Author: staff

European gas prices plunged sharply by around 20%, and Brent crude oil dropped significantly after the announcement of a two-week ceasefire between the United States, Israel, and Iran, raising hopes of lower energy bills for consumers. The US‑Iran deal included Tehran’s agreement to temporarily reopen the Strait of Hormuz — a critical energy corridor that handles roughly 20% of global oil and LNG — and with Iran’s commitment to do so, global markets are hopeful that trade flows will resume, easing pressure on prices. However, while some experts anticipate a sharp drop in energy prices, others warn that a fragile…

Multiple Israeli airstrikes struck central Beirut, sending large plumes of black smoke into the sky, footage shows. Fires broke out in buildings as emergency vehicles arrived at the scene. Israel’s military said it carried out a coordinated operation targeting more than 100 Hezbollah sites within minutes across Beirut, southern Lebanon and the Beqaa region. The strikes came hours after the United States and Iran announced a two-week ceasefire. Israel said the agreement does not apply to its operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon.

American men’s magazine Esquire has just revealed its list of the best new hotels in the world for 2026 – and the number one spot went to a property in Florence. Collegio Alla Querce, Auberge Collection has been named the hotel of the year, having first opened in March 2025. Beginning its life as a villa in the 16th century, Collegio Alla Querce served as a boarding school before being transformed into the 83-key hotel that stands here today. Located on a hillside, the property offers incredible views over the city’s UNESCO-listed historic centre and the Tuscan countryside. “It’s quiet…

But the damage done to the world’s supply chains, especially for energy, will simply not be undone overnight, even if — and it’s a big ‘if’ — the ceasefire holds, analysts say. “A temporary pause is just that — and both sides of the conflict have established a renewed reputation for unpredictability,” said Simon French, chief economist with London investment bank PanmureLiberum, via X. Moreover, said Peel Hunt chief economist Kallum Pickering, “Even if this truce marks the genuine end of fighting, some economic damage is already baked in.” He warned that whatever happens from here on, inflation will be…

Published on 08/04/2026 – 17:00 GMT+2 A video has gained significant traction online, purportedly showing the streets of Paris in turmoil following a recent riot. Posts on X say that the clip shows scenes from the French capital in recent days, and question why there appears to be no reporting on it in the media. Another post, meanwhile, compares the scenes to missile strikes in the Middle East, as the Iran war continues, before pushing the blame onto French President Emmanuel Macron. These posts have been seen hundreds of thousands of times — some with even more than one million…

Russian military hackers stole sensitive information from governments, militaries and critical infrastructure, “exploiting vulnerable routers worldwide,” the FBI revealed on Wednesday following a major international investigation. The US Department of Justice, together with international partners, exposed the large-scale operation, with the Russian hacking group Fancy Bear identified as the culprit. The hackers, part of Russia’s GRU military intelligence agency and known as GRU Unit 26165, redirected internet traffic through ill-protected routers to steal passwords and encrypted data, according to a joint statement. Ukraine’s security service SBU, which also participated in the investigation, explained that after “compromising” vulnerable internet devices, the…

DiscoverEU, an initiative of the Erasmus+ programme, is back for 2026, offering more than 40,000 free travel passes for young Europeans keen to explore the continent’s diversity. The programme kick-starts the summer for people born between 1 July 2007 and 30 June 2008, offering the opportunity to learn about European cultural heritage and history, while connecting with like-minded travellers from across the continent. Successful applicants will discover Europe via the most environmentally friendly means of transport, such as by train, for up to seven days in a period of maximum one month between 1 July 2026 and 30 September 2027.…

The French daily Le Parisien reported — as Hassan was questioned by police — that “a few grams of synthetic drugs” had been found in her handbag. On Wednesday, French outlet Le Canard Enchaîné reported that a justice ministry spokesperson, Sacha Straub-Kahn, had been in contact with members of the press during Hassan’s questioning, “discussing with them the details of her detention.” Straub-Kahn and his office did not immediately respond to POLITICO’s request for comment about the allegations contained in the report. He told Le Canard Enchaîné that he had only discussed journalists’ questions about Hassan’s parliamentary immunity. During questions…

Have you ever been mid-flight and wished you could make a quick call – just to check in or share a quick update with someone? Or, does the thought of in-flight phone calls make you recoil? Well, with British Airways (BA), this might soon be a new reality. In March, BA’s Houston-bound 787-8 aircraft took to the skies, equipped with Starlink wifi – the first such occurrence for a British carrier. The service includes download speeds of up to 500+ Mbps and supports streaming, scrolling (doom, or otherwise), gaming and video calls. BA described the moment as a “milestone in…

ATHENS — The Greek government is set to ban children under the age of 15 from using social media platforms. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced the draft law by addressing young people directly in a TikTok video, where he accused “the addictive design of some apps” and their “profit model that’s based on your attention” of taking away “some of your innocence and freedom.” “I am certain that many of you … will be angry with me,” he added. Under the proposed legislation, anyone under the age of 15 would be barred from using social media, with parents or guardians…