2025-02-12

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Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival: A tradition of hope and blessings in Taiwan

The Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival in Taiwan, held on the 15th day of the Lunar New Year, draws thousands of visitors and locals to release paper lanterns carrying wishes for good fortune.

12/02/2025

Romania

Romania registers lowest natality rate in last 100 years

There has been a downward trend since 1960 in the number of children born in the EU. In 2024, Romania recorded its lowest natality rate in the last 100 years.

12/02/2025

USA

White House bars AP reporter over 'Gulf of America' stance

Donald Trump last month signed an executive order renaming the Gulf of Mexico to “Gulf of America”. The Associated Press has thus far continued to use the original name while acknowledging Trump's change.

12/02/2025

Europe News

Anti-Trump demonstration ahead of NATO meeting in Brussels

The demonstration happened on the sidelines of US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth's address at the Ukraine Defence Contact Group in Brussels.

12/02/2025

No Comment

Erupting Kilauea volcano puts on spectacular show in Hawaii

The Kilauea volcano spewed lava 100 metres into the air on Tuesday, putting on a spectacular show on the Island of Hawaii, also referred to as the Big Island, while thankfully not posing a threat to residential areas.

12/02/2025

Europe News

Will the EU's plan to reduce red tape for businesses work?

Brussels wants to simplify and reduce the administrative burden for businesses in order to improve European competitiveness.

12/02/2025

Ukraine

Trump holds separate calls with Putin and Zelenskyy on Ukraine talks

Trump posted the details of his conversation with the Russian President on social media platform Truth Social before speaking to Zelenskyy.

12/02/2025

Eco-Innovation

How is Sweden leading the pack on renewable energy in transport?

Renewable electricity is helping the EU achieve its goal, but campaigners caution against relying on biofuels.

12/02/2025

Europe News

Russian drone and missile attacks hit 11 Ukrainian regions

Ukraine's air force says it intercepted six missiles and 71 drones, while it successfully jammed the signal of 40 drones.

12/02/2025

Top News Stories Today

Latest news bulletin | February 12th – Evening

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

12/02/2025

Bangladesh

Bangladesh's protest crackdown may be crime against humanity, says UN

As many as 1,400 people were killed, mostly by the country's security services, in demonstrations last summer against the now ousted leader Sheikh Hasina.

12/02/2025

Business

Euro and European stocks dip as US inflation surprises to the upside

US inflation rose more than expected in January, shaking markets and pushing Fed rate cut expectations to December 2025. The euro fell, US Treasury yields jumped, and European stocks erased gains. Analysts warn inflation remains sticky, sparking policy uncertainty.

12/02/2025

Tech News

ChatGPT may be shifting ‘rightward’ in political bias, study finds

ChatGPT is seeing a rightward shift on the political spectrum in how it responds to user queries, a new study has found.

12/02/2025

Europe in Motion

Ignored and overwhelmed: Why one in four middle managers wants to quit

Many middle managers are actively looking for another job amid stress and burnout reasons. The majority of them feel ignored by their boss and lament didn't receive enough training on key issues before starting out.

12/02/2025

Food and Drink

The first vegan restaurant to win a Michelin star in the UK

Plates London's co-founder Kirk Haworth was praised by Michelin for "taking his classical training and inventively adapting it to a vegan diet."

12/02/2025

Green News

Air pollution kills millions each year: How can you lower your risk?

Nearly the entire world is exposed to air at some point that doesn't meet the strict standards set by the World Health Organization.

12/02/2025

Russia

Four Russian nationals behind 8Base ransomware arrested, says Europol

A complex international operation involving 14 coordinated law enforcement agencies led to the arrest of four Russian nationals behind the 8Base ransomware group.

12/02/2025

Travel News

These European airports are finally topping pre-Covid passenger levels

2.5 billion passengers passed through European airports in 2024 - growing 7.4 per cent on 2023

12/02/2025

Europe News

Austrian trade and industry bodies call for Green Deal reversal

Chief of Federation of Austrian Industries, Christoph Neumayer and Chamber of Commerce chief Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer, called on the EU executive to roll back Green Deal regulations in its ongoing war on red tape, while the European insurance industry lobby has also weighed into the debate.

12/02/2025

Europe News

NATO allies need to spend 'considerably' more to deter Russia: Rutte

NATO allies are currently negotiating an upward revision to the defence spending target, despite several countries failing to reach the current 2% of GDP threshold.

12/02/2025

Europe News

EU Commission to propose a simpler, policy-focused long-term budget

“The status quo is not an option,” the European Commission said in a communication laying the groundwork for the upcoming proposal on the next long-term budget (2028-34).

12/02/2025

Experiences

Thailand’s elephant camps are changing. Here’s how you could help

Travel is evolving into a force for good as more and more people choose regenerative tourism.

12/02/2025

United Kingdom

UK to deny citizenship to migrants who arrive via dangerous routes

The Labour government wants to clamp down on illegal migration amid concerns about the rising popularity of the right-wing Reform UK party.

12/02/2025

Germany

Germany extends border checks amid migration debate ahead of election

Chancellor Olaf Scholz defended the move, stating it has effectively reduced asylum applications and illegal crossings.

12/02/2025

Culture news

Kanye 'Ye' West dropped by talent agency over antisemitic rant

The American rapper has been dropped by his talent agency and retail platform after a series of antisemitic social media posts over the weekend.

12/02/2025

Europe News

Ukraine's NATO membership is 'unrealistic,' Hegseth tells allies

The new US Secretary of Defence has categorically ruled out granting NATO membership to Ukraine as a security guarantee to end Russia's war.

12/02/2025

Russia

109 fishermen rescued from drifting ice floe in Russia

Russia’s Ministry of Emergency Situations sent out rescue teams to retrieve the stranded fishermen.

12/02/2025

Culture news

Sanremo 2025: Extravagance marks first night of Italian song contest

Brunori Sas, Giorgia, Lucio Corsi, Simone Cristicchi and Achille Lauro were the five most popular artists chosen by the press on the first night of Italy's historic Sanremo song contest.

12/02/2025

Business

Heineken shares climb as brewer announces strong profits and buyback

The Dutch brewer will buy back €1.5 billion of its shares over the next two years after recording better-than-expected revenue growth. Heineken nonetheless warned of "ongoing macro-economic challenges".

12/02/2025

Europe News

Austrian coalition talks led by far-right FPÖ break down

The far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) had been tasked with leading negotiations to form a government in Vienna after previous negotiations fell apart.

12/02/2025