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Gavin Blackburn

World News

UN warns Asian online scam operations are spreading across the world

New online markets, money laundering networks, stolen data products, malware, artificial intelligence and deepfake technologies are laying the ground for the rise of crime as a service, the UN report says.

Pakistan

Pakistan begins second nationwide child polio vaccination drive

Health workers are often attacked by militants who falsely claim that vaccination efforts are part of a Western plot to sterilise Muslim children.

Thailand

Thai-Chinese company denies ignoring safety after skyscraper collapse

The collapse sparked questions about the enforcement of construction safety and the state-run Chinese contractor, China Railway No. 10 Engineering Group, leading to the arrest Saturday of its Chinese executive in Thailand.

Europe

Who are the possible contenders to replace Pope Francis?

Francis did many things differently from his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI. Who could replace him after this year's conclave?

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Europe

Russian attacks on Ukraine during Easter ceasefire killed three

Russia violated the ceasefire more than 2,900 times, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a Telegram statement in the early hours on Monday.

Yemen

At least 12 killed in US strikes on Yemen's capital, Houthis say

The US says it is targeting the Houthis because of the group's attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, a crucial global trade route, and on Israel.

Europe

Iran seeks Russian support ahead of nuclear deal talks with US

The 2015 nuclear deal collapsed with Trump's unilateral withdrawal in 2018, while Iran abandoned all limits on its nuclear activities and enriches uranium to up to 60% purity, near the weapons-grade levels of 90%.

Europe

Rubio: US will drop Ukraine-Russia peace efforts if no progress made

After weeks of efforts by the Trump administration to broker a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine have failed to bring an end to the fighting, Rubio said the US administration wants to decide 'in a matter of days whether or not this is doable in the next few weeks.'

Europe

ICC opens inquiry into Hungary for failing to arrest Netanyahu

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán announced his country would quit the court, claiming on local radio that the ICC was 'no longer an impartial court, not a court of law, but a political court.'

Space

Scientists find 'strongest sign' yet of possible life on other planet

The research, led by scientists at the University of Cambridge, detected evidence of compounds in the exoplanet's atmosphere that on Earth are only produced by living organisms.

Myanmar

Myanmar frees almost 4,900 prisoners, including 22 political detainees

Myanmar has been under military rule since February 2021, when its army ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi's elected government.

Europe

Russia’s top court removes Taliban’s terrorist designation

Russian officials have recently emphasised the need to engage with the Taliban to "help stabilise" Afghanistan.

Europe

Belgian teens charged with wildlife piracy by Kenya court

Kenya has in the past fought against the trafficking of parts of larger species of wild animals such as elephants, rhinos and pangolins but this case represents 'a shift in trafficking trends.'

Singapore

Singapore dissolves parliament, paving the way for 3 May election

The ruling People's Action Party has been criticised for tight government control and a government-knows-best stance, media censorship and the use of oppressive laws against dissidents.

Europe

EU announces €1.6bln financial aid package for Palestinian Authority

More than a third of the money, to be provided over two years, will come as direct budget support to the PA and is aimed at improving financial sustainability, democratic governance and services to help the private sector develop.

Europe

Two bodies found on Greek island after suspected migrant boat sinking

Officials said there were no reports of any missing people, nor any immediate information on the migrants' nationalities or how their boat had sunk.

Europe

Cyprus sentences Syrian man for bringing migrants on overloaded boat

According to the ruling, the Syrian man, himself a migrant, received training on how to operate the boat and was in radio contact with another trafficker who instructed him on the route.

Europe

EU sanctions seven Iranian officials over arrests of its citizens

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot welcomed the sanctions, describing Iran's actions as a "state policy" of hostage taking.

Europe

Erdoğan positions Turkey as point of stability for European security

Erdoğan said European security is ‘unthinkable without Turkey’ after White House warned that the continent must look after its own security.

Europe

Jailed Istanbul mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu appears in court on threat charge

İmamoğlu's arrest and imprisonment have been widely viewed as politically motivated despite Turkey's government insisting the judiciary is independent and free from political influence.

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