EU sanction deadlock deepens as Luxembourg complicates the picture
Luxembourg insists that if France is able to get a particular oligarch delisted, it should be able to do the same, raising fears of a domino effect among member states.
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A new wave of listings: Tashkent prepares companies for global markets
Uzbekistan’s investment fund (UzNIF) is preparing major companies in telecoms, aviation, banking and energy for potential listings. Uztelecom is currently the most advanced candidate as governance reforms advance and efforts to attract new capital gather pace.
Russians vote in elections with no party opposing Putin or war in Ukraine
The three-day vote will fill 450 Duma seats and 11 regional governorships, with only parties backing Putin and Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine on the ballot. Despite official denials of a new draft, fears of mobilisation are overshadowing the vote.
Europe’s most popular castles and palaces revealed – according to traveller reviews
From Prague Castle to Dracula’s fortress in Romania, these are the European palaces and castles attracting the most attention from travellers in 2026.
Revolut weighs dual listing in New York and London for its long-awaited IPO
Revolut is considering listing simultaneously in New York and London when it eventually goes public, its founder has stated, a plan that would keep the fintech partly at home while giving it access to the deeper American market it has long preferred.
"Iris" and "Weeping Willow": unseen Monet paintings go on sale in Paris
A total of 28 works from the Schlumberger collection are being sold at Sotheby's France, valued at over 40 million euros, including four paintings by Monet, pieces by Paul Cézanne and Gustave Moreau, and a sculpture by Camille Claudel.
Russia seizes control over assets of Nestle, French firms
Russia has placed the local businesses of Nestlé, Auchan and other Western-linked companies under temporary administration. Nestlé is weighing its options, while Auchan and Lemana Pro say their Russian operations continue as normal.
Barcelona has a bold plan to protect its vulnerable coastline – and it could be prize-winning
The Spanish city has been selected as a finalist for The Earthshot Prize.
Latest news bulletin | September 18th, 2026 – Midday
Catch up with the most important stories from around Europe and beyond this September 18th, 2026 - latest news, breaking news, World, Business, Entertainment, Politics, Culture, Travel.
Turkish actor and World Cup star among 16 held in Istanbul drug raids
Istanbul police detained Galatasaray veteran Hasan Şaş and Netflix actor Aras Bulut İynemli alongside a rapper, a sports journalist and influencers in the fourth such celebrity drug operation since late 2025. Prosecutors said the investigation covers use, facilitation and
Russian drones devastate shopping mall in Zaporizhzhia city
A Russian strike has hit a shopping complex in Zaporizhzhia, injuring one person and sparking a fire that spread across more than 10,000 square metres, according to Ukraine’s State Emergency Service.
Portugal prepares for rising temperatures and likely heatwave
In Portugal, temperatures could approach 38°C in the Alentejo and the Tagus Valley, driven by an anticyclone positioned to the north of the Azores.
Child protection is not 'only one party's responsibility', business group says
Cecilia Bonefeld-Dahl, Director General of DigitalEurope, said protecting children from social media risks is a "joint responsibility of the public and private sectors". The association, which represents companies such as OpenAI and Meta, believes it cannot be "one party's
Canadians react to EU's ‘associate member’ proposal
Canadians in Vancouver reacted to Prime Minister Mark Carney’s proposal for closer ties with the European Union, including possible “associate member” status.
Russia holds nationwide Duma elections as war in Ukraine reshapes vote
Russia’s parliamentary election is under way, with voting beginning in the Far East on Friday, 18 September before spreading across the country for three days. Polls will remain open until Sunday evening, when voters will have chosen all 450 members of the State Duma.
Russia shares AI-generated Putin selfie as use of artificial content spreads among Europe's politicians
The Russian embassy in South Africa recently shared an AI-generated image of BRICS leaders. It's part of a growing trend of public figures and institutions using AI in their communication, which researchers say can undermine public trust.
Police fire shots in the air as thousands of migrants moved to new facility in Ceuta
Migrants are being moved to a fifth temporary reception space set up to deal with the crisis, which began in late July when more than 70,000 people crossed into Ceuta from Morocco.
Anthropic warns AI is getting closer to building its own successor
Anthropic says its Claude chatbot now leads more than a quarter of the company's research and development, as fears grow that AI systems could soon improve themselves faster than humans can keep up.
Nul points? UK MPs want to know why Britain keeps flopping at Eurovision
Britain is apparently ready to confront the uncomfortable truth: they're really not very good at Eurovision anymore. But why?
'Remarkable': Scientists discover new wild cat species for first time in 100 years
The Leopardus tilcayo is slightly smaller than a domestic cat, measuring around 45 centimetres - and was first mistaken for a pet.
Ed Sheeran backlash continues as radio station bans songs and Instagram fans unfollow
Ed Sheeran’s turbulent week continues. His music has been pulled from a major Irish radio station and his Instagram followers are leaving him. The fallout from his US tour controversy grows, as the singer is due to return to the stage tomorrow – minus his touring musicians and
From Madrid to Zagreb, Europe's autonomous vehicles are multiplying
From Tesla's FSD rollout to driverless lorries connecting Lidl's warehouses, a wave of approvals across the EU shows regulators embracing autonomous mobility faster than expected — and the pace shows no sign of slowing.
South Korean president urges Trump dialogue with Pyongyang
Trump announced in August that he intended to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un later this year as he once again touted the pair's relationship. Pyongyang has offered little response.
Europeans still believe in the European dream. They just don't think it's within reach, study finds
A new ECFR study finds most Europeans still want a stronger, united Europe, but doubt it's achievable: around 68% see decline, not renewal.
Australian government breaks silence on EU 'associate member' pipe dream
Hot on the heels of the European Union inviting Canada to become an associate member, potentially paving the way for other far-flung nations to join in a similar capacity, the Australian government has addressed its own prospects.
'Best thing Europe can do' is focus on its internal market, World Economic Forum expert says
Andrew Caruana Galizia, Head of Europe and Eurasia at the World Economic Forum, believes there are certain areas where Europe "will never be able to be self-sufficient, like critical raw materials".
Could the EU Kids Act unwittingly widen the transatlantic AI divide?
Europe must prepare for the potential consequences of implementing further digital rules that could make it more difficult for smaller European developers to compete, warns an industry insider.
Portuguese prime minister outlines plan to tackle rising living costs without changing VAT
Luís Montenegro says the current situation could drag on for some time. But, unlike other European countries, he will not lower the consumption tax.
Portuguese prime minister outlines plan to tackle rising cost of living, keeps VAT unchanged
Luís Montenegro says the current situation may drag on for some time, but unlike other European countries he will not cut VAT on consumption.
Greece: Police bust gang using AI to clone relatives' voices for cash
According to the police, the organisation’s illegal proceeds from its activities are estimated to exceed 1 million euros.
EU-Canada relationship is 'not hostile to anybody', Harris says
Irish Finance Minister Simon Harris says details of the new associate membership with Canada "are yet to be determined", but believes it is "good news" that the European Union has signalled its intention to have a "much closer relationship" with Ottawa.
Stay up to date with EU Reporter’s live EU institutions news feed
Access Live News Feed Keeping up with developments across the European Union can be a challenge. EU Reporter’s live EU institutions news feed makes it easier to stay informed and in touch with what is happening across Brussels and beyond. The service brings together up-to-date
Herefordshire is England's 'hidden gem' and has it all
The phrase “hidden gem” can be over-used but in the case of Herefordshire in the UK it’s entirely apt. The cathedral city of Hereford was once an important military centre. That was a few centuries ago but, today, Herefordshire is a real leader in other ways, for innovation,
Trump administration moves to cut protections for endangered species
Brett Hartl, the government affairs director at the Center for Biological Diversity, said the move "stabs at the very heart of the Endangered Species Act by giving federal approval to the killing of some of America’s most beloved wildlife."
Commission approves new geographical indication from Italy
The European Commission has approved the registration of Olio dei Colli de Bologna from Italy as a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI). Olio del Colli di Bologna is an extra virgin olive oil from the Emilia-Romagna region, located in northern Italy. The area is part of the
Eurovision 2027: Ireland follows Netherlands in boycott of song contest for second year in a row
Ireland has ruled itself out of next year's competition over the "appalling and ongoing loss of lives in Gaza". This follows the announcement from Dutch broadcaster AvroTros, who are boycotting next year's show as it is no longer consistent with "trustworthiness, independence
Missile-shaped signs and Netanyahu masks as Israelis rally to protect October vote
Dozens of Israelis demonstrated outside the Knesset in West Jerusalem on 17 September, accusing political leaders of using regional tensions to interfere with the 27 October parliamentary election.
FIDE presidential race faces new scrutiny over Wadim Rosenstein’s Russia-linked business
With the FIDE presidential election approaching in Samarkand, one of the candidates, Wadim Rosenstein (pictured), has become the subject of a formal appeal by a Ukrainian lawmaker. Oleg Dunda, a member of the Verkhovna Rada, is asking Ukrainian and German officials to examine
Protesters target OpenAI and Anthropic in San Francisco over AI safety fears
Protesters in San Francisco urged OpenAI and Anthropic to pause powerful AI, calling for global rules and an AI emergency amid safety and climate fears.
Commission issues €11 billion in its 8th syndicated transaction of 2026
The European Commission is empowered by the EU Treaties to borrow from the international capital markets on behalf of the European Union to finance selected EU policy programmes. The Commission has raised €11 billion of EU-Bonds in its 8th syndicated transaction for 2026. The
Healey to ask EU finance ministers to let UK into Made in Europe scheme
The chancellor wants the Made in Europe programme to deepen ties with the UK "rather than erecting new barriers".
Energy crunch and inflationary fears loom over EU finance talks
Hello, this is Mared Gwyn holding the newsletter pen in Brussels. This morning: Eurozone finance ministers gather amid mounting economic pressures, and EU ambassadors make another push to break the Russia sanctions deadlock.
EU Commission head stops short of calling for ban on trade with Israeli communities in Judea and Samaria
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, while condemning the Israeli government’s plans to advance settlement construction in the E1 area of the West Bank (Judea and Samaria), stopped short of proposing a ban on trade with the Israeli communities in the area, in
Before the skyscrapers: Dubai’s oldest building, Al Fahidi Fort, set to reopen with new museum
After a five-year closure for an extensive restoration project, the historic Al Fahidi Fort in Old Dubai will welcome back visitors in the ‘coming weeks or months’.
Trump touts 'major progress' towards setting up US military base in Poland
The US currently has around 10,000 rotational forces in Poland as well as 11 installation sites, with the US Army Garrison headquartered in Poznań.
European Parliament backs EU health workforce crisis plan
The European Parliament has backed calls for an EU-wide strategy to tackle worsening shortages of healthcare professionals, including an ambition to increase the health workforce by one million, as doctors, nurses, pharmacists and dentists urged the European Commission to turn
Burning the bard: 'Macbeth' defies fiery curse as Lisbon's Teatro D. Maria II reopens
The D. Maria II theatre reopens with "Macbeth", the Shakespearean tragedy being performed when a 1964 fire destroyed the building. Now the Bard of Avon's "cursed play" is being revived by Pedro Penim, this time with real flames on stage.
Europe Today: Canada welcomes EU's 'associate member' offer, but what next?
Europe Today digests what Canada's new EU associate member status actually means, as EU finance ministers meet in Dublin over spiralling energy costs. Also on the show: Fresh reactions to the EU's new Kids Act, which aims to restrict social media and AI chatbots for children
Commission proposes ambitious measures to strengthen fair labour mobility
The European Commission has adopted the Fair Labour Mobility package to guarantee clear social rights for everyone, everywhere in the EU, regardless of where they choose to live and work. The package will enable workers to prove and claim their social security and health
European stocks edge lower as oil prices and bond yields retreat
Oil prices retreated while European stock markets opened lower on Friday after the Bank of Japan became the third major central bank in a month to raise interest rates.