Bulgarian spy ring used video specs to monitor journalists, London court told
Old Bailey hears surveillance of targets included specially designed glasses on planes and online honey traps
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Superb singing from strong women redeems Paris Operaโs The Rakeโs Progress
Olivier Pyโs 2008 staging of Stravinskyโs opera is revived at the Palais Garnier โ and it hasnโt aged well
Georgian PM says there will be no ‘revolution’ in protest hit country
Irakli Kobakhidze added that European Union integration remains a priority despite delaying membership talks until 2028 but insisted he would hold ‘no negotiations’ with the opposition.
Baltic states slap sanctions on Georgian officials. Will the EU follow suit?
Baltic states slap sanctions on Georgian officials. Will the EU follow suit?
‘The French far-right has the fate of the government in its hands’
The hard-left France Unbowed party is “extremely hard with the French government but also with President Macron”, said FRANCE 24 journalist Clovis Casali. For them, “Macron is the person who caused the chaos, not the motion of no-confidence that is cr…
The tainted legacy of the Merkel-Obama years
A failure to respond to Russian, Chinese and Syrian aggression helped to create the unstable world of today
Technology sovereignty is an existential matter for Europe [Promoted content]
The DIGITAL SME Summit on 10 December will explore how SMEs can deliver it.
France’s far-right threatens no-confidence vote against Barnier over budget
France’s far-right threatens no-confidence vote against Barnier over budget
Renationalising Englandโs rail may not overcome hard realities
Bringing franchises into public ownership is risky given some routes are just harder to run well and face legacy issues
Press release – Petitions Committee to host candidates for the next EU Ombudsman
The six candidates running for the post of European Ombudsman will present their priorities in a hearing organised by the Petitions Committee on Tuesday.Committee on Petitions Source : ยฉ European Union, 2024 – EP
Global plastic treaty talks end with no deal
The fifth negotiation session was suspended and will continue in 2025.
Seven out of 10 Romanians voted for mainstream parties
“United, we can do wonders,” said Elena Lasconi, leader of the centrist USR.
What Brusselsโ new industry chief plans for Europeโs car industry
Also in this newsletter: new proposals for frozen Russian assets
Volkswagen workers to strike amid flagging negotiations
The German car manufacturer is faced with problems that even layoffs wouldn’t fix, experts warn.
Security to shape upcoming Polish European Council presidency
Poland will host 22 informal council meetings in Warsaw, the upcoming Council Presidency announced.
Syriaโs Assad trapped by rebel advance and refusal to compromise
Rapid capture of Aleppo from government forces underlines regimeโs fragility despite Russian and Iranian help
Russian and Syrian warplanes seek to blunt rebel advance from Aleppo
Bashar al-Assad vows to defend countryโs stability as shock offensive challenges his regime
Will the US jobs market rebound?
Market Questions is the FTโs guide to the week ahead
What Britain can learn from France about growth
Planning reform by itself is not enough to supercharge the UK economy
Romania votes for new parliament amid presidential race turmoil
Still reeling from this week’s shock developments, Romanians returned to the polls on Sunday (December 1) to elect their parliament. Romania was thrown into turmoil after a top court ordered a recount of the first round of last week’s presidential ele…
The perfectly judged interiors of Ellie Peugeot
A former human-rights lawyer turns to design, and finds a common expressionย
Syrian rebelsโ advance breaks warโs fragile three-year stalemate
Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham has advanced from its Idlib stronghold in lightning raid on Aleppo
Bauhaus projects are maturing, lessons from von der Leyenโs marquee strategy [Advocacy Lab Content]
With funding commitments of โฌ380 million, the New European Bauhaus has sparked 500 projects. Creativity is flourishing. What lessons have been learned, and how will the project continue to unfold?
Traders pay record premium for European gas next summer
Unusual price relationship could make it harder to refill EU storage as Russian supplies dwindle
Russiaโs economy flatters to deceive
Western commentators should take care not to be misled by statistics that the Kremlin has turned into a weapon of war
Kosovo blames Serbia for explosion that cut water and power supplies
Kosovo blames Serbia for explosion that cut water and power supplies
Protesters rally in Spain to mark one month since deadly floods
Angry residents protested and lit candles in memory of victims on Friday as Spain marked one month since its worst floods in a generation killed 230 people. Outrage swept the country after the October 29 catastrophe wrecked homes and businesses leavin…
How Notre-Dame rose from the ashes
Five years after a devastating fire almost consumed the cathedral, an army of artisans has brought it back to life
Worldโs cartoonists on this weekโs events
Drawing the top stories around the globe.
Thousands protest for second night against government decision to suspend EU talks
Thousands protest for second night against government decision to suspend EU talks
Petersham warns it may close Covent Garden outposts over rent dispute
Restaurant and deli owner wants landlord Shaftesbury Capital to reduce cost of leases
Gargoyles, stained glass and the spire: How Notre-Dame was restored
Paris’s Gothic cathedral has been painstakingly returned to its former glory. Here’s how it was done.
A tale of two bonds
France’s borrowing costs briefly eclipsing those of Greece means Prime Minister Michel Barnier must come face-to-face with the Ghost of Crises Past.
Macron visits Notre Dame as cathedral’s interior revealed after five-year restoration
Macron visits Notre Dame as cathedral’s interior revealed after five-year restoration
German liberals in turmoil over โD-Dayโ plot to end Scholzโs coalition
FDP politicians resign after internal plans made public
Rap group Kneecap win legal battle against UK government
Belfast trio were denied arts funding by then business secretary Kemi Badenoch over political views
The efforts of Venice-area residents to ‘take back’ their city marred by drug trafficking and corruption
Mestre is a borough just a few kilometers from the Italian floating city but is beset by poverty and insecurity. Condemning the lack of action by local authorities, residents are setting up initiatives to recreate a sense of community.
Replay: President Macron speaks at Notre-Dame Cathedral
Watch French President Emmanuel Macron’s speech during his visit Friday to Paris’s Notre Dame Cathedral ahead of its scheduled reopening on December 8.
Slovakia detains two over alleged hybrid attacks on infrastructure
Slovakia detains two over alleged hybrid attacks on infrastructure
Press release – European Parliament spotlights disability rights
Taking place from 2-6 December, Disability Rights Week will advocate for the rights of people with disabilities, and for their voices to be heard.Committee on Agriculture and Rural DevelopmentCommittee on Culture and EducationCommittee on Employment an…
Wise rebuked by European watchdog over money laundering controls
Regulatory review in 2022 found fintech lacked proof of address for hundreds of thousands of customers
Is there such a thing as too much parental leave?
Done the wrong way, it can have awkward effects
Conor McGregor waxwork removed from museum
The National Wax Museum Plus says it removed the figure two weeks ago in light of his civil trial.
Thousands of Georgians march in Tbilisi to protest against suspension of EU bid
Thousands of Georgians march in Tbilisi to protest against suspension of EU bid
Nearly half of EU citizens no longer see US as most important ally, survey shows
Nearly half of EU citizens no longer see US as most important ally, survey shows
Georgian prime minister suspends EU membership talks until end of 2028
Georgian prime minister suspends EU membership talks until end of 2028
Four dead, including two children, after migrant boat tragedy off Greek island
Four dead, including two children, after migrant boat tragedy off Greek island
Press release – EP TODAY
Thursday, 28 November Source : ยฉ European Union, 2024 – EP
Bulgarian court issues EU arrest warrant for ex-state bank chief
The loan has not been repaid, and the state bank has recovered only a small part.
Le Penโs lawyer slams โaffront to democratic processโ as embezzlement trial ends
โThere was no intention to embezzle funds, merely to do politics.โ
Bermuda watchdog poised to demand more transparency from insurers
Consultation by insurance regulator comes amid growing scrutiny of risks building in offshore reinsurance deals
Bordeauxโs en primeur system falters as weather hits wine quality
Chรขteaux have been reducing prices as global demand has cooled
POLITICO 2024-11-28 03:29:00
Decoding DraghiDownload
Mbappe missed penalty as Liverpool avenge Real Madrid defeat
Liverpool beat Real Madrid 2-0 in the Champions League as Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo struck in the second half. Kylian Mbappe and Mohamed Salah missed penalties, but the Reds’ 17th win under Arne Slot returned them to the top of the table, mai…
Stockholm urges Chinese cargo ship to return to Swedish waters for undersea cable investigation
Stockholm urges Chinese cargo ship to return to Swedish waters for undersea cable investigation
Italian authorities shut down โฌ3bn-a-year pirate TV ring
International network with 22mn subscribers stole and resold content from top streaming providers
Britainโs biggest export sector is, or possibly isnโt, in trouble
Time to see a consultant?
Nord Stream 2 pipeline access gripe rejected by EU court
Nord Stream 2 pipeline access gripe rejected by EU court
The perils in the search for the perfect GDP alternative
Statistical agencies trip up when they attempt to weigh the values of good and bad in society
Albanian opposition blocks Tirana’s streets accusing government of corruption
Albanian opposition blocks Tirana’s streets accusing government of corruption
US exchanges Chinese detainees for three imprisoned Americans
It follows the freeing of U.S. citizen David Lin in September in a similar exchange deal.
HSBC โฌ31,7 million trader ‘chat room’ cartel fine upheld by EU court
HSBC โฌ31,7 million trader ‘chat room’ cartel fine upheld by EU court
NGO says record number of fossil fuel, chemical lobbyists at global plastics talks
Lobbyists outnumber EU delegation and all member states combined, say NGO report.
Tusk calls for naval patrols in Baltic Sea to counter Russian sabotage
Polish premier urges Europe to act against threats from Moscow without waiting for cues from US
Press release – EP leaders formally conclude the hearings process of Commissioners-designate
The Conference of Presidents has formally brought the hearings process of Commissioners-designate to a close and authorised the publication of all evaluation letters. Source : ยฉ European Union, 2024 – EP
Press release – EP TODAY
Wednesday, 27 November Source : ยฉ European Union, 2024 – EP
Why Europe is strapping in for the long haul with support to Kyiv
Plus: the view from Brussels on resetting relations with London
Romanian ‘TikTok Messiah’ presidential candidate embodies hybrid war with West, say experts
Romanian ‘TikTok Messiah’ presidential candidate embodies hybrid war with West, say experts
A โhoodies and hiking bootsโ crowd fires up Madeiraโs property market
Drawn by an outdoor lifestyle and architecturally savvy developments, a youthful cohort is setting up home on the lush volcanic island
Englandโs top judge hits out at governmentโs refusal to boost court funding
Sue Carr says preventing full operating capacity at crown courts has had a โdrastic effectโ in worsening backlogs
The world’s oldest man has died in England at 112
For nearly nine months, John Alfred Tinniswood held the title of world’s oldest man, marking his 112th birthday during his reign.
City of London votes on closing Smithfield meat market
Plans to move trading halls to a new, modern facility in Dagenham were shelved earlier this month
Which EU countries have the most foreign-controlled enterprises?
Which EU countries have the most foreign-controlled enterprises?
Young Romanians protest far-right candidate Calin Georgescu’s first-round win
Young Romanians protest far-right candidate Calin Georgescu’s first-round win
Press release – Parliament improves its environmental performance
Parliament strengthens its commitment to sustainability by adopting ambitious environmental targets for the years to come. Source : ยฉ European Union, 2024 – EP
Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo will not seek another term in 2026
Socialistโs decision opens up race for one of Franceโs top political jobs
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo says she will not seek a third term in 2026
Anne Hidalgo, the first woman to be elected mayor of Paris, said she wanted to announce her decision not to run for reelection early to allow for a smooth transition. She endorsed Senator Remi Feraud as her preferred successor.
British man captured while fighting with Ukraine
A video posted online shows a man in military clothing identify himself as James Scott Rhys Anderson, 22.
Three years after the worst migrant shipwreck in the Channel, crossings are more deadly than ever
Thirty-one people died or disappeared when their dinghy sank on November 24, 2021, with no rescue services helping them. Despite an increase in police and sea rescue resources since then, the number of people trying to reach England in small boats has …
‘Azerbaijan cannot impose any kind of solution’ COP29’s host says
‘Azerbaijan cannot impose any kind of solution’ COP29’s host says
Who is Vox leader Santiago Abascal?
Who is Vox leader Santiago Abascal?
Zelensky says war will ‘end sooner’ with Trump as president
The Ukrainian president also said his country “must do everything” to ensure the war ends next year.
The very busy Bussey Building: inside Peckhamโs creative mecca
An old Victorian factory in South London is nurturing new industry. And some solid friendships too
Investors want more urgency from Europe in tackling its economic problems
Competition with the US looks set to intensify with Donald Trump heading to the White House again
Pompeii launches personalised tickets and entry limits in bid to combat overtourism
Pompeii launches personalised tickets and entry limits in bid to combat overtourism
Dutch coalition averts collapse after Finance Secretary quits over racist remarks
Dutch coalition averts collapse after Finance Secretary quits over racist remarks
Amsterdam violence exposes tensions in Dutch society: ‘We cannot be made into enemies’
There are concerns the unrest has damaged community relations and tensions have spilled over into politics too.
London bus crashes are the result of an unsafe model
Individual tragedies speak to a systemic problem that Whitehall need to look at fast
The German economyโs rude awakening
“Many traders have taken these insecurities into account and stockpiled orders to keep their warehouses filled in advance”, said HHLAโs CEO Angela Titzratz.
Man investigated after calling German vice-chancellor โidiotโ
Police raid home of 64-year-old accused of insulting Robert Habeck and uploading an image to X that referenced the Nazi era
Protesters storm parliament in Georgia separatist region Abkhazia over deal with Russia
Protesters stormed the parliament of Georgia’s Russia-backed breakaway region of Abkhazia on Friday while the government was set to discuss a real-estate investment agreement with Russia. Some Abkhaz fear the deal would price them out of the property …
Valencia chief admits flood mistakes but defies calls for resignation
Spain’s under-fire regional leader Carlos Mazรณn defies calls for his resignation after last month’s deadly floods.
Fact check: Are claims of discrimination against Irish citizens true?
Fact check: Are claims of discrimination against Irish citizens true?
Welcome to Lauscha, home of the Christmas ornamentย
Julia Jeuvell of Choosing Keeping explores the German birthplace of the bauble
Fire in Spanish nursing home kills at least 10
Fire in Spanish nursing home kills at least 10
Manchesterโs lessons for other British cities
Howard Bernstein transformed a city on its knees
Diamond necklace linked to Marie Antoinette sells for $4.8m
Experts say some of the stones in the piece are a match with the original diamonds central to a royal scandal.
EU slaps Meta with โฌ797 million fine for breaching antitrust rules
EU slaps Meta with โฌ797 million fine for breaching antitrust rules
Staff ‘banana-proof’ areas for Swedish minister’s phobia
Government officials reportedly ask for no bananas to be present ahead of official visits.