Author: staff

Published on 08/04/2026 – 17:00 GMT+2 A video has gained significant traction online, purportedly showing the streets of Paris in turmoil following a recent riot. Posts on X say that the clip shows scenes from the French capital in recent days, and question why there appears to be no reporting on it in the media. Another post, meanwhile, compares the scenes to missile strikes in the Middle East, as the Iran war continues, before pushing the blame onto French President Emmanuel Macron. These posts have been seen hundreds of thousands of times — some with even more than one million…

Russian military hackers stole sensitive information from governments, militaries and critical infrastructure, “exploiting vulnerable routers worldwide,” the FBI revealed on Wednesday following a major international investigation. The US Department of Justice, together with international partners, exposed the large-scale operation, with the Russian hacking group Fancy Bear identified as the culprit. The hackers, part of Russia’s GRU military intelligence agency and known as GRU Unit 26165, redirected internet traffic through ill-protected routers to steal passwords and encrypted data, according to a joint statement. Ukraine’s security service SBU, which also participated in the investigation, explained that after “compromising” vulnerable internet devices, the…

DiscoverEU, an initiative of the Erasmus+ programme, is back for 2026, offering more than 40,000 free travel passes for young Europeans keen to explore the continent’s diversity. The programme kick-starts the summer for people born between 1 July 2007 and 30 June 2008, offering the opportunity to learn about European cultural heritage and history, while connecting with like-minded travellers from across the continent. Successful applicants will discover Europe via the most environmentally friendly means of transport, such as by train, for up to seven days in a period of maximum one month between 1 July 2026 and 30 September 2027.…

The French daily Le Parisien reported — as Hassan was questioned by police — that “a few grams of synthetic drugs” had been found in her handbag. On Wednesday, French outlet Le Canard Enchaîné reported that a justice ministry spokesperson, Sacha Straub-Kahn, had been in contact with members of the press during Hassan’s questioning, “discussing with them the details of her detention.” Straub-Kahn and his office did not immediately respond to POLITICO’s request for comment about the allegations contained in the report. He told Le Canard Enchaîné that he had only discussed journalists’ questions about Hassan’s parliamentary immunity. During questions…

Have you ever been mid-flight and wished you could make a quick call – just to check in or share a quick update with someone? Or, does the thought of in-flight phone calls make you recoil? Well, with British Airways (BA), this might soon be a new reality. In March, BA’s Houston-bound 787-8 aircraft took to the skies, equipped with Starlink wifi – the first such occurrence for a British carrier. The service includes download speeds of up to 500+ Mbps and supports streaming, scrolling (doom, or otherwise), gaming and video calls. BA described the moment as a “milestone in…

ATHENS — The Greek government is set to ban children under the age of 15 from using social media platforms. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced the draft law by addressing young people directly in a TikTok video, where he accused “the addictive design of some apps” and their “profit model that’s based on your attention” of taking away “some of your innocence and freedom.” “I am certain that many of you … will be angry with me,” he added. Under the proposed legislation, anyone under the age of 15 would be barred from using social media, with parents or guardians…

European leaders have hailed the initial ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran, though key issues affecting their own interests — such as access through the strategically crucial Strait of Hormuz— remain vague and uncertain. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the deal brokered by Pakistan would bring “much-needed de-escalation” to the Middle East, while German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called for a solution leading to a “lasting end to the war”. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who has emerged as one of Europe’s staunchest critics of the US-Israeli strikes, said the ceasefire was “good news” but cautioned…

Published on 08/04/2026 – 14:50 GMT+2 A Syrian man accused of torturing dozens of people during his country’s civil war denied all charges at the opening of his trial in the Netherlands on Wednesday, claiming he was the victim of a conspiracy. Rafiq al Q, 58, told judges at the District Court of The Hague that the nine victims in the case, the witnesses and Dutch police were all lying about his role as a lead interrogator for the pro-government National Defence Force. “All of them are conspiring against me,” he said, speaking through an interpreter. Prosecutors said the defendant…

The first earnings season of 2026 carries unusual weight. European companies will report their quarterly results this month against a backdrop that has shifted dramatically since their last guidance: a conflict in the Middle East that erupted in late February, a surge in energy prices that pushed eurozone inflation to 2.5% in March and an ECB now expected to raise interest rates for the first time in years. The numbers landing from mid-April will do more than tell investors how the first quarter went. They will set the tone for how European executives are pricing the crisis — and how…

With overtourism on the rise in several European countries like Greece, Spain, Italy and France, travellers are now looking for destinations where they can avoid the crowds while still having a memorable holiday. This trend is mainly driven by Gen Zers and millennials, who want more hidden gems and authentic experiences on their travels. This can be anything from finding destination dupes for more popular holiday spots, or off-the-grid places that focus on local communities and conservation. Finding more affordable spots is another factor supporting this shift, too. So, which under-visited European countries should you pick for your next getaway?…