Author: Richard Parks

Millions of drivers across Germany faced unexpected traffic confusion on Thursday as Google Maps mistakenly showed large sections of the country’s autobahns as closed. The error happened just as many began their Ascension Day holiday trips, leading to unnecessary detours and congestion. Key areas around Frankfurt, Hamburg, and Berlin, plus routes in western and southwestern Germany, were affected. Nearby parts of Belgium and the Netherlands also appeared impacted. The false closures pushed motorists onto smaller roads, causing jams and a spike in calls to police and traffic agencies. Alternative navigation apps like Apple Maps and Waze, along with radio traffic…

A new artificial intelligence (AI) test is offering hope to men with high-risk prostate cancer by identifying who will benefit most from abiraterone, a drug known to reduce the risk of death. The breakthrough was shared at the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s conference in Chicago. Researchers from the U.S., the U.K., and Switzerland developed the tool, which analyzes tumor samples to detect patterns that doctors can’t see with the naked eye. The AI looks at images from prostate tumor biopsies. It then predicts which patients are more likely to gain from abiraterone, a drug already approved to treat advanced…

Switzerland’s national airline, Swiss, announced it will cancel about 1,400 flights from now until October. The cancellations come due to a serious shortage of pilots. The affected flights include short-haul routes from Zurich and Geneva across Europe, as well as long-haul trips to destinations like Shanghai and Chicago. Seasonal flights, such as the summer service to Hurghada, Egypt, have been fully suspended. To cope with the shortage, Swiss has taken several short-term steps. These include asking part-time pilots to work more hours, buying back vacation days, and offering deferrals to pilots close to retirement. The airline is also collaborating with…

Technology stocks surged on Thursday after Nvidia released quarterly results that beat expectations. Investors seemed to overlook new worries about the company’s limited access to the Chinese market. The Stoxx Europe tech index rose 0.8%, with semiconductor company ASML gaining 2.4%. In the U.S., Nasdaq futures climbed 2%, while Nvidia’s shares jumped 6% in pre-market trading. Nvidia, a leading maker of AI chips, reported a 69% increase in quarterly revenue year-on-year, reaching $44 billion. This beat analysts’ predictions. The company also said it plans to make up some lost sales in China by signing new contracts in the Middle East.…

This autumn, Deutsche Bahn (DB) will introduce a new digital system to make international train bookings easier. This effort is part of the European Union’s push to remove barriers between national rail networks and create a smooth travel experience across Europe. Michael Peterson, DB’s board member for long-distance travel, said passengers will soon be able to “book an international journey just as easily as a domestic one.” The plan aims to support seamless cross-border travel with unified digital standards backed by EU rules. DB’s system uses the Open Sales and Distribution Model (OSDM), an EU-approved framework. From this autumn, railway…

The European Commission has opened a formal investigation into four leading adult content platforms—Pornhub, Stripchat, XNXX, and XVideos—for allegedly failing to prevent minors from accessing explicit material. The probe, initiated under the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), aims to strengthen child protections online and reduce exposure to harmful content. The Commission criticized these sites for relying on simple, one-click self-declaration methods to verify users’ ages. Regulators argue these checks are easy to bypass and do not effectively block underage access. An EU official said, “Today is a good day for protecting minors online in the EU. These enforcement actions show…

A fresh wave of runners is changing the culture of running in cities and online. Gen Z, especially young women, is leading what experts call the third major running boom. This new surge is marked by diversity, digital connection, and strong community ties. Unlike previous waves dominated by lean white men in the 1970s or a surge after Paula Radcliffe’s rise in the early 2000s, today’s movement is more inclusive and organic. More than 1.1 million people have applied for the 2026 London Marathon, nearly twice the number from two years ago. For the first time, entries are almost evenly…

Luxury watch brand Omega has named actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson as its newest global ambassador. The move has sparked wide speculation that Taylor-Johnson could be the next James Bond. Since Daniel Craig’s last appearance as 007 in 2021’s No Time To Die, fans have eagerly awaited news on the franchise’s future. No official announcement about the next Bond has been made. But Omega’s announcement is raising questions. Omega’s link to James Bond dates back to 1995’s GoldenEye. Pierce Brosnan wore an Omega Seamaster as Bond. Daniel Craig continued the tradition. Notably, both actors were Omega ambassadors before playing Bond. Taylor-Johnson’s new…

Tennis legend Rafael Nadal received a moving and unforgettable farewell at Roland Garros on Sunday. Though he officially retired months ago, the French Open gave the 22-time Grand Slam winner a final moment in the spotlight. As he walked onto Court Philippe-Chatrier, the crowd rose to their feet, cheering for the man whose name has become forever linked to the tournament. A Final Walk in Paris Nadal, now 38, appeared on the clay court where he made history so many times. The ceremony came after the match between Lorenzo Musetti and Frances Tiafoe. Wearing a classic black suit, Nadal was…

Former Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz has been cleared of charges that he lied under oath to parliament. On Monday, Vienna’s Higher Regional Court overturned an earlier ruling that had found Kurz guilty and sentenced him to an eight-month suspended prison term. This decision closes one of Austria’s most talked-about political trials in recent years. Acquittal After Appeal The ruling came quickly after a short appeals hearing. According to the Austria Press Agency, judges ruled that there was not enough proof Kurz had knowingly misled a parliamentary committee. He had faced allegations of giving false testimony during a 2020 inquiry into…