Europe

Greece Bans Caravan Parking in Public Spaces

Greece has approved a law that will dramatically change the handling of motorhomes and caravans in the country, as it broadly bans parking of any type of caravan or trailer…

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Italy Advocates for EU-Wide Ban on Mobile Phones in Schools

In a decisive move aimed at reinforcing traditional educational values, Italian Education Minister Giuseppe Valditara announced plans to propose a European Union-wide ban on mobile phone usage for students up…

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UK may restrict students from countries most likely to claim asylum

The British government may restrict visa applications from students living in countries that are considered most likely to claim asylum in a move designed to bring down annual net migration,…

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All set for Papal conclave

All of the 133 cardinals expected to take part in the secret conclave to elect a new pope have arrived in Rome, the Vatican said , with the race to…

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Romania in chaos as prime minister resigns

Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu said he would resign, throwing the country into further turmoil after a hard-right candidate easily won the first round of the country’s presidential election. An…

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Ukraine drone attack shuts Moscow airports

Russia says Ukraine has launched an overnight drone attack targeting Moscow for the second night in a row. All four of the capital's major airports were closed for several hours…

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Pope Francis’s popemobile set to become health clinic for Gaza children

One of Pope Francis's popemobiles is being transformed into a mobile health clinic for children in the Gaza Strip, fulfilling one of his final wishes, the Vatican's official media outlet…

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Moscow has means to bring Ukraine war to ‘logical conclusion,’ Putin says

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow has the "strength and means" to bring its unprovoked war on Ukraine to a "logical conclusion." His comments in an interview with Russian state…

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Ukraine launches drone attack targeting Moscow, mayor says

Russia's air defence units destroyed four Ukrainian drones flying towards Moscow, the mayor of the Russian capital said early on Monday. According to preliminary reports, there were no injuries or…

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Romanian hard-right leader clear winner in first-round presidential vote

Hard-right eurosceptic George Simion won the first round of Romania's presidential election re-run on Sunday, near final results showed, after a ballot seen as a test of the rise of…

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France considers referendum over country’s budget

France’s Prime Minister François Bayrou said he is considering proposing a national referendum over the country's budget. In an interview with the French weekly Journal du Dimanche published late Saturday,…

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Impact of Far-Right Politics on Romania’s Future

Romanians are voting in a presidential election runoff that could bring to power George Simion, an ultranationalist who opposes military aid to Ukraine, criticises the EU's leadership, and aligns with…

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Farage’s Reform UK Party wins mayoral and parliamentary post in surge of support

Britain's right-wing Reform UK party won a vacant parliamentary seat, a mayoralty and a host of local council posts on Friday in early results from elections leader Nigel Farage said…

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Soviet-era spacecraft expected to plunge uncontrolled to Earth

A Soviet-era spacecraft meant to land on Venus in the 1970s is expected to soon plunge uncontrolled back to Earth. It’s too early to know where the half-ton mass of…

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Harrods latest retailer to be hit by cyber attack

The luxury department store Harrods says it is the latest retailer to have been targeted by a cyber attack. The firm said it had "restricted internet access at our sites"…

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Germany’s Merz to form government after SPD backs coalition deal with conservatives

Germany’s coalition government is set to take power after the Social Democrats (SPD) voted to join forces with the CDU/CSU conservatives, clearing the way for Friedrich Merz to become chancellor…

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Reform UK’s Populist Surge Reshapes British Politics

Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party is rapidly transforming from a fringe movement into a formidable political force, challenging the UK's traditional two-party system. Originally established as the Brexit Party in…

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Post-blackout in Spain and Portugal, companies count the cost

As Spain and Portugal recovered from a major blackout, businesses began assessing the economic toll. Spain’s main business lobby, CEOE, estimated that the power outage would reduce GDP by 0.1%,…

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French justice minister wants to make prisoners pay for their time behind bars

France's Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin announced new plans to make prisoners contribute to their incarceration costs . Speaking to broadcaster TF1, Darmanin said he planned to “amend the law” and…

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Convicted cardinal Becciu skips conclave to elect new pope

An Italian cardinal who was convicted of embezzlement and fraud said on Tuesday he will not take part in the secret conclave to elect the new pope that will be…

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What could be behind the Iberian power outage?

The hunt has begun for the cause of a massive blackout across Spain, Portugal and parts of France that halted trains, bank machines and traffic lights, in one of Europe's…

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Germany says it will step up military role in NATO amid increased uncertainty

NATO can count on Berlin to step up its contribution to the defence of Europe as the Atlantic alliance faces a future more uncertain than 70 years ago when Germany…

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Over 70,000 have visited Pope Francis’s tomb so far

Over 70,000 mourners have already paid homage to Pope Francis by visiting his tomb in the Basilica of St Mary Major, Rome police said. The Argentine pontiff, who died aged…

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UPDATED: Spain, Portugal hunt for cause of power outage as electricity returns

Electricity had been restored to most of Spain and Portugal early on Tuesday after huge nationwide blackouts, although authorities were still trying to find out what caused the sudden outage.…

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Merz Names New Foreign Minister

Johann Wadephul, a veteran conservative and defense policy expert, is set to become Germany’s next foreign minister at a crucial juncture in Europe’s relationship with traditional allies and adversaries. His…

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Putin announces 3-day ceasefire in May to mark 80 years since WW2 victory

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday declared a three-day ceasefire in the war with Ukraine next month to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Soviet Union and…

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Conclave to elect new Pope to start on May 7

The Vatican announced Monday the conclave to elect the next pope will begin on Wednesday, May 7. “The conclave will take place in the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel, which remain[s] closed…

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North Korea confirms troop deployment to Russia

North Korea confirmed for the first time on Monday that it had sent troops to fight for Russia in the war in Ukraine under orders from leader Kim Jong Un…

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Pope Francis’ Funeral: A Tribute to His Leadership and Vision

Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re presided over the solemn and moving celebration. He was joined by some 250 Cardinals, Patriarchs, Archbishops, Bishops, priests, and consecrated religious. US President Donald Trump, Ukraine…

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Valuable Dialogue: Zelenskyy and Trump Meet in Rome

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy engaged in conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday morning in Rome, marking the two leaders' initial interaction following their unfortunate meeting at the White…

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Zelensky and Trump meet inside St Peter’s Basilica

U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskiy, in Rome for the funeral of Pope Francis, met one-on-one in a marble-lined Vatican basilica on Saturday to try to revive…

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The official liturgical booklet for Pope Francis’ funeral Mass

The Vatican has released the official liturgical booklet for Pope Francis' funeral Mass, scheduled for April 26, 2025. The document outlines the full ceremony, including prayers, readings, and rituals, reflecting…

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What will happen at the funeral of Pope Francis

By Joanne M. Pierce, Professor Emerita of Religious Studies, College of the Holy Cross The 88-year-old pontiff had been well aware of his fragile state and advanced age. As early…

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UN warns of rise in vaccine-preventable diseases

The WHO, UNICEF and Gavi vaccine alliance this week warned that there has been a global uptick in outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles, meningitis and yellow fever. The…

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French PM calls for crackdown on knife crime after fatal high school stabbing

The French prime minister, François Bayrou, has called for a crackdown on teenage knife crime after a high-school student stabbed four other children at his school, killing at least one…

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Thunderstorms lash Italy

After Storm Hans battered northern Italy in the runup to Easter, severe weather continued to lash much of the country this week. Since Tuesday, the conditions have triggered potent showers…

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Trump tells Putin to ‘STOP’ after Russian attack kills 12 in Kyiv

Russia pounded Kyiv with missiles and drones, killing at least 12 people, in the biggest attack on the Ukrainian capital this year and drawing a rare rebuke from U.S. President…

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Closing of Pope Francis’s coffin today at 8pm

A ceremony will be held at 20.00 on Friday in Saint Peter's Basilica for the closing of Pope Francis's coffin, the Vatican said.It said Kevin Joseph Farrell, Camerlengo of the…

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Where Pope Francis stood on Abortion, Islam, Capitalism and other key issues

Pope Francis changed the Catholic Church's teaching in areas such as the death penalty and nuclear weapons, upheld it in others such as abortion, and made inroads with Muslims and…

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Betting Markets Favor Cardinals Parolin and Tagle, but History Suggests Caution

As the Catholic Church prepares for the conclave to elect the 267th pope following the passing of Pope Francis, betting markets have identified Cardinal Pietro Parolin of Italy and Cardinal…

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Global Leaders to Convene for Pope Francis’ Funeral Amid Diplomatic Nuances

Preparations are underway for the funeral of Pope Francis, scheduled for Saturday, April 26, at St. Peter’s Basilica. The ceremony is expected to draw a significant international presence, with over…

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Zelenskiy cuts short S.Africa trip after Russian strike on Kyiv

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said he would cut short a trip to South Africa on Thursday and return to Kyiv following a Russian missile attack on the Ukrainian capital. Zelenskiy, who has…

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Scammers exploit Pope Francis’s death

Online scammers are using the death of Pope Francis in attempts to steal data and scam people, according to research by cybersecurity firm Check Point shared with POLITICO. Check Point…

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Trump and Zelensky clash again and US warns it could abandon Ukraine talks

U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky clashed again on Wednesday on efforts to end the three-year-old war in Ukraine, with the U.S. leader chiding Zelensky for refusing to recognize Russia's…

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UPDATED: Pope Francis’ body to be taken to St Peter’s Basilica ahead of funeral

The body of Pope Francis, laid out in an open coffin, was carried in a solemn procession from his residence within the walls of the Vatican City to St. Peter's Basilica…

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UPDATED: Turkey hit by 6.2 earthquake

A strong earthquake with a magnitude of 6.2 shook Istanbul on Wednesday, Turkey's AFAD disaster agency said, one of the strongest quakes to strike the city of 16 million in…

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Everything you need to know about visiting Rome and the Vatican following the death of Pope Francis

Travellers to Rome should expect closures, visitor restrictions and crowds at some of the city’s main attractions. Tourists who have booked to visit Rome in the coming weeks will experience…

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Trump and von der Leyen set to attend Pope Francis’ funeral on Saturday

Pope Francis’ funeral will take place on Saturday morning at 10 a.m. CET, the Vatican said Tuesday in a statement. A slew of world leaders and foreign dignitaries are set…

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Pope Francis’ funeral to be held on Saturday, many world leaders expected

Pope Francis’ funeral will take place Saturday in St. Peter’s Square, Vatican officials announced Tuesday, following his sudden death on Monday at age 88 from a stroke and cardiac arrest.…

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Britain and New Zealand to step up military ties as leaders meet

In a move to strengthen defence and strategic collaboration, the United Kingdom and New Zealand announced deeper military ties during a meeting between British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and New…

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Cardinals prepare to choose next Pope after Francis’s death

With the Vatican announcing Pope Francis’s death on Monday, attention now turns to who will succeed him. The secretive conclave of cardinals under 80, most appointed by Francis himself, will…

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Italy’s demographic crisis worsens as births hit record low

Italy's demographic crisis deepened in 2024 as the number of births hit a new record low, emigration accelerated and the population continued to shrink, national statistics bureau ISTAT said. Italy's…

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Kremlin says U.S. position ruling out NATO membership for Ukraine gives satisfaction

The Kremlin has expressed approval of the U.S. Trump administration’s stance against NATO membership for Ukraine, saying it aligned with Russia’s own position. However, it refrained from commenting on former…

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Norway’s Prime Minister to meet US President Trump on Thursday

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Finance Minister Jens Stoltenberg are scheduled to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on Thursday, according to a statement from the…

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UPDATED: Pope Francis has died

Pope Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, has died, the Vatican said in a video statement on Monday, ending an often turbulent reign marked by…

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UPDATED: Reactions to the death of Pope Francis

Following are reactions to the death of Pope Francis: ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER GIORGIA MELONI: Meloni mourned the departure of "a great man, a great shepherd". "I had the privilege of…

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Vatican Suspends Canonization Ceremony for Millennial Teen Carlo Acutis

The Vatican has announced the suspension of a highly anticipated canonization ceremony for Carlo Acutis, a 15-year-old Italian boy who passed away from leukemia in 2006 and was poised to…

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