Southern and Western European republic, home to Rome and the Mediterranean
Divers have uncovered a 2,000-year-old shipwreck near Mazara del Vallo, packed with hundreds of wine and oil amphorae. Italy’s culture ministry says the vessel dates to the 1st or 2nd century BC and will be documented and protected as researchers study its cargo and origins.
A mix of Guardian, Independent, Scotsman and other outlets feature musings on food culture, vegan cooking, coastal cuisine and personal memories. The pieces explore how British eating habits travel from seaside classics to plant-based trends, with reflections on tradition, modernity and regional flavors.
Britain has declared that it has implemented a package of measures in response to Israel’s E1 settlement tenders, warning that the plan threatens the two-state solution. Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband is weighing and preparing subsequent steps, with announcements expected in the coming weeks.
Concerts by Kanye West, now legally Ye, scheduled for Oct. 10-11 at Gazprom Arena in St. Petersburg have been canceled by the stadium over ununsigned rental contracts, with promoter Say Agency claiming the shows may still proceed after formalities are completed. The controversy follows years of antisemitic remarks and geopolitical tensions.
European heatwaves have driven a spike in excess mortality across several countries, with Germany, France, Spain and the UK reporting thousands more deaths than usual this summer. Authorities warn that the toll will continue to rise as temperatures stay high and drought intensifies.
Keely Hodgkinson has pulled out of the women's 800 metres at the Zurich Diamond League after saying her body isn’t ready to race again following the European Championships. Audrey Werro is favored to win, with a five‑way battle expected among the world’s best 800m runners.
European football bodies are reassessing a boycott of FIFA events after assurances that Gianni Infantino’s plan to privatise World Cup rights will not be repeated. The move follows a series of meetings in Monte Carlo and Poland, with decisions expected at a UEFA executive committee gathering.
Settlers have returned to Kadim, north of Jenin, with around 30 pioneer families arriving under military escort. The reopening follows the 2005 disengagement and signals a broader push to revive four northern West Bank settlements, amid a wider surge in settlement activity under Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government. Palestinian residents fear displacement as tensions rise alongside new outposts and tenders in nearby areas.
UEFA member federations are meeting in Monaco to resolve a boycott threat tied to Infantino’s investor plan. France, Spain and others are fielding squads for the U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland; the broader dispute has shaken European soccer leadership while the player lineups remain intact.
Sabah has advanced to the Champions League group stage after overturning a late deficit against Hapoel Beersheba, with Mbina and Mickels scoring in extra time to seal a 6-4 aggregate win. Hapoel finish with two red cards in extra time; the return of two matches follows a dramatic playoff.
A record summer of heat, drought and wildfires has prompted an emergency Cobra meeting and voluntary retailer suspensions of disposable-barbecue sales. Green groups have written to Prime Minister Andy Burnham urging him to call the crisis 'climate change' and stop new North Sea drilling; Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice has questioned net zero and urged adaptation and celebration of warmer weather.
Moroccan forces have detained scores of people near Fnideq after social media calls encouraged a repeat mass crossing toward the Spanish exclave of Ceuta. Security services have used tear gas and set up checkpoints; Spain has kept extra police, soldiers and a maritime barrier in place while several news agencies were ordered to leave the Moroccan border town.
The UK has faced a fifth heatwave this summer, with record highs in several locations. A cooler spell is moving in over the weekend, bringing rain to some drought-affected areas. Health alerts remain in place as authorities monitor ongoing drought and heat-related pressures.
Mount Etna’s ongoing eruption has kept Catania airport closed or operating under strict restrictions, disrupting nearly 2,000 flights over the past week, with passengers rerouted to other hubs and price pressures rising during Ferragosto travel. Authorities warn ash emissions will continue to affect air traffic in the region.
Champagne’s harvest has moved earlier this year due to record heat and drought, with producers starting in mid-August instead of mid-September. Grapes show higher sugar and risk to acidity; producers are adapting by earlier picking, night harvesting, and exploring irrigation research. Yields are expected to fall, but quality remains crucial as climate pressures accelerate.
Ferrari’s first fully electric Luce has sold at Sotheby’s Monterey for $40 million, a record for a new car at auction. Proceeds go to the Ferrari Foundation’s educational programs. The sale follows mixed reception to the EV’s design and Ferrari’s push into electrification.
Juventus has accelerated talks to sign Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, with a season-long loan including an option to buy. The move follows a summer of activity that has seen Spurs bolster the squad while Vicario seeks regular football in Italy.
A 29-year-old Kansas man has died after being struck on Etna during a prolonged eruption. Rescue services recovered him; authorities have closed large parts of the slopes and flights at Catania airport have been disrupted for days.
A 20-year-old Cagliari forward, Yael Trepy, has been hospitalised in Sassari after a pool incident in northern Sardinia. The club says Trepy is in intensive care and asks for privacy while it monitors his condition. He scored once in eight Serie A appearances last season and joined Cagliari’s academy in 2022.
Rising heat and drought across Europe have lowered river levels, exposing World War II ships, mammoth remains and ancient structures. Analysts warn climate-driven extremes are intensifying, threatening ships, power plants and freight, while historians document maritime relics surfacing along the Danube and Rhine.
A series of West Bank incidents has escalated tensions: a Palestinian teenager has been killed by Israeli settlers in Sa’ir, and multiple Palestinians have been wounded in Hebron and Jenin in separate attacks. Israeli forces are conducting arrests and raids amid a rise in settler violence, with international concern mounting.
A wave of private colleges is offering accelerated bachelor’s programs, cutting credits to as few as 90 and shaving a year off a traditional degree. Proponents say it helps affordability and access, while critics warn of narrowed learning and licensing hurdles. The shift, now spreading across at least 26 states, reflects a broader rethinking of college value as students weigh debt against outcomes.
PSG has boosted its squad with Ferran Torres and others as heat forces the Ligue 1 opener to move to Rennes. Strasbourg records a significant sale to Milan, with Moreira signing a five-year deal as part of a broader financial shake-up.
Como's mayor has announced a measure banning cyclists from riding on about 30 central streets, requiring them to dismount and walk. The move aims to boost public safety amid congestion and a surge in tourist traffic. The policy is part of a broader traffic plan that includes a limited-traffic zone in the historic centre.
A quartet of articles confirm that Parmigiano Reggiano wheels stored in climate-controlled facilities remain safe despite record heat in Italy. Banks storing hundreds of thousands of wheels report higher cooling costs but no disruption to aging or collateral. Producers expect no long-term risk to output.
Western powers condemn Israel’s plan to open tenders for about 1,200 settlement homes in the West Bank’s E1 corridor east of Jerusalem. The move risks dividing the territory and complicating a two-state path. France, Germany, Italy, the UK and Canada call for retracting the plan; the UN warns of existential threats to a Palestinian state. Bids are due October 19, ahead of Israeli elections.
The US Army has ordered a drone-focused battalion to refocus on its core airborne infantry mission. The move follows a year of unmanned warfare experiments tied to Ukraine’s tactics and broader modernization efforts. Officials say the shift reflects strategic realignment amid ongoing lessons from Ukraine and evolving drone warfare.
The UK and France have expanded a security pact to curb Channel crossings. French police have intercepted hundreds of small-boat attempts this summer, while UK officials say the joint effort is reducing crossings. Critics warn that heavy policing risks migrants’ safety as they push to reach Britain.
Marmots that survived last winter are fattening up for winter as Fat Marmot Week begins, raising donations for long-running marmot research amid federal budget cuts. Scant snowfall and warm temperatures last winter have driven deaths in some Colorado marmot populations, prompting researchers to highlight climate-change risks.
Hikers face new limits on the Tour du Mont-Blanc as French towns consider hut reservations next spring to curb crowding. In parallel, a feature from the French Alps highlights remote refuges and mountain hospitality.
Turkey has issued arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and Afek Moskovitch, accusing them of genocide and crimes against humanity over the May interception of a flotilla heading to Gaza. The justice ministry has requested Interpol red notices as part of a case against 35 people. Israel denies the allegations and vows to continue actions against Ankara.
Chinese regulators have announced recalls affecting more than four million vehicles, largely driven by safety concerns over hidden, electronically operated door handles. Tesla has accounted for about 2.98 million cars; Xiaomi, Leapmotor, Xpeng and Geely are also recalling vehicles. Automakers will add warning labels and push software updates to improve emergency egress and driver monitoring.
A boat carrying around 15 migrants has sank off Zarzis, Tunisia. One survivor has been rescued, with authorities saying three bodies were recovered and multiple others remain missing as search efforts continue. The incident adds to a pattern of deadly crossings from Tunisia amid EU-Tunisia cooperation on migration.
Journalists and worshippers have been locked inside Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre overnight, witnessing a rare, shared space among Armenian, Catholic and Greek Orthodox traditions. The experience highlights centuries of custody arrangements and ongoing religious ritual.
In New England, invasive European green crabs are being identified as they molt, revealing a softer shell. Markets pay up to $3 per crab, a stark contrast to 8 cents for hard-shells. A grassroots push seeks to convert the species into premium products while addressing ecological damage and market barriers that hinder scale.