Europe

Pope Leo XIV, recovering from lung cancer surgery, called Russian President Vladimir Putin, urging a ceasefire in Oleshky, Ukraine. The Vatican highlighted the dire humanitarian situation, with approximately 2,000 civilians needing safe evacuation and aid. Putin acknowledged the Pope’s humanitarian efforts and expressed gratitude for his involvement.

A Norwegian teenager, Johannes Kongsnes Natland, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for planning an assassination in the UK, lured by a €25,000 contract. Arrested in March 2025, police uncovered firearms in his hotel room, linked to the Foxtrot Network, a Swedish criminal gang.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy extended an invitation for a direct meeting with Vladimir Putin, proposing a “full ceasefire” in an open letter. This marks a rare direct appeal since Russia’s invasion in 2022, aiming to resolve the conflict through personal engagement.

Austrian protesters blocked the Brenner Pass on Saturday to demand action against rising traffic noise and pollution. Authorities closed the vital highway from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm, although traffic disruptions were less severe than anticipated, according to early reports. Local leaders seek urgent infrastructure reform.

Football fans clashed in Budapest ahead of Saturday’s Champions League final, with local police reporting fights involving supporters of Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal. The Budapest Police have launched a criminal investigation for violent disorder and are reviewing CCTV footage to identify further individuals involved in the altercations.

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