Residents in Amsterdam were evacuated from their homes after a huge fire ripped through the historic Vondelkerk church in the city on Thursday morning. Local media reports it is suspected that the structure, which dates back to 1880, was likely hit by fireworks. Footage shows flames rapidly spreading through the building and firefighters working to […]
Continue ReadingA fire broke out at the Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, police said in a statement. Crans-Montana is a ski resort in the Swiss Alps.
Continue ReadingImports of steel, aluminum, cement and other heavy goods to the European Union will start paying for the CO2 emissions they produce from 1 January, as the bloc seeks to protect EU manufacturers facing more stringent obligations compared to foreign peers. While the measure is meant to ensure fair competition for European industries, the EU’s […]
Continue ReadingSpeaking in a New Year address to the nation, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that his country wanted the nearly four-year war with Russia to end – but not at any cost. “My signature will be placed on a strong agreement,” he said, adding that signatures “placed on weak agreements only fuel the war”. Follow our liveblog […]
Continue ReadingUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said a peace agreement to end the war with Russia is “90% ready”, in a New Year address that largely focused on resistance to Moscow’s full-scale invasion. Zelensky said the remaining 10% of the agreement to end nearly four years of conflict would “determine the fate of peace, the fate […]
Continue ReadingAt the start of the new year, Bulgaria replaced the lev with the euro. The Balkan state is the 21st country in which the common currency is the official means of payment. 01/01/2026, 06:1101/01/2026, 06:11 The euro will help tourism and make it easier for Bulgarian manufacturers to trade with Europe and the world, as […]
Continue ReadingAccording to US intelligence, there was no attack by Ukraine that targeted Putin’s residence. The news may have triggered another change of heart for Donald Trump. 01/01/2026, 04:0201/01/2026, 04:02 In the midst of negotiations to end the Ukraine war, US President Donald Trump surprisingly shared an article that was very critical of Russia on his […]
Continue ReadingOsmond Chia,Business reporterand Yan Chen,BBC News Chinese Getty Images Chinese people will pay a 13% sales tax on contraceptives from 1 January, while childcare services will be exempt, as the world’s second-largest economy tries to boost birth rates. An overhaul of the tax system announced late last year removes many exemptions that were in place […]
Continue ReadingBulgaria – the poorest country in the European Union – has become the 21st member of the eurozone – leapfrogging more obvious and prosperous candidates like Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary. For mostly urban, young and entrepreneurial Bulgarians, it’s an optimistic and potentially lucrative leap – the final move in a game which has […]
Continue ReadingHours later a Finnish patrol vessel caught the Fitburg with its anchor in the water in Finland’s exclusive economic zone, the country’s coast guard reported. “At the moment we suspect aggravated disruption of telecommunications and also aggravated sabotage and attempted aggravated sabotage,” Helsinki police chief Jari Liukku told media. “Finland is prepared for security challenges […]
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