Author: staff

Russian forces sent instructions via Telegram to two teenagers from Lviv in western Ukraine, telling them to hide a bomb in a flower pot next to the entrance of a Ukrainian soldier’s home.  The two boys, aged 15 and 14, installed a smartphone with a camera enabled with remote access so handlers could detonate the bomb whenever they wanted. If their mission were successful, their contact would pay them, according to a statement from Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU).  The SBU said the boys were caught “red-handed” as they planted the bomb and face up to 12 years in prison.  Danielle…

Published on 08/10/2025 – 13:40 GMT+2 A new report by low-cost airline Ryanair gives travellers an insight into how they can avoid paying markup flight prices. The budget carrier released its online travel agency (OTA) survey this week, calling out firms such as eDreams, Tix, and Vola for inflating costs by up to 176 per cent for products such as reserving a seat or adding extra baggage. Ryanair is demanding EU governments act quickly to protect “unsuspecting” tourists from being overcharged. How much do OTAs overcharge? A sample of Ryanair’s survey found eDreams to be the “worst offender”, selling a…

Jenrick, the shadow justice secretary widely tipped as a future Tory leader after losing to incumbent Kemi Badenoch last year, said in a recording leaked to The Guardian, “I went to Handsworth in Birmingham the other day to do a video on litter and it was absolutely appalling. It’s as close as I’ve come to a slum in this country.”  He added: “It was one of the worst integrated places I’ve ever been to. In fact, in the hour and a half I was filming news there I didn’t see another white face.”  Speaking in March, the shadow justice secretary…

Russia is waging a “deliberate and targeted grey zone campaign” against Europe that requires a profound rethink of defence policy, Ursula von der Leyen has warned as she urged governments to leave their “comfort zone” and close ranks against Moscow. “Something new and dangerous is happening in our skies,” the European Commission president said on Wednesday morning, addressing lawmakers in Strasbourg. Von der Leyen cited the recent string of incursions into European airspace, including in Poland, Romania, Estonia, Denmark and, most recently, Belgium and Germany. Some of these incidents have been attributed to Russia, while others remain unexplained. But they…

Updated: 08/10/2025 – 12:00 GMT+2 Catch up with the most important stories from around Europe and beyond this October 8th, 2025 – latest news, breaking news, World, Business, Entertainment, Politics, Culture, Travel. … More

Travellers heading to the United States are facing ongoing chaos this week, as the federal government shutdown continues to “threaten the reliability and efficiency” of the aviation industry. Now in its seventh day, the shutdown began on 1 October after lawmakers in Washington failed to pass a bill funding government services into October and beyond. As a result, many services have been temporarily suspended, and 40 per cent (around 750,000 people) of the federal workforce have been put on unpaid leave. While the political stalemate may be centred on Capitol Hill, its effects have rippled across the nation, including in…

Lahbib on Wednesday presented the LGBTIQ+ Strategy for 2026-2030 to combat growing attacks against members of the community. “It seems we are moving backwards,” she said, adding that this is a “worrying trend.” Half of EU countries currently have a national strategy for LGBTQ+ equality, and eight countries (Belgium, Cyprus, France, Germany, Greece, Malta, Portugal and Spain) have banned conversion therapy, with the Netherlands discussing following suit. Meanwhile, in the United States, the Supreme Court is considering overturning Colorado’s ban on the practice. As part of its new strategy, which is not legally binding, the Commission wants to focus on…

Demonstrators marched peacefully through the capital, waving Palestinian flags and holding placards calling for justice and solidarity with the people of Gaza. The protest coincided with renewed indirect talks between Israel and Hamas in Egypt aimed at achieving a ceasefire and securing the release of remaining hostages. In Gaza, Israel’s continued offensive has killed tens of thousands and levelled entire neighbourhoods. Those able to flee are escaping a new Israeli assault on Gaza City, while many others remain trapped amid widespread destruction and shortages of food, water and medicine. In Mexico City, activists and students joined together to denounce the…

Published on 08/10/2025 – 12:21 GMT+2 Japan’s SoftBank Group has agreed to acquire the robotics branch of Swiss engineering company ABB for $5.37 billion (€4.62bn) as it pushes ahead with physical AI. Unlike digital AI, which works in the virtual realm, physical AI allows machines such as robots to operate in real-world environments. The acquisition is part of a broader strategy held by the Japanese multinational investment firm, headquartered in Tokyo, which is actively investing in AI chips, AI robots, AI data centres, and energy. The current acquisition, approved by the firm’s board, is still subject to regulatory approvals, although…

The charges were dropped last month after the CPS said the “evidential standard for the offence indicted is no longer met.” Writing to the chairs of the Commons’ Home and Justice Select Committees, Parkinson said a 2024 High Court decision meant an “enemy” under the Official Secrets Act includes “a country which represents at the time of the offence, a threat to the national security of the U.K.” Despite receiving further witness statements in light of the judgment, “none of these stated that at the time of the offense China represented a threat to national security.” Parkinson added: “By late…