Author: staff
Lecornu and his government entered the new year with mostly risky options to finalize France’s fiscal plans after lawmakers in the country’s hung parliament failed to pass a proper budget before the end of 2025. Lecornu had, early in his tenure, ruled out using Article 49.3 to pass a budget, betting the concession would help ensure the survival of his minority government. But on Monday he acknowledged that despite personal “regret” and “bitterness,” he would need to go back on his word, saying that while the government wanted the parliamentary procedure to continue “until the end,” the legislature’s fractured nature…
A clip shared on X and Instagram shows Polish President Karol Nawrocki promoting an investment platform called Bitcoin Trader AI. In the clip, the president allegedly says: “Exactly after midnight today is the last chance to become part of the government’s Bitcoin Trader AI programme.” However, this clip has been taken out of context and was likely altered using AI. A reverse image search shows that the original video was posted by Karol Nawrocki in November 2025, during which he justified using his veto power and asked the government to consult him on early-stage draft bills. Nawrocki, a member of…
Published on 19/01/2026 – 11:55 GMT+1 •Updated 13:05 One person has been killed and at least six others wounded in a shooting at a town hall in northern Czech Republic, police said in a statement on Monday. The shooting took place at the town hall in Chřibská, 110 kilometres north of Prague, police said. Police said the suspect was fatally shot and there was no further danger to the public. A police officer was among the wounded. A motive for the shooting wasn’t immediately clear but police said psychologists have been sent to the town to help those affected. Our…
Published on 19/01/2026 – 17:36 GMT+1 Qatar has announced it will host a major international football showcase this March, unveiling the Qatar Football Festival 2026, a six-match event featuring the men’s Finalissima between Argentina and Spain. The festival will take place from 26-31 March, during an official FIFA international window, ensuring the participation of full national teams and first-team players. The headline fixture will see European champions Spain face South American champions Argentina at Lusail Stadium on 27 March, marking one of the most high-profile international matches scheduled ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026. Alongside the Finalissima, the festival…
BRUSSELS — The European Commission is exploring a ban on artificial intelligence-powered apps that undress people online in the wake of abusive content generated through X’s Grok. European Parliament lawmakers last week launched a call — first reported by POLITICO — to ban apps and tools that allow users to generate fake intimate images of individuals without consent under the bloc’s flagship AI law. The EU’s executive is “looking into the matter,” European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier told POLITICO. It follows a proliferation of sexualized deepfake images created by the Grok bot and hosted on Elon Musk’s social network X.…
Key transport projects intended to increase connectivity of people and goods across the European Union by 2030 are well behind schedule despite the €15.3 billion invested from EU funds since 2020, the latest report from the European Court of Auditors (ECA) published on Monday reveals. The bloc’s legislation designed to improve transport networks, the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), was adopted in 2013, but suffered major setbacks first from the COVID pandemic and then Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which led to a massive surge in energy and construction prices. The EU auditors write that the eight megaprojects previously assessed in…
Updated: 19/01/2026 – 12:00 GMT+1 Catch up with the most important stories from around Europe and beyond this January 19th, 2026 – latest news, breaking news, World, Business, Entertainment, Politics, Culture, Travel. … More
Tehran has faced international condemnation in recent weeks after anti-government protests sparked a violent crackdown by authorities that killed more than 3,900 people, according to the AP news agency based on reports by activists. Araghchi has denounced the protestors’ actions as “ violent riots.” Hours before the Swiss forum’s announcement, U.S. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham slammed organizers for having invited Tehran’s top diplomat. “I am sure an invite to the Iranian Foreign Minister to attend the World Economic Forum in Davos will be a morale booster to the protestors who are dying in the streets to attain the liberties and freedoms Europe…
Over the past decade, with the rapid rise of digital technologies and their integration into everyday life, online spaces and digital tools have offered opportunities for connection and information. However, technology-facilitated violence against women and girls has also grown significantly. More than 90% of deepfake videos online are pornographic in nature, with women almost exclusively the target, according to a 2023 Security Hero report. Across Europe, cyberstalking, surveillance, and the use of spyware were the most common forms of cyberviolence reported by women and girls, according to the latest Women Against Violence Europe (WAVE) report. WAVE is a network of…
Spaniards held a minute of silence in tribute of the victims of a deadly train derailment. Lawmakers also paused outside the Congress of Deputies in Madrid, while Real Madrid players observed a moment of reflection during training, showing nationwide solidarity. At least 39 people were killed and more than 120 injured in the crash, the deadliest rail accident in Spain in over ten years. The incident occurred on Sunday evening when an Iryo train travelling from Malaga to Madrid derailed near Adamuz. It crossed onto the opposite track and collided with an oncoming train, which also left the rails. Emergency…