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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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France Opens Terror Probe into Alleged Plot to Attack Exiled Russian Activist

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France’s anti-terrorism prosecutor has launched a formal investigation into four men accused of plotting an attack against a Russian opposition figure living in exile. Although officials have not disclosed the intended target, Vladimir Osechkin, a Biarritz-based Russian activist, claimed on his Telegram channel that the alleged plot was directed at him. Osechkin thanked French police and intelligence services for ensuring his safety.

Osechkin is the founder of Gulagu.net, a human rights organization that exposes torture and abuse within Russia’s prison system. The four suspects, aged between 26 and 38, were arrested on Monday following an investigation by France’s domestic intelligence agency DGSI. Authorities suspect the men of being part of a terrorist organization and planning “crimes against persons.” They have since been placed under formal investigation and remain in custody.

French prosecutors have not revealed the nationalities or exact arrest locations of the suspects. Osechkin, who has been on Russia’s wanted list since 2021 after his group leaked extensive evidence of systemic torture in Russian prisons, remains under French protection. While a formal investigation in France does not indicate guilt, it allows judicial authorities to pursue deeper inquiries into the case.

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Polish Court Blocks Extradition of Ukrainian Suspect in Nord Stream Explosions

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A Polish court has rejected Germany’s request to extradite a Ukrainian suspect linked to the 2022 Nord Stream gas pipeline blasts, a ruling that aligns with the stance of Poland’s government. The suspect, identified as Volodymyr Z., is wanted by German prosecutors for allegedly helping plant explosives on the undersea pipelines that once transported Russian gas to Europe.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk had earlier stated that while the decision rested with the courts, extraditing Volodymyr Z. was not in Poland’s national interest. He remarked that the issue was not the destruction of the pipelines but their construction, which he said had made Europe overly dependent on Russian energy. The Nord Stream explosions in September 2022 severely disrupted gas supplies from Russia, intensifying the energy crisis amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.

According to German investigators, Volodymyr Z. and others allegedly rented a yacht and placed explosives near Denmark’s Bornholm island. He faces charges of conspiring to commit an explosives attack and engaging in “anti-constitutional sabotage.” His Polish lawyer has denied all accusations, questioning whether the case — involving the destruction of Russian property by a Ukrainian during wartime — should even constitute a criminal offense.

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UK Economy Sees Modest Growth in August Ahead of Pre-Budget Uncertainty

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Britain’s economy edged back into growth in August, expanding by a marginal 0.1% from July, official data revealed on Thursday, providing a slight boost ahead of Finance Minister Rachel Reeves’ November budget. However, GDP for July was revised downward to show a 0.1% decline from June, highlighting ongoing volatility in the economy, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Annual growth stands at 1.3%, leaving limited room to avoid potential tax increases.

Economists noted that growth remains fragile, with early indicators for September pointing to muted expansion. Public health service activity supported the slight quarterly growth of 0.3% in the three months to August, while consumer-facing services contracted. Experts warned that the services and construction sectors are in a “pre-budget funk,” and uncertainty around fiscal policy could dampen household and business spending further.

The Bank of England is maintaining a careful stance, keeping interest rates at 4% amid stubborn inflation and weak growth. Governor Andrew Bailey noted a softening labor market, with rising unemployment and slowing private sector wage growth. Monetary Policy Committee member Alan Taylor also flagged the risks of a “bumpy landing,” citing the ongoing effects of U.S. trade tariffs and domestic budget uncertainty.

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PM Starmer Publishes Evidence in Spy Case Amid China Tensions

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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Wednesday released senior security officials’ evidence in the high-profile prosecution of two men accused of spying for China, aiming to show that the case’s collapse was not due to government interference. Last month, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) unexpectedly dropped charges against the men, who had denied sharing politically sensitive information with a Chinese intelligence agent. The CPS said the decision stemmed from a lack of official evidence confirming that China posed a threat to UK national security, despite months of requests to the government

The published documents, including witness statements from Deputy National Security Adviser Matthew Collins, detailed Chinese malign activity and espionage efforts but stopped short of explicitly declaring China a threat to national security. Collins noted that while bilateral trade and investment benefit both countries, China presents the “biggest state-based threat to the UK’s economic security.” The documents also emphasized the UK government’s commitment to maintaining a positive relationship with China to foster cooperation and stability.

Opposition parties, however, accused the government of a cover-up. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch claimed the situation “stinks of a cover-up,” while a party spokesperson criticized Starmer for not intervening before the trial’s collapse, despite being aware of the impending outcome. The case has drawn scrutiny for allegedly involving sensitive information about briefings to former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, intensifying debates over national security and diplomatic ties with China.

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