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- Council of Europe Secretary General warns against ECHR reforms on migration
- Warsaw Mayor Trzaskowski emphasizes Ukraine’s priorities in war outcome
- EIB President Calls for Acceleration of Savings and Investment Union on 5 February
- Empress Crown Damaged as Thieves Drop It While Escaping from Louvre | News UK
- Julian Alvarez transfer choice revealed with Chelsea and Arsenal ‘ready to break the bank’
- Council of Europe urges European nations to fund Ukraine Special Tribunal
- Lando Norris has won his first F1 title – here is what the McLaren driver must do next
- Peter Crouch makes Man Utd vs Tottenham and Liverpool vs Man City predictions
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Council of Europe Secretary General warns against ECHR reforms on migration
4:00 am
TL:DR – Council of Europe Secretary General warns against ECHR reforms on migration
• Alain Berset, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, warned that reforming the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) regarding migrants could undermine human rights more broadly.
• In May 2025, nine EU countries signed an open letter supporting the review of ECHR protections.
• Berset is urging caution in talks with countries like Belgium, Denmark, and the United Kingdom about potential changes.
• Berset convened a conference for justice ministers in December 2025 to discuss migration issues and the ECHR.
• There is currently no consensus among member states on ECHR reforms.
Push to review ECHR over migration could set dangerous precedent, CoE boss says
The Council of Europe’s Secretary General, Alain Berset, expressed concerns regarding the review of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and its potential implications for human rights protections, particularly for migrants, in an interview with Euronews. His comments follow an open letter signed by nine European Union countries in May 2025, calling for reforms that could include greater flexibility in managing the deportation of foreign criminals and irregular migrants.
Berset warned that such reforms could embolden governments to roll back human rights protections more broadly. He stated, “What we are doing now will be very well observed. What will happen now with migration, other countries may start discussing other (changes to human) rights.”
Alain Berset Urges Caution in Reforms
Berset has highlighted the need for caution in discussions with countries like Belgium, Denmark, and the United Kingdom, urging that “we must be really careful.” He pointed out that political pressure on human rights frameworks could lead to undesirable consequences, stating that the method of calling for reinterpretation of the ECHR is misaligned with appropriate practices.
He noted, “It is clear that migration is an issue and a concern in the majority of the member states,” acknowledging the need for platforms to address these concerns.
Call for Dialogue Among Member States
To foster productive dialogue, Berset will convene an informal conference among Council of Europe member states’ justice ministers in December 2025 to discuss migration and the ECHR. This comes as member states urge preparation of a political declaration on the issues, which is expected to be adopted in May 2026.
However, Berset reported that there is currently “no consensus at all” on the proposed changes, emphasising that member states must determine the way forward. He concluded, “We need to find, as far as possible, a consensus for this, and then to see what will happen with it.”
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Warsaw Mayor Trzaskowski emphasizes Ukraine’s priorities in war outcome
2:00 am
TL:DR – Warsaw Mayor Trzaskowski emphasizes Ukraine’s priorities in war outcome
• Rafał Trzaskowski, the Mayor of Warsaw, stated on Thursday that the outcome of Russia’s war against Ukraine will impact global perceptions of Western strength.
• Trzaskowski emphasised the importance of Ukrainian priorities in any peace negotiations, asserting that the voices of Ukrainian leaders must be included.
• Poland is firmly against peace initiatives that could reward Russian aggression, as reiterated by Trzaskowski.
• He noted that Poland is investing nearly 5% of its GDP in defence to bolster its security amid the ongoing conflict.
• Trzaskowski warned about the risks of hybrid threats from Russia, emphasising the need for European unity and responsibility.
Ukraine peace deal without Kyiv would shatter Western credibility, Warsaw mayor tells Euronews
Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski emphasised that the outcome of Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine will significantly impact global perceptions of Western strength and resolve, during an interview with Euronews on Thursday. Trzaskowski stated that “however this war ends, it has to be agreed with Ukraine and reflect Ukrainian priorities,” highlighting his concerns that every dictator globally is observing whether the West remains united.
Trzaskowski’s comments come as diplomatic efforts are intensifying, including US-led discussions and renewed dialogues within Europe regarding the potential reopening of communication channels with Moscow, a suggestion recently made by French President Emmanuel Macron. The Mayor of Warsaw reiterated Poland’s firm opposition to any peace initiatives that could be construed as rewarding Russian aggression or imposing terms on Ukraine.
Poland Advocates for European Involvement
As Ukraine’s neighbour and one of its staunchest supporters, Poland believes that Europe must secure a more prominent role in concluding the conflict, a sentiment shared by Trzaskowski. He remarked, “I don’t think Europeans have enough of a say,” while stating that without Europe’s involvement, there will be “no solution, no security and no rebuilding of Ukraine.”
Trzaskowski affirmed the necessity of clearly identifying the aggressor in the ongoing conflict, reiterating that “it was Russia” responsible for the war and the continued attacks on Ukrainian civilians in cities like Kyiv and Kharkiv. He also underscored the importance of Europe committing to Ukraine’s reconstruction and its long-term European aspirations.
Trzaskowski Highlights Security Concerns
While downplaying the threat of an immediate Russian invasion of Poland, Trzaskowski cautioned against complacency. He noted that if Russia is allowed to recover its military strength, it may attempt to test Poland’s resilience through hybrid warfare tactics such as disinformation and cyberattacks.
Trzaskowski stated that Warsaw is fortifying its own defences while taking lessons from Ukraine’s experiences. He mentioned that the Polish capital is enhancing its resilience with measures like providing emergency generators for winter power shortages. He called for a strong transatlantic alliance, asserting, “If Europe and the United States are not together, our enemies will open champagne bottles.”
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EIB President Calls for Acceleration of Savings and Investment Union on 5 February
11:00 pm
TL:DR – EIB President Calls for Acceleration of Savings and Investment Union on 5 February
• European Investment Bank (EIB) President Nadia Calviño stated the EU must realise the Savings and Investments Union in a letter to European Council President António Costa on 5 February 2026.
• Calviño emphasised accelerating the Savings and Investment Union strategy to redirect European savings to innovative businesses.
• The strategy aims to increase investor and business participation in European capital markets, addressing barriers to finance.
• Proposals include centralising financial market supervision and harmonising insolvency laws to improve market integration.
Make the Saving and Investment Union a reality, Calviño tells EU leaders
The European Investment Bank President Nadia Calviño called for urgent action to implement the Savings and Investments Union in a letter sent to European Council President António Costa. This development, reported on 5 February 2026, comes as the informal European Council is set to convene on 12 February in Belgium, highlighting the pressing need to foster prosperity through better financial frameworks.
Calviño’s letter outlines key priorities for the European Investment Bank, including the acceleration of the Savings and Investments Union strategy. This legislative package aims to direct a portion of European savings towards investment in local businesses, which is crucial for enhancing economic growth in the region.
European Investment Bank Advocates Financial Integration
In her letter, Calviño stated, “The right frameworks and instruments need to be in place as soon as possible to make sure European savings are channelled to where they are most needed: innovative businesses across Europe.” She emphasised that increasing investor participation in European capital markets is essential for the continent to compete effectively with major economic blocs like the United States.
Calviño pointed out that access to finance is a significant barrier to investment. She noted that only 29% of US companies view this as a hindrance, compared to 45% of European companies.
Proposals for Legislative Harmonisation and Market Integration
The Savings and Investments Union aims to centralise operations and harmonise regulations at the European level to better integrate currently fragmented national markets. Among the proposed changes is the centralisation of financial market supervision and the harmonisation of insolvency laws, addressing inconsistencies among national regulators regarding European rules.
While there is broad support among EU countries for enhancing Europe’s geopolitical competitiveness, ongoing disagreements over specific legislative details pose challenges to timely reform.
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Empress Crown Damaged as Thieves Drop It While Escaping from Louvre | News UK
8:31 pm
TL:DR – Empress Crown Damaged as Thieves Drop It While Escaping from Louvre | News UK
- Empress Eugenie’s damaged crown was dropped by thieves during a Louvre heist on October 19, 2025.
- Four robbers stole eight treasures worth £76 million; all have been arrested, but the mastermind remains unknown.
- The crown is ‘badly deformed’ but ‘nearly intact,’ missing some gemstones.
- Restoration overseen by an expert committee from the Louvre.
- France will not receive compensation for the stolen items, which were uninsured.
Keywords: Louvre heist, stolen treasures, Empress Eugenie crown restoration.
Empress crown deformed after Louvre thieves dropped it fleeing | News World
The damaged crown of Empress Eugenie de Montijo after it was dropped during the heist (Picture: Thomas Clot / THE LOUVRE MUSEUM / AFP via Getty Images)
### Crown of Empress Eugenie Deformed
The priceless crown of a French empress is skewed and broken out of shape after thieves dropped it as they escaped the Louvre. Four hooded robbers brazenly broke into the Paris museum in broad daylight on October 19 and escaped with eight precious treasures worth £76 million. Police have arrested all four alleged members of the heist crew, but have yet to find the mastermind. They left in their wake the crown of Empress Eugenie, which is ‘badly deformed’ after the thieves tried to remove it through a narrow hole they had sawed in its glass display. However, the left-behind headpiece that belonged to the wife of Napoleon III can be fully restored, the museum said.
### Restoration of the Crown
It is ‘nearly intact’ with its 56 emeralds but is missing one of its eight golden eagles and 10 of its 1,354 diamonds. An expert committee led by the museum’s president, Laurence des Cars, has been selected to supervise the restoration. The four-minute heist took place just after opening on October 19, with visitors already inside. The thieves, posing as workers, used a truck-mounted device to reach the second floor before smashing through a window with power tools. Squeezing into the lavish Apollo Gallery, they cut through reinforced glass display cases and grabbed eight treasures before fleeing on scooters.
Prosecutors raced to arrest those involved in the robbery, with experts fearful that the priceless gems and rare metals would be melted down and sold.
The section of the Louvre where the thieves struck this morning (Picture: Metro Graphics)
The priceless stolen items from the Louvre were soon (Picture: Musee du Louvre)
### Stolen Treasures
Eight objects were taken, according to officials: a sapphire diadem, necklace, and single earring from a matching set linked to 19th-century French queens Marie-Amélie and Hortense; an emerald necklace and earrings from the matching set of Empress Marie-Louise, Napoleon Bonaparte’s second wife; a reliquary brooch; Empress Eugénie’s diadem; and her large corsage-bow brooch — a prized 19th-century imperial ensemble. France will not receive a payout for the stolen, unretrieved jewels that were on display at the Apollo Gallery because they were not covered by private insurance. Authorities have also not tracked down the remaining missing jewels.
Julian Alvarez transfer choice revealed with Chelsea and Arsenal ‘ready to break the bank’
8:00 pm
Julian Alvarez transfer choice revealed with Chelsea and Arsenal ‘ready to break the bank’ | Football
Two-minute read
Arsenal and Chelsea expressed strong interest in signing Julian Alvarez this summer, with both clubs willing to make substantial offers. However, the Atletico Madrid forward favoured a move to Barcelona. Arsenal’s sporting director, Andrea Berta, played a pivotal role in Alvarez’s previous transfer from Manchester City, which took place in summer 2024.
Source: Original report
Arsenal and Chelsea are reportedly ‘prepared to break the bank’ to sign Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid this summer, according to sources. Despite the interest from the Premier League clubs, the former Manchester City striker prefers a move to Barcelona, as he evaluates his options ahead of the transfer window.
The 26-year-old Alvarez is a World Cup winner and has been linked with a return to England, with Arsenal considering a move for him at the end of the season. Key to any negotiations will be Andrea Berta, Arsenal’s sporting director, who previously managed Alvarez’s £81 million transfer from Manchester City to Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2024. Chelsea has also expressed keen interest in signing Alvarez.
Recent reports from UK News noted that Alvarez’s agent, Fernando Hidalo, was in the UK, indicating possible discussions with both Arsenal and Chelsea. However, it is stated that Alvarez’s priority is not a return to the Premier League, and he would choose Barcelona if they make an offer. The Catalan club admires Alvarez but may struggle financially to meet Atletico’s expected asking price of over €100 million.
Alvarez is currently experiencing a concerning goal drought, having struggled to find the net in La Liga recently. He has recorded only one League goal from open play in his last 15 matches, which came from the penalty spot against Sevilla in early November. Ahead of the forthcoming transfer window, Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has defended Alvarez, asserting his capabilities and the reputation he has built in football.
The future of Julian Alvarez remains in question as the transfer window approaches, with his next potential moves to be monitored closely.
Council of Europe urges European nations to fund Ukraine Special Tribunal
7:00 pm
TL:DR – Council of Europe urges European nations to fund Ukraine Special Tribunal
• Alain Berset, head of the Council of Europe, emphasised the need for European nations to financially support the Special Tribunal for Ukraine to prosecute crimes of aggression.
• The Council of Europe signed an agreement with Ukraine in June to establish this tribunal, targeting senior Kremlin officials.
• Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, proposed the tribunal be located in The Hague.
• The European Union committed €10 million last month, but additional funding is still required.
• Berset stated that accountability is crucial in ongoing peace talks, reflecting on a US-backed peace plan’s failure to address this.
Council of Europe chief calls for political and financial backing of Ukraine Special Tribunal
European nations urged to support tribunal for Ukraine
European nations need to provide budgetary support for a special international court designed to prosecute individuals responsible for crimes of aggression in Ukraine, according to Alain Berset, Secretary General of the Council of Europe. Berset made this statement during an interview with Euronews amid ongoing US-led peace settlement discussions.
The call for support is critical now as recent fundraising efforts for the tribunal have faced challenges due to the United States’ withdrawal from international institutions, increasing pressure on European nations to contribute. The Special Tribunal aims to hold senior Kremlin officials, including President Vladimir Putin, accountable for the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Agreement signed to establish Special Tribunal
The Council of Europe, based in Strasbourg, signed an agreement with Ukraine to establish the Special Tribunal last June. This arrangement aims to address the legal gaps left by the International Criminal Court (ICC), which cannot prosecute the crime of aggression independently.
Berset emphasised the importance of accountability, stating, “When you have aggression, there is accountability. When you have destruction and suffering, there is accountability.” He also noted the need for countries to show political will in joining accountability efforts.
Financial challenges and planned contributions
The Council of Europe has indicated that the initial draft budget for the tribunal is approximately €75 million per year. Last month, the European Union signed a contract to provide the tribunal’s first €10 million, though further financial contributions have yet to materialise.
Berset explained, “We need to have clear views on the costs and budgets – and to have a clear support for the budget, because the Council of Europe is definitely not able to do this alone.” Any country outside of the Council of Europe’s 46 members can also participate in the Special Tribunal.
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