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German Consumer Mood Lifts Slightly as Festive Shopping Begins

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Germany’s consumer sentiment is set to improve modestly in December, supported by a rise in households’ willingness to spend on Christmas shopping despite lingering concerns about future income. The GfK and NIM consumer climate index edged up to -23.2 for December from -24.1, matching analysts’ expectations. A second month of stronger buying appetite and a small drop in saving intentions helped lift the overall mood.

However, retail expectations remain cautious. An Ifo Institute survey shows that around a quarter of retailers anticipate weak Christmas sales, with many entering the holiday season without high hopes. Only about 10% expect strong performance, while the retail association HDE forecasts €126.2 billion in November–December sales, indicating only modest growth.

Despite the slight pickup in spending sentiment, households remain wary about the year ahead. Economic expectations dipped again, reflecting concerns over Germany’s slow recovery, with GDP expected to grow just 0.2% in 2025 after two years of contraction. Toy retailers—usually strong performers in the Christmas season—are among the most pessimistic, with half expecting poorer results than last year.

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Eight Men Get Life Sentences in Russia for Crimean Bridge Bombing

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A Russian court has sentenced eight men to life imprisonment for their involvement in the October 2022 bombing of the Crimean bridge, according to state news agency TASS. The explosion tore through part of the 19-km structure connecting Crimea to Russia’s Krasnodar region, killing five people and damaging what was then a crucial supply route for Russian military operations in Ukraine.

Ukraine’s domestic intelligence agency later claimed responsibility for the attack, which came eight years after Russia annexed Crimea in 2014. The sentencing underscores Moscow’s ongoing effort to impose harsh penalties for acts it considers terrorism or sabotage linked to the war.

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Georgian Opposition Leader Gets Extra Jail Term for Splashing Water at Judge

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Georgian opposition leader Nika Melia has received an additional 1.5-year prison sentence after a Tbilisi court found him guilty of contempt for splashing water at a judge during a hearing in May. Melia, already serving an eight-month term for refusing to appear before a parliamentary inquiry, was seen in courtroom footage throwing water from a plastic bottle toward the judge. He has been held since May along with other opposition figures who boycotted the inquiry into alleged offences linked to ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili.

Georgia’s political climate has increasingly drawn criticism, with opponents accusing the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party of authoritarian drift since the war in Ukraine began. GD has cracked down on critics and signalled plans to petition the Constitutional Court to ban three major opposition parties—including Melia’s Ahali-Coalition for Change—on claims they threaten the nation’s constitutional order.

Melia now faces several new charges, including sabotage and plotting to topple the government, allegations his party calls politically motivated. Relations with the European Union have also deteriorated, with Brussels warning that Georgia is no longer on track for membership due to concerns over democratic backsliding. Despite freezing EU accession talks, the government insists it still supports joining the bloc while maintaining “traditional Orthodox values.”

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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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