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Bulgaria Enters Euro Zone, Bids Farewell to the Lev

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Bulgaria officially joined the euro zone on Thursday, marking a historic shift as the euro replaced the lev as the country’s currency from midnight. Celebrations took place across the capital Sofia, with euro coin projections lighting up the central bank’s facade and fireworks welcoming the milestone. Bulgaria becomes the 21st member of the euro area, increasing the number of Europeans using the common currency to over 350 million.

The move grants Bulgaria a seat on the European Central Bank’s Governing Council, allowing it to participate directly in euro zone monetary policy decisions. Successive governments have pursued euro adoption since Bulgaria joined the European Union in 2007. While public opinion remains divided, businesses have largely backed the transition, citing easier trade, travel and financial stability within the EU.

Many citizens expressed cautious optimism, saying the currency change would simplify travel and everyday transactions. However, concerns remain among some Bulgarians about potential price rises and broader political instability, following the government’s recent resignation amid protests over proposed tax hikes. Despite these worries, officials say euro adoption represents a major step toward deeper European integration.

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Unprecedented New Year Violence Rocks the Netherlands

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Police across the Netherlands faced what they described as an unprecedented level of violence during New Year’s Eve celebrations, with officers and emergency workers coming under attack from fireworks and explosives. In several cities, police reported being pelted with fireworks, petrol bombs and other dangerous objects, creating chaotic and hazardous conditions as authorities struggled to maintain order.

The violence coincided with a series of tragic incidents linked to fireworks. A 17-year-old boy and a 38-year-old man were killed in separate fireworks-related accidents, while hospitals reported numerous injuries, including severe eye damage. In Rotterdam alone, an eye hospital treated 14 patients, many of them minors, with two requiring surgery. Clashes between groups were also reported in areas such as The Hague’s Transvaal district.

Amid the unrest, a major fire broke out at Amsterdam’s historic Vondelkerk church, engulfing the 19th-century neo-Gothic basilica and causing the collapse of its 50-metre tower. While the cause of the fire remains unclear, authorities said the main structure is expected to remain standing despite heavy roof damage. The incidents have intensified debate around fireworks, with a nationwide ban on unofficial fireworks scheduled to take effect in 2026 after record spending this year.

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Shock and Mourning Grip Swiss Ski Resort After New Year’s Day Bar Fire

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Disbelief and shock have spread across the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana after a devastating fire engulfed a popular bar on New Year’s Day. Locals and tourists alike struggled to comprehend how such a tragedy could occur in a high-end, family-friendly Alpine destination known for strong safety standards and modern infrastructure. The fire at Le Constellation, a well-known bar in the heart of the resort, has left the community reeling.

Le Constellation, located near the cinema and frequented by both residents and visitors, was a gathering spot especially popular among young people. Witnesses described scenes of chaos as people escaped through windows and others suffered serious burns. Some tourists initially mistook the sound of ambulances for routine holiday excesses, only to later realise the severity of the incident. Many are now anxiously trying to trace friends and acquaintances who may have been inside the bar.

By morning, the usually lively centre of Crans-Montana was cordoned off, creating an eerie silence in what is normally the resort’s beating heart. As skiers and visitors awoke, crowds gathered near the police barriers seeking information, while flowers were laid outside the damaged bar. The scale of the cordon, road closures and emergency response underscored the magnitude of the disaster, leaving residents and visitors united in grief and disbelief.

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Finland Seizes Russia-Linked Ship Over Suspected Baltic Sea Cable Sabotage

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Finnish authorities have seized a cargo vessel sailing from Russia after an undersea telecommunications cable linking Finland and Estonia was damaged in the Baltic Sea. Police said the ship, Fitburg, was intercepted while travelling from St Petersburg to Israel and is suspected of aggravated disruption of telecommunications and aggravated sabotage. The vessel was taken to Finnish territorial waters and is now held at a harbour in Kirkkonummi as investigations continue.

The damaged cable, owned by Finnish telecoms company Elisa, runs between Helsinki and Estonia across the Gulf of Finland. Investigators said the Fitburg had been dragging its anchor, which may have caused the damage. All 14 crew members, who are nationals of Russia, Georgia, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan, have been detained for questioning. The ship is flagged in St Vincent and Grenadines and is owned and managed by companies that could not be immediately reached for comment.

The incident has heightened concerns over infrastructure security in the Baltic Sea, where NATO countries have been on high alert since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Several power, gas and telecom cables have been damaged in recent years, raising fears of hybrid threats involving sabotage and other non-military tactics. NATO said it is in close contact with Finnish authorities, while Estonia confirmed a separate outage on another cable and the European Commission said it was closely monitoring developments.

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France Plans Social Media Ban for Children, Following Australia’s Lead

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France is preparing to introduce a nationwide ban on social media use for children under 15, aiming to implement the measure from the start of the 2026 academic year. A draft bill has been completed and will soon be submitted to the Conseil d’État for legal review, with parliamentary debate expected early next year. The move follows Australia’s world-first ban on social media platforms for under-16s, which came into force in December.

The proposed legislation includes two key measures: restricting under-15s from accessing social media platforms such as Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube, and banning mobile phones in high schools for students aged 15 to 18. Mobile phones are already prohibited in primary and middle schools in France. The government has cited concerns over excessive screen time, exposure to harmful content, online bullying and disrupted sleep patterns as reasons for the ban.

President Emmanuel Macron has strongly backed the proposal, arguing that increased screen time harms academic performance and mental health among teenagers. Several other countries, including Denmark, Norway and Malaysia, are also considering similar restrictions following Australia’s example. The French government says the bill will be compatible with EU law, including the Digital Services Act, and forms part of Macron’s broader effort to protect children online as he enters the final year of his presidency.

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Poland Approves Cohabitation Bill to Improve Rights of Same-Sex Couples

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Poland’s government has approved a bill introducing “cohabitation contracts” for couples living together, offering limited legal recognition to same-sex unions in a country with some of the EU’s most restrictive LGBT+ laws. The proposal, backed by Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s administration, allows any two adults, regardless of gender, to formalise their relationship through a notary.

The bill grants rights related to housing, alimony, access to health information, health insurance, care leave, joint tax returns and certain tax exemptions. However, it stops short of legalising same-sex marriage, which remains banned in Poland. Equality Minister Katarzyna Kotula said the government believes the proposal has enough support to pass both houses of parliament.

Reforms on LGBT+ rights have faced resistance from conservative coalition partners and veto threats from right-wing presidents. While LGBT advocacy groups welcomed the step as progress, they expressed disappointment over its limited scope, calling it a modest response to long-standing demands. Despite growing public support, Poland remains one of the most restrictive EU countries on LGBT+ rights.

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US NATO Envoy Questions Russia’s Claim of Ukrainian Attack on Putin Residence

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U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker has cast doubt on Russia’s claim that Ukraine carried out a drone attack on President Vladimir Putin’s residence, saying it remains unclear whether such an incident even occurred. Speaking in an interview, Whitaker said he was waiting for confirmation from U.S. and allied intelligence services, noting that Ukraine has firmly denied any involvement in the alleged attack.

Russia alleged that Ukraine launched 91 long-range drones at a presidential residence in the Novgorod region and warned that it would retaliate and harden its negotiating position in peace talks. Ukraine dismissed the accusation as false and said Moscow has produced no evidence to support its claims. Ukrainian officials described the allegation as an attempt to justify further Russian attacks and avoid meaningful steps toward ending the war.

U.S. President Donald Trump said Russian President Vladimir Putin raised the issue during a phone call, adding that he was angry about the reported incident but acknowledged that the facts were still being verified. The White House and U.S. intelligence agencies declined to comment further. Whitaker stressed that any conclusions would depend on intelligence assessments, as diplomatic efforts continue amid signs that Washington and Kyiv may be close to a broader peace agreement despite unresolved territorial disputes.

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Heavy Snowfall in Poland Triggers 20-Km Traffic Jams, Strands Hundreds Overnight

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Heavy snowfall across parts of Poland caused major traffic disruptions overnight, with tailbacks stretching up to 20 kilometres on the S7 motorway between Warsaw and the Baltic port city of Gdansk, police said on Wednesday. The severe weather left hundreds of motorists stranded in freezing conditions after trucks struggled to climb icy slopes, leading to a complete standstill on key sections of the route.

Police officials said the situation began late Tuesday afternoon and worsened through the night, but traffic started moving again by early Wednesday morning. Authorities confirmed that no injuries were reported despite the prolonged delays. Emergency services remained on the ground to manage traffic and ensure safety as snow-clearing operations continued.

Officers in affected areas, including Ostroda and Olsztyn, assisted stranded drivers by providing hot drinks and support. According to state news agency PAP, the heavy snowfall also caused disruptions to rail and air travel, though services at airports and on railways were gradually returning to normal as weather conditions improved.

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Thieves Drill Into German Bank Vault, Steal €30 Million in Major Heist

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Thieves have stolen an estimated €30 million in cash and valuables after drilling into a vault at a Sparkasse savings bank branch in the western German city of Gelsenkirchen, police said. The break-in, described by investigators as highly professional and reminiscent of a Hollywood-style heist, involved the use of a large drill to access the underground vault. More than 3,000 safe deposit boxes containing money, gold and jewellery were forced open during the robbery.

Police became aware of the crime in the early hours of Monday after a fire alarm was triggered at the branch on Nienhofstrasse in the Buer district. Investigators believe the suspects exploited the quiet Christmas period to carry out the operation, gaining entry to and escaping from the bank through an adjacent parking garage. Witnesses reported seeing several men carrying large bags in the garage staircase overnight, and CCTV footage captured a black Audi RS6 leaving the area early Monday morning.

No arrests have been made so far and the suspects remain at large. Sparkasse said around 95% of the safe deposit boxes at the branch had been broken into, making it highly likely many customers were affected. The bank has set up a hotline for clients, confirmed the branch will remain temporarily closed, and said the contents of each safe deposit box are insured up to €10,300, advising customers to check for additional coverage under their home insurance policies.

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Merz Urges Europe to Assert Its Interests to Protect Peace and Prosperity

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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has called on Europe to assert its interests more forcefully to safeguard peace and prosperity in 2026, warning of mounting threats from Russian aggression, global protectionism and shifting relations with the United States. Speaking in his New Year’s address, Merz said the war in Ukraine posed a direct threat to Europe’s freedom and security, adding that Russia’s actions were part of a broader strategy targeting the entire continent.

Since taking office in May, Merz has played a key role in pushing European support for Ukraine and strengthening Germany’s defence posture. He said Germany now faces daily challenges including sabotage, espionage and cyberattacks, underscoring the need for greater resilience. Merz also highlighted economic risks from rising protectionism and Europe’s dependence on imported raw materials, which he said were increasingly being used as tools of political pressure.

Merz pointed to Germany’s struggle to revive its export-driven economy after two years of contraction, as Berlin seeks to reduce reliance on China while navigating global trade tensions and the impact of U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff policies. Acknowledging a more difficult partnership with Washington since Trump’s return to office in 2025, Merz said Europe must rely more on itself, stressing that confidence, not fear, should guide the continent’s response as it works to renew long-standing peace, freedom and prosperity.

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