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Culture news

The gilded dead: Germany's eerie catacomb saints revealed

Known as Vincenzius, Valerius, Benedictus, and Felix Benedictus, these catacomb saints were brought to the Bavarian town of Bad Staffelstein from Rome during the late 17th and 18th centuries. The remains are believed to be those of early Christian martyrs.

Lebanon

Seven killed in southern Lebanon amid Israeli airstrikes and ceasefire tensions

State media reported that several villages were hit as neighbourhoods near the border are being levelled. The IDF maintains that 50 airstrikes conducted over 24 hours specifically targeted Hezbollah infrastructure.

Sport

Infantino insists Iran will play at US-cohosted World Cup despite war

The FIFA chief has confirmed that Iran will play in the World Cup despite the ongoing war, saying sport should build bridges and remain outside politics.

Earth News

Oldest gorilla in captivity celebrates 69th birthday

Arriving in Berlin in 1959, the western lowland gorilla has far outlived the typical 35-40 year wild lifespan through specialised care.

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Travel News

China resumes flights to North Korea after a six-year pause

Air China resumed direct flights to North Korea on Monday after a six-year pause. Following the return of rail services, the move signals a major step in reopening the isolated nation after strict pandemic-era border closures.

Germany

Merz says Israel's West Bank settlement plan a 'big mistake'

Berlin has called for a unified European response to the "E1 project," which some officials warn poses an "existential threat" to the future of the two-state solution. Israel disputes this and maintains that the status of settlements is a matter of negotiations.

USA

NYPD detain two over 'IS-inspired' attack attempt

The two were taken into custody for throwing homemade shrapnel-filled explosives towards officers near Gracie Mansion on Monday. The devices failed to ignite. Police also searched two homes in Pennsylvania linked to the incident.

Qatar

QatarEnergy declares force majeure as attacks halt gas production

As Doha intercepts further attacks from Tehran, authorities have also arrested 10 individuals suspected of being sleeper cells linked to Iran's Revolutionary Guard.

Iran

Iranian regime 'are toast,' US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth says

Explosions sounded in Tehran on Wednesday with the war now in its fifth day as Iran continues to cause anger in Gulf states with repeated strikes targeting US military assets.

World News

A new Ayatollah to be chosen within days, Iran's Foreign Minister says

Retaliatory Iranian strikes killed three US service members and injured several in Israel, as thousands in Yazd mourned, following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Cuba

Cuba postponed its annual cigar fair due to fuel shortages

Habanos S.A. cited a need to maintain quality standards. No new date has been set for the event's 26th edition.

Venezuela

Hunger strike of relatives for the quick release of Venezuelan disside

Ten people began a hunger strike in Venezuela to demand the release of the remaining 33 political prisoners at Zona 7, while 17 were freed on Saturday. Relatives continue to protest for an amnesty law.

Ukraine

Massive Russian drone and missile attacks kill five Ukranians

In Munich, leaders are discussing a "June deadline" for peace ahead of trilateral talks in Geneva on Tuesday.

Norway

Kallas denies rift between NATO and EU

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas warned that creating a separate EU army alongside NATO would be “extremely dangerous”, arguing it would blur chains of command in a crisis.

Turkey

Intercity bus crash in Turkey kills nine, injuring seven

The driver died after the speeding bus failed to take a bend and rolled down an embankment; a separate crash in Burdur killed seven more.

Switzerland

Death toll from New Year's eve fire in Switzerland rises to 41

The blaze, likely from sparklers igniting foam, killed 41 and injured 116, mostly teenagers.

World News

Danes and Italians protest against US Greenland threat and ICE

Danish veterans held a silent protest at the US Embassy in Copenhagen after Trump belittled allied sacrifices and talked of controlling Greenland. While parallel protests in Milan opposed ICE’s role at the upcoming Winter Olympics.

China

Starmer meets Xi in Beijing to strengthen UK-China relations

The first UK prime minister to visit in eight years, Starmer has sought business deals and a "strategic partnership" to reset ties strained by decades of tensions.

Ukraine

Zelenskyy seeks more air defence amid harsh winter and Russian attacks

The Ukrainian president said that Russia launched over 1,700 drones, 1,380 bombs, and 69 missiles over the past week, leaving hundreds of buildings in the capital without heating.

Venezuela

Venezuela frees several high-profile opposition figures and activists

Venezuela released a "significant number" of high-profile opposition figures, activists and journalists in a gesture to seek peace, just days after the capture of Nicolás Maduro.

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