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Slovakia Security Adviser Quits After Epstein Email Links Surface

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Slovakia’s national security adviser Miroslav Lajcak has resigned after newly released files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein revealed the two had exchanged emails discussing young women. The disclosures emerged from a fresh release of Epstein-related documents by the U.S. Justice Department, triggering political fallout in Bratislava.

Lajcak, a former Slovak foreign minister and seasoned diplomat, denied any wrongdoing and strongly condemned Epstein’s crimes. He said the email exchange from 2018 was informal, light-hearted and without substance, but decided to step down to ensure the issue was not used to politically damage Prime Minister Robert Fico. He stressed that his resignation was not an admission of unethical or criminal behaviour.

Prime Minister Fico said he had accepted Lajcak’s resignation, praising him as an invaluable figure in diplomacy and foreign policy. The controversy centres on correspondence from October 2018, when Lajcak was serving as foreign minister, and is part of a broader release of millions of Epstein-related files that have implicated several public figures globally.

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Musk Says Starlink Curbs on Russian Use Are Showing Results

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Elon Musk said on Sunday that steps taken by SpaceX to prevent Russia from using its Starlink satellite internet system without authorization appear to have been effective. His comments came after Ukraine reported finding Starlink terminals on long-range drones used in recent Russian attacks, raising concerns over misuse of the technology in the conflict.

Ukraine’s military relies heavily on Starlink for battlefield communications and for operating certain drone missions. Kyiv said it is working closely with SpaceX to stop any Russian access to the system. Posting on X, Musk said the measures introduced by the company had worked so far and added that SpaceX would take further action if needed.

Ukrainian Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said authorities are now developing a system that would allow only authorised Starlink terminals to function within Ukraine. He said initial steps had already delivered quick results in countering Russian drone operations. SpaceX has previously said it does not sell or ship Starlink to Russia and does not conduct any business with the Russian government or military.

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Moldova Suffers Major Power Outage Linked to Ukraine Grid Failure

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Moldova experienced widespread power cuts on Saturday after an emergency failure linked to neighbouring Ukraine’s electricity grid, according to officials. The outage affected the capital, Chisinau, and large parts of the country after disruptions in Ukraine caused a voltage drop on one of the main power lines supplying Moldova, the energy ministry said.

Chisinau mayor Ion Ceban said most districts of the city were left without electricity, with traffic lights and other essential services also knocked out. Authorities worked to manage the situation as residents faced sudden blackouts across urban areas.

Ukraine has also been hit by emergency power cuts, with electricity provider DTEK confirming outages in some regions. Kyiv’s metro was temporarily shut down and the city’s water supply was briefly halted. Ukraine’s power grid has been repeatedly targeted by Russian strikes in recent months, leading to ongoing electricity shortages that continue to affect both Ukraine and neighbouring countries.

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EU Blacklists Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Over Protest Crackdown

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The European Union has added Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to its list of terrorist organisations, citing the group’s central role in a deadly crackdown on anti-government protests. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the move was a response to widespread repression, placing the IRGC alongside groups such as al-Qaeda and Islamic State. Iran condemned the decision, calling it a “strategic mistake”, while human rights groups say thousands of protesters were killed during unrest in December and January.

France, which had previously been cautious over the move due to concerns about severing diplomatic ties with Tehran, backed the decision this week, alongside Italy and other EU states. The bloc also imposed new sanctions on six Iranian entities and 15 senior officials accused of involvement in violent repression, including Iran’s interior minister and senior judicial figures. Those listed face travel bans and asset freezes under EU rules.

The decision comes amid rising tensions between Iran and the West, as the US increases its military presence in the region and pushes Tehran to negotiate over its nuclear programme. US President Donald Trump said he hoped to avoid military action but warned Iran to engage in talks, while Iranian officials said their forces were ready to respond to any aggression. Independent groups estimate the death toll from the protests could exceed 20,000, though Iran disputes those figures.

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Apple Hits Record iPhone Sales as Macs and Wearables Slip

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Apple reported its strongest-ever iPhone sales in the final quarter of last year, driven by high demand for the new iPhone 17 lineup. Overall revenue jumped 16% year-on-year to $144bn, marking the company’s fastest growth since 2021. Sales surged across key markets including China, Europe, the Americas, Japan, and India, where Apple posted a record quarter. CEO Tim Cook said demand was so strong that Apple is currently constrained by supply.

Not all parts of the business shared in the success. Sales of wearables and accessories, such as Apple Watch and AirPods, fell by around 3%, while Mac computer sales dropped just over 7%. Analysts say Apple’s dominance in smartphones is facing growing uncertainty, particularly as competition intensifies and consumer expectations evolve.

Investors are closely watching Apple’s next steps in artificial intelligence, especially following its newly announced partnership with Google’s Gemini AI for future Siri upgrades. While Apple plans to spend $16bn on infrastructure and retail expansion next year, its AI investment remains modest compared to rivals like Microsoft. That cautious approach comes as Microsoft’s heavy AI spending has recently rattled investors, sending its shares sharply lower.

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German Farm Gives Away Millions of Potatoes After Record Harvest

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A German farm in the eastern state of Saxony has begun giving away millions of potatoes for free after a bumper harvest left the market oversupplied. Dubbed “the great potato rescue,” the initiative aims to prevent around four million kilograms of surplus potatoes from going to waste. Since mid-January, truckloads of potatoes have been transported to Berlin, where residents, food banks, schools and churches have benefited from the giveaway.

Germany, the European Union’s largest potato producer, saw last year’s harvest saturate the market, prompting Osterland Agrar to seek alternatives after a customer contract was cancelled. Partnering with the Berliner Morgenpost newspaper and eco-search engine Ecosia, organisers said the project was about highlighting the value of potatoes as food rather than discarding them. The farm has already distributed about 500,000kg across Germany and Ukraine and can store the remaining stock until mid-year.

The campaign has not been without controversy. The Brandenburg Farmers’ Association criticised the initiative as a “disgusting PR stunt,” warning it could disrupt local markets and devalue food. Despite mixed reactions, the potato giveaway has drawn widespread attention, reflecting Germany’s long-standing culinary love for the humble tuber. Funding for the Berlin operation is now running low, with only one more delivery expected once weather conditions improve.

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Russia, Ukraine Pause Energy Attacks but Clash Over Duration

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Russia and Ukraine said they have halted strikes on each other’s energy infrastructure, following a U.S.-backed de-escalation push, but sharply differed on how long the moratorium should last. The Kremlin said President Vladimir Putin agreed to stop attacks on Ukrainian energy targets until February 1, while President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the pause took effect from Friday midnight and should last a full week. Both sides confirmed there were no energy strikes over the past 24 hours, though no formal ceasefire has been agreed.

Ukraine accused Russia of shifting tactics, saying Moscow had instead intensified attacks on logistics, including rail facilities, even as temperatures in Kyiv are forecast to plunge to minus 26 degrees Celsius. Hundreds of residential buildings in the capital remain without heating after weeks of earlier strikes. Zelenskiy also said Ukraine refrained from hitting Russian energy facilities in response, but warned that air defences have been weakened due to delays in receiving U.S.-supplied Patriot missiles.

Diplomatic efforts remain uncertain, with Zelenskiy saying it was unclear whether a planned meeting between Russian, Ukrainian and U.S. negotiators would go ahead as scheduled. Major sticking points include Russia’s demand that Ukraine cede territory in eastern regions and control over the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant. Despite limited progress in talks, fighting continues across the front lines, and many Ukrainians remain sceptical that the temporary energy truce will lead to a broader or lasting ceasefire.

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Denmark Pushes Tougher Deportation Laws, Risking Clash With European Rights Court

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Denmark’s government said on Friday it will introduce tougher deportation laws aimed at making it easier to expel foreign nationals, including criminals, even if the move risks conflict with the European Court of Human Rights. The announcement comes amid a broader hardening of attitudes across Europe toward migration and asylum, with several governments expressing frustration over court rulings that have blocked deportations.

Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said her coalition government would move ahead without waiting for changes in how the European Convention on Human Rights is interpreted, arguing that Denmark’s approach reflects the intent of many countries signed up to the convention. Facing mounting pressure from nationalist and anti-immigration parties ahead of an election due by October, Frederiksen acknowledged the reforms could prompt legal challenges.

The proposed measures, expected to take effect from May if approved, include stricter deportation rules for foreign nationals convicted of serious crimes, electronic tagging for migrants who breach reporting requirements, and the appointment of a deportation envoy. Denmark also plans to reopen its embassy in Syria, review refugee permits more aggressively, and explore establishing an EU reception centre outside the bloc, reinforcing the country’s long-standing tough stance on immigration.

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Digital Espionage Suspected in Early Leak of Nobel Peace Prize Winner

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The Norwegian Nobel Committee said on Friday it believes digital espionage was likely responsible for the early exposure of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize winner’s identity, ahead of the official announcement. While investigators have not confirmed how the breach occurred or who was behind it, the committee said the digital domain remains the primary suspect.

Suspicion arose after betting activity surged hours before the official announcement, with large wagers placed on Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado—who was ultimately named the laureate. According to committee officials, Machado’s name had not appeared in expert predictions or media coverage prior to the unusual spike in bets, which climbed to about $2.2 million.

One of Norway’s intelligence agencies participated in the investigation to determine whether the leak stemmed from an internal source or external digital spying, possibly involving criminal or state actors. While the motive remains unclear, the committee said its focus has now shifted to strengthening safeguards to prevent future breaches and protect the credibility of the prestigious award.

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Aircraft Lessors Hold Firm as Geopolitical and Supply Risks Rise

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Global aircraft leasing companies say they remain resilient despite rising geopolitical tensions and market volatility, citing supply shortages and decades of crisis experience as stabilising factors. Speaking at an industry gathering in Dublin, leasing executives said the sector’s ability to move aircraft across borders and preserve tariff-free trade has helped shield it from recent global shocks.

A large backlog of jet orders at Boeing and Airbus has handed lessors significant control over new aircraft deliveries well into the next decade, supporting lease rates, resale values and profits. Executives said manufacturing issues and limited supply have placed “guardrails” around the industry cycle, keeping demand firm even as global markets remain unsettled.

While risks have increased following past crises including COVID-19 and Russia’s seizure of leased aircraft, industry leaders said long investment horizons help absorb shocks. At the same time, consolidation is accelerating, with a widening gap between lessors with large order books and smaller rivals. Executives said barriers to entry are rising, and attention is now focused on the potential sale of Macquarie AirFinance, which could reshape the competitive landscape.

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