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Nine Held in Alleged €10m Louvre Ticket Scam

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French authorities have detained nine people, including two officials from the Louvre Museum, in connection with an alleged ticket fraud that may have cost the Paris landmark up to 10 million euros ($11.8 million) in lost revenue. The Paris prosecutor’s office said those in custody also include several tour guides and the suspected organiser of the network. Investigators seized nearly 1 million euros in cash and about 500,000 euros held in bank accounts.

The probe began in December 2024 after the museum flagged suspicious activity involving guides who allegedly reused single-entry tickets to admit multiple groups of tourists. Following more than a year of investigation, police uncovered what they described as a long-running network that may have fraudulently ushered in as many as 20 tour groups per day over a decade, allegedly bribing museum staff to overlook the scheme. Authorities believe proceeds were invested in real estate in France and Dubai.

Prosecutors added that similar fraudulent practices may have occurred at the Palace of Versailles, though details were limited. The case adds to recent challenges faced by the Louvre, including security and infrastructure setbacks. Museum officials said they are strengthening anti-fraud measures as part of broader efforts to protect revenues, particularly after raising ticket prices last month for most non-EU visitors to support renovation plans.

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Rubio Signals ‘New Era’ Ahead of Munich Summit

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U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has described a “defining moment” in global affairs as he arrived in Europe to lead the American delegation at the Munich Security Conference. His visit comes amid heightened transatlantic tensions following President Donald Trump’s renewed remarks about annexing Greenland. Rubio said the world was entering a “new era in geopolitics” that would require allies to reassess their roles and priorities within the evolving international order.

European leaders have responded with a mix of caution and resolve. Emmanuel Macron has urged Europe to prepare for greater strategic independence from the U.S., while NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stressed that transatlantic ties remain vital. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said she would meet Rubio to address U.S. comments regarding Greenland, as concerns grow over Washington’s long-term commitment to NATO and European security.

The conference agenda includes the war in Ukraine, tensions with China and prospects for a renewed U.S.-Iran nuclear deal. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said the gathering could yield “new steps” for shared European security. Meanwhile, German and British leaders, including Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, are expected to hold key discussions on defence spending and alliance cohesion, as policymakers navigate shifting geopolitical dynamics.

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IOC Faces Backlash Over Nazi-Era Berlin Olympics T-Shirt

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The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has come under criticism in Germany for selling T-shirts featuring the original poster design of the 1936 Berlin Olympics, which were used by Adolf Hitler and the Nazis for propaganda. The shirts, sold through the official Olympic Shop, depict a male figure wearing a laurel wreath, the Olympic rings above, and the Brandenburg Gate below, alongside the text “Germany Berlin 1936 Olympic Games.”

Critics, including Klara Schedlich of the Green Party in Berlin, said the design is inappropriate and insensitive, arguing that it does not adequately reflect the historical context of Nazi propaganda. The IOC defended the sale, stating the shirts are part of its Olympic Heritage Collection, which showcases styles from all editions of the Games and celebrates athletic achievements, such as Jesse Owens’ four gold medals at the Berlin Games that challenged Nazi racial ideology.

The IOC emphasized that only a limited number of the 1936 T-shirts were produced and sold, and the historical context of the Berlin Olympics is explained at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne. The collection aims to highlight 130 years of Olympic art and design rather than promote the propaganda of any regime.

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Lufthansa Strike Grounds Nearly 800 Flights, Disrupts 100,000 Passengers

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Nearly 800 Lufthansa flights were cancelled on Thursday after pilots and cabin crew staged a strike, disrupting travel plans for around 100,000 passengers. The walkout, organised by the pilots’ union VC and flight attendants’ union UFO, affected major hubs in Frankfurt and Munich, with departure boards showing widespread cancellations, including long-haul services. Lufthansa said it expects to resume normal operations on Friday and is working to rebook passengers on partner airlines.

The strike comes amid long-running disputes over pensions and cost-cutting measures at the airline’s core brand. Pilots are demanding improved retirement benefits, while Lufthansa argues it has no financial flexibility to meet those demands. Negotiations have resumed intermittently but have yet to yield an agreement, prompting unions to escalate pressure through industrial action.

Separately, cabin crew at Lufthansa’s CityLine subsidiary are protesting the planned shutdown of its flight operations and the company’s refusal to negotiate a collective social plan. Union representatives said the coordinated action aims to pressure management, even as major events such as the Berlinale film festival and the Munich Security Conference begin in Germany.

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Russia Orders WhatsApp Block Amid Messaging App Crackdown

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Russia has ordered a nationwide block on WhatsApp, escalating its tightening grip on foreign messaging platforms. The Kremlin said the decision was due to Meta’s alleged failure to comply with Russian laws, including data storage requirements. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Meta could resume operations if it enters into dialogue and follows local regulations, while promoting the state-developed “Max” app as a domestic alternative.

Regulator Roskomnadzor has also moved to further restrict access to Telegram, citing security concerns. The crackdown comes as Russia accelerates efforts to build a sovereign digital ecosystem, a push that intensified after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Critics argue that the Max platform could enable state surveillance, though authorities deny such claims and have widely promoted the app through official channels and media campaigns.

WhatsApp, which has more than 100 million users in Russia, said isolating users from secure communication would undermine safety. Russia previously designated Meta as an extremist organisation, leading to bans on Facebook and Instagram, though Russians can still access them via VPNs. Digital rights groups report that several major platforms, including YouTube and the BBC, have also been removed from Russia’s national domain system, making them inaccessible without VPN services.

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Spain, Portugal on High Alert as Storms Lash Iberian Peninsula

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Spain and Portugal remained on high alert as heavy rain and powerful winds swept across the Iberian Peninsula, causing widespread disruption. Trees were uprooted, transport services were interrupted and schools were closed in several regions. In northeastern Spain’s Catalonia region, one person was left in serious condition after being struck by a falling tree, with at least four others reported injured.

Spain issued its highest red weather alert in Galicia, Cantabria and the Basque Country following the arrival of Storm Nils — the eighth storm to hit the country this year. Authorities in Catalonia suspended classes, sporting events and some non-essential healthcare services as wind gusts exceeded 105 km/h, disrupting road and rail networks. Around 40 flights at Barcelona’s El Prat airport were cancelled, while warnings were issued about waves reaching up to nine metres along parts of the coast.

In Portugal, an “atmospheric river” brought intense rainfall, particularly in northern areas, prompting the evacuation of about 3,000 residents. A section of the A1 motorway near Coimbra collapsed after flooding weakened its foundations, and officials said repairs could take weeks. While Storm Oriana is not expected to directly strike mainland Portugal, authorities warned of continued heavy rain and strong winds in the coming days.

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Russian Drone Strike Kills 3 Toddlers and Father in Kharkiv Region

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A Russian drone attack in Bohodukhiv, Kharkiv region, killed three young children and their father, while injuring the pregnant mother, local officials reported. The victims were twin boys Ivan and Vladyslav, aged two, and their one-year-old sister Myroslava, along with their 34-year-old father, Hryhoriy. The mother, Olha, 35, sustained minor burns but survived. The family had recently relocated from a town near the Russian border, seeking refuge from ongoing shelling.

The attack marks a renewed wave of Russian strikes following a short pause, with the Kharkiv region under near-daily assaults. Regional authorities described the incident as “brutal,” noting that tens of thousands of residents face severe power outages and lack of heating, worsened by Moscow targeting energy and transport infrastructure.

In parallel, Russian forces hit other areas including Slovyansk, causing further casualties, while Ukraine launched retaliatory drone attacks on Volzhsky in Russia’s Volgograd region. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized the continued strain on civilians and noted ongoing international efforts, including upcoming U.S.-hosted talks, to end the war that began in February 2022.

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Italy Approves Naval Blockades to Curb Migrant Arrivals

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Italy’s cabinet has approved a bill allowing naval blockades to stop migrant boats during periods of “exceptional pressure” at its borders. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, in office since 2022, has already introduced measures to accelerate repatriation of failed asylum seekers and impose stricter penalties on human smugglers, aiming to reduce sea crossings.

Under the draft legislation, the government could ban vessels from entering Italian waters for up to six months in cases of serious threats to public order or national security. Fines of up to €50,000 and potential confiscation of boats would target repeated violations, including charity-operated rescue ships. Meloni’s coalition argues that such rescue operations encourage migrants to attempt perilous sea journeys.

The bill has faced criticism from the center-left opposition, who call the approach repressive and ineffective. The move aligns with recent EU asylum rule changes allowing member states to reject applications from migrants who could have sought protection in a “safe” EU country, reflecting broader European efforts to tighten immigration controls.

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Russia Turns to Indian Workers to Tackle Labour Shortage

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Russia is increasingly recruiting workers from India to address a severe labour shortage worsened by the war in Ukraine. Officials estimate the country needs at least 2.3 million additional workers, particularly in manufacturing, construction and services. With fewer migrants arriving from Central Asia — traditionally Russia’s main source of foreign labour — Moscow has sharply increased work permits for Indians, approving nearly 72,000 last year compared with about 5,000 in 2021.

The shift reflects both economic necessity and strengthening ties between Moscow and New Delhi. President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi signed an agreement in December to simplify employment procedures for Indians in Russia. Russian officials say the country could accept an “unlimited number” of Indian workers, with hundreds of thousands needed across key sectors. A weaker rouble, stricter migration rules and rising anti-immigrant rhetoric have also reduced inflows from Central Asia, prompting the pivot toward South Asia.

Indian migrants are now working in textile factories, farms and service industries around Moscow and beyond. Employers say the workers are motivated and quickly adapt to new skills, while migrants cite higher wages compared to opportunities back home. Though U.S. pressure on India over its purchases of discounted Russian oil could affect broader ties, Moscow has downplayed tensions, and the inflow of Indian labour continues for now.

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Roberto De Zerbi Departs Marseille by Mutual Consent

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Roberto De Zerbi has left his position as Marseille manager by mutual agreement, the French club confirmed on Wednesday. The decision comes after a heavy 5-0 defeat to Paris St-Germain and Marseille’s recent Champions League exit following a 3-0 loss to Club Brugge. Club officials said the move followed discussions between the owner, president, sporting director and the coach.

De Zerbi joined Marseille in the summer of 2024 after leaving Brighton, where he spent nearly two seasons in charge. In his first campaign, he guided the club to a second-place finish in Ligue 1. However, this season has proved more challenging, with Marseille currently sitting fourth in the table, 12 points behind league leaders PSG.

In a statement, Marseille described the departure as a “difficult collective decision” made after careful consideration and in the best interests of the club. The change in leadership, the club added, is aimed at addressing the sporting challenges that lie ahead for the remainder of the season.

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