featured News Trending

Spain’s Christmas Lottery Brings Joy and Relief to Wildfire-Hit León

By 35 0

Spain’s iconic Christmas lottery, El Gordo, distributed a massive €2.77 billion in prize money on Monday, spreading cheer across the country and offering particular relief to residents of León province, which was badly affected by wildfires earlier this year. Many winners of the top prize were based in the region, prompting emotional reactions from locals who described the windfall as a rare moment of hope after months of hardship.

The state-run draw, whose prize pot increased from last year’s €2.70 billion, was held at Madrid’s Teatro Real and broadcast nationwide. In keeping with a tradition that dates back more than two centuries, pupils from the San Ildefonso school sang out the winning numbers while drawing them from two revolving globes, officially ushering in Spain’s festive season. Large crowds gathered at the venue, many wearing Santa hats, traditional outfits and carrying lucky charms.

The ceremony was briefly disrupted when a small group of protesters voiced pro-Palestinian slogans inside the theatre, but the draw soon continued as planned. In the weeks leading up to El Gordo, lottery excitement grips Spain, with families, friends and colleagues pooling money to buy tickets together. On average, Spaniards spend about €66.6 on tickets, with the popular €20 “decimo” offering holders a chance to win a share of the world’s largest lottery payout.

Pic courtesy: google/ images are subject to copyright

featured News Trending

French PM Pushes Emergency Budget Law to Prevent Government Shutdown

By 53 0

French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu has begun urgent talks with political leaders to pass emergency legislation that would keep the French government functioning into the new year, after lawmakers failed to agree on a full 2026 budget. A joint committee from both chambers of parliament was unable to finalise the budget bill last week, forcing the government to seek a temporary rollover law to allow spending, tax collection and borrowing to continue from January.

Lecornu is consulting party leaders, excluding the far right and far left, ahead of a cabinet meeting where the stopgap budget is expected to be approved before being sent to parliament. Lawmakers are widely expected to pass the measure on Tuesday, buying time for further negotiations on a complete 2026 budget in January. France’s fiscal situation is under close scrutiny from investors and credit rating agencies, as it currently has the highest budget deficit in the euro zone.

However, the political situation remains fragile. Lecornu has ruled out using special constitutional powers to force a budget compromise, as doing so could trigger a no-confidence vote. His minority government faces deep divisions in parliament, where budget disputes have already brought down three governments since President Emmanuel Macron lost his majority in the 2024 snap election. Last year, reliance on similar emergency legislation delayed the 2025 budget and cost the state an estimated €12 billion.

Pic courtesy: google/ images are subject to copyright

featured News Trending

Swiss Court Admits Climate Lawsuit by Indonesian Islanders Against Holcim

By 45 0

A Swiss court has agreed to admit a landmark climate lawsuit filed by residents of an Indonesian island against cement giant Holcim, marking a first for such litigation in Switzerland. The cantonal court in Zug said it would examine the complaint, which alleges that Holcim’s carbon emissions contribute to global warming and rising sea levels that have repeatedly flooded Pulau Pari, a low-lying island in Indonesia. The case was filed in January 2023 by four island residents, though the court noted the decision could still be overturned during appeal proceedings.

Holcim has said it plans to appeal the ruling, arguing that decisions on carbon emissions should be made by lawmakers rather than civil courts. The company reiterated its commitment to reaching net-zero emissions by 2050 and said it has already cut its direct CO₂ emissions by more than 50% since 2015. However, NGOs backing the plaintiffs said Holcim was chosen because it is one of the world’s major carbon emitters and a leading “carbon major” in Switzerland.

Supporters of the case, including Swiss Church Aid, said the ruling represents the first time a Swiss court has admitted climate litigation against a large corporation. The plaintiffs are seeking compensation for climate-related damage, financial support for flood protection measures, and faster reductions in emissions. With cement production responsible for around 7% of global CO₂ emissions, the case is being closely watched as a potential precedent for corporate climate accountability.

Pic courtesy: google/ images are subject to copyright

featured News

Kosovo Votes Amid Political Deadlock That Puts Key Funding at Risk

By 56 0

Kosovo will head to the polls on December 28 in a snap parliamentary election after a year-long political stalemate dissolved parliament and deepened the country’s financial strain. Prime Minister Albin Kurti’s Vetevendosje party emerged as the largest force in the previous election but failed to secure a majority or form a coalition, leaving Europe’s newest state without a functioning government. Analysts warn that another inconclusive result could prolong paralysis just months before parliament must elect a new president.

Voters appear frustrated by lawmakers’ inability to break the impasse, while opposition parties remain reluctant to govern with Kurti, accusing him of worsening relations with the ethnic Serb minority, damaging Kosovo’s international standing, and failing to improve living standards. Kurti, however, remains optimistic about winning an outright majority, campaigning on promises of higher salaries, major capital investment, and tougher action against organised crime.

The prolonged deadlock has delayed vital international funding, putting Kosovo’s fragile finances under pressure. Nearly 880 million euros in European Union budget support and 127 million euros from the World Bank remain stalled, with some funds at risk of cancellation if not approved soon by a new parliament. With poverty already widespread and healthcare and education under strain, many fear that another political impasse could jeopardise much-needed aid and deepen public hardship.

Pic courtesy: google/ images are subject to copyright

featured News Trending

Kremlin Dismisses European, Ukrainian Changes to U.S. Peace Proposals

By 52 0

The Kremlin said on Sunday that recent changes proposed by Europe and Ukraine to U.S.-drafted plans aimed at ending the war in Ukraine have not improved the prospects for peace. Russian President Vladimir Putin’s top foreign policy aide, Yuri Ushakov, said Moscow remains unconvinced that the revised proposals would help achieve a lasting settlement, reflecting Russia’s continued scepticism toward European and Ukrainian involvement in shaping the peace framework.

The original U.S. proposals, which were leaked last month, sparked concern among European and Ukrainian leaders who feared they were overly favourable to Russia and could pressure Kyiv into excessive concessions. In response, European and Ukrainian negotiators have held talks with envoys from U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration to introduce their own amendments, though the precise details of the updated proposals have not been made public. Ushakov said he had not yet seen the full documents but was confident the changes would not enhance the chances of long-term peace.

His remarks came after Putin’s special envoy Kirill Dmitriev held talks in Florida with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner. Dmitriev is expected to report back to Putin on the discussions, after which Moscow will decide its next steps in contacts with Washington. The talks underscore the high stakes surrounding whether the war—the deadliest in Europe since World War Two—can be brought to an end, the future of Ukraine, and whether any U.S.-brokered deal would be durable.

Pic courtesy: google/ images are subject to copyright

featured News Trending

Elysee Palace Silverware Keeper to Stand Trial Over Alleged Porcelain Theft

By 79 0

France’s presidential silverware keeper and two other men will stand trial over the suspected theft of valuable porcelain and tableware from the Elysee Palace, Paris prosecutors said. The presidency had reported the disappearance of items used during state dinners and official events, with the total value of the missing objects estimated between €15,000 and €40,000. The French presidency has not commented on the case so far.

Prosecutors said the silverware keeper, identified as Thomas M., and his partner Damien G. were arrested on suspicion of theft, while a third man, Ghislain M., was detained on suspicion of receiving stolen goods. Investigators found around 100 items in Thomas M.’s locker, car and home, including copper pots, Sevres porcelain and Baccarat champagne glasses. Authorities said suspicious inventory adjustments had raised internal alarms, suggesting the thefts may have been planned in advance.

Some stolen items were allegedly offered for sale online, including air force-stamped plates and ashtrays found on a resale platform. Sevres, a key supplier to the Elysee, later identified several missing pieces on auction websites, with some items since recovered. Ghislain M., who reportedly worked as a guard at the Louvre Museum, has been barred from returning to his post pending trial, which is scheduled for February.

Pic courtesy: google/ images are subject to copyright

featured News Trending

Putin Says Russia Will Avoid Future Wars If West Shows Respect

By 69 0

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said Russia would not launch any new wars after Ukraine if Western countries treat Moscow with respect and acknowledge its security interests. Speaking during his annual “Direct Line” televised marathon, Putin dismissed claims that Russia plans to attack Europe as “nonsense” and said further military operations could be avoided if the West stopped what he described as deception, particularly over Nato’s eastward expansion.

Answering questions from the BBC and other international journalists, Putin repeated that Russia was open to ending the war in Ukraine “peacefully,” but only on its own terms. He reiterated demands that Ukrainian forces withdraw from regions partially occupied by Russia and abandon efforts to join Nato. Putin also claimed Russian forces were advancing on the battlefield and insisted that responsibility for blocking peace lay with Western governments and Ukraine’s European backers, not Moscow.

The lengthy broadcast, which mixed foreign policy with domestic concerns, came as fighting in Ukraine continued, with Ukrainian officials reporting deadly Russian missile strikes hours after the event. Putin acknowledged economic pressures at home, including rising prices and higher taxes, while portraying Russia as resilient. He concluded by saying Russia was ready to cooperate with the US, Europe, and the UK as equals, provided its long-term security was guaranteed, accusing the West of deliberately turning Russia into an enemy.

Pic courtesy: google/ images are subject to copyright

featured News Trending

Norway’s Crown Princess May Need Lung Transplant as Health Worsens

By 67 0

Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit is likely to require a lung transplant after her health deteriorated significantly in recent months, the royal household has announced. The 52-year-old princess was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis in 2018, a progressive lung disease that causes scarring and restricts breathing. Medical tests carried out this autumn showed a clear worsening of her condition, prompting doctors to begin preparations for a possible transplant evaluation.

Although no final decision has been taken on placing her on the transplant waiting list, doctors at Oslo University Hospital said the process towards assessing her eligibility has begun. In Norway, lung transplants are limited, with typically 20 to 40 patients waiting at any given time, and the palace stressed that Princess Mette-Marit would not receive preferential treatment. Her healthcare team is making necessary preparations to ensure a transplant can be carried out if and when required.

The palace said the princess now needs more rest and a carefully managed exercise routine, but she remains keen to continue her royal duties, which will be adjusted to suit her health. Her husband, Crown Prince Haakon, said she struggles more with breathing and has less energy, making activities such as hiking and skiing impossible. Despite the risks involved, the princess acknowledged that a transplant may become necessary as pulmonary fibrosis is a serious disease that can worsen rapidly.

Pic courtesy: google/ images are subject to copyright

featured News

IMF Welcomes EU’s €90 Billion Loan to Ukraine, Work on Financing Continues

By 68 0

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) welcomed the European Union’s decision to lend €90 billion ($105 billion) to Ukraine over the next two years, calling it a key step toward closing financing gaps and restoring debt sustainability. The EU opted to borrow funds for this loan rather than use frozen Russian assets, providing crucial support to Ukraine, which has relied heavily on donor aid since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022 disrupted its economy.

The IMF has highlighted that additional measures are needed before approving Ukraine’s new $8.1 billion lending programme. These include implementing a program-consistent budget for 2026, broadening the tax base, promoting anti-corruption reforms, and securing financing assurances from international donors. The Fund estimates Ukraine will need around €135 billion ($158.57 billion) for 2026–2027, with the interest-free EU loan covering roughly two-thirds of these needs.

Despite the new financial support, Ukraine faces ongoing economic pressures as the war continues to drain resources. Finance Minister Sergii Marchenko emphasized the importance of implementing a Reparations Loan, while the country plans to allocate about 27% of its GDP, or 2.8 trillion hryvnias, to defence spending in 2026. The IMF reaffirmed its commitment to working with international donors to ensure sustainable financing for Ukraine.

Pic courtesy: google/ images are subject to copyright

featured News

Rome to Charge Tourists to Get Close to Trevi Fountain

By 73 0

Starting February 1, tourists who wish to step onto the stone steps surrounding Rome’s iconic Trevi Fountain will be required to pay a two-euro fee, Mayor Roberto Gualtieri announced on Friday. The new measure aims to manage tourist crowds more effectively while generating an estimated 6.5 million euros annually. Residents of Rome will continue to have free access, while the surrounding square offering views of the fountain will remain open to all.

The Trevi Fountain, completed in 1762, is a late Baroque masterpiece featuring Oceanus, the god of all water, and symbolises the moods of seas and rivers worldwide. Known for the tradition of tossing coins to ensure a return to Rome, the fountain has drawn millions of visitors each year, including world leaders. This year alone, it has already received nine million visitors, highlighting the challenge of overcrowding that the new fee aims to address.

The move is part of a broader trend in Italy to monetise cultural attractions. Alongside the Trevi Fountain, five lesser-known sites in Rome will begin charging five euros for entry starting February. Similar initiatives have been introduced in other Italian cities, including Venice, which charges peak-season entry fees, and Verona, where visitors must pay to access Juliet’s balcony, reflecting the growing effort to maintain and profit from the nation’s historic sites.

Pic courtesy: google/ images are subject to copyright