Author: staff

“Diplomacy is rarely a transaction,” he said. “I mean, interest can be transactional, but even then, you should find mutual interest. And what we’re seeing now is the demise of international institutions or rules exactly at a time in history when we need them more than ever — whether it’s about solving conflicts, solving climate change, solving ethical issues linked to artificial intelligence or biotechnology, solving development.” And, he added: “Some people are creating this illusion that you can live in a world with national boundaries and that we’re not interdependent, and I think nothing is further from the truth,…

There are few greater joys in life than checking into a hotel, chucking on a plush robe and ordering room service. We could hardly imagine anything that would make the experience better until Hotels.com announced that it was “hiring” people to do just that. The hotel booking platform has just unveiled a new competition where people can apply for one of three “jobs”: Room service critic, robe researcher, or hotel gym rater. Rather than actual roles, the winners will receive a €4,300 gift card to be used towards a stay, and they’ll be asked to report back afterwards with a…

As Westminster rolls into recess, host Sascha O’Sullivan looks at some of the problems which bedevil SW1 from voter disengagement to constant reshuffles to find out if political systems from Australia to Italy might have the solutions. Sascha speaks to Australian-raised Labour MP Lauren Edwards about the push for compulsory voting here in Britain and how it makes Australians more involved in the democratic processes which run their country. Italian journalist Marco Varvello explains the polling ban in Italy which makes it illegal to forecast the result 15 days before an election. Mark Paul, London correspondent for the Irish Times,…

No matter how many times we visit Paris, we never grow tired of seeing the Eiffel Tower. Our camera roll inevitably fills up with shots of the iconic structure from all different angles – and now there’s a new spot to see it from. The Vertigo of the Tower, a 40-metre suspension bridge between the monument’s east and west pillars, has just opened. Found nearly 60 metres off the ground, the bridge is fully netted and made up of more than 25,000 mesh panels. Walking the bridge is free for all Eiffel Tower ticket holders, with access on the first…

For a destination that’s best known for its ancient wonders, Egypt is undergoing a modern transformation. Home to some of the oldest – and most recognisable – landmarks on the planet, the North African nation is reshaping its tourism offering with a host of new attractions and locations that both first-time and returning visitors are now discovering. From the much anticipated opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum to the construction of a new administrative capital east of Cairo, Egypt is investing heavily in new developments, which is helping to drive strong growth in visitor numbers. In 2025, Egypt welcomed nearly…

The aircraft, the F-39E Gripen, was officially presented on March 25 in Gavião Peixoto, during a ceremony led by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Developed in partnership with Swedish defense group Saab and assembled by Embraer, the jet is the first of its kind to be built in Latin America. The project stems from a 2014 agreement under which Brazil ordered 36 Gripen fighters, with 15 to be manufactured domestically through a technology transfer program. Officials say the initiative strengthens Brazil’s defense autonomy and industrial capabilities. Beyond defense, the program is also expected to position Brazil as a regional…

The Iran war has had extensive impacts on both global tourism and aviation. The conflict is reportedly costing the Middle East travel and tourism industry €515 million a day, while the curtailed supply of oil from the region has seen jet fuel prices spiking, translating into higher airfares for passengers. Now, two major Gulf airlines have modified their loyalty programme requirements reflecting the reduction in air travel – and possibly signalling preparation for long-term consequences of the war. Etihad reduces air miles requirements This week, Etihad announced an adjustment in its loyalty programme requirements. All tier qualifications for Etihad Guest…

Nuclear states stepped up their production and deployment of the weapons last year, monitors said on Thursday, calling it a “concerning development” at a time of intensifying armed conflicts. Nearly all of the nine nuclear-armed states – Russia, the United States, China, France, the United Kingdom, Pakistan, India, Israel and North Korea – have started increasing their arsenals or have announced plans to do so, according to authors of the annual Nuclear Weapons Ban Monitor report. “The era of nuclear reduction is over,” said Hans Kristensen, director of the Nuclear Information Project at the Federation of American Scientists (FAS) and…

Published on 10/12/2025 – 9:00 GMT+1•Updated 20/03/2026 – 12:06 GMT+1 Dubbed the ‘easyJet of the railways,’ Dutch startup GoVolta undertook its inaugural journey this week. The train operator is banking on cheap fares to tempt passengers; tickets for the newly launched routes from Amsterdam to Hamburg and Berlin start at just €19. Passengers can also book city break packages via GoVolta, which include train tickets and hotels. The company plans to extend its service with an Amsterdam-Paris line starting in December 2026. GoVolta promises cheap tickets and direct routes GoVolta has launched two international routes: Amsterdam–Berlin and Amsterdam–Hamburg, both operating…

Not far behind were Latvia (3.7 percent), Estonia (3.4 percent), Denmark (3.3 percent) and Norway (3.2 percent). B grade — Above average Several countries also made it comfortably above the historic 2 percent target. They included Finland (2.9 percent), Greece (2.8 percent), the Netherlands (2.6 percent), Sweden (2.5 percent), Germany (2.4 percent) and Turkey (2.3 percent).  The class bully: There’s a special status for the United States, which got a B for spending 3.2 percent of GDP on defense last year, but that’s a drop from 3.3 percent in 2024 — putting it into the small group of backsliders. NATO Secretary-General…