World

Croatia deepens US gas ties with Balkan pipeline push

Croatia signed a deal with the United States on Wednesday to boost the expansion of gas pipelines and energy infrastructure throughout the Balkans, a step that could bind the country to long-term reliance on fossil fuels and threaten the EU’s energy and climate objectives. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT The agreement, signed in…

Trump launches fresh tirade against Merz after troop withdrawal threat

US President Trump has continued his tirade against German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who heads the government one of America’s most important allies, telling him to “spend more time ending the war in Russia/Ukraine,” rather than commenting on the Iran war. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT “The Chancellor of Germany should spend more time…

French teen charged in Singapore over straw-licking viral video

Published on 30/04/2026 – 18:01 GMT+2 A French teen is facing mischief and public nuisance charges in Singapore after posting a video on social media of himself licking a straw from an orange juice vending machine and then putting it back. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien, 18, was charged…

Spain’s ‘humane migration policy’ is ‘model for EU’, minister says

Spain’s migration policy is “almost like a state policy”, focused on integration, coexistence and recognising the positive contribution of migrants, the country’s migration minister Elma Saiz told Euronews. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT While much of Europe is hardening its stance on migration, Spain, under Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s leadership, is taking a…

Belgium reopens the nuclear door in high-stakes deal with Engie

Published on 30/04/2026 – 16:23 GMT+2 The Belgian government will partner with the French energy giant to revive nuclear power in its energy mix as soaring electricity prices, driven by ongoing disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and uncertainty in the Middle East, have already pushed the country’s inflation to…

Germany is now Europe’s largest military spender: What is it buying?

European leaders seem to be acting upon their promises to spend more on defence. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Following US pressure, which saw President Donald Trump lambast NATO allies for not reaching defence spending targets, the continent’s investments in 2025 grew by 14% — more than all other continents — to reach…

Belgium seeks control of its nuclear reactors to control energy supply

Belgium plans to take control of all nuclear power plants in the country from French energy group Engie, in an effort to secure control of its own energy supplies. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Negotiations between the Belgian government and the energy giant have now begun, with Belgium seeking to take over all…

Press freedom at lowest level in 25 years, RSF report shows

Published on 30/04/2026 – 12:03 GMT+2 Press freedom has fallen to its lowest level in a quarter of a century, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) warned on Thursday. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT “For the first time in the Index’s 25-year history, more than half the world’s countries now fall into the ‘difficult’ or…

Crans-Montana fire: Who covers victims’ medical costs?

The fatal New Year’s Eve fire at the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana left 41 people — many of them young people — dead, making it one of the deadliest disasters in Switzerland’s recent history. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Six Italian teenagers were among those killed. At least 13 Italian nationals required…

Israel intercepts Gaza flotilla in international waters near Greece

Published on 30/04/2026 – 9:34 GMT+2•Updated 9:38 Israeli military forces have intercepted boats of the Global Sumud Flotilla travelling to Gaza in international waters near Greece, the group said on Thursday. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT In a post on X, the group, which initially set sail with 58 vessels carrying activists and…