‘Sunlight salary’: Exactly how much solar panels knock off your energy bills – even under grey skies

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By Craig Saueurs

Published on 25/09/2026 - EURONEWS

Despite the money they can save households on electricity bills, just one in 10 European roofs has solar panels.

Britain may be famous for grey skies and rainy days, but its sunshine could still help residents shave more than €1,000 a year off household electricity bills.

An analysis of more than 15 million UK homes by solar software company GreenSketch estimates that an optimised rooftop solar and battery system could save the average household around €1,100 a year – what the company calls a ‘sunlight salary’.

Even in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, the average savings topped €930.

The findings show that household savings depend on more than sunshine alone. Electricity prices, the angle of your roof, when you use power, battery storage and payments for electricity sent back to the grid are all important factors.

Grey skies aren’t a barrier to solar power

Researchers used satellite imagery to model individual homes, accounting for the slope of rooftops as well as their orientation, local electricity use and hourly solar generation.

Southwest Wales had the highest average estimated savings at around €1,160 a year, followed by southeast England at about €1,150. In Northern Ireland, the best returns were found in the east rather than the south, which GreenSketch says shows that local weather and geography can affect solar generation as much as geolocation.

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Those figures challenge the idea that solar panels only make financial sense in sunnier places. Although they generate more electricity in direct sunlight, solar panels still produce power on overcast days – good news for Europe’s less sunny stretches.

Solar can also cover the cost of installment relatively quickly. The Energy Saving Trust – an independent UK energy advice organisation – estimates that a typical system can pay for itself in 10 to 12 years.

Europe has barely tapped its rooftop potential

The UK findings point to similar potential elsewhere around Europe.

If solar panels don’t need Mediterranean sunshine to cut electricity bills – especially when paired with batteries that let households store power generated during the day and use it later – they could make financial sense far beyond southern Europe.

A Joint Research Centre (JRC) study published earlier this year found that solar panels on rooftops could meet 40 per cent of the EU’s long-term electricity needs by 2050.

In Finland and Denmark, non-residential roofs alone could provide at least 95 per cent of the solar capacity targeted for 2030.

Still, just one in ten European rooftops has solar panels, according to the JRC, leaving enormous room for further expansion.

From Croatia without waste: “truly circular” process offers hazardous chemicals a second life

Euronews

By Julian GOMEZ

Published on 25/09/2026 - 

A clean-tech company in Croatia claims to recycle around three million kilograms of polluted solvents annually – without any waste. An “efficient, safe and economically valuable” recycling process of hazardous chemicals… made in Europe.

Equipped with air-filtering masks, workers at a recycling plant in Ivanić-Grad, Croatia, recycle ethanol, benzene or acetones, and thinners to dilute paints. These and other used solvents come from the food packaging, pharmaceutical or automotive industries. They are full of hazardous substances.

Polluted solvents prior to the purification process © Euronews

A complex process removes all their residues and turns contaminated solvents into clean ones, ready to be re-used.

“This is the contaminated solvent that we are taking from the machine and into the distillator. We are distilling it, and for the result we are getting the clean solvent that is used to further production. Clean as a whistle”, explains Mario Želježnjak, Production Supervisor at Premifab Ltd as he shows us the different technologies at an unassuming plant recently inaugurated.

Mario Želježnjak, Production Supervisor at Premifab Ltd © Euronews

Along with water and other impurities, the resulting waste is basically sludge that is used to produce energy that feeds the recycling facilities. “Everything is burned inside a rotary kiln and turned into harmless ash,” explains Mario. This ash can subsequently be used as a construction material.

Partially funded by the European Union, the clean-tech company claims to recycle around three million kilograms of used solvents annually—a 90% recycling rate for the contaminated raw material sent by its clients. Facing stiff competition from other major industry players in Germany, France, Spain, and Italy, the company must offer efficiency and versatility, explains its business development director, Igor Podravac.

Igor Podravac is the company´s Business Development Director © Euronews

“We have a lot of high demanding customers from pharmaceutical, automotive, paint industry,food packaging industry also. After they pollute a material and it is no longer usable for a second treatment, they send this material to us,” he explains while showing us the work done workers. “We are accepting the material, analysing the material, purifying the material and after all the parameters are checked, we return that material into the same production line to get a closed loop circular economy in real life.”

The first step starts at the company´s laboratory. Samples of used solvents are here first analysed to determine if and how they can safely and effectively be recycled. Very different parameters, including temperature, pressure or energy balance must be considered. “Maybe the distillation yield is too low, so it's not really feasible, both material-wise and financial-wise. And on the other hand, if we have lots of distillation residue remaining, that we cannot do anything about it, we opt not to use that material at all,.”, explains Silvija Petković, Quality Control Director & Laboratory Manager. “The specificity within the solvents is their flammability. So they're all flammable liquids, and we need to take all the precautionary measures in order not to burn anything, not to light anything up,” she adds.

Silvija Petković works as Quality Control Director & Laboratory Manager © Euronews

After the distillation, and prior to sending the now clean solvents back to the clients, quality control checks are enforced again.

“This one does not conform because of the precipitation, so this one cannot go to the customer. So, this sample is going to stay here, and we need to do further filtration,” Silvija, explains to our camera while holding one sample. “This one is okay, no precipitation, whatsoever. It can be closed and sealed and put into the truck,”after checking a second, much transparent sample.

The approved recovered solvents are shipped to the clients in special containers. We follow one such delivery with Nikola Gojavić, a driver at the company. “This cargo is unique because it’s in a liquid state and is highly explosive. Great care is required during loading and transport, so specialised drivers are needed—it’s quite a challenging job,” he tells us while driving.

Driver Nikola Gojavić handles and transports hazardous chemicals © Euronews

“The driver must be a specialist because, in the event of an accident or any incident, they must remain composed and be trained to carry out the necessary procedures.”

The cargo we follow brings back recovered solvents to a family business called Rotoplast. Each year, it manufactures approximately 5,000 tonnes of packaging and labelling for the food, energy and pet product industries. Solvents are used here to dissolve inks in the printing processes.

“It is important to us that our products, along with being highly effective from a production point of view, are also environmentally sustainable,” says Production Director Antun Čengić. “In cooperation with Premifab, we collect all our waste in a safe way, we transport it to their location, so that they can process it and return it to us as a new resource. With this, we reduce the costs of production.”

The company was founded in 1975 and currently employs 260 staff. Solvents are among the many recycled products that are reused here, claims the CEO, Blaženko Marić.

Blaženko Marić, Chief Executive Officer at Rotoplast. The company reuses purified solvents © Euronews

“80% of materials, it's possible to use like this. We would like to move to mono materials. For all materials, for all customers. This is the plan for the next few years, to be completely phase out materials which are unrecyclable,” he explains.

Premifab claims to see a significant demand in Europe for this type of recycling services © Euronews

Igor Podravac, its business development director, says their turnover has grown “approximately 20 to 25% per year” since they started operations, in December 2014. The company claims that, compared to primary production, recovered solvents generate up to 10 times less CO2 emissions.

 

AI must serve humans, rather than 'become an instrument of domination and injustice', pope warns

Copyright AP Photo

By Estelle Nilsson-Julien

Published on 25/09/2026 - EURONEWS

Pope Leo XIV, who has made AI a central component of his pontificate, warned against the dangers of the technology at UNESCO.

Pope Leo XIV warned against the dangers of artificial intelligence on Friday, stating that new technologies must "remain at the service of the human person", rather than becoming "yet another instrument of domination and injustice."

Speaking at UNESCO's headquarters in Paris as part of his four-day trip to France, the pontiff declared that AI risks impoverishing human “ideas and relationships” through a “process of dehumanisation", while also criticising the ever-growing emphasis on productivity in modern societies.

Delivering his speech in both French and English, he argued that judging people according to the "criterion of efficiency" risked undermining respect for human dignity, leading "those who are no longer productive" to be rejected and discarded.

Artificial intelligence has emerged as a prominent theme of the Pope's pontificate. In May, he published his first 42,300 word encyclical entitled "Magnifica humanitas", which addressed the risks that unchecked artificial intelligence creates for humans, arguing in favour of further regulatory oversight.

In his speech, the Pope stressed the need to ensure that emerging technologies offer adequate safeguards for children, stating that the "vulnerability" of young people must "never become an opportunity for exploitation."

European policymakers have been grappling with how to protect children from online harms, with measures such as school phone bans already in place, while the European Commission has proposed the Kids Act, which could restrict social media access for children under 13, gaining increasing attention.

'The most terrible of human works is war'

The Pope also addressed war and reference UNESCO's motto, "since wars begin in the minds of women and men, it is in the minds of women and men that the defences of peace must be constructed."

His remarks come as the world grapples with multiple ongoing conflicts, including the Middle East and Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

Against this backdrop, the Pope declared that "humanity has come to realise that scientific progress, when it's severed from wisdom, can turn into a weapon of destruction."

He also reflected on the role of international institutions, saying they are viewed “with mixed feelings": on the one hand acting as bodies which tackle challenges that "no single state can face alone", while also "undergoing a crisis of effectiveness, especially when dialogue is seen as an obstacle to action."

In response, the pontiff called for greater "trust."

"Trust that differences do not necessarily pose a threat. Trust that sincere dialogue can bring about a greater good than what each person could achieve alone," he said.

The comments come as international cooperation faces growing political tensions. In July 2025, the Trump administration announced its decision to withdraw from UNESCO, describing the organisation as "woke", culturally divisive and "out-of-step" with the policies supported by Americans who voted the US President in. The decision is set to take effect in December 2026.

A morning visit to the Elysée

Earlier in the day, French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the Pope to the Elysée Palace, alongside a number of figures including diplomatic authorities, firemen who intervened during the Notre-Dame-de-Paris fire and representatives from various religious authorities.

During his address, the pontiff reaffirmed the importance of the human right to life — a tense sticking point between France's Catholic Church and politicians.

France enshrined the right to abortion to its constitution in 2024 and earlier this year, a controversial law in favour of assisted dying in extreme medical situation was passed, which revived some of these tensions.

The pontiff qualified the right to life as "the indispensable foundation to every other human right."

He also addressed the global situation by reaffirming the Vatican's staunch opposition to nuclear weapons, calling out the "mistaken belief" that nuclear deterrents provide solutions.

After his UNESCO speech, the pontiff whisked away in his popemobile for a parade through Paris, before Vespers at the Notre-Dame-de-Paris cathedral and a major evening prayer vigil with young people at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis.

 

Emmanuel Macron and Pope Leo XIV set out clashing world views at first meeting in France

By Laure Valentin

Published on 25/09/2026 -

Speaking at the Elysée, the pontiff set the tone for his first visit to France; dialogue with the Republic, warnings over AI and a call for peace, while acknowledging ongoing disagreements.

French President Emmanuel Macron's meeting withPope Leo XIV gave the French leader an opportunity to revisit the fundamental principles that shape dialogue between the state and religions, while addressing the upheavals confronting contemporary societies.

In his speech, Macron placed the encounter within the framework of the traditional dialogue between France and the Holy See, while recalling the principles of the Republic.

The French president placed particular emphasis on secularism, presented not as a way of distancing society from religion, but as the framework that guarantees freedom of conscience and enables everyone to express themselves.

The meeting also comes as both interlocutors identify artificial intelligence as one of the major challenges of our time. The Élysée stresses that climate and AI were at the top of the global issues discussed during the pair's talks.

On the international stage, Emmanuel Macron defended an engaged France, standing for "peace, multilateralism and respect for international law."

"Every life is worth the same, and all peoples must be defended," said the French leader, referring to the raging wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, which he believes are central to the concerns of both Paris and the Vatican.

He also affirmed that France stands "on the side of peace, active multilateralism, respect for international law and the United Nations Charter."

Emmanuel Macron delivering a speech at the Élysée, Friday 25 September 2026. AP Photo

'AI, peace and human dignity'

In his address, the pontiff placed human dignity at the heart of his message.

Speaking to the Pontifical Academy of Sciences on Thursday, Leo XIV had already warned of the risks linked to artificial intelligence, pursuing a reflection that has become one of the hallmarks of his pontificate.

He warned in particular against a technology liable to be used "for purposes of surveillance, manipulation and discrimination", while calling for technological progress to remain subject to human responsibility.

"The greater our power to transform the world, the greater must be our ability to discern what truly serves human dignity," he said.

Pope Leo XIV steps off the plane at Orly airport in Paris as he begins a four-day pastoral visit to France, on Friday 25 September 2026. AP Photo

The Pope also assigned France a particular responsibility in a world marked by wars and tensions, especially within Europe.

"Faced with the sound of marching boots and the multifaceted crises shaking our world, France has the vocation to remain a tireless artisan of peace and multilateralism," he said.

He further challenged the idea that nuclear weapons constitute a security guarantee, calling for a break in the arms race and for a deeper emphasis to be placed on dialogue and justice.

On secularism, Leo XIV argued for a concept that he sees as compatible with the presence of religious convictions in the public sphere.

"True secularism does not consist in excluding religion from the public space," said the Head of the Catholic Church, as he addressed bioethical issues on which the Vatican is at odds with developments in France.

He slammed Paris' recently adopted and controversial assisted death bill, and reaffirmed his commitment to protecting every human life. He also opposed surrogacy, in a speech whose guiding thread was the defence of human dignity.

After the meeting at the Élysée, Pope Leo XIV visited the UNESCO headquarters in the French capital, where he will deliver an address on artificial intelligence, youth, peace and interreligious dialogue.

He is then due to celebrate vespers at Notre-Dame cathedral before leading a prayer vigil with young people at the Stade de France.

On Saturday, the Pope will visit the Bakhita House, dedicated to support and social integration, before a Mass at Place de la Concorde ahead of his departure for Lourdes. There, he will celebrate Mass on Sunday and meet bishops, locals and the faithful.

Finally, on Monday Leo XIV will travel to Metz for an interreligious meeting and a session devoted to the "roots of Europe for peace and unity", before a final Mass at Saint-Étienne Cathedral.

 

Europe's top leagues add to pressure on Infantino by calling for FIFA reform

Copyright Copyright 2026 The AP. All rights reserved/Copyright 2026 The AP. All rights reserved

By Gavin Blackburn

Published on 25/09/2026 - EURONEWS

It is the latest rift between football leagues and Infantino, whose biggest projects have been seen as attacks on domestic football and were successfully resisted by a backlash from European officials.

Gianni Infantino came under more pressure on Friday as the Premier League and three other top European leagues called for FIFA governance reform following a failed plan to sell stakes in the World Cup.

A statement co-signed with the top leagues from Spain, Italy and Germany said football had “suffered one of the biggest abuses of power in FIFA’s history.”

It accused FIFA's president of actively promoting “exploitative ideas rather than safeguarding against them.”

The Premier League is football's richest and most popular league. Its collaboration with Europe's other leading leagues adds to the growing pressure on Infantino, who is facing the biggest crisis in his 10 years as FIFA’s chief.

While the leagues did not follow UEFA by specifically calling for Infantino to step down, their statement was highly critical, hitting out at FIFA's “relentless expansionism.”

“Football’s longstanding foundations have, in recent years, been threatened by a fundamental governance problem,” it said. “Now is the moment to decide not only who will lead FIFA, but also how FIFA should be led.”

US President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino applaud as Spain wins the World Cup in East Rutherford, 19 July, 2026 AP Photo

It is the latest rift between football leagues and Infantino, whose biggest projects have been seen as attacks on domestic football and were successfully resisted by a backlash from European officials.

The big four leagues also are members of the European Leagues network, which filed a formal complaint against “abusive” FIFA governance standards in 2023 at the European Commission in Brussels.

Despite the backlash over his controversial plan to sell profits in the World Cup through a commercial subsidiary, and losing the support of many national federations, FIFA says Infantino plans to stand him again in next year’s elections for a final term in office through to 2031.

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The deadline for candidates to enter the next presidential contest is 18 November, exactly four months ahead of the vote in Morocco.

The leagues in England, Spain, Italy and Germany said they wanted presidential candidates to stand on a manifesto of fundamental reform.

“FIFA’s governance problem goes far beyond the role of one individual. The wider question is whether FIFA’s president should simultaneously wield such regulatory, commercial and political power without effective checks and balances," they said.

Infantino's now ditched proposal to create a $20 billion (€17 billion) company called the FIFA Forward Enterprise to run the World Cup with private investors including the Kushner family, caught the football world by surprise when it emerged in July.

The backlash came from both within the sport’s governing body and from other federations, with some declaring they had had lost faith in Infantino as a result.

While he has tried to quell anger, with FIFA apologising for errors and committing to “ensure they do not happen again,” criticism has not gone away.

The group of four leagues provide another critical voice, just days before the influential European Football Clubs group meets in Denmark.

 

The US lays groundwork for possible military action in Cuba, according to 'CBS News'

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By Christina Thykjaer & Euronews en español

Published on 25/09/2026 - 

The US Army is considering deploying medical, logistics and military police units, as the Pentagon keeps plans ready for possible action in Cuba, the US broadcast network CBS is reporting exclusively.

The United States Army is reportedly taking preparatory steps for a possible operation involving Cuba, according to an exclusive published on Friday by CBS News, which obtained an internal Army message and spoke with several US officials familiar with the plans.

The US Army Reserve is examining whether it can provide US Southern Command with Military Police forces, medical staff and other support units within a period of 90 to 120 days, according to the document reviewed by CBS News.

The internal message does not explicitly mention Cuba. However, several US officials told the outlet, on condition of anonymity, that the request forms part of the military planning the United States is carrying out in relation to the island.

For the moment, there is no indication that any unit has been ordered to deploy, and the document does not specify where the forces would be sent or what kind of operation they would take part in.

Medical, logistics and military police units

According to the US network, the document requests information on the availability of six types of units that could be placed under the authority of US Southern Command, which is responsible for US military operations in Central America, South America and the Caribbean.

These include units specialising in logistics, transport, maintenance, fuel and supplies, as well as an engineer battalion.

The request also covers a medical brigade, teams capable of providing emergency surgery and treatment for wounded troops close to deployed forces, and a Military Police brigade, typically used for security, detention and other policing tasks.

A Southern Command spokesman contacted by CBS News declined to give details of possible movements or deployment timelines for operational security reasons, and said the command continually assesses military needs within its area of responsibility.

'A small neighbouring country' posing no threat

The report comes after months of rising tensions and threats from US President Donald Trump, who this week told the UN General Assembly that Cuba "is a failed state" and that it "will fall".

Meanwhile, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez stated in an interview with NBC News on Friday that the United States "will never be able to find justification" for launching a military attack against Cuba, and he dismissed the idea that the island would suffer the same fate as Venezuela:

"The U.S. government will never be able to find justification or any reason whatsoever to launch a military attack against a small neighbouring country that in no way poses a threat to its national security," he asserted.