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Russia’s neighbor reveals personal appeals to Trump as US weighs NATO troop pullback in Europe
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda said he personally urged Donald Trump to maintain US troops on NATO’s eastern flank while Washington reviews its military presence in Europe. He argued that Lithuania’s offer of substantial host-nation support and continued American involvement are important to deterring Russia and protecting the Baltic region. Nausėda later confirmed that a new…
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EU drops Usmanov and Fridman from blacklist as Russia sanctions continue
The EU has removed Russian billionaires Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman from its sanctions list, after France and Luxembourg pressed for their delisting. The decision enabled the bloc to preserve broader sanctions against Russia, but angered many member states and Ukraine, which said it weakened Europe’s unity and created a dangerous precedent. To secure unanimous…
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GB boxers guaranteed three medals at Europeans
Great Britain are guaranteed at least three medals at the European Boxing Championships in Bulgaria after Chantelle Reid, Damar Thomas and Abdul Burton reached the semi-finals. Their progress ensures podium finishes, although all three must win their next bouts to reach the final. Reid beat Ireland’s Evelyn Igharo 5-0 and will face Serbia’s Milena Matovic…
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Putin secures record supermajority as AI bubble fears intensify
Russia votes amid mobilisation worries whilst leading figures warn AI boom may be speculative with no proven productivity gains.
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Sony Scoops Up TIFF Michelle Yeoh Thunder Road Action Thriller ‘The Surgeon’
Sony Pictures has secured North American and international distribution rights to *The Surgeon*, an action thriller starring Oscar-winning actress Michelle Yeoh, following a competitive bidding process at the Toronto International Film Festival. The acquisition signals renewed interest in festival acquisitions and demonstrates confidence in the project’s commercial potential, particularly given Yeoh’s star power and the…
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Roshan Sethi’s ‘The Surgeon’ Acquired by Sony Pictures for North America and Beyond
Sony Pictures has acquired North American rights to Roshan Sethi’s thriller The Surgeon, alongside rights in Latin America, Italy, China and Hong Kong. The deal follows a competitive bidding process and expands the film’s international distribution, highlighting strong industry interest in Sethi’s latest project. Michelle Yeoh stars as an expert surgeon abducted and forced to…
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EU decision to lift sanctions on Usmanov and Fridman angers Ukraine
The European Union has agreed to remove sanctions on two Russian oligarchs—Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman—who were sanctioned following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The decision has provoked strong anger in Ukraine, with Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha condemning the move as sending a dangerous signal of impunity to Moscow and creating division within Europe. France…
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EU delists Usmanov and Fridman while extending Russia sanctions
The European Union has agreed to remove two Russian billionaires, Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman, from its sanctions list, whilst extending restrictions on nearly 3,000 individuals and companies linked to Russia’s war on Ukraine for a further three years. The decision represents a contentious compromise reached under time pressure, as France and Luxembourg used their…
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Artist who hand-paints some of gaming’s best fantasy world maps brings them together in oversized and extremely lavish art book
Artist and cartographer Francesca Baerald is crowdfunding Unbound – The Cartography Art Book, an oversized A3 collection of her hand-painted fantasy maps. Featuring work from Dragon Age, Warcraft, Diablo, Dungeons & Dragons and other worlds, the book highlights maps as immersive artwork rather than merely navigational tools. The book contains more than 250 maps from…
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Ceuta readies for possible new migrant influx amid unrest
Ceuta is preparing for a possible new influx of migrants from Morocco amid online calls for another border crossing during Morocco’s elections. Tensions have risen following protests by local residents, police deployments to disturbances at a migrant detention centre and shelter, and concerns about pressure on accommodation and public services. Around 80,000 people entered Ceuta…