Author: Rudolph Angler

The BAFTA Awards were a night to remember as Conclave and The Brutalist emerged as the big winners. Both films claimed four awards each, making them the top films of the evening. These movies stood out due to their captivating stories, impressive direction, and strong performances. Conclave: A Gripping Vatican Thriller Conclave is a tense thriller set in the Vatican. It explores a secret meeting where powerful church leaders battle for control. Directed by Edward Berger, the film won Best Picture and Outstanding British Film. These wins made it one of the most talked-about films of the night. Ralph Fiennes,…

Hermès defied expectations in 2024, posting strong results despite a slow luxury market. The French luxury brand reported revenue of €15.2 billion, a 15% rise from 2023. Sales climbed across all regions, with Europe leading growth. Demand for Hermès products remained high, proving its strong market position. Profits and Market Value Surge Hermès saw record profits in 2024. The company’s recurring operating income reached €6.2 billion. Net profit for the group rose to €4.6 billion. In the fourth quarter alone, sales jumped to €4 billion, an 18% increase at current and constant exchange rates. Market value surged as well. Hermès’…

US President Donald Trump has suggested that a deal involving Ukraine’s rare earth minerals is essential for continued military assistance from Washington. The proposed agreement, which would grant the US mining rights to these valuable resources, has been described as a strategic move to enhance American support for Kyiv. Rare Earth Agreement Gains Support in Washington Republican Senator Lindsey Graham has called the deal a “game changer” in the US-Ukraine partnership. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, he stressed that securing access to Ukraine’s vast mineral wealth would reinforce American backing for the country. “They’re sitting on top of trillions…

Losing luggage at the airport can be a frustrating experience. Instead of relaxing at their destination, travelers often have to buy emergency clothing and spend hours dealing with lost baggage claims. To solve this problem, Lufthansa Group airlines—including Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, and Eurowings—have introduced Apple AirTag tracking to help locate lost bags faster. How AirTags Help Travelers and Airlines Apple’s AirTag technology has made it easier for passengers to track their checked luggage in real time. The small Bluetooth device connects to Apple’s Find My network, providing location updates even if a bag is misplaced during transit.…

Europe’s main electricity trade group, Eurelectric, is calling on Brussels to update its energy security strategy, which has not changed since 2014. The association warns that new threats, including cyberattacks, geopolitical tensions, and rising gas prices, put Europe’s energy system at risk. Call for Immediate Action Leonhard Birnbaum, the president of Eurelectric, urged EU leaders to act quickly to protect Europe’s electricity supply. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, he stressed that electricity is more important than ever. With the growing shift to renewable energy, cyber threats and attacks on power systems pose serious risks. “Cyberattacks are the biggest danger…

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order enforcing reciprocal tariffs on trade partners and global rivals. The move aims to eliminate trade imbalances by matching the tax rates that other countries impose on American goods. Trump insists the measure promotes fair competition, though experts warn of rising costs and economic risks. Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump declared, “It’s fair to all. No other country can complain.” The order directs U.S. trade officials to assess the tariff policies of foreign nations and apply equivalent taxes on their exports to the United States. Concerns Over Economic Impact and…

Syria will have a new government starting March 1. The country’s interim foreign minister made the announcement during a conference in Paris on Thursday. This marks an important step in Syria’s political change after the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime. Several Western and Arab countries also pledged support for Syria’s reconstruction. The Paris Conference was organized by the French government. It was the third meeting of its kind, following similar talks in Jordan and Saudi Arabia. The main goal of these meetings is to help Syria’s political transition and support its recovery after years of conflict. Nations Unite for Syria’s…

European natural gas prices have surged by 30% in the past month. The sharp rise is due to colder weather, low storage levels, and weak renewable energy output. Experts are now questioning if Europe can rebuild its reserves before the next winter season. Gas Prices Hit Two-Year High Natural gas futures on the Dutch TTF market jumped to €59 per megawatt-hour. This is the highest level seen in two years. The increase comes as colder temperatures drive up demand. With reserves running low, energy costs are expected to stay high. Many European countries have seen faster-than-expected gas consumption. Storage sites,…

A Swedish court has sentenced 52-year-old Lina Ishaq to 12 years in prison for genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. Authorities found her guilty of committing brutal acts against Yazidi women and children while she was a member of the Islamic State (IS) in Syria. Yazidi Women and Children Suffered Under IS Rule Ishaq enslaved three Yazidi women and six children. She forced them to convert to Islam and subjected them to severe abuse. These crimes took place between August 2014 and December 2016 in Raqqa, the former IS capital. The Swedish court’s ruling marks the first time IS…

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has announced a €200 billion investment to strengthen Europe’s position in the global artificial intelligence (AI) race. The announcement came during the Paris AI Summit, which was hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron. Von der Leyen’s statement aimed to reassure that Europe is still in the race to become a leader in AI. “The AI race is far from over. Europe is not late,” she said, as she introduced the funding initiative. The investment is designed to help European companies build advanced AI systems to compete with American companies like ChatGPT and China’s…