Author: staff
Train travel across Europe is set to get a major boost in 2026. A survey of 11,000 people commissioned by rail manufacturer Hitachi Rail found that one-third of respondents expect to travel more by train in the next 12 months. Over the next five years, that increases to 40 per cent across countries and 49 per cent across cities. Train-loving travellers will be pleased to hear, then, that there are five new routes in the pipeline scheduled to begin running next year. From a revived Paris–Berlin sleeper to a brand-new Prague–Copenhagen daytime service, here are five new train routes confirmed…
Next, Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed that the U.S. and Russia would negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine — without Ukraine’s or Europe’s involvement. And then came Vice President JD Vance’s speech at the Munich Security Conference, where he said that the biggest threat to Europe wasn’t Russia or China but “the threat from within, the retreat of Europe from some of its most fundamental values.” Finally, at the end of the month, Trump and Vance confronted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office, on live television. “You don’t have the cards,” Trump exclaimed, berating…
For years, satellite infrastructure was treated by policymakers as a technical utility rather than a strategic asset. That changed in 2022, when a cyberattack on the Viasat satellite network coincided with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Satellites have since become popular targets for interference, espionage and disruption. The European Commission in June warned that space was becoming “more contested,” flagging increasing cyberattacks and attempts at electronic interference targeting satellites and ground stations. Germany and the United Kingdom warned earlier this year of the growing threat posed by Russian and Chinese space satellites, which are regularly spotted spying on their satellites. EU…
By Euronews Published on 30/12/2025 – 6:21 GMT+1 US President Donald Trump said Monday the US struck a shore facility where boats allegedly used for drug smuggling “load up,” but provided limited details about the operation. Trump appeared to confirm the strike during what seemed an impromptu radio interview on Friday. When reporters asked him Monday about “an explosion in Venezuela,” he said the US targeted a facility where drug-trafficking boats operate. “There was a major explosion in the dock area where they load the boats up with drugs,” Trump said while meeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Florida. “They…
Wer regiert die Welt – und was treibt sie an? In unserem regelmäßigen Machthaber-Spezial geht es um die mächtigsten und umstrittensten Politikerinnen und Politiker unserer Zeit. Wir zeigen, wie sie denken, entscheiden – und was das für uns bedeutet. Eine Politikerin oder Politiker, ein Blick hinter die Kulissen der Macht. Das Berlin Playbook als Podcast gibt es jeden Morgen ab 5 Uhr. Gordon Repinski und das POLITICO-Team liefern Politik zum Hören – kompakt, international, hintergründig. Für alle Hauptstadt-Profis: Der Berlin Playbook-Newsletter bietet jeden Morgen die wichtigsten Themen und Einordnungen. Jetzt kostenlos abonnieren. Mehr von Host und POLITICO Executive Editor Gordon…
25. One in, one out: Britain and France struck a treaty for small boat crossings — until one returned migrant recrossed the English Channel to Blighty. 26. Zacktavist: A new generation of Greens got behind “eco-populist” leader Zack Polanksi — and could treat themselves to a mug with his face on for £7 a pop. 27. Yantar: Russia made its meddling against Britain known by deploying a spy ship into territorial waters … although it failed to remain incognito. 28. Two up, two down: Chancellor Rachel Reeves mooted increasing income tax by 2p and cutting national insurance by…
US President Donald Trump said on Monday that Hamas will have “very short period” of time to fully disarm, warning that if they didn’t “there’ll be hell to pay.” Trump was speaking at a press conference in Florida after talks with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “If they don’t disarm – as they agreed to do, they agreed to it – then there’ll be hell to pay for them,” Trump said. “And we don’t want that. But they have to disarm within a fairly short period of time.” Ahead of the talks with Netanyahu, the sixth time this year the…
Peruvian shamans gathered on San Cristóbal hill in Lima in the final days of 2025 to conduct their annual ritual and share predictions for the year ahead. During the ceremony, spiritual leaders said international conflicts, including the war between Ukraine and Russia, were likely to continue into 2026. Some shamans also predicted political change in Venezuela, expressing hopes that President Nicolás Maduro would step down next year. The ritual included traditional music, dances and offerings using flowers, coca leaves and incense, intended to encourage peace and better decision-making by world leaders. Shamans also warned of possible natural disasters, such as…
The deal is the third in a sequence linked to the HOMAR-K program. The first contract, signed in November 2022, covered the supply of 218 Korean K239 Chunmoo launcher modules, along with their integration onto the Polish-made Jelcz truck chassis. The pact also included logistics and training packages, a stock of missiles (including larger 607-mm tactical weapons with a range of 290 km) and technical support. The second contract, signed in April 2024, provided for 72 additional launcher modules, logistics and training, integration work, more missiles and further technical support. Poland has earmarked 4.8 percent of its GDP for defense…
Cecilia Giménez Zueco, the amateur artist who went viral with her well-intentioned by ultimately ill-fated restoration of a fresco of Jesus Christ in rural Spain, has died. She was 94. In 2012, Giménez Zueco, a resident of the town of Borja, in Zaragoza, triggered a wave of criticism when her unfortunate attempt to revive the 1930 original Ecce Homo resulted in widespread ridicule. The fresco was a typical example of a devotional art piece, characteristic of small local Spanish churches in the early 20th century. It was painted in a naive or folk art style, which added to its charm.…