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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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Russia Says India’s Dip in Oil Imports Likely Short-Lived

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India’s imports of Russian oil may decline only temporarily, according to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, who said Moscow plans to increase supplies using advanced methods to counter Western sanctions. His remarks come ahead of President Vladimir Putin’s visit to New Delhi, where both nations aim to strengthen defence and energy partnerships as India’s Russian oil intake is expected to fall to a three-year low.

Peskov emphasised that Russia remains India’s top oil supplier and is working to create a secure environment for buyers despite U.S. and European restrictions targeting major Russian producers. He added that Moscow has long operated under sanctions and continues to refine technologies to bypass their impact. Payment mechanisms and protection of bilateral trade from third-country pressure will be key agenda items during Putin’s talks in India.

Meanwhile, Indian refiners have responded differently to the tightening sanctions. Companies like MRPL, HPCL and HMEL have halted Russian purchases, while IOC continues sourcing from non-sanctioned suppliers and BPCL is in advanced negotiations. Nayara Energy, partly owned by Rosneft, is processing only Russian crude as other suppliers withdraw, and Reliance says it will process pre-committed Russian cargoes already en route.

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Macron’s China Visit Amid Europe’s Delicate Balancing Act

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French President Emmanuel Macron will travel to China from December 3 to 5 as Europe attempts to navigate a complex balance between economic dependence and strategic rivalry with Beijing. His agenda includes meetings with President Xi Jinping in Beijing and Chengdu, where he is expected to push for fairer trade conditions, stronger market access, and more balanced technological cooperation. The visit comes as EU-China relations face growing strain, with Brussels warning that ties have reached a critical turning point.

Europe’s concerns centre on China’s surge of low-cost exports—especially steel—and its dominance in electric vehicles and rare earth processing, which pose risks to key European industries. As Washington’s tariffs reshape global trade, China is positioning itself as a business-friendly alternative, even as EU leaders remain wary of Beijing’s support for Russia and its heavily subsidised industrial model. Macron’s team says he will press for a rebalanced relationship that encourages Chinese domestic consumption and shared innovation benefits.

The European Union is preparing a tougher economic security strategy, considering more assertive trade measures against China. France has backed higher tariffs on Chinese EV imports, triggering a year-long Chinese investigation into French brandy in what many saw as retaliation. Despite Airbus expanding its presence in China, a major aircraft deal is not expected during Macron’s trip, reflecting Beijing’s strategic use of aviation purchases in its broader geopolitical negotiations.

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Thousands Protest Bulgaria’s 2026 Budget, Clashes Erupt in Sofia

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Thousands of demonstrators gathered in Sofia and several other Bulgarian cities on Monday to protest the government’s proposed 2026 budget—the first drafted in euros ahead of the country’s planned adoption of the common currency on January 1. The protests, organised by the opposition PP-DB coalition, saw crowds rally outside parliament, where some participants clashed with police and threw stones, bottles and firecrackers. Officers cordoned off buildings linked to the ruling parties to contain the unrest.

The demonstrations follow a similar wave of protests on November 28, after which the minority government led by Rosen Zhelyazkov agreed to re-submit the draft budget for further consultations. The spending plan had already passed a first reading in a parliamentary committee earlier in November. Critics argue the proposed increases in social security contributions and taxes on dividends are unjustified and accuse the government of mismanaging public funds.

Public concern has also grown over Bulgaria’s upcoming transition to the euro. Nearly half the population opposes the move, citing fears over national sovereignty and potential price hikes during the currency changeover. European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde recently cautioned that inflation may rise when Bulgaria joins the eurozone.

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WW1-Era Chemical Likely Used on Georgian Protesters, BBC Investigation Reveals

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A BBC investigation suggests that Georgian authorities used a World War One–era chemical agent, known as camite, in water cannons during anti-government protests in late 2024. Demonstrators in Tbilisi reported severe burning sensations, difficulty breathing, coughing and vomiting—symptoms that persisted for weeks. Doctors, chemical weapons specialists, and whistleblowers from Georgia’s riot police provided evidence pointing toward the use of this long-discontinued compound, once deployed by France in WW1 and eventually abandoned due to its prolonged harmful effects.

Paediatrician and protester Dr Konstantine Chakhunashvili conducted a survey of nearly 350 affected demonstrators, finding that almost half experienced symptoms lasting more than 30 days. His study, soon to be published in Toxicology Reports, also noted abnormal heart electrical activity among many participants. These findings supported theories from journalists, civil rights groups and medical experts that the water cannon contained more than just irritants like pepper spray or CS gas.

Whistleblowers from Georgia’s Special Tasks Department revealed that the chemical used closely resembles one tested in 2009, which they described as extremely difficult to wash off and far more harmful than standard tear gas. Despite recommendations against its use, they say it continued to be loaded into water cannon vehicles for years. The Georgian government dismissed the BBC’s findings as “absurd,” insisting police acted lawfully against what they called “violent criminals.”

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Brigitte Bardot Reassures Fans She Is Recovering and Requests Privacy

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Brigitte Bardot, the 91-year-old former French film icon and long-time animal rights activist, has reassured her followers that she is recovering and that there is no cause for alarm about her health. Her foundation issued a statement clarifying her condition after media reports suggested she had been hospitalised again in Toulon last month, following an earlier stay in October for what her office had described as minor surgery.

In the statement, Bardot expressed frustration over the spread of false information and asked the public to respect her privacy while she continues healing. She also shared a heartfelt message to those genuinely concerned about her wellbeing, saying, “I send my love to you all,” emphasising gratitude for the support she has received during this period.

Bardot rose to global fame in the 1950s and 60s with iconic roles in films such as And God Created Woman and later expanded her artistic career into music. She left acting in the 1970s, settling in Saint-Tropez, where she devoted herself fully to animal welfare through her foundation, becoming a prominent and outspoken advocate for the cause.

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Dignitas Founder Ludwig Minelli Dies at 92 by Assisted Suicide

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Ludwig Minelli, the founder of the Swiss right-to-die organisation Dignitas, has died by assisted suicide at the age of 92, just days before his 93rd birthday. Dignitas paid tribute to Minelli, describing his life as one dedicated to freedom of choice, self-determination, and human rights. Since he founded the organisation in 1998, Dignitas has assisted thousands of people seeking an end to their suffering, becoming one of the most recognised names in global debates on assisted dying.

Minelli initially worked as a journalist before turning to law and human rights advocacy, becoming a leading voice in the international right-to-die movement. He campaigned passionately for what he called society’s “last human right”—the ability to decide one’s own end in a safe and painless way. His efforts helped shape legal and ethical discussions worldwide, including a notable 2011 European Court of Human Rights ruling affirming the right of competent individuals to determine the manner and timing of their death.

Despite his influence, Minelli also faced criticism and legal challenges within Switzerland, particularly over Dignitas’ openness to helping non-terminally ill individuals and foreigners seeking assisted suicide. While euthanasia remains illegal in Switzerland, assisted dying has been permitted since 1942 under strict conditions. Dignitas emphasised that it will continue Minelli’s mission, operating as an international organisation committed to self-determination and freedom of choice at the end of life.

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Swiss Voters Overwhelmingly Reject Wealth Tax on Large Inheritances

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Swiss voters have decisively rejected a proposed 50% tax on inherited wealth exceeding 50 million Swiss francs, with 78% voting against the initiative—an even stronger rejection than opinion polls had predicted. The proposal, seen as a major test of public appetite for wealth redistribution, attracted significant attention from the country’s powerful banking and finance sectors. Despite global discussions on taxing the ultra-rich, Switzerland’s electorate reaffirmed its historically cautious stance on such measures.

The initiative was put forward by the youth wing of the Social Democratic Party (JUSO), arguing that taxing the very wealthiest families would help fund climate-related programmes. Supporters framed the proposal as a way to address economic inequality and rising concerns around cost of living in some of the world’s most expensive cities. The slogan, “The super rich inherit billions, we inherit crises,” captured their message but failed to resonate widely with voters.

Opponents warned that the measure could drive wealthy residents out of the country, ultimately reducing tax revenue and weakening the national economy. Switzerland’s government also urged voters to reject the tax, emphasising potential long-term risks to financial stability and competitiveness. The outcome reinforces Switzerland’s long-standing reluctance to adopt aggressive wealth taxation, even as other European nations push similar debates forward.

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Spain Detects More Suspected Swine Fever Cases as Pork Export Industry Faces Major Setback

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Spain has identified eight additional wild boar suspected of carrying African swine fever near Barcelona, according to local media reports, deepening concerns for the country’s multibillion-euro pork industry. While two cases have been officially confirmed, twelve more are undergoing laboratory tests, which could bring the total number of infected animals to fourteen. The Catalan government has sought assistance from military specialists to help contain the outbreak and prevent further spread.

The impact on Spain’s pork export sector—valued at €8.8 billion annually—has been immediate and severe. Around one-third of the country’s 400 export certificates have been blocked since the first outbreak was detected, marking Spain’s first swine fever cases since 1994. Agriculture Minister Luis Planas said efforts were underway to restore access to international markets and reassure trading partners of stringent safety measures.

Several countries, including Taiwan, China, the UK, and Mexico, have already imposed bans or temporary restrictions on pork imports from Spain, particularly from the affected Catalonia region. Although African swine fever poses no threat to human health, it spreads rapidly among pigs and wild boar, prompting swift global reactions to limit biosecurity risks tied to Spanish pork products.

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