English

Gavin Blackburn

Germany

Germany and Syria 'working jointly' on refugee returns, Merz says

On his first trip to Germany since ousting his country's longtime strongman Bashar al-Assad in late 2024, Syria's interim leader pledged to work with Germany to enable more Syrians to return.

Venezuela

US embassy in Venezuela resumes operations after seven-year closure

Since the contested presidential elections in 2019, the US had run diplomatic operations for Venezuela out of neighbouring Colombia.

Europe News

Swedish man charged for forcing wife into sexual services to 120 men

In addition to being charged with aggravated pimping, the 62-year-old suspect was also charged with eight rapes.

Iran

Trump threatens to destroy Iran's Kharg Island if deal not made soon

About 90% of Iran’s crude oil exports leave the country via the small island in the Persian Gulf's north, much of it destined for China and other Asian markets.

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Finland

Kyiv apologises to Helsinki after Ukrainian drones crash in Finland

The apology from Ukraine comes after two drones crashed near the southern Finnish city of Kouvola on Sunday in what the country’s defence ministry said was a "suspected territorial violation".

Iran

Iran to 'facilitate and expedite' aid through the Strait of Hormuz

The announcement came just hours after Iranian state media said two nuclear facilities had come under attack in strikes claimed by Israel.

Europe News

Rubio slams Zelenskyy and says US may divert Ukraine arms to Iran

Zelenskyy had said in an interview that the United States was pressing Ukraine to cede the eastern Donbas region to Russia before finalising any post-war security guarantees.

USA

Pro-Iran group claims hack of FBI director’s personal email account

Handala is a pro-Iranian, pro-Palestinian hacking group that earlier this month claimed credit for disrupting systems at Stryker, a Michigan-based medical technology company.

Djibouti

Nine dead and 45 missing after migrant boat sinks off Djibouti

The boat had left from the Djibouti port town of Obock with more than 300 people on board and was trying to cross the Bab el-Mandeb Strait when it went down on Tuesday.

Iran

Iran says nuclear sites hit after Israel warns attacks 'will escalate'

Israel struck several nuclear sites in Iran on Friday, hitting uranium and heavy water facilities with no reported radiation leak, as both sides trade fresh threats amid reports of Washington-Tehran talks.

Nepal

Balendra Shah takes oath of office as Nepal's youngest prime minister

Balendra Shah will lead a government tasked with navigating deep public frustration with Nepal's established parties, who were widely blamed by voters for corruption and chronic political instability.

USA

England superfan hoping to sell house to fund his World Cup holiday

Fan groups accused FIFA of a "monumental betrayal" in December when tickets were put on general sale ranging from $140 for the cheapest group games to $8,680 for the final.

USA

Trump extends deadline for Iran to open Strait of Hormuz to 6 April

Speaking at a Cabinet meeting earlier on Thursday, Trump denied he was desperate for a deal to end the war, insisting that Tehran was keen to come to the table.

USA

Countries deploying more nuclear weapons, monitors warn

Nearly all of the nine nuclear-armed states have started increasing their arsenals or have announced plans to do so, according to authors of the annual Nuclear Weapons Ban Monitor report.

USA

Judge weighs whether Venezuela can pay Nicolás Maduro's legal costs

US sanctions prevent the Venezuelan government from footing the bill and Maduro and Flores say they do not have sufficient personal funds to cover it themselves.

United Kingdom

UK police say they will reopen Andrew Tate rape probe

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), which brings criminal cases in England and Wales, did not charge the social media figure following the initial police investigation in 2019.

Europe News

Swedish attorneys seek prison for oil executives over Sudan war crimes

Prosecutors said the accused men were complicit because Lundin Oil had entered into agreements with Sudan's government to make the military responsible for security.

World News

Spain approves €5 billion package to curb impact of Iran war

The European Union's fourth-largest economy has in recent years registered growth rates far higher than its peers, notably thanks to domestic consumption, tourism and exports.

USA

Trump says US operations in Iran war 'extremely ahead of schedule'

US envoy Steve Witkoff said there were "strong signs" Iran could be convinced to make a peace deal, confirming that Washington had passed a 15-point plan to Tehran through mediator Pakistan.

Europe News

France bids farewell to reformist former Prime Minister Lionel Jospin

Jospin, who introduced the 35-hour workweek and extended free healthcare when he was head of government from 1997 to 2002, died on Sunday, aged 88.

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