Europe has joined the G7's plan to counter China's Belt & Road Initiative. Does this mean Europe is finally taking a stand against Beijing? What forced Europe to abandon its ambivalence? Palki Sharma Upadhyay tells you.

Gravitas: Is Europe finally taking on China?

The G7's initiative to take on China's Belt & Road initiative failed last year. The world's richest countries are now trying to reboot the same initiative. The G7 wants to spend $600 Billion to counter BRI. Palki Sharma Upadhyay why it may not be enough.

Gravitas: World's richest countries struggle to challenge China's Belt and Road

A new report by the European Environment Agency (EEA) has revealed that pollution is linked to more than 10 per cent of cancer cases in Europe.

2.7 million people are diagnosed with cancer each year in the European Union and 1.3 million die from it.&nbsp;

Europe reports almost a quarter of new cancer cases and a fifth of deaths even though it accounts for less than 10 per cent of the world's population.

The EEA said in its report that air pollution is linked to around one percent of all cancer cases in Europe, and causes around two percent of all cancer deaths.

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The report, which is the agency's first on the link between cancer and the environment, highlights that "all environmental and occupational cancer risks can be reduced," according to EEA expert Gerardo Sanchez.

While UV radiation may be responsible for up to four percent of all cancer cases in Europe, indoor exposure to radon is linked to up to two percent of all cancer cases, and one in ten lung cancer cases in the continent.

Warning that some chemicals used in European workplaces contribute to causing cancer, the agency said exposure to second-hand smoke may increase the overall risk for all cancers by up to 16 percent for people who have never been smokers.

Asbestos, a well-known carcinogen, which was banned in 2005 by the EU, it is still present in some buildings and is estimated to account for 55 to 88 per cent of occupational lung cancers.&nbsp;

"Environmental and occupational cancer risks can be reduced by cleaning up pollution and changing behaviours," the agency said.&nbsp;

"Decreasing these risks will lead to a fall in the numbers of cancer cases and deaths," it added. 
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(With inputs from agencies)

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A new report by the European Environment Agency (EEA) has revealed that pollution is linked to more than 10 per cent of cancer cases in Europe. 2.7 million people are diagnosed with cancer each year in the European Union and 1.

A new report by the European Environment Agency (EEA) has revealed that pollution is linked to more than 10 per cent of cancer cases in Europe. 2.7 million people are diagnosed with cancer each year in the European Union and 1.3 million die from it. Europe reports almost a quarter of new cancer cases and a fifth of deaths even though it accounts for less than 10 per cent of the world's population. The EEA said in its report that air pollution is linked to around one percent of all cancer cases in Europe, and causes around two percent of all cancer deaths. × The report, which is the agency's first on the link between cancer and the environment, highlights that "all environmental and occupational cancer risks can be reduced," according to EEA expert Gerardo Sanchez. While UV radiation may be responsible for up to four percent of all cancer cases in Europe, indoor exposure to radon is linked to up to two percent of all cancer cases, and one in ten lung cancer cases in the continent. Warning that some chemicals used in European workplaces contribute to causing cancer, the agency said exposure to second-hand smoke may increase the overall risk for all cancers by up to 16 percent for people who have never been smokers. Asbestos, a well-known carcinogen, which was banned in 2005 by the EU, it is still present in some buildings and is estimated to account for 55 to 88 per cent of occupational lung cancers. "Environmental and occupational cancer risks can be reduced by cleaning up pollution and changing behaviours," the agency said. "Decreasing these risks will lead to a fall in the numbers of cancer cases and deaths," it added. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION's live TV here:

New report reveals pollution linked to 10% of cancer cases in Europe

Ryanair said less than 2% of its flights were affected by cabin crew strikes. Unions want improvement in working conditions and crew in Spain set to strike again on June 30th.

Ryanair: 2% of flights affected by strike, unions want improvement in working conditions

As the inflation woes in Europe grow, Lufthansa airlines has canceled 3000 flights due to a shortage of staff. The company is planning to cancel thousands of flights this summer as workers continue to strike.

Commuters across Europe face travel disruptions as union workers demand pay hike

Flights in Europe are disrupted and Britain's railway system has once again ended up at a standstill with the increasing strikes in the travel sector across the continent.

Flights in Europe are disrupted and Britain's railway system has once again ended up at a standstill with the increasing strikes in the travel sector across the continent. On Tuesday and Thursday, thousands of UK rail workers staged a day-long walkout over wages and job security, hampering travel plans and commute for people already hit by existing strikes. Only one-fifth of the services are still operating at heavily reduced hours. Also read | As biggest rail strike in 30 years starts, UK PM Boris Johnson seeks 'sensible compromise' In a statement, Network Rail chief executive Andrew Haines said, "Unfortunately, the RMT's decision to carry out another day of needless and premature strike action means our passengers will suffer again on Saturday. A fraction of trains will run compared to a usual Saturday service, with trains starting later in the morning and finishing much earlier in the evening." The RMT rail union necessitates the actions being taken by them this week because of the failure of their wages to keep pace with the rising UK inflation which has already hit a 40-year high. RMT secretary-general Mick Lynch told AFP, "In a modern economy, workers need to be properly rewarded for their work, enjoy good conditions and have the peace of mind that their job will not be taken away from them." Airline strikes Similar to much of Europe, Britain is experiencing issues due to the skyrocketing inflation and stagnant economic growth that has raised the prospect of a summer full of strikes throughout the continent. On Saturday, staff from the Irish airline, Ryanair held strikes in Spain, Italy, France, Portugal, and Belgium. The strike resulted in the cancellation of two flights between Lisbon and Brussels. Watch | UK braces for the 3rd day of rail strikes as no deal with the rail union reached yet Similarly, in Spain, the USO transport union announced that nearly 75 flights had been cancelled from six different locations. The union also denounced the fact that striking staff had been replaced by workers from Morocco. The workers claimed that it was a tactic that they consider illegal because it violates their right to strike. In Belgium, the walkout on Saturday led to only 41 per cent of Ryanair flights leaving Charleroi airport. Since Friday, Ryanair has cancelled 127 flights with no other option left, AFP reported quoting an airport spokeswoman. The situation has become excessively complicated in Belgium with a three-day strike by Brussels Airlines staff ending Saturday. This has forced the German-owned carrier, to cancel close to 60 per cent or 300 of its flights since Thursday. On Saturday, Austria Airlines also claimed that it had to cancel 52 out of 360 scheduled flights due to a rise in Covid infections among its staff. Also read | Strike to ground quarter of flights at Paris airport A spokeswoman for the airline told AFP, "Our crew members are sick, and cases of infection are rising." The aviation industry in Europe is experiencing staff shortages and is also struggling to recover from the pandemic which has resulted in hundreds of flights being cancelled and huge queues at airports that have angered travellers across the continent. (with inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Fresh transport strikes hit UK and Europe

Watch a candid conversation with Indian Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri. Hardeep Singh Puri talked about world affairs, economy and crises.

Indian Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri: 'A rich Europe cannot consume more energy'

'Summer of discontent' in Europe | Union workers demand increase in pay

Europe is facing energy crisis as Russia-Ukraine war has exposed EU's Russian gas dependency. Russia has blamed sanctions for reduced flow of gas.

Russia-Ukraine war exposes EU's Russian gas dependency

Europe is planning to go back to coal as Russia choked off gas supplies. Experts have warned of climate risks against 'backsliding on fossil fuels'.

Embracing the 'dirty fuel': Russia's gas choke sends Europe back to coal

Human consumption is threatening frog extinction. Meanwhile, Indonesia is the largest exporter of frogs and as per the reports, the French consume 4,000 tonnes of frog legs annually.

Europe's voracious appetite for frogs: Human consumption is threatening frog extinction

Wildlife activists warned on Thursday that Europe's voracious appetite for frog legs has caused a "extinction domino effect" on amphibian populations in the wild in parts of Asia and Eastern Europe.

Frogs' legs, or "cuisses de grenouilles," are a delicacy famously enjoyed in France, but other EU nations also like the dish, which is frequently prepared with parsley, garlic, and butter.

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<h5>Frog legs continue to be an incredibly popular food item around the world, especially in the United States. A recent study found that this nation imports 2,280 metric tonnes of frog legs annually, which is the equivalent of between 450 million and 1.1 billion frogs. Live frogs weighing a further 2,216 metric tonnes are imported annually for sale in Asian-American markets.</h5>
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The limbs of as many as 200 million frogs are imported into EU countries each year in approximately 4,070 tonnes of frog legs, according to the German non-profit organisation Pro Wildlife and the French non-profit NGO Robin des Bois.

According to data, Germany spent £73 million on frog imports in 2020, which was more than twice as much as France.Meanwhile, France imported £33 million worth of frogs in the same year.&nbsp;

This makes Europe the world's biggest consumer of frog legs, with gourmets placing a special emphasis on large-limbed species like the East Asian frog and the crab-eating frog.

But the great majority of that catch comes from wild capture. 
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Wildlife activists warned on Thursday that Europe's voracious appetite for frog legs has caused a "extinction domino effect" on amphibian populations in the wild in parts of Asia and Eastern Europe.

Wildlife activists warned on Thursday that Europe's voracious appetite for frog legs has caused a "extinction domino effect" on amphibian populations in the wild in parts of Asia and Eastern Europe. Frogs' legs, or "cuisses de grenouilles," are a delicacy famously enjoyed in France, but other EU nations also like the dish, which is frequently prepared with parsley, garlic, and butter. Frog legs continue to be an incredibly popular food item around the world, especially in the United States. A recent study found that this nation imports 2,280 metric tonnes of frog legs annually, which is the equivalent of between 450 million and 1.1 billion frogs. Live frogs weighing a further 2,216 metric tonnes are imported annually for sale in Asian-American markets. × The limbs of as many as 200 million frogs are imported into EU countries each year in approximately 4,070 tonnes of frog legs, according to the German non-profit organisation Pro Wildlife and the French non-profit NGO Robin des Bois. According to data, Germany spent £73 million on frog imports in 2020, which was more than twice as much as France.Meanwhile, France imported £33 million worth of frogs in the same year. This makes Europe the world's biggest consumer of frog legs, with gourmets placing a special emphasis on large-limbed species like the East Asian frog and the crab-eating frog. But the great majority of that catch comes from wild capture. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Frog extinctions: Europe’s voracious appetite for frogs’ legs is to blame

It is a summer of discontent for Europe so far in 2022. Commuters across Europe are going to face travel disruptions as union workers demand a pay increase.

'Summer of discontent' in Europe: Union workers demand increase in pay

Europe needs to prepare immediately for Russia to turn off all gas exports to the region this winter, as per International Energy Agency. What will happen if Russia turns off Europe’s gas?

What will happen if Russia turns off Europe's gas supply?

The head of the international energy agency has warned that Europe needs to prepare immediately for a scenario where Russia just stops the supply of gas to the continent.

IEA chief issues warning: 'Russia may cut off Europe's gas supply'

European governments have been accused of exploiting the fossil fuel reserves of the developing world. Leading European nations are firing up their coal plants again - after refusing to commit to climate financing. Palki Sharma tells you more about Europe's hypocrisy.

Gravitas: Europe accused of "exploiting" fossil fuel reserves of developing nations

To ensure cleanliness, a Spanish city has decided to fine people for urinating in the sea. This development brings to focus the cleanest bathing waters in Europe. Let’s unravel the list of the nations prepared by the European Commission and the European Environment Agency to help you plan the next trip easily

These countries in Europe have cleanest bathing waters

Young victims of the climate crisis will file a lawsuit against 12 European governments at the European Court of Human Rights over an international pact that allows fossil fuel investors to sue countries for taking action to tackle climate change on Tuesday, as reported by Reuters.

The case targets Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland and Britain, all of which are Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) signatories.

The plaintiffs represent countries hit by recent climate change-related disasters including Germany and Belgium, which last year suffered devastating floods after heavy rain that scientists said was made more likely by climate change.

Their suit will ask the European Court of Human Rights to protect their rights by ordering governments to remove impediments to fighting climate change created by the ECT.

As reported by Reuters, a 17-year-old student Julia, one of the plaintiffs, says, &nbsp;"Governments are still putting profits of the fossil fuel industry over human rights. But climate change is escalating and demanding more and more lives every day."&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/toki-modern-phoenix-of-japan-brought-back-from-extinction-490258">Toki, 'modern phoenix' of Japan brought back from extinction</a>

Originally drawn up to support energy sector investments in former members of the Soviet Union, the ECT &nbsp;allows investors to sue countries over policies that damage their investments, and has been branded an obstacle to climate action by campaigners.

Criticism of the treaty has intensified amid lawsuits from companies seeking compensation for fossil fuel assets. RWE last year used it to seek compensation from the Dutch government over its plan to phase out coal-fuelled power by 2030, which would affect the German utility's Eemshaven power plant.

(with inputs from agencies)

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Young victims of the climate crisis will file a lawsuit against 12 European governments at the European Court of Human Rights over an international pact that allows fossil fuel investors to sue countries for taking action to tackle climate change on Tuesday, as reported by Reuters.

Young victims of the climate crisis will file a lawsuit against 12 European governments at the European Court of Human Rights over an international pact that allows fossil fuel investors to sue countries for taking action to tackle climate change on Tuesday, as reported by Reuters. The case targets Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland and Britain, all of which are Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) signatories. The plaintiffs represent countries hit by recent climate change-related disasters including Germany and Belgium, which last year suffered devastating floods after heavy rain that scientists said was made more likely by climate change. Their suit will ask the European Court of Human Rights to protect their rights by ordering governments to remove impediments to fighting climate change created by the ECT. As reported by Reuters, a 17-year-old student Julia, one of the plaintiffs, says, "Governments are still putting profits of the fossil fuel industry over human rights. But climate change is escalating and demanding more and more lives every day." Also Read: Toki, 'modern phoenix' of Japan brought back from extinction Originally drawn up to support energy sector investments in former members of the Soviet Union, the ECT allows investors to sue countries over policies that damage their investments, and has been branded an obstacle to climate action by campaigners. Criticism of the treaty has intensified amid lawsuits from companies seeking compensation for fossil fuel assets. RWE last year used it to seek compensation from the Dutch government over its plan to phase out coal-fuelled power by 2030, which would affect the German utility's Eemshaven power plant. (with inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Treaty that puts climate change on back burner to be challenged at European Court of Human Rights

Unusual Heatwave continues in various parts of Europe. Spain and Germany are battling wildfires. Farmers have been asked not to use heavy machinery.

Spain, Germany battle wildfires as Europe swelters in unusual heatwave

Heatwave continues in various parts of Europe. In France, fan sales are on the rise due to increasing temperatures. However, 1700 people have been evacuated from 13 villages in Spain due to wildfires.

Extreme heat wave affects Western Europe, wildfires rage across Spain

Many parts of Europe are going through scorching heat with rapidly increasing temperatures.

Spain, France and other western European nations are under the severe June heatwave,&nbsp;that has sparked forest fires&nbsp;and many other concerns.

This&nbsp;weekend's temperatures were at the peak of the&nbsp;June&nbsp;heatwave.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/heat-wave-in-us-know-when-will-this-end-488455">Historic heatwave scorches US: When is it expected to end?</a>

Scientists have predicted that&nbsp;such phenomena will now strike earlier in the year due&nbsp;to global warming.

According to a report by the weather service, "many parts of the region surpassed 40 degrees Celcius. Although storms were expected on the Atlantic coast on Sunday evening,&nbsp;the first signs that the stifling temperatures will gradually regress to concern only the eastern part of the country."

Biarritz, a city in southwestern France, saw its highest all-time temperature Saturday afternoon of 42.9 degrees Celsius (109.2 degrees Fahrenheit), according to state forecaster Meteo France.

Queues of hundreds of people and traffic jams formed outside aquatic leisure parks in France, with people seeing water as the only refuge from the devastating heat.

Watch |&nbsp;Heat wave results in hottest May in Spain, firefighters struggle to control fire

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And at Vincennes Zoo, the staff constantly checked the animals for signs of dehydration.

Matthieu Sorel, a climatologist at Meteo France said that, " This is the earliest&nbsp;heatwave&nbsp;ever recorded in France&nbsp;since 1947."&nbsp;He even called the weather&nbsp;a&nbsp;"marker&nbsp;of&nbsp;climate&nbsp;change."

Forest fires in Spain on Saturday had burned nearly 20,000 hectares&nbsp;of land.&nbsp;Many people were forced to leave their homes and move to safe places because of the fires. Fourteen&nbsp;villages were evacuated.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/state-forecast-department-anticipates-heatwave-to-hit-france-early-this-year-487803">France's state forecast department anticipates heatwave to hit country early this year</a>

There have also been fires in Germany where temperatures&nbsp;reached 36 degrees Celcius.

UK also&nbsp;recorded its hottest day of the year on Friday, with temperatures reaching over 30 degrees Celcius&nbsp;in the early afternoon.&nbsp;Italy is also one of the countries.&nbsp;Experts warned the high temperatures were caused by worrying&nbsp;climate&nbsp;change&nbsp;trends. &nbsp;

Clare Nullis, a spokeswoman for the World Meteorological Organization in&nbsp;Geneva said that "as a result of&nbsp;climate&nbsp;change, heatwaves are starting earlier."

"What we're witnessing today is unfortunately a foretaste of the future",&nbsp;she further added.

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Many parts of Europe are going through scorching heat with rapidly increasing temperatures. Spain, France and other western European nations are under the severe June heatwave, that has sparked forest fires and many other concerns.

Many parts of Europe are going through scorching heat with rapidly increasing temperatures. Spain, France and other western European nations are under the severe June heatwave, that has sparked forest fires and many other concerns. This weekend's temperatures were at the peak of the June heatwave. Also read | Historic heatwave scorches US: When is it expected to end? Scientists have predicted that such phenomena will now strike earlier in the year due to global warming. According to a report by the weather service, "many parts of the region surpassed 40 degrees Celcius. Although storms were expected on the Atlantic coast on Sunday evening, the first signs that the stifling temperatures will gradually regress to concern only the eastern part of the country." Biarritz, a city in southwestern France, saw its highest all-time temperature Saturday afternoon of 42.9 degrees Celsius (109.2 degrees Fahrenheit), according to state forecaster Meteo France. Queues of hundreds of people and traffic jams formed outside aquatic leisure parks in France, with people seeing water as the only refuge from the devastating heat. Watch | Heat wave results in hottest May in Spain, firefighters struggle to control fire And at Vincennes Zoo, the staff constantly checked the animals for signs of dehydration. Matthieu Sorel, a climatologist at Meteo France said that, " This is the earliest heatwave ever recorded in France since 1947." He even called the weather a "marker of climate change." Forest fires in Spain on Saturday had burned nearly 20,000 hectares of land. Many people were forced to leave their homes and move to safe places because of the fires. Fourteen villages were evacuated. Also read | France's state forecast department anticipates heatwave to hit country early this year There have also been fires in Germany where temperatures reached 36 degrees Celcius. UK also recorded its hottest day of the year on Friday, with temperatures reaching over 30 degrees Celcius in the early afternoon. Italy is also one of the countries. Experts warned the high temperatures were caused by worrying climate change trends. Clare Nullis, a spokeswoman for the World Meteorological Organization in Geneva said that "as a result of climate change, heatwaves are starting earlier." "What we're witnessing today is unfortunately a foretaste of the future", she further added. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

'Marker of climate change': Europe swelters in record-breaking June heatwave

Venezuela is all set to start its oil exports to Europe two years after the US announced sanctions on the South American country on charges of undermining democracy. The fresh exports come as Europe is looking to cut its crude imports from Russia in the wake of war against Ukraine.

A 650,000-barrel-cargo of Venezuela’s oil chartered by Italy’s Eni is about to take off, Reuters news agency reported citing Refinitiv Eikon data on Friday.

Apart from that, a second tanker chartered by Eni, the very large crude carrier (VLCC) Pantanassa, is currently sailing towards Venezuela and expected to load 2 million barrels of the same grade, diluted crude oil (DCO), and take it to Europe, according to the Eikon data.

That cargo is expected to be delivered by Venezuela’s state-owned PDVSA later this month with an option for Eni to sell a portion of the crude to Spain’s Repsol for its Cartagena and Bilbao refineries, according to the document and sources.

In May, the US State Department sent letters to Eni and Spain’s Repsol authorising them to resume Venezuelan crude imports as a way to settle billions of dollars of unpaid debt and dividends owed by the OPEC-member nation.

The oil exports is likely to provide a major relief to the Venezuelan economy which is burdened with debt as its inflation rate reached stratospheric levels in 2018.

According to British oil and gas company BP, Venezuela has the world's biggest oil reserves.

In 2019, the US imposed oil sanctions on Venezuela under the Trump administration due to ongoing human rights violations by President Nicolás Maduro. Under President Biden, there were discussions about reopening some trade links by allowing crude-for-diesel exchanges on humanitarian grounds, although this never came to fruition.

The White House announced in May that it was reconsidering its restrictions on Venezuelan oil, entering discussions with Maduro.

(With imports from agencies)

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Venezuela is all set to start its oil exports to Europe two years after the US announced sanctions on the South American country on charges of undermining democracy.

Venezuela is all set to start its oil exports to Europe two years after the US announced sanctions on the South American country on charges of undermining democracy. The fresh exports come as Europe is looking to cut its crude imports from Russia in the wake of war against Ukraine. A 650,000-barrel-cargo of Venezuela’s oil chartered by Italy’s Eni is about to take off, Reuters news agency reported citing Refinitiv Eikon data on Friday. Apart from that, a second tanker chartered by Eni, the very large crude carrier (VLCC) Pantanassa, is currently sailing towards Venezuela and expected to load 2 million barrels of the same grade, diluted crude oil (DCO), and take it to Europe, according to the Eikon data. That cargo is expected to be delivered by Venezuela’s state-owned PDVSA later this month with an option for Eni to sell a portion of the crude to Spain’s Repsol for its Cartagena and Bilbao refineries, according to the document and sources. In May, the US State Department sent letters to Eni and Spain’s Repsol authorising them to resume Venezuelan crude imports as a way to settle billions of dollars of unpaid debt and dividends owed by the OPEC-member nation. The oil exports is likely to provide a major relief to the Venezuelan economy which is burdened with debt as its inflation rate reached stratospheric levels in 2018. According to British oil and gas company BP, Venezuela has the world's biggest oil reserves. In 2019, the US imposed oil sanctions on Venezuela under the Trump administration due to ongoing human rights violations by President Nicolás Maduro. Under President Biden, there were discussions about reopening some trade links by allowing crude-for-diesel exchanges on humanitarian grounds, although this never came to fruition. The White House announced in May that it was reconsidering its restrictions on Venezuelan oil, entering discussions with Maduro. (With imports from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Venezuela resumes oil exports to Europe as Russia-Ukraine war triggers high gas prices: Report

Covid cases are once again on the rise in the UK, Portugal, Israel and the United States. They are now witnessing surge in covid-19 cases and BA.4, BA.5 variant are responsible for the surge.

Covid cases surge in Europe: BA.4, BA.5 variant drive rise in cases

Europe's lab CERN said that they are planning to terminate all cooperation and contracts with Russia and Belarus over their roles in the war in Ukraine.

War in Ukraine: European lab CERN to halt cooperation with Russia

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