The European Central Bank (ECB) says the growing amount of cash being held, despite its declining use in daily transactions. (Representational photo) Despite the widespread use of contactless payments and smartphones across Europe, people are keeping more physical cash. The value of euro banknotes in circulation has increased sharply in recent years, as fears over…

When the federal government began bringing the windswept barrier islands of eastern North Carolina under protected parkland, a quiet property deal near Pamlico Sound helped bring the story of a once-thriving coastal community to an end. In 1967, Henry Pigott agreed to sell his property on Portsmouth Island to help create Cape Lookout National Seashore….

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Photo credit: AP Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned that holding elections during the ongoing war with Russia could fracture the country and even “destroy” it, as fresh calls grow for Kyiv to hold a vote despite martial law.Ukraine has suspended elections under martial law since Russia launched its full-scale invasion…

Sergeant Mark Petherbridge (L) and Captain Tom Court (R) with rescued barn owl, Little Regina, aboard Fujitsu British Soldier (Reuters photo) A British Army sailing crew got recently an unexpected passenger during a race around Britain and Ireland when an exhausted barn owl landed on their boat about 70 nautical miles from shore.The bird was…

Flock Safety ALPR camera system on a roadside pole A former Texas police officer accused of using automated licence-plate reader technology to monitor a female colleague has surrendered his law-enforcement licence to avoid criminal charges. Michael Palitz, who previously served as a sergeant with the Pasadena Police Department in the Greater Houston area, reached an…