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Storm Leonardo Triggers Deadly Flooding Across Spain and Portugal

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Storm Leonardo battered Spain and Portugal with torrential rain on Thursday, triggering widespread flooding, fresh evacuation orders and multiple casualties. A man was killed in southern Portugal after his car was swept away by floodwaters, while Spanish rescue teams continued searching for a woman who was dragged into a river as she tried to save her dog, authorities said.

The storm is the latest in a series of severe winter systems to hit the Iberian Peninsula since the start of 2026, causing deaths, property damage and major disruptions. Scientists say flooding across Europe is becoming more frequent as climate change warms the atmosphere, allowing it to hold more moisture. In Spain’s Andalusia region, the mountain village of Grazalema recorded as much rainfall in just 16 hours as Madrid typically sees in an entire year.

Authorities evacuated Grazalema’s roughly 1,500 residents as water flooded homes and surged through steep streets, while two nearby reservoirs were close to overflowing. In Portugal’s Alcacer do Sal, residents waded through waist-deep water after the Sado River burst its banks, submerging shops and restaurants. With another storm expected over the weekend, officials warned that conditions could worsen across the region.

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Telegram Founder Durov Slams Spain’s Proposed Social Media Curbs as Censorship

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Telegram founder Pavel Durov has criticised proposed social media restrictions in Spain, saying they amount to censorship and excessive state control. In a message to Telegram users, Durov warned that plans by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to restrict access for under-16s and tighten hate speech laws would force platforms to collect user data and remove content to avoid prosecution.

Durov said the proposed legislation, which would criminalise algorithms seen as amplifying harmful content, could allow governments to control what users see online. Calling the measures a step “toward total control,” he accused authorities of using safety concerns as a pretext to silence critics. His remarks echoed criticism from Elon Musk, who has also condemned the Spanish government’s proposals.

Spain’s government defended the plans, arguing they are needed to protect minors and curb misinformation. Sanchez’s office accused Durov of abusing his control over Telegram by sending mass messages to Spanish users and spreading propaganda. The proposals are part of a broader European push to regulate social media, following similar debates in countries such as Britain, France and Greece, and Australia’s recent ban on social media use for children under 16.

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Russian Comedian Jailed for Nearly Six Years Over Joke About War Veteran

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A Russian court has sentenced stand-up comedian Artemy Ostanin to nearly six years in prison for inciting hatred after a joke he made about a war veteran sparked public outrage. Ostanin was handed a jail term of five years and nine months along with a fine of 300,000 roubles, a Reuters reporter said, in one of the latest cases targeting speech deemed offensive to the military during Russia’s war in Ukraine.

The conviction stemmed from a March 2025 performance in which Ostanin joked about a war veteran who had lost his legs to a mine and was using a skateboard to get around, as well as referring to a wheelchair in derogatory terms. A video of the performance later went viral on Telegram after being shared by nationalist groups and military bloggers, who accused the comedian of mocking veterans fighting for the country.

Ostanin was also found guilty of offending the feelings of Christians over a separate joke about Jesus, drawing criticism from Orthodox nationalist organisations. After facing mounting backlash, he attempted to flee Russia but was arrested in Belarus and returned to Moscow to stand trial. Speaking in court after the verdict, Ostanin said he did not accept the ruling, calling the punishment excessive.

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Italy Recalls Ambassador After Swiss Court Releases Bar Fire Suspect

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Italy has formally protested the release on bail of a Swiss bar owner under investigation over a deadly New Year’s Day fire and has recalled its ambassador to Switzerland, escalating diplomatic tensions between the two countries. Jacques Moretti, co-owner of the Le Constellation bar in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana, was freed on Friday after being detained earlier this month in connection with the blaze that killed dozens of people, including six Italians.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the decision as “an insult to the memory of the victims and their families,” while the government said it had conveyed its strong indignation to Swiss judicial authorities. Meloni and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani also ordered Italy’s ambassador to return to Rome for consultations, arguing that the court’s decision underestimated the seriousness of the alleged crimes, the risk of flight, and the possibility of evidence being compromised.

Swiss prosecutors confirmed contact with Italian officials but stressed that the release was ordered by an independent court. Moretti was freed under strict conditions, including a 200,000 Swiss franc bail and daily police reporting. Lawyers for victims’ families said they were shocked by the ruling, warning that it added to the pain of those affected by the tragedy, while the Morettis said they would continue to cooperate fully with investigators.

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Bulgaria Heads for Snap Election After Parties Reject Government Mandate

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Bulgaria is heading for another snap election after the country’s main political parties refused to form a government, President Rumen Radev said on Friday. His announcement follows the rejection of a final mandate by the Alliance for Rights and Freedoms, clearing the way for the eighth election in just four years.

None of the parties in Bulgaria’s fragmented parliament hold enough seats to secure a stable majority. Earlier this week, both the GERB-SDS bloc and the reformist PP-DB alliance turned down Radev’s request to try to form a governing coalition after the previous administration resigned.

Former Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov’s coalition stepped down last month amid sustained street protests over corruption and proposed tax increases. With all mandates now declined, Radev is expected to appoint a caretaker government and call early elections, as Bulgaria seeks political stability to unlock EU funds, boost investment, and tackle long-standing corruption.

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Louvre Reopens After Strike Delay, Some Sections Remain Closed

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Paris’ Louvre Museum reopened on Monday after a three-hour delay, though several sections remained closed as staff partially resumed a strike over pay and working conditions, according to Reuters. Employees had held a meeting earlier in the day to decide whether to continue rolling industrial action, which began last month and was paused during the Christmas period.

The labour dispute has added to the challenges facing the world’s most visited museum, which is still reeling from a major jewel heist in October. In that incident, four burglars stole jewels worth about $102 million in broad daylight, and the stolen items have yet to be recovered.

The Louvre has also been grappling with infrastructure issues, including a recent water leak that damaged ancient books and raised concerns about the deteriorating condition of the historic building. Together, the strike, security lapse, and maintenance problems have put renewed pressure on museum management and French authorities.

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Europe’s Factories Sink Deeper into Contraction as Asia Ends 2025 on Stronger Note

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Manufacturing activity in the euro zone weakened further in December, ending 2025 in deeper contraction as demand faltered and new orders declined, private surveys showed. The HCOB Eurozone Manufacturing PMI fell to 48.8 from 49.6 in November, its lowest level in nine months and below the 50 mark separating growth from contraction for a second consecutive month. Germany recorded the weakest performance among major economies, while Italy and Spain also slipped back into contraction, highlighting broad-based weakness across the region.

France offered a rare bright spot, with its manufacturing PMI rising to a 42-month high, while Britain saw factory activity expand at its fastest pace in 15 months, supported by a recovery in demand. Economists warned, however, that euro zone manufacturers remain cautious heading into 2026, as slowing demand and subdued confidence continue to weigh on output and investment.

In contrast, Asia’s factory powerhouses closed the year on a stronger footing, supported by a rebound in exports and rising demand for artificial intelligence-related products. Manufacturing activity in Taiwan and South Korea returned to expansion territory in December after months of decline, driven by a surge in new orders. Most Southeast Asian economies maintained solid growth, while China also showed signs of an unexpected turnaround, reinforcing optimism that Asia’s export-driven manufacturing sector may start the new year with renewed momentum.

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German Prosecutors to Close Usmanov Probe After €10 Million Settlement

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German prosecutors have agreed to end investigations into billionaire Alisher Usmanov over alleged foreign trade law violations after he consented to pay €10 million, according to statements from prosecutors and his legal team on Tuesday. Usmanov, a Russian-Uzbek businessman and founder of USM Holdings, has instructed that the full amount be paid, clearing the way for the case to be closed once the payment is received.

The probe focused on suspected payments of €1.5 million for security services at two properties in the Bavarian lakeside town of Rottach-Egern between April and September 2022, as well as allegations that Usmanov failed to declare luxury items such as jewellery, artwork and wine under EU sanctions regulations. Usmanov has denied any wrongdoing, with his lawyers stating that he neither owned nor controlled the properties involved and had no connection to the companies linked to the payments.

Munich prosecutors said that after payment, the case cannot be reopened based on the same allegations, with €8.5 million going to Bavaria’s treasury and €1.5 million allocated to prisoner welfare. Usmanov, who is subject to EU and U.S. sanctions following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, agreed to the settlement to save time and resources, his lawyers said, stressing that the payment does not constitute a fine or admission of guilt.

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Inquiry Reveals Louvre Heist Succeeded Due to 30-Second Security Lapse

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A French culture ministry inquiry has found that the burglars who stole France’s crown jewels from the Louvre in October gained a crucial 30-second advantage due to security lapses at the museum. The four thieves, who escaped with jewels worth $102 million, exploited delays in surveillance footage and weaknesses in the museum’s infrastructure, including a fragile window in the Apollo gallery. The heist has raised questions about how such vulnerabilities existed at the world’s most visited museum.

Investigators concluded that delayed access to live camera feeds and limited monitoring capabilities slowed both museum security and police response. According to Noel Corbin, chief of general inspection of cultural affairs, even a slightly faster alert or a more resistant window could have prevented the burglars’ escape. The report highlighted that security staff were unable to view certain camera images in real time due to insufficient screens and a lack of exterior surveillance coverage.

The Louvre, employing about 2,200 staff and hosting nearly 9 million visitors annually, operates with the complexity of a small city, making rapid coordination essential. The inquiry underscores the need for upgraded systems and improved communication channels within the museum’s sprawling security network. The stolen crown jewels remain missing, and the incident has renewed urgency around reinforcing protection for France’s cultural treasures.

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Wingtech Invites Nexperia Custodians for Talks Amid Ongoing Governance Dispute

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Wingtech Technology, the Chinese parent company of Dutch chipmaker Nexperia, has invited the court-appointed custodians of Nexperia to discuss control of the company—seen as a potential first step toward easing months of internal tensions. The rift between Nexperia’s European management and its Chinese parent deepened after the Dutch government intervened in September, leading to a court ruling that removed Wingtech founder Zhang Xuezheng as CEO over concerns he intended to shift production to China.

Although both sides have signaled interest in dialogue, they disagree on the agenda. Nexperia says it wants talks focused on restoring normal supply chain operations, which have been hit by wafer shipment stoppages, unpaid invoices and growing chip shortages that have affected global automakers. Wingtech, however, insists discussions must first address the restoration of its ownership rights and lawful control over the company.

Court-appointed custodian Arnold Croiset van Uchelen confirmed receiving Wingtech’s invitation but declined to share details of any upcoming meeting. Meanwhile, Nexperia’s Chinese packaging arm has declared itself independent and is seeking Chinese-made wafers, while the European unit has halted shipments to China. With dwindling chip inventories, the auto industry fears fresh shortages may emerge as early as January.

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