2025-12-12

Culture news

Rare Roman-style 'Good Shepherd' fresco discovered in Turkey

The 3rd-century fresco uncovered by Turkish archaeologists is the best-preserved of its kind to date.

12/12/2025

World News

Paris Agreement at 10: Hope for change clouded by climate reality

The agreement, signed in Paris on 12 December 2015, was considered historic but a decade on, the planet is still warming at too great a rate.

12/12/2025

Hungary

Hungary Orbán slams Brussels over Russian assets freeze

The Hungarian prime minister strongly condemned a move by the EU to indefinitely immobilise Russian Central Bank assets, widely seen as a way of circumventing a Hungarian veto.

12/12/2025

12 minutes with

'Let's prove them wrong': Spanish economy minister responds to US

Spanish Economy Minister says Europeans must stay united and keep focused on integration after the Trump administration said the continent's economy is suffocating under excessive regulation and weak leadership.

12/12/2025

Gaza

Gaza doctor allegedly killed hostage by injecting air into her veins

Nineteen-year-old Noa Marciano was one of 251 people taken as hostages back to Gaza in the 7 October 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel.

12/12/2025

World News

France struggles to contain cattle virus as farmers' protests spread

Strict culling rules ignite nationwide anger as cases of the deadly outbreak of lumpy skin disease, which cannot be passed on to humans, surge in the southwest of the country

12/12/2025

Ukraine

Zelenskyy appears in Kupyansk after Russia claimed it was occupied

The Ukrainian president published a video Friday from Kupyansk in Kharkiv region, visiting Ukrainian positions less than 2 kilometres away from Russian troops and well within the range of Moscow’s drones and artillery.

12/12/2025

Top News Stories Today

Latest news bulletin | December 12th, 2025 – Evening

Catch up with the most important stories from around Europe and beyond this December 12th, 2025 - latest news, breaking news, World, Business, Entertainment, Politics, Culture, Travel.

12/12/2025

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Video shows Gaza hostages celebrating Hanukkah before deaths

New footage shows six hostages celebrating Hanukkah in a Gaza tunnel before being killed by Hamas. Their families hope to highlight that they should have returned alive.

12/12/2025

Ukraine

Why does Russia want Ukraine’s Donbas?

Moscow continues to insist that it wants Kyiv to withdraw its forces from Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region, which Ukraine has been fiercely defending since 2014. What is there, and why is Moscow keen to take control of the entire area so much?

12/12/2025

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Turkey find reveals rare Roman-style Jesus fresco

A rare 3rd-century fresco of Jesus as the Good Shepherd was discovered near Iznik, Turkey.

12/12/2025

Europe News

Three years on, former MEP Kaili remains in limbo still awaiting trial

Former EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini was detained this month in a major fraud probe, as ex-​European Parliament Vice-President Eva Kaili remains in legal limbo three years after her arrest in the 2022 corruption scandal.

12/12/2025

Europe News

EU dismisses Russia's lawsuit against Euroclear as 'speculative'

As the EU rushes to approve a reparations loan for Ukraine, the Russian Central Bank has launched a lawsuit against Euroclear, the institution that holds €185 billion of its assets.

12/12/2025

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Hundreds join strike in Rome against 2026 budget plans

Hundreds in Rome protested against Italy’s 2026 budget, demanding more investment in public services over defence, disrupting transport and healthcare.

12/12/2025

Netherlands

Utrecht lifts forest warning after DNA confirms wolf shot was 'Bram'

According to the European Commission, there are around 23,000 wild wolves in Europe and the population increased by 35% between 2016 and 2023.

12/12/2025

Europe News

Trump's policies set to widen EU-US innovation gap in 2026

Companies say the EU’s deregulation efforts are insufficient against Trump's “carrot-and-stick” strategy of pairing generous US tax incentives with a punitive 15% tariff on imports from the EU.

12/12/2025

The Cube

Fact check: How realistic is a bespoke EU-UK customs union?

Brexit is back making headlines in the UK after the Liberal Democrats received support for creating a bespoke customs union. Where does the UK currently stand, and what benefits would such an agreement bring?

12/12/2025

Travel News

Ryanair threatens to cut 20 more EU routes over ‘sky-high’ taxes

Ryanair has slammed the increasing aviation tax in Belgium, pledging to drastically reduce its services.

12/12/2025

Germany

Germany summons Russian ambassador over alleged election interference

The foreign ministry said that Germany "would take a series of countermeasures to make Russia pay a price for its hybrid actions in close coordination with our European partners."

12/12/2025

Business

Italian media braces for shake-up as Greek buyer swoops in for Gedi

The ongoing negotiations could bring a watershed moment for the Italian publishing landscape. The sale of La Repubblica, a symbol of secular and critical journalism, could mark the end of a key editorial era.

12/12/2025

Around Azerbaijan

Gabala: adventure, heritage and wine in Azerbaijan's mountain region

In partnership with Azerbaijan Tourism Board

Gabala, Azerbaijan’s mountain retreat, mixes adventure, culture, and heritage in one remarkable region.

12/12/2025

Made in Europe

Building Green: Rethinking construction for a low-energy Europe

Did you know that the buildings around us, and the ones we live in, are responsible for 40% of Europe’s energy consumption? To achieve a climate-neutral Europe by 2050, we need to build differently. And in part, we already are — but how, and to what extent?

12/12/2025

Europe News

EU approves temporary €3 fixed customs charge on low-value imports

From 1 July 2026, the EU will levy a charge on small parcels entering the bloc, with ecommerce platforms such as Temu and Shein expected to be most affected.

12/12/2025

Cinema

Film of the Week: 'Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery'

It's three for three in Rian Johnson's whodunit series, with Daniel Craig returning as gentleman sleuth Benoit Blanc for a gothic mystery full of dark humour, topical jabs, and a commanding performance from Josh O’Connor.

12/12/2025

Europe Today

Watch the video: Will the European Parliament approve Mercosur deal?

Next week, the EU is entering the final phase of the Mercosur trade deal that might create a market of 700 million people between Europe and South America. But will it?

12/12/2025

12 minutes with

European Ombudswoman weighs in on von der Leyen’s vanishing texts

The European Ombudswoman has defended the European Commission’s commitment to transparency amid criticism that President Ursula von der Leyen is running an increasingly opaque operation, but recognised "challenges" in upholding free access to documents.

12/12/2025

Tech News

OpenAI releases new GPT-5.2 update amid ‘code red’ reports

After reportedly issuing a ‘code red’ in response to intense competition from Anthropic and Google, OpenAI has released its latest AI model, GPT-5.2. Here’s what to know.

12/12/2025

Culture news

Taliban warn four young Afghan men who wore Peaky Blinders outfits

According to a Taliban spokesman, the four friends were "promoting foreign culture" and that the men had undergone a "rehabilitation programme".

12/12/2025

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Australia investigates skydiving incident after jumper tangles plane

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau released the video with its report on its investigation into the mishap.

12/12/2025

Europe News

EU auditors question 'unclear' impact of LIFE environmental funds

EU auditors found that the environmental funds under the LIFE programme are difficult to assess, according to their latest audit. They also urged the European Commission to increase oversight as 123 new projects were recently awarded €358 million in LIFE funding.

12/12/2025