English

Gavin Blackburn

United Kingdom

MI6 chief says UK faces threat from Russia's desire to export chaos

The speech is the latest in a series of warnings by Western defence and security authorities about the growing hybrid threat from states such as Russia, Iran and China.

Culture news

Louvre shuttered as staff go on strike over working conditions

Labour leaders said the strike vote was unanimous and it was not immediately clear whether the work stoppage will last longer than one day.

Netherlands

Utrecht lifts forest warning after DNA confirms wolf shot was 'Bram'

According to the European Commission, there are around 23,000 wild wolves in Europe and the population increased by 35% between 2016 and 2023.

Germany

Germany summons Russian ambassador over alleged election interference

The foreign ministry said that Germany "would take a series of countermeasures to make Russia pay a price for its hybrid actions in close coordination with our European partners."

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Sport

FIFA accused of 'monumental betrayal' over World Cup ticket prices

FIFA said in September that tickets released through its website would initially range from €51 for group-stage matches to €5,727 for the final, but those prices are subject to change as it adopts dynamic pricing.

Culture news

Eurovision champion Nemo returns trophy to protest Israel's inclusion

The contest, which turns 70 in 2026, strives to put pop before politics, but has repeatedly been embroiled in world events.

United Kingdom

More than 600 items stolen from UK museum in 'high value' raid

The Bristol robbery came just three weeks before a daring daylight heist at the Louvre Museum in Paris which saw a gang make off with crown jewels worth an estimated €88 million.

Bulgaria

Bulgaria rejects extradition of Russian linked to Beirut port blast

The supervising prosecutor, Angel Kanev, said that the key issue is whether sufficient guarantees have been provided that a death sentence will not be imposed.

Economy

US Federal Reserve cuts interest rate for third time in a row

Lower rates from the Fed can bring down borrowing costs for mortgages, auto loans, and credit cards over time, though market forces can also affect those rates.

Switzerland

UN human rights office in 'survival mode' with €77m budget shortfall

Many UN organisations, including the World Health Organisation and the International Organisation for Migration, have slashed spending this year because some donors have cut back foreign aid.

Culture news

Iceland to boycott 2026 Eurovision over Israel's participation

The announcement from RÚV comes a week after four other countries announced they were pulling out of next year's Eurovision in protest against Israel’s participation.

France

Louvre thieves escaped with 30 seconds to spare, Senate inquiry finds

All four suspected members of the motorbike-mounted crew have been arrested, but the missing jewels, valued at around €88 million, have not yet been recovered.

Ukraine

Ukraine to give revised peace plans to US officials, Zelenskyy says

Zelenskyy is walking a tightrope between defending Ukrainian interests and showing Trump he is willing to make some compromises.

United Kingdom

Peace prize for Trump triggers complaint to FIFA ethics investigators

FIFA's ethics code calls for a ban from football of up to two years for violating the duty of neutrality, though it is unclear if the case will be taken up.

United Kingdom

UK sanctions Russian entities suspected of spreading disinformation

Officials pointed to fake websites and political ads during Moldova's recent election and fake news sites carrying videos with false claims about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy designed to undermine support.

Netherlands

ICC gives Sudanese militia leader 20 years jail for Darfur war crimes

Abd-Al-Rahman's crimes were committed more than two decades ago, but violence continues to plague Darfur as Sudan is torn apart by civil war.

USA

UN reports rise in violence against women journalists and activists

The study by UN Women follows a similar report by the UN cultural and educational agency UNESCO in 2021 that highlighted the same issue.

Czech Republic

Right-wing billionaire Babiš sworn in as Czech prime minister

The new coalition is set to follow Hungary and Slovakia and shift the Czech Republic away from supporting Ukraine in Russia's nearly four-year war.

USA

UN aid agency cuts appeal for 2026 to €28bn after support drops

This year, the UN system slashed thousands of jobs, notably at its migration and refugee agencies, and Secretary General António Guterres' office has launched a review of UN operations.

Turkey

Turkish police officer dies after being shot during drugs raid

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said in a social media post on Monday that 970 suspects had been detained in nationwide counter-narcotics operations over the previous week.

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