Author: staff
Greece has established itself as the undisputed global capital of “dock and dine” culture after being ranked number one in the world for gastronomic destinations accessible exclusively by sea. In a global study by BoatBooker, which analysed more than 1,000 destinations in 45 countries, Greece outperformed all other destinations by a wide margin, with 349 unique restaurants meeting strict criteria: accessible exclusively by sea, with a minimum 4.5-star rating and a large number of reviews. While the whole of Greece performed highly, the Saronic, Ionian and Dodecanese islands contributed the highest density of top scores, with Hydra, Paxos and Symi…
Published on 25/02/2026 – 10:07 GMT+1 As Donald Trump delivered his nearly two-hour State of the Union address, which came as his poll numbers on the economy plummet ahead of the 2026 midterms, Oscar winner Robert De Niro gave an emotional speech in which he urged people to “resist” Trump and his administration. De Niro, a longtime and fervent Trump critic, appeared on MS NOW to speak about the current US president, sharing his prediction that Trump “will never leave” office and that it is up to Americans to “get rid of him”. “He will never leave. We have to…
Dear President van der Leyen and members of the European Commission, In the coming days, you will decide whether Europe honors one of the most inspiring democratic movements in its history — or lets an extraordinary expression of citizen power go unanswered. Two years ago, a small group of young women in Slovenia launched My Voice, My Choice with a simple conviction: that every woman in Europe deserves the right to safe and accessible abortion care. Against the odds, they built a Europe-wide movement that united over 1.2 million citizens across all member states and brought their demand to the heart of European democracy. Last…
Poland saw crowds gather in Warsaw’s Castle Square to mark four years since Russia invaded Ukraine. Protesters waved Ukrainian flags and held signs reading “Fight 4 Freedom” and “Putin always lies. Support Ukraine.” The rally framed the war as a struggle for sovereignty and basic rights. Speakers stressed that Crimea is Ukraine and rejected Russia’s annexation. Many called on the Polish government and European allies to keep up military and financial aid to Kyiv. By standing in the heart of Warsaw, demonstrators linked Poland’s own history to Ukraine’s fight and signalled that public support remains strong.
With under 24 hours to go until the polls open in Gorton and Denton, is this by-election the biggest test facing Sir Keir Starmer’s government? Sam has been in the Manchester suburb – hearing from the political big hitters and gathering reaction from voters across the constituency – finding out their priorities and whether Andy Burnham could have made a difference. Back in Westminster, are the Metropolitan Police in a sticky situation over the arrest of Peter Mandelson and claims that he was a flight risk? Mandelson has denied any wrongdoing. A full list of candidates standing in the Gorton…
At least 25 people have died and 43 are missing. Firefighters, sniffer dogs and volunteers are searching through mud and debris. About 440 residents have left their homes and schools are closed. Juiz de Fora recorded 584 millimetres of rain in February, the highest on record. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva declared a state of emergency and promised federal aid, while more rain is forecast. Juiz de Fora recorded twice the average rainfall for February, and at least 20 landslides were reported. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said federal forces are helping with rescues and aid. More rain…
In an interview with POLITICO in 2024, Magyar said Tisza was pro-EU but was candid about the EU’s shortcomings. He expressed opposition to a European “superstate” and said he didn’t have “friends” in the European Parliament. That followed his first press conference in the Parliament, in which he opposed sending weapons to Ukraine. Earlier this year, Orbán’s Fidesz party sought to corner Magyar over the EU’s giant Mercosur trade deal with South America, which it opposes on the grounds it would harm Hungarian farmers. In Budapest, Orbán accused Magyar of backing the agreement and undermining farmers because Tisza sits with the center-right European People’s…
Microwave meals are a convenience that’s hard to resist on a busy day. But they could be quietly wreaking havoc on our health and environment, a new report warns. The paper by Greenpeace International analyses 24 recent scientific studies on the hidden health risks of plastic-packaged ready meals. It paints a grim picture: hundreds of thousands of tiny plastic particles leaching into our food along with hazardous chemicals that could have far-reaching health impacts. “People think they’re making a harmless choice when they buy and heat a meal packaged in plastic,” says Graham Forbes, global plastics campaign lead from Greenpeace…
Published on 25/02/2026 – 7:00 GMT+1 Cyclists are spoilt for choice if they are considering a journey on two wheels around France. With more than 20,000km of official routes, the country offers a wide range of cycling tourism itineraries that take visitors along stunning coastal and river paths, diverse city routes and nature-filled countryside trails. One route that’s attracting particular attention right now is La Voie Bleue, a 700km-long journey from the Luxembourg border to Lyon which was crowned as the European Cycle Route of the Year for 2026 at the Fiets en Wandelbeurs cycling and walking fair in Utrecht.…
By Alima Assylbek Published on 25/02/2026 – 7:18 GMT+1 Across Kazakhstan, tattoo studios are seeing a noticeable rise in requests for traditional Kazakh ornaments. These motifs, originally meant to protect households and ward off evil spirits, have found new lease of life across fashion, branding, architecture, and urban design. National patterns have become part of corporate identities and contemporary visual culture, reflecting a broader revival of cultural heritage. To these traditional spheres of use, another has now been added – tattooing. And if once ornaments were woven into fabric, carved into wood, or engraved in metal, they are now increasingly becoming…