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Czechs beat Ukraine for 12th Billie Jean King Cup title
The Czech Republic defeated Ukraine 2-0 to win their 12th Billie Jean King Cup title, denying Ukraine a first championship. The victory marked the Czechs’ first triumph since 2018 and reinforced their status as one of the competition’s strongest nations. Karolina Muchova beat Anhelina Kalinina 6-2, 6-3 before Linda Noskova defeated world number seven Elina…
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French rescue crews reportedly accompanied migrant boat despite £662m deal
The article reports that a migrant boat travelled from Normandy to England with assistance from French maritime rescue services, which reportedly provided lifejackets and monitored the vessel. It presents the incident as evidence that France’s cooperation with Britain on Channel crossings is ineffective, despite a £662 million three-year agreement intended to strengthen enforcement and surveillance.…
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Sjöbo referendum made Swedish town symbol of anti-migration politics
In 1988, residents of Sjöbo, a small town in southern Sweden, voted overwhelmingly against accepting refugees, after the national government asked it to take in about 15 people. The referendum, unusual in Sweden at the time, attracted international attention and exposed deep divisions over immigration, while its result helped make Sjöbo a lasting symbol of…
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Pope Leo urges French bishops to confront Church sexual abuse
Pope Leo has urged French Catholic bishops to root out the “scourge” of sexual abuse and remain highly vigilant. His warning came during a private meeting at Lourdes, ahead of a meeting with survivors, highlighting the Church’s continuing response to abuse allegations in France. The 2021 inquiry found that about 330,000 people were abused as…
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Lee Gilley’s Texas attorney ‘never had one like this’ as accused wife killer clings to Italian lifeline
Texas attorney Dick DeGuerin says Lee Gilley’s case is unprecedented in his 60-year career. Gilley is accused of murdering his pregnant wife, Christa Bauer Gilley, in October 2024, then allegedly removing his ankle monitor and fleeing to Italy before trial. Gilley remains jailed in Turin while extradition is disputed. Italy will not extradite defendants facing…
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Franklin wins three medals at European championships
Mallory Franklin won canoe gold and kayak cross silver at the European Slalom Championships in Ivrea, completing her return to competition with three medals. Her C1 victory, her third European title in the event, was particularly significant as her first individual medal since giving birth to her daughter. Franklin won the C1 final in 100.47…
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Finland’s Stubb credits Trump for pushing Ukraine peace talks while dismissing Russian invasion fears
Finnish President Alexander Stubb said Finland is prepared for any threat from Russia, while dismissing claims that Moscow is likely to launch a conventional attack on another European country. He credited Donald Trump with intensifying diplomatic efforts to secure peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, saying the situation was better than before Trump became involved.…
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Russia stokes fears of World War Three warning Putin can destroy Europe in ‘short nuclear war’ as Kremlin raises spectre of ‘Fourth Reich’
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov intensified fears of a wider conflict by warning that a war between Russia and Europe could become “short”, apparently implying possible nuclear escalation. He accused European leaders of preparing for confrontation with Moscow and claimed Germany was seeking to become Europe’s leading military power, while also invoking accusations of a…
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Israel game goes ahead after Irish players’ vote; reaction to Spain’s win over England – matchday live
The Republic of Ireland’s Nations League match against Israel will go ahead after a significant majority of Irish players voted against a boycott. The decision follows pressure over Israel’s military action in Gaza, while goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu has withdrawn on personal moral grounds; Ireland will also wear black armbands and skip parts of the pre-match…
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‘People are standing up and fighting back’: the north Devon revolt against a vast AI datacentre
Plans for a 1.5GW artificial intelligence datacentre and 1.8GW battery storage facility in north Devon have triggered fierce local opposition. The proposed campus would occupy about 344 hectares within a Unesco-designated biosphere reserve, raising concerns about damage to protected landscapes, farmland, water and energy use. Xlinks, the British company behind the project, proposes five buildings…