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Gavin Blackburn

Europe News

Macron says France will ban social media for under-15s if EU does not

Macron's pledge comes after a 14-year-old pupil fatally stabbed a staff member during a routine bag check at a school in eastern France.

Syria

Syria's economy needs 'substantial' international support, IMF says

Since long-time authoritarian leader Bashar al-Assad was ousted in December countries have started restoring ties with Damascus, with some lifting sanctions in a bid to kickstart the economy.

Myanmar

Myanmar military fighter jet shot down, rebel group claims

Sagaing region is a stronghold of armed resistance to the ruling military junta, which seized power in February 2021 from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi.

Europe News

Two men sentenced to life for links to murder of Maltese journalist

In her career, Daphne Caruana Galizia had written extensively about suspected corruption in political and business circles in Malta, and her murder shocked Europe and triggered angry protests in the Mediterranean island country.

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Tunisia

Convoy sets off for Gaza from Tunisia to protest Israeli blockade

The convoy of buses and cars plans to traverse Tunisia, Libya and Egypt before reaching Rafah, the border crossing with Egypt that has remained largely closed since Israel's military took control of the Gaza side in May 2024.

Culture news

'Day of the Jackal' author Frederick Forsyth dies aged 86

Forsyth wrote more than 25 books including "The Afghan," "The Kill List," and "The Fist of God" that have sold over 75 million copies, his agent Jonathan Lloyd said.

India

Fire breaks out on ship after explosion, Indian coastguard says

The coast guard has not yet given the cause of the explosion and fire on board the vessel managed by Singapore-based Wan Hai Lines.

Europe News

Referendum in Italy to fail as turnout far below threshold, poll shows

The referendum, proposed by trade unions and civic organisations, addresses issues that have generated political debate in Italy in recent years, particularly labour market reform, as well as migrant reception and integration policies.

United Kingdom

Rutte: NATO must boost air defences fourfold to counter Russia threat

Mark Rutte has urged NATO members on Monday to increase air and missile defences by 400%, warning of a possible Russian attack within five years, advocating for higher military spending targets.

World News

Thunberg and others on seized boat will be deported home, Israel says

Israeli forces seized the Gaza-bound Madleen early on Monday morning. Aid found onboard will be distributed to the Strip, authorities said.

USA

Pentagon watchdog probes if staff deleted Hegseth's Signal messages

Hegseth has already has faced questions over the installation of an unsecured internet line in his office that bypassed Pentagon security protocols and revelations that he shared details about US military strikes in multiple Signal chats.

Europe News

Malta jury finds two guilty of supplying bomb killing Caruana Galizia

Daphne Caruana Galizia was murdered on 16 October 2017 by a car bomb that was detonated while she was driving near her home.

Europe News

Most NATO members endorse Trump demand to up defence spending

US President Donald Trump insists that US allies should spend at least 5% so America can focus on security priorities elsewhere, mostly in the Indo-Pacific and on its own borders.

World News

Gaza aid vessel rescues four Libyan migrants in Mediterranean

Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg is among the 12 activists aboard the Madleen which departed Sicily on Sunday on a mission that aims to break the sea blockade on Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid.

Ukraine

At least five killed in Russian air strikes on Pryluky, officials say

The aerial attacks came just hours after US President Donald Trump spoke by phone with Russia’s leader Vladimir Putin, who promised Russia would respond "very strongly" to Ukraine's audacious drone attacks on military airfields on Sunday.

Europe News

Syria to give IAEA inspectors immediate access to former nuclear sites

Since the fall of long-time leader Bashar al-Assad in December, the IAEA has been seeking to restore access to sites associated with Syria's nuclear programme.

USA

Trump announces new travel bans and entry restrictions on 19 countries

The ban is set to go into effect on Monday, barring nationals of a dozen countries from entering the United States, in a resurrection of his controversial first term “Muslim ban” policy.

Europe News

Putin threatens to respond after Ukrainian strikes on airfields

The call with US President Donald Trump comes three days after Ukraine's audacious military operation, "Spiderweb", which saw airfields deep inside Russia targeted by drones.

Iran

Iran's ayatollah criticises US proposal for new nuclear deal

The landmark 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), capped Tehran’s enrichment level at 3.67% and reduced its uranium stockpile to 300 kilograms.

Sudan

At least five killed in attack on aid convoy in Sudan, UN says

Sudan was plunged into a war more than two years ago, when tensions between the army and its rival paramilitary RSF exploded with street battles in the capital of Khartoum that quickly spread across the country.

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