international news

A 16-year-old gunman forced his way into Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, shooting at locked doors before entering the building, police said. He killed three children, aged five, eight and 11, and a teacher, then was shot dead by a bystander who pursued him into the school. A seven-year-old child and a 54-year-old teacher were hospitalized in critical condition. Officers arrived minutes after the bystander engaged the attacker and confirmed the shooter’s death. Authorities have not released the suspect’s or victims’ identities or a motive. About 450 students attend the school; officials closed Bend schools Friday to allow

Elon Musk suggested the US government may have imposed new speed limits on SpaceX’s Starshield service that disrupted Ukraine’s drone operations. Starlink connectivity was capped at 100 mph on Tuesday night, causing drones exceeding that speed to lose links; Ukrainian officials said the restriction briefly hindered battlefield missions before partial restoration. Musk wrote on X that Starshield is “owned and controlled by the US government” and that limits are set by the US military and POTUS. He added Starlink should be used for civilian or defensive purposes, not offensive strikes. Kyiv officials linked the timing to strained US‑Ukraine ties; the

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia struck six Ukrainian energy sites hours after US President Donald Trump announced an “energy ceasefire” between the two countries. Despite Trump saying the truce was “effective immediately,” strikes damaged power grids and energy and railway infrastructure, causing blackouts in Izyum and prompting electricity rationing in parts of various cities. Zelensky reported 33 people injured and said the attacks showed Russia was unwilling to accept the ceasefire. Russia’s FM Sergei Lavrov dismissed the need for a respite. Kyiv also reported a drone hit a 25-story residential building, killing one and injuring 11. The IMF warns

US President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to an “energy ceasefire,” halting strikes on each other’s energy infrastructure, and urged both sides not to break it. Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he was not informed but welcomed the idea if Russia agreed and spoke with allies while awaiting details from the US. France’s Emmanuel Macron and EU chief Ursula von der Leyen expressed support for a genuine energy ceasefire. Russia had not immediately confirmed the claim. The announcement follows tensions over strikes on energy targets and a recent US move to temporarily ease sanctions

A Russian glide-bomb strike on two civilian buses in Kramatorsk killed at least 30 people and wounded 18, officials said, with a further three killed in the village of Bilenke. Local prosecutors released images of charred wreckage and victims; Donetsk authorities accused Russia of deliberately targeting passenger transport. President Volodymyr Zelensky vowed a response and urged allies to provide “concrete action” and more defence support. The attack comes amid a surge in Russian strikes across Ukraine, including a separate strike that destroyed an apartment block in Pryluky, killing 22 people, among them five children. Ukrainian cities face worsening civilian casualties,

A nationwide wave of school protests in France has escalated into violent clashes and a political crisis. Students, teachers and unions are demonstrating over teacher shortages, overcrowded and dilapidated schools, and long school days. Police tactics — batons, teargas, stun/riot grenades and rubber rounds — have led to hundreds of injuries, dozens of damaged or burned schools and more than 6,500 arrests (mostly minors). A 15‑year‑old protester in Lens lost a hand, prompting the interior minister to temporarily suspend police use of stun grenades at lycée demonstrations while investigations proceed; 18 internal police probes into alleged brutality are under way.

Students, teachers, parents and trade unions have held another day of protests across France over conditions in education. Around 30 demonstrations were planned yesterday, with organisers demanding more staff and funding. The Interior Ministry counted about 86,000 demonstrators in morning marches. Lessons were fully or partly suspended in nearly 900 of France’s 3,700 secondary schools. Protesters are also criticising overcrowded classes, teacher shortages, poor school buildings and the Parcoursup university admissions system. Authorities say hundreds of pupils, teachers and police officers have been injured since the protests began. Russia has denied reports of a possible plague outbreak after a laboratory

Hundreds of French schools close amid student protests, while floods hit Catalonia, Germany pledges more aid to Ukraine, fighting escalates in Ethiopia and a US execution survivor remains critically ill.

Ukraine’s 2026 funding gap is closed as Russian strikes hit its power grid, while France plans budget restraint, Greece pushes for tougher asylum rules and Elon Musk returns to a US government role.

School protests spread across France, a Flydubai pilot is investigated after an in-flight stabbing, US troops leave Iraq, Macron backs Spain over Ceuta, and the FTC investigates AI developers.

Spain proposes stronger tenant protections, Estonia accuses Russia of ordering an arson attack, Morocco appoints its first female prime minister, and Serbia’s ruling party faces scrutiny within the EPP.

Thousands protest rising housing costs in Spain, the US rejects an Iranian proposal, three migrants die in the English Channel, and Russian attacks kill at least seven people in Ukraine.

Swiss voters reject stricter neutrality rules, mass shootings kill 27 people in South Africa, a suicide bombing hits Pakistan, and Venezuela releases political prisoners.

The EU says it will condemn Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine at the upcoming G20 summit in Miami regardless of whether President Vladimir Putin attends. EU officials stressed the G20 remains a key forum to address global challenges created by the war, noting recent deadly escalation in attacks on Ukrainian civilians. The US has formally invited Putin—whose last in-person G20 was 2019—but Europeans worry the invitation risks normalising Russian leadership; some EU figures have called the move wrong. Kyiv says a trilateral meeting with Trump and Putin could be considered if Moscow agrees, while G20 membership also includes states maintaining

Ethiopia’s government and Tigray’s ruling TPLF accuse each other of launching offensives, raising fears of a return to full-scale war after the 2020–22 conflict. Federal officials say TPLF fighters seized federally run airports in Tigray and attacked Afar and Amhara; Tigrayan authorities claim they entered a defensive war after reported drone strikes. Recent strikes reportedly killed civilians in Alamata, and Ethiopian Airlines has suspended flights to Tigray. The TPLF has formed an alliance with six other rebel groups aiming to remove the Addis Ababa government, while both sides face criticism for failing to implement the AU-brokered Pretoria peace deal and

EU ambassadors are negotiating a compromise to renew Russia sanctions for 36 months by delisting billionaires Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman, aiming to avoid the regime’s expiration at midnight Tuesday. The Irish presidency has advanced the proposal amid fierce opposition from Ukraine and several member states that warn delisting individuals during an active war sets a dangerous precedent. Reports link the move to a secret French deal involving pardons for two jailed French nationals in Azerbaijan. Diplomats say agreement is close as negotiators weigh the political cost of removing names against preserving the wider sanctions package. More than 3,000 Yemenis

Russia votes in parliamentary elections, Ukraine launches a major drone attack on Moscow, Dutch police break up a violent far-right protest, and Trump bars several US media outlets from the White House.

Sweden’s centre-left opposition narrowly won the election, forcing Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson to resign and beginning difficult coalition talks. The US faces accusations from UN experts of possible war crimes after missile strikes in Iran killed at least 177 civilians, while Iranian authorities were also accused of serious human rights abuses. In South Africa, the discovery of a ninth woman’s body has increased fears over a possible series of killings, prompting a major police investigation. Ireland and the Netherlands announced they will boycott Eurovision 2027 over the Gaza conflict and civilian deaths, adding to growing political controversy surrounding the contest.

Hashim Thaçi, Kosovo’s former president and ex-KLA commander, was sentenced to 25 years by the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague for war crimes, including dozens of murders, torture and illegal detentions during the 1998–99 conflict. Three other senior KLA figures received prison terms. Judges found Thaçi “actively participated in and encouraged crimes,” while noting the verdict did not question the KLA’s aim of independence. The convictions, opposed by many in Kosovo, follow a lengthy, contentious trial; Thaçi may appeal and also faces a separate trial on witness-intimidation charges. Protests and political ire erupted in Pristina after the ruling. European

NATO jets shot down a drone that entered Lithuanian airspace from Belarus, marking the first such interception over the country. Poland also conducted preventive air operations after Russian drone attacks near its border.   The US Supreme Court blocked new postal-voting rules from taking effect before the November midterms, citing insufficient time for implementation. The court has not ruled on whether the rules are lawful.   The Supreme Spanish Court rejected an amnesty for former Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont in an embezzlement case linked to the 2017 independence referendum, leaving his arrest warrant in place.

France and Slovakia temporarily blocked the renewal of EU sanctions against Russia over demands to remove oligarch Alisher Usmanov from the blacklist, highlighting divisions within the EU. Meanwhile, nine EU countries requested more time to fully implement the Entry-Exit System, which uses fingerprints and facial recognition for non-EU travellers.

In Iran, authorities have seized assets and frozen bank accounts belonging to hundreds of dissidents, journalists and public figures amid a wider crackdown following protests. Finally, Israel’s culture minister called for the citizenship of Oscar-winning filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor to be revoked over their documentary NAZA, which alleges that Israeli forces used AI-assisted targeting that contributed to civilian deaths in Gaza.

Sweden’s centre-left leads a tight election, Turkey detains LGBTQIA+ activists, Russia strikes a train near Poland, and a ferry capsizes in Indonesia.

US President Donald Trump pledged at the Republican convention that every adult American would receive a $5,000 “dividend” if Republicans win both chambers of Congress in November. He provided no details on funding or distribution; the plan would cost roughly $1.3 trillion at current adult population estimates. Vice‑President JD Vance suggested tariff revenue could cover payments. Critics called the promise implausible and potentially unlawful, noting federal spending requires congressional approval and laws bar vote-influencing payments. Supporters framed it as tax relief. The White House has not clarified mechanics; legal experts differ on whether the pledge could be treated as a

Mertz accuses AfD of ethnic cleansing, alarming PISA results, and actor John Malkovich withdraws from Tel-Aviv performance.

Countries impose new trade measures on Israeli settlements, protests follow the AfD’s election surge in Germany, Argentina targets Falklands oil firms and valuable Renoir paintings are stolen in France.

Thousands attended Ratko Mladić’s funeral in Belgrade after the convicted Bosnian Serb general—sentenced to life in 2017 for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity—died in prison at 84. His coffin, flown on a government plane and draped in Serbian flags, was received with military pomp, banners praising him, and large public gatherings, provoking international alarm. The European Commission’s enlargement commissioner canceled a visit and warned that glorifying a war criminal undermines Serbia’s EU path, which requires confronting the past and respecting victims. Mladić masterminded the siege of Sarajevo and the 1995 Srebrenica massacre that killed at least 8,000 Bosniak

Germany’s AfD scores a landslide victory but falls short of a majority, US peace envoys hold talks in Kyiv, Hungary could see its Article 7 procedure lifted, and Germany strengthens protection against sabotage.

Russia’s renewed strikes on Black Sea ports and vessels have choked Ukraine’s vital grain exports, raising fears of a global food crisis, rising prices in importing countries, economic strain on Ukrainian farmers and industry, and a potential migration surge toward Europe. Before the escalation Ukraine shipped about 6 million tonnes monthly via Odesa, Chornomorsk and Pivdenny; sea exports are now down as traders avoid the routes and alternative “solidarity lanes” face capacity, tariff and drought limits. EU ministers urged a ceasefire and discussed advancing loan support to cover a growing €23bn shortfall, while debates continue over using frozen Russian assets.

Hundreds have been killed in Gaza despite the ceasefire, Uber drivers launch a major AI lawsuit, and Ukraine warns over Russian airspace.

Eleven EU countries — Austria, Denmark, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Romania, Spain and Sweden — urged an end to “obstructive” unanimity vetoes that have hampered EU foreign policy. In a letter to High Representative Kaja Kallas they call for measures to prioritise sincere cooperation and enable common action, including wider use of constructive abstentions, stopping the linking of unrelated disputes, and exploring treaty options to shift some foreign-policy decisions from unanimity to qualified majority voting. Signatories argue reform would let the EU respond faster amid growing global instability, while opponents warn it could weaken democratic legitimacy and

The US and Iran exchanged strikes after US forces attacked two rocket launchers on Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s IRGC reported two dead and two injured and vowed retaliation; US Central Command said it took “limited, precise action” after seeing Iran prepare rockets and sea mines. Iran later said it struck US bases in Jordan with ballistic missiles; Jordan reported intercepting eight missiles. Iran also claimed a drone strike on a UAE air base, which the UAE denied while confirming it shot down a drone. The Strait—vital for global oil and gas—has been effectively closed since the

Nepal warns of further flooding as thousands remain missing, Iceland rejects renewed EU talks, a ferry disaster hits Northern Cyprus, and Iran retaliates against new US strikes.

A catastrophic flash flood triggered by a glacier collapse on the Nepal–Tibet border has killed at least 360 people and left nearly 1,400—mostly tourists—missing, officials say. Whole villages, roads and bridges were swept away as a wall of water and debris thundered down mountain valleys, hampering rescue efforts. Dozens of nationalities, including many from India, the US, UK, Australia and Canada, are unaccounted for. Helicopters and international teams are searching devastated areas; hundreds have been rescued and injured flown to Kathmandu. Nepal and Chinese authorities, backed by UN and foreign aid, are scaling up relief operations as survivors describe terrifying

Flash floods triggered by a glacier‑related ice‑rock avalanche have struck the Nepal–Tibet border, killing at least 95 people and leaving hundreds missing, officials say. A torrent of mud, water and debris swept away homes, roads, bridges and hydroelectric plants. Communications and power are disrupted across affected districts. Nepalese authorities report 384 tourists unaccounted for — many believed to be pilgrims headed for Mount Kailash — along with dozens of security personnel. Rescue teams, including army and police, are battling blocked rivers and unstable terrain; helicopters cannot yet land in some areas. China urged all‑out search efforts and improved early warning

Canada has announced retaliatory tariffs on a range of U.S. imports, matching Washington’s recent levies after talks collapsed. Ottawa said the measures — aimed at industries from steel and appliances to dairy and electronics — will take effect in early September and will be paired with a multibillion-dollar aid package for affected workers and businesses. The move follows U.S. decisions to impose steep duties on Canadian goods in August and threats of further increases on vehicles. Officials framed the dispute as a response to unfair treatment and urged support for domestic industries. The tit-for-tat escalation has strained the Canada–U.S. trade

New data shows global sea-surface temperatures outside polar regions reached 21.1°C — the highest on record — driven by long-term human-caused warming and a growing El Niño. Scientists warn the timing is unusual (peaking in August rather than spring) and concerning because El Niño is still intensifying, likely pushing temperatures higher into 2027. Consequences include stronger storms, higher sea levels, more frequent marine heatwaves (already severe around the UK/Europe), and major risks to marine ecosystems like coral reefs. Experts call the record a clear sign of mounting ocean stress from climate change. Houthis claimed a ballistic missile struck a Saudi-flagged

Germany has recorded a record 14,000 heat-related deaths this summer, the Robert Koch Institute says — nearly 9,600 of them during one brutal week in late June when temperatures topped 40°C. The elderly were hardest hit, with most fatalities occurring in people over 75 and often linked to pre-existing conditions exacerbated by extreme heat. Officials warn the true toll may be higher due to conservative statistical methods. Heat and drought have also fuelled wildfires, damaged crops and lowered river levels. Lawmakers are urging stronger climate adaptation measures, including upgrades to hospitals and care homes, changes to building rules, and financial

Israel’s military has confirmed for the first time that its troops fired on the car carrying five-year-old Hind Rajab, who was killed with six relatives in Gaza in 2024, and has opened a criminal investigation. The IDF said its review found troops fired at a vehicle travelling contrary to an earlier notice; it will investigate Hind’s death, the killing of two paramedics whose ambulance was later shelled, and the deaths of 15 Palestinians in a separate March 2025 incident. The announcement follows international condemnation, a UN commission citing alleged war crimes, and calls from rights groups for independent probes. The

The European Commission says returns from Ceuta to Morocco are covered by EU law and supports swift repatriation of people who remain after late‑July’s mass crossings. Spokesperson Markus Lammert urged Spanish and Moroccan authorities to maintain control and speed up returns under the EU return directive and forthcoming return regulation, including provisions for unaccompanied minors. Spain estimates about 5,000 people still in Ceuta, nearly 1,900 minors. Madrid vowed none will be moved to mainland Spain and Morocco declared it will cooperate. The Commission also aims to deter smuggling and counter disinformation, closing several accounts linked to trafficking networks, and stands

UN rights chief warns Yemen could slide back into full-scale war if recent Houthi strikes continue. Volker Türk urged all parties to de-escalate, noting civilians already bear the cost of years of conflict, displacement and humanitarian crisis. Türk warned attacks on civilian infrastructure—fuel stores, hospitals and residential compounds—risk worsening food insecurity for some 18 million Yemenis. US President Donald Trump has threatened to bomb ally Oman if it “gets in the way” of US talks with Iran, Fox News reported. The remark came during a phone interview in which Trump also claimed a backchannel with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard — a

Ukraine launches one of its largest drone attacks of the war, NATO jets shoot down a drone over Romania, and deadly disasters strike Hungary and Indonesia.

UNESCO is calling for Afghan girls and women to regain full access to education, five years after the Taliban returned to power. Afghanistan remains the only country banning girls and women from education beyond primary school. UNESCO estimates 2.4 million girls are excluded from secondary education this year. The organisation warns the restrictions deepen poverty and increase risks including early marriage and says its alternative education programmes have reached almost 70,000 learners, 73 percent of them women. UNESCO supports Afghan media to produce educational broadcasts and community-based literacy and skills classes, held in local learning spaces. However, the organisation stresses

Rescuers search for thousands after a deadly earthquake in Colombia, the UN reports widespread abuse of Ukrainian detainees, and Bashar al-Assad is sentenced to death in absentia.

Israel rejects a US-backed Gaza ceasefire plan, while deadly strikes continue in Ukraine, Typhoon Dolphin hits China, and wildfires spread across several countries.

A severe heatwave is pushing temperatures above 40 degrees across Europe, while a German court sentences the Munich car-ramming attacker to life and student protests continue in India.

Russian missile and drone attacks killed at least 21 people as the EU released €1.4 billion from profits generated by frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine.

EU ministers back emergency aid for Spain, while France, Cuba and Guatemala face major crises.

EU ministers discuss a coordinated response after the deadly Ceuta border crossing, while Ukraine expands strikes on Russian infrastructure. Japan begins earthquake recovery, and Capital One faces a legal dispute over Trump-linked accounts.

Spain reinforces controls after a deadly surge of crossings into Ceuta, a firefighting helicopter collision kills two crew members in Greece, and a bombing at a Moscow restaurant leaves three dead.

Spain deploys troops after thousands enter Ceuta, a Russian missile destroys a US-owned drone factory, the EU advances its AI infrastructure plans and European football threatens a FIFA boycott.

Two firefighters died battling a wildfire on Crete as southern Europe faced another wave of extreme heat and fast‑moving blazes. France and Spain grappled with massive fires (Gironde, Ávila/near Madrid and Guadalajara among hardest hit), forcing large evacuations, injuring crews and burning record‑breaking areas. Authorities warned the coming days were critical before temperatures rise again, EU assets and dozens of international teams were deployed, and experts said climate change and dried vegetation are making fires larger, more frequent and harder to control. US and Saudi forces struck Iran‑aligned militia sites across Iraq, killing at least 20 members of the Popular

A deadly earthquake hits southern Japan, wildfires force mass evacuations across Europe, the yen nears a 40-year low, and Europe falls behind on hepatitis targets.

France and Spain battle major wildfires, Indian activists challenge police surveillance, the US and Iran pause strikes, and a pirated copy of The Odyssey spreads rapidly online.

The Berlin Pride attack suspect has died during a police operation, while wildfires force mass evacuations in France and Spain and tensions involving Ukraine, Iran and the United States continue.

Brussels fined Google €890 million under the EU’s Digital Markets Act for self‑preferencing in search and restricting app‑developers. The sanction splits into €460m for allegedly downgrading rivals while favouring Google Shopping/Hotels/Flights, and €430m for preventing developers from telling users about cheaper offers or alternative payment options. Google must comply within 60 days or face periodic penalties up to 5% of worldwide turnover. The Commission says some of Google’s recent tests show progress. Google argues changes would harm users and has not confirmed an appeal. Oil topped $100 a barrel for the first time since May as renewed strikes tied to

The EU said it will accept fresh US tariffs over alleged forced‑labour imports so long as they stay within the 15% cap set by the July 2025 Turnberry agreement, even while calling the measures “unjustified.” Washington’s current tariff regime lapses this week and a new set of duties under a Section 301 probe is expected soon; the Commission said its priority is preserving the Turnberry ceiling to protect predictability for EU businesses. France recorded over 5,700 excess deaths during the late‑June heatwave, the health agency said, with the elderly hardest hit, as much of southern Europe endures another bout of

Protests erupt in Bologna after Abderrahim Fakir dies during police restraint, while US tariffs escalate tensions with Canada, Israeli strikes kill civilians in Gaza, and nearly 150 migrants are feared dead or missing off Mauritania.

New British Prime Minister Andy Burnham pledged to end rough sleeping in England, announcing an extra £340m over three years to fund 1,200 new homes and support 3,000 people. He also declared authorities would work with local government to get people off the streets “at the earliest opportunity”. The move echoes his Greater Manchester homelessness schemes, won cautious praise from campaigners and scepticism from critics who note rising street homelessness during his mayoralty and warn the new funding reassigns parts of the housing budget. A Russian cruise‑missile strike on the Guinea‑Bissau‑flagged merchant ship Golden Leo off Odesa killed ten people,

Wildfires force evacuations in Spain, Iran retaliates after renewed US strikes, and Andrew Tate and his brother are arrested in Miami following a British extradition request over alleged sexual offences.

Former Autostrade executives and officials received prison sentences over the 2018 Genoa Morandi bridge collapse that killed 43. Giovanni Castellucci, ex‑CEO of Autostrade per l’Italia, was jailed for 12 years; Michele Donferri Mitelli received 11 years. Several other managers and engineers were also convicted, with sentences including five‑and‑a‑half years for some defendants. Victims’ relatives reacted with relief, while defence lawyers argued design flaws were to blame. Protests erupted in several Ukrainian cities after President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed popular defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov, with crowds in Kyiv and elsewhere chanting support for Fedorov and denouncing the decision. The move followed a

French MPs approved assisted dying for some terminally ill adults, Spain and Gibraltar ended land-border checks, and Iran threatened wider energy-route closures amid renewed US strikes and rising oil prices.

US forces struck targets in Bushehr and other Iranian locations as Tehran retaliated by hitting ships in the Strait of Hormuz, killing and injuring crew, amid a sharp escalation after Washington reimposed a blockade and President Trump said the US was “taking control” of the waterway. Iran’s parliament tabled a bill asserting permanent control over Hormuz whilst Gulf states reported intercepted attacks. Oil prices rose, and mediators including China urged de‑escalation as both sides traded accusations and widened military action. A fire at the Oxy tower construction site in central Brussels on Tuesday killed several people whose bodies were found

A blaze at a bar on the outskirts of Bangkok killed at least 27 people and injured 63, officials said, after flames erupted around 23:00 on Sunday and spread rapidly; survivors and witnesses reported people trapped by smoke and blocked exits, emergency crews evacuated more than 200 and forensic teams began searching the devastated venue, authorities have identified 10 victims so far, launched an investigation into safety and licensing records and detained persons for questioning, and Prime Minister Anutin vowed no leniency if violations were found. A vast wildfire in the Fontainebleau forest southeast of Paris burned some 800 hectares,

Twelve people die in Spanish wildfires, Belgium plans a digital motorway vignette, and Iran launches missile and drone attacks across the Gulf following renewed US strikes.

The US and Iran exchanged their most intense strikes since signing a June memorandum of understanding, with US strikes killing at least 17 people in Iran and Tehran launching missiles and drone attacks on US bases and regional targets. Iran reported strikes near the Bushehr nuclear plant and deaths in Khuzestan and Iranshahr. The US said it hit about 90 Iranian targets to degrade threats to navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, and President Donald Trump declared the truce “over,” prompting fears the ceasefire and negotiations for a permanent truce could collapse as mediators sought urgent de‑escalation. An 11‑year‑old girl

US President Donald Trump warned US forces would strike Iran “hard”, saying Washington’s ceasefire was over after overnight US strikes on Iranian targets and Iranian attacks on US bases and shipping. He threatened further strikes on civilian infrastructure and even seizing Kharg Island. Trump also accused Tehran of violating the framework deal and urged negotiators to return to talks only if Iran complied. US Central Command said earlier strikes hit more than 80 Iranian targets including air defences, radars and IRGC small boats in the Strait of Hormuz. NATO leadership backed the US response as necessary whilst Iran vowed retaliation.

A Paris appeals court upheld Marine Le Pen’s fraud conviction in the European Parliament fake‑jobs case but handed a sentence structured so she could still stand in 2027. The court imposed a 45‑month ban from public office with 30 months suspended and a one‑year house arrest term under electronic monitoring, part of a three‑year detention with two years suspended. Nigel Farage said he would resign as MP for Clacton and contest the resulting by‑election as a “people versus the establishment” test. He argued the constituency should judge his conduct while facing scrutiny over an undeclared £5 million gift from Christopher

Ukraine says it has hit Russia’s largest oil refinery in a drone strike more than 2,500 kilometres from the border, damaging critical equipment, including the main refining unit. The Omsk Oil Refinery produces petrol, diesel, aviation kerosene and other petroleum products. Ukraine’s General Staff said a fire broke out after the attack. Gazprom Neft, which owns the refinery, has not yet commented. The strike is part of Ukraine’s campaign against Russia’s fuel production sector. The European Commission wants EU member states to open a new accession cluster with Serbia. The move would advance Serbia’s EU membership bid. The Commission says

Around 20,000 people protested against the AfD in Erfurt, while major demonstrations in Albania turned violent and police investigated a shooting in New York.

Kyiv suffered a major overnight barrage that officials described as the “most massive” attack on the capital, leaving at least 20 people dead and about 90 injured after more than 11 hours of strikes. Waves of weapons hit residential areas, an ambulance station and a Ukrainian Red Cross warehouse. Thousands sheltered in metro stations, air defences intercepted many projectiles but 25 missiles and 12 drones struck 33 locations, and Ukrainian leaders urged allies for more air‑defence support while condemning the strikes as attacks on civilians. Clashes broke out in Tirana as protesters opposed to a Trump‑linked luxury resort tried to

Airlines and airports urged the European Commission to allow temporary suspension of the new EU biometric border‑check system during the peak summer period, saying queues of up to five hours had left some flights half‑empty and passengers stranded. Industry groups wrote to  EC President Ursula von der Leyen asking that checks be suspended when passenger volumes exceeded border‑control capacity, citing recent roll‑out problems and warning that continued delays would damage tourism, connectivity and the EU’s reputation, while also seeking flexibility to extend suspensions beyond September until staffing and kiosk reliability improved. Financial disclosures showed US President Donald Trump’s family crypto

The US Supreme Court upheld birthright citizenship, ruling that nearly all children born in the United States to parents unlawfully or temporarily present were citizens at birth under the Fourteenth Amendment. Chief Justice John Roberts wrote the majority opinion, joined by Sotomayor, Kagan, Jackson and Barrett, while Kavanaugh concurred in part and Thomas, Alito and Gorsuch dissented. The decision rejected the Trump administration’s contention that “subject to the jurisdiction” excluded children of non‑permanent visitors and left in place longstanding precedent and the 2023 legal framework that had been challenged. The ruling ended the administration’s final hope of overturning the policy

The European Commission stays neutral on air conditioning, Germany investigates a deadly shooting at a youth welfare centre, and UN reports civilian deaths after Pakistani strikes in Afghanistan.

Europe reports more than 1,300 heatwave deaths, tens of thousands missing after Venezuela’s earthquake, renewed US-Iran attacks, and Serbia’s president says he will step down after months of protests.

Venezuela declared a state of emergency after two powerful earthquakes struck yesterday: a 7.2 foreshock followed 39 seconds later by a 7.5 mainshock — the strongest to hit the country since 1900 — leaving at least 164 people dead, hundreds injured and widespread building collapses around Caracas and La Guaira. The international airport was closed after sustaining severe damage, the metro and trains were halted, thousands were evacuated amid dozens of aftershocks whilst authorities warned casualties could rise. Countries, including the US, Spain and France offered search‑and‑rescue and humanitarian support. The US Supreme Court ruled 6–3 that the Trump administration

France’s health ministry says a doctor who returned from humanitarian work in the Democratic Republic of Congo has tested positive for Ebola (Bundibugyo strain) — the first confirmed case outside the affected region in the current outbreak. The patient is in stable condition, was isolated and moved to a specialised facility on return. Authorities are tracing and advising possible contacts to isolate. The Bundibugyo outbreak in Congo and Uganda has sickened over 1,100 people and killed nearly 280 amid difficult containment conditions. London’s Metropolitan Police commissioner Mark Rowley announced plans to scale up use of drones and live facial recognition,

Lithuania Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė has resigned with her cabinet after ten months in office, saying the government has done its work. She will remain in place until a new cabinet forms, and she is expected to return as social affairs minister; Social Democrat Mindaugas Sinkevičius has been nominated to lead the next government. Ruginienė’s brief tenure was marked by political crises and scandals, including data leaks and ministerial dismissals, and the reshuffle follows a coalition realignment. A UN commission of inquiry has concluded Israel has deliberately targeted Palestinian children in Gaza, alleging genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes,

A heatwave is sweeping across much of western Europe on the summer solstice, with high temperatures expected to persist into the following week. In France, authorities have banned alcohol consumption at the Fête de la Musique in Paris, where temperatures may reach 35°C. Local officials in Paris exceptionally allow swimming in Canal Saint-Martin and extended park opening hours to provide cooling options for residents and tourists. Over 30 French departments are under a red heat warning. Alerts are also in place across regions in Spain, Switzerland, Germany, and the UK. Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon have resulted in 16 deaths

France imposes heat measures as temperatures rise, Israel strikes Lebanon despite a ceasefire, and Zelenskyy warns Belarus over equipment allegedly guiding Russian drone attacks on Ukraine from the border region.

The US-Iran deal pressures Netanyahu, a Russian anti-Putin artist is killed in Poland, and Iran’s football team says it was forced back to Mexico after a California match without rest.

Iran suspends attacks on Israel after a US-backed peace framework, Albania promises EU-compliant checks on a Kushner-linked resort, and Russian strikes kill civilians and damage Kyiv cathedral.

Trump says a US-Iran deal is ready, Russian attacks hit Sumy as Ukraine strikes inside Russia, and European politicians warn after Anthropic restricts foreign access to two AI models.

A drone strike targeting a funeral procession in El Obeid, Sudan, has resulted in the deaths of at least four individuals and injuries to several others, according to rights groups Sudan Doctors Network and Emergency Lawyers, who attribute the attack to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). This assault is part of a series of drone strikes that have claimed at least 23 lives since yesterday, amid ongoing violence in Sudan’s three-year civil war. The conflict, which erupted after a power struggle between the army and RSF, has led to a humanitarian crisis affecting over 11 million people and causing

Tensions in the Middle East escalated as U.S. President Donald Trump announced renewed attacks on Iran following a series of strikes and missile exchanges between the two nations. Trump accused Iranian negotiators of stalling peace talks, stating that Iran “will have to pay the price” for their delays. This warning came after the U.S. launched airstrikes in response to Iranian missile attacks targeting Jordan, Bahrain, and Kuwait, with claims of significant damage to military facilities. Meanwhile, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced it had targeted multiple sites in retaliation, intensifying hostilities. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has confirmed the use

Iran’s military has announced a “suspension” of its missile attacks on Israel following a series of strikes that left the situation increasingly volatile in the region. The move comes after Israeli airstrikes targeted military sites in Iran in response to missile fire from Tehran. Tensions escalated after Israel’s offensive in southern Lebanon and missile attacks attributed to Hezbollah. The Iranian Revolutionary Guards have warned that any further Israeli aggression will lead to significant retaliatory action. Amidst these developments, U.S. President Donald Trump advised against further retaliation from Israel, reflecting ongoing diplomatic efforts to stabilize the situation. The conflict underscores the

Israel conducted airstrikes in Iran early on Monday, targeting military sites in response to missile fire from Tehran, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict that had seen a ceasefire since April. The strikes followed earlier Israeli attacks on southern Beirut, prompting Iran’s Revolutionary Guards to label Israel’s actions as crossing “all red lines.” During the missile exchange, Israel reported intercepting 11 incoming missiles without casualties. Tensions continue to rise as the situation in Lebanon remains fraught with conflict, particularly with Israeli forces targeting Hezbollah, an Iran-backed group. US President Donald Trump reportedly advised Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu against

Hezbollah has rejected a renewed ceasefire agreement with Israel, declaring the terms as unacceptable and humiliating for Lebanon. The announcement follows Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon and a complex backdrop of ongoing military exchanges between Hezbollah and Israeli forces. The recent ceasefire, brokered by the U.S., aimed to create “pilot” security zones in Lebanon from which Hezbollah would withdraw forces, but leaders in Hezbollah view this as a form of surrender rather than genuine peace. The conflict has led to significant loss of life, with over 3,500 casualties reported in Lebanon since the hostilities escalated earlier this year. Iranian officials

A recent Iranian missile strike on Kuwait’s international airport has resulted in at least one death and numerous injuries, escalating tensions amid a complex web of conflicts involving Israel, Hezbollah, and the U.S. The attack follows a partial ceasefire agreement initiated by U.S. President Donald Trump, which aimed to stabilize the situation amid rising hostilities. In response, Israeli forces have conducted strikes across southern Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah positions. The situation remains volatile, with Iranian officials blaming U.S. and Israeli actions for violations of the ceasefire and threatening the stability of ongoing negotiations. Amidst these developments, U.S. officials are seeking to

A recent Russian missile and drone attack in Ukraine has resulted in the deaths of at least 22 people, including an eight-year-old boy, with many others injured across multiple cities. The assault, described as one of Moscow’s largest in recent months, primarily targeted civilian infrastructure in Dnipro and Kyiv. Witnesses reported scenes of chaos, with significant destruction and terrifying conditions prompting mass evacuations. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky indicated that the bombardments are part of a continued campaign against the country, demanding enhanced support from the United States for missile defenses. Israel has escalated its military operations in southern Lebanon, targeting

Iran has suspended indirect negotiations with the United States regarding a ceasefire and broader agreements, following escalating tensions related to Israeli actions in Lebanon. The decision, announced by the IRGC-affiliated news agency Tasnim, comes amid accusations of continued Israeli “crimes” in Lebanon, leading Iran to assert that any breach of ceasefire on one front invalidates the truce overall. As part of this escalation, Iran has proposed a complete closure of the Strait of Hormuz, along with demands for a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon. The situation has deteriorated further amid rapidly changing political dynamics, including stricter terms introduced

Violence followed PSG’s Champions League win, Israeli forces advanced deeper into Lebanon, and the United States launched strikes on Iranian military sites amid fragile peace efforts.

The US and Iran may extend their ceasefire, several EU countries oppose carbon market reforms, and France will reimburse weight-loss drugs.

World Health Organization (WHO) Director‑General has warned the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is outpacing responders as deaths have reached at least 220 and suspected cases top 900, and he has said health teams are “playing catch‑up.” Aid groups reported shortages of protective equipment and testing supplies, while attacks on treatment centres and local distrust have hampered efforts. Uganda has confirmed local infections linked to the outbreak, the Bundibugyo strain lacks an approved vaccine, and the WHO will travel to the DRC to scale up the response. Spain has unveiled a Social Climate Plan allocating nearly €9

European officials have condemned Israel’s treatment of Gaza flotilla activists after Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir posted video of detainees kneeling bound, prompting Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to demand releases and an apology and French Foreign Minister Jean‑Noël Barrot to summon Israel’s ambassador. Spain’s Foreign Minister José Manuel Albaredes called the actions monstrous, Irish Foreign Minister Helen McEntee said she was appalled, and Portugal also protested. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticised Ben Gvir and ordered deportations while authorities hold dozens from the Global Sumud Flotilla. https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2026/05/20/italys-pm-meloni-call-israels-treatment-of-gaza-flotilla-activists-unacceptable Israeli air strikes have killed at least 21 people in southern Lebanon,

Israeli forces intercepted a Gaza-bound aid flotilla in international waters west of Cyprus. Activists said commandos boarded several boats carrying aid for Gaza and pro-Palestinian campaigners. Israel said the operation aimed to stop attempts to breach the Gaza blockade. Nearly 93 million people in the European Union were at risk of poverty or social exclusion last year, according to the European Statistics Agency Eurostat. Bulgaria, Greece and Romania recorded the highest national rates, while Czechia, Poland and Slovenia had the lowest. Recent Eurostat data placed Luxembourg close to the European Union average, with 1 in 5 residents at risk of

The WHO declared an Ebola emergency, a drone strike hit a UAE nuclear plant and Ukraine launched a major drone attack on Russia.