Search

Bulgaria Posts One of EU's Strongest Retail Growth Rates

Bulgaria’s retail trade rose 5.6% year over year in July, significantly outperforming the EU and euro area averages despite a modest monthly decline.

Lithuania Tightens Grain Origin Checks at Klaipeda Port

Lithuania is tightening grain-origin inspections at Klaipeda port as increased shipments from the Kaliningrad region and potential shifts in Black Sea trade raise concerns over cargo origins and competition in the Baltic grain market.

Austria Enforces Islamic Headscarf Ban as Under-14s Return to School

Austria has brought into force a ban on Muslim headscarves in schools for girls under 14

West Nile Virus Infections Confirmed in Nine People in the Netherlands

RIVM says the virus is circulating in several Dutch provinces, with one death linked to an infection acquired abroad

Estonia’s Defence Minister Resigns Over Ukraine Ammunition Dispute

Hanno Pevkur defended his record, saying Estonia is now “better protected than ever before”

Slovenia’s Annual Inflation Accelerates to 3% in August

Slovenia’s consumer price index rose 3.0% year-on-year in August, up from 2.9% in July, according to the country’s statistical office.

Portugal’s Canoeing Star Fernando Pimenta Wins Two World Titles at 37

Pimenta wins the K1 5,000m title a day after claiming gold in the 1,000m, taking his remarkable world championship tally to 14.

PM Péter Magyar Defends Hungary’s New Asset Recovery Office Amid Growing Criticism

Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar has strongly defended the newly established National Office for Asset Recovery and Asset Protection (NVVH), warning that attempts to undermine or obstruct the authority could damage efforts to recover allegedly misappropriated public assets

Swedish Liberals Propose Lower Taxes to Make Climate-Friendly Living More Affordable

Sweden’s Liberal Party has proposed a series of tax changes aimed at making environmentally friendly choices more affordable, including lower taxes on electric vehicle charging and higher mileage reimbursement for private electric cars used on business trips.

Croatian Small Businesses Seek Changes to Proposed Tax Rules for 16,000 Entrepreneurs

The Croatian Chamber of Trades and Crafts (HOK) has proposed changes to planned tax rules for flat-rate entrepreneurs, calling for a more moderate increase in the tax burden for businesses earning between €40,000 and €60,000 annually.

Latvia’s Retail Sector Records Strong Growth in July 2026

Latvia’s retail trade continued to expand in July, with total retail turnover increasing by 7.0% year on year at constant prices, according to calendar-adjusted data from the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB).

How a Belgian Designer Turned ‘Ninja Shoes’ Into a Global Fashion Phenomenon

From an avant-garde couture creation to a highly recognisable yet controversial fashion statement, tabi shoes have undergone a remarkable transformation. At the centre of their global rise is Belgian designer Martin Margiela, whose unconventional vision changed the fashion world.

Switzerland's Weisshorn Glacier Faces Imminent Collapse Threat Amid Heatwave

Germany's Merz seeks to project confidence with growth target

Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Wednesday vowed to revive the German economy and deliver growth of at least 1% next year thanks ​to business-friendly reforms and a planned increase in government spending.

Denmark's prime minister blasts unsolicited beauty advice from plastic surgeon on Instagram

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has expressed frustration over unsolicited beauty advice

France Recalls Rare-Disease Drug Tavneos Following Death Reports in Japan

France’s medicine safety agency is withdrawing all available batches of Tavneos after the drug was linked to 20 reported deaths in Japan and its European marketing authorisation was revoked.

French Astronaut Sophie Adenot Completes Second Spacewalk Outside the ISS

One week after making history with her first spacewalk, French astronaut Sophie Adenot carried out her second extravehicular activity outside the International Space Station on Tuesday as part of her current mission.

History at BWF Worlds: Alex Lanier Wins France’s First-Ever Men’s Singles Gold

France celebrated a historic day at the BWF World Championships 2026 in New Delhi as Alex Lanier became the country’s first-ever men’s singles world champion. The 21-year-old French star produced a dominant performance against Japan’s Kodai Naraoka, winning the final 21-11, 21-11 in just 50 minutes at the Indira Gandhi Stadium. Earlier in the day, Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue had also made history by becoming France’s first-ever World champions in badminton, defeating top seeds Feng Yanzhe and Huang Dongping of China. Lanier Dominates the Final Lanier entered the final with confidence after an impressive run throughout the tournament. Against 10th seed Naraoka, he showcased his speed, physical strength, accuracy and attacking game. The opening game was closely contested at 12-9 before Lanier shifted gears, winning nine of the next 11 points to take control. He continued his dominance in the second game, leaving Naraoka with few opportunities to recover. Despite the challenging sideways drift inside the stadium, Lanier maintained remarkable control from the backcourt and repeatedly found the lines with powerful cross-court and down-the-line smashes. Naraoka attempted a comeback in the second game after narrowing the deficit from 3-8 to 7-8, but Lanier quickly regained control and closed out the match in convincing fashion. A Rising Star of French Badminton Born in 2005, Lanier has rapidly established himself as one of badminton’s brightest young talents. A former European Junior Champion, he broke into the senior elite circuit with his 2024 Japan Open Super 750 triumph, where he defeated several leading players, including Shi Yuqi. His rise continued through 2025 and 2026. He won the European Championships, claimed the 2026 Singapore Open Super 750 title and helped France reach a historic Thomas Cup final. With his World Championships triumph, Lanier has now added the biggest title of his career and written a new chapter in French badminton history.