- Albanian police use rubber bullets as protests against Prime Minister Rama escalate
- Two seriously injured and 11 others hurt in Highway 99 crash in B.C.
- Vance acknowledges economic improvement will take time and calls for patience
- Fifteen NHS workers dismissed for accessing records of Nottingham stabbing victims
- Two arrested and charged following Waterford arson attack that killed four
- Pope Francis recovers after lung surgery at Gemelli hospital in Rome
- Federal IVF programme aimed at unifying diverse approaches, experts say
- Katie Zacharia dismissed as White House press secretary after five-day tenure
Europe
Pope Francis, 71, is currently recovering in Rome’s Gemelli hospital following a lung operation performed on Tuesday. The procedure is part of ongoing health management, with updates on his condition expected as he continues to recuperate.
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.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned that Ukraine’s intelligence suggests Russia may initiate a significant aerial attack tonight, amid reports of Moscow taking advantage of a severe air defence interceptor missile shortage. This development highlights escalating tensions in the region.
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.
Munich Airport experienced two closures within 24 hours due to suspected drone sightings. The first incident saw operations halted briefly, followed by a second interruption as authorities responded to potential safety risks posed by unidentified flying objects in the airspace.
A French Interior Ministry report asserts that anti-religious acts threaten freedom of conscience and the exercise of religion, jeopardising societal balance. The statement highlights the government’s concern regarding the impact of such acts on social harmony and the principles of coexistence.
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