English

Richard Good

Sport

Divine Grace: Rhythmic gymnastics gets more spectacular contests under new tournament format

In partnership with Divine Grace

A new tournament is underway in Moscow that it’s hoped will promote a more spectacular style of rhythmic gymnastics. The experimental rhythmic gymnastics international tournament has been entitled “Divine Grace” and is the brainchild of Olympic champion Alina Kabaeva.

Nature

Portuguese islands create Europe’s largest protected marine area

Portugal’s Madeira archipelago now boasts Europe’s largest protected marine area following the adoption of a new legal framework.

Business

COVID fears dampen trade at Europe's Christmas markets

The traditional holiday tree is standing tall in Frankfurt’s main square - but trade is quiet at the annual Christmas market. Covid fears and sanitary restrictions mean business is down 50% on two years ago. Many stall owners though are just glad to be open at all.

Poland

Miners protest in Warsaw against coal production phase out

Around 200 miners have protested outside the European Commission building in Warsaw - against planned coal mine closures which they say will cause unemployment and higher fuel prices.

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Norway

Norway’s newly-elected PM visits bow-and-arrow killings scene

It was a sombre first full day in office for Norway’s new prime minister Jonas Gahr Støre as he visited the close-knit former mining town of Kongsberg - that’s been torn apart by a bow and arrow attack that left five people dead.

Israel

Merkel warns of rise in anti-Semitism on last official visit to Israel

Angela Merkel accompanied Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett to the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial on her last visit to Israel as German Chancellor.

France

Now you can touch it: wrapped Arc de Triomphe opens to the public

Visits to the wrapped version of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris are being allowed for the first time this weekend - and thousands of curious admirers have been taking advantage to check out Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s installation close up.

World News

Eleven European spa towns honoured by UNESCO

Towns from Germany, Austria, Belgium, France, Italy, the United Kingdom and Czechia got together to seek joint recognition.

Poland

Soaring numbers are quitting Catholic Church in Poland, say activists

Campaigners say as many as 3,000 people have issued statements of apostasy this year - and that this is six times higher than last year.

Vatican

Pope Francis makes first public appearance since undergoing surgery

The 84-year-old pontiff addressed a crowd of well-wishers from the balcony of the Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome and used the occasion to declare his support for public health services across the world.

World News

NATO statement on China goes 'further' than prior language - expert

NATO has warned that China represents a global security threat and presents challenges to the "rules-based international order."

Sport

Japanese judoka take the honours on heavyweight day in Budapest

Asahina and Kageura take the final individual golds at the IJF World Championships

Sport

Matic delivers Croatia a first ever World Championship gold

No Croatian had ever won a Judo World Championships gold medal - but Barbara Matic put that right in the -70kg contest on day five of the year’s tournament in Budapest.

Sport

Europeans takes clean sweep on day four in Budapest

France’s Clarisse Agbegnenou danced in the aisles at the World Judo Championships in Budapest - but her switch to focus was instantaneous.

Turkey

Turkey promises action on 'sea snot' engulfing the coast

A thick layer of slime has engulfed boats moored in the Sea of Marmara, to the south of Istanbul. Warm water temperatures and industrial waste have been blamed for this record build up of algae

Belarus

Exiled Belarusians protest at closure of Polish land border

Officially the reason for the closure since December is COVID-19 - but many suspect Lukashenko of using the pandemic as a pretext for clamping down on the protest movement against his rule.

Earth News

Sri Lanka fears more pollution following sinking of container ship

Up to three billion plastic pellets have already been released into the sea from the vessel.

Finland

Oulu in Finland will be the European Capital of Culture in 2026

Oulu won with a project promising “cultural climate change”, focussing on the participatory nature of art and culture.

Sweden

Philharmonic fitness: new workout videos feature Stockholm orchestra

If you’re starting to get weary of the electronic dance beat in your fitness centre - a Swedish sports club may just have come up with the perfect solution: working out to classical music.

World

Italy? Spain? Poland? DNA tests probe Christopher Columbus' origins

The voyages of Christopher Columbus helped Europeans discover America, but the famous explorer’s own origins have long been a matter of controversy. But now scientists are hoping to shed light on them thanks to the latest advances in genetic technology.

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