simpler for consumers and businesses.
Five Undiscovered Cities for Your Next Getaway
Beyond the usual tourist trails, these remarkable cities offer rich history, vibrant culture and a slower, more authentic pace of life.
Europe Sets Out Chip Strategy to Cut Dependence
New investments and partnerships aim to strengthen Europe’s semiconductor industry and reduce reliance on Asian suppliers.
New Satellite Data Reveals a More Dynamic Earth
Next-generation satellites provide unprecedented detail on land, oceans and the atmosphere, helping scientists track a rapidly changing planet.
New Satellites Sharpen View of a Changing Earth
A next-generation fleet is giving scientists unprecedented data on ice loss, forest change and methane emissions.
AI Can Enrich European Lives — If We Choose Wisely
The benefits of artificial intelligence will only be realised if Europe puts people, rights and shared prosperity at the centre. AI should be a tool for people, not a threat to their freedoms. If we get this right, technological progress and human dignity can go hand in hand.
Major archive of modern photography to go online
A story about cultural life, public access and the work of bringing a new audience into the conversation.
A City Reinvents Itself for a More Livable Future
Once defined by industry, Barcelona is transforming its waterfront, transport and public spaces to become a cleaner, greener and more inclusive city — a model for urban renewal in an age of climate and demographic change.
Clean Energy Investment Accelerates Across Europe
New funding and simplified permitting rules are set to speed up the rollout of wind, solar and grid infrastructure.
Global Trade Routes Adapt to a More Complex World
Shipping companies are diversifying routes and investing in resilient infrastructure.
NATO Reinforces Eastern Flank as Tensions Persist
The institutions, investment and shared decisions behind a more resilient European security policy.
New Chip Plant to Boost Europe’s Tech Sovereignty
Why industrial capacity depends on skills, reliable infrastructure and cooperation across the supply chain.
Productivity, Not Panic, Should Guide Our AI Future
A closer look at the people, practices and public choices shaping the next phase of artificial intelligence.
Study Links Cleaner Air to Longer, Healthier Lives
A major international study finds that reducing air pollution could prevent millions of premature deaths.
Tropical Forests Show Signs of Greater Resilience
New research suggests some forests can recover faster when given protection.
Alien World Shows Signs of a Habitable Environment
Astronomers report new evidence that an exoplanet in a nearby star system may have conditions suitable for liquid water.
Europe’s Test Is a Stronger Union, Not a Looser One
In a more dangerous world, Europe’s answer cannot be retreat or fragmentation. It must be a deeper, more confident union — one that turns shared challenges into lasting strength.
Open-Source AI Gains Momentum as a Strategic Asset
Governments and companies back open-source models to foster innovation, reduce costs and strengthen digital sovereignty.
Europe Charts a New Course on Security and Resilience
At a summit in Brussels, leaders unveil a broad plan to strengthen defence, boost domestic industry and reduce strategic dependencies, marking a new phase for the continent.
From Hype to Real Value: AI Enters a More Mature Phase
Companies move beyond experiments to deliver measurable productivity gains, even as leaders warn that success will depend on disciplined implementation and a skilled workforce.
Global Markets Find Firmer Footing After Volatile Year
The forces behind the headline, and the questions that matter beyond a single market movement.
Europe and US Expand Investment in Critical Technologies
New initiatives aim to boost semiconductor production, clean energy, AI and Defence, deepening economic ties across the Atlantic.
Global regulators discuss common framework for AI safety
A closer look at the people, practices and public choices shaping the next phase of artificial intelligence.
How Cities Are Adapting to a Hotter, More Volatile Future
From green infrastructure to redesigned public spaces, urban centres are finding new ways to build resilience.
New Satellite Data Sheds Light on a More Volatile Climate
High-resolution satellite observations reveal faster-than-expected changes in ocean temperatures, with consequences for weather patterns worldwide.
Coral Reefs Show Local Recovery After Targeted Protections
Focused conservation efforts are helping reefs bounce back.
Semiconductor Partnerships Aim to Strengthen Supply Chains
European and US companies announce new facilities and joint research programmes to expand chip production.
Electric Vehicle Sales Show Renewed Strength in Key Markets
A perspective on the institutions and everyday choices that shape a more open and resilient society.
European start-up raises €300 million to scale industrial AI
A closer look at the people, practices and public choices shaping the next phase of artificial intelligence.
From Hype to Real Value: A New Era for Artificial Intelligence
Companies are shifting from experiments to real-world deployment, with a focus on productivity, safety and governance.
Major cloud providers agree on new data portability standards
A perspective on the institutions and everyday choices that shape a more open and resilient society.
EU launches new AI skills initiative to train 1 million workers
A closer look at the people, practices and public choices shaping the next phase of artificial intelligence.
How Cities Are Adapting to a Hotter, Busier, More Flexible Future
From green infrastructure to reinvented public spaces, cities are finding new ways to stay livable, resilient and inclusive as climate risks rise and lifestyles change.
Allies Signal Renewed Unity as Global Tensions Enter a New Phase
At a summit in Brussels, leaders outline a broader security and economic strategy amid growing pressure from rival powers. The new framework aims to strengthen resilience across Europe and beyond.
Central Banks Signal Cautious Rate Cuts as Inflation Pressures Ease
The ECB and Federal Reserve indicate a gradual shift towards lower interest rates, while stressing the need for caution amid persistent economic uncertainties.
Europe and US agree new investment package for critical technologies
The €250 billion initiative will focus on clean energy, semiconductors and AI infrastructure.
European and US agree new investment package for critical technologies
The €250 billion initiative will focus on clean energy, semiconductors and AI infrastructure, officials say.