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Norwegian Police Investigate Telenor Over Suspected Crimes Against Humanity in Myanmar

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Norwegian police have launched an investigation into telecom company Telenor over allegations that it aided and abetted crimes against humanity in Myanmar following the country’s 2021 military coup. Investigators raided Telenor’s headquarters in Oslo as part of the probe, which also includes suspected violations of sanctions rules. Police allege that Telenor Myanmar repeatedly handed historical customer traffic data to the military regime during a period of widespread abuses against civilians.

Telenor, which completed its withdrawal from Myanmar in March 2022, said it is cooperating with investigators and wants to help clarify the case. The company said it faced an “impossible situation” after the military takeover, arguing that employees could have faced imprisonment, torture or the death penalty if they refused military orders. Telenor also said that no individuals are currently charged or under investigation.

The investigation also covers the transfer of sanctioned surveillance equipment when Telenor sold its Myanmar business. Police are examining whether the company failed to obtain required approval from Norway’s foreign ministry for the transaction. Activist groups have welcomed the investigation, alleging that customer call logs and location data were shared with the military and that sensitive surveillance equipment was transferred to a military-linked company.

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Italy’s Senate Approves Meloni-Backed Electoral Reform Amid Opposition Fury

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Italy’s Senate approved a controversial electoral reform on Tuesday, backed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s conservative coalition, despite strong opposition criticism. The proposed system would use fully proportional representation while granting a parliamentary majority to any alliance that wins more than 42% of the vote. The measure passed by 113 votes to 71 but still requires final approval from the lower house.

Meloni’s coalition says the reform would bring greater political stability to Italy, which has experienced frequent changes of government. Opposition leaders, however, accuse Meloni of changing the electoral rules to strengthen her chances in next year’s election. Under the current system, around one-third of lawmakers are elected through first-past-the-post constituencies, which analysts say could benefit centre-left parties.

The reform must now return to the Chamber of Deputies after amendments made in the Senate. The debate comes as tensions grow within both the governing coalition and the opposition. A previous attempt to restore preferential voting was narrowly rejected in the lower house, exposing divisions within Meloni’s alliance as the country approaches its next national election.

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Dutch Farmers Block Roads and Railways in Protest Over Government Budget

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Dutch farmers staged protests across the Netherlands on Tuesday, setting fire to hay bales and car tires near highways and disrupting traffic as the government prepared to present its 2027 budget plans. The Farmers Defence Force said farmers were responsible for the fires, arguing that government policies were putting their businesses under severe pressure.

Rail services were also disrupted after pipes were deliberately attached to railway tracks at more than 20 locations, mainly in rural areas in the central and eastern Netherlands. Railway operator ProRail classified the incidents as sabotage and halted trains near the affected areas. The disruptions also affected international services to Germany and forced several level crossings to remain closed.

The protests are linked to a wider dispute over government plans to tackle nitrogen pollution, which farmers say unfairly targets their industry. The government has promised compensation for farmers whose businesses could be affected by measures aimed at restoring nature reserves. Dutch intelligence officials, police and prosecutors are investigating the railway sabotage, while Farmers Defence Force said it was not responsible for the incidents.

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EU Plans Social Media and AI Chatbot Restrictions for Under-15s

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The European Union is preparing a sweeping proposal to restrict children under 15 from accessing social media, video-sharing platforms, AI chatbots and online games. The plan is part of a proposed EU Kids Act aimed at protecting children from online abuse, exploitation and other digital risks.

Under the proposal, users aged 15 and above could create their own accounts, while children aged 13 and 14 could access social media and video platforms through parent-controlled introductory accounts with limited contacts and strict time limits. Children aged 3 to 12 would have access only to child-friendly services under full parental control, while under-3s would have no access.

The proposed rules would also require technology companies to verify users’ ages, reduce addictive designs and harmful content feeds, and provide stronger parental controls and tools to report harmful content. Companies would pay a supervisory fee to support enforcement. The proposal will still need to be debated and agreed upon by EU countries and the European Parliament before it can become law.

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Iceland’s Last Whaling Company Defies Ban Threat

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Iceland’s only remaining active whaling company, Hvalur, says it can survive renewed efforts to permanently ban commercial whaling. The government has announced plans to submit a bill in February that could bring an end to the practice in Iceland, one of only three countries alongside Norway and Japan that still permit commercial whale hunting.

Hvalur operates two catcher boats and employs around 150 people during the whaling season, which runs from early June to late September. The company has caught 85 fin whales so far this season, against a government quota of 150.

The proposed ban remains controversial in Iceland, where public opinion is divided. Fin whales, the industry’s main target, are classified as vulnerable globally by the IUCN, although their North Atlantic population is considered healthy enough to support managed harvesting.

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Catania Airport Suspends Flights Again as Mount Etna Ash Disrupts Travel

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Flights at Italy’s Catania airport were suspended again on Monday as volcanic ash from Mount Etna’s ongoing activity disrupted operations. Airport operator SAC said all arrivals would be halted until 4 p.m. local time, affecting one of Italy’s busiest airports and potentially disrupting travel plans for thousands of passengers.

Mount Etna, Europe’s highest and one of its most active volcanoes, frequently causes flight disruptions at Catania. However, ash emissions have been particularly intense this summer, creating repeated challenges for the airport during the busy holiday season.

Authorities are closely monitoring the volcanic activity and its impact on aviation safety. The latest suspension comes after previous disruptions linked to Etna’s eruptions, highlighting the continuing challenges faced by Sicily’s main air travel hub during periods of increased volcanic activity.

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Finland Joins France’s Nuclear Deterrence Initiative to Strengthen European Security

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Finland has joined France’s initiative to expand cooperation with European partners on nuclear deterrence, the leaders of both countries announced on Monday. The move comes amid concerns over the future of US security commitments to Europe and the wider security impact of the war in Ukraine. France launched the Forward Nuclear Deterrence Initiative in March as part of efforts to strengthen Europe’s responsibility for its own defence.

The initiative allows participating countries to engage in joint military exercises, discuss nuclear strategy more closely and potentially host nuclear-capable assets for short periods. However, the decision to use French nuclear weapons remains solely with the French president, unlike NATO’s nuclear framework, which involves a shared Nuclear Planning Group. Finland’s defence minister described joining the initiative as a natural step following other Nordic countries.

Finnish President Alexander Stubb said the programme is aimed at strengthening European security and preventing escalation, while stressing that it does not replace NATO’s nuclear deterrence. Finland also said it does not intend to allow nuclear weapons to be stationed on its territory during peacetime. With Finland’s addition, 10 European countries now participate in the French initiative.

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Germany Rejects Calls to Halt AI Development, Seeks US-China Cooperation

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Germany has said that halting artificial intelligence development is not a viable option for Europe, arguing that continued innovation is essential to strengthening the region’s digital sovereignty. The digital affairs ministry said on Monday that it was closely monitoring global AI developments and taking warnings from leading technology companies seriously.

The comments came after Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei called for AI companies to slow the pace of model development and introduce stronger safeguards. Germany said AI systems capable of escaping testing environments and independently accessing other systems could create an entirely new type of security threat, requiring a fresh policy response.

Germany also called for greater international cooperation on AI governance, saying effective oversight would require the involvement of both the United States and China. The government plans to raise the issue at the G7 level as countries seek to balance rapid AI innovation with safety and responsible development.

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Céline Dion Wins Praise for Emotional Comeback Show in Paris

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Céline Dion has made her long-awaited return to the stage with the opening night of her 26-show residency at Paris La Défense Arena. The 58-year-old Canadian singer, who stepped away from touring after being diagnosed with stiff person syndrome in 2022, performed before around 30,000 fans. The emotional night marked her first full concert since 2020, following her brief appearance at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Dion became visibly emotional throughout the performance, at times breaking down in tears as the audience cheered her return. Critics praised the singer for delivering a raw and deeply personal performance, with reviews describing the comeback as a high-stakes return. While some noted that her vocals initially sounded fragile, they said she grew in confidence as the concert progressed and praised the authenticity and emotion in her performance.

The Paris residency will continue through September and October and into the New Year. The comeback has generated huge interest, with millions of fans reportedly registering for early ticket access. Additional shows scheduled for May 2027 have also sold out, while Paris has hosted tribute events, karaoke nights and Dion-themed activities for fans celebrating her return.

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France Apologises to US Over Human Rights Criticism

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France has expressed regret over a social media post criticising the United States for voting against extending the term of U.N. human rights chief Volker Turk. The July 25 post triggered a diplomatic dispute between the two allies.

The controversy escalated when the U.S. delegation walked out of a U.N. Security Council meeting while France was speaking. Washington also reportedly considered blocking France’s nominee for ambassador to the United States, Aurelien Lechevallier.

France said the disagreement concerned a single vote and did not question the broader defence of human rights. The U.S. State Department welcomed the statement, potentially clearing the way for Lechevallier’s approval as France’s next ambassador in Washington.

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