Latest news with #Europe-specific
Malaysian Reserve
26-06-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
Gravity Expands Presence and Team in Europe
Geographical expansion driven by European companies' demand for solutions that move beyond sustainability disclosure and drive business value SAN FRANCISCO, June 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Gravity, the leading enterprise carbon accounting and energy management platform, today announced that it has expanded its presence and team in Europe. This strategic expansion builds on the company's early traction in the region, where Gravity serves customers operating in 19 countries, and significant growth in North America, where over 60% of its customers have switched from other providers. 'In working with European customers, we've heard familiar pains: automation is falling short, causing organizations to spend far too much time on measurement; regulatory changes are difficult to track and prepare for; and the work increasingly needs to align with business priorities to justify investment,' said Saleh ElHattab, Co-Founder and CEO of Gravity. 'Gravity has been laser-focused on these pain points since day one, and we've already saved our European partners time and money. We're thrilled to be expanding our support on the continent.' Gravity's customers in Europe span a wide variety of sectors and sizes and include Adyen, a global financial technology platform headquartered in Amsterdam; Permasteelisa Group, a leading global contractor in architectural envelopes based in Italy; and SHV Energy, a leading global distributor of off-grid energy headquartered in the Netherlands, among others. The company has already supported its customers to prepare for disclosure to the EU's Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and for third-party audits, which its customers have passed with no qualifications. 'Across our operations in Europe and globally, Gravity has been instrumental in empowering Permasteelisa to better understand our Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions — leveraging technology to simplify processes and scale the impact of our work,' commented Anna Foden, Head of Sustainability at Permasteelisa. 'We look forward to deepening our work together as Gravity expands in our home base of Italy and across the region.' To lead the company's growth in Europe, Gravity has increased the size of its existing team of climate and product experts in the region. The expanded team is led by Giulia Borsa, a senior sustainability expert and sales leader based in Barcelona, and Miles Cox, a seasoned private equity professional based in London. Gravity intends to continue growing its European team over the coming year, with a focus on scaling its Sales and Marketing functions and expanding its presence in Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and the United Kingdom. In addition to global emissions reporting frameworks, Gravity's Europe team has deep expertise in advising customers on how to navigate and report for a wide range of Europe-specific regulations, including the EU's CSRD, taxonomy for sustainable activities, and Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), as well as the UK's Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR) and Spain's Ley 7/2021 de Cambio Climático y Transición Energética, among others. About GravityGravity is an end-to-end carbon accounting and energy management solution that aligns sustainability and business impact. Built for energy-intense operations and companies with complex supply chains, Gravity empowers the world's makers and leading institutions to easily comply with emissions reporting requirements, win over customers, and reduce costs by optimizing energy use. With industry-leading technology, Gravity ensures customers can navigate the changing regulatory environment with confidence and execute projects that drive meaningful energy reductions, while protecting – and enhancing – their bottom line. Learn more and arrange a demo at
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Czech president calls for greater European autonomy within NATO
Czech President Petr Pavel has called for NATO to have stronger "operational autonomy" within its command structure in Europe, urging the alliance to prepare for missions without relying on active US involvement. Speaking at the GLOBSEC security forum in Prague on Thursday, the 63-year-old former general said European nations should consider "mirroring" command posts currently held by US military officers with European personnel. Such a move, he argued, would ensure Europe-specific operations remain viable regardless of Washington's decisions. Pavel, who served as chairman of the NATO Military Committee from 2015 to 2018, said Europe must respond to shifting US attitudes toward European security, particularly under President Donald Trump. "It is time that we draw the necessary conclusions from the fact that the United States' role in European security has changed. The new US administration has unsettled transatlantic relations and forced Europe to face strategic questions it cannot postpone," he said. "The aim is not to create an alternative to NATO, but to strengthen NATO's European pillar. To succeed, this European pillar cannot remain an abstract ambition. It needs to be institutionalized, embedded in NATO's standard planning, in budgeting and force development processes," he continued. Security conference under way in Prague Top politicians, defence officials, and experts are meeting in Prague this week for the 20th annual GLOBSEC security forum. Discussions are focused on global security challenges and strategies for overcoming ongoing crises. The Czech Republic, a NATO member since 1999, has taken a prominent role in supporting Ukraine in its defence against Russia's war of aggression. Prague's conservative government has backed an initiative to supply Kiev with artillery ammunition and continues to advocate for robust support for Ukraine across the alliance.
Newsweek
12-05-2025
- Newsweek
Airbnb Guest Checks In at Midnight—Can't Believe What Host Does Next
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. A video about a young woman arriving late at night to an Airbnb in Portugal and being greeted with an unexpected act of kindness has gone viral on TikTok. In the clip, Toronto-based content creator Ann Mathew (@browngirlthriving) captured the moment her Airbnb host began cooking her a warm meal, just after she checked in at midnight. The clip has garnered over 124,000 views since it was posted on April 22. Mathew, 24, told Newsweek that she stayed at the Airbnb in Lisbon, the Portuguese capital, during her first solo trip to Europe. In the clip, she films her host preparing food in the kitchen. In the text overlaid on the video, the poster writes that, when she checked in, the host "immediately started making me a warm meal after I asked for the UberEats instruction." The footage shows the host at the stove, cooking what Mathew later revealed was the man's "specialty" egg sandwich. A December 2023 study in the Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism found that solo female travelers often seek self-understanding, independence, and cultural exchange, but also face anxiety rooted in safety risks. In 2023, data from Statista found that 61 percent of female travelers cited personal safety as a major barrier to solo travel. Concerns such as getting lost or lacking companionship were also commonly reported. For Mathew, that tension was something she actively worked through. "At first, I was so nervous when I arrived [in Portugal] because it hit me that I would be staying with strangers in a country where I didn't know anyone," she told Newsweek. "But I found Portuguese culture to be so kind and giving. I was so grateful especially for my first Europe-specific solo trip." A screenshot from a viral TikTok video show the Airbnb host cooking a warm meal for Ann Mathew in a kitchen. A screenshot from a viral TikTok video show the Airbnb host cooking a warm meal for Ann Mathew in a kitchen. @browngirlthriving on TikTok Mathew said she took her first solo trip to Europe to "intentionally took to work on my self-trust and get out of my comfort zone." She is the founder of Brown Girls Thriving, a wellness club aimed at helping South Asian women "heal from societal pressure we can face, grow, and build intentional friendships." The poster said: "My flight was only about three hours from London, U.K. to Lisbon, Portugal. But it took me five hours to commute to the Luton Airport [in London], so it felt like a long day for me." Mathew arrived to a dark and unfamiliar neighborhood in Lisbon's Vale de Santo António area. "Everything looked so scary at night," Mathew said. "I was so hungry when I arrived and couldn't wait until the morning to eat. I asked my hosts when I arrived, since they were also staying in the place, if there were any specific UberEats instructions I could use, and instead they offered to make me a warm meal. In fact, he insisted because his eggs were his specialty." The spontaneous gesture stood out for Mathew. "He honestly seemed excited to show me his specialty meal—he made an omelet sandwich-style for me. I was incredibly surprised, because it was so late at night and I could tell they were about to go to bed." The Airbnb experience, priced at $65 a night with breakfast included, stood out not just for affordability but also for the deeply personal welcome she received. "Everyone from all over the world had positive reviews for the hosts," Mathew said, "saying how they really went above and beyond to make sure you would feel settled in at the Airbnb." In addition to cooking for Mathew, the hosts provided a metro card with funds for public transportation, assisted with laundry, and gave detailed local recommendations. "The Airbnb hosts are a sweet couple, who are Portuguese locals," she said. "They told me not to be shy and ask if I needed anything. I definitely feel like having a local touch to my solo travel experience was preferable than staying at a hostel for me, while still being budget-friendly." While solo travel can be unpredictable, Mathew said her experiences with local families have helped her grow in trust and discernment. "Since I have stayed with local families before while solo-traveling, I'm grateful to have experienced many different acts of kindness," she said. "It was so refreshing for me to have these experiences, because I always hear about 'stranger danger,' which is extremely valid, but it's also nice knowing there are people out there doing acts of kindness for strangers." Do you have a travel-related video or story to share? Let us know via life@ and your story could be featured on Newsweek.
Telegraph
03-05-2025
- Telegraph
The best-value beach breaks in Europe this summer
Summer holiday season is on the horizon, so the race is on to find a great-value beach break. But where in Europe will your budget stretch furthest, without compromising too far? We've crunched the numbers, so you don't have to. In the hunt for the ultimate bargain, I've compared the cost of 30 of the continent's go-to coastal getaways – whether for independently booked trips, or package holidays arranged through an agent. In this guide: Methodology Europe's best-value beach breaks Europe's most expensive beach breaks Choosing flights Costs on the ground What about the school summer holidays? Best-value package holidays for under £2,543 per family Methodology When researching the costs of the below holidays, strict parameters were set to keep things fair. All travel dates are from July 5 to 12, 2025, to avoid most school holidays in England and Wales, where term ends in late July. Kids in Scotland, Italy, Greece, Spain and Portugal are let loose in June. If you can't avoid the crossover weeks when schools are out, skip to What about the school summer holidays? Skyscanner was used for flight prices, based on direct routes from any London airport (returning to the same one). These are hand-luggage only, so add £20-40 per person if you're bringing a suitcase. While cheaper, 'red-eye' flights can be horrendous – so I filtered outward departures from 10am–4pm, and inward 10am–5.30pm. This wasn't possible in six instances, so I chose the most reasonable times. From these, the lowest fare was selected. For hotels was used, filtering the results to four-star beachfront with a pool, and a review score of at least 8/10. The lowest-price hotel was then selected, based on two adults (no kids) sharing a double room with breakfast included. It's easy to lower costs by opting for self-catering, or compromising on location or reviews, but for the sake of fairness (and a decent holiday) I adhered to the above criteria. Special offers or discounts were also included – if applicable to all customers. These prices were researched on 25 April, 10 weeks before the travel dates. As is often the case, the longer you leave it to book, the more prices are likely to rise. Finally, the search was focused on 30 key coastal areas in Europe's top holiday regions – including Turkey, as almost all travel insurance providers cover it on their Europe-specific policies (check yours before booking, though). While lower-cost European destinations are certainly available, this is about getting great value from go-to locations – not 'making do' with somewhere because it's cheap. You're on holiday, after all. Europe's best-value beach breaks Bravo, Spain! It dominates the top 10 best-value holidays, with Lanzarote in second place (£701pp for one week), Galicia in third (£711pp), Tenerife in ninth (£775pp) and Majorca in 10th (£796.50pp). But the Turkish Riviera is the winner at £576pp – that's £125 cheaper than second-place Lanzarote. Even more impressive, the lowest-cost hotel that fits our search parameters in Antalya is actually all-inclusive. It's heavily reduced by 65 per cent on stays until September 30 – and flights are just £131pp, the fourth cheapest in our survey. Many other hotels in Antalya also offered extraordinary value, with similarly significant discounts. Why are Spain and Turkey offering such excellent value? In Antalya's case, the reason is twofold: the local tourism industry is booming (in 2024 it welcomed 19.3 million tourists according to Euromonitor, ahead of Dubai and Paris), which drives prices down and booking incentives up. Equally, sterling continues to enjoy a favourable exchange rate against Turkish lira and local operating costs are also low. Meanwhile, Spain's enduring popularity with UK holidaymakers means that competition between hotels and airlines is ruthless, keeping prices reasonable. On flight fares alone, Spain appears six times in the top 10, with Malaga, on the Costa del Sol, coming in cheapest at £114pp return. And remember, that's with sensible flight timings: no red-eye required. In Cyprus, Paphos also benefits from high demand and availability alongside a low local cost of living: it's seventh place, at £760pp for a week. Meanwhile, Rhodes balances pricier flights (£232pp) with cheaper accommodation – a week's B&B accommodation in Lindos costs just £1,004 per couple – which evens out to an impressive fifth place (£734pp). The top ten also highlights how travelling to a slightly lesser-known destination can open up excellent value, without compromising on standards. Savvy travellers should look to Montenegro's Budva Riviera, which rivals Europe's pricier holiday hotspots (John Malkovich and Angelina Jolie are big fans, apparently), where a week in the sunshine costs just £714pp – fourth place in our rankings. In Portugal, a week on the rather overlooked west coast in Sesimbra (sixth place, £735pp) is peanuts compared with the popular Algarve (26th place, £1,222.50pp). Not bad for a vast white-sand beach a stone's throw from the Tróia Peninsula – nicknamed 'the Hamptons of Portugal' for its boho-chic vibe and celebrity villa-owners, including Jose Mourinho and George Clooney. If you prefer self-catering breaks, then you'll want to focus on the lowest-cost flights of our survey. Again, Spain dominates the top 10: after the aforementioned Malaga in first place, Ibiza (£126pp) and Majorca (£127pp) scoop second and third place, closely followed by the Costa Brava (£140pp, sixth), Tenerife (£153pp, seventh) and Lanzarote (£163pp, 10th). Antalya also offers tempting fares: from just £131pp return, in fourth place. Interestingly for those sans enfants, three of the featured hotels are adults-only (in Ibiza, Tenerife and Croatia's Dalmatian Coast) – a reflection, no doubt, of the higher demand for family-friendly accommodation throughout summer. When searching, I also found that rooms with two single beds are sometimes cheaper than doubles: good news for solo parents, friends and couples who prefer to sleep apart. Europe's most expensive beach breaks It's a wooden spoon for France. Not only is Nice the most expensive destination surveyed (£1,674.50pp for a week's holiday – 30th place), but Île de Ré ranks 29th (£1,596.50pp) and Corsica is 27th (£1,277.50pp). Flights to Corsica are the most expensive of all: at £474pp, they're £228 pricier than the average fare of £246pp – while Nice is just £276pp (£30 over), so you may be able to find better value if you're flexible with your accommodation wish-list. Don't expect your sterling to stretch far on Sardinia, either: it takes 28th place (£1,451.50pp). Flights to the island are only £27 pricier than the average, but its hotel bill of £2,357 per couple is the third most expensive; a whopping £920 above the average of £1,437. I expected Bulgaria to feature higher up the table, given that its Black Sea Riviera is quietly renowned for good-value sunny breaks. However, the price of return flights is slightly elevated (£300pp), and accommodation on Albena's long sandy beach costs £1,591 per couple for the week – again, above average. It is worth noting, though, that the cheapest hotel that fits my parameters is actually all-inclusive, so you'll save substantially on meals. Overall, a week in Albena ranks 23rd place for value, at £1,095.50pp – though you might argue that it deserves a higher spot. Eagle-eyed readers will notice that Fethiye, in 25th place, is just three hour's drive from Antalya – which ranks first for value. A week in Fethiye costs £1,183pp, compared with Antalya's pip-squeak £576pp. Why so? Quite simply, Fethiye has a more exclusive tourism industry, with fewer hotels and more sought-after beaches (the 'blue lagoon' of nearby Ölüdeniz is the star of most Turkey holiday brochures) – whereas Antalya is a lively resort city, which offers burly discounts on hotels. Choosing flights All of the above prices are based on the cheapest available flights from London. It's usually more expensive to fly from regional airports, though not perhaps as much as you might think. For example, Ryanair's Manchester–Lanzarote fares start at £34. Very occasionally, regional flights can be cheaper. For example, if heading to Paphos from July 5–12, flying from Bristol is £12 cheaper than Gatwick (£183 vs £195). Costs on the ground In its Holiday Money Report 2025, the Post Office compares the costs of everyday essentials in key destinations – such as dinner for two, drinks, suncream and insect repellent. So how do its findings compare with our travel and hotel value rankings? Of 47 places worldwide, the Post Office reports that Portugal's Algarve offers the best value, at £58.95 for its full shopping list. This isn't only cheaper than other European destinations, but also the likes of Bali and Thailand. Very surprising, given that the Algarve ranks just 26th for flights and hotel value in our Europe-focused study. The Post Office has no data for Antalya, our winning destination, but Lanzarote (in second place) is 13th in its report – with the essentials priced £85.42. The Cote d'Azur's Nice, which ranks most expensive in our comparison, is also the dearest European destination in the Post Office's survey, costing £153.03 for its shopping list. What about the school summer holidays? How much pricier is it to travel in the middle of the UK's school summer holidays? I repeated the above flight searches (for two adults), but shifted the dates to August 9–16 – slap-bang in the school recess. Then, I compared the prices for our top 10 value hotel winners. Ouch. Travelling in the school holidays increases prices by as much as 60.7 per cent, with top-value Antalya now priced at £926 per person. It then becomes the third-cheapest of the top 10, pipped only by Budva (£831pp, first place) and Tenerife (£923.50pp, second). It's worth noting that two of the hotels are unavailable during the school break, suggesting that desirable options are already getting booked up. Next, I added two kids (aged two and six), to compare prices when travelling as a family during school holidays. To accommodate four people sharing, these prices reflect larger rooms. Again, under-the-radar Budva offers the lowest price: £2,543 for a family of four. In this comparison, only four of the top 10 best-value holidays come under £1,000 per person (and remember, one of those people is just two years old). Antalya, our best-value winner so far, now costs £3,690 per family for a week: that's second place, closely followed by Lanzarote in third (£3,896) and Sesimbra in fourth (£3,913). The best European beach package holidays – for under £2,543 per family For families, package trips can offer better value than independent bookings: this is because companies have stronger 'buying power' than individuals, so they can offer good discounts. Booking via a reputable agent will also give you ATOL protection, meaning your money will be protected if the provider goes bust, and help is at hand during any travel disruption. But is it possible to book a week during the school summer holidays, for less than £2,543 per family – the same price as our cheapest independent option? Why yes, it is: here are eight enticing options. Again, this is for two adults and two kids (aged two and six), sharing a B&B hotel room with pool and the beach close-by. All are for seven nights and transfers and baggage are often included too. Sol Milanos Pinguinos Menorca, Spain Sea views over your morning coffee, indoor and outdoor sports facilities for the kids, and a choice of two pools – plus direct access to one of the island's longest sandy beaches. What more do you need? The room in this package includes twin beds and a balcony. From £2,496 per family (£624pp), travelling August 16 from Glasgow with First Choice (0203 451 2690). Eftalia Downtown Hotel Antalya, Turkey This hotel gets rave reviews for its location, just a few metres from Eftalia Island Beach Club – which features a waterpark, restaurants and watersports (free access for guests). There's a pool onsite too, and all rooms feature balconies. From £1,821 per family (£456pp), travelling August 15 from Liverpool with On The Beach (0871 474 3000). Hotel Playas de Torrevieja Costa Blanca, Spain While the kids gamble around in the splash playground, you can chill with a sunlounger sangria from the poolside bar. It's far under budget, so expect no-frills family fun – still, the beach is a 10-minute walk away, and your room includes a sea-view balcony. From £1,636 per family (£409pp), travelling August 9 from Stanstedwith loveholidays (01234 975 975). Avanti Village Paphos, Cyprus This hotel regularly scores five stars on Tripadvisor for its spotless rooms, lagoon-style pool and great location (Pachyammos Beach is five-minutes' walk away). This package features a one-bedroom apartment with a separate living room. From £2,076 per family (£692pp), travelling August 11 from Glasgow with Holiday Hypermarket (0204 578 0977). Obzor Beach Resort Varna, Bulgaria With a front-row spot on the beach, this resort also features five outdoor pools and sports such as table tennis, darts and volleyball. Apartments have self-catering facilities and balconies, and this package also includes breakfast. From £2,239 per family (£560pp), travelling August 11 from Luton with On The Beach (0871 474 3000). Playa Moreia Majorca, Spain This bright, modern resort is located in the resort town of Sa Coma, with a large outdoor pool plus adjoining one just for kids. It's just a few sandy steps from the beach, and this rate includes a sea-view apartment with balcony, kitchenette and breakfast included. From £2,504 per family (£626pp), travelling August 8 from Luton with easyJet Holidays (0330 551 5165). Bella Vista Sissi Crete, Greece The closest beach is a five-minute walk away, and the hotel's pool and bar offer panoramic sea views – best enjoyed with an ouzito sundowner. The apartments are roomy, featuring a separate bedroom and living area, and are surrounded by gardens. From £2,166 per family (£541pp), travelling August 4 from Gatwick with Hays Travel (0800 408 4048). Ses Savines Hotel Ibiza, Spain Low-rise and white-washed in traditional Ibizan style, this beachfront hotel is one minute's walk from sandy San Antonio Bay. It also has two sea-view pools (one for kids, one for families), and this rate includes one twin room and one single, with transfers. From £2314.80 per family (£578.70pp), travelling August 4 from Luton with TUI (0203 451 2688). All prices correct as of April 25, 2025.
