The Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany, reopened on Thursday, nearly a year after a devastating car-ramming attack claimed six lives and left many injured. The incident, which occurred on December 20, lasted just over a minute and involved a rented BMW X3 speeding through the market at up to 48 kph (30 mph). This year, the market welcomed over 140 merchants offering traditional holiday goods such as candles, wool hats, candied almonds, and mulled wine, alongside attractions like a Ferris wheel and an ice rink. Paul-Gerhard Stieger, managing director of the Magdeburg Christmas Market GmbH, expressed cautious optimism, emphasizing respect for last year’s tragedy while hoping visitors would rediscover the joy of the market. The suspect, Taleb al-Abdulmohsen, a 51-year-old Saudi doctor, is currently on trial for six counts of murder and 338 counts of attempted murder, with sessions scheduled until March. If convicted, he faces life imprisonment. Following concerns about security, the city and organizers invested at least €250,000 ($290,000) in new safety measures, including concrete barriers to prevent vehicle access. The attack had previously sparked criticism of inadequate security at such events, which are deeply rooted in German culture and have been a cherished tradition since the Middle Ages.
标签： Europe
欧洲
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Spanish court orders Meta to pay nearly half a billion euros in damages to media outlets
In a landmark ruling, a Madrid-based court has ordered Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, to pay €481 million ($554 million) in damages to 81 Spanish media outlets. The court found that Meta had exploited an unfair market advantage by unlawfully extracting personal data from internet users, violating European Union regulations. This data was allegedly used to enhance its advertising capabilities, significantly harming the advertising revenues of Spanish digital media. The court emphasized that Meta’s actions, which spanned five years until 2023, breached the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which mandates strict user privacy protections. Meta has announced its intention to appeal the ruling, labeling it as ‘baseless’ and asserting compliance with all applicable laws. This case could set a precedent for similar legal challenges across Europe, including an ongoing case in France. The ruling underscores the ongoing tension between tech giants and European regulators over data privacy and market fairness.
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As reports of a US-Russia peace plan circulate, Europeans say they and Ukraine must be involved
European diplomats have emphasized that Ukraine and Europe must be integral to any discussions aimed at ending Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine. This declaration comes amid reports of a U.S.-Russian peace proposal that reportedly demands significant concessions from Ukraine, including territorial cessions. The proposal, first reported by Axios, has added pressure on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who is already grappling with a major corruption scandal and rallying international support for Ukraine’s defense. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stressed that any viable peace plan must have the backing of Ukrainians and Europeans, a sentiment echoed by German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, who asserted that negotiations must involve Ukraine and Europe. The alleged peace plan, drafted by U.S. and Russian envoys, reportedly includes provisions for Ukraine to relinquish control of the Donbas region and scale back certain military capabilities. However, such concessions would be deeply unpopular in Ukraine and unconstitutional. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio hinted at ongoing efforts to develop a lasting peace agreement, while Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov denied active consultations with the U.S. European leaders have expressed skepticism about Russia’s sincerity in seeking peace, accusing Moscow of sustaining its war of attrition. Meanwhile, European nations have stepped up military aid to Ukraine, giving them leverage in peace talks. Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski reiterated that Europe, as Ukraine’s primary supporter, expects to be consulted in any peace efforts.
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Brussels hosts talks on Gaza reconstruction, security and governance
In a significant diplomatic gathering, over 60 delegations convened in Brussels on Thursday to address the pressing issues of reconstruction, governance, and security in the war-torn Gaza Strip, alongside the reform of the Palestinian Authority (PA). The meeting, co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia under the auspices of the Palestine Donors Group, follows the recent approval of a U.S.-backed peace plan by the United Nations Security Council. The PA, which currently governs semi-autonomous areas in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, is seeking to expand its influence into postwar Gaza. However, its role remains contentious, with Israel outright rejecting any PA involvement in Gaza and the U.S. insisting on substantial reforms before financial support is extended. The European Union, the PA’s largest financial backer, is advocating for its effective governance of Gaza post-reform. Meanwhile, the EU is increasingly asserting its role in shaping Gaza’s future, including plans to train 3,000 Palestinian policemen, with France contributing 100 officers to this initiative. The U.S. peace plan envisions a gradual handover of Gaza’s territory to a mix of these policemen and an International Stabilization Force. The EU is also pushing for the formation of a technocratic, apolitical committee to manage Gaza’s civil services, largely drawn from the PA. However, these proposals face skepticism within Palestinian society, with Hamas denouncing the U.N. resolution as serving Israeli interests. The meeting in Brussels did not seek financial pledges for Gaza’s reconstruction, with a separate event in Egypt planned for this purpose. The reforms demanded by the U.S. and EU include the abolition of the PA’s controversial ‘martyrs’ fund’ and the revision of its educational materials. Despite these efforts, the PA, led by the increasingly marginalized 90-year-old President Mahmoud Abbas, struggles to gain legitimacy and influence in postwar Gaza.
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Trains collide in the Czech Republic, leaving dozens of people injured
A significant train collision occurred in the southern Czech Republic on Thursday morning, resulting in multiple injuries and disrupted rail services. The incident took place near Ceske Budejovice at approximately 6:20 a.m., involving an express train and another passenger train. According to the regional rescue service, 57 individuals sustained injuries, with two reported to be in serious condition. However, a local hospital in Ceske Budejovice later revised this figure, stating that five of the admitted patients had serious injuries. The collision led to the suspension of rail traffic between Ceske Budejovice and Plzen, with services not expected to resume until the afternoon. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the crash, which has raised concerns about rail safety in the region.
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1,700 years ago, bishops and an emperor wrote a creed. Millions still recite it in church
The Council of Nicaea, convened 1,700 years ago in present-day Turkey, remains a cornerstone of Christian history, symbolizing both unity and division within the faith. This historic gathering, orchestrated by Roman Emperor Constantine in 325 AD, produced the Nicene Creed, a foundational statement of Christian belief still recited by millions worldwide. Pope Leo XIV’s visit to the site on November 28, as part of his first major foreign trip, underscores its enduring significance. The council marked the first ecumenical meeting of bishops, addressing theological disputes, particularly the “Trinitarian Controversy,” which centered on the relationship between God the Father and Jesus the Son. Despite later schisms, the Nicene Creed remains a unifying document for Catholic, Orthodox, and most Protestant denominations. The anniversary has been commemorated globally, with events ranging from the World Council of Churches’ celebration in Egypt to local gatherings in the U.S. The council’s legacy, however, is complex. While it achieved theological compromise, it also institutionalized antisemitism and failed to permanently resolve doctrinal conflicts. Arius, whose teachings were condemned at Nicaea, later regained influence, and debates persisted for generations. Subsequent councils, such as the one in Constantinople in 381, expanded the creed, but divisions continued, including the Great Schism between the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches in the 11th century. Despite these fractures, the anniversary serves as a reminder of Christianity’s call to unity, offering hope for reconciliation in a divided church.
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A corruption scandal pressures Ukraine’s Zelenskyy to show greater accountability
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is under increasing pressure to demonstrate accountability as a corruption scandal threatens to destabilize his government amidst the ongoing war with Russia. The scandal, involving the embezzlement of $100 million from Ukraine’s energy sector, has led to the dismissal of two top officials and sanctions on close associates. However, these actions have failed to quell public outrage, particularly as Ukrainians endure frequent power outages caused by Russian bombardments. Calls are growing for the resignation of Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, Andrii Yermak, who is seen as a central figure in the administration. While neither Zelenskyy nor Yermak have been directly implicated, critics argue that senior leaders must be held accountable to restore public trust and maintain credibility with Western allies. The scandal has intensified scrutiny of Ukraine’s long-standing corruption issues, which Zelenskyy had pledged to eradicate when elected in 2019. Despite the political storm, Zelenskyy has not yet decided to dismiss Yermak, whose influence in the administration remains significant. The situation highlights the delicate balance Zelenskyy must strike between addressing internal corruption and maintaining focus on the war effort.
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Paris court blocks auction of earliest-known calculator
A Paris court has temporarily blocked the auction of La Pascaline, one of the world’s first mechanical calculators, developed by French mathematician Blaise Pascal in 1642. The device, valued at €2 to 3 million (£1.77m to £2.65m), was set to be sold by Christie’s as part of the library collection of the late Catalonia collector Léon Parcé. However, scientists and researchers petitioned for heritage protections, arguing that La Pascaline should be classified as a ‘national treasure’ due to its historical and scientific significance. The court’s provisional decision cited ‘serious doubts’ over the legality of an export certificate previously issued by France’s culture minister. Christie’s has suspended the sale pending a final judgment. La Pascaline, of which only nine examples remain, is celebrated as the first attempt to mechanize human thought, marking a pivotal moment in scientific history. The device had been exhibited at Christie’s venues in New York and Hong Kong this year. The French heritage group Association Sites & Monuments welcomed the court’s decision, emphasizing the calculator’s importance to France’s cultural and scientific legacy.
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Ukrainian teen saboteurs recruited on Telegram to attack their own country
In a chilling revelation, a Ukrainian teenager, now 18, has confessed to attempting to plant a bomb in a military conscription van under the direction of Russian handlers. The young man, identified only as Vlad to protect his identity, was promised $2,000 for the act of sabotage. However, Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) had been monitoring him, ultimately thwarting the attack. Vlad is now awaiting trial on terrorism charges, which could result in a 12-year prison sentence.
Vlad’s case is part of a broader pattern of Russian recruitment of Ukrainian minors for sabotage and attacks against their own country. According to the SBU, over 800 Ukrainians, including 240 minors, have been recruited by Russia in the past two years. Some of these recruits are as young as 11, with reports of attempts to recruit children as young as nine.
The recruitment primarily occurs on platforms like Telegram, TikTok, and even video game platforms. The handlers exploit financial desperation, offering payments for increasingly dangerous tasks. Vlad, for instance, was initially reluctant but was persuaded to undertake a series of assignments, culminating in the bomb plot. He was paid a fraction of the promised cryptocurrency, highlighting the manipulative nature of these recruitments.
Ukrainian officials have publicly named suspected Russian intelligence agents involved in these operations. While the BBC has not independently verified the Russian state’s direct involvement, several European governments have reported evidence of Russian agents recruiting young men for acts of vandalism, arson, and surveillance.
The SBU has been proactive in countering these threats, conducting awareness campaigns in schools and removing some of the recruitment channels on Telegram. However, many of these channels remain active, with some even growing in subscribers. Telegram has stated that calls to violence are explicitly forbidden and removed when discovered, but the persistence of these channels suggests a significant challenge.
Vlad’s story serves as a stark warning to others tempted by such offers. ‘It’s not worth it,’ he says. ‘They will either cheat you, and then you will end up in prison just like me, or you can take a bomb in your hands and it will simply blow you up.’
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Albanian PM accuses Mahmood of ‘ethnic stereotyping’
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has strongly criticized UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood for what he termed ‘ethnic stereotyping’ in her recent speech addressing abuses in the UK’s asylum system. During her announcement of major reforms on Monday, Mahmood highlighted that around 700 Albanian families were living in taxpayer-funded accommodations despite having failed their asylum claims. Rama dismissed this figure as a ‘statistical drop in the ocean of post-Brexit Britain’s challenges’ and emphasized the success of the UK-Albania returns agreement, which has led to the deportation of over 13,000 individuals since 2022. He described the partnership as one of ‘Europe’s most successful on illegal migration.’
Mahmood’s proposed reforms aim to overhaul the UK’s ‘out of control and unfair’ asylum system. Key changes include making refugee status temporary, extending the wait for permanent settlement from five to 20 years, and allowing the removal of families with children who have no right to remain. The reforms also introduce new legal routes to the UK with an annual cap on numbers. In her speech, Mahmood stressed the need to remove individuals with failed asylum claims, regardless of their background.
Rama took to social media to express his dismay, questioning how a Labour Home Secretary could echo far-right populist rhetoric by singling out Albanian families. He argued that Albanians are net contributors to the British economy and that the number receiving benefits is relatively low compared to other communities. Rama condemned the focus on Albanians as ‘a troubling and indecent exercise in demagoguery’ and called for policies free from ethnic stereotyping.
This is not the first time Rama has clashed with British politicians over their portrayal of Albanian nationals. Earlier this year, he rejected UK Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer’s proposal to establish ‘return hubs’ in Albania for failed asylum seekers from other countries. Rama has also challenged Reform UK leader Nigel Farage to debate his claims about Albanian criminality in the UK, dismissing such assertions as ‘bonkers’ and rooted in ‘post-truth Brexit playbook’ politics.