Global Pulse

标签： Europe

欧洲

  • Russia says it will stick to New START’s nuclear arms limits as long as US does

    Russia says it will stick to New START’s nuclear arms limits as long as US does

    MOSCOW — In a significant development regarding nuclear arms control, Russia has declared it will continue honoring the expired New START treaty limitations provided the United States demonstrates equivalent compliance. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced this position Wednesday during an address to the lower house of parliament, marking a crucial moment in post-treaty nuclear diplomacy.

    The New START agreement, which formally expired on February 5, had represented the final bilateral nuclear arms control pact between the world’s two largest nuclear powers. Its expiration created the first situation in over fifty years without active constraints on Russian and American atomic arsenals, raising global concerns about a potential uncontrolled arms race.

    Lavrov emphasized that Russia’s moratorium on exceeding treaty limits would remain effective “as long as the U.S. doesn’t exceed these limits.” He stated that Moscow would adopt “a responsible and balanced approach based on analysis of U.S. military policies,” indicating that Russian compliance would be directly contingent on American actions.

    The foreign minister expressed cautious optimism about Washington’s intentions, noting that “we have reason to believe that the United States is in no hurry to abandon these limits and that they will be observed for the foreseeable future.” He pledged that Russia would “closely monitor how things are actually unfolding” and remain prepared to “work actively on a new agreement” if American cooperation materializes.

    This development follows recent diplomatic engagements in Abu Dhabi, where Russian and U.S. negotiators discussed nuclear arms control alongside Ukraine peace talks. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that both parties recognized “the need to start talks on the issue as soon as possible,” though he dismissed speculation about any informal agreements to extend the treaty.

    The original New START treaty, signed in 2010 by Presidents Barack Obama and Dmitry Medvedev, had established strict limits of 1,550 deployed warheads and 700 delivery systems for each nation. The agreement included comprehensive verification mechanisms through on-site inspections, though these were suspended in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and never resumed.

    Russian President Vladimir Putin had previously suspended Moscow’s participation in the treaty in February 2023, citing NATO’s hostile stance toward Russia amid the Ukraine conflict, while simultaneously emphasizing that Russia would continue respecting the pact’s numerical limits.

  • Samu ‘devastated’ to miss out on World Cup with Spain because of serious knee injury

    Samu ‘devastated’ to miss out on World Cup with Spain because of serious knee injury

    In a devastating blow to Spain’s World Cup aspirations, rising football star Samu Aghehowa has been ruled out of competition after sustaining a severe knee injury during Porto’s league match against Sporting Lisbon. The 21-year-old forward tore his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in Monday’s 1-1 draw, abruptly ending his hopes of representing Spain in the upcoming global tournament.

    The young athlete expressed profound shock and disappointment through an emotional Instagram statement, describing the incident as “the unluckiest day” of his professional career. “I suffered a serious injury. I still can’t believe it. I’m devastated, speechless,” Aghehowa shared with his followers. He acknowledged facing several months of rehabilitation but maintained an optimistic outlook, emphasizing his trust in “God’s plan” and determination to return stronger.

    Aghehowa’s absence creates a significant void in Spain’s offensive lineup. The promising talent had rapidly ascended to international prominence, making his senior team debut earlier this year and subsequently contributing to Spain’s gold medal victory at the 2024 Paris Olympics. His combination of technical skill and scoring ability had made him a likely candidate for Spain’s World Cup roster.

    Porto FC confirmed the diagnosis and will begin immediate treatment protocols for their injured player. The club faces its own challenges with the loss of the young forward during a critical period in both domestic and European competitions. Medical experts typically estimate recovery periods of 6-9 months for ACL injuries, which would extend well beyond the World Cup timeframe.

    The Spanish football federation issued a statement expressing support for Aghehowa while acknowledging the disappointment of losing such a promising talent ahead of the global competition. Team officials must now reconsider their strategic options and potential replacements for the tournament.

  • Meet France’s controversial ice dance Olympic champions

    Meet France’s controversial ice dance Olympic champions

    In a stunning display of athletic artistry, French ice dancers Guillaume Cizeron and Laurence Fournier Beaudry ascended to the pinnacle of their sport by capturing the gold medal at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics on Wednesday evening. Their victory culminated an ice dance competition of exceptional caliber, showcasing a podium of world-class talent.

    The newly-crowned champions outperformed American spouses and three-time world champions Evan Bates and Madison Chock, who secured silver, while Canadian duo Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier earned bronze. Cizeron and Fournier Beaudry demonstrated supremacy across both competition segments—posting the highest scores in the rhythm dance and free dance—despite having partnered merely last November.

    Their championship performance featured a technically impeccable rhythm dance set to Madonna’s ‘Vogue,’ followed by an emotionally resonant free dance choreographed to the soundtrack of ‘The Whale.’ The French pair edged out their American rivals by a razor-thin margin of 0.46 points, a differential largely attributable to superior technical execution in their step sequence.

    The victory marks Cizeron’s second consecutive Olympic gold, having previously triumphed at Beijing 2022 with former partner Gabriella Papadakis. Since joining forces with Fournier Beaudry, the pair has dominated international competition, claiming victory in five of six major events including the 2026 European Championships.

    Their rapid competitive success, however, unfolds against a backdrop of significant off-ice drama. Cizeron’s partnership with Papadakis—his childhood skating companion with whom he won five world titles—dissolved amid considerable acrimony. Papadakis’s recent memoir alleged an ‘unbalanced’ relationship characterized by controlling behavior, claims which Cizeron has vehemently denied as a ‘smear campaign’ and is challenging through legal channels.

    Fournier Beaudry’s path to Olympic glory proved equally complex. Previously partnered with Canadian skater Nikolaj Sorensen—also her romantic partner—she transitioned to representing France after Sorensen received a six-year suspension following a sexual assault allegation from 2012. Sorensen maintains his innocence, while Fournier Beaudry’s public support of him has drawn criticism from the anonymous complainant.

    Through accelerated citizenship proceedings, Fournier Beaudry obtained French nationality in November 2025, enabling the new partnership to compete. When questioned about her Canadian roots during post-event interviews, she acknowledged the foundational support from Canadian training institutions while embracing her new competitive identity.

    Reflecting on their tumultuous journey to Olympic gold, Cizeron emphasized their shared resilience: ‘We created a protective bubble, supporting each other through the distractions. Our mutual love for the sport and for each other sustained our focus. These moments of triumph are precious—we won’t allow them to be diminished.’

  • Biathlete apologises to ex-girlfriend and team-mate

    Biathlete apologises to ex-girlfriend and team-mate

    Norwegian biathlete Sturla Holm Laegreid finds himself at the center of an Olympic controversy that has shifted attention from athletic achievement to personal scandal. The athlete’s emotional confession of infidelity during live television coverage following his bronze medal win in the men’s 20km event has sparked intense media scrutiny.

    During what should have been a celebratory moment for Norwegian biathlon, Laegreid tearfully described the past week as ‘the worst of his life’ after his girlfriend ended their relationship due to his unfaithfulness. The timing of his revelation proved particularly unfortunate as it occurred alongside compatriot Johan-Olav Botn’s golden moment—a victory Botn dedicated to their late teammate Sivert Guttorm Bakken, who passed away in December.

    The situation escalated when Laegreid’s former partner contributed anonymously to Norwegian newspaper VG, expressing her frustration at being thrust into the media spotlight against her will. ‘It’s hard to forgive. Even after a declaration of love in front of the whole world,’ she stated, confirming they had been in contact regarding his public apology.

    Laegreid subsequently issued a formal statement through Norway’s state broadcaster NRK, expressing regret for diverting attention from Botn’s achievement and apologizing to his ex-girlfriend for her unwanted media exposure. ‘I deeply regret bringing up this personal story on what was a day of celebration for Norwegian biathlon,’ the athlete acknowledged, adding that he would not be addressing further questions on the matter.

    The controversy has drawn criticism from within the sporting community, with five-time biathlon gold medalist Johannes Thingnes Boe describing Laegreid’s actions as ‘completely wrong’ in comments to NRK.

  • Ireland launches world first scheme to provide basic income for artists

    Ireland launches world first scheme to provide basic income for artists

    Ireland has established itself as an international pioneer in cultural policy by launching the world’s first permanent basic income program specifically designed for artists. The groundbreaking Basic Income for the Arts (BIA) initiative will provide selected artists with a weekly payment of €325 (£283) over a three-year period to support their creative endeavors.

    The permanent program follows a highly successful pilot scheme initiated in 2022 to assist the arts and culture sector’s recovery from the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Ireland’s Culture Minister Patrick O’Donovan, the country now stands as a “global leader in the area of artist support” through this innovative approach.

    Economic impact assessments have demonstrated the program’s remarkable effectiveness. Minister O’Donovan revealed that every €1 invested in the pilot generated an impressive €1.39 in economic return, while simultaneously enabling artists to dedicate more time to their creative practices and significantly improving their overall quality of life.

    The selection process will identify 2,000 eligible artists through an “anonymous randomised selection process” to ensure equitable opportunities for all applicants. The Department of Culture has established specific eligibility criteria requiring applicants to be Irish residents, professional artists with established creative practices, and maintaining primary creative operations within Ireland.

    Application guidelines will be published in April, with the selection process opening in May 2026. The department anticipates receiving a “high volume” of applications and acknowledges that funding cannot be extended to all eligible candidates. Those not selected in the current cycle will have another opportunity to apply when the program reopens in 2029.

    Minister O’Donovan emphasized that this permanent initiative represents a “major milestone” that will fundamentally “sustain the careers” of participating artists and help “retain their talent in the arts sector.” The program directly addresses the income instability that has historically made artistic careers particularly challenging in Ireland, as demonstrated by comprehensive research from the pilot phase.

  • Gisèle Pelicot publicly recounts harrowing discovery of her husband’s rape crimes

    Gisèle Pelicot publicly recounts harrowing discovery of her husband’s rape crimes

    In a courageous act of breaking her silence, French survivor Gisèle Pelicot has publicly detailed her traumatic ordeal of systematic sexual exploitation by her husband and dozens of accomplices. Her revelations come through a powerful new memoir and subsequent interviews, marking her first public discourse since the landmark 2024 trial that transformed her into an international symbol against sexual violence.

    The horrific saga began unfolding on November 2, 2020, when Pelicot accompanied her then-husband, Dominique Pelicot, to a police station after his arrest for secretly filming up women’s skirts in a supermarket. It was there that Officer Laurent Perret delivered the devastating truth: her husband had been drugging her unconscious for years and orchestrating rape sessions involving at least 53 men who paid to assault her inert body.

    According to Pelicot’s account in her memoir “A Hymn to Life, Shame Has to Change Sides,” the police presentation included photographic evidence showing her in various states of unconsciousness while being violated by strangers. The images depicted a woman she failed to recognize—her face slack, her body limp like a rag doll—as multiple perpetrators committed atrocities against her without consent or awareness.

    Investigations revealed Dominique Pelicot’s sophisticated operation: he regularly adulterated his wife’s food and beverages with sedatives, rendering her unconscious before inviting paying participants to sexually assault her while he documented the crimes. This systematic exploitation continued for nearly a decade before the shocking discovery.

    The subsequent trial culminated in December 2024 with unanimous guilty verdicts against all 51 defendants. Dominique Pelicot received the maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment, while 49 other men were convicted of rape and sexual assault charges. An additional defendant was found guilty of collaborating with Pelicot to drug and assault his own wife.

    Pelicot’s decision to share her story has ignited national conversations about rape culture in France and inspired global movements supporting survivors of sexual violence. Her transformation from victim to advocate represents a significant milestone in the ongoing fight against gender-based violence and institutional complacency.

  • As far-right leader Marine Le Pen’s appeal trial ends, her presidential bid is at stake

    As far-right leader Marine Le Pen’s appeal trial ends, her presidential bid is at stake

    PARIS — The political destiny of French far-right leader Marine Le Pen now rests with the Paris appeals court as her high-stakes trial concerning alleged misuse of European Parliament funds concluded Wednesday. The 57-year-old politician is challenging a March 2025 conviction that found her and numerous National Rally party members guilty of systematically diverting EU funds between 2004 and 2016.

    The original verdict imposed a five-year ban from elected office, two years of house arrest with electronic monitoring, and an additional two-year suspended sentence. This legal barrier could potentially derail Le Pen’s anticipated bid for the 2027 presidential election, where she was widely considered a frontrunner to challenge President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist leadership.

    Prosecutors allege Le Pen orchestrated a sophisticated scheme where European Parliament aides were formally hired but actually performed work exclusively for her political party. The investigation revealed some employees had zero contact with EU parliamentary duties, with one individual reportedly serving as Le Pen’s personal security detail—a clear violation of parliamentary regulations.

    During the appeal proceedings, Le Pen acknowledged some aides performed party work but maintained she believed such arrangements were permissible under parliamentary rules. ‘We have never concealed anything,’ she told the three-judge panel, characterizing the situation as an administrative ‘mistake’ rather than criminal conduct.

    Prosecutors countered that Le Pen, trained as a lawyer, must have recognized the illegality of the system. They described ‘public money siphoned off drop by drop until it formed a river’ and requested a five-year office ban plus one year of electronic monitoring.

    The court’s decision, expected before summer, will determine whether Le Pen can pursue the presidency or transfer her ambitions to protégé Jordan Bardella, whose rising popularity contrasts with concerns about his limited experience in international and economic affairs.

  • Russian drone kills a father and 3 children in Ukraine, pregnant mother badly injured

    Russian drone kills a father and 3 children in Ukraine, pregnant mother badly injured

    A devastating Russian drone attack has obliterated a residential home in northeastern Ukraine’s Kharkiv region, resulting in the tragic deaths of a father and his three young children while leaving their pregnant wife critically injured. The overnight strike in the border town of Bohodukhiv completely destroyed the brick residence and ignited a fierce fire, trapping the entire family beneath collapsed rubble according to regional prosecutors.

    The victims include a 34-year-old father and his three small children—twin boys aged two and their one-year-old sister. Rescue teams managed to extract the 35-week pregnant mother alive from the wreckage, though she sustained severe injuries including blast trauma, traumatic brain injury, extensive burns, and significant hearing loss. Medical personnel are currently fighting to save both her life and that of her unborn child.

    Bohodukhiv Mayor Volodymyr Bielyi declared three days of mourning following the catastrophe, describing the incident as the loss of ‘our future’ in an emotional social media statement. The town of 15,000 inhabitants lies merely 22 kilometers from the Russian border, though officials have not confirmed whether any military infrastructure was located near the targeted property.

    The attack utilized a Geran-2 drone, a Russian-manufactured variant of the Iranian-designed Shahed unmanned aerial vehicle. This tragedy occurs amid escalating civilian casualties throughout Ukraine, with UN monitoring missions reporting 2025 as the deadliest year for non-combatants since the conflict’s initiation in 2022. Official figures indicate 2,514 civilian fatalities and 12,142 injuries last year—representing a 31% increase from 2024 statistics.

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the strike as undermining diplomatic peace efforts, emphasizing that such attacks ‘again and again prove that only strong pressure on Russia and clear security guarantees for Ukraine are the real key to stopping the killings.’ Zelenskyy simultaneously acknowledged ongoing revisions to Ukraine’s aerial defense strategies, particularly regarding short-range air protection systems.

    The incident adds to growing allegations of Russian war crimes documented by European institutions and the International Criminal Court, which maintains outstanding arrest warrants for multiple Russian officials including President Vladimir Putin for alleged child abductions from Ukraine.

    Meanwhile, military assistance dynamics continue shifting as U.S. weapons shipments declined by 13% last year under the Trump administration according to Germany’s Kiel Institute. European nations have partially compensated with a 67% increase in military aid, though overall foreign humanitarian and financial support dropped by 5% compared to 2022-2024 averages.

    Overnight warfare intensified reciprocally, with Ukrainian drone attacks triggering a fire at a Volgograd industrial plant and damaging residential structures, while eight Russian airports temporarily suspended operations due to aerial threats. Both nations continue employing long-range drones, with Ukraine’s Air Force reporting 129 Russian drones launched overnight.

  • Turkey’s Erdogan replaces justice and interior ministers in reshuffle

    Turkey’s Erdogan replaces justice and interior ministers in reshuffle

    In an unexpected political maneuver, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan executed a significant ministerial overhaul on Wednesday, replacing both his justice and interior ministers without prior public indication. The reshuffle places Istanbul Chief Prosecutor Akin Gurlek at the helm of the justice ministry, succeeding Yilmaz Tunc, while Mustafa Ciftci, previously governing the eastern province of Erzurum, assumes control of the interior ministry from Ali Yerlikaya.

    According to the Official Gazette publication, both outgoing ministers had formally requested to be relieved of their governmental responsibilities, though no detailed explanation was provided for their simultaneous departures. This administrative reorganization occurs during a critical period for Turkish politics, with ongoing parliamentary discussions concerning potential constitutional amendments and continued efforts to establish peaceful relations with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) to resolve longstanding conflicts.

    The appointment of Prosecutor Gurlek has generated substantial controversy due to his professional background. Gurlek previously directed several prominent legal proceedings against members of the Republican People’s Party (CHP), Turkey’s primary opposition group. His prosecutorial record includes high-profile corruption investigations that resulted in the arrest of numerous officials from CHP-administered municipalities, most notably Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu—widely perceived as Erdogan’s principal political competitor—who faced detention last year.

    Opposition figures and government critics maintain that these judicial actions demonstrate political motivation rather than impartial law enforcement, while administration officials consistently assert the complete independence of Turkey’s judicial system. The cabinet changes arrive as parliament prepares to consider legislative measures intended to support the government’s peace initiative with Kurdish representatives, potentially signaling a strategic realignment of Turkey’s domestic security and judicial approaches.

  • De Zerbi leaves Marseille by mutual consent

    De Zerbi leaves Marseille by mutual consent

    Olympique de Marseille has officially severed ties with first-team coach Roberto De Zerbi through a mutual separation agreement. This decisive move follows a period of significant sporting setbacks for the French club, including a devastating 5-0 defeat to arch-rivals Paris Saint-Germain and a recent elimination from the Champions League after a 3-0 loss to Club Brugge.

    The Italian manager, who previously managed Brighton & Hove Albion for nearly two years, assumed leadership at Marseille in the summer of 2024. Under his guidance last season, the team achieved a respectable second-place finish in Ligue 1. At the time of his departure, Marseille occupies fourth position in the league table, trailing leaders PSG by a substantial 12-point margin.

    In an official communiqué, the club’s administration detailed that this conclusion resulted from extensive deliberations among key stakeholders, including the owner, president, director of football, and the coach himself. The statement characterized the decision as collectively challenging but necessary, emphasizing it was reached after thorough consideration to address the critical sporting objectives remaining in the current season. The leadership affirmed the move was executed with the club’s best interests at heart to navigate upcoming challenges effectively.