Author: staff
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that the PoW exchange, the first in five months, happened on Thursday. “We are bringing our people home — 157 Ukrainians. Warriors from the Armed Forces, National Guard, and the State Border Guard Service. Soldiers, sergeants, and officers. Along with our defenders, civilians are also returning. Most of them had been in captivity since 2022,” Zelenskyy said in a post on X. Russia also received the return of 157 of its PoWs. The last prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine was in October, when the sides swapped 185 soldiers and 20 civilians. Zelenskyy explained that…
By Jakub Janas & Jorge Liboreiro Published on 05/02/2026 – 15:30 GMT+1 By April, Ukraine’s budget will be empty. And, unable to tap into Russia’s frozen assets last December, Brussels triggered Plan B: a massive €90 billion loan raised through joint debt. But not everyone will participate: Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic secured total opt-out. So, €30 billion will keep the state running and pay doctors, teachers and pensioners. The lion’s share — €60 billion — is for defence. And since yesterday, that deal is finally locked in. But Europeans were split. France was leading the “Buy European” team. They insisted EU…
By Euronews Published on 05/02/2026 – 13:50 GMT+1•Updated 13:52 UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer apologised Thursday to victims of Jeffrey Epstein for appointing Peter Mandelson as Britain’s ambassador to Washington despite his connections to the disgraced financier. In a speech Thursday, Starmer said Mandelson had “portrayed Epstein as someone he barely knew.” “I am sorry … for having believed Mandelson’s lies and appointed him,” the UK premier stated. Starmer dismissed Mandelson in September after emails were published showing he maintained a friendship with Epstein following the late financier’s 2008 conviction for sex offences involving a minor. Epstein died by suicide in…
A US federal agency for protecting workers’ civil rights revealed Wednesday that it is investigating sportswear giant Nike for allegedly discriminating against white employees through its diversity policies. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission disclosed the investigation in a motion filed in a Missouri federal court demanding that Nike fully comply — effectively compelling them to cooperate — with a subpoena for information. Trump’s war on DEI The EEOC’s allegations are the latest example of the White House’s using the civil rights agency to target corporate diversity initiatives, as the Trump administration and Lucas have made scrutiny of DEI-related discrimination a…
“I am sorry,” Starmer said. “Sorry for what was done to you, sorry that so many people with power failed you, sorry for having believed Mandelson’s lies and appointed him and sorry that even now you’re forced to watch this story unfold in public once again.” The PM said his government will “not allow the powerful to treat justice as optional,” and will do everything in its power to “ensure accountability is delivered.” He spoke against a backdrop of anger from some Labour MPs who are infuriated the PM appointed Mandelson and want Starmer’s chief of staff Morgan McSweeney, who…
Published on 05/02/2026 – 14:43 GMT+1•Updated 14:58 German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said fears of a wider regional escalation linked to Iran have shaped his talks during a Gulf tour, as he visited Qatar on Thursday. Speaking in Doha, Merz said concerns over Iran had featured prominently in discussions with Gulf leaders. He called on Tehran to halt what he described as aggressive behaviour and to enter talks aimed at easing tensions. The German leader is touring Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates as Berlin looks to strengthen cooperation in energy, defence and trade, while also addressing regional security…
For many, winter sports are great fun — but they’re also a luxury. Not just for amateurs, but sometimes for elite athletes too. At least 19 of them have had to turn to crowdfunding just to get to the starting line of the event kicking off this week in Italy. They need help with basics like equipment, travel and even tickets to the competitions themselves. Cormac Comerford, the first Irish male athlete to compete in all four Alpine disciplines, has raised more than €3,000 on GoFundMe for mandatory safety gear after the introduction of stricter safety rules. The equipment, among…
Updated: 05/02/2026 – 13:55 GMT+1 The restored face of an angel on a Roman church fresco with a resemblance to Italian Premier Meloni has been erased after its renovation blew up in local media. The face has been replaced by a rough patch of paint — after church authorities reportedly asked restorer Bruno Valentinet to cover it up. … More
Published on 05/02/2026 – 13:01 GMT+1 “Humanoid robots designed for different tasks can now share a single artificial intelligence ‘brain’ that coordinates their actions across multiple locations simultaneously.” A UK-based company has unveiled an AI system that can virtually work as a “shared brain” for fleets of robots built for different purposes across factories, services, and homes simultaneously. Companies like Tesla, Boston Dynamics and XPeng have showcased humanoid robot prototypes in recent years, but these demonstrations typically feature robots operating on their own. The UK firm’s approach is designed to manage multiple humanoid robots together under a single AI. Shared…
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