German companies pay Russia €1.72 billion in taxes, raising concerns of funding its war in Ukraine

German companies have paid nearly $2 billion (€1.72bn) in taxes to Russia since the Ukraine invasion, funding the war effort. Critics urge immediate withdrawal.

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UN Security Council approves resolution backing Morocco's plan for Western Sahara

The UN Security Council backed Morocco's claim over Western Sahara in a resolution supported by the US, marking a significant shift in international stance.

The ...

Four Bulgarian nationals sentenced to prison for defacing Paris Holocaust Memorial with ‘red hands’

Judges found the 'red hands' graffiti was part of a coordinated campaign to stir division in France, echoing a previous pro-Russian disinformation operation.

A P...

Russia deploys 170,000 troops for push in Ukraine's Donetsk region, Zelenskyy says

Russian President Vladimir Putin has recently claimed that Russian forces are making significant advances on the battlefield, though their progress has been slow ...

Neighbourly conflicts hinder North Macedonia at the gates of the EU

Historical and cultural disputes between North Macedonia and Bulgaria hinder EU accession. The stalemate revolves around identity and language recognition.

Histo...

UNESCO General Conference lands in Samarkand: Uzbekistan's vision of reform meets global stage

UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay called the moment 'historic', noting that Samarkand is often described in literature as one of the world's most luminous cu...

Latvia 'will have to respect' rules protecting women even if it quits Istanbul Convention

Latvia will have to uphold protection rules for women even if it quits the Istanbul Convention in a divisive move seen as backtracking on fundamental rights.

The...

Kazakhstan closes 130 crypto platforms in shadow economy crackdown

Authorities in Kazakhstan seized digital assets worth €14.4 million and uncovered 81 illegal cash-out networks amid growing efforts to curb financial crime.

Kaza...

French justice minister's prison visit to Sarkozy sparks legal complaint by lawyers

France's justice minister visited former President Nicolas Sarkozy at the Santé prison in Paris on Wednesday evening, sparking a legal complaint.

A visit by Fran...

Turkish court sentences hotel owner and 10 others to life for deadly fire that killed 78

The blaze broke out at the Grand Karta Hotel at the Kartalkaya ski resort on 21 January during the winter school break, killing 78 people and injuring 133.

A Tur...

Centrist D66 confirmed as Dutch general election winner

With nearly all votes counted, Geert Wilders' far-right PVV party no longer has a chance at overtaking the centrist D66 party led by Rob Jetten.

The centrist lib...

ECB keeps interest rate at 2% as growth holds up against trade tension

With inflation subdued and growth steady, the ECB maintained rates at their lowest level in more than two years, matching market expectations.

The Frankfurt-base...

Dutch election stuns in night full of surprises: What you need to know

Dutch election goes to the wire as progressive forces led by newcomer Rob Jetten make gains in blow to rightwing firebrand Geert Wilders.

The Netherlands voted o...

Greece announces €2.5 billion plan to tackle drought and secure water supply

Climate change and the drought "threaten" Athens with water scarcity for the first time in 30 years. The emergency plan aims to avoid this.

Greece has just launc...

This humanoid robot will be your housekeeper. But would you let it into your home?

An American company just launched what they say is the first humanoid robot that is able to do domestic chores.

An American company says it has built the first c...

Regrets and reconciliation: Spain's emeritus King Juan Carlos shares respect for Franco in memoir

In his memoirs, Spain's former king Juan Carlos I reviews half a century of history: his role in the country's transition to democracy, the strained relationship ...

Astérix in Lusitania: 'We had to include Portuguese hospitality in the story'

'Astérix in Lusitania' set a new sales record after launching at a Lisbon book store earlier this month, and its numbers are continuing to rise. Its authors tell ...

'Don't believe the hype': Flavor Flav joins US Olympic bobsleigh team as official fan

Public Enemy's hypeman is swopping the stage for the snow after agreeing to join the US Olympic bobsleigh team as their loudest supporter during the 2026 Winter G...

Five-hour Lisbon-Madrid rail link to go ahead by 2030, Portuguese officials say

The agreement between the Portuguese and Spanish governments and the European Commission also foresees, among other goals, a high-speed connection between the two...

Germany's Merz urges deeper European ties with Turkey despite disagreements on Gaza

The advocacy group, Human Rights Watch, had urged Merz to speak out against Turkey's crackdown on the opposition, including the arrest of Istanbul's mayor Ekrem İ...

Soaring ski pass prices are making Europe’s slopes unaffordable for many holidaymakers

The cost of skiing in Europe has risen by 34.8 per cent above inflation since 2015, with Swiss, Austrian, and Italian resorts most responsible.

Many of Europe’s ...