In a significant development for the Roman Catholic Church in Ireland, Bishop Niall Coll has been appointed as the new Bishop of Raphoe, his native diocese. This marks the first Irish appointment by Pope Leo XIV since his election in May 2025. The announcement was made at St Eunan’s Cathedral in Letterkenny, County Donegal, following Mass on Thursday. The diocese had been without a bishop since February 2024, when Bishop Alan McGuckian was appointed to Down and Connor. Bishop Coll, 62, a native of Saint Johnston in east Donegal, returns to the northwest after serving as Bishop of Ossory since January 2023. Ordained a priest in 1988, Bishop Coll has a rich academic and pastoral background, including studies in Maynooth, Rome, and Trinity College Dublin, and roles as a chaplain, teacher, and parish priest. His appointment underscores the Church’s commitment to leadership continuity and local roots.
标签： Europe
欧洲
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EU investigates Google over concerns content is unfairly demoted in search results
The European Union has initiated an investigation into Google’s search practices, scrutinizing whether the tech giant is unfairly demoting content from media publishers in its search results. The probe, announced by EU regulators on Thursday, centers on Google’s site reputation abuse policy, which the company claims is designed to combat scammers and deceptive content. However, the European Commission expressed concerns that this policy may be harming publishers by treating them in a discriminatory manner, potentially violating the Digital Markets Act (DMA), the EU’s comprehensive regulatory framework aimed at curbing monopolistic practices in digital markets. Teresa Ribera, an executive vice-president at the Commission, emphasized the need to ensure that publishers are not deprived of crucial revenues, especially during a challenging period for the industry. Google defended its policy, stating that it protects users from low-quality and fraudulent content. Pandu Nayak, Google Search’s chief scientist, argued that the investigation is misguided and could undermine efforts to maintain the integrity of search results. The EU’s move comes amid ongoing tensions with U.S. tech companies and follows a history of antitrust actions against Google, including a €2.95 billion fine in September for favoring its own advertising services. The new investigation, which must conclude within 12 months, could result in significant penalties for Google’s parent company, Alphabet, including fines of up to 10% of its global revenue or even the divestiture of parts of its business.
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UK commits to ensuring ‘poignant’ COVID memorial wall in London will be preserved
The British government announced on Thursday that the National COVID Memorial Wall in London, a poignant tribute to those who lost their lives during the pandemic, will be preserved permanently. Located on the Albert Embankment along the River Thames, directly opposite the Houses of Parliament, the 8-foot-high Portland stone wall commemorates the approximately 240,000 COVID-related deaths in the UK and honors the sacrifices of key workers, particularly in health and care sectors. Established in March 2021 by the groups COVID-19 Bereaved Families for Justice and Led by Donkeys, the wall features over half a kilometer of hand-painted hearts, each representing a life lost. Volunteers, known as The Friends of the Wall, maintain the memorial, refreshing the artwork weekly with durable masonry paints. Culture Minister Fiona Twycross described the wall as a ‘powerful reminder of the pandemic’s toll,’ emphasizing the importance of remembering those who died. The government also pledged to continue an annual day of reflection in March and support the creation of additional memorial spaces nationwide. The UK, which experienced one of Europe’s deadliest COVID outbreaks, has faced criticism for its pandemic response, particularly the delayed lockdown in March 2020. However, its vaccine rollout has been widely praised. A national inquiry into the handling of the pandemic, launched two years ago, is ongoing and expected to conclude in 2027.
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Ukraine’s army chief visits besieged city as Zelenskyy confronts graft scandal
Amid escalating tensions on the frontlines and a deepening corruption scandal, Ukraine finds itself grappling with dual crises that threaten its stability and international reputation. On Thursday, General Oleksandr Syrskyi, Ukraine’s top military commander, visited troops defending the strategic eastern city of Pokrovsk, where Ukrainian forces are engaged in intense street battles against Russian advances. Syrskyi emphasized the importance of regaining control of key areas, securing supply routes, and ensuring the evacuation of the wounded. He dismissed claims of Russian operational encirclement, asserting Ukraine’s resolve to hold its ground. Simultaneously, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s administration is embroiled in a high-profile corruption scandal involving the state-owned nuclear power company, Energoatom. The scandal, which has already led to the resignation of two ministers and the dismissal of several Energoatom executives, centers on an alleged kickback scheme worth $100 million. Tymur Mindich, a co-owner of Zelenskyy’s media production company, is suspected of orchestrating the scheme, though his current whereabouts remain unknown. The investigation, spanning 15 months and involving extensive wiretaps, has resulted in five detentions and implicated seven others. The scandal has reignited concerns about corruption within Ukraine’s highest echelons, recalling Zelenskyy’s controversial attempt last summer to curtail anti-corruption watchdogs, which he later reversed under public and EU pressure. Despite the turmoil, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a €6 billion ($7 billion) loan to Ukraine, with promises of additional financial support to address the country’s energy sector needs, heavily strained by Russian bombardments. Von der Leyen also criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin’s strategy, asserting that the EU remains committed to supporting Ukraine’s future and countering Putin’s attempts to prolong the conflict.
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Fisherman dies after falling overboard in County Donegal
A tragic incident unfolded off the coast of County Donegal, Republic of Ireland, when a fisherman in his 40s lost his life after falling overboard. The event occurred at approximately 13:25 local time near Arranmore on Tuesday. Despite being airlifted to Sligo University Hospital by the Garda (Irish Police), the man was pronounced dead upon arrival. According to Irish broadcaster RTÉ, the deceased was not originally from Ireland but had been a long-term resident of Greencastle, Inishowen. A spokesperson from the Department of Transport revealed that the Coast Guard marine rescue coordination centre in Malin swiftly responded to a mayday call from the vessel. The crew of the fishing vessel managed to recover the man from the water. In the aftermath, a technical examination of the vessel has been conducted, and both the Marine Casualty Investigation Board and the Health and Safety Authority have been notified to investigate the incident further.
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Turkey temporarily grounds C-130 planes after crash kills 20 military personnel
In response to a tragic crash in Georgia that resulted in the deaths of 20 military personnel, Turkey has announced the temporary suspension of its C-130 military cargo planes. The Defense Ministry revealed on Thursday that the decision was made as a precautionary measure, with all C-130 aircraft undergoing thorough technical inspections before being cleared for future operations. The ill-fated flight was en route from Ganja, Azerbaijan, to Turkey when it crashed in Georgia’s Sighnaghi municipality, near the Azerbaijani border, on Tuesday. The cause of the crash remains under investigation. The victims were part of a maintenance unit responsible for Turkish F-16 jets that had participated in Azerbaijan’s Victory Day celebrations, commemorating the country’s 2020 military triumph over Armenia in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Turkey has dispatched an investigation team to the crash site, and the plane’s flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder have been sent to Ankara for analysis. The aircraft, acquired from Saudi Arabia in 2012 and modernized in 2022, had recently undergone maintenance on October 12. The ministry confirmed no ammunition was on board at the time of the crash. Debris was scattered across multiple locations, and the remains of the 20th victim were recovered on Thursday. Funerals will be held after the remains are repatriated and autopsies completed.
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UK growth slows down to a crawl in Q3 ahead of crucial budget
The UK economy experienced a significant slowdown in the third quarter of the year, with growth nearly grinding to a halt, according to official data released on Thursday. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported a mere 0.1% increase in GDP between July and September, a sharp decline from the 0.3% growth recorded in the previous quarter and below market expectations of 0.2%. This sluggish performance comes as a blow to the British government, which is preparing to unveil a critical budget in less than two weeks, widely anticipated to include tax hikes. A major factor behind the disappointing figures was a cyber attack on Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), the UK’s largest automaker. The attack, which occurred on August 31, forced the company to halt production and send workers home, disrupting operations until October. The shutdown had a ripple effect across the UK automotive sector, with industrial output falling by 2% in September and car manufacturing plummeting by 28.6%, the steepest decline since April 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The economic challenges were further compounded by rising unemployment, which reached 5%, the highest level in four years. Treasury Chief Rachel Reeves acknowledged the difficult economic backdrop, attributing it to international factors such as US tariffs and global uncertainty. She hinted at potential tax increases in the upcoming budget to address public finance shortfalls, including a possible rise in the basic rate of income tax—a move not seen in the UK for 50 years. The government, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, faces mounting pressure as it grapples with declining public support and negative favorability ratings just 18 months into its term.
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France honors the victims of the Paris attacks’ night of terror 10 years on
A decade after the harrowing terrorist attacks that shook Paris on November 13, 2015, the city paused to honor the 132 lives lost and the hundreds injured in a series of coordinated assaults. The attacks, carried out by nine Islamic State militants, targeted the Stade de France, café terraces, and the Bataclan concert hall, leaving indelible scars on the nation’s psyche. On Thursday, President Emmanuel Macron and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo led a series of commemorative events at each attack site, culminating in a moment of silence and the unveiling of a new memorial garden, the Jardin du 13-Novembre. The garden, designed in collaboration with victims’ associations, features granite stelae bearing the names of the deceased, alongside symbolic plantings and spaces for reflection. The Eiffel Tower was illuminated in the colors of the French flag, and a minute of silence was observed at France’s World Cup qualifier against Ukraine. Survivors, including Arthur Dénouveaux, who escaped the Bataclan, spoke of the enduring emotional toll, emphasizing the ongoing struggle to rebuild lives while preserving the memory of those lost. The 2021–2022 trial of the attackers, which resulted in life imprisonment for Salah Abdeslam and convictions for 19 others, provided a measure of accountability but underscored the lasting impact of the tragedy. The commemorations aimed to honor the victims, celebrate the resilience of survivors, and protect the ordinary joys of life that the attackers sought to destroy.
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Russia’s attacks have ramped up – Ukraine is fighting to hold on through another winter
As the war in Ukraine drags into its fourth year, the country faces an unprecedented crisis: a long, cold winter compounded by relentless Russian attacks on its energy infrastructure. Families like Oksana Zinkovska-Boyarska’s, living in a Soviet-era apartment block on the outskirts of Kyiv, are already enduring daily power cuts, failed heating systems, and the constant threat of air raids. Oksana’s family relies on a costly €2,000 rechargeable battery pack to keep essential appliances running, but even this is a temporary solution. Her husband, Ievgen, a lawyer, often works by torchlight, while their two-year-old daughter, Katia, plays by candlelight. The psychological toll is immense, with Oksana describing the ‘animal fear’ of rushing to shelters during explosions. Across Ukraine, millions are bracing for even tougher times ahead. Recent massive drone and missile strikes have left much of the country without power for up to 16 hours a day. With winter temperatures expected to plummet to -20°C, Ukrainian officials warn of a ‘brutal’ season ahead. Maxim Timchenko, CEO of Ukraine’s largest private energy company, DTEK, asserts that Russia’s goal is the ‘complete destruction of Ukraine’s energy system.’ European envoys suggest this strategy aims not only to freeze Ukrainians but also to cripple the economy by disrupting factories, bakeries, and daily life. On the front lines, the situation is equally dire. The eastern city of Pokrovsk is at risk of falling to Russian forces, which would provide a strategic boost to Moscow’s campaign in the Donetsk region. Diplomatic efforts to end the war remain stalled, with talks between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on hold. Meanwhile, European nations debate how to use €180 billion in frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine. Despite the grim outlook, Ukrainians remain resilient. Recent polls show that 56% of citizens feel optimistic about the country’s future, up from 43% in May. For Oksana and her family, the struggle is personal but shared. ‘We can hold on for as long as the front needs it,’ she says, echoing the determination of a nation determined to survive and prevail.
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France wary of enemy that never went away, 10 years after Bataclan attacks
As France commemorates the 10th anniversary of the devastating Bataclan massacre, the nation is reminded of the persistent threat of jihadist violence. The arrest of Maëva B, a 27-year-old French convert to Islam and former associate of Salah Abdeslam, underscores the enduring danger. Abdeslam, the sole surviving jihadist from the 2015 attacks, is serving a life sentence. Investigations revealed that Maëva B had been in contact with Abdeslam and was allegedly planning her own jihadist attack, leading to her arrest alongside two associates. The Bataclan attacks, which claimed 130 lives and left hundreds injured, remain a symbol of extreme Islamist violence in France. Despite the decline of the Islamic State (IS) as a major force, the threat has evolved into what experts term ‘ambient jihadism,’ fueled by social networks and geopolitical tensions. France’s political instability further exacerbates the risk, as extremists gain influence. Commemorations include the lighting of the Eiffel Tower in the French tricolor and the opening of a memorial garden. Meanwhile, Abdeslam’s offer to participate in ‘restorative justice’ has sparked controversy, with some survivors rejecting the notion that terrorism can be equated with common crimes.