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Spain Moves to Shift Criminal Investigations from Judges to Prosecutors in Major Legal Overhaul

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Spain’s cabinet on Tuesday approved a landmark bill that would transfer the responsibility for criminal investigations from court magistrates to public prosecutors, marking the most significant reform to the country’s justice system since 1882. Justice Minister Félix Bolaños said the move aims to modernize Spain’s outdated legal framework and align it with other European democracies, ensuring that “judges are there to judge and execute judgements, while investigations are carried out by the Public Prosecutor’s Office.”

Under the proposed law, judges would still oversee prosecutors to safeguard fundamental rights and procedural fairness, with the power to confirm or revoke prosecutorial decisions. The draft bill also limits the influence of “private prosecutions” by removing the ability of political parties and trade unions to initiate criminal cases, allowing only organizations with a legitimate link to the matter to do so independently.

The reform faces a tough path in Spain’s fragmented parliament, where the minority leftist government has struggled to pass major legislation. Opposition parties, including the far-right Vox and the conservative People’s Party, have criticized the proposal, warning it could weaken judicial independence. Madrid’s regional leader Isabel Díaz Ayuso called the move a step toward “popular justice — the most unjust of all.”

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Norway Confirms Russia’s Nuclear-Powered Missile Test from Arctic Site

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Norway’s military intelligence agency has confirmed that Russia conducted a test launch of its nuclear-powered long-range cruise missile, Burevestnik, from the Arctic archipelago of Novaya Zemlya last week. The weapon, known by its NATO designation SSC-X-9 Skyfall, is touted by Moscow as capable of evading any existing defense systems.

Russia had announced on Sunday that the 9M730 Burevestnik, also called the “Storm Petrel,” was successfully tested, but did not disclose the location of the launch. The confirmation from Norway marks the first independent verification of where the test occurred, shedding light on a development that has raised security concerns among NATO members.

Vice Admiral Nils Andreas Stensoenes, head of Norway’s Intelligence Service, said in an emailed statement to Reuters that his agency had verified the launch site at Novaya Zemlya. The Arctic region has long been used by Russia for weapons testing, underscoring its growing military focus in the polar areas amid heightened geopolitical tensions.

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Czech President Taps Andrej Babis to Lead Talks on Forming New Government

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Czech President Petr Pavel on Monday tasked Andrej Babis, leader of the populist ANO party, with leading negotiations to form a new government, marking a key step toward the billionaire former prime minister’s possible return to power. The move follows the October 3–4 parliamentary election, in which ANO emerged as the largest party.

Babis has been in talks with the right-wing Motorists party and the far-right SPD, which together would control 108 seats in the 200-member lower house. The three parties are finalising a joint government agenda expected to feature higher fiscal spending, reduced support for Ukraine, and stronger opposition to EU migration and climate policies — signalling a shift from outgoing Prime Minister Petr Fiala’s centre-right administration.

President Pavel, a former NATO official, said he would review the coalition’s programme later this week and urged the parties to maintain Czech support for Kyiv through the existing ammunition supply initiative. Babis, meanwhile, pledged to address concerns about potential conflicts of interest linked to his business empire before any formal nomination as prime minister.

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Former Georgian PM Irakli Garibashvili Charged with Large-Scale Money Laundering

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Former Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili has been charged with large-scale money laundering, marking the first time a senior member of Georgia’s ruling elite has faced prosecution amid a broader crackdown targeting opposition figures. Garibashvili, who served as prime minister from 2013 to 2015 and again from 2021 to 2024, was a close ally of billionaire ex-premier Bidzina Ivanishvili, widely regarded as the country’s de facto leader.

According to Georgia’s prosecutor general, police raided Garibashvili’s residence and seized $6.5 million in cash. The offence carries a potential prison term of up to 12 years. The former prime minister has yet to issue a public statement regarding the charges or the raid. Authorities also conducted searches at the homes of two other long-time associates of Ivanishvili as part of the ongoing investigation.

The case comes as Georgia faces mounting political tension and accusations of authoritarianism under the ruling Georgian Dream party. Pro-Western opposition leaders have held repeated street protests, alleging the government has adopted a pro-Russian stance despite Georgia having no formal diplomatic ties with Moscow. Garibashvili had previously defended closer relations with Russia, blaming NATO’s expansion for Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

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France’s Socialists Threaten to Topple Government Over Billionaire Tax Dispute

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France’s Socialist Party has warned that it will file a no-confidence motion by Monday if the government fails to include a higher tax on billionaires in the 2026 budget. Party leader Olivier Faure said the Socialists had shown restraint in not censuring Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu so far but added that “if there is no change by Monday, it’s all over.” Talks on the budget’s tax and revenue measures began Friday in the National Assembly, with the Socialists accusing the government of unfairly targeting retirees, young people, and families.

The standoff poses a serious threat to Lecornu’s weak minority government, which relies on shifting alliances to pass key legislation. The Socialists hold enough parliamentary influence to bring down the administration if they join forces with both the far left and far right, who have also called for Lecornu’s removal. The prime minister had previously gained Socialist support by scrapping a controversial pension reform but now faces renewed demands for wealth redistribution.

The political uncertainty adds to growing concerns about France’s economic stability. Business activity in the country declined faster than expected in October, and Moody’s is set to review France’s credit rating after S&P Global issued a surprise downgrade last week. Lecornu, under pressure to cut the euro zone’s largest deficit, plans to reduce spending by over €30 billion next year to bring the shortfall down to 4.7% of GDP. A formal vote on the income portion of the budget is scheduled for November 4.

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SOS Children’s Villages Confirms Founder Committed Sexual and Physical Abuse

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SOS Children’s Villages, the global charity operating in over 130 countries, revealed on Thursday that its founder, Hermann Gmeiner, committed sexual and physical abuse over several decades before his death in 1986. The Austrian aid group, established in 1949 to support children orphaned during World War Two, disclosed that it has documented eight cases involving Gmeiner at four locations in Austria between the 1950s and 1980s.

The organization stated that all eight victims, whose cases were addressed between 2013 and 2023, received compensation ranging from €5,000 to €25,000 ($5,800–$29,200) each. The announcement follows new reports of abuse at several SOS centres in Austria, prompting the charity to initiate a “restart” and intensify internal investigations into both historic and current allegations of misconduct.

SOS Children’s Villages emphasized that it has no evidence of abuse by Gmeiner outside Austria and has pledged full cooperation with an independent inquiry commission established last month. The group said it will continue submitting all available documents to investigators, reaffirming its commitment to transparency and victim protection.

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Russian Drone Strike on Kyiv Injures Nine, Damages Residential Buildings

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Kyiv came under attack for the second consecutive night as a wave of Russian drones struck the Ukrainian capital early Thursday, wounding nine people and damaging buildings across the city. According to Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv’s military administration, ten city locations were affected, including two apartment complexes that took direct hits. Images from the scene showed a car overturned and shattered windows across several buildings.

The assault follows Wednesday’s widespread strikes that killed at least seven people across Ukraine, six of them in Kyiv, and triggered power outages. Ukraine’s military reported that Russia launched around 130 drones in the latest offensive, of which 92 were intercepted. The recent attacks are part of what Ukrainian officials describe as a renewed campaign to cripple the nation’s energy infrastructure ahead of winter.

Russia’s Defence Ministry confirmed targeting Ukrainian energy sites, claiming the strikes were in retaliation for Ukrainian attacks on Russian civilian infrastructure. While Moscow insists such facilities are legitimate military targets, both nations continue to deny intentionally striking civilian areas. Meanwhile, Ukrainian drones reportedly hit an energy facility in Russia’s Nizhny Novgorod region and ignited an industrial site in Ryazan.

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FCA Sues HTX Over Unlawful Crypto Promotions in the UK

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Britain’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has filed a civil lawsuit in London’s High Court against global crypto exchange HTX, formerly known as Huobi, accusing the platform of illegally promoting crypto asset services to UK consumers. The FCA stated that HTX, which is not authorised to operate in Britain, had breached the country’s financial promotions regime, part of ongoing efforts to protect consumers and maintain market integrity.

HTX, founded in 2013 and advised by Chinese entrepreneur Justin Sun, has been a prominent player in the global crypto industry. Sun, a key backer of the Trump family’s crypto venture World Liberty Financial, reportedly spent over $75 million on the project’s tokens. Blockchain analysts have identified a wallet labelled “SUN,” believed to belong to HTX, as the top holder of U.S. President Donald Trump’s “$TRUMP” memecoin.

The FCA introduced stricter regulations in 2023 requiring firms promoting crypto assets to gain proper authorisations and register under money-laundering rules. HTX remains on the regulator’s warning list, cautioning consumers against engaging with the company. The case also targets four unnamed groups, described as “persons unknown,” believed to include HTX’s owners, operators, and promotional heads.

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Slovak Court Sentences Robert Fico’s Attacker to 21 Years for Terrorism

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A Slovak court on Tuesday sentenced 72-year-old Juraj Cintula to 21 years in prison after finding him guilty of terrorism for shooting Prime Minister Robert Fico in May 2024. Cintula fired five shots at close range as Fico greeted supporters in the central town of Handlova, wounding him in the abdomen, hip, hand, and foot. The verdict by the Specialised Criminal Court in Banska Bystrica concluded a high-profile trial that began in July, determining that the act targeted the head of government, not just an individual citizen.

Cintula, a retired mine worker and activist, admitted to the attack but denied intending to kill Fico, claiming he only wanted to stop the prime minister’s “damaging” policies. He called the ruling “unjust” and vowed to appeal. Judge Igor Kralik said the terrorism conviction was justified since the assault aimed to influence political developments in the country. The sentence fell short of a life term, which prosecutors had sought.

The shooting underscored deep divisions within Slovak society. Fico, who returned to power in 2023, has been accused by critics of eroding democratic norms and aligning Slovakia more closely with Moscow. His government halted military aid to Ukraine, restructured the national broadcaster, and introduced controversial criminal code reforms. Despite ongoing health issues from the attack, Fico has said he forgives his assailant.

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Prince Andrew Renounces Duke of York Title Amid Ongoing Scandals

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Britain’s Prince Andrew announced on Friday that he would relinquish the use of his title, Duke of York, following years of controversy surrounding his association with the late U.S. sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and other allegations that have tarnished his reputation. The 65-year-old prince, who is eighth in line to the throne, said he was stepping back further to avoid distracting from King Charles III and the wider royal family’s duties. “I have decided to put my duty to my family and country first,” Andrew said in a statement, adding that the decision was made with the king’s agreement.

Once celebrated as a naval officer and veteran of the Falklands War, Andrew’s public image has been in decline for over a decade. He was forced to quit his role as UK trade ambassador in 2011 and stepped down from all royal duties in 2019. In 2022, he was stripped of military links and patronages after being accused of sexual misconduct by Virginia Giuffre, a case he settled out of court while continuing to deny all allegations. The renewed attention on the scandal following Giuffre’s memoir has intensified public scrutiny.

A recent YouGov poll showed 67% of Britons support removing Andrew’s remaining royal titles, reflecting widespread disapproval. While he remains a prince and will continue living at Royal Lodge near Windsor Castle, he will no longer attend key royal gatherings, including Christmas at Sandringham. His daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, remain unaffected, but his former wife, Sarah Ferguson, will no longer be known as the Duchess of York. Historians note that such a move — a senior royal relinquishing a dukedom — is unprecedented in over a century.

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