Author: staff

Published on 08/04/2026 – 21:02 GMT+2 A dealer dubbed the “Ketamine Queen” who sold the drugs that killed “Friends” star Matthew Perry was jailed for 15 years by a California court on Wednesday. Jasveen Sangha, 42, was one of five people charged over the death of the Canadian-American actor, who was found unresponsive in the hot tub of his luxury Los Angeles home in 2023. Sangha, who is a dual citizen of the United States and Britain, has been in federal custody since August 2024. Perry, 54, had openly struggled for decades with addictions, but had appeared to colleagues to…

Her office reinforced that message on Tuesday, stressing alignment with European partners on the need to “preserve civilian infrastructure,” following Trump’s repeated threats to target Iranian power plants and bridges. At the end of March, Italy refused to allow a U.S. bomber mission to land at a base in Sicily en route to the Middle East, though Meloni stressed that the episode did not represent a conflict with Washington. A bit of conflict with Washington might not go amiss, though. Meloni’s allies see her previously rosy relationship with Trump as a liability, blaming it for the referendum loss. “Until [the…

Published on 08/04/2026 – 20:30 GMT+2 After years of working closely on EU migration files and spending hours in tense committee meetings, this week MEPs Juan Fernando López Aguilar and Lena Düpont meet on The Ring. Vehemently opposed on how to handle EU asylum procedures, they took completely different stances on the recent EU reform that would allow EU member states to establish so-called “migration return hubs” in third countries. The measure, voted on 26 March, would see rejected asylum seekers be transferred to external facilities outside EU borders while awaiting return to their country of origin. Supporters say it…

Participants gathered at an “Offline Club” event in Amsterdam, handing in their smartphones before taking part in a two-hour session focused on creative and social activities. The event took place in the Posthoornkerk, where attendees engaged in writing, crafting and listening to live piano music. Organisers say the initiative aims to encourage people to disconnect from digital devices and focus on reflection and real-world interaction. The concept, launched in 2024, has expanded to multiple cities across Europe. Participants described the experience as a break from constant screen use, while a researcher in Utrecht said many apps are designed to keep…

Added to the fact that Europe’s energy bills will likely remain elevated for weeks or even months if the ceasefire holds, and the trend becomes clear: Europe is having to pay ever more just to remain part of a transatlantic alliance that has become highly unpredictable. “It’s a pattern,” said Nacho Sánchez Amor, a Spanish socialist lawmaker who sits on the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs. “In Gaza, we will pay for reconstruction. In Ukraine, we’re paying for the war — basically alone at this point. Now we might have to pay to clear the Strait of Hormuz.” He…

Published on 08/04/2026 – 18:17 GMT+2 A former fire safety official in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana remained silent when questioned by prosecutors on Wednesday investigating a deadly New Year bar fire, his lawyer said. “My client exercised his right to remain silent as he does not yet have access to the case file,” lawyer Fabien Mingard told the AFP news agency. “He will answer the public prosecutors’ questions as soon as he has access to the file.” The former head of the Crans-Montana municipality’s fire safety department has not been named by Swiss media. “The hearing lasted only…

But Hegseth’s confidence that the massive military operation is in its waning days — he repeatedly referred to Operation Epic Fury in the past tense — contrasts with comments from Vice President JD Vance, who called the situation in the Middle East a “fragile truce” that could evaporate in the coming days. Vance is in Hungary stumping for far-right candidate Viktor Orbán.Hegseth said he was far more confident the deal will hold, thanks to the dominance of American military forces over the last six weeks.“In less than 40 days, Central Command, using less than 10 percent of America’s total combat…

A Bactrian camel calf has been born at Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire, as the site prepares to mark its 200th anniversary on April 29. The calf, named Sophia, was born to Izzy and Oakley, bringing the herd to eight. Keepers say the birth offers a timely boost as the zoo highlights its conservation work. The name honours Sophia Raffles, the first woman admitted to Zoological Society of London in 1826. Staff say the herd helps raise awareness of the critically endangered wild camel, or Camelus ferus. Fewer than 1,000 are thought to survive in Mongolia and China, with hunting and…

The European Parliament’s AGRI committee voted to support the deal struck by co-legislators on targeted amendments to the EU’s Common Market Organisation rules for agricultural products. The rule changes target contracts primarily, with a view to strengthening farmers’ position in the supply chain. But the trilogue compromise also included a ban on using several meat-related terms to advertise plant-based products or lab-grown meat, which has largely overshadowed the technical elements of the file. The most controversial terms, like “burger” and “sausage,” were not included among terms banned for plant-based products in the final deal, but the use of more specific…

European gas prices plunged sharply by around 20%, and Brent crude oil dropped significantly after the announcement of a two-week ceasefire between the United States, Israel, and Iran, raising hopes of lower energy bills for consumers. The US‑Iran deal included Tehran’s agreement to temporarily reopen the Strait of Hormuz — a critical energy corridor that handles roughly 20% of global oil and LNG — and with Iran’s commitment to do so, global markets are hopeful that trade flows will resume, easing pressure on prices. However, while some experts anticipate a sharp drop in energy prices, others warn that a fragile…