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Italian Court Blocks Sicily Bridge Plan, Government Vows to Push Ahead

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An Italian court has ruled that the proposed 3,666-metre suspension bridge linking Sicily to mainland Italy violates EU environmental and tender regulations, casting a major setback for Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s flagship infrastructure project. The Court of Auditors said the government failed to justify overriding environmental concerns involving coastal and marine ecosystems in Sicily and Calabria.

The project—debated for over 50 years—has long divided the country, with supporters arguing it would boost the economy and strengthen transport routes, including for NATO forces. Critics, however, warn of environmental risks, high costs, and seismic dangers. The judges also pointed out major discrepancies in project financing, noting that the new estimated cost of €13.5 billion is more than triple the original projection, potentially requiring a fresh tender under EU rules.

Despite the ruling, the government insists it remains committed to the bridge. Infrastructure Minister Matteo Salvini, a key backer, said the concerns can be addressed, while the Eurolink consortium selected to build the bridge expressed confidence in the project’s future. If clarifications fail, the government may attempt to override the objections through a cabinet vote, a move that could ignite further legal battles.

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Grief and Growing Pressure as Ukraine Faces Hard Choices in War

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Ukraine’s Lychakiv Cemetery in Lviv is nearing capacity as the war with Russia approaches its fourth year, with more than 1,000 fallen soldiers already laid to rest. Families visiting the graves express a deep desire for peace, even if it means facing difficult compromises. For many, including parents who lost children, the scale of loss is overwhelming and heartbreaking.

As Russia advances in the east, the U.S.-backed peace proposal has intensified debate in Ukraine, with Washington urging Kyiv to consider concessions, including giving up territory still partly controlled by Ukrainian forces. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, however, has warned that Ukraine is facing its most challenging moment yet and insists he will not agree to a deal that undermines the country’s core interests.

Grief-stricken families are divided on the issue: some believe negotiations are necessary to stop further bloodshed, while others argue that yielding land dishonors the sacrifice of the fallen. Many, like 68-year-old Antonina Ryshko, whose son died fighting, reject any territorial compromise, questioning what their loved ones died for. With new burial grounds already being prepared, the human cost of the conflict remains painfully visible across the nation.

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Switzerland to Vote on Major Wealth Tax Aimed at Climate Funding

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Switzerland will vote on Sunday on a proposed wealth tax targeting fortunes of 50 million Swiss francs ($62 million) or more, a move seen as a test of the public’s appetite for redistribution in one of the world’s richest nations. The initiative, launched by the youth wing of the Social Democrats (JUSO), calls for a 50% levy on ultra-large inheritances, with the revenue earmarked for climate-impact reduction projects. Swiss authorities estimate around 2,500 taxpayers hold assets exceeding 50 million francs, collectively worth about 500 billion francs.

Polls suggest the measure is unlikely to pass, with up to two-thirds of voters opposed, though analysts say the margin of rejection will signal how far Switzerland may shift toward wealth-distribution policies. Business leaders such as UBS CEO Sergio Ermotti have expressed concern, warning the outcome will indicate the country’s future economic direction. This comes amid rising living-cost pressures and previous voter approval of additional pension payments, reflecting growing financial anxieties.

Supporters argue that the super-rich contribute disproportionately to climate damage through luxury consumption, with JUSO leaders claiming the 10 richest families emit as much carbon as most of the population. Critics, including the Swiss government, fear the plan would drive wealthy residents out of the country and undermine tax revenues. Finance Minister Karin Keller-Sutter warned the initiative would harm Switzerland’s attractiveness, reinforcing the government’s call to reject it.

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Germany Urges Trump to Invite South Africa to 2026 G20 Summit

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Germany said on Thursday it would work to convince U.S. President Donald Trump to reverse his decision to exclude South Africa from next year’s G20 summit in Florida. Trump has repeatedly accused South Africa’s black-majority government of mistreating its white population, citing widely debunked claims of attacks on white farmers. These assertions led Washington to boycott the recent G20 summit in Johannesburg, despite the group adopting a joint declaration on climate and global challenges.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office said several G20 members had privately expressed support for Pretoria after Trump’s comments. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz publicly stated he would lobby Trump to extend an invitation to South Africa, stressing that G20 and G7 forums should not be reduced without solid justification. South Africa, however, said it would not campaign for backing from individual countries, noting the delicate diplomatic position many face with the United States.

Trump’s criticism intensified after he claimed South Africa mishandled the handover of the G20 presidency—an allegation Pretoria denies, saying the U.S. delegation was not present at the time. Although it is unclear how the U.S. could formally block South Africa’s participation, experts suggest visa denials could be one tactic. The dispute adds fresh strain to already tense U.S.–South Africa trade negotiations, which have been affected by new U.S. tariffs and cuts to financial assistance earlier this year.

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Macron Launches Voluntary Youth Military Service Amid Rising Global Threats

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French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Thursday a new voluntary youth military service set to begin by mid-2026, aiming to strengthen the nation’s defense in the face of “accelerating threats” worldwide. Open to 18- and 19-year-olds, the program will last 10 months, offer pay, and initially engage 3,000 participants on French soil, expanding to 10,000 by 2030. The initiative is part of a broader European trend, aligning France with countries like Germany and Denmark, and will cost an estimated 2 billion euros ($2.32 billion).

Macron emphasized that the program is not a return to conscription, which was abolished by Jacques Chirac in 1996, but rather a “hybrid army model” combining national service youth, reservists, and the active military. Participants could integrate into civilian life, continue as reservists, or join the armed forces full-time. France also plans to expand its pool of reservists to 100,000 by 2030, up from around 47,000 today, with total military strength reaching approximately 210,000.

The announcement comes amid controversy sparked by comments from General Fabien Mandon, France’s armed forces chief, who suggested that France may need to endure losses in the face of Russian aggression. Macron clarified that the youth program would not involve sending French volunteers to Ukraine, while political figures defended Mandon’s blunt remarks as a necessary warning to the public.

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German Consumer Mood Lifts Slightly as Festive Shopping Begins

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Germany’s consumer sentiment is set to improve modestly in December, supported by a rise in households’ willingness to spend on Christmas shopping despite lingering concerns about future income. The GfK and NIM consumer climate index edged up to -23.2 for December from -24.1, matching analysts’ expectations. A second month of stronger buying appetite and a small drop in saving intentions helped lift the overall mood.

However, retail expectations remain cautious. An Ifo Institute survey shows that around a quarter of retailers anticipate weak Christmas sales, with many entering the holiday season without high hopes. Only about 10% expect strong performance, while the retail association HDE forecasts €126.2 billion in November–December sales, indicating only modest growth.

Despite the slight pickup in spending sentiment, households remain wary about the year ahead. Economic expectations dipped again, reflecting concerns over Germany’s slow recovery, with GDP expected to grow just 0.2% in 2025 after two years of contraction. Toy retailers—usually strong performers in the Christmas season—are among the most pessimistic, with half expecting poorer results than last year.

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Eight Men Get Life Sentences in Russia for Crimean Bridge Bombing

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A Russian court has sentenced eight men to life imprisonment for their involvement in the October 2022 bombing of the Crimean bridge, according to state news agency TASS. The explosion tore through part of the 19-km structure connecting Crimea to Russia’s Krasnodar region, killing five people and damaging what was then a crucial supply route for Russian military operations in Ukraine.

Ukraine’s domestic intelligence agency later claimed responsibility for the attack, which came eight years after Russia annexed Crimea in 2014. The sentencing underscores Moscow’s ongoing effort to impose harsh penalties for acts it considers terrorism or sabotage linked to the war.

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Georgian Opposition Leader Gets Extra Jail Term for Splashing Water at Judge

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Georgian opposition leader Nika Melia has received an additional 1.5-year prison sentence after a Tbilisi court found him guilty of contempt for splashing water at a judge during a hearing in May. Melia, already serving an eight-month term for refusing to appear before a parliamentary inquiry, was seen in courtroom footage throwing water from a plastic bottle toward the judge. He has been held since May along with other opposition figures who boycotted the inquiry into alleged offences linked to ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili.

Georgia’s political climate has increasingly drawn criticism, with opponents accusing the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party of authoritarian drift since the war in Ukraine began. GD has cracked down on critics and signalled plans to petition the Constitutional Court to ban three major opposition parties—including Melia’s Ahali-Coalition for Change—on claims they threaten the nation’s constitutional order.

Melia now faces several new charges, including sabotage and plotting to topple the government, allegations his party calls politically motivated. Relations with the European Union have also deteriorated, with Brussels warning that Georgia is no longer on track for membership due to concerns over democratic backsliding. Despite freezing EU accession talks, the government insists it still supports joining the bloc while maintaining “traditional Orthodox values.”

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Von der Leyen Warns Russia Shows “No Real Intent” for Peace as Diplomatic Tensions Rise

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European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Russia has “no real intent” to engage in peace talks, calling the Ukraine war “volatile” and “dangerous” during an address to the European Parliament. Her remarks came just before the Kremlin labelled peace-deal discussions as “premature”, even as the US intensifies mediation efforts in Geneva and Abu Dhabi. Ukraine has agreed to the “essence” of a revised peace proposal, though major disagreements with Moscow remain.

Von der Leyen reaffirmed Europe’s unwavering support for Ukraine and stressed the need for robust security guarantees to prevent future Russian aggression. She also highlighted ongoing debates over the €210bn in frozen Russian assets held in Europe. While Belgium and several EU nations fear legal and financial risks in reallocating these funds to Kyiv, she insisted such concerns should not dictate Europe’s response. EU leaders are expected to decide on the issue in late December.

Meanwhile, European governments voiced frustration at being left out of recent US-led peace initiatives, including a 28-point plan criticised for favouring Russia. Despite calls from EU and NATO leaders to be included in future negotiations, Moscow has dismissed their involvement as unnecessary. As the US continues “shuttle diplomacy”, Zelensky seeks a direct meeting with President Trump to address key areas of disagreement, while Trump has expressed willingness to meet both sides only when a near-final deal is in place.

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New Questions Emerge Over Missing Hour in Valencia Flood Tragedy Timeline

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Fresh scrutiny has fallen on former Valencia regional president Carlos Mazón over an unexplained gap in his timeline on the day catastrophic floods killed 229 people in October 2024. While it was known he spent nearly four hours at lunch with journalist Maribel Vilaplana, new reports suggest their meeting may have continued beyond the restaurant, contradicting their earlier statements. The delayed emergency alert issued after 20:00 — when most victims had already died — has intensified public anger and led to Mazón’s resignation.

Court records show Vilaplana left an underground car park at 19:47, later than she claimed. Local reports now allege she drove Mazón to the regional government headquarters shortly before 20:00, raising questions about the 37-minute period when Mazón missed several calls and his movements remain unclear. Security footage confirms he arrived at the emergency agency only at 20:28. Other unverified accounts suggest he may have briefly gone home before returning to work. Mazón denies all claims that he was driven or made any detours.

As the investigation widens, Mazón and his team maintain that central authorities failed to provide timely information on the unfolding disaster. However, testimony from his own chief of staff indicates they were aware of the gravity of the situation hours before any action was taken. While Mazón cannot be charged due to parliamentary immunity, pressure is mounting from opposition figures who accuse him of hiding the truth about his actions during the deadly crisis.

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