STRESS-FREE MEALS FOR BUSY EVENINGS
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The European rabbit uses a unique survival tactic of lying still on the ground with closed eyes, staying completely silent. If the predator loses interest, the rabbit quickly escapes. Credit : PINTEREST
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Phong Nha is home to the world's largest cave, Hang Son Doong, amidst other incredible cave systems, offering an awe-inspiring adventure for casual explorers. Credit : PINTEREST
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This gripping sci-fi series follows the sudden return of 4,400 missing people, each mysteriously changed, exploring themes of identity, power, and alien abduction. Credit : COLLIDER
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Astragalus, a key herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine, is packed with protective compounds, which help support immune cell activity, regulate blood sugar, and offer anti-inflammatory benefits. Credit : PINTEREST
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Scarlet Macaw, a striking Amazonian bird, features red, yellow, and blue feathers and is often seen flying in pairs or small flocks through the jungle canopy. Credit : PEXELS
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First Post
36 minutes ago
- First Post
Beyond France: Europe's air travel system struggles to cope with post-Covid demand
Europe's skies are buckling under pressure as a French air traffic control strike exposes a continent-wide aviation system struggling with staff shortages, outdated infrastructure and fragmented oversight read more A departures information board is seen at Roissy Charles-de-Gaulle airport, outside Paris, on July 3, 2025, as French air traffic controllers launched a two-day strike to demand better working conditions, disrupting travel for tens of thousands of people at the start of a summer holiday season. AFP The two-day strike by French air traffic controllers on July 3–4 has forced the cancellation of over 1,500 flights and disrupted travel plans for nearly 300,000 passengers, is more than just a national labour dispute. As reported by Airlines for Europe (A4E) and corroborated by Reuters, this latest disruption lays bare the deep, systemic weaknesses in Europe's air travel infrastructure. France's disruption is merely the tip of an iceberg — a symptom of a continent-wide crisis of staffing, ageing infrastructure, fractured airspace management and unsustainable demand. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Post-pandemic surge meets pre-existing strain Europe's aviation system, already creaking before 2020, was pushed to the brink during the Covid-19 pandemic. When air travel plummeted in 2020 and 2021, recruitment was halted, training paused and thousands of aviation professionals took early retirement. As the International Air Transport Association (IATA) noted, air traffic in 2023 had recovered to over 94 per cent of 2019 levels, with December traffic alone surpassing pre-pandemic numbers. This rebound, while welcome, has overwhelmed an industry that had not rebuilt its operational base to match this explosive demand. According to IATA data, European carriers saw full-year traffic climb 22 per cent in 2023 versus 2022, and December 2023 even exceeded pre-pandemic benchmarks for the first time. The upsurge in demand has not been met with a corresponding increase in resources, particularly in air traffic control (ATC), where staffing and infrastructure continue to lag. Chronic shortages and the human toll At the heart of the crisis lies a critical shortage of trained air traffic controllers across Europe. According to Politico, the continent is currently missing between 700 and 1,000 controllers, a figure cited by Frederic Deleau of the International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers' Associations. This shortfall stems from a combination of factors: a high number of retirements, a post-Covid-19 recruitment slump, the time-intensive nature of ATC training and growing burnout among existing staff. The European air traffic control system is especially vulnerable because it relies on a small cadre of highly skilled professionals — approximately 15,000 in the EU, according to PwC. Each controller requires two to three years of intensive training, encompassing theoretical coursework, simulation training and on-the-job experience. Many aspiring controllers are deterred by high entry barriers, including stringent health, language and math requirements as well as an upper age limit of 27 in programmes like Eurocontrol's. Professor Marina Efthymiou of Dublin City University highlights another challenge: talent competition. Middle Eastern nations, including the UAE and Qatar, are aggressively recruiting European-trained controllers with attractive relocation packages. As Europe becomes less competitive, it experiences a 'brain drain' that further hollows out its ATC workforce. Burnout loop and a vicious cycle With too few controllers available, those who remain are pushed into overtime and back-to-back shifts. This leads to mounting fatigue, increasing the likelihood of errors and driving even more personnel to leave the profession. The result is a vicious cycle: understaffing leads to overwork, which leads to more understaffing. Strikes like the one initiated by the French UNSA-ICNA union are often rooted in these exact pressures. As reported by the BBC and Euronews, French controllers walked out in protest over chronic understaffing, poor management practices and the planned introduction of a new clock-in system, which unions say reflects a distrustful and overly rigid managerial approach. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Ageing infrastructure adds to the woes Compounding the workforce issues is Europe's ageing air traffic control infrastructure. Much of the continent still depends on legacy radar and communication technologies developed decades ago. This outdated system contributes to inefficiencies, such as extended flight paths, increased fuel consumption and more delays. Aviation Today noted that unlike the United States—which benefits from a unified, FAA-run airspace—Europe remains divided into national systems with inconsistent standards. These fragmented technologies struggle to communicate efficiently across borders, reducing the system's resilience to disruptions and increasing the chance of cascading failures. Europe's national sovereignty concerns have prevented similar unification, with countries wary of ceding control over airspace management to a supranational body. Efforts to introduce remote-controlled towers in parts of the UK demonstrate one potential path forward, but the technology remains controversial. As the European Transport Workers' Federation pointed out in their communication with Scottish authorities, remote towers present challenges related to weather resilience, cybersecurity and job security, stoking resistance from unions and local communities alike. The fragmented sky Perhaps the most glaring structural weakness in European aviation is its lack of unified airspace management. Despite the perception of a borderless Europe, airspace is still controlled by national authorities operating in isolation. This fragmented system leads to inefficiencies, bottlenecks and a lack of coordination especially during crises. The recent French strike exemplifies the problem. Because France controls a disproportionately large swath of European airspace, delays and cancellations within French borders have ripple effects across the continent. Ryanair reported that even flights not landing in France—those merely flying over—were grounded or rerouted, causing chaos in the UK, Ireland, Spain and Greece. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD High cost of inaction The economic consequences of this dysfunctional system are substantial. A PwC study commissioned by Airlines for Europe estimates that ATC strikes alone impose massive costs not only on airlines but also on the broader economy. Tourism revenues drop, business travel is disrupted and consumer confidence in flying erodes. The European aviation sector supports approximately 5.5 million jobs and contributes €338 billion annually to the EU economy. Its unreliability now threatens that role. This July, Ryanair alone was forced to cancel over 170 flights, disrupting the holidays of more than 30,000 passengers, the BBC reported. EasyJet and other low-cost carriers have voiced their frustration, emphasising that the current situation is untenable during the peak travel season. A wave of labour unrest across the continent France is far from alone. Across Europe, aviation workers are increasingly turning to strikes to demand better pay, working conditions and job security. According to TimeOut, industrial action is also planned or underway in Italy, Spain, Finland and Greece during July 2025. The growing frequency and coordination of these strikes point to deeper, systemic grievances exacerbated by inflation, cost-of-living crises and stagnant wages. The European economy is still reeling from the cumulative impact of Covid-19, energy shocks and geopolitical tensions. As workers in high-pressure environments demand fair treatment, authorities have failed to deliver coherent, cross-border solutions. Towards a unified sky The idea of a 'Single European Sky' (SES) has long been touted as the solution to many of these problems. Proposed as far back as the early 2000s, the SES initiative seeks to replace Europe's patchwork of national ATC systems with a streamlined, continent-wide network. The goals: cut down on congestion, standardise regulations and implement next-generation technologies. While there has been some progress—such as the creation of Functional Airspace Blocks (FABs) to encourage regional cooperation—full implementation remains elusive. Aviation Today cites bureaucratic inertia and national security concerns as the primary barriers. Unions also resist the change, fearing job losses from automation and consolidation. Nonetheless, with mounting delays and rising demand, calls for urgent reform are intensifying. The SES is no longer a theoretical fix. It is a necessity if Europe hopes to remain competitive in global aviation. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A litmus test for Europe's capacity to act Unless decisive action is taken, the pattern of summer travel disruptions will only worsen. Air travel in Europe is now at or above 2019 levels, and the upward trajectory is expected to continue. Without adequate staffing, infrastructure renewal and cross-border coordination, the cracks in the system will deepen. In a continent that prides itself on integration and mobility, air travel should be a showcase of unity and efficiency. Instead, it is becoming a symbol of fragmentation and dysfunction. The challenge is no longer identifying the problem; it is finding the political courage to solve it.
Time of India
37 minutes ago
- Time of India
OYO-owned European holiday home brand DanCenter plans to add 250 vacation homes in India in FY26
Travel tech unicorn OYO on Friday said its European holiday home brand DanCenter plans to add 250 vacation homes in India in the current financial year amid rising demand for premium, well-managed vacation homes across the country. DanCenter added 50 vacation homes in the first quarter of this financial year and plans to add 200 more such properties by the end of this fiscal. DanCenter now has a network of vacation homes in Lonavala in Maharashtra, Kufri in Himachal Pradesh, Ramgarh in Uttarakhand, Chennai and Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu, Idukki in Kerala, Jaipur in Rajasthan, Bangalore in Karnataka & Delhi. The offerings include luxury villas and serviced apartments. DanCenter is also planning to enter new regions such as Telangana and the North-East in the times to come. "This strategic expansion is designed to meet the rising demand for premium, well-managed vacation homes across the country," OYO stated. Live Events Dancenter, a legacy Danish brand founded in Denmark in 1957, was acquired by OYO Vacation Homes in 2019. Since then, the company has expanded its presence in Europe significantly. Dancenter was launched in India in Goa in February 2025 with premium villas and apartments.
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
With Stop Killing Games reaching over a million signatures, what does it mean for the future of game and IP preservation
(Image via Getty Images) The Stop Killing Games movement has finally surpassed one million signatures. It's a pivotal moment within the fight for video game preservation. Born out of player frustration over the vanishing titles, the movement was spearheaded by Ross Scott, challenging publishers' ability to render games unplayable, shutting down the servers. It's a practice that surpassed outrage among worldwide gamers. With this consumer-led push challenging publishers, crossing the threshold, the European Commission must address this issue, potentially paving the way for new laws that can protect digital ownership. Here is all you need to know about what it would mean for the gaming future. Stop Killing Games' one million signatures can be a turning point for digital ownership and IP Preservation The Stop Killing Games initiative is not just about keeping the old games alive, but it is also about redefining what it means to own the game. The petition forces the European regulators to confront the gaming preservation crisis head-on. As of now, many titles, especially the online-only titles, become inaccessible as the servers go offline. Big update on Stop Killing Games! The Crew shutdown by Ubisoft last year was a wake-up call, proving that even the single-player experiences could vanish overnight, erasing consumer investments and cultural artifacts. Now with a million-signature threshold, it's guaranteed to have a formal EU review, which would potentially reshape the digital ownership laws. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like La rutina de abs que necesitas [Descubre] VIDA FIT Leer más Undo Stop Killing Games And The Future Of Video Game Preservation The Stop Killing Games petition argues that consumers have the right to retain all access to games they have purchased. If this becomes successful, legislative action can mandate publishers to provide offline switches or private server options before a game shuts down. Quite crucially, it will reframe games as the lasting products and not some disposable services—label the game as a license or product at purchase. For now, publishers have control over the game IP. It allows them to shut the services just as they wish to, without buyers having any legal recourse, but with new laws, it will limit publishers' control. Companies would be required to preserve the playable versions and more. As noted by professionals, the initiative taps into deeper anxieties as players do not just lose entertainment, but they also lose personal history. The campaign, though, can pressure studios to design games with longevity and not obsolescence in their minds. Setting legal precedents can ensure that future games remain playable long after the official support ends. Why does Stop Killing Games' 1 million signatures matter? To reach one million signatures isn't a small feat. It legally requires the European Commission to consider this petition. For now, the organizers have still not stopped. Concerns over some invalid signatures because of spoofing or errors have pushed the Stop Killing Games campaign to aim for 1.4 million, just as a safety net. The petition now centers around overdrive mode till the deadline of July 31, 2025, urging all European gamers to fortify the count. The movement has already gained traction, that's beyond the EU. In the United Kingdom, a parallel petition has already surpassed one hundred thousand signatures. It forced some parliamentary discussions. Even Australia, Germany, and France didn't stay behind. They have launched their investigations into consumer rights violations related to the shutdown of games. Stop Killing Games' momentum has brought unstoppable ripple effects Stop Killing Games Was Doomed. Now It Can't Be Stopped The entire momentum suggests that public pressure is working. Ubisoft, a company that stands at the center of this entire controversy, has already started testing offline models for The Crew 2 and Motorfest. Indie studios like Blizzard (Spellbreak) and Valon (Knockout City) released peer-to-peer/private server tools after the shutdown. It's a sign that the publishers are taking notice, despite the fact that it's not a legal mandate yet, but it has already made the industry's attitudes shift. California's new law even requires a license, not product labels, for all the online-dependent games. It shows regulatory winds changing, too. Even Steam now has explicitly stated that purchases are licenses and not owned copies. The true victory of the movement is that now, if a game is sold without an expiration date, it must not vanish. Preservation has become the default expectation and not just a plea. What's next? With the petition's deadline approaching it's end date, July 31, 2025, this campaign is in the final push. If it is able to secure enough valid signatures, the EU can introduce binding legislation. It can force publishers to rethink how they design and sunset any game. For the gamers, this isn't any longer about nostalgia, but now it is about legacy, fairness, and also game's ownership. No one knows if the petition will lead to a change, but it has already sparked global conversations which would indefinitely not fade away any sooner. If you wish to be a part of it, sign the petition if you are eligible, and spread the word, as once a game's gone, it might be gone truly forever. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
