2025-08-21

Germany

German transgender neo-Nazi to serve time in women's prison

In July 2023, Marla-Svenja Liebich, then still known as Sven, was sentenced to one and a half years' imprisonment without probation by the Halle district court. A year and a half later, Sven became Marla-Svenja by simple deed poll, made possible under a new law.

21/08/2025

Climate

France's vineyards begin 2025 harvest early after hot temperatures

The grape harvest for 2025 in France has begun early again, as growers continue to adapt to shifting weather patterns amid soaring temperatures.

21/08/2025

Scenes

Watch: The gondoliers dive deep to reclaim Venice’s beauty

In partnership with Media City

Venice’s canals look postcard-perfect, but beneath the surface lies a waste crisis.

21/08/2025

Top News Stories Today

Latest news bulletin | August 21st, 2025 – Evening

Catch up with the most important stories from around Europe and beyond this August 21st, 2025 - latest news, breaking news, World, Business, Entertainment, Politics, Culture, Travel.

21/08/2025

USA

Appeals court throws out massive civil fraud penalty against Trump

Two judges wrote that they felt New York Attorney General Letitia James’ lawsuit against Trump and his companies was justifiable and that she had proven her case but the penalty was too severe.

21/08/2025

No Comment

Airstrike destroys Gaza tents as Israel readies new operation

Israeli airstrikes hit central Gaza early Thursday, destroying a camp for displaced families near Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah as preparations for a wider offensive continued.

21/08/2025

World News

The possible countries that could host a Zelenskyy-Putin summit

The next step of the diplomatic process aimed at putting an end to Russia’s war against Ukraine is set to be a meeting between Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Vladimir Putin. But where could that meeting take place?

21/08/2025

Markets

Wall Street ticks lower amid labour market concerns and weak earnings

Disappointing earnings reports and weak labour data on Thursday pave the way towards Fed Chair Jerome Powell's Friday speech at Jackson Hole, keeping tensions elevated.

21/08/2025

No Comment

Prague commemorates 1968 Soviet-led occupation of Czechoslovakia

The Czech Republic marked the anniversary of the 1968 Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia on Thursday with memorial events in Prague and across the country.

21/08/2025

Culture news

It's official: ‘The Beatles Anthology’ project returns this year

It has been announced that thirteen rare and unreleased songs will feature on a new Anthology compilation – 'Anthology 4', the first in almost 30 years. And that's not all...

21/08/2025

Economy

Eurozone business activity hits 15-month high in August

The eurozone's economy is gathering momentum as its latest business activity indicator, the flash composite PMI, increased in August, surpassing expectations. It was boosted by manufacturing, which expanded in the bloc for the first time since June 2022.

21/08/2025

EuroVerify

Will flying outside the EU subject French to stricter tax audits?

A viral video claiming that French people getting on a flight to a non-EU destination will be subjected to stricter tax controls has spurred outrage. However, this measure is nonexistent.

21/08/2025

Green News

Data shows Europe facing its worst wildfire season in decades

Spain's civil-protection chief warned that the fires continue to pose a direct threat to populated areas, while Defence Minister Margarita Robles described "airborne action" as difficult because of thick smoke.

21/08/2025

Travel News

These European destinations reward tourists for good behaviour

European cities have been inspired by Copenhagen’s CopenPay good behaviour reward scheme.

21/08/2025

Europe in Motion

EU SMEs crippled by cyber scams: Here are the most affected countries

Cybersecurity fears are preventing the growth of Europe's SMEs. Almost half are deliberately choosing not to expand due to their vulnerability.

21/08/2025

Business

Uzbekistan: 51 presidential initiatives to boost entrepreneurship

Announcements were made by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev during the annual event for Entrepreneurs’ Day in Tashkent.

21/08/2025

No Comment

Spanish village reduced to ash as country faces worst wildfire season

Spain is battling its worst wildfire season in decades, with more than 382,000 hectares destroyed, four deaths reported, and over 30,000 people forced to evacuate.

21/08/2025

Europe News

Danish ex-minister stands trial for possessing child sexual material

Former MP and minister Henrik Sass Larsen is accused of possessing photo and video files containing child sexual abuse material, as well as a child-like doll made for sexual purposes.

21/08/2025

Business

Mediobanca shareholders reject bid to acquire Banca Generali

The rejection could threaten Mediobanca’s independence as the Milanese lender seeks to fend off a takeover by Italian competitor MPS.

21/08/2025

Culture news

Duolingo apologises after app calls JK Rowling ‘mean’ in German lesson

Language learning app apologised for a German lesson in which the question “Do you like books with Harry Potter as a character?” had the correct answer: "Yes, but in my opinion the author is mean.”

21/08/2025

No Comment

Young gorilla Zeytin prepares to go home after rescue in Istanbul

A gorilla named Zeytin, rescued from smugglers at Istanbul Airport in December, is preparing to return home after months of medical care and rehabilitation.

21/08/2025

Europe News

Von der Leyen 'extremely saddened' by situation of Gaza children

The EU Commission president says she thinks the humanitarian situation in Gaza is appalling, and children have the right to protection even more than everybody else in the world.

21/08/2025

Culture Series

Meet Mir Teymur, the ceramicist shaping Azerbaijan’s creative legacy in clay

In partnership with Azpromo

Azerbaijani ceramicist Mir Teymur opens his doors to share l clay’s role as “first gold” and its creative legacy philosophy.

21/08/2025

Lifestyle

Black Ops 7 and Lego Batman steal the spotlight at Gamescom 2025

More than 300,000 visitors are expected at this year's gaming extravaganza, flocking to try out blockbuster releases like Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 and test new hardware such as the Nintendo Switch 2 and Xbox Handheld.

21/08/2025

Travel News

Ryanair renews call for air traffic control reform after Athens delays

The low-cost airline denounced the delays in Athens and, for the second time this summer, attacked the Commission on the EU's Air Traffic Control system

21/08/2025

Europe News

EU, US release trade statement setting 15% tariff on EU exports

The joint statement, which comes nearly a month after the trade deal was struck, is being described as a "first step" by the EU side, which hopes to secure more tariff exemptions.

21/08/2025

Uganda

Uganda agrees to take in non-criminal migrants deported from US

Uganda also expressed a preference that those brought into the country should be nationals of African countries and not be unaccompanied minors.

21/08/2025

Business

Germany's Porsche is closing battery subsidiary Cellforce, reports say

According to German media reports, the sports car maker has decided to largely shut down its battery-making and research subsidiary Cellforce, cutting hundreds of jobs.

21/08/2025

Culture news

Chris Pratt criticised for calling Robert F. Kennedy Jr. 'wonderful'

The Hollywood actor described the controversial US Secretary of Health, who happens to be the cousin of his wife Katherine Schwarzenegger, as "funny" and "wonderful."

21/08/2025

Green News

Ten cheetah cubs rescued from illegal exotic wildlife trade

One eight-month-old cub was unable to walk after being tied up for six months, while a five-month-old was “very malnourished".

21/08/2025