Crude oil deliveries to Slovakia resumed this week through the Druzhba pipeline, ending a nearly three-month interruption that had strained energy supplies across Central Europe and complicated European Union decision-making. The restart restored a critical route for Russian crude that runs through Ukrainian territory and supplies refineries in Slovakia and Hungary. The pipeline had been inactive since late January following…
Pope Leo XIV has appointed Bishop Ronald Hicks, the bishop of Joliet, Illinois, as the next archbishop of New York, a post that ranks among the most influential in the U.S. Catholic hierarchy. Hicks will succeed Cardinal Timothy Dolan, who submitted his resignation after turning 75, in line with church practice. The timing follows Dolan’s completion of a plan to…
The UK government has issued a final deadline to Roman Abramovich, warning the sanctioned Russian billionaire that he has 90 days to release £2.5bn from the sale of Chelsea FC or face court action. Ministers say the funds must be transferred to a new foundation created to support humanitarian causes in Ukraine, in line with commitments made when the club…
Spain’s government has imposed a €64 million (about $75 million) fine on Airbnb for listing short-term rental properties without proper authorization, authorities announced on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. The penalty was issued by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Social Rights and Agenda 2030, which determined that thousands of tourist rental listings lacked required registration numbers or displayed numbers that did…
Workers Halt Operations at World’s Most Visited Museum The Louvre Museum was forced to close its doors after employees voted to strike over working conditions, staffing shortages, and long-standing security concerns. The work stoppage prevented the museum from opening to the public, with visitors turned away from the glass pyramid entrance and ticket holders informed they would be reimbursed. Union…
In a decisive legislative move, Mexico’s Congress has formally approved a sweeping package of tariff increases targeting imports from countries lacking free trade agreements with the nation. The measure, which was finalized by the Senate on Wednesday evening, imposes duties of up to 50% on more than 1,400 distinct product categories. The legislation had already cleared the lower chamber earlier…
Machado’s Escape and Arrival in Norway Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado reached Oslo under extraordinary circumstances to receive her Nobel Peace Prize, marking a dramatic moment in the country’s ongoing political crisis. After more than a year in hiding following Venezuela’s disputed election, she traveled by sea and air using covert routes, aided by individuals who, she said, “risked…
