It's Christmastime —– and if you live in the Alps, watch out! Krampus is coming In Salzburg, Austria, Christmas involves both St. Nick and Krampus, a mythological punisher with roots stretching back to late antiquity and many fans in the present-day Central Alps. Rob Schmitz
The latest in Ukraine peace talks and war-time elections As Europe and Ukraine offer counterproposals to the White House's Kremlin-friendly plan to end Russia's war on Ukraine, Ukraine's president explores holding wartime elections on ceding territory. Joanna Kakissis
Germany's train service is one of Europe's worst. How did it get so bad? You won't arrive on time and may not even get a seat. Your booking might get lost. Things have gotten so dire that a foreigner has been brought in to shake things up. Esme Nicholson
Venezuelan opposition leader Machado reappears in Oslo as a Nobel laureate Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado appeared in public for the first time in 11 months after a daring escape from her homeland when she emerged from a hotel balcony in Norway's capital. The Associated Press
Ukraine's last eastern strongholds hang on as Russia fights to take Donbas Russia is pushing to take over all of eastern Ukraine's Donbas region, where one resident tells NPR that she feels her "life depends on how our guys at the front hold on." Joanna Kakissis
Russia unleashes drone and missile attack on Ukraine as diplomatic talks continue Russia unleashed a major missile and drone barrage on Ukraine overnight into Saturday, after U.S. and Ukrainian officials said they'll meet on Saturday for talks aimed at ending the war. The Associated Press
EU hits Elon Musk's X with $140 million fine over business practices The fines were due to the platform's misleading use of blue check marks to identify verified users and a lack of transparency over ads and data access for researchers. Willem Marx
Trump's security strategy slams European allies and asserts U.S. power in the Americas The Trump administration has set forth a national security strategy that paints European allies as weak and aims to reassert America's dominance in the Western Hemisphere. The Associated Press
At least 4 countries pull out of 2026 Eurovision contest over Israel's participation Ireland, the Netherlands, Spain and Slovenia said they were pulling out of the contest after organizers decided to allow Israel to continue to compete, despite tensions over its conduct in Gaza. The Associated Press
Corruption investigation rocks Ukraine's leadership A corruption scandal in Ukraine hits Volodymyr Zelenskyy's inner circle but not the president himself. Eleanor Beardsley