Category Archives: Europe

Heathrow says Paris now Europe’s busiest airport

Heathrow says Paris now Europe’s busiest airport

London Heathrow has said Paris Charles de Gaulle had overtaken it to become Europe’s top airport in terms of passenger numbers, blaming delayed coronavirus testing and travel restrictions. “For the first time, Paris Charles de Gaulle has overtaken Heathrow as Europe’s largest airport, with Amsterdam

‘Trench warfare’ in Liege, Europe’s new virus front

‘Trench warfare’ in Liege, Europe’s new virus front

Shell-shocked hospital staff, some of whom have tested positive for the coronavirus, are fighting a losing battle in the Belgian city of Liege against Europe’s second wave of Covid-19. It is the second time that Belgium, a small EU country of 11.5 million people, has

Air pollution linked to 15 percent of coronavirus deaths: study

Air pollution linked to 15 percent of coronavirus deaths: study

Long-term exposure to air pollution may be linked to 15 percent of Covid-19 deaths globally, according to research that highlights the health risks posed by greenhouse gas emissions. Previous research has shown how air pollution from exhaust fumes and factories takes two years off the

Plastic dumped in Mediterranean ‘could double in 20 years’

Plastic dumped in Mediterranean ‘could double in 20 years’

Nearly 230,000 tonnes of plastic is dumped into the Mediterranean Sea every year, a figure which could more than double by 2040 unless “ambitious” steps are taken, according to a report by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. Egypt, Italy and Turkey are

Sweden sticks to its guns as Covid cases rise

Sweden sticks to its guns as Covid cases rise

Sweden is seeing an uptick in coronavirus infections and introducing targeted measures, but the country that famously refused to lock down is sticking to its guns and insisting coercive methods are not the way to go. After two months of declining cases in July and

France, Germany impose drastic curbs as virus surges in Europe

France, Germany impose drastic curbs as virus surges in Europe

France was preparing to begin a new month-long national lockdown as Germany imposed drastic new curbs, with European leaders set to meet Thursday to discuss the explosive spikes in coronavirus infections on the continent. The pandemic is surging worldwide, with hundreds of thousands of new

EU adopts ‘life insurance’ biodiversity plan

EU adopts ‘life insurance’ biodiversity plan

EU environment ministers have adopted a biodiversity strategy aimed at protecting ecosystems, a move deemed essential to tackling climate change and reducing the risk of future pandemics. Meeting in Luxembourg, the 27 national ministers on Friday backed the EU Commission’s strategy of placing at least

Gas finds heighten eastern Med tensions

Gas finds heighten eastern Med tensions

The discovery in recent years of huge natural gas reserves in the eastern Mediterranean has whetted the appetite of nearby countries but exacerbated geopolitical tensions between Turkey and its neighbours. Relations have been strained in recent months following Turkish exploration and drilling operations in waters

EU environment ministers give partial nod to new climate law

EU environment ministers give partial nod to new climate law

EU environment ministers on Friday gave their backing for a proposed new climate law, paving the way for legislation aimed at creating a greener Europe. Ministers however left it up to government leaders to strike a consensus on the most contentious issue of carbon emissions