Hall of Peacock Frescoes Restored at Pompeii Villa Belonging to Emperor Nero’s Wife

Image courtesy of the MIC–Archaeological Park of Pompeii. Conservation work on a luxurious royal villa near Pompeii has revealed sumptuous frescoes, including one depicting a famous fictional theater character, and another of a peacock. Additional recent work using cast molds has identified the position of a colonnade of trees in the villa’s garden, showing that … Read more

Europe’s banks have had a stellar year. Now they face one big question in 2026

Key Points Europe’s banking sector has flourished in 2025, with lenders notching their strongest annual showing since 1997. Now, after a strong third-quarter earnings season, banks must decide how and where to put their “significant” excess capital to work in 2026. Strategists see the sector as a strong diversification play for investors in 2026. European … Read more

Tariffs hit boots, bags and more as leather prices jump — and relief could be years away

Different types of leather are seen at the Rio of Mercedes cowboy boot factory, on July 31, 2025, in Mercedes, Texas. Ronaldo Schemidt | AFP | Getty Images Bootmaker Twisted X — known for its Western footwear — was thrown into chaos overnight when President Donald Trump imposed sweeping tariffs on imports in April. The … Read more

Photographer Captures Incredible Luminous Event Over His Italian Town–For the Second Time (LOOK)

First red ring ELVES phenomenon over Italy captured by Valter Binotto via SWNS Incredible images captured by an amateur astrophotographer show a bizarre red ring, 143-miles wide, floating in the sky. Valter Binotto not only managed to capture the otherworldly sight over his hometown of Possagno, amazingly, it’s the second time he has recorded the … Read more

Zara owner Inditex pops 7% after posting strong sales growth; European markets edge higher

The City of London skyline at sunset. Gary Yeowell | Digitalvision | Getty Images LONDON — European stocks opened in positive territory on Wednesday as global markets move higher. The pan-European Stoxx 600 was 0.2% higher at the opening bell, with most major sectors and bourses in the green. The positive open eyed by regional … Read more

European markets start December in negative territory, as defense sells off

Regent Street in London celebrates the Christmas season on November 13, 2025 in London, England. Ben Montgomery | Getty Images Entertainment | Getty Images LONDON — European stocks started the last trading month of the year in negative territory. The Stoxx 600 began Monday in negative territory, with the pan-European benchmark down 0.3% shortly after … Read more

Incredible Glass Cabin Will Let Mountaineers Shelter from High-Altitude Peril in the Alps–LOOK

Artists impression of the shelter in the Italian Alps – CRA-Carlo Ratti Associati SWNS An incredible new glass cabin will let mountaineers shelter from high-altitude perils with the same chic taste as a Milano office high rise. Designers have created the cabin ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, where it will be showcased … Read more

Shipwrecked Cargo of Roman Lead Bars Provides a Chance to Observe of Dark Matter on Earth

Hundreds of lead bricks were found in a ship that sunk between 50 and 80 BCE – credit, CUORE Collaboration and LNGS/INFN What do dark matter, the Roman Empire, and a toxic heavy metal have in common? The answer is Mr. Ettore Fiorini who helped excavate a 2,000-year-old shipwreck whose cargo of Roman lead bars … Read more