Japanese women MPs want more seats, the porcelain kind
There is only one lavatory containing two cubicles for the lower house’s 73 women to use.
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German influencer on New Year's fireworks: 'We're collectively causing animal suffering'
The year is coming to an end, and many people in Germany traditionally celebrate with fireworks. What looks like harmless fun at first glance has serious consequences for wild animals and pets. German influencer Malte Zierden explained why he is in favour of a ban on fireworks.
Falklands, reminder of new embarkation tax for passengers departing by air, £40
As agreed in the Budget for 2025/26, the rate of embarkation tax payable by passengers departing the Falkland Islands by air, in accordance with the Embarkation Tax Regulations Ordinance 1999, will increase from £32 to £40 per passenger, with effect from Thursday 1 January 2026.
Has China gone soft on drugs? Law on keeping drug use records confidential divides netizens
From Jan 1, violation records must be “sealed”, or kept confidential.
South Korea set for icy cold start to 2026, with low of minus 15 deg C expected on Jan 1
The icy weather is expected to continue until Jan 2.
Jailed Hong Kong tycoon's 'teeth rotting and fingernails falling off'
The daughter of Jimmy Lai tells the BBC that her father's health is deteriorating in prison.
Fallout Season 2 Episode 3 recap: 'All that remains of America is its overwhelming failure'
Every faction's worst enemy is itself.
CIA behind strike at Venezuelan dock that Trump claims was used by drug smugglers, AP sources say
The CIA was behind a drone strike last week at a docking area believed to have been used by Venezuelan drug cartels. That's according to two people familiar with details of the operation.
Notable deaths 2025
Pope Francis, Ozzy Osbourne and Diane Keaton are among those who died this year.
China will push more proactive macro policies in 2026, Xi says
China’s economy is expected to meet its “around 5 per cent” growth target for 2025.
'You can have tattoos all over your face and still be an angel': Inside South Korea’s underground tattoo culture
South Korean tattoo culture, long marred by negative associations with prisons or gang activity, has been de facto illegal for over 30 years. A recent law passed now means this underground culture can finally come into the light.
Tove, Frida and Schiaparelli: The 10 unmissable exhibitions and art events of 2026
Next year brings blockbuster shows from the Venice Biennale to a Frida Kahlo retrospective, plus the Middle East's most exciting new art fair.
Tourists only want one thing from these tiny European villages - and locals have had enough
In these Insta-famous villages, photo-hungry tourists are taking more than they’re giving back.
The Moon, Mercury and the magnetosphere: Top 5 space missions to watch in 2026
2026 promises to be an exciting year for space missions. From the ‘year of the Moon’ to discovering ‘the history of the entire solar system,’ here is what to look out for.
The elections that will shape Europe in 2026
Voters across the continent have huge choices to make at the ballot box in the upcoming year. Euronews takes a look at the key electoral tests awaiting the EU - and beyond - in the year ahead.
Deadliest climate disasters of 2025 revealed as experts warn women and the poorest ‘hit the hardest’
Women carry an “unequal burden” of the world’s deadliest extreme weather events, a new report warns.
Europe is training more doctors than ever - yet patients struggle to access one
Doctor shortages persist across Europe, driven by an ageing workforce and graduates avoiding general practice.
Indonesia’s new criminal code requires public oversight, minister says
The new criminal code criminalises premarital sex and insulting the state.
Indonesia's new criminal code requires public oversight, minister says
JAKARTA, Dec 31 - Indonesia's new criminal code, which will make crimes of premarital sex and insulting the state when it takes effect on January 2, will need public oversight to help prevent abuse of the law, a government minister told Reuters.
Over 100 injured as monorail trains crash at Indian hydropower site
Most of the workers sustained minor injuries, said an official.
Japan says China's military drills around Taiwan 'increase tensions'
China's drills this week involved dozens of fighter aircraft and navy vessels conducting live-fire drills, simulating a blockade of Taiwan's key ports and assaults on maritime targets.
Europe’s banks have had a stellar year. Now they face one big question in 2026
Investment strategists say European banks continue to be a strong diversification play for 2026.
Holiday market spending surges across Europe: Which cities saw the biggest increases?
Spending at European holiday markets has risen by an average of 15% per year since 2022. Visa expects this upward trend to continue through the end of the 2025 holiday season.
Latest news bulletin | December 31st, 2025 – Morning
Catch up with the most important stories from around Europe and beyond this December 31st, 2025 - latest news, breaking news, World, Business, Entertainment, Politics, Culture, Travel.
What will joining the Eurozone mean for the Bulgarian economy?
The Balkan country of 6.5 million people joined the EU in 2007 and formally began the process of joining the Eurozone in 2018.
Curb the cod, park the prawns: top chefs on how to swap out the ‘big five’ seafood
From moules marinière to scallop, bacon and garlic butter rolls, here’s how to cast your culinary net wider and embrace more sustainable species For a nation surrounded by water, Britain’s seafood tastes are remarkably parochial – we mostly eat cod, haddock, salmon, tuna and
Jessie J Opens Up in ‘Honest’ New Year’s Post Amid Breast Cancer Journey
The singer recently released her first album in eight years following her mastectomy after being diagnosed in June
Bangladesh mourns ex-PM Khaleda Zia with state funeral
The first woman to serve as prime minister in the South Asian nation died on Dec 30 aged 80.
Thailand releases 18 Cambodian soldiers held since July
The release is part of a new ceasefire deal after weeks of deadly clashes along the Thai-Cambodia border.
Can Australian sport ever be environmentally sustainable?
Sport is one of the most climate-sensitive aspects of Australian life, yet still sits largely outside the national conversation on climate exposure.
The universe could very well be lopsided
The shape of the universe is not something we often think about. But my colleagues and I have published a new study suggests it could be asymmetric or lopsided, meaning not the same in every direction. Should we care about this? Well, today’s “standard cosmological model” –
Soft tariff shock, US math anxiety and China’s land of robots
2025 is drawing to a close, so here’s one last roundup of interesting econ-related items from around the web. I don’t have any podcasts for you this week, but an episode of “Doom Debates” with Liron Shapira will be coming out soon. 1. Why Abundance is good for small business It
‘You could see bones’: Families’ anguish over coastal erosion threat to Norfolk graves
Bereaved relatives say delays over risks at village churchyards are causing distress and call for council action Families of people buried in graves vulnerable to coastal erosion say indecision over how to tackle the problem is causing them avoidable anguish about the final
Yash’s ‘Toxic’ Unveils First Look of Nayanthara as Ganga (EXCLUSIVE)
The team behind Yash’s highly anticipated “Toxic – A Fairytale for Grown-Ups” has revealed the first look at Nayanthara as Ganga, presenting the actress in a role that combines visual intensity with a commanding presence. The poster positions Nayanthara in front of an ornate
The year of the ‘Donroe Doctrine’
As President Donald Trump’s second term heads toward its second year, his doctrine for the Western Hemisphere, once seen as impractical, is taking real shape.
EU legislation intended to fight deforestation has been effectively ‘dismantled’
Law’s original author points to removal of obligations for downstream traders to verify origin of commodities It was hailed by campaigners around the world as a game-changing piece of legislation that would help stop deforestation. But when a bullet-ridden version of the EU’s
Russia's Gerasimov says Putin ordered Ukraine buffer zone expansion in 2026
Dec 31 - Russia’s top general said its forces were pressing forward in northeastern Ukraine and President Vladimir Putin had ordered expansion of territory Moscow calls a buffer zone there in 2026, Russian news agencies said on Wednesday.
Africa: South Africa Through, Angola Must Wait, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Comoros Out
[Cosafa] South Africa advanced to the Round of 16 of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025, while Angola must wait to see if they will joint them in the next stage as one of the four best third-placed sides.
Eurostar delays persist as passengers stuck onboard overnight
Eurostar says it plans to run all of its services on Wednesday but there may still be delays and cancellations.
Eurostar delays enter second day as passengers stuck onboard for hours overnight
Eurostar says it plans to run all of its services on Wednesday but there may still be delays and cancellations.
Myanmar junta says voter turnout at 52% in first phase of election
Turnout was about 70 per cent in Myanmar's 2020 and 2015 general elections, according to a US-based nonprofit organisation.
‘Avatar: Fire And Ash’ Leads U.K., Ireland Holiday Box Office as New Releases Crowd Top 10
Disney’s “Avatar: Fire And Ash” held the No. 1 position at the U.K. and Ireland box office for a second weekend, adding £6.1 million ($8.2 million) and lifting its total to £20.8 million ($28 million), according to Comscore. The threequel comfortably dominated the Christmas
