Independent European news, selected, rewritten and voiced for EUR RADIO.
1. EU fines Google €403 million for improper data use
Ireland, representing the European Union, has imposed a €403 million fine on Google for misusing users’ location data from May 2018 to February 2020. The eight-year delay in enforcement has drawn criticism, with the European Consumer Organisation stating that such delays can be as damaging as a lack of enforcement.
2. Lithuania sceptical on Usmanov sanctions removal
Lithuania’s finance minister, Taurimas Valys, expressed skepticism regarding the potential removal of Uzbek-Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov from the sanctions list. This follows a request from France to delist Usmanov, linked to a package that could facilitate the release of two French nationals imprisoned in Azerbaijan, citing national security concerns.
3. Russian attacks threaten Ukraine’s winter energy supply
A UN-mandated commission has warned that ongoing Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure are heightening civilian vulnerability and could severely impact the upcoming winter. The Independent International Commission of Inquiry noted that these attacks have been systematic, particularly during the harsh winter of 2025-26.
4. Study reveals fire weather risks for European children
A new study published in Environmental Research Letters indicates that children born in Europe in 2025 may experience nearly double the extreme fire weather compared to those born in 1950. Under current climate policies, these children could face an additional three years of extreme conditions throughout their lifetimes.
5. Meta challenges UK online safety regulations
Meta has initiated a legal challenge against the UK’s media regulator Ofcom regarding the Online Safety Act. The company is contesting the classification of WhatsApp and Instagram, which subjects them to additional obligations, including increased transparency and enhanced regulatory duties.
6. The European Union has reported a significant rise in residence permits issued to non-EU citizens, with 3.9 million granted in 2025, marking a record high since 2008. This increase of 10.1% reflects ongoing debates over migration policies across member states.
7. Lithuania has announced it will not participate in the boycott of the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest, despite similar actions from broadcasters in Ireland and the Netherlands over Israel’s involvement. The Lithuanian public broadcaster emphasized its commitment to the European Broadcasting Union’s stance on the event.
8. Norway and Finland are advocating for the establishment of an international body to regulate artificial intelligence development. This initiative, led by Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Finnish President Alexander Stubb, aims to address growing concerns from AI industry representatives regarding ethical and safety standards.
Finland’s Prime Minister Alexander Stubb has cautioned European nations against overreacting to Russian threats and acts of sabotage. Speaking to POLITICO during the U.N. General Assembly in New York, Stubb emphasized the importance of maintaining composure in the face of hybrid attacks, stating that reacting impulsively could play into Russia’s strategy to destabilize the continent.
In a significant escalation, Ukraine has launched an air attack on an oil refinery in the Moscow area. This strike comes as a response to President Vladimir Putin’s recent election victory, which Ukraine has dismissed as scripted. The attack contradicts earlier claims by former U.S. President Donald Trump that Ukraine and Russia had reached an agreement to cease strikes on energy targets.
Turning to the weather. In Riga, 10 to 16 degrees with patchy rain possible feels like. In London, 13 to 22 degrees with sunny low. In Paris, 14 to 23 degrees with overcast feels like. In Brussels, 11 to 20 degrees with overcast feels like. In Berlin, 11 to 19 degrees with patchy rain possible feels like. In Stockholm, 11 to 16 degrees with overcast feels like. In Madrid, 19 to 28 degrees with sunny feels like.