Factcheck: Will this year's French wines really taste smokey?
Factcheck: Will this year's French wines really taste smokey?
The vineyards of Bordeaux escaped the huge wildfires in the region, but the smoke has blown over a large area - so will this affect the taste of 2026 vintages?
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OPINION: Germany's outdated surrogacy laws are the real scandal
OPINION: Germany's outdated surrogacy laws are the real scandal
Following the outcry over politician Jens Spahn's decision to have a baby through surrogacy in the US, writer Caitlin Hardee argues that Germany missed a key moment to reckon with its own restrictive reproductive laws.
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Swedish streaming giant Spotify reaches 777 million active users
Swedish streaming giant Spotify reaches 777 million active users
Streaming giant Spotify said Tuesday that it had 777 million monthly active users at the end of June, 16 million more than in the previous quarter but a million fewer than forecast.
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OPINION: As French wildfires still burn, the 'blame the Greens' deflection has begun
OPINION: As French wildfires still burn, the 'blame the Greens' deflection has begun
From conspiracy theories to attempts to blame Green politicians, the blame game for the French wildfires has begun - writes John Lichfield - and is likely to continue until next year's elections.
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French airline staff file month-long strike notice
French airline staff file month-long strike notice
After postponing their strike due to the wildfires in south-west France, three unions representing cabin crew have filed a strike notice running from Friday, August 7th until September 2nd in a dispute over working conditions.
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YOUR VIEWS: Is the quality of life in Norway really worth the high cost of living?
YOUR VIEWS: Is the quality of life in Norway really worth the high cost of living?
Prices have been rising in already expensive Norway, meaning the quality of life versus cost of living argument is becoming more relevant than ever. Is the price of life in Norway worth it for everything the country has to offer? Here's what our readers told us.
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Barcelona airport strike kicks off with dozens of flights cancelled
Barcelona airport strike kicks off with dozens of flights cancelled
Barcelona’s El Prat Airport faced considerable disruptions on Tuesday August 4th as an indefinite strike by ground handling staff began, with Spanish authorities estimating two million passengers could be affected this summer.
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EXPLAINED: What Italy's Schengen suspension with Spain means for travellers
EXPLAINED: What Italy's Schengen suspension with Spain means for travellers
Following recent events in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, Italy has chosen to temporarily suspend Schengen rules with Spain - here's what it means for travellers and how long reimposed border controls will last.
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In numbers: Yes, summers in France really are getting hotter
In numbers: Yes, summers in France really are getting hotter
Summers in France have always been hot, especially in the south, so do the latest wave of extreme weather warnings really mark a rise in temperatures? Or just a change in weather forecasting techniques and media attention?
thelocal.com
'Crisis' level water restrictions imposed in 60% of French départements
'Crisis' level water restrictions imposed in 60% of French départements
Two thirds of départements in France are suffering such severe drought that 'crisis' level water restrictions have been imposed. From gardens to swimming pools and drinking water - here's what those restrictions mean for households.
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Why Canadian Olympian Dillan Glennie chose Austria for a different kind of summer
Why Canadian Olympian Dillan Glennie chose Austria for a different kind of summer
After four demanding competition seasons and her Olympic debut, Canadian halfpipe skier Dillan Glennie tells The Local why she came to Innsbruck for a European summer experience.
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EU chief urges 'united action' on borders after Spain's Ceuta migrant rush
EU chief urges 'united action' on borders after Spain's Ceuta migrant rush
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen called Monday for "united action" on border security after a migrant rush on Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta triggered a public spat between Madrid and several European partners.
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EU chief praises Spain's 'swift handling' of Ceuta migrant rush
EU chief praises Spain's 'swift handling' of Ceuta migrant rush
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen on Monday commended Spain's quick reaction to the migrant rush on its North African enclave of Ceuta, while calling for "united action" on border security across the bloc ahead of talks on Tuesday.
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A quick guide to restrictions on Airbnb in Spain's main cities and regions
A quick guide to restrictions on Airbnb in Spain's main cities and regions
If you’re planning on buying a property in Spain to rent out to tourists on platforms such as Airbnb, you need to think very carefully about where the property is located as many places have strict restrictions.
thelocal.com
Why are rainbow Pride flags being banned in Germany?
Why are rainbow Pride flags being banned in Germany?
People were blocked from entering a shopping mall with rainbow flags during Hamburg's CSD celebration. Other similar incidents suggest that 'Pride' symbols are increasingly met with hostility in Germany.
thelocal.com
QUIZ: Can you pass The Local's mock Swedish citizenship test?
QUIZ: Can you pass The Local's mock Swedish citizenship test?
Proof of knowledge of basic Swedish civics, history, geography, and culture will now be required to obtain Swedish citizenship. An official study booklet for the new test is now out. How well do you know the material?
thelocal.com
Three of EU's 15 largest wildfires since 2016 occurred in July
Three of EU's 15 largest wildfires since 2016 occurred in July
Three wildfires that broke out within days of each other in Spain and France this month are among the 15 largest recorded in the European Union since 2016.
thelocal.com
EU countries call for talks over migrant influx into Spanish enclave
EU countries call for talks over migrant influx into Spanish enclave
A majority of EU countries called on Saturday for emergency talks on the sudden inflow of tens of thousands of migrants into Spain's enclave of Ceuta in North Africa.
thelocal.com
Fire-hit France region 'coming up for air' as main blaze calms
Fire-hit France region 'coming up for air' as main blaze calms
People in France's fire-hit southwest were "coming up for air", officials said Friday, after firefighters managed to stabilise a massive blaze that had burned for nine days.
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Your key questions answered about the Schengen area's 90-day rule
Your key questions answered about the Schengen area's 90-day rule
The EU/Schengen area's '90-day' rule is a complicated one that causes much confusion for travellers - here we answer some of the most common questions from readers of The Local.
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Trump says 'terrible' Spain migrant crisis warning for US
Trump says 'terrible' Spain migrant crisis warning for US
President Donald Trump sought to make political capital out of the migration crisis in Spain on Friday, casting the sudden surge of migrants into the territory of Ceuta as a warning for the United States if his opponents get into power.
thelocal.com
Can an EU member state be kicked out of Schengen zone?
Can an EU member state be kicked out of Schengen zone?
Several EU countries have caused a stir when they called to shut Spain out of the EU's visa-free Schengen travel zone after the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in Morocco was overwhelmed this week by thousands of migrant arrivals. Is that possible?
thelocal.com
Swedes still booking holidays in Southern Europe despite fires
Swedes still booking holidays in Southern Europe despite fires
Swedes' interest in travelling to Southern Europe does not seem to be decreasing despite the major fires in France and Spain, according to airlines and travel agencies.
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Why are Ceuta and Melilla Spanish?
Why are Ceuta and Melilla Spanish?
As Ceuta and Melilla are brought back into the international spotlight after thousands of Moroccans crossed their borders illegally, The Local considers how these two cities in North Africa became Spanish and why they remain so to this day.
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Woman and child found dead after boat collision off Swedish coast – merchant ship captain suspected
Woman and child found dead after boat collision off Swedish coast – merchant ship captain suspected
Both the girl and the woman who were missing after the boat collision outside Tjörn have been found dead. The captain aboard the Norwegian merchant ship is suspected of causing death to another person, says the Swedish Prosecution Authority.
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