Global Pulse

标签： Europe

欧洲

  • How plans for Trump International hotel in Belgrade unravelled

    How plans for Trump International hotel in Belgrade unravelled

    BELGRADE – A controversial plan to construct a Trump International Hotel on the site of Belgrade’s bomb-damaged defense ministry has unraveled amid criminal proceedings against government officials and widespread public opposition, marking a significant setback for Serbia’s attempts to redefine its relationship with the United States.

    The project, championed by President Aleksandar Vucic and negotiated with Jared Kushner’s Affinity Global company, faced immediate obstacles due to the site’s protected cultural heritage status. The Generalstab complex, partially destroyed in NATO’s 1999 bombing campaign, represents both architectural significance as the only completed work in Serbia by renowned Yugoslav architect Nikola Dobrovic and a poignant memorial for victims of the air strikes.

    Culture Minister Nikola Selakovic now faces trial for abuse of office, accused of manipulating documentation to revoke the building’s protected status. Prosecutors have demanded a three-year prison sentence, though President Vucic has pledged to pardon the minister if convicted. The case has triggered constitutional concerns after the governing party pushed through judicial reforms that EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos described as a ‘serious step backwards’ for judicial independence.

    The proposed development sparked unusual alliances in opposition, uniting architects, military veterans, and student-led anti-corruption protesters. Critics highlighted the lack of transparent tender processes and the symbolic implications of replacing a site of national trauma with a luxury hotel branded by a former US president whose administration maintained strong support for Kosovo’s independence.

    Kushner’s company ultimately withdrew from the project, stating they wished to ‘unite rather than divide’ the Serbian people. The retreat represents a diplomatic embarrassment for Vucic, who had framed the development as part of efforts to ‘overcome the burden from 1999’ and build stronger US relations.

    Meanwhile, Kushner has shifted focus to Albania, where Prime Minister Edi Rama has expressed enthusiasm for a planned luxury resort on Sazan Island. The contrast in reception highlights the complex geopolitical landscape of the Balkans, where historical grievances continue to shape economic and diplomatic engagements.

  • German activist jailed in Hungary for attacks at Nazi rally

    German activist jailed in Hungary for attacks at Nazi rally

    A German court has sentenced 25-year-old left-wing activist Maja T. to eight years imprisonment in Hungary for their involvement in assaults on right-wing extremists and membership in the militant far-left organization Antifa Ost. The conviction stems from violent incidents that occurred in Budapest during February 2023, coinciding with an annual commemoration of Nazi soldiers and Hungarian collaborators from World War II.

    Hungarian prosecutors successfully argued that Maja T. participated in two separate attacks and was an active member of a criminal organization. The assaults, which involved approximately 20 alleged left-wing extremists armed with batons, rubber hammers, and pepper spray, resulted in nine injuries including four serious cases. Officials stated the attackers targeted individuals they believed had participated in the far-right commemorative events.

    The case has generated significant international attention due to concerns about judicial fairness. Germany’s Constitutional Court previously expressed apprehension that Maja T., who identifies as non-binary, might face discriminatory treatment in Hungary’s legal system, which only recognizes binary gender classifications and has banned Pride marches. However, this ruling came after German authorities had already extradited Maja T. to Hungary via helicopter in a 2024 overnight operation.

    German Member of Parliament Martin Schirdewan from the socialist Die Linke party characterized the proceedings as a ‘political show trial,’ accusing Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán of exploiting the case for electoral purposes. ‘Eight years in prison for Maja T. is disproportionate,’ Schirdewan stated. ‘This is not about justice, but about setting a political example.’

    The controversial ‘Day of Honour’ commemoration that triggered the violence marks the 1945 attempt by German Wehrmacht, Waffen-SS, and Hungarian collaborators to break through Soviet forces besieging Budapest. While tolerated by Hungarian authorities, the event annually attracts far-right groups from across Europe.

    Parallel trials against other Antifa Ost members are currently underway in German courts in Düsseldorf and Dresden, examining both the Budapest violence and related incidents in Germany. Hungary classifies Antifa Ost as a terrorist organization, a designation shared by the United States since November 2023 under the Trump administration’s crackdown on Antifa activists. Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has similarly advocated for domestic prohibition of the organization.

    Maja T. maintained silence regarding the allegations throughout the trial proceedings. The verdict remains subject to appeal through the Hungarian judicial system.

  • Former senior French minister defends ties to Epstein

    Former senior French minister defends ties to Epstein

    Jack Lang, the 86-year-old former French Culture Minister, has publicly defended his past association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein following mounting pressure for his resignation from the Arab World Institute presidency. The controversy emerged from recently disclosed court documents in the United States that revealed Lang’s connections to the disgraced financier.

    In an interview with French broadcaster BFMTV, Lang asserted he was entirely unaware of Epstein’s criminal background when they first met approximately fifteen years ago through mutual acquaintance Woody Allen. Lang characterized Epstein as ‘passionate about art, culture and cinema’ rather than a personal friend, though he acknowledged requesting occasional favors including transportation via Epstein’s private car and aircraft for himself and family members.

    The former minister, who served under President François Mitterrand between 1981-1993 and later as Education Minister until 2002, emphasized that had he known about Epstein’s criminal convictions—including his 2008 Florida conviction for soliciting a minor—he would have severed contact immediately. ‘I am not in the habit of spitting on those I knew at a particular time and who went on to be accused of crimes,’ Lang stated during the televised appearance.

    The scandal has extended to Lang’s family, prompting his daughter Caroline Lang to resign from her position as head of France’s Independent Production Union. The former actress and current film producer disclosed to Mediapart that she met Epstein in 2012 through Woody Allen and his wife, believing his expressed interest in supporting young French and international artists. Although Epstein’s lawyers established Prytanee LLC for this purpose, Caroline maintains she neither invested in nor received funds from the venture, acknowledging she had been ‘incredibly naive’ in her associations.

    Visual evidence from US Department of Justice files confirms Lang and Epstein meeting outside Paris’ Louvre Museum, though Lang faces no allegations of personal wrongdoing. The controversy highlights ongoing reverberations from the Epstein case within international cultural and political circles.

  • Boy, 14, stabbed art teacher because he had ‘too much hatred’, he tells police

    Boy, 14, stabbed art teacher because he had ‘too much hatred’, he tells police

    A 14-year-old student in southeastern France has confessed to stabbing his art teacher in a premeditated classroom attack, citing an overwhelming sense of hatred as motivation. The incident occurred Tuesday at La Guicharde school in Sanary-sur-Mer, where the teenager allegedly stabbed the 60-year-old educator three to four times in the chest before 22 horrified students.

    According to Toulon prosecutor Raphaël Balland, the boy deliberately took a knife from his family’s kitchen with the specific intention of attacking his teacher. The victim, who has taught at the school for 28 years according to AFP reports, underwent emergency surgery at Sainte-Anne Military Hospital in Toulon and remains in serious condition despite being stabilized.

    The investigation revealed no religious or political motivations behind the assault. Instead, the student allegedly acted out of resentment after the teacher reported several disciplinary incidents against him, which he perceived as unfair treatment. Despite expressing deep regret to authorities and claiming to feel more hatred toward himself than his victim, the teenager faces serious consequences as prosecutors consider pre-trial detention.

    This attack represents the latest in a disturbing trend of school violence across France. In June 2023, another 14-year-old was charged with murdering a teaching assistant in a stabbing incident. Another separate knife attack in Nantes during April resulted in one student’s death and multiple injuries. The 2020 beheading of teacher Samuel Paty by a religious extremist outside Paris remains the most horrific incident in recent memory.

    Education Minister Édouard Geffray, who visited the school following the attack, revealed that authorities have confiscated 525 bladed weapons from French schools since March 2023 alone. Describing the incident as ‘unacceptable,’ Geffray emphasized that schools cannot single-handedly combat rising societal violence. ‘The real challenge lies here: fundamental work to de-escalate tensions,’ he wrote on social media platform X. ‘This involves families, teaching staff, elected officials, and every citizen. This is a fight we must wage together.’

  • Flyhalf Jalibert gets chance to relaunch France career against Ireland in 6 Nations

    Flyhalf Jalibert gets chance to relaunch France career against Ireland in 6 Nations

    PARIS — French rugby stands at a pivotal moment as flyhalf Matthieu Jalibert prepares for a career-defining test against Ireland in Thursday’s Six Nations curtain-raiser at Stade de France. With first-choice playmaker Romain Ntamack sidelined with kidney injury concerns, Jalibert emerges from club season brilliance to reclaim his international stature after a year-long absence from Les Bleus.

    This season has witnessed Jalibert’s transcendent form for Bordeaux-Bègles, where he has dominated the French Top 14 league with breathtaking performances. His recent masterpiece against Stade Français showcased extraordinary versatility: collecting midfield possession, evading multiple defenders with seamless agility, executing a precision kick ahead, and regathering to score. The statistical dominance—nine defenders beaten, 17 successful kicks, and 17 completed passes—merely quantifies his on-field genius.

    Teammate Jefferson Poirot, a former France international prop, observed: “His seasonal emergence has been undeniable. We anticipate his brilliance will elevate the national squad.”

    Jalibert’s technical repertoire reached its zenith during last May’s Champions Cup final against Northampton. In that decisive moment, he received possession before the posts, initiated leftward movement, then abruptly shifted right with devastating sidesteps that dismantled the defense before delivering a perfectly floated pass to Adam Coleman for a corner try.

    At 27, Jalibert enters his athletic prime following a challenging period. His February exclusion from the squad—alongside winger Damian Penaud—after England’s Six Nations victory represented a professional nadir. While Penaud returned to become France’s record try scorer, Jalibert remained in international exile, compounding earlier tensions when he had previously withdrawn from selection protests against New Zealand.

    Despite a modest international record of three tries in 35 appearances, Jalibert’s creative passing and elusive running abilities far exceed these statistics. Thursday’s performance could catalyze a permanent partnership with star scrumhalf Antoine Dupont, potentially reshaping France’s tactical identity throughout the Six Nations and beyond.

  • Ukraine says Russia is illegally targeting the power grid. Here’s what the law says

    Ukraine says Russia is illegally targeting the power grid. Here’s what the law says

    THE HAGUE, Netherlands — As Ukraine endures one of its most severe winters on record, Russian missile and drone assaults have systematically devastated the nation’s energy infrastructure, leaving millions without heating, electricity, or running water amid subzero temperatures. Ukrainian authorities characterize these attacks as deliberate attempts to demoralize civilians through calculated suffering.

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned Russia’s timing, stating on Tuesday that ‘exploiting the coldest winter days to terrorize populations appears more consequential to Moscow than diplomatic resolutions.’ His remarks coincided with renewed peace negotiations while Kyiv temperatures plummeted to -20°C (-3°F).

    International legal experts assert that while combatants may legally target energy systems with direct military applications, Russia’s widespread bombardment violates fundamental principles of international humanitarian law. David Crane, former chief prosecutor at the UN Special Court for Sierra Leone, emphasized that ‘the indiscriminate and extensive nature of these offensives fails to meet legal standards,’ noting the requirement for attacks to avoid disproportionate civilian harm.

    The International Committee of the Red Cross clarifies that energy components providing essential civilian services ‘are protected against direct attack, reprisals, and incidental damage.’ This position has found judicial support at the International Criminal Court (ICC), where pretrial judges issued arrest warrants in 2024 for former Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief Military Officer Gen. Valery Gerasimov. The court determined reasonable evidence that these strikes targeted civilian objects and caused clearly excessive civilian suffering relative to any military advantage.

    Moscow maintains that its operations exclusively target Ukraine’s military-industrial complex. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reiterated that ‘our military strikes objectives associated with the Kyiv regime’s war capabilities.’

    However, energy sector assessments reveal catastrophic damage exceeding $20 billion, according to World Bank, European Commission, and UN joint estimates. Ukraine’s largest private energy firm, DTEK, reported nine major assaults on its thermal plants since October alone, demonstrating a sustained campaign against critical infrastructure.

  • Hungarian court sentences German anti-fascist activist to 8 years for far-right rally assaults

    Hungarian court sentences German anti-fascist activist to 8 years for far-right rally assaults

    A Hungarian court has delivered an eight-year prison sentence to a German anti-fascist activist identified as Maja T. for her alleged participation in violent clashes during a far-right gathering in Budapest. The 25-year-old defendant was convicted on charges of attempted aggravated bodily harm and assault as part of a criminal organization during the February 2023 “Day of Honor” rally—one of Europe’s largest neo-Nazi events commemorating the failed 1945 Nazi breakout attempt during the Red Army’s siege.

    The case has drawn international scrutiny following Maja T.’s extradition from Germany in December 2024, which Germany’s Constitutional Court previously deemed unlawful due to concerns about potential inhumane treatment in Hungarian custody. The verdict emerges amid growing tensions between Hungary’s right-wing government and left-wing activist groups.

    Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s administration designated antifa (an umbrella term for anti-fascist activists) as a terrorist organization in 2023, following similar moves by former U.S. President Donald Trump. Supporters of Maja T. have raised serious concerns about detention conditions and the fairness of judicial proceedings in Hungary, with the defendant’s father reporting “solitary confinement” and “degrading conditions” during custody.

    The conviction marks the second high-profile case involving foreign anti-fascist activists in Hungary, following the detention of Italian activist Ilaria Salis for over a year in connection with the same events. Salis was released to house arrest in May 2024 and subsequently gained legal immunity through election to the European Parliament, though Hungarian authorities continue to seek her return for trial with prosecutors requesting an 11-year sentence. Wednesday’s ruling remains subject to appeal.

  • An angel resembling Italy’s Meloni is painted over after an outcry from church and state

    An angel resembling Italy’s Meloni is painted over after an outcry from church and state

    ROME — A controversial artistic depiction that transformed a celestial cherub into the visage of Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni has been abruptly removed from Rome’s historic Basilica of San Lorenzo in Lucina, concluding a week of intense public scrutiny and institutional investigations.

    The altered fresco, created during chapel renovations in 2000, suddenly gained notoriety when La Repubblica newspaper featured the Meloni-esque angel on its front page last Saturday. The image showed a traditionally rendered cherub body supporting a face unmistakably resembling Italy’s conservative leader, kneeling before a bust of Italy’s last king, Umberto II.

    Church authorities intervened decisively on Tuesday night, instructing the original restorer Bruno Valentinetti to obscure the political portrait. By Wednesday morning, visitors discovered the angel’s face had been crudely covered with a layer of paint or plaster, leaving the cherub’s body intact but faceless.

    The Diocese of Rome and Italy’s Culture Ministry had simultaneously launched formal inquiries into the matter. While the work itself didn’t constitute damage to historic patrimony—dating only from 2000—Cardinal Baldassare Reina, the pope’s vicar for Rome, emphasized that political figures have no place in sacred art.

    The temporary alteration transformed the ancient basilica into an unlikely tourist attraction, with crowds sometimes disrupting religious services to photograph the unusual artwork. Premier Meloni herself responded with humor on social media, posting the image with a laughing/crying emoji and the caption: “No, I definitely don’t look like an angel.”

    Investigations continue to determine the cherub’s original appearance for proper restoration, ensuring the sacred space maintains its artistic integrity free from political associations.

  • Irish government to impose total ban on scramblers in public places

    Irish government to impose total ban on scramblers in public places

    The Irish government is implementing sweeping legislative measures to completely prohibit scrambler bikes in public spaces, following the tragic death of 16-year-old Grace Lynch in Dublin last month. The new regulations, designated as “Grace’s Law” by Taoiseach Micheál Martin, received cabinet approval Wednesday, signaling one of Europe’s most comprehensive crackdowns on off-road vehicle misuse.

    While existing statutes already restrict mechanically propelled vehicles from public roads without proper registration and insurance, Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien is introducing “additional legal clarity” that explicitly bans scramblers in nearly all roadway circumstances. Most scramblers, designed exclusively for off-road use, lack registration capabilities, rendering them inherently illegal for public thoroughfares under current frameworks.

    The enhanced legislation empowers Gardaí with expanded authority to confiscate and destroy non-compliant vehicles rather than returning them to owners. This strategic shift aims to permanently reduce recirculation of improperly used scramblers. Minister O’Brien emphasized the urgency of these measures, stating: “We owe it to Grace Lynch, her family and her friends to introduce regulations to further restrict the inappropriate use of scramblers in public places.”

    Statistical evidence underscores the necessity for intervention. Garda records indicate 167 scramblers were seized nationally in 2025, while Northern Ireland’s PSNI reported nearly 10,000 scrambler-related incidents over six years. The government anticipates enacting these provisions within weeks, with junior ministers Sean Canney and Jerry Buttimer collaborating on implementation strategies.

  • Greece blames smugglers over migrant deaths but early accounts have been questioned before

    Greece blames smugglers over migrant deaths but early accounts have been questioned before

    A recent maritime incident near the Chios Strait has resulted in the deaths of 15 Afghan and Moroccan migrants after their speedboat collided with a Greek coastguard vessel, leaving 24 others injured. Greek authorities have promptly characterized the event as straightforward, attributing blame to smugglers who allegedly failed to comply with visual and audible signals from the Hellenic Coast Guard.

    The official narrative, released in a Tuesday statement, maintains that the migrant vessel executed dangerous maneuvers before veering into the patrol ship. However, this explanation faces scrutiny given historical precedents of disputed accounts involving Greek maritime authorities.

    This incident evokes memories of the 2023 Adriana disaster, where initial official claims that a migrant fishing boat capsized due to overcrowding were later contradicted by survivor testimonies. Those accounts suggested coastguard intervention actually caused the vessel to capsize during a botched towing attempt. Nearly three years later, 21 coastguard officers, including four senior figures and the current commander, face criminal prosecution for negligent manslaughter in that case.

    Regarding the latest tragedy, significant evidentiary gaps remain. No survivor testimony has yet emerged to either corroborate or challenge the official version, and independent verification is absent. The availability of video evidence—whether from coastguard equipment or migrant mobile phones—could prove pivotal, though its existence remains uncertain. Historical patterns raise concerns about evidence preservation; during the 2023 investigation, 20 migrant phones disappeared for 25 days before being discovered abandoned on a coastguard vessel.

    Greece continues to serve as a primary migration route into the European Union, with UNHCR reporting 41,696 sea arrivals in 2025—a decrease from 54,417 the previous year. The conservative government under Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has implemented increasingly stringent immigration policies, which have proven politically popular despite criticism from human rights organizations.

    The EU border agency is currently reviewing 12 potential human rights violation cases involving Greece, including allegations of asylum seekers being pushed back from Greek frontiers. Following the latest incident, opposition politicians have condemned the coastguard’s actions, with one senior left-wing figure describing Greek waters as having become ‘a cemetery’ due to government policies.

    Migration Minister Thanos Plevris has expressed full confidence in the coastguard’s account of events, praising their efforts while criticizing activists who ‘complained but saved no-one.’ As investigations continue, many details remain unknown, and historical patterns suggest the complete truth may never emerge from the Mediterranean’s darkness.