MediaFaro News Digest

Helsinki officially opens Finland’s longest bridge.

Finland’s longest and highest bridge, Helsinki’s new Kruunuvuori Bridge, officially opened to the public on Saturday.

It links Kruunuvuorenranta in the eastern suburb of Laajasalo with central Helsinki.

The nearly 1200-metre long bridge is said to be the longest bridge in the world that exclusively serves pedestrians, cyclists and trams.

https://mediafaro.org/article/20260418-helsinki-officially-opens-finlands-longest-bridge?mf_channel=mastodon&action=forward

#Helsinki #Bridge #Infrastructure #Pedestrians #Cyclists #Trams

Elon Musk faces a criminal probe in France as prosecutors escalate X’s AI Investigation.

French prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation into Elon Musk and his social platform X for child sexual abuse images on the platform, deepfakes, disinformation and complicity in denying crimes against humanity by the platform’s artificial intelligence system, Grok.

https://mediafaro.org/article/20260508-elon-musk-faces-a-criminal-probe-in-france-as-prosecutors-escalate-xs-ai-investigation?mf_channel=mastodon&action=forward

#ElonMusk #France #CSAM #Deepfakes #Disinformation #X #Grok #AI #Tech

EU’s Kallas rejects Gerhard Schröder as Russia-Ukraine negotiator.

Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder is unfit to represent Europe in any peace talks to end the Russia-Ukraine war, the EU’s chief diplomat Kaja Kallas said Monday.

Russian leader Vladimir Putin has said he would like the ex-German chancellor to negotiate on Europe’s behalf.

https://mediafaro.org/article/20260511-eus-kallas-rejects-gerhard-schroder-as-russia-ukraine-negotiator?mf_channel=mastodon&action=forward

#WarInUkraine #GerhardSchroder #EU #Russia #Ukraine #KajaKallas #Putin

The EU is ‘ready’ to sanction Israel over Russian vessel carrying stolen Ukrainian grain.

A diplomatic crisis has erupted between Ukraine and Israel following the arrival in Haifa of a Russian vessel reportedly carrying stolen Ukrainian grain.

Brussels says it is ready to sanction those involved.

https://mediafaro.org/article/20260428-the-eu-is-ready-to-sanction-israel-over-russian-vessel-carrying-stolen-ukrainian-grain?mf_channel=mastodon&action=forward

#Ukraine #Grain #EU #Sanctions #Russia

The French government pushes for the conversion of empty office spaces into 8200 homes in the Paris region.

Thanks to a special project tender launched by the government and the Paris region authorities, 61 projects have been selected, mostly in the inner suburbs of Paris.

https://mediafaro.org/article/20260412-the-french-government-pushes-for-the-conversion-of-empty-office-spaces-into-8200-homes-in-the-paris-region?mf_channel=mastodon&action=forward

#Paris #Housing #Offices #France

Hungarians vote in a key election that could unseat populist Prime Minister Orbán.

Hungarians headed to the polls on Sunday in a pivotal parliamentary election that could end Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s 16-year grip on power, as the opposition led by Péter Magyar challenges his nationalist rule in a contest drawing scrutiny across Europe and backing for Orbán from US President Donald Trump.

https://mediafaro.org/article/20260412-hungarians-vote-in-a-key-election-that-could-unseat-populist-prime-minister-orban?mf_channel=mastodon&action=forward

#Hungary #Elections #Politics #Trump #Orban #Magyar #Russia #Europe #EU

France and Germany send firefighters to help battle Dutch blazes.

Stretched Dutch authorities requested help facing the emergency through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, with France and Germany responding.

Many of the fires, which broke out on Wednesday and Thursday, were raging in land used for military training, including an artillery range, in the south.

https://mediafaro.org/article/20260501-france-and-germany-send-firefighters-to-help-battle-dutch-blazes?mf_channel=mastodon&action=forward

#Wildfires #Netherlands #Firefighters #Germany #France #EU

The European Union sanctions Russian officials over the abduction of thousands of Ukrainian children.

On Monday it imposed sanctions on 16 officials accused of helping Russia abduct tens of thousands of children from Ukraine and force many to change their identities or be put up for adoption.

Sanctions were also slapped on seven centres suspected of indoctrinating the children or training them to serve in the armed forces.

https://mediafaro.org/article/20260512-the-european-union-sanctions-russian-officials-over-the-abduction-of-thousands-of-ukrainian-children?mf_channel=mastodon&action=forward

#EU #WarInUkraine #Children #Ukraine #Russia

The first segment of the Fehmarnbelt Tunnel is in place.

An important step in one of the largest infrastructure projects currently underway: the first segment of the Fehmarnbelt Tunnel between Denmark and Germany has been submerged off the Danish port city of Rødby, after a manoeuvre lasting several days.

Now 88 more are needed.

https://mediafaro.org/article/20260507-the-first-segment-of-the-fehmarnbelt-tunnel-is-in-place?mf_channel=mastodon&action=forward

#Fehmarnbelt #Engineering #Infrastructure #Denmark #Germany

Moscow’s Victory Day parade is to be held without military vehicles for the first time in nearly 20 years.

Russia will not display military hardware in this year’s parade commemorating 81 years since the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War II, the Defence Ministry said Tuesday.

The event, typically marked with a bombastic show of military strength each year, is scheduled for 9 May in Moscow’s Red Square.

https://mediafaro.org/article/20260429-moscows-victory-day-parade-is-to-be-held-without-military-vehicles-for-the-first-time-in-nearly-20-years?mf_channel=mastodon&action=forward

#Russia #VictoryDay #Military

France announces a ban on gas boilers in new buildings starting in 2027.

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu on Friday announced a ban on installing gas heating systems “by year’s end” in new buildings, including multi-unit housing, to curb France’s dependence on fossil fuels.

Lecornu also announced a doubling of support for electrification by 2030, from €5.5 billion to €10 billion annually.

https://mediafaro.org/article/20260410-france-announces-a-ban-on-gas-boilers-in-new-buildings-starting-in-2027?mf_channel=mastodon&action=forward

#France #EnergyTransition #Gas #Electrification #EV #Energy

EU countries back suspending funding for the Venice Biennale.

Fourteen out of 27 EU member states criticised the reopening of the Russian pavilion at the Venice Biennale, which sparked a fierce controversy in Italy, as Brussels called for a suspension of funding.

https://mediafaro.org/article/20260512-eu-countries-back-suspending-funding-for-the-venice-biennale?mf_channel=mastodon&action=forward

#EU #VeniceBiennale #Russia #Culture #Politics #Italy #Art

The Hantavirus ship nears Tenerife as residents voice safety fears.

The Spanish government has authorised passengers from the MV Hondius to disembark at the port of Granadilla this weekend following an agreement with the World Health Organisation.

The decision has sparked protests from local dock workers in Santa Cruz.

https://mediafaro.org/article/20260509-the-hantavirus-ship-nears-tenerife-as-residents-voice-safety-fears?mf_channel=mastodon&action=forward

#Hantavirus #MVHondius #Tenerife #Spain #Health #WHO

Hungary returns the seized cash and gold to the Ukrainian bank, Zelenskyy announced.

The funds and valuables of Oschadbank that were seized by Hungarian special forces in March of this year were returned, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Wednesday afternoon.

The president said he was grateful to Hungary for its constructive approach and civilised step.

https://mediafaro.org/article/20260506-hungary-returns-the-seized-cash-and-gold-to-the-ukrainian-bank-zelenskyy-announced?mf_channel=mastodon&action=forward

#Ukraine #Hungary #Gold #Orban #Zelenskyy

Sweden announces a new spy agency in a rethink prompted by the war in Ukraine.

Stockholm dropped two centuries of military non-alignment and joined NATO in the wake of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

https://mediafaro.org/article/20260505-sweden-announces-a-new-spy-agency-in-a-rethink-prompted-by-the-war-in-ukraine?mf_channel=mastodon&action=forward

#Sweden #IntelligenceServices #WarInUkraine #Politics #Russia #Espionage #NATO

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency opens the door to using US jet fuel.

The EASA has today cleared the way for the possible use of US jet fuel in the bloc, which is seeking ways to confront the threat of shortages due to the Middle East war.

US ‘Jet A’ has a higher freezing point than European ‘Jet A-1’ - which makes it less resistant to very low temperatures during long-haul flights.

https://mediafaro.org/article/20260508-the-european-union-aviation-safety-agency-opens-the-door-to-using-us-jet-fuel?mf_channel=mastodon&action=forward

#Aviation #Fuel #Europe #JetFuel #EASA

Bulgaria’s new PM unveils his roadmap, balancing pro-European and pro-Russian interests.

Rumen Radev, who was elected on 19 April, secured broad parliamentary support on 8 May.

While he reiterated his ambition for Bulgaria to be a ‘modern nation in the European sense’, he remains highly cautious regarding assistance to Ukraine.

https://mediafaro.org/article/20260509-bulgarias-new-pm-unveils-his-roadmap-balancing-pro-european-and-pro-russian-interests?mf_channel=mastodon&action=forward

#Bulgaria #Politics #RumenRadev #EU #Russia #Ukraine

Moscow holds a scaled-back Victory Day parade as the Ukraine truce kicks in.

Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke at an annual Victory Day parade on Red Square, which was this year drastically scaled down over fears of Ukrainian drone attacks.

Putin said that his soldiers in Ukraine were fighting an “aggressive force” backed by all of NATO and described his war goals as “just”, in a combative address.

https://mediafaro.org/article/20260509-moscow-holds-a-scaled-back-victory-day-parade-as-the-ukraine-truce-kicks-in?mf_channel=mastodon&action=forward

#Russia #VictoryDay #WarInUkraine #NATO

A Russian investigative reporter from Novaya Gazeta is placed in pre-trial detention.

Oleg Roldugin had reported on alleged corruption among top Russian officials including former President Dmitry Medvedev and Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov. Russia has waged a crackdown on independent news outlets since launching its offensive on Ukraine in February 2022.

https://mediafaro.org/article/20260410-a-russian-investigative-reporter-from-novaya-gazeta-is-placed-in-pre-trial-detention?mf_channel=mastodon&action=forward

#OlegRoldugin #NovayaGazeta #Russia #Media #Journalism #Corruption

West Bank settlements prompt a call for sanctions from European political figures.

Hundreds of former diplomats, ministers and senior officials have urged the European Union to take immediate action against Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, warning that a controversial new construction project could further undermine prospects for a future Palestinian state.

https://mediafaro.org/article/20260507-west-bank-settlements-prompt-a-call-for-sanctions-from-european-political-figures?mf_channel=mastodon&action=forward

#EU #WestBank #Sanctions #Palestine #Israel

French prosecutors summon Elon Musk over alleged child abuse images on X.

Elon Musk and former chief executive of X Linda Yaccarino have been summoned to Paris, where investigators are looking into allegations of misconduct related to social media platform X.

They were summoned for “voluntary interviews”, while other employees of the platform were scheduled to be heard as witnesses throughout this week.

https://mediafaro.org/article/20260420-french-prosecutors-summon-elon-musk-over-alleged-child-abuse-images-on-x?mf_channel=mastodon&action=forward

#SocialMedia #ElonMusk #France #Tech #Grok #AI #Deepfake #CSAM

Viktor Orbán concedes defeat as the opposition wins the Hungarian election.

Hungary’s opposition Tisza party, led by Péter Magyar, has won the general election, ending leader Viktor Orbán’s 16-year grip on power, in a result that is likely to rattle the White House and reshape the country’s relationship with the EU.

Throughout the campaign Orbán and his right-wing populist government had consistently trailed in the polls.

https://mediafaro.org/article/20260412-viktor-orban-concedes-defeat-as-the-opposition-wins-the-hungarian-election?mf_channel=mastodon&action=forward

#Hungary #Politics #Magyar #Orban #Europe #EU

Russian Memorial human rights NGO is labeled ‘extremist’.

Russia’s Supreme Court has labeled the human rights organisation Memorial as “extremist”.

Experts say this represents a new level of repression in Russia.

https://mediafaro.org/article/20260411-russian-memorial-human-rights-ngo-is-labeled-extremist?mf_channel=mastodon&action=forward

#Russia #Memorial #HumanRights #CivilSociety #EU #NobelPeacePrize #SovietUnion #Gulag #History

Hantavirus ship: the first passengers begin disembarking in Spain.

The hantavirus-stricken cruise ship MV Hondius docked in Spain’s Canary Islands on Sunday, where passengers will be evacuated on repatriation flights.

Disembarkation will take place in groups of 5 people and only when the relevant aircraft, depending on the group’s nationality, is ready to take off from Tenerife South International Airport.

https://mediafaro.org/article/20260510-hantavirus-ship-the-first-passengers-begin-disembarking-in-spain?mf_channel=mastodon&action=forward

#Hantavirus #Tenerife #Spain #MVHondius #Health

Putin says he thinks the Ukraine war is ‘coming to an end’.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday hinted that the Ukraine war could soon end, in response to a question about whether Western help to Ukraine went too far.

Speaking to reporters after marking Russia’s Victory Day parade, as Moscow and Kyiv observe a three-day ceasefire in their four-year conflict, Putin said: “I think that the matter is coming to an end.”

https://mediafaro.org/article/20260509-putin-says-he-thinks-the-ukraine-war-is-coming-to-an-end?mf_channel=mastodon&action=forward

#Putin #WarInUkraine #Russia #Ukraine

Russia and Ukraine accuse each other of breaching the Victory Day ceasefire.

The two sides report responding to hundreds of drone attacks, just hours into a truce to cover celebrations of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany.

https://mediafaro.org/article/20260508-russia-and-ukraine-accuse-each-other-of-breaching-the-victory-day-ceasefire?mf_channel=mastodon&action=forward

#Ukraine #Russia #WarInUkraine #VictoryDay #Ceasefire

The Kremlin offers thoughts and prayers to businesses hurting from constant internet outages.

The Kremlin said Thursday that it is not planning to offer financial support to businesses that have seen their bottom lines negatively impacted by persistent mobile internet outages in Moscow and other cities throughout the country in recent months.

https://mediafaro.org/article/20260507-the-kremlin-offers-thoughts-and-prayers-to-businesses-hurting-from-constant-internet-outages?mf_channel=mastodon&action=forward

#Russia #Business #MobileInternet #WarInUkraine #Moscow

‘Dark patterns’: Investigating online manipulation.

Ireland’s media regulator is investigating Facebook and Instagram on suspicion that manipulative user interfaces — so-called dark patterns — are used, violating Article 27 of the EU Digital Services Act (DSA).

A breach could result in fines of up to 6% of global annual revenue. In Meta’s case, this would amount to up to €20 billion.

https://mediafaro.org/article/20260507-dark-patterns-investigating-online-manipulation?mf_channel=mastodon&action=forward

#DarkPatterns #Meta #SocialMedia #Facebook #Instagram #Tech #DigitalServicesAct #DSA

Keir Starmer’s leadership set to be tested as polls open in UK local elections.

Britons head to the polls in local elections where millions of voters could turn to Nigel Farage’s far-right Reform UK party or the left-wing Green Party.

These elections mark a major first test for Prime Minister Starmer, whose popularity has plummeted following a series of controversies, sparking internal calls to replace him.

https://mediafaro.org/article/20260507-keir-starmers-leadership-set-to-be-tested-as-polls-open-in-uk-local-elections?mf_channel=mastodon&action=forward

#UK #Elections #Politics #KeirStarmer #NigelFarage #UKPol

Hungary’s new government pushes for the euro by 2030.

Hungary’s new leadership wants the country to adopt the euro by the end of the decade while repairing strained ties with Brussels.

But with a weak economy and tight deadlines, experts warn the path will be steep.

https://mediafaro.org/article/20260506-hungarys-new-government-pushes-for-the-euro-by-2030?mf_channel=mastodon&action=forward

#Hungary #Eurozone #Economy #EU

Spain will receive the hantavirus-hit ship in the Canary Islands.

The cruise ship MV Hondius has been moored off the coast of Cape Verde for two days after the hantavirus was detected.

Three passengers have died and several other passengers are suspected to have the virus.

https://mediafaro.org/article/20260505-spain-will-receive-the-hantavirus-hit-ship-in-the-canary-islands?mf_channel=mastodon&action=forward

#MVHondius #Hantavirus #CanaryIslands #Spain #WHO

Romania’s prime minister loses a confidence vote in parliament.

Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan has been voted out of office by lawmakers.

Romania’s coalition was driven apart by unpopular austerity measures, with the Social Democrats leaving and moving to oust the PM.

https://mediafaro.org/article/20260505-romanias-prime-minister-loses-a-confidence-vote-in-parliament?mf_channel=mastodon&action=forward

#Romania #Politics #IlieBolojan

Election Dashboard: National parliament election in Hungary 2026.

Europe Elects’ election dashboard includes:

* Pre-Election Demographic Polling
* Pre-Election Seat Projections
* Live Voter Turnout by the Hour
* Live Voter Turnout by Constituency
* Which 2022 Strongholds Show a Greater Increase in Turnout: Government or Opposition?
* Results

https://mediafaro.org/article/20260404-election-dashboard-national-parliament-election-in-hungary-2026?mf_channel=mastodon&action=forward

#Hungary #Elections #Politics

Ireland clears a refinery blockade amid fuel protests.

Authorities used force to reopen the country’s only refinery, after days of disruption over petrol prices left fuel pumps dry and threatened emergency services operations.

https://mediafaro.org/article/20260412-ireland-clears-a-refinery-blockade-amid-fuel-protests?mf_channel=mastodon&action=forward

#Ireland #Fuel #Protests #Refinery #Oil

The EU reaches tentative deal on simpler AI rules.

European Union member nations and European Parliament lawmakers have reached a provisional deal on watered-down landmark artificial intelligence rules as part of European Commission’s so-called digital omnibus package.

The deal agrees a ban on the use of AI for creating pornographic deepfakes and sexualised imagery.

https://mediafaro.org/article/20260507-the-eu-reaches-tentative-deal-on-simpler-ai-rules?mf_channel=mastodon&action=forward

#EU #AI #Policy #AIAct #Deepfakes #Politics #DigitalOmnibus #Tech

France and the UK will co-host Strait of Hormuz talks on Friday.

French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will co-chair the meeting of countries ready to contribute and discuss a plan to ‘restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz when security conditions allow.’

https://mediafaro.org/article/20260414-france-and-the-uk-will-co-host-strait-of-hormuz-talks-on-friday?mf_channel=mastodon&action=forward

#France #UK #StraitOfHormuz #Iran #Oil