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Gavin Blackburn

Taiwan

Taiwan claims China is using cash to win over developing nations

Chinese economic pressure has reduced the number of Taiwan's formal diplomatic allies to just 12, mainly small island nations in the South Pacific and Caribbean.

USA

US Defence Department accepts Boeing 747 from Qatar for Trump's use

The plane Qatar has offered Trump is estimated to be worth around $400 million (€352 million) which Trump called a "great gesture."

Europe News

Fifth round of US-Iran nuclear talks to take place in Rome, Oman says

The talks seek to limit Iran's nuclear programme in exchange for the lifting of some of the crushing economic sanctions the US has imposed on the Islamic Republic.

Thailand

Thailand vows to tighten control of cannabis as smuggling cases soar

Thailand became the first country in Asia to decriminalise cannabis in 2022, which has boosted the country's tourism industry and spawned thousands of shops.

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Europe News

Pope Leo XIV calls for aid to reach those in need in Gaza

International pressure is mounting on Israel following a nearly three-month blockade of humanitarian aid into Gaza and a widened offensive it has launched in the Strip.

Europe News

Kallas asks for probe after IDF fires near foreign diplomats in Jenin

The Israeli military said in a statement that while the visit had been approved, the delegation “deviated from the approved route” and Israeli soldiers fired warning shots into the air to distance them from the area.

Romania

Hungarian minority plays key role in Dan's Romanian presidential win

High voter turnout, especially among young people and women, helped Bucharest Mayor Nicușor Dan win Romania's presidential runoff, defeating the hard-right George Simion.

Europe News

EU to provide emergency funds to help keep Radio Free Europe afloat

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s corporate headquarters are in Washington but its journalistic base is in the Czech Republic, which has been leading the EU drive to find funds.

Europe News

UK suspends trade talks with Israel and sanctions West Bank settlers

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced on Tuesday the suspension of free trade negotiations with Israel and new sanctions on West Bank settlements.

Japan

Japanese Yakuza mobsters arrested for operating too close to library

During the Yakuza's heyday in the 1960s, the group operated internationally and boasted more than 184,000 members, according to Japan's National Police Agency.

Germany

German police arrest suspect in Bielefeld stabbing attack

According to witnesses, the perpetrator attacked his victims indiscriminately with what they called a bladed object.

Europe News

French government hid Nestlé's illegal treatment of bottled water

Last year, the Swiss company publicly acknowledged having used treatments on mineral waters and agreed to pay a €2 million fine to avoid legal action.

China

China's new 'drone mothership' expected to launch within days

When it is fully operational, Jiu Tian will release a vast swarm of up to 100 smaller drones that would work together to overwhelm an enemy's air defence systems.

Gaza

First aid trucks enter Gaza after two-month Israeli blockade, UN says

Israel has meanwhile launched a new wave of air and ground operations across the territory and the army ordered the evacuation of Gaza’s second-largest city, Khan Younis, where Israel carried out a massive operation earlier in the war that left much of the area in ruins.

Romania

Romania accuses Russia of interference in Sunday's presidential runoff

The authorities pointed to a fake video that falsely claimed that French troops stationed in Romania had been dressed in Romanian gendarmerie uniforms to interfere in the country's tense election redo.

Israel

Israel recovers archive belonging to spy hanged in Syria in 1965

Eli Cohen, who was born in Egypt, is one of Israeli most famous ever operatives. He is widely credited with helping Israel to prepare for the Six-Day War.

Cambodia

Three killed in lightning strike a Cambodia's Angkor Wat temple site

Authorities have released no information about the strike, but an official on Monday confirmed that the three people killed were all Cambodian nationals.

Europe News

Trump wants to hear how NATO allies plan to boost defence spending

Trump insists NATO members should commit to spending at least 5% of GDP on defence, but that would require investment at an unprecedented scale.

Israel

Netanyahu: Israeli army to continue Gaza operation 'with full force'

Israel has previously promised to intensify its offensive, including taking control of all of Gaza.

Saudi Arabia

Trump says he will lift sanctions to give Syria 'a chance at peace'

Gulf leaders have rallied behind the new government in Damascus and want Trump to follow, believing it is a bulwark against Iran's return to influence in Syria, where it had helped prop up the al-Assad regime during a decade-long civil war.

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