Economy Shipping giant MSC opens new trade route to bypass Hormuz disruption As tensions choke the Strait of Hormuz, Mediterranean Shipping Company races to keep global trade moving with new route. 04/05/2026
Iran Tehran regime executes three protesters, one 'without evidence' Iran’s judiciary says three protesters detained over the January unrest in the city of Mashhad have been hanged, as rights groups report four murder convicts were executed in a unrelated case in Isfahan. 04/05/2026
Travel News UK airlines to consolidate flights on same day to save on jet fuel Carriers will also be able to hand back ‘slots’ at airports without punishment, removing the need to operate controversial ‘ghost flights’. 04/05/2026
Art Artefacts returned to Centre of Islamic Civilisation after UK probe The artefacts will be housed at the Centre of Islamic Civilisation as part of ongoing efforts to trace and recover cultural objects through cooperation with museums and the art market. The handover took place during an international cultural event marking the anniversary programme of Amir Temur. 04/05/2026
Health news What is the deadly hantavirus? From symptoms, risks and transmission The situation aboard the MV Hondius is continuing to evolve, with three deaths linked to the outbreak. But what is hantavirus and how does it spread? 04/05/2026
Top News Stories Today Latest news bulletin | May 4th, 2026 – Midday Catch up with the most important stories from around Europe and beyond this May 4th, 2026 - latest news, breaking news, World, Business, Entertainment, Politics, Culture, Travel. 04/05/2026
No Comment Czech competitor wins European Yo-Yo Championship in Bratislava Jakub Dolejs of the Czech Republic claimed the top title in the main 1A category at the European Yo-Yo Championship in Slovakia. 04/05/2026
Culture news Viral divisions: Are you as smart as Donald Trump at math(s)? “Nobody should think he is ok, or think he might be ok, after watching this.” Donald Trump used a rally to dispel rumours surrounding his mental fitness, but a brag led to a percentage example which has sparked viral ridicule. 04/05/2026
Europe News A new Haber–Bosch moment: Europe must rethink fertiliser production Europe must reinvent fertiliser production to cut agriculture's reliance on fossil fuels and protect jobs in industrial regions, writes Magnolia Tovar, a chemical engineer and expert at a climate innovation think tank, in an opinion piece for Euronews. 04/05/2026
Business GameStop launches $56 billion takeover bid for e-commerce giant eBay The gaming retailer GameStop has launched a surprise $56 billion (€47.8bn) bid to acquire the online marketplace eBay, marking a potential aggressive expansion into global e-commerce. 04/05/2026
Earth News The EU is betting on direct air capture – is it a bad investment? Direct air capture has been touted as ‘essential’ in meeting the EU’s climate goals – but is now really the time for investment? 04/05/2026
Europe News Drone strikes Moscow building just days before Russia's V-Day parade Just days before Russia’s Victory Day parade, a drone reportedly hit a high-rise residential building in Moscow, just kilometres away from the Kremlin. 04/05/2026
Moments La Gomera hiking trail named one of the world’s best by Lonely Planet Looking to swap your daily walk a view worth going the distance for? New guide book ‘Where to Go When: Hiking’ includes more than 90 routes across Europe and beyond, highlighting the growing popularity of walking tourism. 04/05/2026
No Comment Humanoid robots deployed to direct traffic in China Humanoid robots have been deployed at intersections in the Chinese city of Hangzhou to assist traffic police and guide pedestrians. 04/05/2026
Europe Today Donald Trump's EU car tariffs ‘targeting Germany,’ says key German MEP German MEP Bernd Lange said US President Donald Trump’s threat to impose 25% tariffs on EU cars appears to target Germany, following Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s criticism of the US stance on Iran. However, the move would likely breach the EU–US trade agreement reached last summer. 04/05/2026
Culture news Countdown (re)activated: Taylor Swift planning a ‘Toy Story 5’ song? Taylor Swift has sparked rumours that new music, potentially for the Toy Story 5 soundtrack, could be on the way... A countdown briefly appeared on her official website before being taken down. Now, the clock is back and Swifties are going into overdrive... 04/05/2026
Europe Today Housing crises explodes: rents up by 60% in Europe A coalition of European mayors is set for a high-level meeting with the European Commission and Parliament on the housing crisis. Affordable housing isn’t anymore one of the four pillars of the European social model, warns Roberto Gualtieri, Rome’s mayor, to Euronews. 04/05/2026
Europe Today Watch: Why is Canada eyeing a closer bond with Brussels? Prime Minister Mark Carney has arrived in Yerevan for the European Political Community Summit, where he is spearheading efforts to create a Middle Powers alliance. But could the world’s "most European" non-European country actually become the 28th EU member state? 04/05/2026
Europe Today Trump's trade, defence announcements hotly discussed in Yerevan The European Political Community (EPC) in the Armenian capital has attracted 47 leaders from around the world, including Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. US President Donald Trump's trade and defence announcements are expected to be interrogated. 04/05/2026
Culture news How Shakira made music history on Copacabana beach Rio de Janeiro once again turned Copacabana into the world's biggest stage. Shakira performed on Saturday in front of two million people in a free concert that the city's mayor described as historic and will generate some $155 million for the local economy. 04/05/2026
EU.XL DMA review: is the EU’s digital economy stronger? What is the Digital Markets Act (DMA)? In 2022, the EU set out to impose strict "do’s and don’ts" on tech giants. Two years after implementation, the Commission is reviewing how successful it’s been. 04/05/2026
No Comment Participants compete to lure worms from the ground at quirky UK festival Contestants gathered in southern England for the annual “Wormcharming” competition, attempting to coax worms from the ground without digging. 04/05/2026
Cinema Oscars: New rules announced - AI actors and scripts cannot win awards The Academy has updated its rules for how artificial intelligence is used, including one that says all screenplays must be humanly created. There are more ambiguous statements regarding acting, however... 04/05/2026
Culture news The best things to do, hear, see or watch in Europe this week Marina Abramović marks her upcoming 80th birthday with a new exhibition in Venice, 2000's band Broken Social Scene return, and Mortal Kombat II brings arcade fun to the big screen. Here's what to look out for this week. 04/05/2026
Health news Three people die on a cruise ship, authorities suspect hantavirus Three more people on the Dutch cruise ship have fallen ill, one of them has been taken to a hospital in South Africa. The hantavirus is spread by rats and very rarely spreads from human to human. 04/05/2026
Economy Irish economic miracle explained: Why all that glitters isn't gold Ireland's GDP soared 12.3% in 2025 — but it was a mirage. Pharma multinationals front-loaded €25.4bn of exports to the US in March alone, ahead of Trump's tariffs. Now the first quarter of 2026 sees a contraction. 04/05/2026
EU.XL How is the EU breaking the 'grip' of tech giants? The Commission's first formal review found the Digital Market Act (DMA) “fit for purpose”. While critics warn against procedural compliance issues, the Parliament asks for smoother implementation. Do you want to know how the DMA regulates online platforms? Ask the Euronews AI chatbot. 04/05/2026
Europe Today Merz–Trump clash deepens as European leaders meet in Armenia Tune in to Europe Today, Euronews' flagship morning programme at 8 am Brussels time. In just 20 minutes, we bring you up to speed on the biggest news of the day. 04/05/2026
Markets Oil prices edge up despite Trump vowing action in Hormuz tensions Oil prices rose slightly in early trading on Monday as investors monitored Iran war developments. Brent crude and WTI front month contracts are trading around 1% higher at around $109 and $103 per barrel respectively. 04/05/2026
Ecotech Türkiye's sci-fi-esque solar city sets new standards for design Experts say the nation is fast becoming a renewable pioneer for the region. 04/05/2026