Culture

As the Catholic Church installs its newest pontiff, observers across Europe and beyond are closely examining what his election means for one of the world’s most influential institutions.

A week on from Spain’s World Cup final victory over Argentina, fact-checkers and digital analysts are tracking a sustained wave of conspiracy theories and false claims spreading across major social media platforms.

Mark van Bommel has been named head coach of the Belgian national football team, with the Dutch managerial veteran vowing to build a disciplined and ambitious side capable of competing at the highest level.

From territorial disputes to governance controversies, the Qatar World Cup proved impossible to separate from the political currents swirling around it.

As the US prepares to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, tensions are mounting between the ambitions of American soccer advocates and the cultural scepticism of the country’s dominant political movement toward the world’s game.

Cannes – The 79th Cannes Film Festival, running from 12 to 23 May 2026 at the Palais des Festivals, reaches its eighth day of screenings today, Tuesday 19 May. Two films enter the official competition, and a much-anticipated out-of-competition world premiere closes the evening. The day’s highlight is the return of Russian director Andrei Zviaguintsev,…

Strasbourg – A solemn ceremony took place today, Tuesday 19 May 2026, in the hemicycle of the European Parliament in Strasbourg to honour the first laureates of the European Order of Merit. The award, initiated by the Parliament in 2025, recognises individuals and institutions that have made significant contributions to European integration or to the…

The three European laureates of the 2026 European Charlemagne Youth Prize will be unveiled on Tuesday 12 May 2026 at a ceremony in Aachen, Germany — the symbolic city of European unification where the senior Charlemagne Prize is traditionally awarded on Ascension Day. From 531 applications to 27 national winners The prize, run jointly by…

The 79th Cannes Film Festival opens Tuesday 12 May 2026 at the Palais des Festivals with Park Chan-wook as jury president, 22 films in competition and Pierre Salvadori’s La Vénus Electrique as opening film. Demi Moore, Chloé Zhao and Stellan Skarsgård on jury.

79th Cannes Film Festival opens 12 May 2026 with Park Chan-wook as first South Korean jury president. Demi Moore, Chloe Zhao, Stellan Skarsgard, Ruth Negga on jury. Pierre Salvadori’s La Venus electrique opens out of competition. 22-film slate.