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French ‘Doctor Death’ Jailed for Life for Poisoning Patients

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A French court has sentenced former anaesthetist Frédéric Péchier, 53, to life imprisonment for deliberately poisoning 30 patients, 12 of whom died. The verdict was delivered at the end of a four-month trial in Besançon, marking one of the most serious medical crime cases in France’s history. Péchier will serve a minimum of 22 years in prison and has 10 days to appeal the ruling.

The court found that Péchier secretly injected substances such as potassium chloride or adrenaline into patients’ infusion bags, triggering cardiac arrests or severe haemorrhaging during routine surgeries. In several cases, he intervened during emergencies to present himself as a lifesaver, but in 12 instances the victims could not be saved. Prosecutors argued that his actions were driven by personal grudges against colleagues, whom he sought to discredit.

Investigators uncovered a disturbing pattern of unexplained medical emergencies at clinics where Péchier worked between 2008 and 2017, with incidents stopping whenever he left and resuming upon his return. Despite denying wrongdoing throughout the trial, Péchier admitted there must have been a poisoner at the clinics, insisting it was not him. Survivors and families of victims welcomed the verdict, calling it the end of a long and painful ordeal.

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Zelensky Urges EU to Unlock Frozen Russian Funds as Ukraine Faces Financial Crunch

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that Ukraine faces a severe financial crisis unless the European Union agrees to loan billions of euros from frozen Russian assets to support Kyiv’s military and economy. Speaking in Brussels as EU leaders gathered for a critical summit, Zelensky said a positive decision was essential, noting that without additional funding Ukraine’s finances could run dry within months. Around €210bn of Russian assets are frozen in the EU, most of them held in Belgium through financial services firm Euroclear.

The European Commission has proposed loaning Ukraine about €90bn over the next two years using these frozen assets, arguing it would strengthen Kyiv’s position both on the battlefield and in ongoing peace talks. Supporters believe the move would also send a strong signal to Moscow that continuing the war is futile. However, Belgium and several other EU members remain cautious, citing legal and financial risks, while Hungary has openly opposed any further EU funding for Ukraine.

As discussions continue, EU leaders are under pressure to find consensus, with Commission President Ursula von der Leyen insisting a solution must be reached. While some countries are willing to provide guarantees to address Belgium’s concerns, doubts remain over the legal basis and potential consequences if courts later order the money returned to Russia. Despite the uncertainty, EU officials stress that the coming hours are decisive for Ukraine’s ability to sustain its war effort or prepare for recovery.

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Spain Plans Nationwide Climate Shelters to Protect People From Extreme Heat

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Spain will establish a nationwide network of climate shelters in public buildings to help people cope with extreme heat before next summer, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced at a climate conference in Madrid. Highlighting that prolonged heatwaves and droughts are becoming the “new normal”, Sánchez said the shelters will provide safe, cool spaces accessible to everyone during periods of intense heat.

The government-backed shelters will be prioritised in areas most affected by rising temperatures and will complement existing regional initiatives in Catalonia, the Basque Country and Murcia. Barcelona already operates around 400 climate shelters in air-conditioned venues such as libraries, museums, sports centres and shopping malls, offering seating and free drinking water, particularly for vulnerable groups.

Sánchez also unveiled additional climate measures, including funding for flood prevention and €20 million earmarked for wildfire prevention plans in small towns. Spain faced its hottest summer on record in 2025, with temperatures exceeding 45°C, more than 3,800 heat-related deaths, and over 400,000 hectares destroyed by wildfires, underscoring the urgency of long-term climate adaptation.

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Lukashenko Says US Acknowledgment of 2020 Election Outcome Could Reset Ties

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Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has said relations with the United States could improve if Washington acknowledges that efforts to overturn his 2020 re-election had failed. In an interview with U.S. outlet Newsmax, Lukashenko suggested that such an admission could serve as a starting point for renewed dialogue between the two countries.

Official results declaring Lukashenko re-elected to a sixth term in 2020 triggered mass protests in Belarus, with demonstrators alleging electoral fraud. Western nations refused to recognise the result, while Russia backed Lukashenko. The Belarusian leader responded to the unrest with widespread arrests, deepening tensions with the West.

The United States and its allies later imposed sanctions on Belarus over the election, human rights concerns and Minsk’s role in allowing Russia to use its territory to launch the invasion of Ukraine. Despite this, U.S. officials have engaged Belarus in recent years, including efforts to secure the release of detainees. Lukashenko said Belarus wanted constructive relations with Washington and even suggested the two sides could cooperate on international issues such as Venezuela.

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Finland PM Apologises to Asian Nations Over Racism Controversy

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Finland’s Prime Minister Petteri Orpo has issued an apology to Asian nations after a racism controversy involving members of the far-right Finns Party, part of his governing coalition. The incident, labelled the “slanted eyes” scandal by Finnish media, centres on derogatory images shared online by several lawmakers, prompting diplomatic concern and backlash abroad.

Orpo said the remarks and images did not reflect Finland’s values of equality and inclusion. In statements released through Finnish embassies in China, Japan and South Korea, he stressed that the government takes racism seriously and is committed to combating it. The controversy began when the Miss Finland titleholder was photographed making an offensive gesture in a social media post, later leading to her being stripped of her crown despite an apology.

The situation escalated when multiple Finns Party politicians shared similar images online, drawing criticism at home and overseas. Finland’s national airline Finnair said the widely reported incident had triggered negative reactions in Asian markets, a key region for its long-haul business. The Finns Party is set to discuss the matter internally, while the episode has revived scrutiny of Orpo’s coalition, which has faced previous no-confidence votes linked to racist remarks by party members.

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German Business Confidence Slips Unexpectedly in December, Ifo Survey Shows

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German business sentiment unexpectedly weakened in December, highlighting ongoing struggles in Europe’s largest economy, according to a survey released by the Ifo Institute. The Ifo business climate index fell to 87.6 from a slightly revised 88.0 in November, defying expectations of a rise to 88.2. Commenting on the data, Ifo survey head Klaus Wohlrabe said the year was ending without any positive surprises for the German economy.

Economists said the latest reading reinforces concerns that Germany remains stuck in stagnation after two years of contraction, with only modest growth expected. Analysts noted that the decline aligns with recent drops in purchasing managers’ indexes and indicates that a long-anticipated recovery has yet to take hold. Fiscal stimulus measures announced by the government have so far failed to deliver a meaningful boost, partly due to delays in infrastructure spending and rising costs linked to an ageing population.

Outlook indicators also pointed to growing pessimism among companies for the first half of 2026, while assessments of the current situation remained unchanged. Ifo President Clemens Fuest said the year ended without renewed confidence, and economists added that the lack of broad-based economic reforms has weighed on sentiment. Chancellor Friedrich Merz has pledged further reforms, but businesses remain cautious as tangible policy action has yet to materialise.

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Zaporizhzhia Plant Operating on Single Power Line

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The Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine is currently running on only one of its two external power lines, Russian management reported on Tuesday. The second line was disconnected due to ongoing military activity, though officials confirmed that radiation levels remain normal. Repair work is planned to restore full power as soon as possible.

Europe’s largest nuclear facility, under Russian control since March 2022, is not generating electricity but depends on external power to keep nuclear material cooled and prevent a meltdown. The plant has experienced multiple power outages recently, including earlier this month, though connections were restored after each incident.

Both Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of shelling the site, raising concerns over safety. In September and October, the plant was without external power for 30 days, relying on backup diesel generators until a damaged line was repaired during a temporary local ceasefire coordinated with the U.N. nuclear agency.

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PSG to Pay Mbappe €60 Million in Court Ruling

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Paris Saint-Germain has been ordered by a French court to pay former striker Kylian Mbappe €60 million (£52.5m) in unpaid salary and bonuses. The ruling stems from a long-running contract dispute, with Mbappe initially seeking €263 million in damages while PSG counter-sued for €240 million. The court recognised that PSG failed to pay three months of his salary between April and June 2024, as well as an ethics and signing bonus.

Mbappe, who joined Real Madrid on a free transfer after seven seasons at PSG, had claimed ill-treatment and sought to legally modify his contract to an open-ended deal. The awarded sum primarily consists of bonuses rather than base salary, including the third instalment of his signing-on bonus and paid leave allowance. PSG will comply with the ruling, while retaining the option to appeal.

During his time at PSG from 2017 to 2024, Mbappe became the club’s all-time leading scorer with 256 goals in 308 appearances, winning 15 trophies. The dispute arose after Mbappe declined a move to the Saudi Pro League and refused a contract extension, leading to a protracted legal battle. PSG has expressed its intent to move forward, focusing on collective success and the club’s ongoing achievements without the forward.

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Thousands of 210-Million-Year-Old Dinosaur Footprints Discovered on Italian Mountain

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Thousands of dinosaur footprints dating back around 210 million years have been discovered on a mountain wall inside Stelvio National Park in northern Italy. The tracks, some measuring up to 40cm wide, appear in long, parallel rows and preserve clear impressions of toes and claws. Scientists believe the footprints were made by prosauropods—long-necked, plant-eating dinosaurs that lived during the Triassic period.

The discovery was made last September when a photographer noticed the tracks stretching for hundreds of metres across a steep rock face. Experts explain that during the Triassic era, the area was once a muddy tidal flat before becoming part of the Alpine mountain chain. The footprints suggest that dinosaurs moved in organised herds, including juveniles, and may have displayed complex behaviours such as gathering in circles, possibly for protection.

Researchers also identified occasional handprints alongside footprints, indicating that some dinosaurs rested their forelimbs on the ground. Due to the site’s remote and inaccessible location, scientists will rely on drones and remote-sensing technology to study it further. The Italian Ministry of Culture described the find as an extraordinary scientific treasure, symbolically linking ancient natural history with the region’s upcoming Winter Olympics.

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Tesla Expands Battery Cell Production at German Gigafactory

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Tesla has announced fresh investments to scale up battery cell production at its Gigafactory in Gruenheide near Berlin, aiming to produce up to 8 gigawatt hours of battery cells annually from 2027. The U.S. electric vehicle maker said it will invest an additional three-digit million euro amount, taking total investment in the local battery cell factory to nearly €1 billion.

The company said the expansion is part of a strategy to deepen vertical integration at the site, allowing everything from battery cells to complete vehicles to be manufactured at a single location. Tesla described this as a unique setup in Europe that will help strengthen supply chain resilience and reduce dependency on external suppliers.

Tesla also noted that producing battery cells economically in Europe remains challenging amid competition from China and the United States. The Gruenheide facility, Tesla’s only gigafactory in Europe, currently employs about 11,500 people and plays a critical role as the automaker works to stabilise its position in the European electric vehicle market.

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