Two individuals died in a house fire on Cragside Avenue, North Shields, shortly after 3.30am on Wednesday. Emergency services, including Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue, responded swiftly, but despite efforts, a man in his 40s and a woman in her 70s could not be saved. Police are investigating the incident.

During the inaugural ceremony of Ireland’s EU Council presidency, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated Ukraine has fulfilled all requirements to advance its EU accession negotiations. Despite this, Hungary’s Prime Minister raised concerns, casting doubt on rapid progress, while relations with Poland have strained over historical issues linked to Ukraine’s military unit naming.

The US State Department has classified Ecuador’s Chone Killers gang as a foreign “terrorist organisation,” imposing sanctions due to their alleged attacks on civilians and officials. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated the gang’s designation aligns with efforts to combat organised crime in Latin America.

The National Committee for the Administration of Gaza reported productive talks in Cyprus aimed at alleviating humanitarian suffering and planning reconstruction efforts following the conflict. The committee expressed commitment to a US-backed plan and stressed the need for transparency in managing international aid, though no specific timeline was provided.