Author: Press Room

With little wooden chalets strung with lights and steaming glühwein on tap, Christmas markets are brimming with yuletide cheer.They originated in Germany in the late middle ages and are now a staple in many European cities.Each country puts its own spin on the festive fairs, from stalls selling handcrafted knitwear in Austria to stylish contemporary jewellery in Finland.Don’t miss out on the local produce like spicy sweet treats and roasted chestnuts either.Relive ancient traditions in snowy SalzburgIn the shadow of snow-dusted Alps, festive markets take over the centre of Salzburg each year.The market stalls crowding into the Austrian city’s main…

Sarah Faith is a content and values writer at activist travel company, Responsible Travel.Only 40 to 60 Marsican brown bears are left in the world. All of them wander the wild mountains and ancient beech forests of central Italian Apennines.A holiday there could hold the key to their salvation.While the Marsican brown bears are not alone in their plight, there is hope. A recent study has shown European wildlife is fighting back, with populations across a range of species, from beavers to bison, golden jackals to grey wolves dramatically increasing since 1960.Tourism that goes beyond leaving no trace can accelerate…

Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor, Qatar CNN  —  There were no goals in Friday’s game between the US Men’s National Team (USMNT) and England in a key World Cup game at Qatar 2022, but the result spoke volumes as to where this American team looks to be heading. Facing an England team full of superstars that reached the European Championship final last year is no easy task, but the Americans looked more than at home. Indeed, the USMNT players appeared disappointed as they were cheered off the field – frustrated, perhaps, that they couldn’t find the winner they might well…

CNN  —  More than 100 women have been murdered in Italy so far this year, with almost half of them killed by their intimate partner or ex-partner, the Italian police said. Released on Friday to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the report lists the names and details of death of the 95 women killed between the beginning of the year and November 7. They include 27-year-old Carol, who was killed by her ex-boyfriend who hit her with a hammer and then dumped her dismembered body off a cliff, 40-year-old Elisabetta who died after being…

Entering the European Union is about to get more complicated for non-EU nationals from next year.A new Entry Exit System (EES) is set to come into effect from May 2023.This is part of the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) that will be implemented later next year.It will require visitors from outside the EU to apply and pay for a visa waiver before entering a country in the Schengen zone.Here’s how European countries are preparing for the changes and how you might be able to avoid visa fees.What are the EES and ETIAS?The EU’s new EES will register additional…

A version of this story appeared in the November 25 edition of CNN’s Royal News, a weekly dispatch bringing you the inside track on Britain’s royal family. Sign up here. London CNN  —  Another week, another set of firsts for the new King. This time round, Charles III hosted the first state visit of his reign and welcomed South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to the UK. It was a short two-day visit but that didn’t stop the monarch from pulling out the stops for a diplomatic tour de force designed to reinforce the relationship between the two nations. The trip…

CNN  —  Pope Francis was secretly taped during a phone call with one of his cardinals, it emerged during an on-going financial trial at the Vatican on Thursday. A Vatican court heard the audio recording between Pope Francis and Cardinal Angelo Becciu, a defendant in the trial, in which the Cardinal asks the Pope to confirm that he had authorized payments to help free a kidnapped nun in Africa. Journalists were not allowed to listen to the recording but a transcript from the Italian Financial Police was subsequently published by Italian news agency Adnkronos. Three defense lawyers at the trial…

CNN  —  Ahead of England’s World Cup clash with the United States on Friday, world soccer’s governing body FIFA said that Crusader costumes worn by England fans are “offensive.” Some England fans attend sports events dressed as the English patron Saint George, equipped with helmets, crosses and plastic swords. FIFA told CNN: “Crusader costumes in the Arab or Middle East context can be offensive to Muslims. That is why anti-discrimination colleagues asked fans to wear things inside out or change dress.” Christian armies fought Muslims for more than 200 years to get back control of Jerusalem and its surrounding areas…

CNN  —  Two late goals secured Iran a sensational 2-0 win against Wales to maintain its hopes of qualifying for the World Cup knockout stages. Rouzbeh Cheshmi struck from distance to brilliantly give Iran the lead in the 98th minute, while Ramin Rezaeian sealed the win in the 101st minute, securing Iran its first points of the tournament. Both goals came after Wales goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey had been sent off in the second half for a rash challenge outside his area, becoming the first player in this tournament to be shown a red card. Iran created the better chances and…

London CNN Business  —  Britain’s cost-of-living crisis is already taking the shine off Black Friday. Now, the annual shopping bonanza faces an additional threat from strikes that could disrupt deliveries, subdue online sales and deliver another blow to the slumping economy. Some 235,000 workers have gone on strike across the United Kingdom this week, encompassing schools, universities and the postal service. Workers are demanding better pay and working conditions as they struggle with soaring food and energy bills. Strike action by as many as 115,000 Royal Mail staff on Thursday and Friday threatens to disrupt Black Friday sales and deliveries…