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- Iran seizes two foreign vessels in strategic Strait of Hormuz incident
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Europe
Thousands of students marched in Prague on Wednesday in protest against the Czech government’s plan to overhaul public media funding, which would eliminate access fees and make state funding the sole source. Critics warn this could jeopardise media independence and lead to significant budget cuts and layoffs.
A second French soldier, Corporal Anicet Girardin, has died from wounds sustained during a Hezbollah ambush on UN peacekeepers in Lebanon, President Emmanuel Macron confirmed. This follows the death of Staff Sergeant Florian Montorio in the same attack, marking a significant escalation for French forces in the region.
Moldovan oligarch Vladimir Plahotniuc has been sentenced to 19 years in prison for his involvement in the disappearance of $1 billion from the country’s banking system in 2014. The court also ordered the seizure of approximately $60 million from his accounts. Plahotniuc denies the charges and plans to appeal.
Croatia’s Adriatic coast leads summer 2026 hotel bookings in Europe, with 34 million nights reserved from June to September 2025. Its blend of natural beauty, cultural vitality, and attractions like Split and Dubrovnik draws tourists, edging out traditional favourites like Spain and France in popularity.
Hundreds of motorcyclists participated in the 19th annual Compasso Pascal Motard in Sintra, Portugal, on Easter Sunday. Led by Father Avelino Alves, the procession travelled from Pêro Pinheiro to Sintra’s National Palace, celebrating the resurrection and fostering a sense of community among bikers.
Dozens of migrants have been rescued from an abandoned Mediterranean oil rig, marking the second such incident this week. This situation underscores the persistent dangers associated with the perilous North Africa crossing, raising further awareness of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region.
The Flora 1 has departed the Russian oil port of Primorsk, en route to Santos, Brazil, flying the Sierra Leone flag, as reported by ship tracking site MarineTraffic. The vessel’s movement highlights ongoing international shipping activity linked to Russian oil exports.
Austria has declined US requests for military overflights since the start of the Iran war, affirming its position of neutrality, as stated by Defence Ministry spokesperson Colonel Michael Bauer. This follows similar refusals from Switzerland and an expanded ban on US military flights in Spain.
The multinational coalition aims for “the collective mobilisation of our full range of diplomatic and economic tools” to ensure a “safe and sustained opening” of the Strait of Hormuz, as stated by the British foreign secretary.
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