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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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Belgium Strike Halts Flights, Schools and Transport

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Belgium witnessed major nationwide disruption on Wednesday as the third and final day of a national strike brought much of the country to a standstill. The protest, driven by the country’s main labour unions, targeted Prime Minister Bart De Wever’s coalition government over proposed pension changes and labour market reforms. Brussels Airport cancelled all departing flights and more than half of its scheduled arrivals, while Charleroi Airport also warned of severe operational delays due to staff shortages.

The strike extended far beyond aviation, affecting schools, public transport, and several private-sector operations, making it the most disruptive day of the three-day action. Unions argue that the government’s reform plans will force Belgians to “work longer and harder” with less security regarding pensions, healthcare, and purchasing power. They also criticised the government for not involving unions in budget-related negotiations.

A large protest was planned in Brussels on Wednesday afternoon, following an October demonstration that drew around 80,000 people. Despite the government finalising next year’s budget earlier this week — which includes new taxes on banks, airline tickets, and natural gas — the agreements failed to prevent the strike. Belgium’s deficit is projected to reach 4.5% of GDP this year, with debt levels significantly above EU limits, prompting the government’s push for spending cuts and new revenue measures.

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Kremlin’s Ushakov Says He Will Discuss “Unacceptable” Leak With U.S. Envoy Witkoff

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Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said he would speak with U.S. presidential envoy Steve Witkoff regarding the leak of an October phone conversation between the two officials, calling the disclosure “unacceptable.” Ushakov confirmed he would address the matter directly with Witkoff during upcoming communications, ahead of the American envoy’s planned visit to Moscow next week to meet President Vladimir Putin.

The leak, published by Bloomberg, claimed Witkoff suggested cooperation on a Ukraine ceasefire proposal and encouraged Putin to raise it with U.S. President Donald Trump. Ushakov dismissed parts of the leaked transcript as “fake” and refused to comment further, stressing that the discussion was confidential. He suggested the leak may have been intended to hinder ongoing diplomatic efforts.

Speaking to Kommersant, Ushakov noted that high-level talks are often conducted via encrypted channels that are rarely compromised unless intentionally leaked. However, he acknowledged that conversations over platforms like WhatsApp could be vulnerable to interception, while firmly ruling out the possibility that participants themselves leaked the discussions.

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Italy Passes Landmark Law Defining Femicide as a Crime

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Italy has unanimously approved a landmark law defining femicide—the murder of a woman motivated by gender—as a distinct crime punishable by life imprisonment. The vote took place on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, marking a symbolic moment after years of public pressure. The brutal 2023 killing of 22-year-old Giulia Cecchettin by her ex-boyfriend reignited national outrage and accelerated political action.

The new law, introduced by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, will ensure that gender-motivated killings are officially classified and studied. Judges and experts who helped draft the legislation argue it will expose the deeper roots of such crimes—power, control and societal patriarchy—rather than framing them as acts of jealousy or passion. Italy now joins a small group of EU countries, including Cyprus, Malta, and Croatia, that recognise femicide within their criminal codes.

However, the law has faced criticism from some legal scholars who argue its definitions may be difficult to prove in court, and from activists who warn that legislation alone is not enough. Families of victims, including Giulia’s father, emphasise the need for early emotional education to dismantle stereotypes and prevent future violence. Despite differing opinions, the unanimous vote reflects a rare moment of political unity in Italy as the country confronts the persistent issue of violence against women.

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Parking Inspector and Wife Arrested for €1m Meter Theft in German Town

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Authorities in the German town of Kempten have arrested a parking inspector and his wife on suspicion of embezzling more than €1 million from local parking meters. Police believe the municipal employee repeatedly removed coins from meters over numerous occasions and deposited the money into bank accounts accessible to his wife. A money-laundering alert from a financial institution triggered the investigation, ultimately linking the couple to 720 alleged incidents of theft.

The arrests took place on 24 November after police searched office premises at dawn. The 40-year-old inspector and his 38-year-old wife are now being held in separate detention facilities as the investigation continues. Officials have not disclosed how long the scheme may have been operating or how the total amount accumulated. Due to ongoing legal proceedings and privacy regulations, the suspects’ names have not been released.

Kempten Mayor Thomas Kiechle expressed shock at the allegations, stating he was “stunned and dismayed.” He has formed a commission to review the municipality’s internal processes, identify vulnerabilities, and prevent future misconduct. Kiechle emphasised support for the investigation while reiterating that the presumption of innocence remains until the case is concluded.

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Southern Election Shifts Raise Doubts Over Meloni’s 2027 Prospects

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Italy’s recent southern regional election results have cast new uncertainty over Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s path to re-election in 2027. While the national outcome ended in a 3-3 split between the ruling conservative bloc and the centre-left, decisive victories for the opposition in Campania and Puglia signaled a growing challenge to Meloni’s dominance. Political leaders, including former PM Matteo Renzi, say these results prove there is a viable alternative to Meloni’s leadership.

The centre-left now believes a unified national alliance could flip around 20 key Senate seats in the south—seats that are crucial for forming a government under Italy’s mixed electoral system. Analysts warn that if these constituencies shift away from the conservatives, Italy could face a hung parliament. This has prompted Meloni’s coalition to consider revising the electoral law, potentially scrapping first-past-the-post seats to protect their hold on power.

Despite Meloni’s continued popularity and stability-focused governance, her allies remain weak in national polls, limiting her coalition’s overall strength. Meanwhile, the opposition faces its own challenge of uniting diverse factions—ranging from hard-left groups to pro-business centrists—into a single national project. Their first major test will be the 2026 referendum on Meloni’s justice reform, a vote that observers say could significantly impact her political momentum.

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EU Court Orders Bloc-Wide Recognition of Same-Sex Marriages

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The European Union’s top court has ruled that same-sex marriages must be legally recognised across all member states, even if national laws do not permit such unions. The decision came after Poland refused to acknowledge the marriage of two Polish citizens who wed in Germany and later returned to Poland. The court stated that denying recognition violated the couple’s fundamental rights, including freedom of movement and family life.

The ruling emphasised that EU citizens must be guaranteed the ability to maintain a “normal family life” within the bloc, regardless of where they reside. Although the judgment does not compel member states to legalise same-sex marriage domestically, it prohibits discrimination against couples whose marriages are legally recognised in another EU country.

The case has intensified debate within Poland, where same-sex marriage remains illegal and LGBTQ+ rights are politically contentious. While the current government is preparing a civil partnership bill, progress has been slowed by internal resistance and opposition from conservative leaders, including President Karol Nawrocki, who has pledged to veto any legislation seen as challenging traditional marriage definitions.

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Zuma Family Rift Deepens Over Alleged Russia Recruitment

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South Africa is facing a political storm after Nkosazana Zuma-Mncube, daughter of former president Jacob Zuma, filed a criminal complaint accusing her sister, MP Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, of recruiting South African men to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war. Zuma-Mncube alleges 17 men were deceived into believing they were travelling to Russia to train as bodyguards for Jacob Zuma’s political party, Mkhonto Wesizwe (MK).

Police have confirmed they are investigating the claims, while Zuma-Sambudla has not responded publicly. The South African government previously acknowledged distress calls from citizens who said they had been lured into mercenary groups with promises of lucrative jobs. Analysts warn that high unemployment—over 30% nationally and even higher among youth—makes many vulnerable to such schemes.

The allegations come as Zuma-Sambudla already faces terrorism-related charges connected to unrest in July 2021, when violent protests after Jacob Zuma’s imprisonment left more than 300 people dead. She denies wrongdoing and says the case is politically motivated. The accusations add new pressure on the MK party, which Zuma formed after his presidency and led to third place in last year’s elections.

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Belgian Airports Shut Down as Nationwide Strike Escalates

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Belgium is preparing for severe disruption this week as unions launch a three-day national strike in protest against Prime Minister Bart De Wever’s austerity plans aimed at reducing the country’s high debt. The action spans multiple sectors, with teachers, healthcare workers, and waste collectors joining rolling walkouts, and public transport facing major interruptions beginning Monday. The strikes are set to culminate in a nationwide general stoppage on Wednesday.

Transport services are already heavily affected, with national rail operator SNCB running only part of its schedule and several Eurostar routes between Brussels and Paris cancelled. The country’s main airports—Bruxelles-Zaventem and Charleroi—have warned passengers of significant disruption, announcing that all departures on Wednesday will be cancelled and arrivals may also be affected due to staff participation in the strike.

Unions argue that proposed reforms to labour rules, pensions, and unemployment benefits threaten welfare security, demanding fair pensions and new taxation measures including a wealth and digital tax. Belgium’s government, which has recently reached a budget agreement, says the reforms are essential to safeguard the welfare system amid a deficit of 4.5% of GDP and debt above 104%.

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