The top nations advancing human well-being in 2025

The Human Development Index (HDI) is a global assessment by the United Nations to measure three key dimensions to human development: a decent standard of living, access to knowledge, and a long and healthy life. The UN collects data on 193 countries and territories to try to calculate how the world’s nations are performing in accordance to these dimensions. In this gallery, we provide a list of the top 30 best-performing nations in the advancement of well-being in 2025. The highest HDI value a nation can hold is ‘1.' No nation manages to achieve a perfect score, but a few come quite close. Does your country make the top 30? Click on to find out.

37 suspicious deaths linked to Russia since 2022

Significant figures have perished under mysterious conditions in the past years.

Maintenance worker arrested for aiding New Orleans jail escape says inmate threatened to ‘shank’ him

Maintenance worker arrested for aiding New Orleans jail escape says inmate threatened to ‘shank’ him - Jail worker Sterling Williams, 33, charged with malfeasance over assisting escape

European Parliament to stage urgent debate on Hungary's 'spring clean' law

The Hungary rapporteur of the European Parliament, Tineke Strik, told Euronews that enough of the body's political groups support the debate. The law, once adopted will see foreign funded NGO's and media listed and potentially fined. View on euronews

Fifty years on: remembering Operation Babylift

In April 1975, during the final few weeks of the Vietnam War, a remarkable endeavor was initiated to evacuate Vietnamese orphans to the US as communist forces advanced on Saigon. Called Operation Babylift, the plan saw over 3,000 infants and children transported to safety, the idea being that once on American soil the orphans would be relocated and adopted out to American, Canadian, European, and Australian families. But Operation Babylift was very nearly grounded after a tragic accident took place during the inaugural flight. So, who ordered the airlift, and why was it imperative to get the children out of the war-torn country as soon as possible? Click on for these answers and more.

EU elections Super Sunday shows centre-left parties remain in freefall

Experts told Euronews that centre-left parties are losing connection to voters across the continent in a period of time when social issues are pressing. View on euronews

'Intolerable': UK, France, and Canada rebuke Netanyahu

Lammy loses patience with Netanyahu over ‘monstrous’ actions in Gaza

The Foreign Secretary told MPs that Israel was guilty of 'monstrous' actions in Gaza

EU migrants told they WON'T be able to bring family members to Britain under PM's youth visa scheme

As part of his Brexit 'reset' deal, Sir Keir Starmer has agreed to continue talks with Brussels on a so-called 'youth experience' scheme.

Brave female wartime agents

The Special Operations Executive (SOE) was established in July 1940 during the early days of the Second World War. A secret British organization the purpose of which was to conduct espionage, sabotage, and reconnaissance in occupied Europe, the SOE numbered among its recruits dozens of women, many of whom were dropped into Nazi-occupied France to conduct dangerous covert operations. To be captured by German forces meant certain death. Yet rather than being deterred by the threat of torture and interrogation, these agents demonstrated courage and bravery beyond what was expected in the field. Indeed, all are remembered for their gallantry and determination against a terrifying and merciless enemy. Click through and commemorate the fearless exploits of the women who served with the wartime SOE.

Russia’s “Ghost Fleet” Just Got a Lot Less Secret

Ghost Fleet Exposed: Russia Intervenes with Warplane

UK ramps up pressure on Israel over actions in Gaza and West Bank

The UK has suspended trade deal talks with Israel, sanctioned West Bank settlers and summoned the country's ambassador as the relationship with Benjamin Netanyahu's government deteriorates. Foreign Secretary David Lammy hit out at the renewed military offensive in the Gaza strip and the restrictions on aid to the population of the territory, describing Israel's actions as "monstrous". He also condemned the actions of "extremist" settlers in the West Bank, saying Mr Netanyahu's administration has a responsibility to intervene to halt their actions.

UK stops trade talks with Israel over 'morally unjustifiable' blockade in Gaza

Britain has suspended trade negotiations with Israel over its offensive in Gaza – 11 weeks into what a UN general described to Metro last week as a ‘fabricated, man-made and politically motivated famine’. The move marks one of the most significant diplomatic escalations over the deepening humanitarian catastrophe in the Palestinian territory where ...

Spain's parliament considers press access shakeup after spate of disruptions

Journalists have protested against the behaviour of activists who they say harass them and impede their work. View on euronews

Israel to allow dozens of aid trucks into Gaza each day, government says

The Israeli government enabled UN aid trucks to enter the Strip on Tuesday amid international pressure over a blockade that has been in place since March. View on euronews

Eid al-Adha 2025: UK date, moon sighting explained and how to say ‘happy Eid’

Muslims are preparing to celebrate one of the biggest festivals in the Islamic calendar

The four reasons why Putin will never agree to end war in Ukraine

The Russian leader has made 'a calculation' in the hope that Trump will say 'I'm fed up of this', former ambassador to Kyiv Simon Smith says

Egyptian fisherman who arranged migrant boats to Europe jailed for 25 years in the UK

UK-based Egyptian national Ahmed Ebid helped smuggle nearly 3,800 people from north Africa to Italy as part of a lucrative criminal network. View on euronews

Trump goes rogue on Syria sanctions blindsiding his advisers

Florida high school teacher arrested for having sex with student in classroom before first bell

Florida high school teacher arrested for having sex with student in classroom before first bell - The alleged relationship between Brooke Anderson, 27, and her student began in September 2024 with sexually explicit messages

Palm Springs bombing suspect’s YouTube showed tests of homemade explosives, report says

Palm Springs bombing suspect’s YouTube showed tests of homemade explosives, report says - Investigators studying social media accounts associated with ‘pro-mortalist’ Guy Edward Bartkus after deadly blast at California fertility clinic

Cafeteria worker arrested for hiding evidence after her boyfriend kills teen who came to beat up her son, cops say

Cafeteria worker arrested for hiding evidence after her boyfriend kills teen who came to beat up her son, cops say - Cops arrested Jessica Rivera at the elementary school where she works in Florida.

Naval mine clearance exercise ends in Baltic Sea

Exercise Open Spirit involved experts from the Royal Navy alongside the navies of Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Germany, Belgium, Canada, and the US, to remove unexploded mines, torpedoes and other historic ordnance from the Baltic Sea over the hazards posed to shipping and underwater cables. Some of the devices found on the seabed include explosives from both world wars and the cold war era.

The last words and final meal of man executed over killing of an Indiana police officer

The last words and final meal of man executed over killing of an Indiana police officer - Benjamin Ritchie put to death by lethal injection over killing of Beech Grove Police Officer Bill Toney in 2000

India–Pakistan: a long and troubled relationship

Since gaining independence in 1947, India and Pakistan have endured decades of tension rooted in deep religious and political divides. Pakistan was founded as a homeland for Muslims, while India chose a secular path, embracing its diverse faiths. Most recently, tensions reignited after a militant attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, leading to cross-border fire and a sharp decline in diplomatic ties. With both nations being nuclear powers, fears of a wider conflict are once again on the rise. Curious about the shared history of these two neighbors and what continues to keep them apart? Click through this gallery to learn more.

Brussels seeks easier exits of asylum seekers from the EU

The European Commission proposed a revision of the “third safe country” concept, paving the way for agreements similar to the UK-Rwanda asylum partnership. View on euronews

Trump eyes foreign aid funds to remove migrants including Ukrainians who came to the U.S. from war zones: report

Trump eyes foreign aid funds to remove migrants including Ukrainians who came to the U.S. from war zones: report - Hundreds of thousands of migrants, including those from Ukraine and Haiti, are reportedly being considered in the plans

Airbnb sued for allegedly not vetting guest who murdered Saudi student in next room

Airbnb sued for allegedly not vetting guest who murdered Saudi student in next room - Exclusive: “By the time 911 got there, I knew he was dead,” host Gardith Edouard told The Independent. “I’m still not well, it’s just been horrible.”

Vatican peace talks and a threatened ‘red line’ – what comes after the Trump-Putin phone call?

Vatican peace talks and a threatened ‘red line’ – what comes after the Trump-Putin phone call? - Volodymyr Zelensky accuses the Kremlin of trying to ‘buy time’ as Vladimir Putin agrees to work towards a memorandum with Kyiv, but no 30-day ceasefire

Teen allegedly stabbed 81-year-old roommate 113 times at assisted living facility after hearing voices telling him to do it

Teen allegedly stabbed 81-year-old roommate 113 times at assisted living facility after hearing voices telling him to do it - Moses Ojeda admitted he wanted to kill his roommate because he was ‘already dying’ and that he has no regrets

The Foreign Secretary announces new measures against Israel

David Lammy announced new measures against Israel, but Labour, Tory and Liberal Democrat backbenchers urged him to go further. The Government will impose new sanctions on three individuals and four entities involved in the settler movement, and has suspended negotiations with the Israeli government on a new free trade agreement.

EU will move ahead with new sanctions on Russia without US

A phone call between Donald Trump and European leaders exposed America's unwillingness to move forward with sanctions against Russia. View on euronews

Commuters are warned to brace for more chaos on Sydney's rail network during morning peak hour

Sydney commuters are warned to brace for more train pain on Wednesday morning.

EU lifts all economic sanctions on Syria, hoping to speed up post-al-Assad recovery

Donald Trump's sudden decision to lift sanctions on Syria accelerated the timeline in Brussels, which had been working on a step-by-step roadmap. View on euronews

Lowest winter rainfall in Syria for almost 70 years triggers water crisis in Damascus

Residents in the Syrian capital are feeling the effects of the lack of rain with authorities urging them to reduce their water consumption. View on euronews

Why did the UK give up the Chagos Islands?

In October 2024, the United Kingdom handed over sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, ending decades of often fractious negotiations between the two nations. The move also reignited one of the most shameful episodes in recent geopolitical history, that of the forced deportation of up to 2,000 Chagossians from their native land to make way for the construction of a joint US-UK military base. In signing over the islands, the UK relinquished one of its very last vestiges of empire. But together with the United States, it keeps control of one of the most secretive and controversial armed forces installations in the world.But where exactly are the Chagos Islands, and why did the UK give them up? Click through and revisit the history behind this significant announcement.

Busted doors, cut bars, and a hole behind the toilet: Everything we know with 6 inmates still on the run after Louisiana jail escape

Busted doors, cut bars, and a hole behind the toilet: Everything we know with 6 inmates still on the run after Louisiana jail escape - Three employees have been suspended as sheriff claims that breakout may be tied up in politics around an upcoming sheriff’s election

Ukrainian troops won a major victory against Putin's forces on Russian territory

'Peace is not possible': Kyiv residents remain pessimistic over Trump-Putin talks

Ukrainian servicemen of the 127th Territorial Defence Brigade fire KS-19 100mm gun towards Russian positions near Kharkiv, 16 May, 2025

Thousands ordered to shelter in place as chemical leak spreads across Texas

A potentially deadly chemical leak at an industrial park in Texas has sparked a shelter-in-place order for thousands of people.

Vegas cops shoot dead gym member whose gun malfunctioned as he tried to carry out a mass killing

Vegas cops shoot dead gym member whose gun malfunctioned as he tried to carry out a mass killing - Police said that the shooter’s gun malfunction ‘saved this from being a mass casualty event’

New Orleans police secretly used facial recognition

For two years, police in New Orleans secretly used facial recognition technology to monitor city streets searching for suspects—a surveillance practice with no clear precedent in any major American city and one that may have violated local restrictions on such tools, according to an investigation by The Washington Post. While facial recognition is commonly used by law enforcement to match suspects to images from surveillance footage, New Orleans police went further. They accessed a private network of more than 200 facial recognition cameras that constantly scanned the streets. When a match was detected, an app would automatically alert officers on their phones, providing the names and real-time locations of individuals flagged by the system. This kind of surveillance reflects a broader trend. CCTV, or closed-circuit television, has become so embedded in daily life that many barely notice it anymore. While these cameras can enhance security, there is growing concern over how far modern surveillance technology reaches. But how did this essential but often contentious piece of equipment evolve, and where in the world are you watched the most? Click through and focus on the history and wide-ranging applications of CCTV.

France considers lending its nuclear weapons to Europe

Emmanuel Macron insists on the need for Europe to regain control of its own defense.

The ongoing global conflicts in 2025

The world is currently experiencing a record number of conflicts and crises since the end of World War II. There is the war in Gaza, which is hitting civilians particularly hard, the fighting in Ukraine, currently in its third year, and many other wars that don’t make the news. So, which are the ongoing conflicts of 2025? Click on to find out.

Targeting journalists in conflict zones

Increasingly, journalists have become victims of the violence in contexts of conflict, particularly in an age of indiscriminate warfare. International law has made efforts to establish provisions that afford protection to journalists and media professionals, including those conducting reporting activities in areas of armed conflict. Despite these principles, the denial of the observance of these protections, as well as for international humanitarian law in general, has greatly accelerated. But what, exactly, does international law say about press freedom? How should journalists be considered in areas of conflict? Click through this gallery to learn more.

Kyiv to consider the Vatican for Zelenskyy-Putin meeting, Foreign Minister Sybiha tells Euronews

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha arrives for a meeting of EU foreign ministers at the European Council building in Brussels, Belgium, Tuesday, May 20, 2025

Members of Japan's Yakuza crime syndicate arrested for operating office too close to library

During the Yakuza's heyday in the 1960s, the group operated internationally and boasted more than 184,000 members, according to Japan's National Police Agency. View on euronews

'Godmother’ of Israeli settler movement from Louis Theroux documentary sanctioned by UK

‘What is on my mind all the time is how to bring more people to settle the Palestinian land.’ This is what Daniella Weiss, often referred to as the ‘godmother’ of Israel’s settler movement, proudly told Louis Theroux during his BBC documentary ‘The Settlers’. The 79-year-old is among several people sanctioned by the UK today over inciting or carryi...

Cambodians remember Khmer Rouge victims 50 years on

Cambodia held a powerful memorial on Tuesday to mark 50 years since the Khmer Rouge began a brutal regime that left around 1.7 million people dead. View on euronews

France Is Using Russian Tactics to Counter Naval Drones

France Adopts Drone Tactics Seen in Ukraine War