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How historic Valletta aims to hit net zero by cutting pollution from cruise ships and cars

By Ben Payton Few European cities can match Valletta for architectural splendour. The capital of Malta was built in the 16th century by the Knights of St John, the Catholic…

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Pedro Sánchez’s ‘letter to the citizens’ of Spain assessed by a political communications expert

Esteban Martinena Guerrer / Shutterstock Carmen Beatriz Fernández, Universidad de Navarra In the era of social media and 24 hour news cycles, people expect instant, up to the minute information.…

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The EU should stop ‘westsplaining’ and listen to its smaller eastern members – they saw the Ukraine war coming

Viktoriia Lapa, Bocconi University It’s rare for the words of Lithuanian government officials to make the top of the news outside the country. Lithuania’s views aren’t even a top priority…

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Abortion rights are featuring in this year’s European election campaign in a way we’ve not seen before

Magdalena Frennhoff Larsén, University of Westminster The recent landmark decision in France to inscribe the right to abortion in the constitution serves to protect the law that first legalised abortion…

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What legal troubles is Donald Trump facing?

Donald Trump faces an array of legal troubles in criminal and civil cases while he seeks to regain the presidency as the Republican candidate challenging Democratic President Joe Biden in…

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Why Spain’s Prime Minister Sanchez is taking a break from public duties

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said he will suspend public duties until next week to decide whether he wants to continue leading the government after a court launched a preliminary…

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Over half of world’s population could be at risk of mosquito-borne diseases

More than half of the world's population could be at risk of catching diseases transmitted by mosquitoes such as malaria and dengue by the end of the century, scientists have…

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Trump hush money trial: What we’ve learned so far

Former President Donald Trump is on trial in New York on criminal charges of falsifying business records to cover up a hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels shortly…

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What is UK’s plan to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda?

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak promised on Monday to start sending asylum seekers to Rwanda within 10 to 12 weeks after parliament passed much-delayed legislation to facilitate the deportation of…

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Why St. George is Europe’s most multicultural patron saint

Today is Saint George's Day. The patron saint has been depicted in countless works of art, and the date of his martyrdom is celebrated in many European countries. Today, countries…

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US aid to Ukraine: What difference will it make in war with Russia?

For the exhausted Ukrainian artillery gunners holding off Russian forces near the eastern town of Kupiansk, the U.S. aid package expected to finally pass this week is a lifeline and,…

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What are Israel’s options to strike back at Iran?

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his immediate war cabinet are considering what action to take following Iran's attack on Saturday. Allies including the United States have urged Israel not…

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What are Israel’s military capabilities?

Israel’s military has long been supported by the United States, with $3.3 billion in annual funding, plus $500 million toward missile defense technology. Israel is one of the best-armed nations…

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Israel’s Iron Dome missile defence system

Israel’s short-range Iron Dome air defence system has had a 96 per cent success rate in intercepting rockets fired from Gaza during the latest round of fighting between Israel and…

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Iran’s missile capabilities

Iran has developed a range of ballistic missiles and drones in a programme that has long worried the West. The missiles are an important part of the arsenal at Tehran's…

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Iran’s Revolutionary Guards: powerful group with wide regional reach

Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards launched a drone attack against targets in Israel on Saturday, Iranian English-language press TV cited Iranian sources as saying. A senior commander in the Corps' Quds…

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How three European human rights cases could shape climate litigation

Does government inaction on climate change violate human rights? That is the question the European Court of Human Rights will for the first time seek to answer in Strasbourg, France,…

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Slavery tribunal? Africa and Caribbean unite on reparations

By Catarina Demony Support is building among Africa and Caribbean nations for the creation of an international tribunal on atrocities dating to the transatlantic trade of enslaved people, with the…

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Could the Palestinians become a full United Nations member?

The Palestinian Authority on Tuesday formally asked for renewed consideration by the United Nations Security Council of its 2011 application to become a full member of the world body. Palestinian…

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Six months into Gaza war, Israel faces deepening isolation

By James Mackenzie and Nidal Al-Mughrabi Six months into the war in Gaza, the killing of a group of aid workers by an Israeli air strike summed up both the…

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Illness, scandal and discord leave UK royal family looking depleted

By Michael Holden LONDON (Reuters) - King Charles is due to make his first public appearance at a royal event since his cancer diagnosis on Sunday, but the likely absence…

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How war has hit the Gaza Strip

Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza has killed thousands, caused a humanitarian catastrophe and raised the chances of a wider conflict across the Middle East. Here are some facts about…

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Somali pirates’ return adds to crisis for global shipping companies

Pirates had been dormant for nearly a decade 2008-2014 attacks cost the global economy billions of dollars Recent pirate raids are increasing costs for shippers Pirates take advantage of security…

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Who is Kate, Britain’s Princess of Wales?

Following are some facts about Kate, the Princess of Wales and wife of Britain's heir to the throne Prince William. She announced in a video message on Friday that she…

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Turbulent 2024 for Britain’s royal family

Kate, Britain's Princess of Wales, said she is undergoing preventative chemotherapy after tests following an abdominal surgery revealed that cancer had been present. Below is a timeline of recent events…

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Why did ISIS-K attack a Moscow theater?

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) - The U.S. has intelligence confirming Islamic State's claim of responsibility for a deadly shooting attack at a concert near Moscow on Friday, a U.S. official told Reuters.…

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After 100 days, Poland’s Tusk faces questions over election promises

By Alan Charlish WARSAW, March 22 (Reuters) - Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk hit his first 100 days in office on Friday with solid public support but facing criticism for…

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What are Putin’s top challenges in new six-year term?

By Mark Trevelyan LONDON, March 18 (Reuters) - Vladimir Putin has won six more years in the Kremlin with a landslide victory in an election where he faced no serious…

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What is Britain’s new extremism definition?

Britain unveiled a new definition of extremism this week to counter a surge in hate crimes, raising some concerns it would inhibit free speech and unfairly target Muslim groups. WHY…

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How news organisations decide whether a photo is ‘too edited’

In the era of artificial intelligence and accessible photo editing, you can’t believe everything you see online. One exception, of course, is (usually) if it’s published by a reputable news…

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New European law aims to protect media outlets against disinformation

Disinformation, AI-generated content and fake news pose a serious threat to our democratic processes. With half of the world’s population taking part in more than 80 national elections in 2024…

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Will Biden’s temporary port plan stop famine in Gaza?

March 8 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden has announced that the military will build a temporary port on Gaza's Mediterranean coast to receive humanitarian aid by sea. It's part…

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Euro is back on the scene for global central banks

Reserve managers plan to add euros short- and long-term -OMFIF Positive rates boosting euro appeal Euro also benefits from de-dollarisation By Dhara Ranasinghe and Alun John LONDON, March 6anks to…

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Donald Trump’s third presidential nomination has never been in doubt. He’s made an art of political survival

Donald Trump’s political obituary has been written many times. His dominant performance in the Super Tuesday Republican primaries marks one more instance of him outlasting those who counted him out.…

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Haiti called for security support. Who answered?

By Sarah Morland (Reuters) - More than a year ago Haiti's government formally requested a multinational force be deployed to help its police restore control of the capital Port-au-Prince, as…

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China’s Parliament to meet as economy clouds linger

By Yew Lun Tian BEIJING, (Reuters) - China's parliament, the National People's Congress (NPC), will kick off its annual session on Tuesday, with all eyes on plans to support growth…

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Who is George Galloway, the left-winger elected again to UK parliament?

LONDON, March 1 (Reuters) - Veteran left-wing political maverick George Galloway was elected as the new lawmaker for the English town of Rochdale on Friday, the latest political comeback for…

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Yulia Navalnaya: Who is Alexei Navalny’s widow and new Russian opposition politician?

By Andrew Osborn Before the shock death of her husband Alexei in a grim Arctic prison last week, Yulia Navalnaya had always played down the idea she would one day…

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Five reasons why Trump’s Republican opponents were never going to beat him

Donald Trump’s inexorable march to the 2024 Republican presidential nomination has sparked plenty of second-guessing. What could his opponents, including former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley and Florida governor Ron…

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Alexei Navalny had a vision of a democratic Russia. That terrified Vladimir Putin to the core

Alexei Navalny was a giant figure in Russian politics. No other individual rivalled the threat he posed to the Putin regime. His death in an Arctic labour camp is a…

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Who was Alexei Navalny ?

Russian authorities have just announced that the country’s most prominent opposition leader Alexei Navalny has died in prison on Friday after collapsing and losing consciousness at the penal colony north…

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Finland’s new president sees no limit to NATO ties, Ukraine support

By Anne Kauranen HELSINKI, (Reuters) - Alexander Stubb declared himself winner of Finland's presidential election on Sunday after a campaign built on promises to make the most of his country's…

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The health of Britain’s King Charles: sporting accidents to cancer diagnosis

Britain's King Charles, 75, has been diagnosed with a form of cancer and will receive out-patient treatment for the condition for an unspecified period. The king has enjoyed good health…

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Why are French farmers protesting?

By Gus Trompiz, Sybille de La Hamaide PARIS, Jan 29 (Reuters) - French farmers blocked major highways to Paris on Monday as they pursue protests over a range of grievances,…

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UN’s top court puts Israel on notice over its war in Gaza. Here’s what its judgement could mean

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague has issued an unprecedented set of preliminary orders in the case brought against Israel by South Africa alleging it is committing…

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Holocaust Memorial Day shouldn’t be about ‘heroes’ and ‘villains’ – unsung, ordinary people made the biggest difference

The theme for the 2024 Holocaust Memorial Day, which takes place on January 27, is the “fragility of freedom”. This year is an especially poignant one, marking 80 years since…

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ICJ ruling: Key takeaways from the court decision in Israel genocide case

THE HAGUE, (Reuters) - The International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordered Israel on Friday to take action to prevent acts of genocide as it wages war against Hamas militants in…

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What is the genocide case against Israel at UN court?

By Stephanie van den Berg THE HAGUE, Jan 26 (Reuters) - U.N. judges at the International Court of Justice will rule on Friday on South Africa's request for emergency measures…

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Iran-Pakistan flare-up rooted in restive borderlands, not Mideast strife

Iran strike sought to shore up internal security, sources say Iran says security of its people 'a red line' 'We have warned everyone' not to attack Iran - Iranian official…

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What is behind Iran-Pakistan attacks and could conflict escalate?

By John Davison Iran launched missile strikes on three different countries this week - Iraq, Syria and Pakistan - while proxy militant groups it backs continue to target U.S. and…

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Why are there concerns about China’s pension system as its population ages?

By Farah Master HONG KONG, Jan 18 (Reuters) - China's ageing population threatens key Beijing policy goals for the coming decade of boosting domestic consumption and reining in ballooning debt,…

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Who are the separatists targeted by Pakistan’s strikes in Iran?

ISLAMABAD, Jan 18 (Reuters) - Pakistan said on Thursday it had carried out airstrikes against separatist militants in Iran, the latest step in a tense standoff after Iran's missile and…

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Red Sea crisis: expert unpacks Houthi attacks and other security threats

Recent attacks on commercial vessels by Houthi militia in the Red Sea have put the vital shipping region in the spotlight. The rebels, based in Yemen, claim to be targeting…

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Yemen’s Houthis and why are they under attack?

By Maha El Dahan (Reuters) - The United States and Britain launched strikes from the air and sea against Houthi military targets in Yemen in response to the movement's attacks…

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How does a Taiwan election work?

(Reuters) - Taiwan holds presidential and parliamentary elections on Saturday, which will be watched closely by neighbour China as it views the island as a Chinese province. Taiwan's government rejects…

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Key facts on Taiwan-China relations ahead of Taiwan elections

(Reuters) - Taiwan goes to the polls on Saturday to elect a new president and parliament. China, which considers Taiwan merely a Chinese province and part of its territory despite…

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Houthi attacks on shipping in Red Sea persist, U.S. and allies strike back

LONDON (Reuters) - The United States and Britain carried out strikes from the air and sea against Houthi military targets in Yemen in response to the movement's attacks on ships…

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