Europe

Thousands of students marched in Prague on Wednesday in protest against the Czech government’s plan to overhaul public media funding, which would eliminate access fees and make state funding the sole source. Critics warn this could jeopardise media independence and lead to significant budget cuts and layoffs.

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A second French soldier, Corporal Anicet Girardin, has died from wounds sustained during a Hezbollah ambush on UN peacekeepers in Lebanon, President Emmanuel Macron confirmed. This follows the death of Staff Sergeant Florian Montorio in the same attack, marking a significant escalation for French forces in the region.

Moldovan oligarch Vladimir Plahotniuc has been sentenced to 19 years in prison for his involvement in the disappearance of $1 billion from the country’s banking system in 2014. The court also ordered the seizure of approximately $60 million from his accounts. Plahotniuc denies the charges and plans to appeal.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has been elected taoiseach (prime minister) of Ireland for the second time, following intense debates in the Dáil (Ireland’s lower house of Parliament). The Dáil faced multiple suspensions on Wednesday due to heated exchanges between the government and opposition parties.  

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin, who was set to be nominated, accused Sinn Féin and other opposition TDs (MPs) of orchestrating the disruption. He called the delay ‘premeditated, coordinated, and choreographed.’

Fico’s claims, based on what he described as a classified intelligence report, came ahead of a no-confidence motion against his government. The motion was abandoned after the parliamentary session was held in secret at Fico’s request, prompting the opposition to walk out in protest.  

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