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Spanish Police Arrest Man for Booking Luxury Hotels at One Cent

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Spanish police have arrested a 20-year-old man accused of hacking a hotel booking platform to reserve luxury rooms costing up to €1,000 per night for just one euro cent. The suspect was detained at a hotel in Madrid, where he allegedly accumulated more than €20,000 in unpaid stays. Authorities described the case as the first detected instance of this type of manipulation targeting a hotel payment validation system.

Investigators said the man altered the platform’s payment authorisation process through a cyberattack, enabling transactions to be approved after entering only €0.01 as the charge. The bookings initially appeared legitimate, with the irregularity only uncovered when the payment processor transferred the minimal amount to the hotel company. Police launched an inquiry after the suspicious activity was flagged by the travel website and completed their investigation within four days.

At the time of his arrest, the suspect was reportedly completing a four-night stay normally valued at €4,000. Authorities said he had also consumed minibar items and left additional bills unpaid. Spanish newspaper ABC reported that he had previously been arrested in the Canary Islands over a similar incident involving a luxury hotel. Police indicated that further bookings at other hotels may also be under investigation.

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Starlink Cut to Russian Forces Boosts Ukraine’s Battlefield Advantage

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A decision by Elon Musk’s company SpaceX to block Russian forces from accessing its Starlink satellite internet service appears to have disrupted Moscow’s frontline operations in Ukraine. The move, reportedly requested by Ukraine’s defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov, has limited Russian troops’ ability to coordinate drone strikes and battlefield communications. Ukrainian soldiers say the change has reduced assaults and weakened Russia’s offensive capacity, particularly along parts of the southern and eastern front.

Starlink had been widely used by both sides during the four-year war, enabling real-time drone guidance and secure communications. Since the shutdown on 1 February, only terminals approved by Kyiv remain active, forcing Russian units to seek alternative systems. Ukrainian volunteer group InformNapalm claims it identified more than 2,400 Russian-linked terminals through a phishing operation, with several later targeted near the front lines. Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) has also warned citizens against collaborating in illegal Starlink registrations, calling such actions high treason.

While some Ukrainian troops report little immediate change, others describe improved opportunities to intercept communications and push back Russian forces, especially near contested areas like Pokrovsk. Analysts say the disruption could limit Russia’s ability to conduct long-range drone strikes and hamper coordination, though Moscow insists the impact is minimal. Ukrainian officials believe they have a limited window to exploit the setback before Russian forces adapt, potentially strengthening Kyiv’s position both on the battlefield and in any future negotiations.

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Rai Sport Chief Resigns After Gaffe-Plagued Olympic Commentary

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The head of Rai Sport, Paolo Petrecca, has resigned following a string of on-air mistakes during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. The ceremony, watched by 9.2 million viewers on state broadcaster Rai, was meant to be a moment of national pride. Instead, Petrecca’s commentary quickly went viral for a series of high-profile blunders, prompting criticism and even a brief strike by journalists. He will step down at the end of the Games and will not cover the closing ceremony.

Petrecca, who stepped in at the last minute after another commentator was dropped, made several factual errors throughout the broadcast. He mistakenly welcomed viewers to Rome’s Stadio Olimpico instead of Milan’s San Siro and misidentified actress Matilda De Angelis as singer Mariah Carey. He also incorrectly identified Sergio Mattarella’s daughter instead of International Olympic Committee president Kirsty Coventry, and failed to recognise Italy’s volleyball captain Simone Giannelli. Some of his remarks, including cultural stereotypes, further fuelled backlash.

Petrecca, considered close to Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and her Brothers of Italy party, faced mounting pressure as critics accused the broadcaster of political influence undermining editorial standards. Rai journalists’ union Usigrai described the episode as damaging to the network’s credibility. He will be replaced by senior presenter Marco Lollobrigida, while the originally dropped commentator, Auro Bulbarelli, is set to return for the closing ceremony.

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Americans Flock to France in 2025 Despite Trump-EU Tensions

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Despite strained relations between U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration and the French government, American tourism to France surged in 2025. According to the French tourism ministry, visits from the United States rose 17% compared to the previous year, with more than 5 million Americans travelling to the country. The increase came even as the U.S. dollar weakened by over 10% against the euro, reversing years of favorable exchange rates for American travellers.

France welcomed a record 102 million foreign tourists in 2025, up from 100 million in 2024 when Paris hosted the Olympics. Tourism Minister Serge Papin said visitor spending also climbed 9% to 77.5 billion euros ($91.34 billion), driven by higher demand for premium hotels and experiences. He described France as a destination that continues to inspire global travellers despite geopolitical tensions.

The rise in U.S. visitors suggests many Americans remained undeterred by political friction, including trade disputes with the European Union, disagreements over digital regulation, and tensions surrounding global security issues. However, the European Travel Commission forecasts a potential dip in U.S. travel to Europe in 2026, while expecting growth from Chinese and Indian tourists to offset any slowdown. Early 2026 flight booking data from markets such as Mexico and China has been encouraging, though comparable U.S. data has not yet been released.

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Germany Considers More F-35 Jets as European Fighter Project Stalls

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Germany is considering purchasing additional F-35 fighter jets from Lockheed Martin, potentially expanding its fleet beyond the 35 aircraft ordered in 2022. Sources said Berlin is in talks that could lead to buying more than 35 additional jets, which would significantly increase its reliance on U.S. military technology. Each aircraft costs over $80 million, and deliveries from the earlier order are expected to begin later this year.

The move comes as Germany and France face growing uncertainty over their joint Future Combat Air System (FCAS), a €100-billion program launched in 2017 to develop a next-generation fighter jet by 2040. Disagreements and delays have raised the possibility that the project could be abandoned. German officials, including Chancellor Friedrich Merz, have also questioned whether investing heavily in a new manned fighter jet remains practical given evolving military technology.

Expanding Germany’s F-35 fleet would mark a strategic shift toward closer defense integration with the United States and strengthen its role within NATO’s nuclear deterrence framework. The F-35 is currently the only Western aircraft certified to carry modern B61 nuclear bombs, making it essential for replacing Germany’s aging Tornado jets. While the future of the FCAS program remains uncertain, Germany and France are expected to continue cooperating on other defense areas such as drones and digital warfare systems.

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Nine Arrested Over Murder of Far-Right Student in Lyon

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Nine individuals have been arrested in France following the death of 23-year-old Quentin Deranque, a far-right nationalist student who succumbed to head injuries after an attack in Lyon. The assault occurred during a far-right feminist demonstration at the city’s Institute of Political Studies (Sciences-Po), where Deranque had been helping provide security. Authorities say he was beaten and kicked by a group of masked individuals, dying two days later in hospital.

Among those detained is Jacques-Elie Favrot, a parliamentary assistant for a deputy from the far-left France Unbowed (LFI) party. Investigators believe the suspects are far-left militants associated with the banned group La Jeune Garde (Young Guard). The arrests have intensified scrutiny of LFI and its 70 MPs, as well as its leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon, a potential presidential contender, though Mélenchon denied any connection to the violence.

French authorities confirmed that Deranque suffered fatal skull and brain injuries inflicted by at least six attackers, according to state prosecutor Thierry Dran. The case has sparked national debate over political violence and the responsibilities of extremist groups, as well as the role of party-affiliated staff in such incidents.

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Austrian Climber on Trial Over Girlfriend’s Death on Grossglockner

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A 33-year-old woman died of hypothermia on Austria’s highest peak, Grossglockner, during a January 2025 climbing trip, and her boyfriend, identified as Thomas P, now faces trial for gross negligent manslaughter. Prosecutors allege he left the woman unprotected and exhausted near the summit in stormy winter conditions while he went to get help. The case raises questions about the boundary between personal risk-taking and criminal liability in high-altitude mountaineering.

Authorities say the climber, as the more experienced partner, failed to properly prepare and guide the expedition. Alleged mistakes include starting late, bringing inadequate equipment, and ignoring signs of extreme exhaustion and dangerous weather. His lawyer, Kurt Jelinek, claims the couple was experienced, well-equipped, and that her death was a tragic accident. Webcam footage captured the boyfriend descending alone with a torch while the woman remained on the mountainside.

The trial could set a precedent for accountability in alpine sports, as the man faces up to three years in prison if convicted. Prosecutors argue his inaction and delayed notification to rescue services contributed to her death, while the defense emphasizes the unforeseeable and sudden nature of the emergency. The case has prompted debate within mountaineering communities on the responsibilities climbers have toward their partners.

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UEFA Investigates Alleged Racism Against Vinicius

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Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior reported alleged racial abuse by Benfica midfielder Gianluca Prestianni during their 1-0 Champions League win in Lisbon. The match was briefly halted after the incident, with Vinicius calling out racism on social media. Prestianni denied the claims, stating the Brazilian misunderstood what was said, and Benfica defended their player, citing distance and video evidence.

Benfica manager Jose Mourinho said he received conflicting accounts from both players and emphasized that Benfica is not a racist club, referencing legendary striker Eusebio. The incident drew criticism from Real Madrid players, including Trent Alexander-Arnold, and football pundits like Clarence Seedorf and Theo Walcott, who condemned any justification of racial abuse.

UEFA has launched an ethics and disciplinary investigation into the matter. If Prestianni is found guilty, he could face a minimum 10-match ban from European competition, a punishment introduced in 2013 for discriminatory behavior. Team-mate Kylian Mbappe urged UEFA to take strict action, highlighting that such behavior should not be tolerated in top-level European football.

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Lagarde May Leave ECB Early Ahead of French Election

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European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde is reportedly considering an early departure from her post, potentially before France’s 2027 presidential election. The move, cited by the Financial Times, would allow outgoing President Emmanuel Macron to have a say in selecting her successor, as a far-right victory next year could complicate the choice. ECB officials, however, insist Lagarde remains focused on her current term and has made no final decision.

France, as the eurozone’s second-largest economy, traditionally plays a major role in appointing ECB leadership, with Germany also influencing the selection. Potential successors include Klaas Knot, Pablo Hernández de Cos, and Joachim Nagel, all mainstream central bankers expected to maintain policy continuity. Lagarde’s early exit could also accelerate appointments for other key ECB executive roles, including chief economist Philip Lane and market operations head Isabel Schnabel.

The news follows the early resignation of François Villeroy de Galhau, enabling Macron to influence domestic central bank appointments. Despite political maneuvering, markets remain calm, with inflation stable and interest rates neutral, making the ECB’s current policy environment relatively stable and predictable. Analysts warn, however, that attempts to preempt a far-right government could have unintended political consequences.

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Soaring Cucumber Prices Stir Discontent in Russia Amid Wartime Inflation

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In Russia, the once-humble cucumber has become the latest symbol of rising living costs, with official data showing prices have doubled since December to more than 300 roubles per kilogram. Shoppers across cities such as Omsk have expressed anger as social media posts reveal even steeper mark-ups in some stores. The spike has drawn attention at a time when the country is grappling with economic strain linked to the prolonged war in Ukraine and broader inflationary pressures.

Under mounting criticism, Russia’s anti-monopoly regulator has sought explanations from producers and retailers. Politicians, including members of the ruling United Russia party, have voiced concern ahead of parliamentary elections. Sergei Mironov, leader of the A Just Russia party, mocked official claims that seasonality was to blame, comparing the situation to last year’s surge in potato prices and questioning how ordinary citizens are expected to cope with the rising cost of basic foods.

The price surge comes as overall inflation has climbed and the central bank forecasts annual inflation of up to 5.5%. With cucumbers now sometimes costing more than imported fruit like bananas, some Siberian supermarkets have limited purchases per customer, while one popular newspaper has distributed seeds encouraging readers to grow their own. Though authorities have managed similar price spikes in the past and there are no signs of widespread unrest, the episode underscores growing public anxiety over household expenses during a challenging economic period.

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