France’s Le Pen unveils economic platform brimming with eye-watering cuts — but few new ideas

Marine Le Pen presented a €140 billion savings plan to address France's fiscal crisis, proposing immigration restrictions, reduced EU contributions, and deregulation as solutions. She warned that without significant economic policy changes, France risks default. The plan includes cutting €19.5 billion from EU contributions by 2031 and €15 billion in annual immigration-related savings. However, critics highlighted substantial gaps, particularly regarding her flagship pension promise to lower retirement age to 62, which Le Pen estimates costs €9 billion annually but experts calculate at €34.7 billion. The event was overshadowed by antisemitism allegations against party president Jordan Bardella, which Le Pen declined to directly address. Independent analysts questioned the plan's feasibility, with economist Hadrian Camatte calling it "overly-optimistic" and noting proposed state spending cuts were "massive." Rival candidate Edouard Philippe dismissed the proposals as lacking credible numbers and realistic detail.

Ukraine says no to EU membership without access to selling grain

Ukraine's Agriculture Minister has rejected an EU proposal for permanent restrictions on agricultural market access as a condition for EU membership. While the European Commission endorsed limiting financial support and market access for sensitive farm products, Ukraine insists such restrictions contradict the principles of full EU membership. The minister confirmed Ukraine would accept transitional periods with temporary quotas and safeguards, provided they have defined end dates. Ukraine argues it should not be viewed solely as a threat to European farmers, but rather as a potential asset that could reduce EU dependence on third-country imports for fertilizers, soybeans, and animal feed while providing access to Black Sea export routes. Ukraine aims to eventually export processed food products, ingredients, and biofuels alongside raw materials. The disagreement highlights ongoing tensions over agricultural competition as Ukraine pursues EU accession, with some EU nations like Poland already blocking Ukrainian grain imports to protect domestic farming sectors.

Spanish election threatens to blow up Brussels’ political balance

Pedro Sánchez's potential defeat in Spain's snap election threatens to destabilize the EU by weakening the Socialist delegation's influence in Brussels. Sánchez is currently the only Socialist-aligned leader governing a major EU country, providing crucial center-left counterbalance to the center-right dominated Council. Spain's large Socialist delegation in the European Parliament typically supports his Council positions, even against internal opposition. Polls indicate Spain will elect a center-right government potentially partnering with far-right Vox. Senior Socialist lawmakers warn that losing Sánchez would disrupt this arrangement, making the group more confrontational and less willing to support Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's agenda. The Socialist group is already weakened after 2024 elections shifted Parliament rightward, with the center-right European People's Party occasionally cooperating with far-right groups. A Sánchez loss would leave only junior Socialist partners in major governments, reducing their institutional responsibility to maintain EU stability. The election also complicates ongoing EU budget negotiations, potentially making talks more turbulent and delaying compromise. The EPP's leader expressed support for Spain's opposition candidate, anticipating a center-right government.

Greens promise ‘campaign mode’ and continuity under new leaders

The European Parliament's Green party elected Terry Reintke and Nicu Ștefănuță as co-chairs, positioning the leadership change as a reset before the 2029 European elections. Reintke retained her position while Ștefănuță, a Romanian MEP, won the second-place contest. The new team promises an energetic, campaign-focused approach addressing climate protection, social justice, democracy, and rule of law, while also broadening appeal beyond traditional environmental concerns to include economic issues like cost of living. The leadership change maintains the party's existing political strategy while signaling renewal. The move follows Bas Eickhout's resignation as co-chair in May. The Greens/EFA currently have 53 MEPs, ranking sixth in Parliament, down from 74 MEPs and fourth place following the 2019 election. The new co-chairs aim to rebuild party numbers through a growth strategy and potential enlargement discussions with new member countries.

Europe’s AI policing plan stokes privacy concerns

The EU is expanding Europol's powers to combat AI-enabled crime, doubling its budget to €3 billion and granting the police agency greater data access and advanced technology capabilities. However, this expansion has sparked significant debate between security and privacy advocates. While law enforcement officials argue that AI tools are essential to counter increasingly sophisticated crimes, data protection authorities warn the proposal poses serious privacy risks, particularly regarding retention of data on people with no criminal connections. Europol's incoming director acknowledges AI's transformative role in modern policing but emphasizes the need for safeguards. The European Data Protection Supervisor has criticized the proposal for lacking adequate external oversight and independent supervision mechanisms. The tension reflects a broader challenge: as criminals leverage AI, police agencies require enhanced capabilities, yet must maintain democratic principles and protect citizens' fundamental rights to privacy.

‘I’m as worried as Mario Draghi,’ says retiring EU finance boss

The EU faces economic stagnation that risks financial instability, warned John Berrigan, a retiring European Commission official with four decades of experience. He echoes concerns from former ECB president Mario Draghi, who called for €800 billion in annual investment to modernize Europe's economy. Governments lack fiscal capacity for major spending after pandemic and energy crisis expenditures, while rising interest rates increase borrowing costs for indebted nations. Without growth, governments cannot balance budgets without austerity, potentially strengthening far-right parties. The EU has implemented only one-quarter of Draghi's recommendations. Banks push to reduce capital buffers to increase lending, but Berrigan warns that weakening financial safeguards risks another crisis with limited government cushion. Europe has strengthened banking regulations since the 2008 crisis, making banks more resilient. However, solving growth requires creating a vibrant stock market for innovative companies rather than just deregulation—otherwise, European firms will continue seeking investors on Wall Street. Berrigan believes Europe must deepen integration to offer companies scale, though rising populism complicates this. He remains optimistic that geopolitical hostility will pressure Europe toward continued unity.

Lithuania confirms natural tectonic earthquakes occurred within its territory

Lithuania's Geological Survey has confirmed for the first time that natural tectonic earthquakes occur within the country's territory. Two weak earthquakes were recorded in western Lithuania on December 14, 2025—one measuring magnitude 2.7 at 08:35 and another at 2.4 magnitude at 12:03. The University of Helsinki's Institute of Seismology verified their natural origin. Located near the Gargždai fault zone, these earthquakes are scientifically significant as they provide the first reliable instrumental data confirming tectonic seismic activity in Lithuania. The magnitude scale is logarithmic, so the 2.7 earthquake released approximately 2.8 times more energy than the 2.4 magnitude quake. The discovery prompted researchers to reassess a magnitude 2.1 seismic event recorded on June 12, 2015, in western Lithuania. Previous analysis had been inconclusive, but reexamination of international seismogram databases confirmed it was also a natural tectonic earthquake. These three events are now recognized as Lithuania's first reliably recorded and localized natural earthquakes.

Lithuania to halve intercity train, bus ticket prices

Lithuania's government will introduce a 50-percent discount on local train services starting October 9 through year-end, expanding to include intercity trains and buses from November 1. Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius announced the measure, noting that over one million passengers used a similar discount introduced in spring, demonstrating its success. The scheme requires parliamentary approval. Once implemented, the discount will apply to commercial regular bus services, with the state compensating transport operators for revenue loss. A comparable train discount in April and May attracted 5,800 more passengers compared to the same period last year. The ministry projects the train discount will attract approximately 45,000 new passengers overall.

Will Brazil pick the U.S. or China?

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How to Avoid Disaster in the Next Iran War

Lasting peace between the United States and Iran remains unlikely, as Iran's nuclear program, missile arsenal, proxy groups, and control of the Strait of Hormuz remain intact. Russian and Chinese support is enabling Iran's rapid reconstitution while exposing vulnerabilities in U.S. military posture and munitions supplies. War games set in 2027 revealed grim outcomes even with improved defensive capabilities. The simulations showed Iran concentrating 150-300 weapons on single targets, overwhelming defenders' interceptors within days despite significant U.S. inventory replenishment by 2029. Current U.S. industry cannot replace high-end interceptors quickly enough for near-term conflicts, and offensive operations have struggled to eliminate Iranian drone and missile capabilities. To address these threats, the region needs integrated sensing networks, more cost-effective layered air defenses rather than relying on expensive interceptors, and hardened, dispersed military bases with greater infrastructure resilience. U.S. leaders must reassess Middle East objectives and defense strategies before catastrophic losses occur.

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey Trigger Mutual Defense Pact

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey activated their mutual defense pact Monday in response to escalating Houthi attacks on Saudi infrastructure, marking the first invocation of the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement since its August signing. The move includes rapid deployment of Pakistani and Turkish troops to the Persian Gulf kingdom. The Iran-backed Houthis have seized Yemen's Red Sea coast and targeted Saudi energy facilities and holy sites, prompting a Saudi-led counteroffensive to retake coastal territory. The three nations possess combined military strength of 1.4 million active troops and significant weaponry. Lithuania's parliament voted to lift its constitutional ban on nuclear weapons stationed on its soil, arguing the change is necessary for full NATO participation in nuclear deterrence. Russia warned the amendment would escalate regional tensions. A second ballot is scheduled for January 12. German police arrested former spy chief August Hanning on espionage and treason charges. A former colleague allegedly provided him approximately 2,000 classified government documents after his departure. Hanning denies involvement in the allegations and a separate kidnapping scandal involving an Israeli spy firm. Kenya recorded its first Ebola case as the outbreak expands from the Democratic Republic of Congo. The patient died in Nairobi after traveling from Congo through Uganda. Over 8,400 cases have been reported in Congo this year, making it the fastest-growing epidemic in the country's history.

Why Chinese Parents Don’t Want Two Kids

China is experiencing one of the world's sharpest declines in birth rates, despite the government relaxing restrictions from a one-child policy to allowing three children. While high costs of child-rearing are frequently cited, the pregnancy and postpartum experience represents a major deterrent for Chinese parents. Women face significant career penalties, with widespread gender discrimination despite legal protections. The medical system demands informal bribes at every stage, and cesarean section rates are artificially inflated due to financial incentives. The childbirth experience remains outdated, with limited maternal autonomy and minimal postpartum mental health support. Traditional practices like "sitting the month"—a 30-to-40-day postpartum confinement—place additional stress on families, often requiring expensive live-in nurses and accommodating multiple generations in cramped apartments. Surrogacy, though banned, operates in gray and black markets with associated risks. These combined factors make most Chinese couples reluctant to have more than one child, explaining why policy changes have failed to increase birth rates.

China Doesn’t Need to Invade Taiwan to Control It

While debate centers on whether the United States would militarily defend Taiwan against Chinese invasion, a less visible threat exists: peaceful political realignment whereby Taiwan's government voluntarily agrees to unification with China. Beijing prefers this "winning without fighting" strategy, and Washington is unprepared for it. Such a scenario would be difficult to reverse once a seemingly democratic decision occurs, making prevention critical before Taiwan's upcoming presidential election. Although recent polls show strong Taiwanese willingness to resist military conquest, a pro-Beijing government could gradually erode Taiwan's defenses by dismissing U.S. trainers and allowing arms sales to lapse. China has intensified espionage and political interference campaigns to create conditions for realignment. The Taiwan Relations Act technically obligates the U.S. to oppose coercive unification, yet proving coercion amid ostensibly democratic processes poses legal and diplomatic challenges. If Taiwan falls without military conflict, China would gain a strategic foothold with an intact military and advanced chip industry. The U.S. must strengthen Taiwan relations through enhanced arms sales, public diplomacy, counterintelligence support, and political warfare countermeasures to prevent this scenario.

Trump’s Red-Dye Diesel Plan Has a Major Flaw

One month before the U.S. midterm elections, the Trump administration issued an executive order to reduce diesel prices for truckers and farmers by allowing tax-free red-dye diesel—normally reserved for off-road uses—on highways. The measure would theoretically reduce diesel prices by 24 cents per gallon, potentially bringing prices below $6. However, experts argue it will likely prove ineffective. The order only defers federal fuel taxes rather than eliminating them, meaning truckers will face larger bills later. More critically, the measure addresses pricing rather than supply; diesel prices remain elevated due to global supply constraints, not taxation levels. U.S. refineries are already operating at near-maximum capacity, while global production has been disrupted by Ukraine's strikes on Russian refineries and reduced exports from the Middle East due to regional conflicts. Additionally, the policy risks diverting red-dye diesel from farmers already facing high fuel costs. Analysts characterize the executive order as a cosmetic gesture unlikely to meaningfully address the underlying supply crisis, with one expert warning diesel could reach $10 per gallon if winter conditions worsen or a Gulf hurricane develops.

How Much More Trump Trouble Can Indonesia’s Prabowo Take?

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto's absence from this year's UN General Assembly has sparked speculation about growing frustration with Washington. Despite initially aligning closely with the Trump administration—pledging peacekeepers for Gaza, promising Israeli recognition conditional on Palestinian statehood, and joining Trump's Board of Peace—Prabowo has faced significant domestic backlash. A March 2025 survey showed majority opposition to Indonesia's Board of Peace membership and troop deployment to Gaza. The Iran war intensified these pressures, prompting Prabowo to freeze his commitment. Meanwhile, the Trump administration imposed severe tariffs on Indonesian goods, initially 32 percent, eventually negotiated to 19 percent, requiring Indonesia to restrict trade with China. Additional investigations into manufacturing overcapacity and forced labor imports created further friction. A controversial agreement granting U.S. military access to Indonesian airspace also sparked backlash over sovereignty concerns. Despite expanding military exercises and critical minerals cooperation, Prabowo's efforts to strengthen U.S. ties have generated substantial domestic political consequences, though he appears unlikely to reverse course immediately.

Latvia moves to expel Russian journalist who used to work for BBC

Latvia initiated proceedings to expel Russian journalist Leonid Ragozin, a former BBC contributor, from the country after his recent remarks defending Russia's actions in Ukraine. Speaking on a podcast, Ragozin suggested Russia feels compelled to respond to Western provocation with "brute force" and justified hybrid attacks as responses to perceived Western encroachment on its sphere of influence. His comments sparked outrage among Latvian officials, who accused him of serving Russian interests. Foreign Minister Baiba Braže announced the decision to add Ragozin to Latvia's persona non grata list, while Interior Minister Jānis Dombrava declared his continued residence in Latvia untenable. The expulsion reflects the Baltic nations' heightened vigilance toward Russia amid ongoing tensions in Eastern Europe and the Kremlin's assault on Ukraine. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen characterized the situation as part of a broader European pattern, underscoring regional concerns about Russian influence and disinformation.

What’s Freezing the U.S. Housing Market?

The U.S. housing market has experienced a significant freeze, with annual home sales falling to 3.98 million, the lowest level since June 2025. The primary culprit is elevated mortgage rates, now exceeding 7 percent, compared to historic lows of 3 percent in 2022. This represents a massive financing shock to the nation's largest asset class, worth $55 trillion in residential real estate alone. The rate increase disproportionately affects homeowners seeking to move, as many are locked into mortgages below 4 percent and face substantially higher refinancing costs. Despite housing shortages that should theoretically push prices down, prices remain elevated because sellers hesitate to refinance at higher rates. The elevated interest rates stem from multiple factors: structural supply constraints, government debt issuance, and robust economic growth fueled by artificial intelligence investment. The AI sector's massive capital demands have effectively crowded out other construction through higher interest rates, with data center construction increasing $50 billion since late 2023 while other construction collapsed by $120 billion.

Ireland’s 2027 budget offers tax break to help people invest savings

Ireland announced plans to create a new national savings system featuring tax-free investment accounts to encourage citizens to move money from low-interest bank deposits into stocks, bonds, and exchange-traded funds. Finance Minister Simon Harris unveiled the Irish Investment Accounts as part of the 2027 budget, with accounts opening in July. The first €50,000 in each account would be tax-free, with a 1% annual tax on amounts exceeding that threshold. Annual contributions would be capped at €12,000, targeting middle-class savers rather than the wealthy. The initiative represents Ireland's response to EU pressure for a union-wide "Savings and Investments Union," which Ireland opposes, preferring domestic control. Currently, over €170 billion sits in Irish savings accounts earning minimal interest. However, investment firms criticized the plan as inadequate, noting that investors could face tax bills even when investments decline in value, creating disincentives to participation.

France’s debt troubles stir memories of the euro crisis

France faces a growing sovereign debt crisis as borrowing costs surge, with the spread between French and German bond yields reaching 1.45 percentage points—the highest since 2012. France hasn't balanced its budget in over 30 years and cannot keep its deficit within EU limits due to pension costs, rearmament, and green transition expenses. Investor concerns intensified after President Macron's failed election gamble, causing French 10-year bond yields to near 5 percent, the highest since 2008. Financial stress is spreading to Italy, Belgium, and Greece, threatening broader eurozone stability. Foreign investors holding over half of French debt are increasingly selling, risking contagion. The European Central Bank could potentially intervene through its Transmission Protection Instrument or by pausing quantitative tightening, but such action requires France to commit to fiscal discipline—politically difficult before 2027 elections. ECB President Christine Lagarde maintains flexibility on rate decisions amid 3.8 percent eurozone inflation. Analysts suggest the ECB will ultimately support France to preserve the euro, though such intervention would provoke significant opposition from Northern Europe.

How Europe should handle its trade problem with China

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Trump says he is considering suspending federal petrol tax

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‘Most dangerous product in crypto’ vexes Singapore

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‘Accidents happen’: French PM defends police after teenagers injured in protests

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has defended police responses to widespread student protests, despite incidents leaving one teenager with a severed hand and another blind in one eye. Speaking in parliament, Lecornu stated that police act when urban violence occurs and rejected characterizing the incidents as "police brutality," arguing the term implies deliberate instruction to use force. He acknowledged accidents can happen and pledged a "political response" to students' concerns. The nationwide protests, which began in working-class Paris suburbs, demand increased school funding and improved working conditions. Approximately 86,000 people participated in marches outside Paris, with larger demonstrations expected in the capital. The movement has gained momentum as the presidential election campaign approaches, drawing support from unions, teachers' organizations, and left-wing political parties. The two serious injuries involved disputed circumstances: a 15-year-old's hand was damaged by a grenade, and a 16-year-old lost an eye possibly from a sub-lethal riot police weapon. Socialist lawmakers plan to introduce legislation restricting sub-lethal weapon use during school protests. The incidents have intensified political controversy surrounding the government's handling of the demonstrations.

France’s Mélenchon doubles down on student protests despite violent clashes

Far-left French presidential candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon has called on supporters to join nationwide protests Tuesday backing students blockading high schools, despite government accusations that he is fueling unrest. Mélenchon dismissed these claims in a video, comparing the student movement to the transformative May 1968 demonstrations. He attributed the protests to inadequate education funding and budget cuts. The blockades, occurring at 400-500 schools nationwide, began last month over funding and working conditions demands and have escalated into a broader political issue ahead of next year's presidential election. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu's office claims intelligence agencies assessed that Mélenchon's party France Unbowed helped instigate the protests, noting vandalism and arson at 24 demonstrations. Mélenchon denies inciting violence, blaming police for dispersing protests. Polls show 47% of voters under 35 support him, though 73% of overall voters say they would never vote for him. Tuesday's demonstrations will test whether Mélenchon can leverage the unrest to his political advantage while managing public concerns about violence associated with the protests.

Tories want to duck Burnham’s social care fight

Andy Burnham has positioned social care as a central election issue by proposing changes to the state pension "triple lock" to fund reforms. Three Conservative shadow Cabinet ministers indicated the party may avoid presenting its own social care proposal, betting that Labour's plans will collapse under scrutiny—a strategy echoing their 2017 experience when Labour lacked a care policy. England's social care system faces widespread consensus that it is broken: care is inadequate, costly, and forces families to sell homes. However, political controversy has consistently derailed reform attempts. Burnham's proposal to weaken the triple lock—designed to protect retirees and beloved by Conservatives—could save £15 billion annually by 2040 for social care. This has split the Conservative Party, with some senior figures like Jeremy Hunt and Tom Tugendhat acknowledging the lock's unsustainability, while others oppose weakening it. The Conservative strategy involves downplaying savings from triple lock changes and instead claiming they can find more money through welfare reform. Party divisions remain over whether to present an alternative plan, with some arguing they must address such a significant issue during an election campaign.

Read the charter for the White House’s ‘Super Intelligence Force’

The Trump administration has established a "Super Intelligence Force" task force with broad authority to address artificial intelligence threats to national security and civil liberties. Led by Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton as AI czar, the task force includes senior officials from multiple federal agencies and will operate for 120 days with potential extension. The group will develop recommendations across critical sectors including financial services, energy, transportation, and agriculture, focusing on biosecurity, cybersecurity, water supply threats, and potential overregulation concerns. The task force will also review protocols for AI labs to report breaches and security incidents to the government. The initiative caught both Silicon Valley and Capitol Hill by surprise, as tech representatives were not widely informed before Trump's announcement. The charter emphasizes that while AI labs bear ultimate responsibility for risks their models create, the federal government must enforce laws to safeguard constitutional principles in this rapidly evolving technological landscape.

AI Versus Everything Else

The AI boom is causing significant economic crowding out right now, diverting massive investment away from non-AI sectors. When private spending surges, it drives up interest rates, making borrowing more expensive for other industries—a mechanism similar to government deficit spending crowding out private investment. Evidence shows AI-related construction and tech spending are diverting funds from housing, factories, and other infrastructure. Unlike the 1990s tech boom, which benefited from substantial foreign investment, today's AI surge lacks similar external funding sources. The private sector's reallocation toward AI may not serve the broader economy's interests, especially given tax subsidies supporting data centers. Moreover, private malinvestment like Meta's $80 billion metaverse spending receives less scrutiny than failed government programs. Beyond rising interest rates, the AI boom strains electricity supplies and drives up semiconductor prices, affecting industries like automobiles. Financial stress from elevated rates is spreading through commercial real estate and loosely regulated financial sectors. Unlike speculative concerns about future job losses or bubbles, crowding out is an immediate, measurable problem occurring now.

The Tories really don’t want to team up with Farage. They might still have to.

Conservative Party members at their Birmingham conference expressed intense hostility toward Nigel Farage's Reform UK, with senior Tories using derogatory language and mocking the party. High-profile defections, including Robert Jenrick and Suella Braverman to Reform, have intensified personal animosity. Despite this animosity, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has not entirely ruled out a post-election coalition, which she cannot afford to dismiss politically. Badenoch stated she would prefer forcing a second election to allying with Reform, citing scandals and incompatibility. Multiple senior Conservative officials indicated that hostility is now so severe that any coalition would likely fail. Current polling suggests a split right-wing vote could allow Labour to win under the first-past-the-post system. The Conservatives face an electoral dilemma: pursuing a Reform alliance risks alienating liberal voters, while refusing risks a Labour-led rainbow coalition with Liberal Democrats and Greens. Some figures attempt bridging both parties through think tanks, while others actively oppose any cooperation. Though the Conservatives remain hopeful about future polling trends, they prefer focusing on attacking Labour rather than discussing potential Reform arrangements.

Apie bendruomenes ir kas mane užknisa r/6nuliai reddit’e

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