2026-04-21

Europe News

Lebanon's PM to visit France amid shaky truce and Israel tensions

The visit highlights France's efforts to back the Lebanese state even as its diplomatic standing with Israel weakens.

21/04/2026

Economy

German business expectations fall to their lowest levels since 2022

German business confidence dropped sharply in April, reaching its lowest point since the 2022 energy crisis.

21/04/2026

North Korea

Russia and North Korea connect road bridge ahead of summer opening

Ties between both countries have surged amid Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, with Moscow and Pyongyang deepening economic, political, cultural and military links.

21/04/2026

Business

Thales: Defence orders surge as Iran war drives military spending

The French company recorded five defence orders worth more than €100 million each, as global demand rises amid the Iran war.

21/04/2026

Travel News

Looking inland: Portugal to boost regional tourism with €11m projects

The projects will support nature, gastronomy, wellness and cultural tourism within Portugal’s inland, and attract visitors away from major tourist hotspots like Lisbon and Porto.

21/04/2026

Business

Armenia and Azerbaijan open up to trade after years of strained ties

Early signs of economic contact emerge between Armenia and Azerbaijan, as export data points to a modest resumption of trade.

21/04/2026

Space

Astronauts study reveals brain struggles to unlearn gravity in space

Researchers working with 11 astronauts discovered that even in weightlessness, the brain continues to behave as if gravity is still present - a finding that could impact future space exploration.

21/04/2026

Russia

Russia faked economic data to mask damage from its war, report says

Swedish intelligence said Russia has been covering up a weak, debt-driven economy hit by war costs and sanctions, warning of rising inflation and banking risks.

21/04/2026

Markets

The Iran war's biggest 'losers' are now 2026's top-performing markets

The stock markets that were supposed to pay the highest price for the Iran war are now the ones leading the 2026 league table, and the rebound from March's Hormuz panic has been one of the most aggressive relief rallies in years.

21/04/2026

Turkey

Dozens of Turkish coal miners detained after march for unpaid wages

Some 110 Doruk Madencilik workers who had been marching to Ankara to demand unpaid wages and compensation were detained as demands for rights and safety grow louder.

21/04/2026

Europe News

EU optimistic about ending Hungary's veto on €90bn loan for Ukraine

Brussels is ready to move on with the €90 billion loan for Ukraine as soon as Hungary removes its controversial veto. The resolution could also pave the way for the adoption of a new package of sanctions against Russia.

21/04/2026

Culture news

South Korean police seeking to arrest BTS agency chairman Bang Si-Hyuk

South Korean police are seeking to arrest Hybe chairman Bang Si-Hyuk over alleged investor fraud tied to the company’s IPO, in a case that could impact the K-pop giant as BTS resumes touring.

21/04/2026

Travel News

Helsinki unveils one of the world’s longest pedestrian bridges

Spanning 1,191 metres, Kruunuvuorensilta bridge in Finland connects Korkeasaari and Kruunuvuorenranta.

21/04/2026

Markets

Global markets on edge as investors await US-Iran negotiations

European markets are trading mostly flat with Asian indices jumping higher and oil prices rising slightly as suspense builds around potential US-Iran negotiations and the end of the ceasefire in less than 48 hours.

21/04/2026

Culture news

Thousands of artists call on fans to boycott Eurovision over Israel

Celebrated musicians including Massive Attack, Kneecap, Brian Eno, Sigur Rós, Nadine Shah, and many more have signed an open letter calling for a boycott of the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest in protest of Israel’s participation.

21/04/2026

Health news

Your gut microbiome could signal Parkinson’s risk, study finds

Scientists have found that distinctive patterns in gut bacteria can identify people at risk of developing Parkinson’s disease years before symptoms appear.

21/04/2026

Top News Stories Today

Latest news bulletin | April 21st, 2026 – Midday

Catch up with the most important stories from around Europe and beyond this April 21st, 2026 - latest news, breaking news, World, Business, Entertainment, Politics, Culture, Travel.

21/04/2026

Europe News

EU Court rules Hungary's anti LGBTQ+ law breaches core values

The European Court of Justice rules that Hungary's 2021 Child Protection Law unlawfully discriminates against LGBTQ+ community; the first time a member state has been found in violation of EU fundamental values charter.

21/04/2026

Cinema

'Aldeas': Martin Scorsese’s Pope Francis film to premiere at Vatican

The Vatican will screen the film 'Aldeas', which features Pope Francis' last on-screen interview. The premiere takes place on the one-year anniversary of his death.

21/04/2026

Iran

Iran hangs man accused of ties to Israel and arson during protests

Iran executes Amirali Mirjafari for allegedly plotting to burn a Tehran mosque and collaborating with Israel and the US, as rights groups decry rising executions.

21/04/2026

Europe Today

Watch: Europe’s relationship with Israel is fracturing — how far will it go?

The EU is Israel’s largest trading partner, with a relationship worth more than €45 billion a year.

21/04/2026

Europe News

German-made components found in Russian drones despite EU sanctions

Hundreds of thousands of German components can be found in Russian drones and weapons systems. How do these components get to Russia? Research shows complex supply chains via intermediaries and third countries.

21/04/2026

Iran

Trump wants to extend Iran ceasefire, until negotiations conclude

The US president also wrote on Truth Social that the blockade of Iranian ports will continue until Tehran presents a "unified proposal".

21/04/2026

Earth News

India and China solar boom see renewable energy overtake global demand

Countries continue to turn to renewables for national security despite Trump's attacks on wind and solar.

21/04/2026

Iran

Timelapse footage shows maritime traffic around Gulf, Straight of Hormuz

The passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz - the world's busiest oil shipping canal - has been severely disrupted amid the US-Israeli war with Iran. Timelapse footage shows maritime traffic in the Gulf and Strait of Hormuz from April 18 to April 20, amid a fragile US-Iran truce.

21/04/2026

Europe Today

Appetite among NATO members to join Iran war 'very limited', says Eide

Norway's foreign affairs minister Espen Barth Eide says Europe is 'doing its part' in the Hormuz Strait but argues NATO 'is not party to the conflict' in Iran.

21/04/2026

No Comment

Marijuana smokers celebrate 420 in New York

New York's 420 crowds filled Washington Square Park and Tompkins Square Park as revellers marked legal cannabis with music, joints and shifting police controls.

21/04/2026

Culture news

‘This is a sacrilege’: Nancy Sinatra calls out Donald Trump

Donald Trump recently posted a clip of Frank Sinatra singing his seminal hit song ‘My Way’. No context. Just the clip. And now, Frank's daughter Nancy is speaking out...

21/04/2026

Europe in Motion

War in Ukraine: Which EU countries are hosting the most Ukrainians?

Millions of Ukrainians remain under EU protection, yet some are heading back. From rising living costs to emotional strain, what’s driving this unexpected reversal?

21/04/2026

No Comment

Mexico City: Video shows armed man shooting at tourists at Teotihuacán pyramids

Video and photos published by local media shows a man standing with a gun on top of a pyramid while people duck for cover. A number of gunshots ring out in the videos.

21/04/2026