2025-01-14

Europe News

German defence minister makes surprise visit to Kyiv

The surprise visit comes a day after Pistorius met with his counterparts from France, the UK, Italy and Poland to discuss coordinating their defence plans and assistance for Ukraine.

14/01/2025

Culture news

UK union demands celebrity book ghostwriters get credited

UK trade union Society of Authors calls for the ghostwriters behind celebrity books to get more recognition.

14/01/2025

Europe News

NATO to bolster Baltic military presence after power cables cut

NATO’s Secretary General Mark Rutte pledged to send drones, frigates and aircraft to the region as he highlighted a concerted campaign of 'cyber-attacks, assassination attempts and sabotage.'

14/01/2025

Europe News

European defence ministers say Trump’s 5% spending goal is unrealistic

US President-elect Donald Trump has called for NATO's 32 member states to spend 5% of their GDP on defence, up from the existing target of 2%.

14/01/2025

Europe News

Zelenskyy challenges Fico to resolve gas dispute — in Kyiv

The leaders of Ukraine and Slovakia are locked in a spiralling dispute over supplies of Russian gas, and can't even agree on a location to hold further talks.

14/01/2025

Business

Mercedes and Porsche 'downgraded' as German car makers struggle

As European car makers face mounting challenges in 2025, Goldman Sachs has downgraded both Mercedes-Benz AG and Porsche SE, citing rising costs, tariffs, and margin pressures.

14/01/2025

USA

New wildfire adds to Southern California's fire woes as winds pick up

The fire started late on Monday in a dry riverbed in Oxnard, about 90 kilometres northwest of Los Angeles.

14/01/2025

Culture news

The Weeknd delays album due to wildfires - celebs help relief efforts

One of the most anticipated albums of the start of 2025, the artist's last under the moniker 'The Weeknd', has been delayed due to the LA wildfires. Hollywood celebrities continue to donate to relief efforts.

14/01/2025

World News

Top Jewish leader calls on Europe to tackle rising antisemitism

Rabbi Menachem Margolin, chairman of the European Jewish Association (EJA), said antisemitism in Europe is rising due to the Israel-Hamas war.

14/01/2025

Economy

Spain calls for 100% tax charge on property bought by non-EU buyers

Spain is planning to bring in strict legislation for property purchases in an attempt to control the country's rapidly escalating housing crisis, which has left residents complaining of being unable to afford to buy or rent a property.

14/01/2025

South Africa

South Africa recovers survivors and dead bodies from illegal gold mine

At least 100 illegal miners have died and more than 400 remain trapped underground after a months-long standoff with police, rights groups say.

14/01/2025

Top News Stories Today

Latest news bulletin | January 14th – Midday

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

14/01/2025

Health news

Third patient gets brain chip from Musk's Neuralink. How does it work?

Neuralink is one of many organisations working on brain-computer connections, including rival start-ups in Europe. This is how a brain chip works.

14/01/2025

United Kingdom

Queen Elizabeth II 'kept in dark' for years about Soviet spy in palace

Anthony Blunt, a royal art historian, confessed in 1964 to spying for the Soviets, but the late queen was not officially told about his past until 1973.

14/01/2025

Art

Shortlist for 2025 Prix Marcel Duchamp unveiled

The shortlist for the prestigious Prix Marcel Duchamp, France’s top contemporary art award, has been revealed. Four artists are vying for the €90,000 prize, to be announced later this year.

14/01/2025

Europe News

Russian drones kill two and injure 19 in Ukraine, including infants

Ukraine claims to have shot down 58 of 80 Russian drones overnight, with attacks killing two in Donetsk. A Russian chemical plant was also hit by a drone strike.

14/01/2025

Business

France's new PM faces first big test as he spells out key budget plans

France's new Prime Minister François Bayrou has addressed politicians through a general policy speech meant to outline his top priorities, including key budget decisions, one month after stepping into his new role.

14/01/2025

USA

Report concludes Trump would have been convicted in 6 January case

Jack Smith's efforts to bring the once and future president to account for his actions were thwarted by tactical delays and Trump's re-election.

14/01/2025

Culture news

Just Stop Oil activists arrested for targeting Charles Darwin’s grave

The activists claimed famous evolutionary biologist Charles Darwin would support their cause if he were alive today, citing the ongoing sixth mass extinction.

14/01/2025

Europe News

Neutral Switzerland to join EU military mobility project

Switzerland will become a member of the EU's initiative to facilitate the mobilization of military forces and equipment, already including third countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Norway and Canada.

14/01/2025

Travel News

Ryanair demands EU airports limit passengers to two alcoholic drinks

The call comes as the airline sues a passenger for €15,000 after they caused a flight to be diverted.

14/01/2025

Culture news

Oscar nominations delayed once more due to California wildfires

In light of the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles, the Oscar nominations have been pushed back. Awards season calendar continues to be impacted.

14/01/2025

Business

Will Musk buy TikTok? Social media group says no to tech billionaire

TikTok has shut down reports that China is discussing selling its US operations of the group to tech billionaire Elon Musk.

14/01/2025

Tech News

US's AI chips export proposal receives industry pushback

Though the rules are aimed at China, they could impact some European countries including Portugal and Switzerland.

14/01/2025

World News

Nobel prize winners seek food solutions to avoid global hunger crisis

Food experts say a dramatic increase in research funding coupled with more effective ways to share information and distribute food is needed.

14/01/2025

Health news

Study finds rise in abortion patients using fertility tracking methods

Over five years, abortion patients were increasingly likely to be using less reliable fertility awareness methods when they got pregnant.

14/01/2025

Culture news

Donald Trump's inauguration acts have been announced

Village People have addressed their upcoming performance at Donald Trump‘s inauguration as President of the United States, acknowledging: "We know this won't make some of you happy to hear..."

14/01/2025

Culture news

Actor Michael Sheen to fund new national theatre in Wales

Actor Michael Sheen is funding a new theatre company to replace the National Theatre Wales.

14/01/2025

Gaza

Israel to approve ceasefire deal despite pushback, minister says

Hamas have approved a draft deal for a ceasefire in Gaza, with Israel's cabinet debating the conditions, officials suggest. A truce, if agreed, would put an end to over a year of war in the Gaza Strip.

14/01/2025

Economy

Energy price surge risks pushing EU economy into stagflation

Natural gas and crude oil prices have surged recently amid rising demands and the US's wider sanctions on Russia. Elevated energy prices could jeopardise the eurozone's inflation outlook and push the regional economy into stagflation.

14/01/2025