Latest News
- EU Urges Member States to Enhance Measures Against Illegal Immigration
- Russia Launches Hypersonic Missile Strikes on Kyiv, Killing Four
- Lessons from the 1929 Wall Street crash and advances in Lyme disease research
- UK supermarkets announce opening hours for late May bank holiday
- Trump announces deployment of 5,000 troops to Poland amid NATO tensions
- Cyprus votes today in pivotal elections for House of Representatives seats
- Details emerge on potential peace deal between the U.S. and Iran
- Russia’s threats against Baltic states raise concerns about regional escalation
Hunt for Tube hero who gave blind man his shoes after he lost one through the gap The hunt is on find an ‘absolute hero’
EU Urges Member States to Enhance Measures Against Illegal Immigration
In a significant move, the European Commission is advancing a new AI transparency code as part of its broader EU AI Act, aiming to establish strict guidelines around artificial intelligence use across member states. This initiative, prompted by growing concerns over ethical standards and accountability in AI applications, is expected to require compliance from major tech companies operating within the EU, potentially setting a global precedent. The proposal is a response to intensifying debates on regulating AI responsibly, highlighting the EU’s commitment to fostering trustworthy technology.
On the economic front, the European Central Bank’s recent warning against easing euro-stablecoin regulations could impact market confidence, particularly among fintech firms seeking stability in digital currency. Investors should be alert to upcoming discussions in the Eurogroup, which may lead to further regulatory clarifications and influence market dynamics in the blockchain space.
Key developments across Europe
Former prosecutor calls for EU statute blocking US sanctions on ICC members
EU FOREIGN POLICY — A proposal has been made for the EU to create a statute preventing US sanctions against International Criminal Court members.
This call underscores tensions between the EU and the US regarding international law enforcement. Advocates argue this would strengthen the EU’s sovereignty while promoting accountability in international governance.
Zelenskyy rejects Merz proposal for associate EU membership
EU POLITICS — President Zelenskyy has firmly declined a proposal for Ukraine to seek associate membership in the EU.
This decision reflects Ukraine’s intent to pursue full EU membership rather than a partial agreement, which Zelenskyy believes would undermine their aspirations. The response highlights continued commitment towards full integration with the EU amidst ongoing conflict.
Greek police arrest 20 in Crete over suspected EU farm subsidies fraud
EU LAW — Authorities have detained 20 individuals in connection with suspected fraud involving EU farm subsidies in Greece.
This widespread investigation aims to address increasing concerns over the misuse of EU funds. It highlights the need for stronger oversight mechanisms in the agricultural subsidy system to prevent financial malpractice.
EU, Mexico sign expanded trade deal
EU TRADE — The EU and Mexico have formalised an expanded trade agreement aimed at enhancing bilateral trade relations.
This deal is set to reduce tariffs on various goods and strengthen cooperation in several sectors, enhancing economic ties between the two regions. It marks a significant step in the EU’s strategy to diversify its trade partnerships post-Brexit.
What to watch — Expect continued developments regarding Ukraine’s integration efforts and outcomes from talks on the EU’s future relationships with major partners.
Further reading from across European news sources
The Guardian
Former prosecutor calls for EU statute blocking US sanctions on ICC members
Politico Europe
Zelenskyy rejects Merz proposal for associate EU membership
Reuters
Greek police arrest 20 in Crete over suspected EU farm subsidies fraud
Euronews
What’s the EU’s answer to multi-leg trips? Ask the Euronews AI chatbot
Financial Times
How Europe learnt to love subsidies
October 12, 2024
6:18 am
‘Cheer up, you caught the bad guy,’ says killer Virginia McCullough as she is arrested for murdering her parents
A woman who murdered her parents “in cold blood” before hiding them in makeshift tombs for four years told officers to “cheer up, you caught the bad guy” as she was arrested in her home.
Virginia McCullough, 36, poisoned her father John McCullough, 70, with prescription medication and fatally stabbed her mother Lois McCullough, 71, shortly afterwards in 2019.
She ran up large debts on credit cards in her parents’ names and after their deaths, she continued to spend their pensions until she was finally caught in 2023.
In body-worn video footage released by police, a handcuffed – and eerily calm – McCullough told officers: “I did know that this would kind of come eventually.
“It’s proper that I serve my punishment.”
She said she had slipped something into her father’s drink then put his body under a bed on the ground floor, and put her mother’s body in an upstairs wardrobe.
McCullough, having been arrested on suspicion of double murder, told an officer: “Cheer up, at least you’ve caught the bad guy.”
She added: “I know I don’t seem 100% evil.”
At the police station, she told officers where a kitchen knife was, which she described as a “murder weapon”, and a hammer which she said “will still have blood on it”.
McCullough, of Pump Hill, Chelmsford, Essex, was sentenced to life imprisonment on Friday with a minimum term of 36 years at Chelmsford Crown Court, after she admitted to their murders between 17 and 20 June 2019 at an earlier hearing at the same court.
Chelmsford Crown Court heard how she hid their bodies in makeshift tombs at the family home in Great Baddow in Essex, then told persistent lies to cover her tracks.
The court heard she cancelled family arrangements and frequently told doctors and relatives her parents were unwell, on holiday or away on lengthy trips.
But concerns over Mr and Mrs McCullough’s welfare were raised in September 2023 by a GP at their registered practice, and Essex County Council’s safeguarding team referred these to police.
The GP had not seen the couple for some time and said Mr McCullough had failed to collect medication and attend scheduled appointments. It was found McCullough had frequently cancelled appointments, using a range of excuses to explain her father’s absence.
Police said a missing persons investigation was initially launched and McCullough lied to officers, claiming her parents were travelling and would be returning in October.
It became a murder investigation, and when officers forced entry to the house in Pump Hill on September 15 2023, McCullough confessed that her parents’ bodies were in the house and that she had killed them.
Nicola Rice, a specialist prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “McCullough callously and viciously killed both of her parents before concealing their bodies in makeshift tombs within their home address.
“She spent the next four years manipulating and lying to family members, medical staff, financial institutions, and the police, spending her parents’ money and accruing large debts in their name.”
She added: “This was a truly disturbing case, which has left behind it a trail of devastation, and I can only hope that the sentence passed today will help those who loved and cared for Lois and John begin to heal.”
To downplay the genocide, the israelis claim there’s only 20,000 people left in north Gaza, says
@MahaGaza
: the real number exceeds 400,000
Man of the right wing Nigel Farage taking more second jobs and freebie helicopter rides
Gosh he’ll soon be a true blue Tory at this rate
Or far far worse
The cost-of-living crisis is far from over, yet the government’s 50% increase to the bus fare cap is a political choice, adding hundreds to annual costs.
To address hardship & the climate crisis, the government must keep the £2 cap & make public transport accessible for all.
G20 waters down support for Ukraine amid pressure for peace talks
The Tech Titan Who Led His Company From a 68-Square-Foot Jail Cell
November 23, 2024
8:25 am
Defense alliance NATO chief Mark Rutte has met US President-elect Donald Trump to discuss global security issues, according to a NATO spokesperson.
The meeting took place in Palm Beach, Florida.
During his first term as US president, 2017-2020, Trump pushed for European NATO countries to spend more on defense and described the alliance’s cost-sharing as unfair to the US.
Rutte took over as NATO chief from Norwegian Jens Stoltenberg in November.
Before taking office in January, Trump has nominated Pete Hegseth for the post of defense secretary, which has raised eyebrows among many allies.
Hegseth, 44, has served as an infantry captain in Iraq and Afghanistan, but has no senior military or government officer experience.
November 23, 2024
8:25 am
November 23, 2024
8:17 am
Multiple missiles were fired in an airstrike towards a densely populated part of Lebanon’s capital early on Saturday.
The huge airstrike targeted Beirut’s Basta neighbourhood, and no prior warnings were given by the Israeli military. The largely residential area was struck last month.
At least one violent explosion was heard across the city, Reuters witnesses said, and plumes of smoke could be seen. Scenes of massive destruction at the site were shared online, including a massive crater in the ground.
“Beirut, the capital, woke up to a horrific massacre, as the Israeli enemy’s air force completely destroyed an eight-story residential building with five missiles on Al-Mamoun Street in Basta,” the state-run National News Agency reported.
The health ministry put the initial death toll at four, with 23 wounded. The number is expected to climb in the coming hours as search and rescue efforts continue.
It came after a long day of Israeli airstrikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs, which have been non-stop since last week.
The cross-border fighting between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group escalated into a full-blown war in mid-September.
Israel has bombed southern Lebanon, Beirut’s southern suburbs and the eastern Beqaa region, and has sent ground troops across the border. Hezbollah has continued to fire rockets deeper into Israel.
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