More than 160,000 visit Vatican to pay respects to former Pope Benedict XVI ahead of funeral
The official viewing period for the former pontiff laying in state ends on Wednesday evening – with the funeral to come on Thursday
Europe
Prosecutors call for France’s former spy chief to stand trial
Bernard Squarcini and 10 others await magistrates’ decision on hearing charges including influence peddling and forgeryFrench prosecutors have called for the former head of the country’s internal intelligence agency to stand trial on charges of influen…
Moscow blames its troops’ use of mobile phones for Makiivka missile strike
Ukrainian shelling that killed 89 recruits aided by mobiles switched on near frontlines, claims Russia defence ministryRussia-Ukraine war – latest news updatesRussia’s defence ministry on Wednesday blamed the use of mobile phones by its soldiers for a …
Unseasonably Warm Weather Leaves Ski Slopes With Little Snow
A record-breaking warm spell in several countries across Europe has forced some ski slopes to close with sparse snow coverage.
Iranian actor Taraneh Alidoosti released from jail after family post bail
Alidoosti was arrested for support of women’s movement in Iran, including posing on Instagram without hijabThe celebrated Iranian actor Taraneh Alidoosti has been released from prison by the authorities after her friends and family provided bail. Pictu…
Climate activists arrested for spray painting French prime minister’s office
Two climate activists spray painted the front gate of the French prime minister’s office on Wednesday in protest at what campaign group Derniere Renovation (Last Renovation) called ‘climate crimes’ committed by the state.
Ireland fines Meta 390M euros in latest privacy crackdown
Irish regulators have hit Facebook parent Meta with hundreds of millions in fines for online privacy violations and banned the company from forcing European users to agree to personalized ads based on their online activity
Devastating strike on Russian military base in Ukraine exposes ‘gross criminal incompetence’
The New Year strike on a Russian military base in Makiivka has led to Moscow’s biggest admission of loss of life since it invaded Ukraine in February 2022. But aside from the devastating, and still mounting, death toll, experts say the incident has ex…
British Museum in talks with Greece over return of Parthenon marbles
Greek ministers say secret talks have been under way for more than a year The British Museum has confirmed for the first time that it is involved in “constructive discussions” with Greece over the return of some of the Parthenon marbles.Speculation has…
Ireland’s overcrowded hospitals battle ‘perfect storm’ of respiratory infections
Crisis affects all country’s hospitals, while 838 patients wait on trolleys in wards or emergency departmentsIreland’s hospitals are reeling from record overcrowding amid what the government has called a “perfect storm” of respiratory infections.The Ir…