标签: Europe

欧洲

  • Teenage girl dies in Dublin after being hit by scrambler

    Teenage girl dies in Dublin after being hit by scrambler

    A tragic road traffic incident in a north Dublin suburb has resulted in the death of a teenage girl following a collision with a scrambler-type motorcycle. The fatal accident occurred on Ratoath Road in the residential area of Finglas at approximately 2:20 PM local time on Sunday afternoon.

    According to An Garda Síochána (Ireland’s national police service), emergency responders rushed the critically injured teenager to Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown for immediate medical intervention. Despite receiving comprehensive trauma care, the young victim succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead at the medical facility.

    In a significant development following the incident, law enforcement authorities have apprehended a teenage male in connection with the fatal collision. The suspect remains in custody at a Garda station within the Dublin metropolitan region as investigations continue.

    Specialist forensic collision investigators from the Garda Technical Bureau have conducted a meticulous examination of the accident scene, employing advanced forensic techniques to reconstruct the precise sequence of events. The thorough investigation has been completed and the roadway, which was temporarily closed for evidence gathering, has now been fully reopened to traffic.

    Police officials have issued a public appeal for information, urging any potential witnesses or individuals with relevant camera footage—including dashcam recordings, home security systems, or mobile phone videos—to come forward and assist with the ongoing investigation. The Gardaí emphasize that even seemingly minor details could prove crucial in determining the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident.

  • Explosion at cookie factory in central Greece kills at least 4

    Explosion at cookie factory in central Greece kills at least 4

    A catastrophic explosion and subsequent fire ripped through the Violanta biscuit manufacturing facility in central Greece, resulting in a significant loss of life and injuries. The incident, which occurred during the night shift near the city of Trikala, approximately 320 kilometers north of Athens, has left the local community in shock.

    Emergency services confirmed that the blast claimed the lives of at least four female workers, with one individual still unaccounted for as search operations continue. Seven others, including a responding firefighter, sustained injuries and were transported to Trikala Hospital for treatment. Officials reported that none of the injured are in serious condition.

    The force of the explosion and the intensity of the resulting fire caused extensive damage, gutting the industrial plant. Firefighting crews engaged in a prolonged battle against the blaze for several hours before gaining sufficient control to begin recovery operations and retrieve the victims.

    Preliminary investigative findings from police authorities indicate the explosion may have originated in the vicinity of the factory’s industrial ovens, which maintain continuous 24-hour operation. Specialized arson investigators and emergency response teams remain deployed at the disaster site, conducting a thorough examination to determine the precise cause and sequence of events that led to this industrial tragedy.

  • At least three dead in Greece biscuit factory fire

    At least three dead in Greece biscuit factory fire

    A devastating industrial fire has resulted in multiple casualties at a food manufacturing facility in central Greece, with rescue operations continuing into Monday. The tragedy unfolded at the Violanta biscuit factory near Trikala during early morning operations when 13 employees were present on site.

    Local authorities confirmed three fatalities with two workers remaining unaccounted for following the intense blaze. Emergency responders successfully evacuated eight staff members from the burning structure before recovering the victims’ remains. Drone surveillance footage captured massive plumes of dark smoke engulfing the industrial area, illustrating the severity of the incident.

    Witnesses reported hearing a substantial explosion preceding the rapid spread of the fire, though official investigators have not yet determined the exact ignition source. The Greek fire service deployed substantial resources to combat the flames, including 40 specialized firefighters and 13 emergency vehicles.

    Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis provided preliminary medical assessments, indicating six factory employees and one firefighter required hospitalization. All were reported in stable condition, primarily undergoing treatment for smoke inhalation and related respiratory complications. The minister emphasized that despite the traumatic event, the injured were expected to make full recoveries.

    The Violanta factory, known for biscuit production, sustained significant structural damage as firefighting teams worked to fully extinguish remaining hot spots. An official investigation has been launched to examine safety protocols and determine liability for one of Greece’s most serious industrial accidents in recent years.

  • 10 years, 3,000 creatives: The uphill battle for Black talent in Italian fashion

    10 years, 3,000 creatives: The uphill battle for Black talent in Italian fashion

    MILAN — Michelle Francine Ngonmo, a 38-year-old Cameroonian-Italian activist, has emerged as a transformative force in Italy’s fashion landscape, dedicating her career to amplifying African voices and people of color in an industry historically lacking representation. As founder of the Afrofashion Association, Ngonmo has spent the past decade producing runway shows, mentoring emerging talent, and recognizing groundbreaking achievements through her recently established Black Carpet Awards.

    The association’s impact is quantifiable: Ngonmo has collaborated with 3,000 individuals of color, with 92 now established in sustainable creative careers. These numbers simultaneously demonstrate progress and highlight the considerable work remaining in diversifying Italian fashion.

    The movement gained momentum following the Black Lives Matter protests, which exposed the conspicuous absence of people of color in Italy’s prestigious design studios. Ngonmo partnered with designers Stella Jean and Edward Buchanan to launch the ‘We Are Made in Italy’ (WAMI) initiative, demanding concrete action rather than symbolic gestures from fashion houses. This collaboration emerged as several prominent brands faced scandals over racially insensitive designs and campaigns.

    Despite initial industry enthusiasm, attention waned as diversity funding diminished and economic pressures mounted. Ngonmo now strategically focuses on maintaining relationships with committed organizations like the Italian National Fashion Chamber, which continues supporting Black designers during Milan Fashion Week.

    Ghanaian designer Victor Reginald Bob Abbey-Hart exemplifies this progress. After immigrating to Italy nine years ago, he has advanced from showcasing at the Black Carpet Awards to presenting full collections during fashion week, recently debuting his predominantly denim line to a packed audience that included Chamber president Carlo Capasa.

    Both Ngonmo and Abbey-Hart acknowledge persistent challenges. The designer notes that racial bias often disqualifies candidates before interviews even occur, urging the industry to evaluate talent rather than ethnicity. Capasa concedes Italy has considerable work ahead in diversity and inclusion, acknowledging Ngonmo’s instrumental role in helping institutions understand minority communities’ needs from mentorship to education.

  • Russia using Interpol’s wanted list to target critics abroad, leak reveals

    Russia using Interpol’s wanted list to target critics abroad, leak reveals

    A comprehensive leak of thousands of internal Interpol documents has revealed Russia’s extensive exploitation of the international policing system to target political dissidents, journalists, and business figures abroad. The confidential files, provided by a whistleblower to BBC World Service and French investigative outlet Disclose, demonstrate how Moscow has weaponized Interpol’s alert mechanisms to pursue critics under the guise of criminal investigations.

    Analysis of the data reveals that Russia has generated more complaints to Interpol’s independent oversight body than any other nation over the past decade—three times the number of Turkey, the second highest complainant. The leaked documents further indicate that Russia has had more red notices and diffusions overturned than any other country, suggesting widespread abuse of the system.

    Despite implementing enhanced scrutiny measures following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Interpol’s internal reports from 2024-2025 indicate ongoing concerns about Moscow’s “willful misuse” of policing channels. Remarkably, approximately 90% of Russia’s requests continued to pass initial checks in 2024, while simultaneously, half of all challenged Russian requests were being overturned by the Commission for the Control of Interpol’s Files (CCF).

    The case of Russian businessman Igor Pestrikov illustrates the human impact of this systemic abuse. After fleeing Russia in June 2022 due to moral objections about supplying materials for military hardware, Pestrikov discovered he was subject to a red diffusion request. Despite Interpol’s constitutional prohibition against politically motivated interventions, Pestrikov endured nearly two years of psychological torment before the CCF ruled Russia’s case “generic and formulaic” and canceled the request.

    The leak also exposes how Russia circumvented formal Interpol channels through direct messaging to foreign law enforcement agencies. In one instance, Moscow requested information about journalist Armen Aramyan—convicted in Russia for reporting on student protests—after his relocation to Germany, bypassing standard procedures entirely.

    Concerningly, internal Interpol documents reveal that by 2025, the organization had quietly dropped some restrictive measures against Russia, despite ongoing evidence of systematic abuse. Legal experts specializing in Interpol matters argue that the organization must implement stronger consequences for nations that persistently misuse its systems, including temporary suspension from the network.

    Interpol maintains that it has strengthened safeguards against misuse in recent years and emphasizes its constitutional commitment to preventing politically motivated actions. However, the whistleblower documents reveal a significant gap between policy intentions and practical enforcement, leaving critics vulnerable to transnational persecution through internationally sanctioned policing mechanisms.

  • Paris men’s fashion week in 5 trends: rebuilt tailoring, quiet craft and clothes built to last

    Paris men’s fashion week in 5 trends: rebuilt tailoring, quiet craft and clothes built to last

    PARIS — The conclusion of Paris Men’s Fashion Week delivered a powerful sartorial directive: invest in meticulously crafted garments designed for permanence rather than fleeting trends. The final showcases emphasized sophisticated dressing and durable construction, marking a significant shift toward sustainable luxury in menswear.

    Japanese design force Sacai, under Chitose Abe’s direction, revolutionized traditional silhouettes through deconstructed reassembly. The collection introduced geometric modifications to jackets and trousers with additional panels, pockets, and quilted inserts, maintaining wearability while fundamentally reengineering proportions.

    Hermès staged an emotionally charged farewell for veteran designer Véronique Nichanian after her 37-year tenure. The presentation championed minimalist elegance through precision-tailored pieces, including a standout finale piece: a sophisticated dark coat crafted from glossy crocodile leather. Nichanian’s inclusion of designs from previous decades demonstrated fashion’s timeless potential, complemented by her parting wisdom: “Slow down.”

    Five dominant trends emerged from the week’s culminating shows:

    1. Statement Outerwear: Coats dominated as the season’s definitive piece. Junya Watanabe centered his collection on classic camel and navy coats hybridized with sportswear elements—bomber backs, leather fronts, and technical quilting—creating formalwear with contemporary ruggedness.

    2. Architectural Tailoring: Designers reengineered traditional suiting through structural innovation. Comme des Garçons Homme Plus presented radically altered black suits with reconfigured lapels and hems, later transitioning to stark white iterations. The dramatic styling underscored tailoring’s foundational role in fashion experimentation.

    3. Hidden Complexity: Kiko Kostadinov exemplified the trend of surface-level minimalism concealing intricate construction. Clean coats and jackets featured folded panels, curved collars, and sophisticated draping in muted tones, with fasteners discreetly hidden to emphasize pure form and movement.

    4. Edged Formality: Collections balanced elegance with subversive elements. Watanabe’s serious presentation featured razor-sharp denim pieces styled as contemporary uniforms. Louis Gabriel Nouchi intensified this concept with provocative body-conscious garments mixed with precise tailoring, creating wearable yet charged ensembles.

    5. Longevity Focus: Multiple designers emphasized enduring design over rapid trend cycles. White Mountaineering’s final show presented technical outerwear and precise patterning as the culmination of a 20-year creative journey rather than seasonal statements.

    The week ultimately championed a philosophy of investment dressing—garments valued for their construction quality, material integrity, and timeless relevance rather than temporary novelty.

  • US security agreement for Ukraine is ‘100% ready’ to be signed, Zelenskyy says

    US security agreement for Ukraine is ‘100% ready’ to be signed, Zelenskyy says

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced Sunday that a comprehensive U.S. security guarantees agreement for Ukraine has reached completion following intensive multilateral negotiations in Abu Dhabi. The breakthrough emerged from unprecedented trilateral discussions involving high-level diplomatic and military representatives from Ukraine, the United States, and Russia—marking the first such format in an extended period.

    During his diplomatic visit to Lithuania, Zelenskyy confirmed the security document stands ‘100% ready’ and awaits finalization of signing arrangements between partner nations. The finalized agreement will subsequently undergo ratification procedures through both the U.S. Congress and Ukraine’s parliamentary system.

    Parallel to security negotiations, Zelenskyy emphasized Ukraine’s strategic objective to achieve European Union membership by 2027, characterizing this geopolitical alignment as a crucial ‘economic security guarantee’ for the nation’s future stability.

    The Abu Dhabi talks, spanning Friday through Saturday, addressed the complex landscape of Russia’s ongoing invasion now approaching its fourth year. While acknowledging persistent fundamental disagreements—particularly regarding territorial integrity and Russia’s illegal annexation of eastern regions—Zelenskyy noted the discussions concluded constructively. He reiterated Ukraine’s non-negotiable position on territorial sovereignty, stating ‘Our position regarding our territory must be respected.’

    According to U.S. officials involved in the process, negotiators will reconvene in the United Arab Emirates on February 1 for subsequent rounds. The comprehensive agenda covered military and economic considerations, including potential ceasefire arrangements preceding a formal agreement. Outstanding issues remain, particularly regarding operational oversight of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant—Europe’s largest nuclear facility currently under Russian occupation.

    The diplomatic momentum coincides with reported backchannel discussions between Russian President Vladimir Putin and former Trump administration officials, though the Kremlin maintains any peace agreement necessitates Ukrainian withdrawal from contested eastern territories.

  • France detains captain of suspected Russian ‘shadow fleet’ tanker seized in Mediterranean

    France detains captain of suspected Russian ‘shadow fleet’ tanker seized in Mediterranean

    French judicial authorities have taken into custody the Indian captain of an oil tanker intercepted by naval forces in the Mediterranean Sea amid allegations of violating international sanctions against Russia. The vessel ‘Grinch,’ which originated from Murmansk in northwestern Russia, has been identified as a potential member of Russia’s sanctioned ‘shadow fleet’ operating to circumvent economic restrictions related to the Ukraine conflict.

    According to statements from the Marseille prosecutor’s office obtained by French media outlets, the captain was transferred to judicial authorities after the tanker was diverted to anchorage in the Gulf of Fos-sur-Mer. The entire Indian-nationality crew remains confined aboard the vessel while investigators conduct a preliminary inquiry into maritime regulation violations, including failure to properly display national flags.

    The interception operation, documented through military-released footage, involved French naval personnel boarding the ship via helicopter earlier this week. This action represents the latest in a series of enforcement measures targeting Russia’s estimated 400-vessel shadow fleet, which predominantly consists of aging tankers owned by opaque entities registered in non-sanctioning countries.

    This incident echoes a similar September interception off France’s Atlantic coast, which Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned as ‘piracy.’ The captain from that previous seizure faces trial in February regarding allegations of non-cooperation with authorities. France and allied nations have intensified maritime surveillance and enforcement operations to disrupt Russia’s oil transportation networks amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.

  • Captain of suspected Russian shadow tanker in French custody

    Captain of suspected Russian shadow tanker in French custody

    In a significant maritime enforcement operation, French naval forces intercepted the oil tanker ‘Grinch’ on Thursday as it transited through the Mediterranean Sea. The vessel, suspected of belonging to Russia’s shadow fleet, was seized following orders from President Emmanuel Macron who declared the tanker was “subject to international sanctions and suspected of flying a false flag.

    The interception occurred while the Grinch was en route from the Russian Arctic port of Murmansk. The vessel is currently secured under guard at a southern French port near Marseille while investigations continue.

    French authorities have taken the Indian captain, 58, into custody while the remaining crew members—all Indian nationals—remain confined aboard the vessel. The Marseille prosecutor’s office confirmed an ongoing investigation to “verify the validity of the flag used by the tanker,” with French media reporting the vessel was sailing under a Comoros Islands registry.

    President Macron emphasized that such shadow fleet operations directly “finance Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.” The French government has established nautical and air exclusion zones around the anchorage site as security measures.

    This action represents the latest in a series of Western enforcement measures against Russian energy sanctions implemented following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Earlier in January, British armed forces supported a U.S. operation to seize a Russian-flagged tanker in the Atlantic for sanctions violations.

    Shadow fleets have become increasingly prevalent with Venezuela, Iran, and Russia all accused of utilizing them to circumvent oil sanctions. According to financial intelligence firm S&P Global, approximately one in five oil tankers worldwide are now used to transport oil from sanctioned nations.

    The operation follows France’s October interception of another sanctioned tanker, the Boracay, which was released after several days of investigation.

  • Row erupts within UK’s governing Labour Party after popular mayor blocked from upcoming election

    Row erupts within UK’s governing Labour Party after popular mayor blocked from upcoming election

    A significant internal conflict has emerged within Britain’s ruling Labour Party following the decisive blocking of Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham’s attempt to re-enter Parliament. The party’s National Executive Committee (NEC), a 10-member body overseeing election machinery, rejected Burnham’s Saturday request to stand as candidate in the upcoming Gorton and Denton constituency by-election expected before February’s end.

    The NEC justified its decision as necessary to avoid “an unnecessary election” for Manchester mayor that would impose “a substantial and disproportionate impact on party campaign resources.” Had Burnham won the traditionally safe Labour seat, he would have been required to resign his mayoral position, triggering another special election in Manchester. His current mandate as mayor extends through May 2028.

    Critics within the party perceive this move as Prime Minister Keir Starmer strategically neutralizing a potential leadership rival. Burnham, twice previously unsuccessful in Labour leadership contests and colloquially known as the “King of the North,” has openly expressed ambitions to lead the party eventually. The former minister under Blair and Brown governments has recently voiced policy disagreements with Starmer, particularly on economic matters, and called for renewed debate on party direction.

    The controversy unfolds against a backdrop of concerning poll numbers for Labour since their July 2024 landslide victory. The party faces predicted significant losses in May’s critical elections—Britain’s equivalent of U.S. midterms—with potential historic defeat in Wales, continued opposition in Scotland, and substantial losses in English local elections. Anti-immigration Reform UK and the Greens have been primary beneficiaries of Labour’s declining support.

    Reactions within the party reflect deep divisions. Labour lawmaker John Slinger praised the “quick and clear decision” as allowing the party to move beyond “damaging introspection” and unite behind the eventual candidate. Conversely, former Cabinet minister Louise Haigh described the blocking as “incredibly disappointing” and urged the NEC to reconsider.