2025-05-20

Germany

Politically motivated crimes in Germany reach record high

Germany's Interior Ministry has proposed a series of measures to combat politically motivated crimes, which it says have increased by 40% in the last year.

20/05/2025

No Comment

Supporters rally with haka as Māori MPs face sanctions

A protest haka by Māori Party MPs in New Zealand’s parliament has sparked deep political division and could lead to record suspensions.

20/05/2025

Cambodia

Cambodia marks 50th anniversary of Khmer Rouge genocide

Hundreds of Cambodians marked the Day of Remembrance by attending a ceremony honouring victims of the Khmer Rouge at one of the "killing fields".

20/05/2025

Economy

UK faces higher fruit and vegetable prices for non-EU goods

Exotic fruits such as pineapples, avocados and mangoes could become more expensive for UK shoppers, along with more common items such as tomatoes.

20/05/2025

Travel News

Spain orders Airbnb to remove more than 65,000 holiday rental listings

Many Spaniards blame short-term rentals on platforms like Airbnb for worsening housing shortages.

20/05/2025

World News

Salvadoran lawyer and Bukele critic Ruth López arrested

Rights group have condemned the move and have expressed concern that the attorney's whereabouts are still not known.

20/05/2025

Germany

German police arrest suspect in Bielefeld stabbing attack

According to witnesses, the perpetrator attacked his victims indiscriminately with what they called a bladed object.

20/05/2025

Art

A look inside Rotterdam's new museum exploring global migration

Highlights of the museum include a life-sized NYC bus filled with fabric characters, thousands of donated suitcases, and a sweeping view from a 30-metre-high spiralling staircase.

20/05/2025

Business

Farmers set to see lower trading costs from closer EU-UK ties

The EU and the UK remain each other’s most important trading partners for agri-food products, despite frictions linked to Brexit. A reduction of red tape could help farmers and other traders on both sides of the Channel, although businesses are waiting for details.

20/05/2025

Art

Artist Stefano Cagol's SOS torch show lights Italian grand cathedral

A spellbinding light show remains talk of the Italian town of Bressanone (Brixen) in South Tyrol. Renowned artist Stefano Cagol ignited series of SOS torches to symbolise a UNESCO global appeal about the future relationship between robots and humans.

20/05/2025

Germany

Russia is playing for time in Ukraine peace negotiations, Germany says

Europe needs to increase pressure on Russia over its war in Ukraine through more targeted sanctions, said German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius.

20/05/2025

Tech News

Commission to offer mid-cap companies data protection relief

SMEs can expect an exemption from some obligations of the EU’s landmark General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) as part of the European Commission’s simplification efforts.

20/05/2025

United Kingdom

Third man charged over fires at homes linked to UK PM Keir Starmer

Police have charged 34-year-old Ukrainian national Petro Pochynok with arson with intent to endanger life over the series of fires in London.

20/05/2025

Markets

Chinese battery giant raises billions in this year’s biggest listing

Tesla supplier CATL completed the world’s largest listing of 2025 to date, with its shares surging more than 12% on the first day of trading.

20/05/2025

Health news

WHO chief makes plea to fill budget gap by comparing 'costs to war'

The UN health agency is asking for the equivalent of €3.7 billion for the next two years to fill a funding shortfall.

20/05/2025

Culture news

Fortnite’s foul-mouthed AI Darth Vader angers fans and SAG-AFTRA

As soon as Darth Vader was added into the game, players were getting the character to say the word “fuck” and use homophobic slurs. Adding to the controversy, the SAG-AFTRA union has made it clear that using AI to resurrect voices without clear agreements digitally is a no-go.

20/05/2025

Sudan

Sudan's army chief appoints first prime minister since war's start

Kamil al-Taib Idris will be responsible for forming the country’s transitional government, two years after the country's civil war began in 2023.

20/05/2025

Top News Stories Today

Latest news bulletin | May 20th – Midday

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

20/05/2025

Turkey

Turkey issues arrest warrants for 22 in Istanbul corruption probe

Turkish authorities issued arrest warrants for 22 people, targeting Istanbul's Metropolitan Municipality over alleged corruption. Mayor İmamoğlu denies wrongdoing.

20/05/2025

No Comment

First aid trucks enter Gaza as allies warn Israel of sanctions

Aid trucks were seen on Tuesday at the Kerem Shalom crossing, as Israel allowed limited humanitarian supplies into Gaza after months of total blockade.

20/05/2025

Europe News

Hungary approves bill to withdraw from International Criminal Court

Hungary's parliament approved a bill to withdraw from the International Criminal Court, following Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's criticisms of the court's impartiality.

20/05/2025

Russia

Russia releases Greek-owned oil tanker after detention near Estonia

The Liberian-flagged Green Admire was seized on Sunday in Russian waters after leaving a port in Estonia.

20/05/2025

Cinema

Denzel Washington receives surprise honorary Palme d'Or at Cannes

For his first time on the Croisette, legendary actor Denzel Washington was treated to a surprise honorary Palme d'Or. He stars in Spike Lee's new joint 'Highest 2 Lowest'.

20/05/2025

USA

Trump nominee Charles Kushner confirmed as US ambassador to France

The US Senate backed Kushner in a 51-45 vote, despite past convictions for charges including tax evasions that were later pardoned by Donald Trump.

20/05/2025

Hungary

Uzbekistan and Hungary agreed to form an enhanced strategic partnership

The two countries have also signed an extradiction agreement, and Hungary will participate in the construction of nuclear power plants in Uzbekistan. The Uzbek president met with Viktor Orban in Budapest.

20/05/2025

Green News

India's steel expansion plans could threaten global emissions goals

Steel production is one of the most carbon-intensive industries, responsible for nearly 9 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions.

20/05/2025

No Comment

Hundreds flee Jabaliya as Israel escalates ground offensive in Gaza

Families flee the densely populated Jabaliya area after Israel launched what it described as “extensive” new ground operations in northern Gaza.

20/05/2025

Economy

Taiwan president says US tariff issues are 'frictions between friends'

The US has recently imposed tariffs of 32% against Taiwan, as part of sweeping duties against all US trading partners.

20/05/2025

Health news

Countries sign off on global pandemic treaty at WHO meeting

The agreement will be legally binding, but it won’t enter into force right away.

20/05/2025

Culture news

Why is Trump calling for ‘major investigation’ into Bruce Springsteen?

Another day, another bizarre and headline-hogging outburst from the US president... This time, he's calling for a "major investigation" into musicians who supported Kamala Harris - and has started a childish back and forth between him and Bruce Springsteen. Here's everything you need to know.

20/05/2025