A Moroccan court sentenced 29 individuals, including politicians and sports figures, to prison terms of up to 12 years for their roles in an extensive drug trafficking and corruption scheme. The trial, linked to notorious trafficker El Hadj Ahmed Ben Brahim, revealed a network transporting Moroccan cannabis resin and cocaine across North Africa and Europe.

The residence designated for the prime minister has been classified as uninhabitable for several years. Currently, Prime Minister Mark Carney is living at Rideau Cottage, as the government seeks solutions for the notorious condition of the official residence.

Leon Black, co-founder of Apollo Global Management, is set to testify before the House Oversight Committee regarding his financial dealings with Jeffrey Epstein. Senator Ron Wyden has questioned Black’s payments exceeding $170 million for services purportedly related to tax advice and estate planning, amid ongoing scrutiny over Epstein’s criminal activities.

A 14-year-old boy has been charged with the murder of 14-year-old Lilly in Blaina, Wales, after her body was discovered in Duffryn Park. The suspect, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been remanded in custody and is set to appear in Newport Magistrates’ Court on Friday.

Rescue missions continue in Venezuela following two powerful earthquakes, with nearly 50,000 people missing and at least 235 confirmed dead.

The European Commission proposed excluding military-age Ukrainian men from its temporary protection scheme, extending the initiative until March 2028. This recommendation aims to strengthen Ukraine’s armed forces, reflecting integration challenges and Kyiv’s needs amid ongoing martial law prohibiting most men aged 23 and older from leaving Ukraine.

EU BRIEFING

This morning, European leaders focus on energy security and migration policies amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Issues of unity and collaboration remain paramount across the European Union.

EUROPEAN UPDATE

This morning, European Union leaders address energy security and economic stability in response to recent geopolitical tensions.
Key discussions centre on collaborative strategies moving forward.

Stefanski presented his closing arguments to the jury after assuming his own defence during the trial. This development marks a significant turn in the proceedings, as he opted to represent himself amid ongoing legal discussions.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards targeted a Singapore-flagged vessel in the Strait of Hormuz with a drone strike, damaging the ship’s bridge. The United Nations’ International Maritime Organization has paused a planned evacuation of vessels in the Persian Gulf, citing safety concerns following the incident. No casualties were reported.