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…
Italy Backs Vatican Solar Farm to Power City-State Italy has approved a plan with the Holy See to transform 430 hectares at Santa Maria di Galeria, north of Rome, into a solar farm capable of covering all of Vatican City’s electricity needs—a step that would make it the world’s first carbon-neutral state. The agreement was signed by Archbishop Paul Richard…
Global Tsunami Alerts After Massive Russian Earthquake A powerful 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, setting off tsunami warnings and evacuation orders across the Pacific. The seismic event, among the strongest recorded in recent years, prompted immediate action from authorities in Japan, the United States, and several Pacific nations. The earthquake’s epicenter was located offshore, about…
In a groundbreaking ruling on July 28–29, 2025, former President Álvaro Uribe was convicted of witness tampering and bribery of a public official, becoming the first former Colombian head of state to be found guilty in criminal court. Judge Sandra Liliana Heredia presided over a lengthy, 10-hour session to read the verdict, concluding that there was clear evidence Uribe conspired…
Budget Reductions Shake Up EU Health Research Agenda The European Commission has significantly reduced the budget allocated to health-related research within Horizon Europe, its flagship funding programme for innovation. According to the latest draft of the 2026 and 2027 work programmes, the adjustments represent a 25% cut for 2026 and a 14% reduction for 2027 compared to figures circulated in…
On July 25, 2025, fighting between Thailand and Cambodia continued along their disputed border, leading to heightened fears of prolonged conflict. At least 19 people have been killed in Thailand, mostly civilians, with the first reported fatality in Cambodia confirmed on the same day. The clash erupted after a landmine explosion on May 28, which injured five Thai soldiers. This…
Climate Deal Amid Diplomatic Tensions At a high-stakes summit in Beijing, the European Union and China reached a rare point of consensus by jointly committing to intensify climate action. The agreement, centered on reducing emissions and advancing green technologies, reinforced both parties’ support for the Paris Climate Agreement and the upcoming COP30 summit in Brazil. This climate-focused alignment stood out…
