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Ireland’s Finance Minister to Announce Tax Cuts and Cost-of-Living Support Amid Surplus

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Ireland’s Finance Minister, Jack Chambers, is set to unveil a pre-election budget on Tuesday, featuring personal tax cuts and measures to alleviate the cost of living. The announcement comes amid speculation of a possible general election before Christmas. Despite a projected €25bn budget surplus, largely driven by a tax windfall from Apple, Chambers has stated that the surplus will be reserved for future investments and not directly influence the budget.

The coalition government, which had committed €1.4bn in tax measures and €6.9bn in new spending, faces scrutiny over its economic policies. The Irish Fiscal Advisory Council (IFAC) has warned that the planned 7% rise in public spending exceeds the government’s own limit of 5%, potentially overheating the economy. However, the government argues that inflation, which has fallen to below 2%, and rising employment levels support its spending plans.

Investment in Ireland’s infrastructure, particularly in energy, water, and housing, is expected to be a major focus of the budget. The government’s handling of the housing crisis remains a key target for the opposition party, Sinn Féin, which has seen a dip in opinion polls. Measures such as a tax on unused land zoned for housing are expected to be included to address the growing demand for housing development.

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Austria’s Far-Right Freedom Party Claims Historic Victory in National Election

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Herbert Kickl’s far-right Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) achieved an unprecedented victory in the recent national election, securing 29.2% of the vote. This marks a lead over the conservative People’s Party (ÖVP) at 26.5%, though it falls short of a majority. Kickl celebrated the results, describing it as a turning point in Austrian politics, driven by voter concerns over migration, the economy, and national security. However, coalition-building may prove difficult as ÖVP leader Karl Nehammer refuses to join a government led by Kickl, citing his embrace of conspiracy theories.

The election, which saw a high voter turnout of 74.9%, highlighted growing support for far-right movements across Europe, as similar victories were recently witnessed in Italy, Germany, and France. Despite FPÖ’s success, opposition parties including the Social Democrats, Greens, and liberal Neos have ruled out forming a coalition with Kickl’s party. Protesters also gathered outside parliament, holding anti-Nazi banners, a reminder of the FPÖ’s controversial past, rooted in post-war Nazi ideologies.

Kickl’s aspirations to lead Austria as “Volkskanzler” have drawn criticism, with some warning of parallels to authoritarian leaders. While the FPÖ could form a coalition with the ÖVP, tensions remain high as President Alexander Van der Bellen, who oversees the formation of the government, has expressed concerns over the party’s stance on the EU and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

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Meta Fined €91m by Irish Data Watchdog for Password Breach

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Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has been fined €91m (£75m) by the Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC) after an investigation revealed that user passwords were stored without encryption on its internal systems. The inquiry, launched in 2019, concluded that Meta had breached the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) on four counts. The decision was finalized on September 26, 2024, and included a reprimand alongside the fine.

Graham Doyle, DPC deputy commissioner, emphasized the risks posed by storing sensitive data such as user passwords in plaintext, noting that such practices could expose users to significant harm by enabling unauthorized access to their social media accounts. The commissioners for data protection, Dr. Des Hogan and Dale Sunderland, spearheaded the ruling.

This isn’t Meta’s first clash with the DPC. In May 2023, the company was hit with a record-breaking €1.2bn (£1bn) fine for mishandling data transfers between Europe and the U.S. Additionally, in 2022, Meta faced a €265m (£220m) penalty after data from 533 million users was exposed on a hacking forum.

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Putin Considers Nuclear Response to Non-Nuclear Attacks Backed by Nuclear States

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In a significant escalation of rhetoric, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Russia would regard an attack from a non-nuclear state, supported by a nuclear-armed nation, as a “joint attack,” hinting at the potential use of nuclear weapons in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This declaration comes as Ukraine intensifies its military operations, seeking long-range Western missiles to target Russian military installations. Putin’s remarks follow a meeting with his Security Council, where he indicated plans to revise Russia’s nuclear doctrine, clarifying conditions under which Moscow might resort to nuclear strikes.

As tensions rise, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is in the United States seeking military support, emphasizing the urgency of addressing the threat posed by Russian attacks. Zelensky’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, dismissed Putin’s statements as “nuclear blackmail,” reflecting Ukraine’s determination to defend its sovereignty against perceived aggression. In response to the escalating situation, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemned Putin’s comments as “totally irresponsible,” reinforcing the Western commitment to support Ukraine amid growing fears of nuclear escalation.

The Kremlin has warned that changes to its nuclear strategy serve as a signal to the West regarding the consequences of participating in attacks against Russia. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that the updated nuclear doctrine would outline specific scenarios where Russia might consider using nuclear weapons, particularly in response to conventional strikes perceived as critical threats to national sovereignty. This development highlights the precarious nature of the conflict and the potential for catastrophic consequences if diplomatic avenues are not pursued.

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Pope Francis Faces Harsh Reality of Belgium’s Clergy Abuse Scandal During Visit

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Pope Francis arrives in Belgium this week as the nation grapples with its painful history of clergy sexual abuse, which has rocked the Catholic Church for over two decades. Survivors of abuse have penned an open letter urging the pope to create a universal system of reparations and take responsibility for the devastation caused by predatory priests. This marks the latest chapter in Belgium’s long-standing scandal, which resurfaced in 2010 when Bishop Roger Vangheluwe admitted to sexually abusing his nephew, triggering unprecedented police raids on church offices.

The pope’s visit comes amid renewed public scrutiny following last year’s release of the Flemish documentary Godvergeten (“Godforsaken”), which brought victims’ stories to light, reigniting outrage. The documentary, along with parliamentary inquests, emphasized the systematic cover-up of abuse cases, further tarnishing the Church’s reputation in Belgium, where Catholic attendance is now in steep decline. In March, the Vatican defrocked Vangheluwe, 14 years after his confession, in an attempt to address public anger before Francis’ arrival.

Despite efforts to shift focus toward other issues like climate change and immigration, the abuse scandal continues to cast a shadow over Francis’ visit. A bishop was forced to withdraw from papal events after eulogizing a priest involved in an abuse case, and the closing hymn of a Mass had to be replaced due to its composer’s abusive past. The visit is seen by many as a test of the Church’s ability to confront its troubled legacy in Belgium.

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Sweden Accuses Iran of Hacking SMS Service to Fuel Quran Burning Tensions

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Sweden’s security service, Sapo, has accused Iranian intelligence of hacking a Swedish text messaging service to send over 15,000 messages calling for “revenge against Quran-burners.” The cyberattack, linked to the Revolutionary Guards’ (IRGC) affiliated group Anzu, allegedly aimed to deepen societal divisions and paint Sweden as Islamophobic after Quran burnings triggered outrage in several Muslim-majority countries.

Iran’s embassy in Stockholm has dismissed the accusations as “baseless.” However, Swedish investigators found strong links between the hackers and the IRGC, noting that the messages added to the existing threats against the country. While the hackers have been identified, Sweden has shelved its investigation as extradition is impossible.

This isn’t the first instance of hostile actions attributed to Iran. Last year, Sapo accused Tehran of using criminal networks in Sweden to target individuals Iran deemed a threat. Iran, Russia, and China are currently seen as the greatest security risks to the Nordic country.

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Zelenskyy Seeks US Investments to Strengthen Ukraine’s Energy Sector Amid Winter Concerns

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with business leaders in New York to seek investments in Ukraine’s energy sector, as the country braces for potential power outages during the winter months. The meeting included representatives from energy, finance, and insurance sectors, as well as USAID chief Samantha Power and U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Richard Verma. Zelenskyy proposed special incentives, emphasizing that securing energy stability is key to Ukraine’s victory strategy.

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukrainian cities have been repeatedly targeted by Russian airstrikes, particularly on critical energy infrastructure. The United Nations and Ukraine have condemned the strikes as violations of international humanitarian law, and the International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Russian officials responsible for attacks on civilian power facilities. Moscow, however, claims that energy infrastructure is a legitimate military target.

As Ukraine prepares for the harsh winter, forecasts suggest that power outages could last up to 18 hours a day. European leaders, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, have pledged financial assistance, with the EU offering a €35 billion loan to help Ukraine restore its energy grid and improve heating capacity ahead of the cold months.

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Former Defence Secretary Sir Ben Wallace Faces Scrutiny Over SAS War Crimes Allegations and Changes to Overseas Operations Bill

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Former Defence Secretary Sir Ben Wallace is facing significant questions regarding changes made to the Overseas Operations Bill, which reduced the prosecution protection period for British troops from ten to five years. Senior government sources revealed that Wallace, who oversaw the bill, was aware of serious war crimes allegations against the SAS during their operations in Afghanistan. The bill had been designed to prevent what the government described as “vexatious” claims against troops, but critics argue the changes deliberately shielded elite forces from prosecution.

The allegations against the SAS are now under investigation by a public inquiry led by Lord Justice Haddon-Cave, launched after a BBC Panorama investigation revealed that an SAS squadron killed 54 individuals in suspicious circumstances during a six-month tour. Wallace is scheduled to provide evidence to the inquiry, as concerns grow about whether his changes to the bill were aimed at protecting soldiers accused of war crimes, including extrajudicial killings and torture, from facing prosecution.

Critics, including former Attorney General Dominic Grieve and human rights advocates, have expressed serious misgivings about the intent of the bill’s amendments. Grieve called the timeframe change “troubling,” while bereaved Afghan families involved in the inquiry raised concerns that Wallace personally pushed for the reduced prosecution window, despite knowing about the serious allegations against the SAS. The bill, which was eventually passed in 2021, was amended to exclude war crimes, torture, and genocide from prosecution protections.

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Storm Boris Wreaks Havoc in Italy, Forcing Evacuations and Causing Severe Flooding

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Storm Boris continues its destructive path, now battering Italy’s north-east and central regions after devastating central Europe. The storm has led to severe flooding in the Emilia Romagna and Marche regions, forcing over 1,000 residents to evacuate. Landslides have disrupted roadways, and train services have been severely affected. In cities like Faenza and Ravenna, residents have been forced to flee using dinghies as rivers overflow, and schools and public spaces have been closed, including the University of Bologna.

The storm has already claimed at least 23 lives across Poland, the Czech Republic, Romania, and Austria. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has announced €10 billion in EU funding to assist affected countries. Meanwhile, experts warn that, although rainfall may ease by Friday, the risk of further flooding remains high in Italy and neighboring countries.

Scientists attribute the increase in extreme weather events, such as the catastrophic flooding in Emilia Romagna in May 2023, to climate change. However, the exact role of global warming in the development of Storm Boris is still being studied.

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Five Women Accuse Former Harrods Boss Mohamed Al Fayed of Rape

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An investigation has revealed that five women claim they were raped by former Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed during their time working at the luxury London department store. The accusations are part of a broader pattern of abuse, with over 20 ex-employees alleging sexual assault, including incidents in Paris, St. Tropez, and Abu Dhabi. Many women describe a culture of fear and intimidation during Fayed’s ownership, with the store accused of enabling and covering up his actions.

Victims recounted how Fayed targeted young female employees, promoted them to positions near him, and then assaulted them at Harrods, his Park Lane apartment, and foreign properties. Some women were coerced into signing non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) and shredding evidence. Harrods’ current owners have since settled claims and issued apologies, condemning the former owner’s actions and vowing that such abuses will never occur again.

Fayed, who died in 2023, faced allegations during his lifetime but evaded accountability. Now, with his passing, more women are coming forward to share their experiences. Legal action against Harrods continues, as victims seek justice for the trauma they endured.

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