The logistics major was served with a notice of suspicion for corruption, fraud, and evasion of duty. He received bribes for substituting food products, embezzled part of the supplies, and systematically traveled abroad.
Europe needs to reduce its dependence on American payment groups such as Visa and Mastercard, said Martina Weimert, head of the banking alliance EPI. This is due to concerns that their dominance could be weaponized in the event of a deterioration in transatlantic relations.
Ukraine and France have agreed on joint arms production in both countries. This paves the way for large-scale projects in the defense industry.
Train drivers in Spain began a three-day strike due to unsatisfactory safety conditions after two fatal accidents in January. The action by the Semaf union led to train service disruptions.
Vietnam has begun diversifying its arms purchases, moving away from Russian defense technologies in favor of Western standards. The country is negotiating with France for Rafale fighter jets and modernizing its army with the help of Israel and South Korea.
Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš advocates for a ban on social media use for children under 15, citing expert opinions on their harm. Similar measures are being considered by other countries, including France, where such a law has already been approved.
Last month, Kyiv's Air Force lacked interceptor missiles for Patriot systems, their launchers stood empty. This allowed ballistic missiles to freely shell power plants.
Ukraine seeks to obtain Western security guarantees to deter future Russian aggression. At the same time, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasizes that any recognition of Russia's sovereignty over Crimea or Donbas will be legally invalid.
Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov met with French Armed Forces Minister Catherine Wautrin. The parties discussed the security situation and further cooperation in the field of defense.
Italy's Minister of Infrastructure called a series of railway incidents deliberate sabotage and a direct attack on the state. Law enforcement is investigating the activities of anarchist groups and does not rule out external interference.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed with French Armed Forces Minister Catherine Vautrin the strengthening of air defense and the supply of modern fighter jets. The meeting focused on bolstering the energy system and expanding the capabilities of the Ukrainian Air Force.
The European Commission spokesperson stated that contacts with Putin are possible under certain conditions, but there are currently no signals of Russia's readiness for peace. She also confirmed the absence of a common EU position on resuming interaction with the Kremlin but noted a change in the attitude of some member states.
The Louvre for the first time demonstrated the condition of Empress Eugenie's crown, damaged during the robbery on October 19, 2025. The relic retained almost complete integrity, making full restoration possible.
About a third of the countries participating in the military AI summit agreed to regulate the use of the technology in combat. However, military giants China and the US refused to participate.
Louis Vuitton has released a limited-edition mechanical desk clock in the shape of a vintage truck. Its price is 650,000 euros due to gilding, 1695 diamonds, and sapphires.
France and Great Britain are preparing a new modification of Storm Shadow/SCALP missiles, based on the successful experience of their use in Ukraine. The development of the Mk2 version will begin in 2026, focusing on improving guidance systems.
The International Olympic Committee is exploring the possibility of holding the Winter Olympic Games in January and the Paralympic Games in February. This is due to the shrinking number of locations with stable snow cover in March.
French President Emmanuel Macron's chief diplomatic advisor, Emmanuel Bonne, visited Moscow. The purpose of the visit was to secure Europe a seat at the negotiating table regarding the security architecture and the end of the war in Ukraine.
The EU Council has approved a legal framework for providing Ukraine with financial support of 90 billion euros, with the exception of the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Slovakia. The funds will be directed to budget support and defense needs, and the first payment is expected in early Q2.
EU ambassadors reached an agreement on a €90 billion loan for Ukraine. The European Parliament is likely to vote next week.
Spain and Greece propose banning teenagers from using social media, following Australia's example. This decision is part of the tightening regulation of social media in Europe.
French police searched X offices, and Elon Musk was summoned for questioning on April 20. The investigation concerns algorithm abuse, fraudulent data extraction, and possible complicity in the dissemination of child pornography.
In Kyiv, 63 teams are working on restoring power grids, and over 220 teams are restoring heat supply. NJSC "Naftogaz" is ready to provide another 40 teams of specialists.
In January, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held 20 meetings and 14 telephone conversations, visiting France, Cyprus, Switzerland, and Lithuania. Following these contacts, Ukraine received NASAMS air defense missiles from Norway, the 31st package of military aid from Finland, and significant energy support from other partners.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot stated that all financial aid to Ukraine comes from Europe. He also noted that a significant part of intelligence and military support is also European.
Mehdi Mahmudyan, co-writer of the screenplay for the film "It Was Just an Unfortunate Accident," has been arrested in Tehran. The arrest occurred after he signed a statement condemning the leader of the Islamic Republic.
Iran has officially declared the armed forces of European Union countries "terrorist groups. " This was in response to the EU's recognition of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization.
The Ukrainian futsal team finished its performance at Euro 2026, losing to France 2:4 in overtime of the quarter-finals. The main time ended in a 1:1 draw, but in extra time the French scored three goals.
The Ukrainian national futsal team will face France on January 31 in the quarterfinals of the European Championship 2026. The match will take place in Riga at 5:00 PM, with bookmakers favoring Ukraine.
In February 2026, five new films of various genres will be released in Ukrainian cinemas. Among them are the drama "Wuthering Heights", the thriller "Road to Crime", and a documentary about Elvis Presley.
