German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Tuesday sharply criticized Elon Musk's backing of the right-wing parties in the European Union, calling it "really disgusting" and said it was hindering democracy in the bloc.

Serbia, Slovakia and Poland's call for a permanent end to Russian gas flows pose issues for the Russian leader.

Up Helly Aa - Europe's biggest fire festival - is traditionally held on the last Tuesday of January and celebrates Shetland's Norse heritage. Thousands of visitors travel to the UK's most northerly islands to watch the evening torchlit procession through Lerwick, which reaches its climax when the replica of a Viking long ship is set on fire.

The world's imports of liquefied natural gas are set to jump to the highest in a year in January as Europe's winter demand draws cargoes away from top-consuming region Asia.

The chancellor is looking to turn the economy's fortunes around after sluggish growth continued following Labour's election victory last year.

Volkswagen's CEO has spoken to the carmaker's Chinese joint venture partners about their interest in investing in Europe but was not aware of any concrete decisions on their part, a VW spokesperson said on Tuesday.

World leaders and business titans at the World Economic Forum called out widespread pessimism, siloed markets, regulation, and cultural weakness in Europe.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to welcome Heathrow's expansion in an announcement on Wednesday, the BBC understands. A move to encourage in principle a planning application for a third runway at the airport will mark the first stage of the process and come as part of a major speech on wider growth plans to boost the economy.

Rachel Reeves will unveil Labour's plans to grow the UK economy on Wednesday, warning it "will not come without a fight".