Why you should take an overnight train

+ secrets of the Sagrada Família ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

Europe Edition - Today's top story: Overnight trains: why sleeping all the way to your holiday destination is a growing (and green) option View in browser 18 June 2026 Europe Edition   Which scenario sounds more comfortable? Packed onto a budget airline, struggling to zip your under-seat approved rucksack, or watching the countryside roll by outside your window before heading to your cabin for a rest? I know which I’d prefer. Overnight rail is having a resurgence as people opt for greener and more comfortable travel. This year, Europe is expecting the arrival of new overnight routes, between Brussels and Milan, and Paris and Berlin. And while train travel might not beat airlines on price, it is less susceptible to fuel shortages and volatility in global energy markets. One of my own most treasured rail travel memories is taking several long-distance trains from the south of France to Barcelona, where I marveled at Antoni Gaudí’s Sagrada Família. What I didn’t know at the time was that the basilica’s extraordinary architecture is underpinned by mathematical principles. And global uncertainty is the new normal (there’s even an index to track it). Here’s how institutions in government and business can build resilience and protect people against shocks.   Avery Anapol Commissioning Editor, Politics + Society, London   Overnight trains: why sleeping all the way to your holiday destination is a growing (and green) option Mehri Khosravi, University of East London; United Nations University Customers may opt for long-haul train travel to avoid busy and stressful airport and flight experiences.   The mathematical secrets hidden at the heart of Barcelona’s Sagrada Família Sergi Muria Maldonado, Universitat de Barcelona; Anton Aubanell Pou, Universitat de Barcelona; Jordi Font González, Universitat de Barcelona Three numbers are hidden in every corner of Antoni Gaudí’s masterpiece basilica. Global uncertainty is the new normal. Here’s why institutional legitimacy and resilience is crucial Odysseas Konstantinakos, European University Institute Global uncertainty is likely to top the agenda at the G7 summit in Paris. Strong, inclusive international institutions are vital for crisis management, and ultimately the global common good.   ‘Alexa, tell me a joke’: how talking to AI impacts young children’s development Clara Macarena Ponce Romero, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela Adults need to guide kids’ interactions with AI, and teach the difference between talking to a machine and a human. Social media and teenagers: what the evidence says Eoin Whelan, University of Galway The evidence base is mixed and inconsistent.   Germany pulled the plug on flagship FCAS fighter jet – the implications for European defence are worrying Arun Dawson, King's College London The programme got bogged down by disputes over leadership, workshare and intellectual property. Europe wants to limit its reliance on foreign tech – but funding is limited and the proposed rules are weak Johan Linåker, Lund University Europe has now published its plans to secure its ‘tech sovereignty. If aliens landed on Earth tomorrow, what would they eat? José Miguel Soriano del Castillo, Universitat de València Biology allows us to speculatively map out an alien’s energy needs. Does the United Kingdom need a new Winston Churchill? Alma-Pierre Bonnet, Université Jean Moulin Lyon 3 With Keir Starmer, the 5th British prime minister in ten years now sitting in an ejector seat, the nation is dreaming of a “new Churchill”, but is this the ideal role model for Britain’s current predicament? What Kenya’s fish markets tell us about choosing between nutrients and contaminants Kira Lancker, University of Copenhagen Navigating the benefits and risks of eating fish is a daily concern for consumers in Kenya due to persistent environmental pollution. How much are they influenced by nutritional labelling and guidelines? Cooling ingredients in vapes might cause irregular heartbeats Keith Rochfort, Dublin City University The ice flavours that make vaping feel smooth and refreshing may do more than trick your brain – researchers are finding effects on the heart and blood vessels too. What the failed next generation fighter jet deal means for European defence David W. Versailles, European Academy of Management (EURAM); PSB Paris School of Business The collapse of the Future Combat Air System programme led by France and Germany highlights how diverging national interests and coordination difficulties are challenging European armament cooperation.     You’re receiving this newsletter from The Conversation The Conversation France (assoc. 1901) 14, rue Sainte-Cécile 75009 Paris Forward to a friend  •  Unsubscribe