Author: staff
Climate change may threaten the value of Bansko’s prime ski slopes, but the Bulgarian resort has found an all-season solution to boost its economy, drawing in a cosmopolitan community of digital nomads. Three centres offering hundreds of co-working spaces to online workers have sprung up in the town in recent years, supported by a fast internet connection and improved infrastructure. “I read that this was the best place to start as a digital nomad,” says Oscar Train, a 25-year-old Dane who since 2021 has worked remotely from Bansko for about six months of the year. “I came here to kind…
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has published its 2026 performer ballot, a 17 nominee shortlist that puts global pop and Latin names alongside stars from heavy metal, R&B and hip-hop. The Hall says the ballot reflects how its scope has widened over time, with “rock and roll” now treated as a big tent for influential popular music. Among the most high-profile nominees are Mariah Carey, Lauryn Hill, Shakira and Phil Collins. Organisers say the list recognises “the ever-evolving faces and sounds” of popular music and its influence on youth culture. Collins is already inducted as a member of…
She added: “Within my role as AI champion, I will be looking for some more confidence for the industry as to what the government is doing to protect firms, or what mitigations the industry needs to be put in place, so that we’ve got the confidence that we won’t be out of pocket for the things that we don’t have any input over.” Her warnings come as multiple sectors are eyeing ways to diversify away from the U.S., particularly in the EU, in the wake of Trump’s ongoing tariff war and threat to use force to take Greenland. In financial…
Published on 26/02/2026 – 12:49 GMT+1 US tariffs are biting. US President Donald Trump has threatened to annex nearby Greenland. And his nominee for ambassador just joked about making Iceland America’s 52nd state. With such friends around, suddenly Brussels bureaucracy looks incredibly appealing. Let’s investigate together. Iceland actually applied to join the EU in 2009 after its banking system collapsed. But as the economy recovered, Reykjavik froze negotiations in 2013 and completely withdrew its bid two years later. The biggest stumbling block today? Fishing rights. Iceland’s economy relies on its waters, and handing over control is a tough sell. Or…
French prosecutors have opened an investigation into whether the disbanded far-left group La Jeune Garde has reformed under satellite structures, months after authorities dissolved the organisation. In a statement sent to Euronews, the Paris prosecutor’s office said it had been notified on Tuesday of a report from the ministry “denouncing the group’s revival, in the form of satellite structures, of La Jeune Garde.” The prosecutor added that the investigation has been assigned to the Paris Research Section (SR) of the Gendarmerie, France’s national military police force, which has judicial investigation units alongside the civilian police. The Paris prosecutor also noted…
With visitor numbers predicted to hit record levels in 2026, many European hotspots are planning or have brought in tourist taxes to offset the burden. These extra fees are often overlooked when budgeting for a holiday, but they can add up. Here is a comprehensive summary of all the tourist taxes travellers should be aware of in Europe this year. Venice daytripper tax returns for 2026 Venice’s council has confirmed that its daytripper fee, introduced in summer 2024, will return once again in 2026. This year, the number of days that the levy will be in place has been extended…
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed “a full maritime services ban for Russian crude oil” as part of the EU’s 20th sanctions package earlier this month. Those plans have been held up as part of an ongoing row between Hungary and European leaders over access to Russian oil. It also remains unclear whether the EU will be acting in concert with all G7 partners, as it did with the Russian oil price cap policy. While quizzing Bryant, Trade and Business Committee Chair Liam Byrne said it was his understanding that “our American colleagues are not quite there yet.” Alexander Kirk, sanctions campaigner at the Germany-based human rights organization Urgewald, said: “The…
Published on 26/02/2026 – 7:44 GMT+1•Updated 10:48 On today’s show: Our Babak Kamiar reports on the new round of US-Iran nuclear talks taking place in Geneva, Switzerland. Our Sasha Vakulina fills us in on the latest developments in the peace negotiations to end the war in Ukraine. An interview with German Member of the European Parliament Bernd Lange, from the S&D Group. We travel to Berlin, where Diana Resnik breaks down Chancellor Merz’s visit to China. Our Jakub Janas takes a look at why Iceland is planning to fast-track a referendum on EU membership. When and where to watch Europe…
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s first official visit to China continues with a tour of Beijing’s Forbidden City on Thursday, a symbolic stop during talks focused on trade and global tensions. Merz said Germany and Europe want a partnership with China that is balanced and reliable. His visit comes as Beijing looks for allies against renewed US tariffs. European leaders are seeking investment from Chinese firms while also urging Beijing to curb industrial overcapacity that affects sectors such as electric vehicles and solar panels. Germany’s trade deficit with China has widened sharply in recent years, a trend Merz called unhealthy. He…
A “long-standing silver lining” to the wrath of climate change has been put under scrutiny, as scientists find a huge flaw in the theory. As heat-trapping emissions continue to bake the planet, glaciers in Antarctica are witnessing unprecedented melt. Despite being geographically isolated from civilisation, the demise of these vast bodies of ice has a significant impact on the entire world. Thwaits Glacier, aka the Doomsday Glacier, is already responsible for four per cent of global annual sea level rise. If it were to collapse completely, sea levels could increase by a staggering 65cm. To put this into context, scientists…