Author: staff
Mark your calendars (if you haven’t already), because 12 August is set to see a total solar eclipse across parts of Greenland, Iceland and Spain. Cities and towns in the path of totality will be plunged into darkness for up to two minutes, and this solar spectacle is well worth travelling for. Wondering where to go? Here are some of the events being planned for the occasion, and our guide on how to pick your spot for the eclipse if you want to enjoy it on your own terms. Special 2026 eclipse events you won’t want to miss A rave…
The country of la Dolce Vita has a serious environmental problem: it has the highest local PM2.5 concentrations, according to the latest European Environment Agency (EEA) Air Quality Status report. PM2.5 is a dangerous, fine dust that penetrates deep into the lungs and blood, and can be caused by road traffic, but also by refineries, cement plants, fossil fuels, and wildfires. Between 2024 and 2025, the highest annual averages were observed in southern Italy, according to the EEA. At 117 and 113 μg/m3 (micrograms per cubic metre), respectively, the towns of Ceglie Messapica and Torchiarolo had the worst results compared…
Europe’s ultra-rich club is growing fast. The number of people with at least $30 million (€25.7m) in wealth — known as ultra-high-net-worth individuals or UHNWIs — rose by 26% in Europe over the last five years. That means 37,428 new members joined this exclusive group between 2021 and 2026 according to Knight Frank’s Wealth Report 2026. So, which European countries have the most ultra-rich people? And where did their numbers grow the fastest? More than 710,000 people worldwide hold at least $30 million (€25.7m) in net wealth. Almost a quarter of them, 25.8%, live in Europe. The continent’s ultra-high-net-worth individual…
Merz has not shirked away from public discussion across Europe about a more confident and militarily resilient Germany either, as the move inevitably caused some bemusement in Paris — in keeping with Gaullist tradition, French President Emmanuel Macron has been talking of “strategic autonomy” for years now — and was met with consternation in Warsaw. Late in the day though it may be for his country, Merz has shouldered this responsibility. And like many embattled leaders, while the chancellor is often criticized for devoting a disproportionate amount of his time to international affairs, this charge has little merit given that…
Published on 06/05/2026 – 9:32 GMT+2 North Korea has removed all references to reunification with the South from its constitution, according to a document seen by the AFP news agency on Wednesday, underscoring Pyongyang’s push for a more hostile policy towards Seoul. A clause stating that North Korea aimed “to realise the unification of the motherland” no longer appears in the latest version of the constitution, which was shared at a news conference held at South Korea’s Unification Ministry. The development comes after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un labelled Seoul as the “most hostile state” in a policy address…
Published on 06/05/2026 – 9:08 GMT+2 Personal items from the estate of late Friends star Matthew Perry are heading to auction next month. These include a collection of scripts (including ones signed by the Friends cast), an Emmy award with his name engraved, works of art by Banksy and Mel Bochner that Perry owned, and Perry’s replica of the yellow peephole frame from Monica’s apartment. The auction, beginning on 5 June, will be done in partnership with the Matthew Perry Foundation, his non-profit foundation which aims to reduce the stigma around addiction and assist in recovery from substance abuse. The…
On the eve of a hugely significant set of local and national elections – who has the momentum and who is staring into an electoral abyss? Sam and Anne pore over the final voting intention polls before the elections – covering England, Scotland and Wales. Have the latest headlines for Reform and the Greens done any damage? Meanwhile, as part of a series of leader interviews on Sky News, Sam has been speaking to the Conservatives’ Kemi Badenoch. How will she be judged at this election and what does success look like for her party? Plus, Anne has some details…
Published on 06/05/2026 – 9:16 GMT+2•Updated 9:16 Ukraine said on Wednesday that Russia had violated a unilateral ceasefire called by Kyiv by launching a barrage of air strikes on Ukrainian cities with 108 combat drones and three missiles. “This shows that Russia rejects peace and its fake calls for a ceasefire on May 9th have nothing to do with diplomacy. Putin only cares about military parades, not human lives,” Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha wrote in a post on X, on social media, referring to the Kremlin’s own unilateral call for a halt to fighting during its World War II…
Emergency crews responded in Kramotorsk on Tuesday after an airstrike struck the eastern Ukrainian city, killing at least five people and injuring 12 others, according to local authorities. Video showed cars engulfed in flames, firefighters working to extinguish burning vehicles and emergency teams operating at the scene. Blood could be seen on the pavement, while a body lay covered nearby. Officials said the strike involved powerful glide bombs and warned the death toll could rise. Rescue and medical teams remained on site assisting victims following the attack.
Published on 06/05/2026 – 8:00 GMT+2 The Greek government is moving to introduce legislation to strengthen consumer protection in the retail banking market by capping the total repayment amount on consumer loans of up to €100,000. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis presented the plan as part of his weekly review of the government’s work, stressing the need to curb abusive practices and “fine print” in lending contracts. Under the proposal, the total amount a borrower will be required to repay, including interest and fees, will be capped at a level 30% to 50% above the capital the lender borrowed, “as…