Europe

Economy

Switzerland freezes all Maduro-linked assets 'with immediate effect'

Switzerland ordered a four-year precautionary freeze on any assets held by Nicolás Maduro and people linked to him but gave no figures and did not confirm whether any assets exist.

05/01/2026

Europe

EU bets on Venezuela's democratic transition as Trump goes after oil

Public statements from Washington, Brussels and European capitals since the US's raid on Caracas have revealed a chasm between the two sides of the Atlantic.

05/01/2026

Europe in Motion

Free civic space in France, Italy and Germany under threat, study says

These three countries, which are home to almost half of the EU's population, are now in the same category as Hungary for restrictions on civic space.

05/01/2026

Smart Regions

Making peatlands a green economy in Ireland's Midlands

In partnership with the European Commission

Emissions from dried peat are a major issue in the Irish Midlands. The Peatlands for Prosperity project is pioneering paludiculture, transforming carbon-producing land into a sustainable source of economic opportunity.

05/01/2026

No Comment

Skiers form heart to honour victims of deadly Crans-Montana fire

Skiers gathered to form a heart on the slopes, honoring bar fire victims and responders. A national mourning day is set for January 9.

05/01/2026

Europe

EU Commission examines childlike sexual images created by Musk’s AI

A spokesperson for the European Commission said it was “very seriously looking into” the creation of sexually explicit images of girls – including minors – by Grok, the AI model integrated into X.

05/01/2026

Europe

Why does Donald Trump want Greenland so badly?

The US president's latest remarks about a possible annexation of Greenland have drawn condemnation from Denmark and Europe more widely.

05/01/2026

The Cube

False images and misleading claims circulate after Crans-Montana fire

A deadly New Year’s Eve fire at a bar in the Swiss Alps has prompted false images and narratives about the blaze's origin to spread online.

05/01/2026

Health news

How brain wiring helps some people switch tasks more quickly

Our brains do not all work at the same speed – new research suggests that part of the difference comes down to how well we juggle fast and slow information.

05/01/2026

United Kingdom

Man Utd manager Ruben Amorim sacked after 14 months at Old Trafford

The Portuguese oversaw a slew of unwanted records at the 20-time English champion including its lowest finish in the Premier League era last season.

05/01/2026

France

French court convicts 10 for cyberbullying First Lady Brigitte Macron

A Paris court sentenced 10 individuals for cyberbullying the spouse of French President Emmanuel Macron with false allegations about her gender identity, doling out sentences including suspended prison terms and awareness training.

05/01/2026

Ukraine

Russian overnight strikes kill at least one in Ukraine's capital Kyiv

At least one person was killed after Russia launched an overnight barrage of drones and missiles targeting Kyiv and the northern Chernihiv region. Zelenskyy said the strikes on the capital targeted a civilian hospital and called on allies to ramp up military support.

05/01/2026

Greenland

Greenland prime minister says 'enough' after latest Trump threat

Greenland's PM Jens Frederik Nielsen firmly rejected US President Trump's repeated comments on US possibly annexing Greenland, asking for dialogue and respect for international law.

05/01/2026

Tech News

How Finland is teaching schoolchildren AI literacy

As deepfakes proliferate online, Finland adds AI literacy to its school curriculum to help children as young as 3 to recognise AI-generated fake news.

05/01/2026

No Comment

Venezuelan diaspora rallies in Madrid backing the opposition

Hundreds gathered in Madrid for a second day to support US operation against President Maduro and back Venezuela’s opposition leaders.

05/01/2026

Switzerland

Swiss authorities identify all 40 victims of Swiss Alps bar fire

The remaining 16 victims of a tragic New Year’s Eve blaze at a Swiss ski resort bar were identified on Sunday. A representative of Valais police confirmed that investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the fire, which killed 40 people and injured 119 others.

05/01/2026

Culture news

The best things to do, hear, see or watch in Europe this week

Love and loss in Chloé Zhao's Shakespeare drama 'Hamnet'; the return of taut thriller 'The Night Manager', and the Royal Scottish Academy kicks off a vibrant year-long programme for its 200th anniversary. Here's what to put in your diary this week.

05/01/2026

Travel News

What's changing for travellers to the EU in 2026?

Travel rules are changing across Europe in 2026, from new EU border controls to rising tourist taxes.

05/01/2026

Economy

Gender pension gap across Europe: How much less do women receive?

The gender pension gap in Europe is wider than the gender pay gap, exceeding 30% in several countries.

05/01/2026

World News

Migrant arrivals in the UK rose in 2025 and stabilised in the EU

For the UK, last year saw the highest number of migrant arrivals across the English Channel since 2022. In contrast, irregular entries into the EU stabilised in the first 11 months of the year.

05/01/2026

Healthcare

Which country in Europe waits the longest to have children?

On average, women in the European Union have their first children shortly before their 30th birthdays, data shows.

05/01/2026

Europe

EU calls for respect of international law with US vague on Venezuela

EU's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas called for 'calm and restraint by all actors' as the Trump administration remained vague on its transition plan for Venezuela after the ousting on Maduro. All member states, except for Hungary, supported the statement released by Kallas on Sunday night.

04/01/2026

Germany

45,000 homes in Berlin without power after left-wing extremist attack

A suspected arson attack has caused a widespread power cut in Berlin since Saturday. Authorities said on Sunday that it was a result of a politically motivated attack by “left-wing extremists".

04/01/2026

No Comment

Crans-Montana residents take part in silent march for fire victims

Fire crews and residents of Crans-Montana attend a silent march to pay tribute to the victims of the deadly fire in the Swiss ski resort.

04/01/2026

Destinations

Micro-retirements: The Gen Z travel trend helping combat burnout

Micro-retirements are emerging as the new travel solution for cash-conscious Gen Zers and millennials who don’t want to wait until traditional retirement age to experience the world.

04/01/2026

Climate

How the common daisy became a ‘visible signal’ of climate change

Experts warn that the slightest increase in temperatures can trigger early blooming in hundreds of wildflower species.

04/01/2026