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Gavin Blackburn

Europe

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

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

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.

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Europe

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Gaza

At least 59 people killed in Israeli air strikes across Gaza Strip

The new bloodshed comes days after Israel approved a plan to intensify military operations in the Palestinian enclave, which would include seizing Gaza and holding on to captured territories.

Europe

Two Belgian teens found with ants given fine or prison by Kenya court

The teenagers were found with the ants, which authorities said were destined for European and Asian markets, in an emerging trend of trafficking lesser-known wildlife species.

Europe

At least two killed in Russian missile and drone strikes on Kyiv

The attack came ahead of a planned unilateral 72-hours ceasefire announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin to coincide with celebrations in Moscow marking Victory Day in World War II.

Europe

Syria's Interim leader al-Sharaa visits Paris in first European trip

The visit comes amid renewed bloodshed, coming a week after clashes between forces loyal to al-Sharaa and fighters from the minority Druze community that left nearly 100 people dead.

Yemen

Trump says strikes on Yemen will stop, Oman confirms ceasefire

The Houthi rebels began targeting ships in the Red Sea they believed had links to Israel shortly after the war in Gaza started in October 2023, in strikes they said were in solidarity with the Palestinians.

Health news

UNAIDS to slash workforce by more than half as major funding dries up

UNAIDS had previously warned that unless support to its HIV efforts are restored soon, more than six million people could die in the next four years.

Europe

Cardinals finish talks day before start of conclave to choose new pope

The 133 cardinal electors will begin the process of choosing the new pope when the conclave begins in the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday afternoon and they cast their first vote.

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