11 h. ago Low water levels push up shipping costs on Europe’s rivers amid heatwave

Vessels on Rhine in Germany and Danube in Hungary forced to sail partially loadedBusiness live – latest updatesLow water levels after heatwaves and drought are limiting shipping on some of Europe’s biggest rivers including the Rhine and the Danube and pushing up transport costs.As much of Europe swelters in hot temperatures, water levels in its main rivers have fallen. This is affecting shipping along the Rhine – one of Europe’s key waterways – south of Duisburg and Cologne in Germany, including the choke point of Kaub, forcing vessels to sail about half full. Continue reading...

Politics

54 h. ago Texas flooding: At least 27 dead and dozens missing as flash floods devastate girls' summer camp

The deadly floods struck the Guadalupe River region on Independence Day, causing water levels to surge dramatically

Events

65 h. ago Texas flooding: At least 24 dead and dozens missing as flash floods devastate girls' summer camp

The deadly floods struck the Guadalupe River region on Independence Day, causing water levels to surge dramatically

Events

3 d. ago Ships forced to leave cargo behind as heatwave hits one of Europe’s longest rivers

Temperatures peaked at 35 degrees in Budapest this week as much of Europe baked in an early summer heatwave

Events

3 d. ago Canada races to build icebreakers amid melting ice and geopolitical tensions

In an Arctic reshaped by the climate crisis, less ice really means more as countries face risks in push for more shipsFor millennia, a mass of sea ice in the high Arctic has changed with the seasons, casting off its outer layer in summer and expanding in winter as it spins between Russia, Canada and Alaska. Known as the Beaufort Gyre, this fluke of geography and oceanography was once a proving ground for ice to “mature” into icebergs.But no more. A rapidly changing climate has reshaped the region, reducing perennial sea ice. As ocean currents spin what is left of the gyre, chunks of ice now clog many of the channels separating the northern islands. Continue reading...

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3 d. ago Sewage leak found at Scots beach as swimmers warned to stay away

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has advised against swimming at the beach after routine samples indicated high levels of bacteria in the water.

Events

4 d. ago Tragedy as body of teenage boy is pulled from river after 'entering with pals' as heatwave continues

Police rushed to Beccles Quay, off Fenn Lann in Suffolk, after the teenager failed to resurface from the River Waveney just before 7.30pm last night.

Politics

5 d. ago Greggs is launching holidays for the price of a sausage roll

It's the summer surprise we didn't see coming - the popular bakery will be offering an incredible European escape all for the cost of its famous snack.

Politics

6 d. ago French region bans tap water sparking panic buying after supply was found to be tainted with 'forever chemicals' from airport firefighting foam

The sweeping ban affects 11 areas in the Haut-Rhin region near the commune of Saint-Louis, where water tests revealed levels of PFAS - a group of dangerous man-made substances.

Events

7 d. ago Europe heatwave: Spain set for hottest June on record as 50,000 flee Turkey wildfires

Record temperature recorded in Portugal as heat lowers water level of Germany’s Rhine

Events

1 week ago Escape the heatwave! 10 wild swimming spots to cool off within an hour of London

Feeling the heat? These are the best swimming spots within easy reach of the capital by train, tube and car

Politics

2 w. ago Canada and EU sign defense pact amid strained US relations and global instability

Amid Trump’s disrespect of old allies, EU and Canada vow more support for Ukraine and joint work on climate crisisCanada has signed a wide-ranging defence pact with the EU, as Donald Trump and global instability prompt traditional US allies to deepen their alliances.Canadian prime minister, Mark Carney, on Monday joined European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, and head of the European Council, António Costa, in Brussels, where they signed a security and defence partnership, pledged more support for Ukraine, as well as joint work on issues from the climate crisis to artificial intelligence. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago Canada and EU sign defence pact amid strained US relations and global instability

Amid Trump’s disrespect of old allies, EU and Canada vow more support for Ukraine and joint work on climate crisisCanada has signed a wide-ranging defence pact with the EU, as Donald Trump and global instability prompt traditional US allies to deepen their alliances.Canadian prime minister, Mark Carney, on Monday joined European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, and head of the European Council, António Costa, in Brussels, where they signed a security and defence partnership, pledged more support for Ukraine, as well as joint work on issues from the climate crisis to artificial intelligence. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Experts warn water levels could ‘deteriorate quickly’ despite recent wet weather

Farmers, distilleries and industry urged not to wait until situation reaches “crisis point” to start using water more efficiently

Events

2 w. ago Poison in the water: the town with the world’s worst case of forever chemicals contamination

When a small Swedish town discovered their drinking water contained extremely high levels of Pfas, they had no idea what it would mean for their health and their children’s futureIf Agneta Bruno closes her eyes, the soapy smell takes her back to childhood. Cycling home to the barracks where she lived with her father, an air force major, she would whiz through patches of snowy-white foam near the entrance of the base. The foam resembled the bubbles you get in the bathtub, just thicker. “I had to lift my feet up to avoid getting wet,” Bruno told me.Aqueous film-forming foam (Afff) is a miracle of firefighting: it’s highly effective in putting out flammable liquid fires, such as those caused by jet fuel spills. Chemicals in the foam create a stable blanket over liquid fuel, trapping the flammable vapours and extinguishing the fire. At the air force base in Bruno’s home town of Kallinge in Sweden, firefighters were trained to douse flames using the foam. New recruits came every few week...

Politics

2 w. ago Pictures show drastic water levels in Woodhead Reservoir following driest spring in 100 years

Reservoirs across the Pennines have recovered since recent rainfall but are still only half full

Politics

3 w. ago Australia to hold talks aimed at entering defence pact with EU

Anthony Albanese confirms country could sign on to deal as he arrives in Calgary for G7 summitAustralia news live: latest politics updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralia is to hold formal negotiations on joining a new defence agreement with the European Union, with the prime minister preparing to discuss plans for enhanced security cooperation at this week’s G7 summit in Canada.Amid the deteriorating international security landscape, Anthony Albanese will use the talks with EU Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, and the European Council president, António Costa, in Alberta to explore a security and defence partnership, proposed at the inauguration mass of Pope Leo XIV in Rome last month.Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago From tradwife to radwife: abandoning perfection in favour of the ‘good enough’ life

No they don’t cook from scratch, sometimes forget the sunscreen and often miss work deadlines, but at least their kids are wearing secondhand clothes Meet the new gen of radically normal mumsMost mornings, I’m woken at 6am by my alarm (the baby crawling on to my head). I stretch, go downstairs, fill a bowl with iced water and, the theme of Transformers playing in the background, write my journal (a list of emails-I-forgot-to-reply-to). I drink hot water with cider vinegar to regulate my blood sugar levels, followed by tea using the baby’s leftover milk. Dragging a chilled jade gua sha spoon across my face in an attempt to reverse the ageing process, I then make my young sons’ porridge. While they eat, I plunge my face into the iced water until I can’t breathe, and begin my three-step routine (two La Roche-Posay serums followed by SPF). Some mornings, I run. Others, I cry into a coffee, albeit one made with organic milk, before taking a mushroom gummy to take the edge off the da...

Politics

3 w. ago Bryan Mbeumo could be about to teach Man United the true cost of Europa League heartbreak

Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo is Manchester United's current top priority but there is a chance that the Reds may still miss out on him

Politics

3 w. ago What aircraft do the most popular budget airlines use? From easyJet and Ryanair to Jet2 and British Airways

There's millions of flights across Europe's skies every year, with low-cost airlines accounting for a large chunk of them. But which aircraft do low-cost airlines use?

Politics