Author: staff
Russia was expelled from the Council of Europe, the continent’s top human rights body, a month after its all-out aggression against Ukraine began over three years ago. In many cases the Kremlin has aimed torture at political prisoners, including opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who died in 2024 in a penal colony inside the Arctic Circle. Ukrainian prisoners held in captivity have also been victimized. The European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, adopted in 1987, is one of the Council of Europe’s cornerstone treaties. It allows anti-torture committee members to inspect detention facilities…
The European Commission is “establishing the facts” and talking to all sides about an alleged shooting by the Libyan coast guard at crew and survivors of the humanitarian NGO boat Ocean Viking, which occurred on Sunday in international waters. “We have seen the press reports, we have reached out to the relevant Libyan authorities regarding this reported incident to clarify the facts. It is for the relevant Libyan authorities to now urgently shed light on what happened,” European Commission spokesperson Markus Lammert told journalists on Tuesday. “It is obviously a worrying development that does not leave us indifferent. We are…
The blaze, which began on Monday in Veddel, injured six people, including three firefighters and a motorist hit by debris on the A1 motorway. One victim remains in critical condition. Authorities said the fire started when a car ignited inside a warehouse storing hundreds of nitrous oxide cylinders, which then exploded, sending gas containers flying hundreds of metres. Twenty-five people were rescued from the danger zone, some by boat, while thick black smoke rose across the city. The area remains sealed off.
The problem, however, is dissolving parliament is exactly how French politics ended up in this mess in the first place. The political landscape hasn’t much changed since last summer, so elections could very well just deliver another hung parliament. Before Monday, Macron looked unlikely to send voters back to the polls. He has repeatedly, including as recently as last week, reiterated his wish for Bayrou to remain in office and for political leaders to work together. However, the chorus of critics calling for Macron to dissolve parliament is growing louder. Many think they can win, and it’s not inconceivable that…
POLITICO has reached out to Kick for comment. The platform responded to the death of Raphaël Graven, known by his streaming alias Jean Pormanove, on Wednesday by sending its “sincere condolences” to his family and committing to “cooperate fully with the authorities” in a post on X. France’s digital ministry, French digital regulator Arcom and Kick have all been the subject of intense scrutiny since Graven died during a 12-day-long livestream. Though exactly what killed the 46-year-old remains under investigation, Graven was repeatedly belittled and subjected to physical abuse throughout the marathon livestream and in other videos posted to Kick in…
The fragile alliance between the European Union and the United States took a new turn for the worse after Donald Trump unexpectedly threatened to impose “substantial additional tariffs” on countries that implement legislation targeting American tech companies, “unless these discriminatory actions are removed”. Trump did not specify the level of the potential tariffs. “American Technology Companies are neither the ‘piggy bank’ nor the ‘doormat’ of the World any longer. Show respect to America and our amazing Tech Companies or consider the consequences!” Trump said on Monday in a social media message. The European Commission, which appeared caught off guard by…
Published on 26/08/2025 – 14:26 GMT+2 •Updated 14:34 Protesters in Israel torched tyres and blocked highways on Tuesday as they demanded the government reach a ceasefire that would free the hostages still being held in Gaza, as Israeli leaders press ahead with plans for an offensive which they argue is needed to crush Hamas. “Go back to the negotiation table. There’s a good deal on the table. It’s something we can work with,” said Ruby Chen, the father of 21-year-old Itay Chen, a dual Israeli-US citizen whose body Hamas still holds in the Strip. “We could get a deal done to…
Villa Vie Residences, a global residential cruise line, is hoping to attract retired travellers with its permanent residence-at-sea initiative. Aboard the MV Odyssey, which has been sailing since October 2024, passengers can travel around the world, visiting 425 ports and 147 countries in three-and-a-half years. This includes more than 100 tropical islands, with extended 2-3 day port stays, offering a chance for deeper cultural immersion. Travellers can rent, own or lease a cabin for life with the Endless Horizons scheme, which lets them access home amenities and comforts while sailing. The cruise line has just launched its Golden Passport programme,…
The Lithuanian opposition has been critical about Ruginienė’s ability to lead. “It is impossible not to notice the candidate’s striking lack of political experience,” leader of the Homeland Union–Lithuanian Christian Democrats, Laurynas Kasčiūnas, said ahead of the vote. Ruginienė told lawmakers: “My biggest dream is that at the end of my term, I can once again stand before you and say that together we were able to accomplish very, very important work.” She stands with Ukraine and has condemned Russia’s aggression in the past, though was questioned over visits to Russia after its annexation of Crimea. Ruginienė said she has…
“As the President of the United States, I will stand up to Countries that attack our incredible American Tech Companies, ” Trump said. “America, and American Technology Companies, are neither the ‘piggy bank’ nor the ‘doormat’ of the World any longer. Show respect to America and our amazing Tech Companies or, consider the consequences!” he railed. The Trump administration and some of its tech allies have repeatedly attacked the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), its flagship social media platform regulation, accusing the bloc of censorship and claiming the law would impose costs on U.S. companies. The DSA regulates major online…