Author: staff
Every year, 200 billion cubic meters of fossil gas are wasted through methane leaks and flaring across the global fossil fuel system. That is equivalent to around twice the annual liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports of Qatar. Cutting methane would recover energy that has already been extracted, while preventing it from entering the atmosphere and accelerating the climate crisis. Every year, 200 billion cubic meters of fossil gas are wasted through methane leaks and flaring across the global fossil fuel system. That is equivalent to around twice the annual liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports of Qatar. At a time of…
Published on 22/06/2026 – 10:07 GMT+2 China has imposed export controls on 10 American companies involved in defence, aerospace and rare earth mining, in response to Washington’s decision to expand a blacklist of Chinese firms it says have links to the country’s military. The measures were announced on Monday by China’s Commerce Ministry, which said Chinese exporters would be prohibited from supplying “dual-use” items to the listed entities. Dual-use goods are products that can have both civilian and military applications. The ministry said the move came “in response to the US government’s egregious act of adding to its so-called ‘Chinese…
Published on 22/06/2026 – 9:58 GMT+2 Rail operator Golden Eagle Luxury Trains has unveiled an updated version of one of its signature European journeys, the “Balkan Explorer”. The 12-day itinerary aboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express links Venice with Istanbul, travelling through Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Bulgaria and Türkiye. The refreshed route reflects a growing appetite for exploring beyond Europe’s classic capitals, combining iconic cities with lesser-known cultural and natural attractions. The journey begins with two nights in Venice before the private train departs eastwards via Trieste and into Slovenia. Among the new highlights is an exclusive…
Keir Starmer is expected to announce his departure from office Monday. The embattled British prime minister returned to No. 10 Downing Street Sunday after considering his future at his country residence Chequers over the weekend. It comes after Labour’s Andy Burnham — who will separately be sworn in as a member of parliament Monday — decisively won a special election in Makerfield, significantly boosting his chances of ousting Starmer in a challenge for the leadership of the governing Labour Party. POLITICO has all the news, reaction and analysis as Britain’s (latest) leadership crisis rolls on.
The European Union’s Pay Transparency Directive, officially implemented on 7 June this year, introduces new rules requiring private and public companies to standardise and open their pay systems. Under the new law, businesses must include pay ranges in all job ads or disclose them before interviews. Recruiters cannot ask candidates about past salaries, and employees can request anonymised data on average pay levels for their role, broken down by gender. Companies with more than 150 employees will have to publicly report internal gender pay gaps. If one has an unjustified pay gap of over 5 percent, it must conduct an…
Published on 22/06/2026 – 9:24 GMT+2 Police found 2.7 metric tonnes of cocaine on a property on the outskirts of Sydney in Australia’s largest ever seizure of the drug, officials said on Monday. The drug was found on 19 June in plastic tubs buried in underground bunkers hidden beneath three shipping containers on a semi-rural property in the suburb of Londonderry on in western Sydney, the Queensland Joint Organised Crime Taskforce said in a statement. The containers had false floors that provided access to the cocaine, which police estimate had a street value of 816 million Australian dollars (€499 million).…
Europe is expected to produce at least one serious contender, but candidates from wealthy countries will face scrutiny over the unequal distribution of vaccines during the Covid-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, possible candidates from Asia and the Gulf reflect the growing financial and diplomatic influence those regions wield in global health. China is unlikely to field a candidate of its own, but Beijing’s diplomatic reach across the developing world could make it a decisive power broker. Adding to the uncertainty is the Trump administration’s withdrawal from the WHO earlier this year. Unlike in previous races, when the United States held disproportionate sway…
Published on 22/06/2026 – 8:00 GMT+2 In Europe, pay transparency is the exception, rather than the norm. Europeans apply to jobs without knowing the salary, then to discover after several interviews that it is far below their expectations. Asking about pay levels is a no-go, while women still earn 11 per cent less than men, causing a 25 per cent pension gap, according to Eurostat. The EU Pay Transparency Directive (2023) promotes fairness and equality in the workplace by ensuring greater transparency around pay. It changes how salary information is communicated, perceived, and discussed at work while closing the gender…
With properties in locations ranging from London and Milan to Doha and Riyadh, Mandarin Oriental has left its mark on the luxury hotel scene since The Oriental’s debut 150 years ago. Now, after a 14-year hiatus, the hospitality brand is returning to the capital of the Philippines with a luxury property set to open in December this year. At the soon-to-open Mandarin Oriental Makati, Manila, guests will have 275 keys to choose from, ranging from deluxe rooms up to the grand two-bedroom presidential suite. There will be no shortage of places to eat, as the hotel will offer five dining…
As Europe sweats through another heatwave, what better time to escape into an air conditioned exhibition or cinema? This week has plenty of cool things to offer, too. From an exquisitely curated exhibition on Frida Kahlo in London, to one of the continent’s most significant art collections in Athens, it’s not too late to plan a last minute day out (or plane journey) to un-sizzle your brain. One of the most-anticipated blockbuster releases of the summer is also about to swoop into action: Supergirl. Just a forewarning for those that haven’t seen the trailer: It involves a sweet little super…