UK News
France launches probe into website that enabled mass rape of Gisèle Pelicot | Gisèle Pelicot
France has launched a probe into the reappearance of a website that enabled Dominique Pelicot to recruit dozens of strangers to rape his heavily sedated wife, Gisèle, prosecutors said on Tuesday.
Authorities say the French-language platform Coco has been linked to crimes, including the sexual abuse of children, rape and murder. The website, which was registered abroad, was shut down in June 2024.
“The Paris public prosecutor’s office has opened an investigation into the website’s reopening,” it told the AFP news agency.
The website, now operating under a new name, was accessible on Tuesday.
France’s commissioner for children, Sarah el Hairy, raised the alarm in mid-April.
“The reopening of the Coco site is a real slap in the face to the promise of protection we’ve made,” she told broadcaster RMC at the time.
“We will track them down, we will hound them, we will give them no respite.”
Prior to the platform’s re-emergence, the investigation into the Coco platform was “well advanced”, according to a source with knowledge of the matter.
Isaac Steidl, the founder and manager of the Coco website, was in January 2025 charged with complicity in drug trafficking, possession and distribution of child pornography, corruption of a minor via the internet, and criminal conspiracy. He denies the charges.
His lawyer Julien Zanatta said Steidl has “nothing to do” with the new website.
The platform has been at the centre of several criminal cases, including the high-profile Pelicot trial.
Dominique Pelicot was sentenced in 2024 to 20 years in prison for aggravated rape, after he recruited dozens of strangers to rape his then-wife Gisèle after drugging her in their home between 2011 and 2020.
He spoke to potential attackers on the website’s chatroom called “A son insu” in English, “Without his/her knowledge”.
Two French women’s rights groups called Tuesday for the authorities to launch a broader probe into other, similar websites and platforms.
The appeal came after a report by US news network CNN in March on so-called “Rape Academy” platforms, where men around the world exchange tips on drugging and raping their partners while filming the scenes.
“Given recent cases such as that of Gisèle Pelicot, it is highly likely that French users are participating [on such sites] and that victims in France are involved,” the Women’s Foundation and the group M’endors pas [Don’t Put Me to Sleep] said in a joint statement.
The latter group was co-founded by Gisèle Pelicot’s daughter, Caroline Darian.
“These are not isolated episodes but organised crimes by fully fledged communities that encourage and structure such violence,” the groups said.
The explosion in Dunmurry on Saturday has heightened security fears for civilians who work for the PSNI, says union representative.
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UK News
Consequences of Iran war ‘may echo for months or years to come,’ EU chief warns – Europe live | European Union
EU needs to reduce its overdependency on imported fossil fuels, and focus on clean energy supply, von der Leyen says
On the Middle East, von der Leyen says that the EU “want the ceasefires in Iran and Lebanon to hold,” with urgent need to “re-establish peace and stability through diplomatic means.”
But she warns that “the consequences of this conflict may echo for months or even years to come.”
“This is the second energy crisis within four years, and the lesson should be very clear. Our overdependency on imported fossil fuels makes us vulnerable. … We must reduce our overdependency on imported fossil fuels and boost our home-grown, affordable, clean energy supply. From renewables to nuclear, in full respect of technology neutrality.”
Key events
‘On my way to Brussels!,’ incoming Hungary’s PM Magyar says ahead of EU meetings
Hungary’s incoming prime minister Péter Magyar has just posted a social media update that he is on his way to Brussels for his talks with the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, and the European Council president, António Costa.
“A huge mandate, a strong mandate, a great responsibility!
We know our task: we will bring home the EU funds that Hungarians are entitled to. More soon.”
Meta found in breach of EU law for failing to keep children off platforms
Jennifer Rankin
in Brussels
The tech company Meta has been found to be in breach of EU law for failing to prevent children under 13 from using its Facebook and Instagram platforms.
Issuing the preliminary findings of a nearly two-year investigation, the European Commission said on Wednesday that Meta did not have effective measures in place to stop under-13s accessing its services.
The US tech company was unable to meet its own terms and conditions that set 13 as the minimum age to access Facebook and Instagram safely, the commission said.
Following an initial assessment, Meta was found in breach of the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), which requires it to “diligently identify and mitigate the risks” of under-13s using its platforms.
The commission said its preliminary findings “do not prejudge the final outcome of the investigation”.
A Meta spokesperson said the company disagreed with the preliminary findings.
“We’re clear that Instagram and Facebook are intended for people aged 13 and older and we have measures in place to detect and remove accounts from anyone under that age. We continue to invest in technologies to find and remove underage users and will have more to share next week about additional measures rolling out soon.”
Timmy the whale en route to North Sea as rescue operation moves from Germany
In somewhat lighter news, we know that many of you have been following the saga of Timmy the whale and the audacious attempt to rescue him from Germany and send him back to the Atlantic Ocean. Our Kate Connolly reported on this in detail.
Timmy is now properly under way towards the Atlantic, travelling at steady 4.5kn (8.5 km/h). The plan is to take him around the northern end of Denmark and then release into the wild again – but it will take a few days to get there.
You can follow his journey aboard a custom-made whale barge – essentially a giant steel aquarium – pulled by Fortuna B ship here.
Russians ‘feel they live behind digital iron curtain,’ EU chief says
In von der Leyen’s speech earlier, there was one other notable passage.
When talking about Russia, she warned that as the Russian economy is increasingly struggling with the impact of sanctions, “the Kremlin responds in an unusual way by restricting the internet and free communication.”
“So much so that Russians feel that they live behind an iron curtain again; this time a digital iron curtain. But, hon members, if history has one lesson, it’s that all walls eventually fall.”
Germany arrests man suspected of espionage for Russia
A Kazakh man was arrested in Germany for alleged espionage for Russia, which allegedly included passing on details on Germany’s military infrastructure and its support for Ukraine to Moscow.
The Federal Prosecutor’s Office said the man, identified only as Sergei K, was particularly interested in the German arms and defence industry, including companies developing drones and robots, and offered hints as to “suitable targets for sabotage in Germany,” offering to recruit accomplices to help him carry them out.
He will appear in court later today.
EU needs to coordinate more on fuel reserves, focus on electrifying Europe, von der Leyen says
Von der Leyen says that “every member state has a different energy mix,” so no blanket EU solution would work.
But she calls for more coordination not just on common procurement, but also on fuel reserves, “especially jet fuel and diesel, where markets are tightening.”
She adds that the EU needs to “protect consumers and businesses,” but targeting “the most vulnerable households and industries only.”
Von der Leyen says that previously too much money was spent on “untargeted” interventions, and this needs to change.
She says the EU needs to “reduce energy demand by modernising systemic energy use,” with grid reforms,
“ Let us use this to make the switch to electricity – not just in transport, but also in industry and heating. This is not only a matter of affordability and competitiveness; this is also a matter of economic security. Thus, speaking of European independence, this is the moment to electrify Europe.”
EU needs to reduce its overdependency on imported fossil fuels, and focus on clean energy supply, von der Leyen says
On the Middle East, von der Leyen says that the EU “want the ceasefires in Iran and Lebanon to hold,” with urgent need to “re-establish peace and stability through diplomatic means.”
But she warns that “the consequences of this conflict may echo for months or even years to come.”
“This is the second energy crisis within four years, and the lesson should be very clear. Our overdependency on imported fossil fuels makes us vulnerable. … We must reduce our overdependency on imported fossil fuels and boost our home-grown, affordable, clean energy supply. From renewables to nuclear, in full respect of technology neutrality.”
‘We will continue our support to Ukraine,’ von der Leyen declares
Commission president von der Leyen is speaking now and begins with an update on the €90bn loan for Ukraine.
She says the EU always insisted it would deliver the loan “one way or the other,” and it’s now done as Hungary has dropped its veto.
The first tranche of €45bn will be paid out “this quarter,” she says.
“Our message is clear: we will continue our support to the brave Ukrainian people and their armed forces.”
She also repeats that “while Russia doubles down on its aggression, Europe doubles down on our support to Ukraine.”
Morning opening: Iran, Hungary and your holidays
Jakub Krupa
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen is set to brief EU lawmakers on the bloc’s view of the Iran war and the likely impact on the European economies.
Her assessment will probably strike a tricky balance as she wants to reassure them that everything is in hand, while making it also clear that things may get tricky further down the line.
Only last week, the commission talked about a number of measures it had at its disposal to soften the blow, and sought to assure Europeans that their holidays are not (yet) at risk.
I will bring you all the key lines from her speech here.
Later today, von der Leyen will welcome Hungary’s incoming prime minister Péter Magyar as he continues his bid to get a political agreement with the EU on accelerated reforms in key areas in exchange for unfreezing billions of euros in EU funds.
Magyar, who will only formally take the job on 9 May, is a man in hurry as the future of some €10bn of EU funds need to be decided before August. It’s going to be a busy summer in Budapest. If you’re a Tisza MP, I wouldn’t book your holidays.
It’s Wednesday, 29 April 2026, it’s Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live.
Good morning.
Eucerin asked 160 people to use the serum for four weeks then say how much younger they thought they looked.
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