Pyres, Screams and Light: Here are the Best Albums of 2025
Join us for Euronews Culture's countdown to our favourite album of the year. How many have you heard?
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Populism as a departure from neoliberalism in Hungary and Israel
At the end of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st, write the authors of a new article from Polity, neoliberalism was "consolidated as the only legitimate form of doing politics." But in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis, and with the entrenchment of far-right
The World's Best Art in 2025
Also: A majority of artists struggle with debt, LACMA workers vote overwhelmingly for a union, and a word about the hilarity of evil.
Latest news bulletin | December 19th, 2025 – Midday
Catch up with the most important stories from around Europe and beyond this December 19th, 2025 - latest news, breaking news, World, Business, Entertainment, Politics, Culture, Travel.
Bangladesh newspaper staff recall 'gasping for air' as offices set ablaze
The fresh protests are sparked by the death of one of the leaders of protests that ousted ex-PM Sheikh Hasina.
CAF okays US$980mn package for Uruguay
The Board of Directors of the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF) has authorized a landmark US$980 million credit operation for Uruguay. This approval represents one of the largest single financial commitments in the organization's history with the
Michelle Mone-linked PPE firm liquidated and unlikely to repay £148m
The firm led by Baroness Mone's husband Douglas Barrowman breached a contract to supply surgical gowns during the Covid pandemic.
Africa: Behind the Facts 2025 - Lessons of Resilience and Innovation From the Frontlines of Fact-Checking
[Africa Check] Behind the Facts 2025: Lessons of resilience and innovation from the frontlines of fact-checking
Jack Smith’s lawyers ask Jordan for open hearing after closed-door testimony
The former special counsel’s attorneys also want the full videotape of Smith’s deposition to be released.
TikTok strikes deal to keep operating in the US after months of uncertainty
The popular video app will continue operating in the US after ByteDance agreed to spin off TikTok’s US business into a new joint venture under terms aimed at protecting American data and national security.
Russia, Ukraine carry out new exchange of bodies
MOSCOW/KYIV, Dec 19 - Ukraine and Russia have carried out a new exchange of bodies of dead soldiers, Ukrainian and Russian officials said on Friday.
Trump’s oil sanctions test legal limits with Venezuela tanker blockade
By deploying naval forces to intercept sanctioned Venezuelan oil shipments, the Trump administration is pushing the enforcement of oil sanctions into uncharted legal territory, prompting concerns in Congress and among international law experts about escalation risks.
Upstart gangsters shake Japan’s yakuza
The uprising "tokuryu" make millions from conning Japan’s ageing population.
Canada’s time to ditch US and go with China
US President Donald Trump has mused about destroying Canada’s economy as a prelude to annexing the country and making it America’s “51st state.” Trump threatened to increase tariffs on Canadian products after seeing an anti-tariff TV advertisement sponsored by the government of
Researchers find trees could spruce up future water conservation efforts
Trees contain valuable information about Earth's past, so much so that studying their rings may help fill in hidden gaps in Ohio's environmental history.
Bank of Japan hikes interest rates: Is a global bond crisis looming?
The Bank of Japan lifted interest rates to their highest level in three decades, signalling further tightening ahead. The shift is reviving concerns over rising global bond yields and the risk of capital repatriation from Japanese investors.
Bird conservation groups use data from birdwatchers to fill critical information gaps for declining species
A study published in the journal Ornithological Applications shows how conservation organizations are using data from birdwatchers to pinpoint opportunities to reverse population declines.
WH Smith probed by regulator over accounting error
The retailer says it plans to claw back bonuses awarded to executives at its North America business as a result of the mistakes.
India’s Delhi to install air purifiers in 10,000 classrooms as pollution levels climb
A tender would be floated in the first phase to install air purifiers in 10,000 classrooms.
Russia's Putin warns of risks for top oil producers' reserves in EU
MOSCOW, Dec 19 - Russian President Vladimir Putin warned on Friday of risks for international reserves held by the world's top oil producers in the European Union, following discussions by EU leaders about using Russian assets to finance Ukraine.
Iraq negotiates new coalition under US pressure
More than a month after Iraq's parliamentary elections, the country's top leaders remain locked in talks to form a government while facing pressure from Washington to exclude Tehran-backed armed groups. Amid seismic changes in the Middle East, where new alliances are forming
Africa: Coca-Cola Not Recruiting Through Facebook AD That Asks for 'Processing Fee'
[Africa Check] Coca-Cola not recruiting through Facebook ad that asks for 'processing fee'
Leonardo DiCaprio-Produced ‘2001’ Doc Among BFI Awards as U.K. Global Screen Fund Set to Expand
The British Film Institute has unveiled its latest round of U.K. Global Screen Fund awards, distributing over £1.6 million ($2.1 million) across three funding strands as the program prepares for a significant budget increase in 2026. Financed through the U.K. government’s
Could strategic river sensors have forewarned of Texas Camp flood disaster?
Camp Mystic in Texas flooded on July 4, killing 27 people, including 25 children. Over 200 millimeters (over seven inches) of rain fell over the area in 12 hours, and the Guadalupe River rose nearly 8 meters (26 feet) in just 45 minutes.
What does the November jobs report mean for workers and the economy? Q&A with professor of economics
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released its November jobs report on Dec. 16, which details economic indicators like payroll numbers and the unemployment rate. The Federal Reserve uses the report to help set monetary policy, like influencing interest rates, while industry
Bottomless
Some pits are infinitely deep. Problems that, once addressed, always get worse. N +1. For some folks, the acquisition of money or power are like this. A little needs to a desire for more. Other problems have known solutions. The tank only holds 8 gallons and then you can move
US strikes on narcoboats kill five more in Pacific amid mounting Venezuela tensions
US forces killed five in narcoboat strikes Thursday, bringing the total deaths to 104 since September, following the US president's order to blockade sanctioned Venezuelan tankers in further escalation of tensions with Venezuela.
Rising seas put Florida's state tree at risk: New research offers hope
As sea levels rise and soils grow saltier, even the iconic Sabal palmetto—the official state tree of Florida also known as the cabbage palm—may be in danger. But a new study in HortScience suggests a simple, widely available amendment could help young palms survive in salty
Hunter S. Thompson Sets His Christmas Tree on Fire, Nearly Burning His House Down (1990)
It was something of a Christmas ritual at Hunter S. Thompson’s Colorado cabin, Owl Farm. Every year, his secretary Deborah Fuller would take down the Christmas tree and leave it on the front porch rather than dispose of it entirely. That’s because Hunter, more often than not,
A Russian missile, filled with U.S. tech, rips a Ukrainian boy’s life apart
An 8-year-old boy survived one of Russia’s worst attacks on Ukrainian children. After, investigators — and his family — struggled to find answers.
Food becoming more calorific but less nutritious due to rising carbon dioxide
Researchers noticed ‘dramatic’ changes in nutrients in crops, including drop in zinc and rise in lead More carbon dioxide in the environment is making food more calorific but less nutritious – and also potentially more toxic, a study has found. Sterre ter Haar, a lecturer at
Candida auris: Genetic process offers new treatment target for deadly fungal disease
Scientists have discovered a genetic process which could unlock new ways to treat a mysterious and deadly fungal infection which has shut down multiple hospital intensive care units.
Why the US dollar is so sticky
Harvard historian Mary Bridges, the author of Dollars and Dominion, explains why the world is likely to stay dollar-centric even as China, Russia, India and many countries try to toggle away from the greenback and into rival currencies like the yuan or the euro.
Trump Press Sec Goes Full Cult as Brutal New Fox Poll Hits Him Hard
On Thursday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told the world that the Kennedy Center has now been renamed after President Donald Trump. Her announcement of this great honor was bizarrely obsequious, mimicking phrases Trump himself uses and slathering him with
The Top 5 Longreads of the Week
Recommending stories from Kate Mossman, Luke Winkie, Lou Stoppard, Sirin Kale and Lucy Osborne, and Rosa Lyster.
Miike Takashi’s ‘Sham’ Among 26 Features in Japan Foundation’s 2026 U.K. Film Tour (EXCLUSIVE)
The Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme will present 26 Japanese features across U.K. venues, including acclaimed director Miike Takashi’s latest film “Sham” among diverse offerings spanning comedy, drama, horror, sci-fi and animation. The annual celebration, billed as the
Best of 2025: The Stories You Missed
In a year of exceptional reading, these overlooked stories refused to let us go.
Misleading online claims oversimplify Bulgaria's government crisis
Claims online frame Bulgaria's mass protests as driven by anti-EU sentiment, but the reality is more complex.
Barack Obama shares his favourite movies, music and books of 2025
Barack Obama’s years-long tradition of sharing lists of his favourite cultural highlights continues. Here’s what the former POTUS has been listening to, reading and watching in 2025...
Christmas decor ban only for halal-certified kitchens and restaurants, says Melaka official
It is supposed to ensure clarity in halal status and to prevent confusion among consumers.
House Democrats assert themselves as Republicans struggle to set agenda
Under Hakeem Jeffries, the minority party has kept GOP leaders on the back foot since September.
Clair Obscur, Blue Prince, and more: Indie Game Awards 2025 full winners list
The Indie Game Awards celebrated 2025's games across 18 categories — these were all the big winners of the night.
Africa: Hope for Pastoralists As Africa Intensifies Fight Against Livestock Killer
[Capital FM] Nairobi -- Millions of African pastoralists could soon see relief as the continent intensifies efforts to eliminate Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), a fast-spreading disease that kills sheep and goats and pushes vulnerable families deeper into poverty.
Greece rescues 545 migrants off Gavdos as Libya route sees surge in crossings
Greek authorities rescued 545 migrants from a vessel off Gavdos Friday, one of the largest recent operations as arrivals from Libya continue to rise sharply.
Medical students explore ChatGPT's ability to support qualitative research
Newly published research from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine highlights student-led work in medical education and examines how artificial intelligence (AI) can assist with qualitative research.
‘Godzilla’ Studio Toho Acquires U.K.’s Anime Limited, Forms European HQ in London
Japanese entertainment giant Toho has acquired U.K.-based distributor Anime Limited from Germany’s Plaion Pictures, marking a major expansion of the “Godzilla” studio’s European operations. The deal sees Toho Global – the company’s consolidated overseas subsidiary – take full
