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24 Aid Workers on Trial in Greece for Alleged Migrant Smuggling

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Two dozen aid workers went on trial in Greece on Thursday, accused of migrant smuggling and money laundering, in a case that human rights groups have condemned as an attempt to criminalize humanitarian aid. The defendants, linked to the Emergency Response Center International (ERCI), operated on Lesbos between 2016 and 2018, rescuing refugees crossing the Aegean Sea. Among those on trial are Syrian refugee Sarah Mardini, whose 2015 rescue efforts inspired the Netflix film The Swimmers, and German volunteer Sean Binder.

The trial comes amid tightened migration rules in Greece and across the EU, as right-wing parties gain influence. Greece has reinforced border controls since 2019 and temporarily suspended processing asylum applications for some arrivals. Under a 2021 law, aiding migrants may now be treated as facilitating illegal entry or participating in a criminal enterprise, putting volunteers like those at ERCI at legal risk.

Human rights organizations have criticized the trial, calling it baseless and lacking evidence. Human Rights Watch stated that saving lives at sea has been mischaracterized as smuggling, and that the group’s legitimate fundraising has been unfairly labeled as money laundering. Defense lawyers argue that the verdict will determine whether humanitarian aid is judicially protected or left vulnerable to arbitrary prosecution.

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Vatican Commission Rules Out Women Serving as Catholic Deacons

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A high-level Vatican commission has voted against allowing women to serve as Catholic deacons, upholding the Church’s tradition of all-male clergy. The decision came in a 7-1 vote and was reported to Pope Leo, with the findings released publicly on Thursday. While the commission ruled out the possibility at this time, it recommended continued study of the issue.

The report stated that historical research and theological investigations “exclude the possibility” of ordaining women as deacons for now. However, it noted that its assessment does not allow a definitive judgment to be made, leaving room for future consideration. Pope Francis had previously set up two commissions to explore the role of women deacons, although the discussions were held in secrecy until now.

While women cannot serve as priests under Church law—a ban formalized by Pope John Paul II in 1994—the question of female deacons has remained open. Supporters cite early Church history, including references to Phoebe in St. Paul’s letters, as evidence that women once held the role. Advocates continue to push for broader inclusion within Church ministries.

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Italian Police Request Governance Records from 13 Fashion Brands

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Italian police visited the headquarters of 13 major fashion brands, including Dolce & Gabbana, Versace, Prada, and Gucci, requesting documents on governance and supply-chain controls. The action is part of an investigation into alleged worker abuse at subcontractors, although none of the companies are under formal investigation or subject to court-appointed administration, judicial documents show.

The brands were linked to the probe after garments and subcontracting records connected to them were found in Chinese-owned workshops previously investigated in Milan. Authorities aim to assess the companies’ involvement in labour exploitation and whether their compliance systems adequately prevent such abuses. Companies will have the opportunity to address any issues internally before prosecutors consider further measures.

The move comes amid broader efforts by the Italian government to safeguard the reputation of “Made in Italy” fashion. Industry Minister Adolfo Urso recently proposed a bill for legal certification of fashion supply chains, allowing brands to pre-emptively prove compliance and protect Italy’s luxury sector, which accounts for more than half of global luxury goods production.

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Turkey Urges Russia and Ukraine to Keep Energy Facilities Out of Conflict

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Turkey has asked Russia, Ukraine, and other actors involved in the war to avoid targeting energy infrastructure, stressing the need for uninterrupted energy supply amid rising attacks near the Turkish coast. Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said Ankara is alarmed by recent drone strikes on Russia-linked vessels in the Black Sea, urging all sides to protect critical infrastructure, including international routes like the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC).

The warning comes after Ukraine claimed responsibility for a drone attack on two empty tankers heading to a Russian port, while denying involvement in another incident involving a Russian-flagged vessel carrying sunflower oil. These attacks have pushed up insurance costs for Black Sea shipping and forced at least one Turkish company to suspend Russia-related operations for safety reasons. The CPC pipeline, which handles more than 1% of global oil supplies, temporarily shut down after damage caused by a Ukrainian drone, prompting Kazakhstan to divert shipments through the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline.

Bayraktar also revealed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy requested Turkey’s support in securing gas supplies during his recent visit to Ankara. Turkey’s state-run BOTAS and Ukraine’s Naftogaz are now exploring cooperation opportunities. Noting Ukraine’s large underground storage capacity, Bayraktar indicated that the country could stockpile cheaper energy in summer for use during winter.

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Lithuania Shuts Vilnius Airport Again Over Balloon Sightings

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Vilnius Airport in Lithuania halted flight operations for the second time on Wednesday after suspected balloons were detected in its airspace, airport authorities said. The country has witnessed repeated disruptions in recent months due to similar sightings. Officials claim the balloons are used by smugglers transporting cigarettes from neighbouring Belarus.

Lithuanian authorities have also accused Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko of allowing the activity to continue, calling it a “hybrid attack.” Belarus, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has repeatedly denied such claims, instead accusing Western nations of waging a hybrid war against Belarus and Russia.

Vilnius Airport, located roughly 30 kilometres from the Belarus border, has been forced to suspend operations more than ten times since early October because of balloon-related incidents. Authorities continue to monitor the situation as the disruptions affect both security and passenger travel.

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Belgium Opposes EU Plan to Use Frozen Russian Assets for Ukraine

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Belgium has raised strong objections to the European Union’s plan to use frozen Russian assets to provide a “reparations loan” to Ukraine. Prime Minister Bart De Wever and Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot argue that tapping €140bn of Russian state assets held in Belgium could expose the country to massive legal risks and potential bankruptcy if Russia takes action. They have called for an alternative approach, suggesting the EU borrow the necessary funds from financial markets instead.

Most EU countries, including Germany, support the proposal, viewing it as an urgent way to fund Ukraine’s defense amid ongoing Russian attacks. Chancellor Friedrich Merz and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas argue that a reparations loan would strengthen Europe’s position against Moscow and could incentivize Russia to negotiate peace. However, legal experts and Belgium’s central securities depository, Euroclear, caution that lending these frozen assets carries significant financial and legal dangers.

The European Commission is preparing a legal framework to address the plan, but disagreements among member states have delayed progress. Belgium insists on legally binding guarantees to share risk with other EU countries, while Russia has threatened decades of litigation if the assets are used for Ukraine. With the EU summit approaching, a final decision on the contentious proposal remains uncertain.

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King Charles Welcomes German President Steinmeier for First UK State Visit in 27 Years

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King Charles welcomed German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to Britain on Wednesday, marking the start of a three-day state visit aimed at reinforcing ties between the two nations. This is the first state visit by a German president in nearly three decades and follows Charles’ own inaugural overseas tour to Germany in 2023 after becoming king. The visit highlights a renewed effort to strengthen UK–EU relations in the post-Brexit era.

The king and Queen Camilla greeted President Steinmeier and his wife, Elke Büdenbender, in Windsor before joining a ceremonial carriage procession to Windsor Castle, accompanied by Prince William and Princess Kate. Steinmeier is also scheduled to meet Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Downing Street, followed by a state banquet at the castle later in the day. The trip comes shortly after German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s visit in July, during which he signed a new treaty with Britain aimed at resetting diplomatic ties.

During the rest of the visit, Steinmeier will lay flowers at the tomb of the late Queen Elizabeth, view the historic State Sleigh designed by Prince Albert, and deliver an address to British lawmakers. He will also meet German footballers playing in the Premier League. On Friday, the German president and his wife will travel to Coventry—devastated by bombings during World War Two—where he will lay a wreath at the ruins of the old cathedral alongside the Duke of Kent, commemorating shared history and reconciliation.

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Prada Acquires Versace in Major Luxury Fashion Shake-Up

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Prada has officially acquired Versace in a landmark deal worth $1.38bn (£1.04bn), bringing two iconic Italian luxury labels under one umbrella. The purchase price is significantly lower than the nearly $2bn paid by Versace’s former owner, Capri Holdings, in 2018. With this acquisition, Prada strengthens its portfolio—already home to brands like Miu Miu—as competition intensifies against giants such as LVMH, which owns Louis Vuitton, Dior, and Fendi.

The sale comes after a challenging period for Versace. Its long-time creative chief Donatella Versace stepped down in March, ending a 27-year tenure that began after the death of her brother Gianni. She was succeeded by Dario Vitale, previously a design director at Miu Miu. Under Capri Holdings, the brand moved away from its signature ornate aesthetic toward minimalism while raising prices, a strategy that coincided with slowing sales across Capri’s portfolio, including Michael Kors and Jimmy Choo.

Prada said it received all necessary regulatory approvals to finalize the deal. Capri Holdings noted that proceeds will be used to significantly reduce debt, improving its financial position. Prada CEO Andrea Guerra has expressed confidence in Versace’s long-term potential, saying the brand’s next chapter will require “disciplined execution and patience” as it integrates into the Prada Group.

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Italian Mayor Apologises After Pavarotti Statue Is Accidentally Encased in Ice Rink

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A mayor in the Italian town of Pesaro has apologised to Luciano Pavarotti’s family after the late opera legend’s statue was unintentionally left knee-deep inside a Christmas ice rink. The temporary rink, built in the town’s central piazza, encircled the bronze statue with ice and clear plexiglass walls. Pavarotti’s widow, Nicoletta Mantovani, criticised the setup as an act that “ridiculed” her husband, expressing anger and disappointment at the council’s decision.

Mayor Andrea Biancani admitted the council had “made a mistake” and said he never intended to cause offence. Before the rink opened on 29 November, he even posted a playful edited image of the statue playing ice hockey, using the hashtag #DaiUnCinqueAPavarotti (“Give Pavarotti a high-five”). Mantovani, however, condemned the installation as “poorly executed” and “absurd,” noting that it disrespected the memory of a man who helped elevate Italy’s profile worldwide.

The statue, unveiled in April 2024, honours Pavarotti’s close connection to Pesaro, where he owned a villa and was an honorary citizen. Despite the backlash, the mayor said neither the sculpture nor the rink can be moved at this point but promised that such an incident would not happen again. Pavarotti, one of history’s most celebrated tenors, performed globally with the Three Tenors and famously sang “Nessun Dorma” during the 1990 World Cup. He died in 2007, leaving behind four daughters from two marriages.

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Thousands of German Army Ammunition Rounds Stolen from Lorry

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A major security breach has occurred in eastern Germany after a shipment of Bundeswehr ammunition was stolen from a civilian-operated delivery truck in Burg. According to German media reports, nearly 20,000 rounds were taken, including 10,000 pistol rounds, 9,900 blank assault-rifle rounds, and several smoke grenades. The theft was discovered when the load arrived at Clausewitz Barracks on 26 November, prompting an immediate joint investigation by the army and local police.

Authorities believe the theft happened overnight after the truck driver left the vehicle in an unguarded parking lot and stayed in a nearby hotel. The defence ministry expressed serious concern, noting that such ammunition “must not fall into the wrong hands.” Investigators are examining why the driver did not use the military’s hotline for assistance or request an escort, which is available for sensitive transports.

The incident adds to a pattern of missing ammunition cases in Saxony-Anhalt, where police reported smaller losses in Bernburg and Eisleben earlier this year. However, officials have not identified any link between these events. No arrests or suspects have been confirmed so far as the investigation continues.

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