EUROPE

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French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou survived a no-confidence vote in parliament on Wednesday, granting him a reprieve after less than two months in office. However, his future remains uncertain after using a controversial constitutional article on Monday to push through his cost-cutting budget without a vote. Bayrou, a veteran centrist appointed by President Emmanuel Macron to resolve a political crisis, defended the budget as "an urgent step."

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Tesla and BMW, both major electric vehicle manufacturers, have joined Chinese automakers in challenging the European Union's import tariffs on China-made EVs. The carmakers, which also produce EVs in China, have filed their challenges with the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), joining earlier filings by BYD, Geely, and SAIC against the tariffs of up to 35 percent.

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Thousands are evacuating the Greek island of Santorini due to intense seismic activity. Local reports indicate that around 6,000 individuals have departed via ferry since Sunday, and emergency flights are set for Tuesday. Over the past 48 hours, more than 300 earthquakes have been detected near the island, with some experts suggesting the tremors could persist for weeks. Schools have been shut down for the week, and warnings have been issued against large gatherings indoors, though Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is calling for calmness among residents and visitors.

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Axel Rudakubana, the British teenager who murdered three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance in Southport, has been sentenced to a minimum of 52 years in prison. The brutal attack, described by Prime Minister Keir Starmer as "one of the most harrowing moments in Britain's history," also left 10 others injured and triggered days of nationwide rioting.

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Serbian Prime Minister Milos Vucevic has stepped down in response to widespread protests triggered by a fatal railway station collapse in Novi Sad. He cited a desire to de-escalate tensions as his reason for resigning, following the November incident that killed fifteen people. The protests, fueled by demands for accountability and anger over corruption, have seen tens of thousands of citizens taking to the streets.

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Germany's cabinet has authorized its army to shoot down suspicious drones near military sites and critical infrastructure. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said that increased drone activity, particularly following Russia's war in Ukraine, has become a significant challenge for police forces.