– In Medemblik, North Holland, a 51-year-old man died when fireworks exploded in his face on New Year’s Eve. There was a trauma helicopter on the spot, but when the emergency services arrived, the victim was already dead from his injuries. In Rotterdam, a boy lost his hand in an accident with fireworks.

In a related incident, a Dutch animal police reported that a cat died in Amersfoort, Holland when a fireworks exploded in his buttocks.

– The French Constitutional Court gave the green light for the controversial “millionaire tax” increase to 75 percent. President François Hollande got himself thus the rage of executives and football on the neck, threatening to strike. Ultimately, the Court drew a line through the bill, because 66 percent tax is the statutory maximum for individuals.

– From Austria: The traditional New Year’s Concert of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra will focus this year on the anniversary of the First World War.