2026-04-02

Sweden

Sweden announces €800mn investment in anti-drone defence systems

The investment would cover multiple systems, such as radar and anti-aircraft weapons systems as well as electronic warfare platforms.

02/04/2026

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Armenia’s unique salt mine asthma clinic faces closure as funds dry up

Armenia is home to a rare underground clinic beneath Yerevan, where asthma and allergy patients descend 235 metres into the Avan salt mine to breathe mineral‑rich air in a setting unlike any conventional hospital.

02/04/2026

World News

As Middle East burns, Europe turns to its southern neighbour— Africa

For decades, Europe has been a key partner to Africa, providing aid development support and shaping governance frameworks, but critics say the model is out of step with a changing global reality.

02/04/2026

Culture news

UNESCO raises alarm over 'priceless' Iranian heritage sites hit by war

As the war in the Middle East continues, cultural and historical sites in the region are increasingly under threat sparking renewed calls from Middle East states and UNESCO for help protecting heritage sites.

02/04/2026

Tech News

How to spot AI-generated disinformation

Do independent research, look for clues in the image and trust expert fact-checkers are good ways to identify whether an image could be AI-generated.

02/04/2026

Culture news

Germany to council to repatriate colonial-era cultural artefacts

Germany is setting up a council to oversee the return of cultural property and human remains taken from former colonies.

02/04/2026

Top News Stories Today

Latest news bulletin | April 2nd, 2026 – Midday

Catch up with the most important stories from around Europe and beyond this April 2nd, 2026 - latest news, breaking news, World, Business, Entertainment, Politics, Culture, Travel.

02/04/2026

No Comment

Lebanon hit by fresh Israeli raid and Hezbollah response

Deadly Israeli strikes in Lebanon hit a building in Zebdine, near Nabatieh. The raid came as Hezbollah launched rockets and drones across the border and regional tensions deepened.

02/04/2026

Space

‘Very emotional moment’: French scientists react to Artemis II launch

French scientists in Toulouse watched the Artemis II launch with emotion, calling it a major step for lunar exploration. They highlight Europe’s role, future missions and see the Moon as a key step toward reaching Mars.

02/04/2026

USA

US lifts sanctions on Venezuela's interim President Delcy Rodriguez

Washington has lifted sanctions on Rodríguez, boosting her legitimacy as a US-recognised leader and opening doors for closer oil and business ties.

02/04/2026

No Comment

Sahara dust turns skies red over Crete

Strong winds carried Sahara dust across the Mediterranean, turning skies over Crete a striking red and yellow. Scenes captured in Rethymno and Georgioupoli show the sun dimmed by sand, creating an eerie, almost Martian atmosphere.

02/04/2026

Art

Controversial Easter confessions: Maurizio Cattelan's sinners hotline

For his latest work, Maurizio Cattelan wants you to confess... Absolution is at stake. To mark the start of Easter, as well as the 21st anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s death, the Italian artist has also made a limited edition of his most provocative and widely debated work... 666 of them.

02/04/2026

Africanews

Malawi’s Chakwera warns: Fighting corruption can turn against you

“The fight you engage in fights back," said the former president as he reflected on his time in power, corruption allegations and governance reform in Africa.

02/04/2026

Europe in Motion

Which European countries have the best salaries after taxes?

Social contributions can weigh as much as a third of the salary paid to an employee.

02/04/2026

Iran

Iran war disrupts aid supply, threatening operations across Africa

The Iran war is disrupting fuel and shipping, choking life-saving operations and pushing up hunger and poverty across Africa, Aid group IRC has warned.

02/04/2026

Economy

Richest 0.1% hide more wealth than the poorest half of humanity owns

The world's ultra-rich have stashed around $2.84 trillion (€2.47tn) in untaxed offshore accounts, a figure that surpasses the combined wealth of the bottom 50% of the human population, according to a new report.

02/04/2026

Earth News

How global warming is putting millions of French homes at risk

More than half of the detached houses in France are under threat by rising temperatures, spurring the government to fight back.

02/04/2026

No Comment

Powerful 7.4 quake hits Indonesia’s Molucca Sea, tsunami alert lifted

Indonesia was struck by a powerful 7.4‑magnitude earthquake early on 2 April in the Molucca Sea, off Ternate in North Maluku, killing at least one person and briefly triggering a tsunami warning.

02/04/2026

Space

In pictures: Artemis II astronauts embark on historic NASA mission

Four astronauts have embarked on a high-stakes flight around the moon, marking humanity’s first lunar voyage in more than half a century.

02/04/2026

Ukraine

Russia launches massive drone barrage on Ukraine as peace talks stall

Diplomatic efforts to end Russia's all-out invasion of Ukraine have stalled in recent months, in part because the United States has shifted its focus towards the Iran war.

02/04/2026

EU.XL

Passerelles, Article 7, coffee breaks: How the EU bypasses the veto

The EU’s unanimity rule lets any single member state veto decisions, turning consensus into a power play. Now, the bloc is pushing back with whatever tools it has.

02/04/2026

Europe News

Will the Iran war threaten the EU's green transition?

The European Union's climate ambitions could be delayed as the war against Iran is driving energy prices through the roof and raising questions of supply security. EU leaders maintain the conviction that the path to energy independence lies in more clean power and less reliance on fossil fuels.

02/04/2026

Culture news

Fleetwood Mac star attacked by woman with ‘unknown substance’

The “stalking suspect” reportedly threw something on Lindsey Buckingham and then ran away. An arrest is expected soon.

02/04/2026

Culture news

MAS Antwerp explores culture, history and heritage of martial arts

A new exhibition at MAS Antwerp explores martial arts as culture, identity and community, bringing together global traditions and local stories beyond the fight.

02/04/2026

Travel News

Valencia to put a limit on the number of citywide holiday homes

The Spanish city is moving to limit holiday accommodations amid local ‘touristflation’ woes in a country that has seen large-scale anti-tourism demonstrations.

02/04/2026

Space

Liftoff: Everything to know about NASA's Artemis II Moon mission

NASA astronauts could be sent back to the Moon for the first time in 50 years as soon as April 1. Here's what you need to know about the mission.

02/04/2026

Culture news

Civil society: How polite are countries in Europe perceived to be?

A new survey shows that European countries make up over half of countries globally perceived to be most polite, but their self-assessment of politeness at times contradicts the international verdict.

02/04/2026

Markets

Musk’s path to $1 trillion: SpaceX files for IPO, reports say

Elon Musk’s space exploration company has filed preliminary paperwork to sell shares to the public, according to two sources familiar with the filing — a blockbuster offering that would likely rank among the largest ever and could make its founder the world’s first trillionaire.

02/04/2026

No Comment

Watch: NASA's Artemis II rocket launches on historic Moon mission

A NASA rocket carrying four astronauts blasted off from Florida, marking the first crewed lunar mission in more than 50 years.

02/04/2026

Tech News

Chinese scientists reveal glowing plants that could light cities

Using genes from fireflies and luminous fungi, scientists have created plants that glow in the dark.

02/04/2026