2026-04-08

Turkey

Turkey puts 11 leaders of LGBTQ+ association on trial for 'obscenity'

Homosexuality is not illegal in Turkey, but the LGBTQ+ community is frequently targeted by authorities who blame it for the country's declining birth rate.

08/04/2026

Culture news

'Ketamine Queen' jailed for 15 years over Matthew Perry drugs death

Perry, 54, had openly struggled for decades with addictions, but had appeared to colleagues to be beating his demons when he died in 2023.

08/04/2026

Iran

Israel ready to 'return to battle' against Iran, Netanyahu says

In a televised speech, Netanyahu also hit back at opposition leaders who chastised him for agreeing to the truce before Israel achieved its objectives in the war.

08/04/2026

The Ring

“Out of sight?” EU lawmakers fight over migrant return hubs

In this new edition of The Ring, broadcast from the European Parliament in Brussels, MEPs Lena Düpont (EPP) and Juan Fernando López Aguilar (S&D) debate whether return hubs will speed up the return of irregular migrants.

08/04/2026

Iran

Closing Strait of Hormuz 'completely unacceptable,' White House says

One of the major points in the two-week ceasefire agreement was that Iran would allow the resumption of shipping through Hormuz, easing a disruption in the flow of oil and gas which has sent prices soaring around the world.

08/04/2026

No Comment

Camel calf Sophia born at Whipsnade Zoo, boosting conservation focus

New Bactrian camel calf Sophia, named after Sophia Raffles, joins the herd at Whipsnade Zoo as it celebrates 200 years and highlights vital camel conservation.

08/04/2026

The Cube

Orbán's Fidesz bypassing Meta's advertising rules, researchers warn

Meta blocked political advertisements on Facebook and Instagram in October, but misinformation researchers warn that the ban has pushed political ads by Orbán's Fidesz underground.

08/04/2026

Switzerland

Former fire safety chief remains silent in Swiss bar fire probe

Prosecutors believe the fire started when champagne bottles with sparklers attached were raised too close to the ceiling in the bar's basement level, igniting the sound insulation foam.

08/04/2026

Europe News

New leaks reveal Szijjártó briefing Russia’s Lavrov on key EU summit

Leaked calls show Hungary's Foreign Minister briefing Russia's Lavrov during a key EU summit, offering confidential EU documents to Moscow, and arranging a meeting between Orbán and Vladimir Putin.

08/04/2026

No Comment

Multiple airstrikes hit Beirut, emergency crews respond to fires

Multiple Israeli strikes hit Beirut shortly after a US-Iran ceasefire was announced, sending smoke over the city.

08/04/2026

Top News Stories Today

Latest news bulletin | April 8th, 2026 – Evening

Catch up with the most important stories from around Europe and beyond this April 8th, 2026 - latest news, breaking news, World, Business, Entertainment, Politics, Culture, Travel.

08/04/2026

Spain

Track broke day before train crash that killed 46, Spain officials say

The accident happened when a Madrid-bound service run by private firm Iryo derailed and crossed onto the opposite track, smashing into an oncoming train operated by state company Renfe.

08/04/2026

No Comment

Digital detox: Offline club events in Netherlands offer screen-free social connection

Participants in Amsterdam and Utrecht join “offline club” events, handing in their phones to spend time on creative activities and in-person interaction.

08/04/2026

USA

Ceasefire offers Trump exit as Iran war becomes political liability

The ceasefire deal with Iran might come at the right moment for Donald Trump, as it could stop the erosion of domestic support for the President. But Trump is left facing scrutiny over why and for what did the US get into war.

08/04/2026

Residences

Revealed: The best new hotels for 2026 – and number one is in Florence

Collegio Alla Querce, Auberge Collection, housed within a 16th-century villa turned boarding school, has views over both the Tuscan countryside and the historic city centre.

08/04/2026

The Cube

Old Paris riot footage resurfaces under fake claims

The video has reemerged online in recent days, but it actually shows riots that took place in December 2022, in the aftermath of a fatal shooting against Paris' Kurdish community.

08/04/2026

Russia

Russian GRU hackers exploited vulnerable routers globally, probe shows

An international investigation revealed how Russia’s GRU cyber unit, known as "Fancy Bear," managed to steal sensitive information from governments and the military using badly protected routers.

08/04/2026

Europe News

What impact could an Iran ceasefire have on energy prices?

The announcement of a two-week ceasefire in the Middle East has triggered an immediate drop in oil and natural gas prices, raising hopes for lower energy bills. However, consumers might not see the effects for several months, even though the oil industry has issued some optimistic forecasts.

08/04/2026

Travel News

DiscoverEU initiative returns with 40,000 passes for young travellers

Ten of thousands of young Europeans can unlock destinations that showcase the continent’s architecture, fine art, cuisines and more.

08/04/2026

Indonesia

Indonesia deports UK fugitive wanted in Spain on drug charges

Bali police chief Daniel Adityajaya said Lyons was wanted in Spain as the alleged "leader of a large-scale transnational criminal organisation" engaged in drug trafficking and money laundering.

08/04/2026

Destinations

Which countries are the UK’s digital nomads moving to?

These European nations are seeing increased interest from British digital nomads for their pleasant weather, robust remote working facilities and relatively low cost of living.

08/04/2026

Iran

Tehran accelerates execution spree since start of Iran war

Iran executed 14 prisoners on political charges in three weeks since the war began on 28 February, including protesters and alleged opposition members amid a continued internet shutdown.

08/04/2026

Lebanon

Lebanon not part of Iran ceasefire agreement, Trump tells US media

Israel has rarely struck central Beirut since the outbreak of the latest Israel-Hezbollah war on 2 March but has regularly struck southern and eastern Lebanon and Beirut's southern suburbs.

08/04/2026

Health news

EU cuts its Global Fund contribution as health aid shrinks worldwide

The European Commission has lowered its contribution to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria as donors worldwide scale back contributions to global health aid.

08/04/2026

Modern Nomads

Kazakhstan strengthens social protection and public welfare

In partnership with MDQ

Kazakhstan is steadily building one of Central Asia’s most comprehensive social support systems, combining financial assistance, public services, and digital tools to reach citizens at every stage of life.

08/04/2026

Road To

WUF13: Urban projects spark global discussion

In partnership with World Urban Forum

Urban projects test new approaches to city planning, contributing to global discussions on infrastructure, sustainability and post-conflict development ahead of the 13th session of the World Urban Forum.

08/04/2026

Grand Voyager

Grand Voyager | Exploring Hong Kong

In partnership with Media City

From centuries-old temples to its famous skyline, Hong Kong is city celebrated for its historic landmarks, bustling streets and unque flavours. But what is it about this famous city that makes it so unique?

08/04/2026

Europe News

Europe hails US-Iran ceasefire. Yet major questions hang over deal

The US-Iran ceasefire deal leaves several crucial questions unanswered for Europeans, who now find themselves excluded from the diplomatic process and scrambling to contain the ripple effects from the war.

08/04/2026

Netherlands

Syrian accused of torture for al-Assad denies charges in Dutch court

The trial is based on universal jurisdiction, a legal principle that allows suspects to be prosecuted for international offenses such as war crimes even if they are committed in another country.

08/04/2026

Business

European earnings preview: Who wins and who loses from the Iran war?

Eurozone growth has been cut, inflation is surging and the Middle East conflict has shattered the consensus growth story for European corporates. From Paris to Munich, earnings season begins next week.

08/04/2026