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Russia
Russia asks Vietnam for planes as seized Western fleet falls apart
Moscow proposed wet-leasing Vietnamese aircraft, crews and maintenance, but any transfer would involve Airbus or Boeing jets, exposing Vietnamese carriers to secondary sanctions. Nearly a fifth of Russia's largest airlines' planes are already grounded, double the normal downtime rate.
Explore
Balloons, baths and poppy-seed cuisine: discover Afyonkarahisar
In partnership with GoTürkiye
In Afyonkarahisar, hot air balloons drift over 3,000-year-old Phrygian rock carvings, mineral-rich thermal springs have drawn visitors since 1200 BC, and poppy seeds define a UNESCO-recognised culinary tradition.
Europe
Spat over Israeli flag removal engulfs the European Parliament
Good morning. It’s Wednesday. On today’s docket: Israel’s Ambassador to France Joshua Zarka responds to mounting controversy over the removal of the Israeli flag at an exhibition in the European Parliament, and the latest on the suspected pneumonic plague outbreak.
European Union
The EU agrees on new Return Order, longer detention and return hubs
EU ministers agreed on new rules allowing sanctions for migrants who refuse to cooperate with return procedures, detention up to 24 months or longer for security risks, and return hubs outside the EU. Watch the video!
Europe Today
WHO says Siberia plague risk is low as drones sink Black Sea ships
The WHO says the risk of a plague epidemic is low after a lab worker died in Siberia. We report on the drone attacks that have sunk ships off Romania and Bulgaria in recent days. And: EU envoys are set to approve the biggest Russia sanctions package since 2022.
Business
UBS only European bank in AI adoption top 10 led by JPMorgan Chase
UBS is now the only European lender among the top 10 banks judged most advanced in adopting artificial intelligence, after HSBC dropped out of the top tier of the Evident AI Index, while JPMorgan Chase widened its lead and North American banks tightened their grip.
Europe
Sánchez announces 21 urgent housing measures after nationwide protests
Sánchez has come under fire domestically after an 87-year-old woman was evicted from her residence in Madrid, sparking national controversy. Pressure have piled on Sanchez’s administration to step down as protesters accused the government of not doing enough to tackle a rampant housing crisis.
Turkey
One student killed, eight wounded in Istanbul school stabbing attack
A 15-year-old student disguised herself in the target school's uniform before attacking pupils at Şeyh Şamil Imam Hatip Secondary School in Başakşehir on Tuesday morning. The suspect, who attends a different school, was apprehended.
Culture news
The end is nigh: 200kg 'Book of the Apocalypse' stolen in France
Police in central France are searching for an art collector's book worth an estimated €1 million that was stolen from an art centre in Issoire in Puy‑de‑Dôme. The "Book of the Apocalypse", a 210‑kilo volume contains works by Salvador Dalí, Jean Cocteau and Bernard Buffet.
Europe
5 things to know ahead of crunch EU-China talks
The next ten days will be critical for EU-China relations. EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič will travel to Beijing later this week for high-level talks aimed at rebalancing the trade relationship and securing “tangible” results ahead of next week’s meeting of EU leaders.
Europe
Brussels eyes agricultural carve-outs from Ukraine's EU membership
The European Commission proposed excluding Ukraine's agricultural products from the EU market and agricultural funding even when Kyiv joins the EU, in a move to smooth the country's accession process and address concerns from several member states.
Russia
Russia denies plague death but quarantines 200 without explanation
Rospotrebnadzor said Darya Shipilova, 28, died of "pneumonia of unknown aetiology" with no links to her work at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Institute, but imposed quarantine on her contacts, confined 60 colleagues inside the facility and restricted access to hospitals including a maternity ward.
Europe
Hundreds arrested in clashes between police and student protesters
Eyewitnesses say police deployed tear gas to quell unrest and disperse crowds in major cities including the capital, Paris, Marseille and Lyon. Officials figures reflected a nationwide participation exceeding a quarter million students in the protests that have rocked Macron's government.
Europe
New EU members face 15-year probation period after joining the bloc
The European Commission is proposing a new procedure to cut funding and voting rights of EU newcomers that breach the rule of law, available for 15 years after accession. The proposal also includes new procedures for the gradual integration of candidate countries and governance measures.