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Clashes Erupt in Tirana as Corruption Allegations Rock Albanian Government

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Police in Tirana fired tear gas and water cannon at opposition protesters after demonstrations turned violent amid corruption allegations against Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku. Protesters hurled petrol bombs and fireworks toward the office of Prime Minister Edi Rama, as tensions escalated in the capital. The unrest follows an investigation into Balluku over alleged interference in public tenders for major infrastructure projects, accusations she has denied.

The indictment, brought by Albania’s Special Prosecution Office, has intensified political tensions that have been simmering since December. An anti-corruption court has suspended Balluku from office, and prosecutors are seeking to have parliament lift her immunity to allow her arrest. The governing Socialist Party of Albania, which holds a strong parliamentary majority after winning a fourth consecutive term, has yet to signal when or if such a move will take place.

Thousands of supporters of the opposition Democratic Party of Albania gathered in Tirana, chanting slogans against Rama and demanding his resignation. Party leader Sali Berisha warned that the government would be held accountable. The unrest comes as Albania pushes to join the European Union by 2030, with the bloc urging stronger efforts to combat corruption and organized crime.

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Italian Authorities Accuse Dog Owner of Training Pet to Illegally Dump Rubbish

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Authorities in Catania have accused a dog owner of training their pet to illegally dispose of rubbish along a roadside in the city’s San Giorgio district. Police released video footage showing a small dog calmly walking down the street carrying a bag of trash in its mouth before dropping it and walking away. The incident was reportedly recorded on two consecutive days.

Local officials said the repeated behavior suggests the animal had been deliberately trained to dump the waste so its owner could avoid being caught on surveillance cameras. Fly tipping is illegal in Italy, but authorities acknowledge it remains a persistent issue in many areas.

In response to ongoing dumping problems, municipal officials have increased the use of surveillance systems to identify offenders. In a statement posted on its official social media page, the Municipality of Catania said that “ingenuity can never become an alibi for incivility,” emphasizing that respect for the environment and urban rules is a shared responsibility. It remains unclear whether formal action has been taken against the dog’s owner.

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Vienna Airport Extends Flight Suspension Amid Heavy Snow

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Vienna International Airport (Vienna International Airport) has extended its suspension of flights due to heavy snowfall until 1100 GMT, with officials warning that delays could continue beyond that time. The airport cited icy conditions on the tarmac as the main reason for the disruption, affecting both arrivals and departures.

So far, of the approximately 232 flights scheduled into and out of Vienna before midday, 150 have been cancelled. Airport authorities noted that take-offs are expected to gradually resume around midday, while landings may only begin by 1300 GMT. Passengers are being urged to check the status of their flights and plan for extended waiting times.

The ongoing snowstorm has prompted airport crews to deploy snowplows and de-icing operations to clear runways and taxiways. Authorities emphasized that safety remains the top priority and that additional delays or cancellations may occur depending on weather conditions throughout the day.

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Nvidia Earnings Take Spotlight as Markets Brace for AI, Geopolitical and Policy Signals

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Nvidia is set to release its quarterly earnings next week, a highly anticipated event as investors assess the strength of artificial intelligence-driven growth and its impact on global markets. The chipmaker, currently the world’s most valuable company, has seen its shares surge since the rise of AI technologies, but momentum has slowed in 2026 amid concerns about returns on massive AI investments. Investors will also monitor results from major software firms like Salesforce and Intuit, as AI disruptions reshape the broader technology sector.

Beyond corporate earnings, geopolitical tensions continue to influence market sentiment, particularly as the fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine approaches. Ongoing conflict, uncertainty over ceasefire efforts, and rising tensions involving Iran have contributed to volatility in oil prices, defence stocks, and gold. Global investors are increasingly concerned about overlapping geopolitical risks, including conflicts in multiple regions and their potential economic consequences.

At the same time, key economic data and political developments are expected to shape central bank policies and investor outlooks worldwide. Inflation data in Australia and Tokyo will be closely watched for clues on future interest rate hikes, while leadership uncertainty in the European Central Bank and political pressure on UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer could influence bond markets and currencies. Together, corporate earnings, economic indicators, and political events are set to play a decisive role in shaping global financial markets in the coming weeks.

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Gardaí Seek Help to Identify Critically Injured Man After Dublin Assault

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Police in Dublin are appealing for public assistance to identify a man who remains in critical condition following a violent assault in the Temple Bar area. An Garda Síochána said the incident took place on Cope Street shortly after midnight on Wednesday, when the victim was seriously injured. Emergency responders transported him to Beaumont Hospital, where he continues to receive intensive medical treatment.

According to reports from RTÉ, the man was attacked by two suspects and later found unconscious at the scene. Authorities have not yet confirmed his identity and are urging anyone who may recognize him to come forward. Gardaí noted that the victim has a distinctive tattoo on his right forearm showing a blue and white flag alongside the words “Ceol is Beatha,” which translates to “music is life.”

Investigators are asking anyone who was in the Cope Street area between midnight and 1:00 a.m. to contact police if they witnessed anything suspicious. They have also requested that members of the public review and share any camera or mobile phone footage that could assist the investigation. Police say public cooperation could play a key role in identifying the victim and determining the circumstances surrounding the attack.

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Macron and Meloni Clash Over Killing of French Far-Right Activist in Lyon

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French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni exchanged sharp criticism following the killing of a French far-right activist, Quentin Deranque, who died after being beaten during protests in Lyon. French prosecutors confirmed that seven people will face murder charges, including an assistant linked to the far-left party France Unbowed (LFI), while several others were arrested in connection with the incident. The case has sparked outrage in France and intensified political tensions.

Meloni described the killing as a tragedy caused by groups connected to left-wing extremism, calling it a “wound for all of Europe.” Her comments drew a strong response from Macron, who accused nationalist leaders of interfering in other countries’ internal matters. Speaking during a visit abroad, Macron directly confirmed his criticism was aimed at Meloni, underscoring ongoing ideological divisions between the two leaders on broader European political issues.

The killing has fueled political fallout within France, damaging the reputation of left-wing groups while providing an opportunity for far-right parties to highlight concerns over extremist violence. One suspect accused of helping instigate the attack has been placed in pre-trial detention, though he denies responsibility for the fatal blows. Meloni’s office later expressed surprise at Macron’s remarks, emphasizing that her comments were intended to convey sympathy and concern over the violent death.

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Donald Trump Says Novartis to Build 11 U.S. Plants After CEO Meeting

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U.S. President Donald Trump said he met with Novartis CEO Vas Narasimhan at the White House, where the pharmaceutical executive outlined plans to expand the company’s footprint in the United States. Speaking to workers at a steel plant in Rome, Georgia, Trump said Narasimhan informed him that Novartis is building 11 manufacturing plants in the country.

According to Trump, the expansion is linked to his administration’s tariff policies, which have pushed drugmakers to increase domestic production. The president presented the planned facilities as a sign that trade measures are encouraging major global companies to invest more heavily in U.S.-based operations.

In a statement, Novartis confirmed it recently updated U.S. officials on its progress, including new manufacturing and research sites in North Carolina and California, as well as plans to expand its radioligand therapy network with a new facility in Florida. The company did not specify the total number of plants but had previously announced a $23 billion investment to build and expand 10 U.S. facilities amid potential drug import duties.

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Spanish Police Arrest Man for Booking Luxury Hotels at One Cent

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Spanish police have arrested a 20-year-old man accused of hacking a hotel booking platform to reserve luxury rooms costing up to €1,000 per night for just one euro cent. The suspect was detained at a hotel in Madrid, where he allegedly accumulated more than €20,000 in unpaid stays. Authorities described the case as the first detected instance of this type of manipulation targeting a hotel payment validation system.

Investigators said the man altered the platform’s payment authorisation process through a cyberattack, enabling transactions to be approved after entering only €0.01 as the charge. The bookings initially appeared legitimate, with the irregularity only uncovered when the payment processor transferred the minimal amount to the hotel company. Police launched an inquiry after the suspicious activity was flagged by the travel website and completed their investigation within four days.

At the time of his arrest, the suspect was reportedly completing a four-night stay normally valued at €4,000. Authorities said he had also consumed minibar items and left additional bills unpaid. Spanish newspaper ABC reported that he had previously been arrested in the Canary Islands over a similar incident involving a luxury hotel. Police indicated that further bookings at other hotels may also be under investigation.

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Starlink Cut to Russian Forces Boosts Ukraine’s Battlefield Advantage

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A decision by Elon Musk’s company SpaceX to block Russian forces from accessing its Starlink satellite internet service appears to have disrupted Moscow’s frontline operations in Ukraine. The move, reportedly requested by Ukraine’s defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov, has limited Russian troops’ ability to coordinate drone strikes and battlefield communications. Ukrainian soldiers say the change has reduced assaults and weakened Russia’s offensive capacity, particularly along parts of the southern and eastern front.

Starlink had been widely used by both sides during the four-year war, enabling real-time drone guidance and secure communications. Since the shutdown on 1 February, only terminals approved by Kyiv remain active, forcing Russian units to seek alternative systems. Ukrainian volunteer group InformNapalm claims it identified more than 2,400 Russian-linked terminals through a phishing operation, with several later targeted near the front lines. Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) has also warned citizens against collaborating in illegal Starlink registrations, calling such actions high treason.

While some Ukrainian troops report little immediate change, others describe improved opportunities to intercept communications and push back Russian forces, especially near contested areas like Pokrovsk. Analysts say the disruption could limit Russia’s ability to conduct long-range drone strikes and hamper coordination, though Moscow insists the impact is minimal. Ukrainian officials believe they have a limited window to exploit the setback before Russian forces adapt, potentially strengthening Kyiv’s position both on the battlefield and in any future negotiations.

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Rai Sport Chief Resigns After Gaffe-Plagued Olympic Commentary

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The head of Rai Sport, Paolo Petrecca, has resigned following a string of on-air mistakes during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. The ceremony, watched by 9.2 million viewers on state broadcaster Rai, was meant to be a moment of national pride. Instead, Petrecca’s commentary quickly went viral for a series of high-profile blunders, prompting criticism and even a brief strike by journalists. He will step down at the end of the Games and will not cover the closing ceremony.

Petrecca, who stepped in at the last minute after another commentator was dropped, made several factual errors throughout the broadcast. He mistakenly welcomed viewers to Rome’s Stadio Olimpico instead of Milan’s San Siro and misidentified actress Matilda De Angelis as singer Mariah Carey. He also incorrectly identified Sergio Mattarella’s daughter instead of International Olympic Committee president Kirsty Coventry, and failed to recognise Italy’s volleyball captain Simone Giannelli. Some of his remarks, including cultural stereotypes, further fuelled backlash.

Petrecca, considered close to Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and her Brothers of Italy party, faced mounting pressure as critics accused the broadcaster of political influence undermining editorial standards. Rai journalists’ union Usigrai described the episode as damaging to the network’s credibility. He will be replaced by senior presenter Marco Lollobrigida, while the originally dropped commentator, Auro Bulbarelli, is set to return for the closing ceremony.

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