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- Kananaskis recovers from floods but some trails remain closed
- Hegseth expresses frustration over grooming standard non-compliance by troops
- Ukraine targets 49 ships from Russia’s shadow fleet in recent attacks
- Belgium to introduce road tax for foreign drivers starting May 2027
- Graham Platner withdraws from Maine Senate race amid ongoing allegations
- US Agrees to Continue Talks with Iran as Trump Claims Ceasefire Is Over
- Dozens of schoolchildren and teachers rescued two months after abduction in Nigeria
- Gordie Howe bridge expected to open by late July following delay
Europe
Belgium’s three regions have announced the introduction of a road tax starting 1 May 2027, affecting both domestic and foreign drivers. The tax requires vehicle registration, with annual fees ranging from €90 for zero-emission cars to €125 for higher polluting vehicles.
The French government has activated the “Orsec extreme heat plan” for nine departments due to a persistent heatwave, with red alerts extended to 24 areas, including Ile-de-France. This unprecedented measure is aimed at protecting vulnerable populations amid increasing wildfires, which have already burned twice as much land as last year.
Andy Burnham, a veteran politician, has garnered support from 322 Labour MPs in his bid to succeed Keir Starmer as Labour leader. With nominations closing on 16 July, Burnham stands poised to become the sole candidate, potentially taking office on 20 July following a special conference.
Ukraine is launching arms exports to global markets, as announced by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This initiative, aimed at countries supporting Ukraine, includes “Drone Deals” for the supply of drones, ammunition, and expertise. The effort seeks to leverage Ukraine’s surplus production capacity while ensuring domestic military needs remain a priority.
US President Donald Trump asserts he facilitated the rescue of eight Iranian female protesters from execution. Meanwhile, social media users question the authenticity of the accompanying image, alleging it may be AI-generated. The situation raises significant concerns about the fate of the women depicted.
Italy has extradited Xu Zewei, a Chinese hacker, to the United States, where he is accused of spying for the Chinese government during the COVID-19 pandemic. Arrested at Milan’s Malpensa airport, Xu allegedly targeted US government entities and institutions involved in vaccine research from 2020 to 2021.
The committee of 18 independent experts is tasked with monitoring the implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. It conducts regular reviews of state parties to ensure compliance with the covenant, focusing on key areas of human rights and civil liberties.
Kyiv has issued a warning to Israel regarding a potential diplomatic crisis if a vessel carrying grain allegedly stolen from Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories is allowed to dock and unload. This development highlights escalating tensions over grain trade amid ongoing conflict.
Germany registered 2,656 conscientious objector applications in early 2026, exceeding two-thirds of 2025’s total. This increase follows new military service legislation requiring young men born in 2008 or later to register for potential conscription amid discussions on bolstering the Bundeswehr’s personnel numbers.
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