Czech forest turns into Middle Earth for 750-player fantasy battle event
A forest in the Czech Republic was turned into a real-life version of The Hobbit as around 750 fantasy fans took part in a large-scale live-action battle inspired by the…
The Sun and the Moon: Saatchi Gallery’s ambitious new summer show turns its gaze to the sky
From a giant glowing Sun and immersive installations that can’t be photographed, to ancient Arctic snow goggles and textiles inspired by the Apollo missions, the exhibition spans centuries of human…
France’s justice minister refuses to resign after outcry over girl’s killing
Gérald Darmanin will not resign, but he apologised for the handling of the primary suspect in an 11-year-old girl’s murder and asked France’s public prosecutors to re-examine the country’s 70,000…
Why Ireland is under fire over its alumina exports to Russia
Though legal, Ireland’s alumina exports to Russia have prompted outrage just as the country prepares to assume the EU Council’s presidency. Read More
Soldiers, not talks will decide Russia’s war in Ukraine, Lavrov says
Russia’s top diplomat criticised Zelenskyy’s open letter to Putin, rejecting the possibility of direct talks with Kyiv. Read More
What is ‘Kushner Island’ and why are Albanians protesting about it?
Known as Sazan Island, the former Italian military outpost and once secret communist naval base is being contested again as plans for a luxury resort raise questions about conservation. Read…
‘Difficult’ to see changes soon in Middle East, UN representative
Hervé Lecoq, UNIFIL’s deputy head of mission, believes a peace process between Israel and Hezbollah is “very complicated”. Yet he insists UNIFIL cannot “force an agreement”, saying any breakthrough depends…
Seven EU countries push Brussels to resist further weakening of car emission targets
The document signed by seven EU countries reveals a growing divide within Europe between governments seeking flexibility for car manufacturers and those determined to preserve the integrity of the EU’s…
Paraguay, Palau, Uzbekistan: The lesser-trod destinations travellers are flocking to this year
The latest UN Tourism report has highlighted all the ways travel is changing in 2026. Read More
Houthis join Iran war fight, threatening Red Sea shipping amid Hormuz closure
Yemen’s Houthis declared a ban on Israeli shipping in the Red Sea and claimed a missile strike on Israel, with the Bab el-Mandeb and Hormuz blockades now simultaneously threatening roughly…