English

Gavin Blackburn

Saudi Arabia

Trump says he will lift sanctions to give Syria 'a chance at peace'

Gulf leaders have rallied behind the new government in Damascus and want Trump to follow, believing it is a bulwark against Iran's return to influence in Syria, where it had helped prop up the al-Assad regime during a decade-long civil war.

Myanmar

Funerals held in Myanmar for pupils killed in strike on rural school

Myanmar has been in turmoil since the army's 2021 takeover ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi, which led to nationwide peaceful protests that escalated into a durable armed resistance denying the army control of much of the country.

Thailand

Officials end search at Bangkok skyscraper that collapsed after quake

The high-rise building, meant to be the new office for the State Audit Office, was the only building in Bangkok that collapsed following the 28 March earthquake in Myanmar.

Europe News

Turkey says it is monitoring after PKK announces disbandment

Media close to the government have reported that the PKK's disarmament process is expected to take three to four months, with weapons being collected at designated locations in northern Iraq under official supervision.

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Europe News

French President Emmanuel Macron to make state visit to UK in July

State visits to Britain are particularly prized by some heads of state because they come with a full complement of royal pomp and circumstance.

India

At least 14 people dead after drinking toxic liquor in northern India

Deaths from the consumption of contaminated liquor manufactured locally is rampant in India, mainly in rural areas, as people are eager to buy at cheap prices.

Europe News

Power outage disrupts London subway in afternoon rush hour

The Transport for London website showed that at least three subway lines were suspended due to a power failure and there were severe delays and partial suspensions on at least six other lines during the afternoon rush hour.

Europe News

Bulgarian boss of Russian spy circle gets 10 years in UK prison

Roussev, who worked out of a former guesthouse in the English seaside resort town of Great Yarmouth, had a stash of spy equipment that police described as an "Aladdin's cave" when it was raided.

Europe News

Syria will take back its citizens trying to reach Cyprus by boat

Human traffickers are cutting deals with local employers to bring in Syrians, according to Cyprus' deputy migration minister.

Myanmar

At least 17 killed in junta air strike on Myanmar school, reports say

Sagaing region, near the border with India, has been a stronghold of armed resistance and the military in recent years has stepped up air strikes against the local pro-democracy People's Defence Forces.

Europe News

Swiss president hopes 'Holy Spirit' will guide US-China tariff talks

The Swiss government said its talks with Bessent and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer were “convivial and constructive” and were aimed to lay out the guidelines for a deal on the issue of customs duties to be discussed again in coming weeks.

Europe News

Ceasefire in Ukraine possible within days, German Chancellor Merz says

Ukraine agreed to a 30-day ceasefire proposed by US mediators in Saudi Arabia in March, but so far Russia has refused to sign, instead presenting counter demands.

Europe News

Two men found guilty of criminal damage for felling Sycamore Gap tree

Prosecutors offered no evidence of a motive for the 2023 crime other than calling it senseless vandalism.

World News

US-backed group seeks to take over Gaza aid distribution, reports say

Aid workers have criticised the plans, saying the proposal can't meet the needs of Gaza's large population and would forcibly displace large numbers of Palestinians by forcing them to move nearer aid hubs.

Japan

Nagasaki invites 'all countries' to nuclear bombing memorial

The United States dropped its second atomic bomb on Nagasaki on 9 August 1945, three days after the first bombing of Hiroshima, together killing more than 210,000 people.

Europe News

Who is Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, elected Pope Leo XIV?

Prevost is the first US citizen to hold the position of head of the Roman Catholic Church and in the run-up to the conclave, was not considered a frontrunner to be elected pontiff.

Germany

German intelligence agency suspends AfD's 'extremist' designation

The far-right party filed a lawsuit against the extremism designation and the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution says it will suspend the categorisation pending litigation.

Europe News

Ukraine's parliament unanimously ratifies minerals deal with the US

By giving Washington access to critical minerals and other natural resources, Kyiv hopes it can secure long-term US support for its fight against Russia's invasion.

Europe News

Greece and Egypt reaffirm plans for 1,000-km undersea power cable

The project, estimated to cost around €4 billion, is expected to become operational within five years under an ambitious timeline set by both governments.

Europe News

Merz visits France and Poland in first overseas trip as chancellor

Merz's trips come the day after his historic defeat in the first round of voting in the German parliament, the Bundestag.

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