Shakira wins £50m tax refund from Spanish government
The Colombian singer says the court ruling means the "narrative" that she was guilty now "crumbles".
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Iran calls for reconstruction support at World Urban Forum in Baku
Iran's deputy housing minister used the World Urban Forum in Baku to call for international support to rebuild 150,000 homes damaged in the war.
Bodies of four divers who drowned in Maldives diving accident found, Italy says
Five Italian divers are believed to have died while exploring a cave at a depth of about 50 metres in Vaavu Atoll on Thursday, according to Italy’s Foreign Ministry.
French singer and actor Patrick Bruel faces more accusations of sexual violence
The singer still maintains his innocence, saying he "never sought to coerce anyone into a sexual act", while declaring that he "does not question the feelings of women."
Gaza-bound aid flotilla says it is 'under attack' as Israel intercepts fleet off Cyprus
The Israeli foreign ministry said the aim of the flotilla was to "serve Hamas, to divert attention from Hamas's refusal to disarm and to obstruct progress on President Trump's peace plan."
Fires and damaged buildings after massive Russian drone attack
Eighteen people were injured in Odesa after Russian drone strikes hit residential buildings overnight.
Ryanair profits surge 40% to €2.26 billion despite Boeing delays and fuel crisis
Europe’s largest low-cost airline posted record annual profits as rising fares and sustained travel demand helped offset aircraft delivery delays and mounting uncertainty in global fuel markets due to the Iran war.
Cats in costumes and beauty contests draw crowds at expo
Thousands of cat lovers gathered at Cat Expo India in Mumbai, where visitors explored cat beauty contests, pet care products, grooming services, accessories and premium food brands alongside dozens of felines.
In the money: How much will Shakira receive after winning battle against Spain's tax authorities?
Pop star Shakira is celebrating victory after a Spanish court annulled a hefty tax penalty imposed in 2011 claiming she failed to declare her residence in Spain. The singer has published a statement in which she says "there was never any fraud".
Russia unleashes another aerial barrage on Ukraine as war's long-range strikes escalate
In more than four years of war, Ukraine has built up its own long-range capabilities and has been hitting oil facilities and other targets deep inside Russia.
Meloni urges EU to treat energy crisis like defence emergency, relax fiscal rules
Meloni calls for greater budget flexibility to tackle rising energy costs, warning Italy could exit the SAFE defence programme, in a new letter sent to the European Commission.
Zelenskyy's former chief of staff released on €2.7 million bail in anti-corruption probe
According to Ukraine's anti-corruption investigators, Andriy Yermak is a suspect in a large money laundering probe tied to the construction of a luxury residence complex outside Kyiv.
Latest news bulletin | May 18th, 2026 – Midday
Catch up with the most important stories from around Europe and beyond this May 18th, 2026 - latest news, breaking news, World, Business, Entertainment, Politics, Culture, Travel.
Pop watch mania: Swatch appeals for calm as clamour continues for its 'Royal Pop'
The Swiss watchmaker Swatch has been forced to shut several of its stores around the world as a frenzy spreads over its new pocket watch collection made in collaboration with luxury timepiece brand, Audemars Piguet.
'We want to create bridges, not burn them,' says Finnish Foreign Trade Minister on EU-US deal
Finnish Foreign Trade Minister Ville Tavio expressed “cautious optimism” about the EU-US trade deal, ahead of meetings with fellow EU ministers in Brussels this week. Speaking on Europe Today, he said “our requirement is that the US also respects this deal”.
How Dropbox makes remote jobs work as more firms return to the office
Dropbox says its fully remote model has strengthened recruitment, improved retention and supported financial performance, even as many employers tighten office attendance policies introduced after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Europe's poverty divide: Which cities and regions are most and least at risk?
The share of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion in Europe varies not only across countries but also across capital cities and regions. Euronews Business takes a closer look at these gaps.
Breaking down the Europa League final: Four key players to watch
The Europa League final between Aston Villa and Freiburg at the Tupras Stadium in Istanbul on Wednesday, 20 May, promises to be one of the most intriguing finals the competition has produced in years. With Freiburg vs Villa odds making Unai Emery's side the 7/10 favourites
Bodybuilders show off muscles at Southeast Asian championships
Myanmar hosts the Southeast Asian Bodybuilding Championships in Yangon, with athletes from eight countries competing from May 14 to 18.
Exclusive: Poland’s hydrogen buses confront prohibitive fuel costs, new report claims
The new report argues that despite massive investment in hydrogen-powered buses in Poland, electric buses are less costly and less polluting due to Warsaw's reliance on non-renewable hydrogen. In contrast, Germany emerges as a success story for hydrogen buses.
Short-haul trips are on the rise for European summer holidays – here’s where to book now
Trending destinations this summer include rural Sweden, Vlorë in Albania and Normandy in France.
Japan arrests US nationals after one entered enclosure at viral baby monkey Punch's zoo
The baby monkey became an internet star this year after the zoo posted photos of Punch clutching an IKEA plush orangutan for comfort after being rejected by his mother.
Watch: Bulgaria welcomes home Eurovision winner Dara with trophy
Eurovision winner Dara returned to Sofia to cheering fans after securing Bulgaria's first-ever victory at the song contest in Vienna.
Commission invites stakeholders to join the European Housing Alliance
The European Commission opened a call for expression of interest to join the first-ever European Housing Alliance, a pioneering initiative to rally stakeholders around efforts to address the housing crisis, which is impacting millions of Europeans. The Alliance will help
Around 10 'new' victims in France's Epstein probe have come forward, prosecutor says
France opened a human trafficking investigation after the US Justice Department released the latest cache of files from the investigation into the disgraced financier in January.
Escaped tiger shot by German police after attacking man
The tiger escaped a facility owned by local trainer Carmen Zander, also known as Germany's "Tiger Queen", according to local media reports.
Can the EU stop 'nudification' apps?
The EU is banning “nudification” apps, AI-powered tools that can digitally remove clothing from images of people, to create non-consensual sexual content.
Obesity rates plateau in wealthy nations but keep rising elsewhere, global study finds
Researchers say the findings of the study challenge the idea of a single global obesity “epidemic”, revealing major differences between countries, age groups and sexes.
The EU’s plan to tackle 'cookie fatigue'
The EU wants to reduce “cookie fatigue” through browser-level consent rules that promise fewer banners and more transparency. Critics warn the proposal could create new gatekeepers, weaken personalised advertising, and increase costs for European businesses.
Watch: Brussels & European capitals—how New Delhi is leveraging a two-tier strategy in Europe
India's Prime Minister is launching a massive diplomatic offensive across Europe. If we follow Modi's itinerary day by day, the calendar reveals exactly what is at stake.
Commission welcomes political agreement on the rights of adults in need of protection in cross-border situations
The European Commission welcomes the political agreement reached on 12 May between the European Parliament and the Council of the EU on the Commission's proposal for a Regulation on the protection of adults in cross-border situations. The Regulation will safeguard adults who,
EU-US trade deal has its make-or-break moment in Strasbourg
EU governments and the European Parliament are set to discuss the implementation of the EU-US trade deal again, amid threats of higher tariffs from Trump. As the clock is ticking, this could be the last chance to finalize it before the 4 July deadline.
North Korea's Kim calls on military to bolster frontline defences against 'arch enemy'
The plans come at a low point in relations with South Korea and Pyongyang unresponsive to Seoul's repeated offers for dialogue.
Newsletter: Brexit thrust to centre of UK's Labour leadership showdown
Also in this newsletter: Spanish conservatives win Andalusia regional elections but will likely rely on far-right to govern, in a vote seen as litmus test of Spain's wider politics.
Türkiye-Kazakhstan co-operation is elevating regional solidarity to a strategic dimension
President of the Republic of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (pictured) paid an official visit to Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, on 13 May 2026 in order to attend the Türkiye-Kazakhstan High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council Meeting and the Informal Summit of the
Europe’s short-term rental rules are changing: we need to get them right
Airbnb welcomes the new EU short‑term rental data rules, urges clear, harmonised implementation, and warns blanket curbs could hurt tourism and jobs.
Kazakhstan and Luxembourg expand co-operation in technology, aviation and logistics
As part of a working visit to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Belgium and Luxembourg, Roman Vassilenko, held a series of meetings with executives of leading Luxembourgish and international companies operating in the fields of
Europe Today: Sánchez dealt blow in Andalusia elections — what now for Spain and Brussels?
Pedro Sánchez is facing fresh political pressure after his Socialist Party lost regional elections in Andalusia. The result is being closely watched in Madrid and Brussels, with the conservative People’s Party expected to rely on far-right support to govern.
Is EU legislation protecting you from AI deepfakes? Ask the Euronews AI chatbot
The European Parliament and Council ban “nudification apps”. Under the Digital Omnibus on AI, Europe prohibits systems that generate intimate images of people without prior consent. But how is the EU regulating AI deepfakes? Ask the Euronews AI chatbot.
Baby Yoda, pop shrines and Rivals: What to see, do or hear this week in Europe
From exhibitions that go beyond the manosphere to Baby Yoda on the big screen - here's what to look out for this week.
A new French law undermines Europe’s single market
France has banned nicotine pouches. That’s a big problem for the single market, writes Cláudia Nunes. France’s ban on oral nicotine threatens to create a legal rupture in the European Union’s single market. It turns the possession of a product which is legal in one member state
Latest news bulletin | May 18th, 2026 – Morning
Catch up with the most important stories from around Europe and beyond this May 18th, 2026 - latest news, breaking news, World, Business, Entertainment, Politics, Culture, Travel.
EU households could save ‘more than €2,200’ every year by switching to heat pumps and EVs
Electrification is the “most powerful tool” to protect Europeans from fossil fuel energy shocks, according to a new analysis.
Oil prices climb as Donald Trump signals tougher action on Iran
Oil prices climbed on Monday and European markets opened lower as US President Donald Trump sent a new warning to Iran via social media.
‘Dusking’ is the latest travel trend – and these are the world’s best destinations for it
'Dusking', the trend encouraging people to slow down and watch the sunset, is taking off, and a new ranking has revealed the world’s best destinations to experience it, from Santorini and Bali to the Amalfi Coast and the Maldives.
Housing in Central Europe is becoming unaffordable: The V4 countries are facing a structural crisis
Housing affordability in the Visegrad Four (V4) countries has deteriorated significantly in recent years. According to a new international analysis, this is a deep-rooted structural problem with common causes and manifestations across the region.
'A broken market’: What is antimicrobial resistance and how does it affect the economy?
More people are expected to die every year from superbugs than cancer by 2050. Antibiotic resistance is ‘a major threat’ to our health and economy, according to Japanese pharma experts.
Chelsea appoints ex-Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso as manager on four-year deal
Alonso is widely regarded as one of the exciting new managerial talents in world football despite a short, unsuccessful and drama-filled spell with Spanish giants Real Madrid, which ended by mutual consent in January.
Taiwan’s president defends US arms purchases that Trump called 'bargaining chip'
Trump’s calling of arms sales to Taiwan a “bargaining chip” has raised concerns on the self-governing island of a potential change in US foreign policy towards the territory after the US president’s latest visit to China.
Iran has responded to latest US peace proposal, foreign ministry official says
On Sunday, Iran's Fars news agency said Washington had presented a five-point list, which included a demand for Iran to keep only one nuclear site in operation and transfer its stockpile of highly enriched uranium to the US.