Author: staff
Published on 23/01/2026 – 17:52 GMT+1 Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary could have quoted Frank Sinatra in response to Elon Musk calling him an “utter idiot” on X. In response, Ryanair boss launched a “Big Idiot” seat sale with cheap flights for Elon and all the other, quote, “idiots,” end quote. But away from the noise, how do their business models actually impact us? First, the environment. Ryanair’s fleet of more than 600 planes emitted over 16 million tonnes of CO2 last year. Then again, data centres for X and GrokAI are part of an industry that consumes so many resources…
Israel said on Sunday it was conducting a “large-scale operation” to locate the last hostage in Gaza, and that it would subsequently allow a “limited reopening” of the Rafah crossing between the Strip and Egypt once it recovered the remains. Over the weekend, US envoys had met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, reportedly pressing Israel to reopen the crossing. The return of the body of Israeli soldier Ran Gvili had been a remaining obstacle preventing Israel from doing so. The crossing, which was supposed to reopen in October as part of the first phase of the US-brokered ceasefire, is a…
By AP with Euronews Published on 26/01/2026 – 8:03 GMT+1 Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Sunday that his country has no intention of pursuing a free trade deal with China. He was responding to US President Donald Trump’s threat to impose a 100% tariff on goods imported from Canada if America’s northern neighbour went ahead with a trade deal with Beijing. Carney said his agreement with China merely cuts tariffs on a few sectors that were recently hit with levies. Trump claims otherwise, posting on Truth Social: “China is successfully and completely taking over the once Great Country of…
Winemakers have been offered a glimmer of hope after losing one of the industry’s most important safety nets. Last year, France revoked approval of 19 copper-based fungicides that farmers heavily relied on to protect their harvest from mildew and mould. The products can no longer be bought or sold as of 15 January. After that, farmers have just one year to use up their remaining stocks. Food safety authority Anses says its decision was based on potential health risks for vineyard workers, despite arguments from the industry that toxic levels were never used. The EU has extended its copper use…
Foreign propaganda is not a new phenomenon. It dates back centuries and became more visible with the rise of mass media. It continues to evolve, adapting itself to the latest communication tools. The internet and social media have provided powerful new channels for international propaganda, including misinformation and disinformation. Russia has been accused in multiple cases, including interference in the US elections, and has increasingly become a common suspect across Europe as well. A recent Eurobarometer survey found that ‘foreign information manipulation, interference and disinformation, including in the context of elections’ are the second most serious challenge facing the EU.…
But TotalEnergies retains ties to fossil fuel trade with Vladimir Putin’s Russia. Now, pro-Ukrainian campaigners and parliamentarians — including the Labour chair of the all-party parliamentary group (APPG) on Ukraine — want ministers to rule out its subsidiary from winning the new contract. In a letter to Cabinet Office Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds, who oversees government procurement body the Crown Commercial Service, they warn that “continuing a contract with companies involved with Russia’s energy sector is inconsistent” with the U.K.’s repeatedly-touted goal of undermining Russia’s fossil fuel revenues, which are used to finance its war on Ukraine. “In view of escalating Russian hybrid attacks against the U.K., and ongoing brutal attacks across Ukraine, public sector procurement…
Updated: 26/01/2026 – 7:00 GMT+1 Catch up with the most important stories from around Europe and beyond this January 26th, 2026 – latest news, breaking news, World, Business, Entertainment, Politics, Culture, Travel. … More
Respondents also backed higher investment in European security, with 57 percent supporting more “spending on defense and security.” Trump effect Though the survey was conducted before the latest bout of hostility from Trump, the U.S. president was already seen as a negative force. Other polls have shown that Trump is unpopular on the continent, even among supporters of the right-wing populist parties he sees as allies. About two-thirds of respondents to the FGS Global survey said they were pessimistic about Trump’s impact in the year ahead on the global economy (69 percent), peace and security (64 percent) and their own…
“This is a great opportunity to remind us why the transformation of the energy system matters,” Teresa Ribera, the Commission’s Executive Vice President told POLITICO after Trump’s attack on green energy in Davos. Renewable sources of energy “mean freedom, lower dependence and vulnerabilities.” Can’t stop guzzling While pivoting to clean power is an obvious priority, “you cannot dream away the existing dependence on oil and gas imports,” said Thijs Van de Graaf, a specialist in the geopolitics of energy at the Ghent Institute for International and European Studies. The Commission has limited power to dictate where companies obtain their LNG supplies,…
Even as Europe rapidly cut its dependence on Russian gas and is now swiftly moving toward a complete phaseout, exposure to fossil fuels remains the Achilles’ heel of our energy systems. The reality is that relying so heavily on fossil fuels — whether from Russia or elsewhere — can’t give us the energy security and prosperity we need. It leaves us incredibly vulnerable to international market volatility and pressure from external actors. Like European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said: “As our energy dependency on fossil fuels goes down, our energy security goes up.” This is why Britain and…