New properties join the Relais & Châteaux fold
By Martin Banks As summer slowly gives way to autumn, Scandinavia reveals a particularly atmospheric side of itself.
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WORLD
September 21, 2026 -
EUROPE 
September 21, 2026 Merz vows to keep coalition together for Germany’s ‘democratic future’
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz says he will keep his ruling coalition together for the sake of his country’s “democratic future”, following resounding defeats for his party in two state elections. “We are determined to live up to the historic challenges our country is facing,” Merz said, referring to the coalition between his Christian Democratic Unionist […]
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GEOPOLITICS
September 21, 2026 Ankara relies on drilling diplomacy
Turkey possesses the world’s fourth-largest fleet of seabed research, seismographic and drilling vessels – and it is using it as a means to conduct foreign policy.
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HISTORY
September 21, 2026 21 September 2026: This day in history
1621: King James I of England gives Scottish courtier and poet William Alexander a royal charter to colonize Nova Scotia 1792: French Revolution: The National Convention unanimously abolishes the French monarchy, stripping him of his powers and forms the First Republic 1898: Empress Dowager Cixi seizes power and ends the Hundred Days’ Reform in China, […]
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WORLD
September 20, 2026 Two killed in ‘massive’ Ukrainian drone attack on Moscow region, says Russia
At least two people have been killed and six injured in a “massive” overnight Ukrainian drone attack on the Moscow region, Governor Andrei Vorobyev has said. Vorobyev said 249 drones had been shot down, and he reported fires in several residential houses. A local warehouse was also ablaze. In the capital Moscow, an oil refinery […]
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CYPRUS
September 20, 2026 Cyprus joins EPPO probe into €15.7 million fraud in four countries
Cyprus authorities assisted in an international investigation led by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) into a large-scale fraud and VAT evasion case involving 15.7 million euros in mobile phone sales. The investigation led to the arrest of three people in Bulgaria and one in Germany, as well as the freezing of assets belonging to […]
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GEOPOLITICS
September 20, 2026 Turkey says it could help meet Saudi military needs under defence pact
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Saturday that Saudi Arabia may have military needs due to the ongoing attacks by Yemen’s Houthis and that Turkey was ready to help under a trilateral defence pact that also includes Pakistan.
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HISTORY
September 20, 2026 20 September 2026: This day in history
622: Prophet Muhammad arrives in Yathrib (Medina) 1519: Spanish expedition led by Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan sets off on the first successful circumnavigation of the globe (Magellan is killed en route) 1604: Siege of Ostend ends after Dutch and English forces surrender the city, allowing Ambrosio Spinola’s Spanish army to recapture the devastated city and […]
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CULTURE
September 19, 2026 Brussels museum celebrates 40 years
By Martin Banks Famous Brussels attraction, Autoworld, is set to mark a special landmark… its 40th birthday.
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UK NEWS
September 19, 2026 Herefordshire is England’s “hidden gem” and has it all
By Martin Banks The phrase “hidden gem” can be over-used but in the case of Herefordshire in the UK it’s entirely apt.
