Coolcations had another big summer. Here are the places travelers went

Coolcations had another big summer. Here are the places travelers went

Extreme temperatures are driving travelers to seek cooler destinations. And there’s a term for the trend: “coolcations.” Heat waves — which are increasing in frequency, duration and intensity, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency — are affecting where people are choosing to vacation, especially during the hot summer months. “Often, when we think of vacation, … Read more

UniCredit’s pursuit of Commerzbank is a watershed moment for Europe

UniCredit’s pursuit of Commerzbank is a watershed moment for Europe

A man shelters from the rain under an umbrella as he walks past the Euro currency sign in front of the former European Central Bank (ECB) building in Frankfurt am Main, western Germany. Kirill Kudryavtsev | Afp | Getty Images European banking’s latest takeover battle is widely regarded as a potential turning point for the region … Read more

Flashpoints identified in Africa, Asia and the Middle East

Flashpoints identified in Africa, Asia and the Middle East

A ship stranded in the growing salt flats of Lake Urmia in Iran. Hamed | Afp | Getty Images The diminishing availability of water resources across the globe should be considered one of the most pressing environmental security challenges of the century. That’s the view of one military geography and environmental security specialist, who recently … Read more

European markets open to close, earnings, data and news

European markets open to close, earnings, data and news

The Euronext NV stock exchange in Paris. Nathan Laine | Bloomberg | Getty Images LONDON — European stock markets opened in mixed territory on Monday, as traders digested rising tensions in the Middle East following strikes by both Israel and Hezbollah over the weekend. The German Dax fell 0.18% at the open, while Italy’s FTSE … Read more

Why Italy could see big M&A deals in banking

Why Italy could see big M&A deals in banking

Banking analysts assess the possibility of a banking merger in Italy. Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images MILAN, Italy — European policymakers have longed for bigger banks across the continent. And Italy might be about to give them their wish with a bumper round of M&A, according to analysts. Years after a sovereign debt crisis … Read more

How to take a break from work and travel in Europe on a budget

How to take a break from work and travel in Europe on a budget

In 2023, Rowena Hennigan came to a difficult but necessary conclusion — she needed an extended break from work. Hennigan was dealing with disrupted sleep, anxiety, brain fog — all normal symptoms of menopause – but it was wreaking havoc on her work and her mental health. She said she tried exercise, a new diet, … Read more

Protests will spread if European cities don’t address overtourism

Protests will spread if European cities don’t address overtourism

Protests in Spain will spread if European officials fail to address mass tourism’s negative effect on the lives of residents, UNESCO’s Peter Debrine told “Squawk Box Asia” on Monday. “It’s turning into a very volatile situation,” said UNESCO’s senior project officer for sustainable tourism. “Civil society coming and trying to make change is very important, … Read more

Barcelona residents squirt travelers with water to protest overtourism

Barcelona residents squirt travelers with water to protest overtourism

Mass tourism troubles hit fever pitch in Barcelona on Saturday as protesters threw items and sprayed travelers with water guns while shouting “tourists go home.” The protesters — angry about the city’s long-standing problems with overtourism — used thick police-style tape to block hotel entrances and sidewalk cafes in the small neighborhood of Barceloneta in … Read more