French authorities have issued a stern warning to the online fast fashion giant Shein, threatening to block its access to the French market following the discovery of childlike sex dolls on its platform. The Directorate General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF), France’s consumer watchdog, revealed last week that Shein had been selling these dolls, which were described and categorized in a manner that strongly suggested their child-pornographic nature. The agency has escalated the matter to public prosecutors, and Economy Minister Roland Lescure has stated that he will seek to ban Shein from operating in France if such incidents recur. ‘This is provided for by law,’ Lescure emphasized during an interview with BFM TV, citing the government’s authority to prohibit market access in cases involving terrorism, drug trafficking, or child pornography. Under French law, the distribution of child-pornographic materials via electronic networks carries severe penalties, including up to seven years in prison and a €100,000 ($115,000) fine. The DGCCRF has issued a formal notice to Shein, demanding immediate corrective actions. Shein, which was founded in China in 2012 and is now headquartered in Singapore, has not yet responded to requests for comment. The company, known for its rapid global expansion and low-cost fashion, has faced criticism for its labor practices and environmental impact. The controversy comes just days before Shein is set to open its first permanent physical store in Paris, a move that has already sparked significant backlash, with an online petition against the store garnering over 100,000 signatures.
标签： Europe
欧洲
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Spain’s top prosecutor stands trial over allegations of leaking confidential information
In a landmark event for Spain’s judicial history, Attorney General Álvaro García Ortiz stood trial on Monday over allegations of leaking confidential information. This unprecedented case has sent shockwaves through Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s left-wing government, marking the first time a top prosecutor has faced criminal charges in modern Spain. García Ortiz is accused of disclosing an email from a lawyer representing Alberto González Amador, the partner of Madrid’s influential regional leader Isabel Díaz Ayuso, who is under investigation for alleged tax fraud. García Ortiz has vehemently denied the accusations and has received public backing from Sánchez on multiple occasions. The trial, which is expected to conclude next week, underscores the deepening rift between Spain’s national left-wing government and Madrid’s conservative regional administration. The case is part of a broader wave of legal challenges involving individuals close to Sánchez, including corruption probes targeting two former high-ranking officials from his Socialist Party, as well as investigations into the business dealings of Sánchez’s wife, Begoña Gómez. While Sánchez himself has not been directly implicated, these cases have posed significant threats to his government’s stability. The prime minister has criticized some judges, alleging political motivations behind the probes into his wife’s activities.
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A Latvian arrested for allegedly collecting information for Russia’s intelligence
RIGA, Latvia — A Latvian national has been apprehended on charges of espionage, accused of gathering sensitive information about the Baltic nation’s defense sector for Russia’s GRU military intelligence service. The suspect, whose identity remains undisclosed, was detained last month following coordinated raids on two associated locations. According to Latvia’s State Security Service, the individual allegedly collected and transmitted classified details about NATO forces stationed in the country, as well as intelligence on private aviation infrastructure and methods for acquiring prepaid mobile phone cards. This arrest underscores growing concerns over Russia’s alleged campaign of sabotage and hybrid warfare targeting Ukraine’s European allies. Recent months have seen a surge in arson attacks, cyber intrusions, and espionage activities across the continent. The Baltic states and broader Europe remain on heightened alert, particularly after a spike in unauthorized incursions by Russian fighter jets and drones into NATO airspace in September. These incidents have prompted questions about the alliance’s readiness to counter potential Russian aggression.
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Irish campaigner and advocate Sister Stan dies aged 86
Sister Stanislaus Kennedy, a revered campaigner and advocate for the marginalized, has passed away at the age of 86. Known affectionately as Sr Stan, she died on Monday morning at St Francis Hospice in Blanchardstown, Dublin. Born Treasa Kennedy on 19 June 1939 near Lispole on the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry, she left home at 18 to join the Sisters of Charity, adopting the name Sr Stanislaus Kennedy. In 1985, she founded Focus Point, now known as Focus Ireland, after conducting research into the needs of homeless women in Dublin during the 1980s. Throughout her life, Sr Stan established numerous voluntary organizations and was appointed the first chair of the Combat Poverty Agency. In 2001, she expanded her advocacy to include immigrants, founding the Immigrant Council of Ireland to assist those from migrant backgrounds. The Religious Sisters of Charity praised her tireless efforts to support the homeless, immigrants, and disadvantaged communities across Ireland and beyond. Focus Ireland CEO Pat Dennigan remarked, ‘Her vision will continue to guide us, we will not see her like again, that is for sure.’ Taoiseach Micheál Martin described her as a ‘true Christian’ who dedicated her life to helping those ‘on the margins.’
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Pregnant British teen arrested for drug smuggling in Georgia released after guilty verdict
TBILISI, Georgia — Bella May Culley, a 19-year-old British teenager who was arrested in Georgia earlier this year on drug smuggling charges, was released from prison on Monday following a plea deal. Culley, who is pregnant, was detained in May at Tbilisi Airport for allegedly attempting to smuggle 12 kilograms of marijuana and 2 kilograms of hashish into the country. On Monday, a Georgian court found her guilty and sentenced her to five months and 25 days in prison, equivalent to the time she had already served in custody. As part of the plea agreement, her family paid a fine of 500,000 lari (approximately $184,000).
Culley and her mother, Lyanne Kennedy, were visibly emotional during the court proceedings, embracing each other after the verdict was announced. Georgian prosecutors had initially considered a two-year prison sentence but opted to account for the time Culley had already served. Case prosecutor Vakhtang Tsalughelashvili stated that the decision was influenced by Culley’s confession, her age, and her pregnancy.
Culley’s lawyer, Malkhaz Salakhaia, confirmed that she would be allowed to leave the country and regain her passport. Salakhaia praised the court’s decision, emphasizing that Culley had been sincere throughout the investigation. The teenager had initially faced a potential sentence of up to 15 years or life imprisonment under Georgian law. However, the country’s legal system permits financial plea agreements in certain cases, particularly those involving drug-related offenses.
Prior to her arrest in Georgia on May 10, Culley had been reported missing in Thailand. She claimed she was tortured in Thailand and coerced into carrying the drugs. Salakhaia noted that Culley displayed visible signs of physical abuse upon her arrival in Georgia. The case has drawn significant attention due to its international implications and the unusual circumstances surrounding Culley’s involvement.
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UK police charge man with attempted murder over train stabbing that wounded 11 people
In a shocking incident that has rattled the United Kingdom, a 32-year-old man has been charged with attempted murder following a mass stabbing attack on a train that left 11 people injured. Anthony Williams, a British citizen from Peterborough, faces 10 counts of attempted murder, one count of actual bodily harm, and one count of possession of a bladed article in connection with the attack that occurred on Saturday evening. Additionally, Williams is charged with attempted murder in a separate incident at Pontoon Dock light rail station in London earlier the same day. Authorities are investigating potential links to other offenses. The British Transport Police have confirmed that the stabbings are not being treated as an act of terrorism, and no other suspects are being sought. A second man, initially arrested, was released without charge after it was determined he was not involved. The attack, which lasted several minutes, caused widespread panic among passengers on a train traveling from Doncaster to London. The most seriously injured victim, a railway staff member who attempted to intervene, is in critical but stable condition and has been hailed as a hero by police. Williams was arrested when the train made an emergency stop in Huntingdon, with authorities detaining him within eight minutes of receiving the first emergency calls. While the attack is considered an isolated incident, security on the railway has been heightened, with armed police officers patrolling major train stations on Monday.
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Spainish regional leader steps down over his handling of last year’s Valencia flash floods
MADRID (AP) — Carlos Mazón, the leader of Spain’s Valencia region, announced his resignation on Monday following intense scrutiny over his administration’s handling of the catastrophic flash floods that claimed 229 lives last year. The decision comes after months of mounting pressure from both the public and political opponents, who have accused him of mismanaging the crisis. The devastating floods, which occurred on October 29, 2024, overwhelmed the region, sweeping away vehicles and destroying homes. Mazón faced widespread criticism for the delayed issuance of flood alerts to residents’ mobile phones, which came after the waters had already breached their banks. Additionally, his decision to attend a lengthy lunch on the day of the disaster, while emergency officials were coordinating relief efforts, further fueled public outrage. The backlash reached a peak during a state memorial ceremony held on the first anniversary of the tragedy, where family members of the victims openly jeered and insulted him. Mazón’s resignation marks a significant moment in Valencia’s political landscape, as the region continues to grapple with the aftermath of the disaster and the need for improved emergency response systems.
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Netherlands to return stolen ancient sculpture to Egypt
The Netherlands has announced its decision to repatriate a 3,500-year-old stone head of an Egyptian official, which was illegally exported from Egypt during the Arab Spring. The artifact, dating back to the era of Pharaoh Thutmose III, resurfaced at the European Fine Art Foundation fair in Maastricht in 2022. Following an anonymous tip, Dutch authorities confirmed its illicit origins, prompting the dealer to voluntarily surrender the sculpture. Outgoing Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof pledged to return the artifact during his visit to the inauguration of the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza. The Dutch government emphasized the sculpture’s profound cultural significance to Egypt’s heritage and plans to transfer it to the Egyptian ambassador by the end of 2023. This move aligns with the Netherlands’ commitment to repatriating cultural heritage to its rightful owners. The Grand Egyptian Museum, a $1.2 billion project housing 100,000 artifacts, including Tutankhamun’s tomb and gold mask, is expected to bolster Egypt’s efforts to reclaim other key antiquities, such as the Rosetta Stone, currently held by the British Museum.
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Riot police separate opponents, loyalists of Serbia’s president as tensions soar amid protests
BELGRADE, Serbia — The streets of central Belgrade became a battleground on Sunday as hundreds of riot police intervened to separate opposing factions: supporters of Serbia’s autocratic President Aleksandar Vucic and anti-government protesters. The confrontation, marked by thrown bottles and flares, underscored escalating political tensions following a year of sustained demonstrations against Vucic’s rule. The clashes erupted a day after tens of thousands gathered in Novi Sad to commemorate the first anniversary of a train station disaster that claimed 16 lives and ignited a youth-led movement demanding political reform. The tragedy has become a rallying point for critics of Vucic’s increasingly authoritarian 13-year tenure. In Belgrade, protesters rallied in support of Dijana Hrka, the mother of one of the victims, who began a hunger strike near a tent camp outside the parliament building. This camp, occupied by Vucic’s loyalists since March, has become a symbol of the president’s efforts to consolidate power. Known colloquially as “Caciland,” the camp has drawn criticism for restricting public access and raising fears of violence, particularly after a recent shooting incident. Authorities have intensified their crackdown on dissent, detaining hundreds of protesters and labeling student demonstrators as “terrorists.” Protesters accuse the government of corruption and negligence in the Novi Sad station renovation, which they claim led to the fatal collapse. They are demanding accountability for the victims, the release of detained protesters, and early parliamentary elections.
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Nato ‘will stand with Ukraine’ to get long-lasting peace, senior official tells BBC
Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, Chair of NATO’s Military Committee, has characterized the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict as a strategic misstep for Russian President Vladimir Putin. Speaking to the BBC, Adm Dragone emphasized that the war has reached a stalemate, making it imperative to initiate peace negotiations to prevent further loss of life. He highlighted that Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine inadvertently led to Finland and Sweden joining NATO, further isolating Russia on the global stage. ‘Putin will not succeed in establishing a puppet government in Ukraine,’ Dragone asserted, dismissing any notion of a Belarus-like scenario in Kyiv. He also underscored NATO’s unwavering commitment to Ukraine, stating that the alliance will support the nation until a lasting peace is achieved. On the topic of defense spending, Dragone noted that NATO members have agreed to increase their defense budgets to 5% of GDP by 2035, a move prompted by persistent urging from former U.S. President Donald Trump. Addressing concerns over Russia’s recent unveiling of advanced nuclear-powered weapons, Dragone downplayed the threat, reiterating NATO’s defensive posture. ‘We are not threatened by them; we are prepared to defend our 32 nations and one billion people,’ he declared. Looking ahead, Dragone identified the Baltic states—Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania—as potential flashpoints for future aggression but assured that NATO’s Article 5 would ensure collective defense. He also highlighted air defense as NATO’s top priority, with plans to deploy a ‘drone wall’ along the alliance’s eastern borders within months. Despite internal dissent from some member states like Slovakia and Hungary, Dragone expressed confidence in NATO’s cohesion and reliability, concluding, ‘The alliance is stronger than our adversaries, and we will stand with Ukraine until peace prevails.’