Athletes from Belarus should once again compete with their full national identity and not be vetted for neutral status, the International Olympic Committee has said. Though the advice to sports governing bodies does not yet apply also to Russia, it seemed to point towards being closer to ending Russia’s isolation in Olympic circles during its … Read moreInternational Olympic Committee recommends ending Belarus restrictions
Nearly 130 people were arrested around Paris overnight as fans clashed with police following Paris Saint-Germain reaching the Champions League final, Interior Minister Laurent Nunez has said. He told Europe 1 radio on Thursday that the total number of arrests was 127 in the Paris metropolitan area, including 107 in Paris, after titleholder PSG eliminated … Read morePSG’s Champions League win marred by night of violence and riots in Paris
Millions of people across the United Kingdom are heading to the polls in what is shaping up to be the most significant electoral test for Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s embattled government since it rose to power in a landslide victory in 2024. Voters in England, Scotland and Wales are casting their ballots in local elections … Read moreUK voters head to the polls in local elections
Following weeks of tension between the Vatican and the White House, the US State Department said talks on Thursday between Pope Leo XIV and Secretary of State Marco Rubio “underscored the strong relationship” between the two sides. A Vatican statement said they “renewed the shared commitment” for good bilateral relations between the US and the … Read moreUS says Pope-Rubio talks underscore ‘strong relationship’ with Vatican
A French aircraft carrier is heading south of the Suez Canal and into the Red Sea in preparation for a possible mission aimed at restoring “confidence among shipowners” operating in the Strait of Hormuz, the strategically critical waterway that has been effectively blocked amid the US-Israel war on Iran. The French Ministry of Armed Forces … Read moreFrench warship moves towards Red Sea as Paris eyes Hormuz mission
President Donald Trump has renewed his attacks on German Chancellor Friedrich Merz as the rift between the United States and one of its closest European allies widens over Berlin’s criticism of the war on Iran. The US president suggested on Thursday that Merz should focus on German and European affairs rather than comment on the … Read moreTrump slams Germany’s Merz again as rift over Iran war widens
On March 11, the Thai cargo ship Mayuree Naree was struck by two projectiles while crossing the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important waterways located between Iran and Oman. A fire broke out in the engine room, and while 20 sailors were rescued, three remained trapped inside the stricken vessel. Their remains … Read moreTracking the shadow fleet: How Iran evaded the US naval blockade in Hormuz
European leaders are seeking to clarify a rarely used mutual defence clause in the European Union treaty as questions grow over Washington’s long-term commitment to NATO during a deepening rift with the United States. NATO, founded in 1949, is a military alliance of North American and European countries built on the principle that an attack … Read moreEurope’s little-known mutual defence clause: Is it a NATO substitute?
Getty Images Means failed to win enough support in the Senate to be confirmed President Donald Trump has pulled his controversial pick to be US surgeon general, Casey Means, after she failed to win over enough votes from the Senate to be confirmed to the role. On Thursday, Trump posted on his social media network, … Read moreTrump pulls surgeon general pick after nomination stalls
Jordan Pettitt – WPA Pool/Getty Images The US state visit takes place at a time of “very unusual” political tensions “It’s high risk, high stakes and high opportunity.” That’s how a royal source describes next week’s state visit by King Charles III and Queen Camilla to the United States. There is genuine jeopardy in this … Read moreKing’s ‘high stakes’ visit with Trump will be toughest test yet of his reign