Browsing: Main Headlines

The tension between Russia and Ukraine has escalated to a new level as German police have arrested two suspected Russian agents for allegedly planning to bomb military sites and industrial areas in order to disrupt the delivery of aid to Ukraine.

Joe Biden has said he “strongly supports” a new $61bn (£49bn) aid bill for Ukraine, arguing it will “send a message to the world”.The aid package is to be voted on this Saturday. The long-stalled measure is one of four that the House of Representatives will vote on.

Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel, the Australian bishop who was stabbed at a Sydney church on Monday, has said he forgives the attacker. In an audio message, the bishop said he was “recovering quickly” and urged the community to remain calm.

Several Gulf states are being hit by heavy rain, causing deadly flash floods and disrupting flights at the world’s second-busiest airport. Dubai International Airport warned of “very challenging conditions” and advised some passengers not to turn up due to flooding.

Qatar’s prime minister has said the country is reassessing its role as a mediator between Israel and Hamas. Qatar has been trying to secure a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and the release of Israeli hostages.

Swedes can change their legal gender from the age of 16, after the Swedish parliament passed a law lowering the age. The law passed with 234 votes in favour and 94 against in Sweden’s parliament. Sweden was the first country to make gender transition legal – in 1972. But the new law has sparked a debate. For some, lowering the age from 18 to 16 will make an “important difference” but critics say more research is needed.

The EU will expand sanctions on Iranian producers of drones and missiles following Iran’s attack on Israel. More than 300 missiles were launched from Iran, with 99% of them shot down or intercepted by Israel and its allies. Iran launched its attack after an Israeli strike on its consulate building in Syria killed 13 people.

Several Gulf states have been hit by heavy rain, causing flash flooding across the region and flights being diverted from Dubai Airport – the world’s busiest airport. At least 18 people in Oman have been killed by floods, according to authorities. Several states have recorded nearly a year’s worth of rain in one single day.

Adidas has announced it is set to make profits of €700m (£598m) in 2024. The announcement comes after the German sportswear giant’s messy situation with Kanye West and his Yeezy shoes. In February, Adidas announced it would sell its remaining Yeezy trainers from its partnership with West for at least cost price. 

Security forces in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh say they have killed 29 Maoist rebels. The incident has occurred just days before the country heads to the polls. The killing took place in the Kanker area close to Bastar, a stronghold of the rebels.