Author: staff

Published on 16/02/2026 – 11:54 GMT+1 YouTube content creator and WWE wrestler Logan Paul has entered the history books by selling an extremely rare Pikachu Illustrator card for a world record $16.5 million at auction. Widely known as the ‘King of Collectables’, the Pikachu Illustrator Pokemon card is regarded by some as the holy grail because it’s the single most expensive card of its kind and only about 40 copies are believed to exist. Paul bought it back in 2021 at a private sale for $5.2 million, setting another world record at the time as the most expensive Pokémon card…

“To conceal his involvement, two companies were created in the Marshall Islands, integrated into the structure of a trust registered in Saint Kitts and Nevis. The high-ranking official’s ex-wife and four children were registered as beneficiaries of the companies,” NABU said in a statement Monday. NABU did not name Galushchenko directly, but described him as Ukraine’s energy minister in 2021-2025 in its official communication about the case. Galushchenko was the only energy minister serving from 2021 until July 2025. Detectives, with the help of anti-corruption authorities from 13 countries, established that money was transferred out of the fund to accounts…

French government officials have blamed the “ultra-left” for the death of a far-right activist in Lyon, after he was attacked on the sidelines of a conference by hard left France Unbowed (LFI) MEP Rima Hassan. Quentin D, 23, died in hospital from a traumatic brain injury on Saturday evening. Supporters said he was providing security at a protest against Hassan’s appearance at the Science Po university when he was assaulted by rival activists. “It was clearly the ultra-left that killed him,” said Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin, accusing hard-left politicians — including those from LFI, the largest left-wing faction in the…

“It says, basically, if you want to pollute, you pay. If you don’t want to pay, innovate. And this is what happened,” Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in response to the ETS criticism after Thursday’s summit in Alden-Biesen.  The ETS requires companies to hold a permit for each ton of CO2 they emit. They can buy and trade them on the market, while the number of permits gradually falls over time, slashing total possible emissions. This mechanism, besides shifting the costs of dealing with climate damage from society to those who cause it, encourages investments in clean manufacturing. …

Published on 12/02/2026 – 11:27 GMT+1 Level 1. During the 2012 financial crisis, Mario Draghi famously promised to do “whatever it takes” to save the euro. And he saved the currency you now use every day. But the price was high. Draghi was the face of austerity. And if you are from southern Europe, you know exactly the meaning behind cuts, unemployment, and a legendary battle with his nemesis, Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis. Varoufakis wanted to end the belt-tightening, but Draghi pulled the plug on Greek banks to force a deal. Level 2. Fast forward to 2026. The EU…

Published on 16/02/2026 – 10:22 GMT+1•Updated 10:22 Ukraine’s former energy minister Herman Halushchenko was charged with money laundering and involvement in a criminal group as part of the country’s corruption investigation around the state nuclear power company Energoatom, authorities announced on Monday. In a statement by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO), it was confirmed that two anti-graft watchdogs have “expanded the circle of suspects in the Midas case”. “The former minister of energy (2021–2025) has been exposed for money laundering and participation in a criminal organisation,” the statement said. According to the investigation, which…

Published on 16/02/2026 – 9:17 GMT+1•Updated 10:03 The backlash to Bad Bunny’s historic Super Bowl performance can’t seem to die down, as certain political circles in the US apparently unable to get over how a halftime show could be sung exclusively in Spanish. Or how awful the MAGA alternative show was. Following Donald Trump’s bellyaching on the matter, a number of Republican congressmen called for a probe accusing the Puerto Rican superstar of potentially violating broadcast decency standards – despite the fact he censored or omitted his most explicit lyrics from the show. Conservative lawmaker Andy Ogles called for a…

Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music Sky News In a special recess week edition of Politics at Sam and Anne, the pair look at who could replace Keir Starmer as prime minister. Anne – who’s in Munich – tells Sam how the Europeans view the Starmer government and if his vision of closer ties with Europe aligns with his EU counterparts. Back home, is the Peter Mandelson affair ramping up with a possible police interview under caution within the next 14 days? Plus, Nigel Farage will announce part of Reform UK’s shadow cabinet next week, but who will make…

There were so many potential Democratic presidential hopefuls here that it could have been the Sheraton Nashua rather than an elegant Bavarian lodge. In their public comments and private conversations, some of which were de facto bilateral meetings, Democrats ranging from California Gov. Gavin Newsom to New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez assured their European counterparts that Trump is temporary and the transatlantic relationship isn’t. “It is very important that we have this much Democratic representation this year and to show that we as a party are committed to a different path,” Ocasio-Cortez told me. “Regardless of any political speculation, it is important…

Published on 16/02/2026 – 7:30 GMT+1 The last time the EU held its general entry-level AD5 competition, as opposed to specialist ones, was in 2019. EPSO explained the repeated delays as part of the Commission’s work to update old IT systems and fix problems with the testing platform. With open eligibility and a monthly salary of nearly €6,000, about 50,000 people are expected to apply before the 10 March deadline for these entry-level civil service jobs. Candidates will take a four-part online test to determine if they are ready to become permanent EU officials and help with policy work. There…