European Christmas markets face rising security costs and tighter measures following recent threats, with some smaller venues considering cancellation.

Earlier this year, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz pledged to build Europe’s strongest army – a tall order for a country whose military has undergone years of neglect.

Germany’s president is laying a wreath Friday at Coventry Cathedral in central England, symbolically atoning for the atrocities of World War II as his country and the United Kingdom seek to bolster an alliance to combat the new war raging in Europe.

The change means that all 18-year-olds in Germany will be sent a questionnaire from January 2026 asking if they are interested and willing to join the armed forces. The form will be mandatory for men and voluntary for women.

Germany’s Bundestag voted for a bill on Friday that allows the country to move towards conscription, as tensions with Russia spur calls for Europe to gain more independence from the US security umbrella.

By Sarah Marsh and Andreas Rinke BERLIN, Dec 5 (Reuters) - German Chancellor Friedrich Merz narrowly averted a government crisis after securing an absolute majority for a pensions bill in parliament on Friday,

Landing Friday with the subtlety of a scud missile, the new National Security Strategy of the United States of America has quite a lot to say about Europe and us Europeans. And it ain't pretty, writes Sean Whelan.

The New York mayor-elect's victory has motivated the European left, with politicians casting themselves as their country's version of Mamdani, and strategists eager to study how he won.

By Marie Mannes STOCKHOLM, Dec 5 (Reuters) - Tesla launched the new, lower-priced version of its Model 3 car in Europe on Friday, two months after its U.S. debut, aiming to boost sales as competition intensifies and demand slows.