Author: staff
Published on 21/04/2026 – 14:26 GMT+2 German economic expectations have fallen to their lowest level in three and a half years, as the Iran war weighs on businesses across Europe. The ZEW index dropped 16.7 points in April to -17.2, according to a new survey by the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW), based on responses from 192 analysts polled last week about their outlook for the next six months. It is the second consecutive monthly decline, following a sharp fall in March. “Economic expectations are slipping into negative territory,” said ZEW president Achim Wambach. “The economic consequences of the…
By Theo Farrant & AP Published on 21/04/2026 – 13:24 GMT+2 The human brain retains such a deep-rooted memory of gravity that astronauts in space continue to misjudge how tightly to grip objects even after spending months in weightlessness, according to a new study. Published in the Journal of Neuroscience, the findings shed new light on how profoundly our lifelong experience of gravity shapes the most basic physical actions, and could have real implications for future missions to the Moon and Mars. The study, led by Philippe Lefèvre, a professor of Biomedical Engineering at Université Catholique de Louvain and Ikerbasque, tracked 11 astronauts…
When you think of a visit to Portugal, do Lisbon and Porto spring to mind, or perhaps the Algarve coast further south? Well, a multi-million euro investment is hoping to shift the spotlight beyond the usual popular spots – redrawing Portugal’s tourist map, one inland region at a time. The government is bankrolling 12 tourism projects to the tune of €4.5 million. With a total investment of around €11 million, the projects will boost tourism across the north and central areas of Portugal, as well as the Alentejo and Ribatejo regions. This is part of the broader “Growing with Tourism”…
Finance Minister Roland Lescure was quick to insist that the freeze would not inevitably lead to spending cuts, even if this is likely in future. “We are taking precautionary measures, we will be able to adjust throughout the year,” he said. Lescure confirmed that the government has lowered its growth forecast to 0.9 percent for this year, while raising its inflation forecast to 1.9 percent. The French government is eyeing spending cuts to narrow its deficit — the gap between what it collects in taxes and what it spends — down to 5 percent of gross domestic product this year.…
The longest and tallest bridge in Finland just opened in Helsinki – and cars won’t be able to use it. Kruunuvuorensilta bridge, which connects Korkeasaari and Kruunuvuorenranta, spans 1,191 metres and is exclusively open to pedestrians, cyclists and public transport. The new bridge means Kruunuvuorenranta is now just five-and-a-half kilometres away from the city centre, reducing the distance from 11 kilometres. “Kruunuvuorensilta bridge is the new, unique and exciting landmark for Helsinki,” said Daniel Sazonov, Mayor of Helsinki. “A sight that will draw visitors from near and far. The new bridge reshapes how we look at Helsinki. It attaches the…
The European Union is growing optimistic about the imminent lifting of Hungary’s contentious veto on a €90 billion loan for Ukraine, ending a political dispute that has severely undermined the bloc’s collective decision-making. Following a bruising defeat at the polls, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has indicated he will remove his veto as soon as Russian oil flows resume through the Druzhba pipeline, which is at the core of the controversy. Orbán cited “indications” from Brussels that flows will return soon. EU ambassadors could resolve the matter as early as Wednesday if Orbán relents. Only one regulation, which depends on…
Updated: 21/04/2026 – 12:00 GMT+2 Catch up with the most important stories from around Europe and beyond this April 21st, 2026 – latest news, breaking news, World, Business, Entertainment, Politics, Culture, Travel. … More
Published on 21/04/2026 – 12:14 GMT+2•Updated 12:16 Oil prices edged slightly higher, European indices traded flat, while Asian markets surged on Tuesday morning as investors monitored potential US-Iran negotiations and the final 48 hours of the current ceasefire. At the time of writing, US benchmark crude was up 8.5% from last Friday’s low to around $86.3 a barrel, while Brent crude, the international standard, was around 9.5% higher at roughly $94.5 a barrel. As for European markets, the Euro Stoxx 50 and the broader pan-European Stoxx 600 were trading within a 0.2% range. The UK’s FTSE 100, Germany’s DAX 30,…
UK officials saw ‘no need’ to vet Peter Mandelson, sacked Olly Robbins claims. – POLITICO Skip to main content
In New York, 420 has become a familiar date in Washington Square Park and Tompkins Square Park, where smokers gather to mark the cannabis holiday with joints, music and a loose street-party mood. One reveller, Jackie Win, called it ‘like New Year’s basically, but for everyone that smokes’. Reports from the 2026 gathering said the scene shifted between the two parks as police tightened access in Washington Square Park. Adult-use cannabis is legal in New York for people 21 and over, under state law passed in 2021. The annual ritual shows how fast the city has normalised public talk around…