2024-02-29

This will impact your life

Surge in transphobic speech sparks fears ahead of EU elections

Transphobic and anti-LGBTI rhetoric is on the rise among politicians in Europe, according to a new report, prompting alarm ahead of the EU elections in June.

29/02/2024

Iran

Iranians headed to the ballots on Friday amid widespread discontent

While Ayatollah Khamenei is urging his people to vote, many might still sit out this week's parliamentary election.

29/02/2024

Sri Lanka

Russian ‘white party’ in Sri Lanka sparks outrage

Hosts of the event said they didn't mean to be racist, but just wanted to meet other long-term expats.

29/02/2024

Home

Madrid to convert underused offices into flats

Madrid will convert underused office buildings into flats to meet the city's extensive housing needs.

29/02/2024

Tech News

Humanoid robot-maker Figure partners with OpenAI

Figure is less than two years old and doesn't have a commercial product but is persuading influential tech industry backers to support its vision of shipping billions of human-like robots to the world's workplaces and homes.

29/02/2024

Culture news

MoMA dismisses lawsuit over nude performer's sexual assault claims

The New York museum argues that it did not exhibit "gender-based animus" and had procedures in place for performers to report concerns during the notorious nude performance

29/02/2024

Space

How do environmental factors influence reported UFO sightings?

Light pollution, tree canopy cover, and proximity to airports and military installations are among the environmental factors that may influence reported UFO sightings, according to a new study.

29/02/2024

Economy

Slower-than-expected inflation decline in France and Spain hits bonds

Inflation rates in France and Spain ease less than expected in February, nudging government bond yields higher as markets anticipate a bumpier road ahead to reach the ECB's 2% target.

29/02/2024

USA

Judge orders Trump off Illinois primary ballot but puts ruling on hold

The lawsuit is one of dozens seeking to bar Trump from the ballot over his involvement in the 6 January attack on the US Capitol.

29/02/2024

Markets

Puma stock slides as German sports brand announces €100m share buyback

The buyback programme will launch in March and last for a year, ending in May 2025.

29/02/2024

Culture news

Eurovision 2024: Does Israel face disqualification?

The tug-of-war between Eurovision and Israel continues, as two songs – ‘October Rain’ and its runner up ‘Dance Forever’ - have reportedly been rejected for their "political" nature. Israel has until 11 March to submit a song that complies with the Eurovision rules.

29/02/2024

Travel News

Risk of an accident is 1 in every 1.26 million flights, new data shows

Good news for nervous fliers: Planes in Europe are the safest they’ve ever been.

29/02/2024

Design

IKEA asks Annie Leibovitz and 6 young artists to capture life at home

"We needed a new perspective on how to portray the home." IKEA’s “Life At Home” project is now on display for Paris Fashion Week.

29/02/2024

Iran

Euroviews. Iran's upcoming election is a mafia-style tussle of Khamenei's minions

The 1 March election is set to be an insider patron-client fight, with various oligarchic clans competing to have the upper-hand insider hand and ultimately a greater slice of the pie in the kleptocratic so-called “holy system” that is the Islamic Republic, Saeid Golkar and Kasra Aarabi write.

29/02/2024

Art

Masterpieces by Monet, Picasso, and Bacon to go up for sale in London

In the 150th anniversary since the first Impressionist exhibition in Paris, works by the master of Impressionism - Claude Monet - are going under the hammer at Sotheby's.

29/02/2024

Top News Stories Today

Latest news bulletin | February 29th – Midday

Catch up with the most important stories from around Europe and beyond - latest news, breaking news, World, Business, Entertainment, Politics, Culture, Travel.

29/02/2024

Travel News

Airlines could face more fines for damaging or misplacing wheelchairs

The Biden administration is proposing to make it easier for the government to fine airlines for damaging or misplacing wheelchairs by making it an automatic violation of a federal law on accessible air travel.

29/02/2024

Russia

Early voting in Russian presidential election begins in Far East

Early voting in the Russian presidential election has begun in various regions across the country.

29/02/2024

Lifestyle

Love, Gloves and Cocktails: European Leap Year superstitions

It's 29th February - a date that comes only every 4 years. But why, and what are the traditions and superstitions in Europe surrounding this special day?

29/02/2024

Spain

Spanish and French farmers block Catalonia border crossing in protest

Catalonia's AP-7 motorway will host a demonstration by farmers angry at agricultural policies and non-EU imports.

29/02/2024

Russia

Putin warns against sending Western troops to Ukraine

The Russian president vowed to fulfil his objectives in Ukraine and claimed his country's citizens are overwhelmingly supportive of the invasion.

29/02/2024

Markets

Stocks mixed as Bitcoin jumps over $60,000 for first time since 2021

World shares were mixed on Thursday after a lacklustre day on Wall Street, where selling of technology stocks pulled benchmarks lower - and as Bitcoin jumped above $60,000 for the first time since 2021.

29/02/2024

Economy

Swiss economy sees modest growth, buoyed by services

The accommodation and food services sector increased by 3.5%, while increased travel helped to push up the transport and communication sector by 0.4%.

29/02/2024

USA

Boeing given 90 days to produce improved safety and quality plan

The Federal Aviation Administration is giving Boeing 90 days to spell out how it will fix problems with its manufacturing.

29/02/2024

USA

Longest-running Republican leader Mitch McConnell to step down

McConnell's departure leaves the Senate, and the Republican Party itself, at an uncertain crossroads,

29/02/2024

Culture news

Richard Lewis: Curb Your Enthusiasm comedian dies at 76

Humorously morose US comedian was “one of the funniest people on the planet."

29/02/2024

Healthcare

Older adults should get another COVID shot, US officials recommend

US health officials recommend that older adults get another COVID-19 booster shot.

29/02/2024

Tech News

Digital outlets sue Open AI for unauthorised use of journalism

Digital outlets The Intercept, Raw Story and AlterNet are the latest organisations to sue OpenAI.

29/02/2024

Tech News

Consumer organisations file GDPR complaints against Meta

The claims come after privacy organisations and data protection authorities voiced similar concerns in recent months.

29/02/2024

Gaza

Condemnation pours in for Israel's attack on aid convoy

All the latest developments from the Israel Hamas war.

29/02/2024