The National Times

Germany set for massive security challenge at Euro 2024

Keeping fans and players safe will be a mammoth task for Germany as it hosts Euro 2024 this summer in a tense global climate with major conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.

At 101, a US WWII veteran - and pacifist - is honored by France

In his 101 years on Earth, Jack Hausman has seen a lot: eight decades ago he endured the battlefields of World War II before returning home and taking over the family business, all the while remaining a lifelong pacifist.

Lithuanian president, PM set for election runoff on May 26

Lithuania's president and prime minister will face off in the second round of the Baltic state's presidential vote on May 26 after the incumbent failed to win an overall majority in the first round on Sunday.

Blinken: Israel offensive on Rafah would not eliminate Hamas

An all-out Israeli offensive on the Gaza city of Rafah would provoke "anarchy" without eliminating Hamas, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Sunday, as Washington stepped up a pressure campaign against such an assault.

Runner-up files bid to annul Chad presidential poll result

Succes Masra, who came second in Chad's presidential election, announced Sunday he had lodged a request with the Constitutional Council to have the vote annulled.

India vote to resume with Kashmir poised to oppose Modi

India's six-week election is set to resume Monday including in Kashmir, where voters are expected to show their discontent with dramatic changes in the disputed territory under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government.

Putin removes defence minister Shoigu

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday moved to replace defence minister Sergei Shoigu in a major shake-up to Russia's military leadership more than two years into its Ukraine offensive.

Thousands of Georgians join night-time protest despite warnings

Several thousand Georgians gathered outside parliament in Tbilisi Sunday night in a fresh protest against a Russian-styled "foreign agent" bill, despite government officials warning of arrests.

Russia's Shoigu: Political survivor blamed for Ukraine setbacks

Sergei Shoigu, who is being replaced as Russia's defence minister, spearheaded Moscow's offensive in Ukraine and has been the country's longest-serving minister, as well as being one of Vladimir Putin's few close friends.

Protesting students walk out on Seinfeld graduation speech

Dozens of students walked out of Duke University's graduation ceremony Sunday as comedian Jerry Seinfeld, who has vocally supported Israel over its war in Gaza, received an honorary doctorate, videos posted on social media showed.

'Live a bit more': Kharkiv region residents flee Russian attacks

Lyuda Zelenskaya and Liuba Konovalova, both in their 70s, held each other through "terrifying" Russian attacks on their village near Vovchansk in Ukraine's Kharkiv region, where Russia launched a surprise ground offensive.

Georgia warns protesters of arrests if they block parliament

Georgia's government on Sunday issued a warning to protesters that it would arrest anyone who blocked the parliament, ahead of an expected late-evening rally against a Russian-style "foreign agent" bill.

Thousands evacuated as Russia advances in Ukraine's Kharkiv region

Russia said Sunday it had captured four more villages in Ukraine's Kharkiv region, as thousands of residents were evacuated from the offensive in an area where Russian troops had been pushed back in 2022.

N. Macedonia president stokes controversy at inauguration

North Macedonia's first woman president was inaugurated on Sunday, with the new nationalist leader angering Greece after a speech that did not acknowledge her country's new name.

Greek PM to visit Turkey in quest for better relations

Greece's Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis will be received Monday in Ankara by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in the latest sign of warming relations between the NATO neighbours.

Rafah residents flee 'hell' of Israeli onslaught

War-weary Gazans flooded towards coastal areas of the Gaza Strip's southern city of Rafah on Sunday, fleeing heavy bombardment in eastern zones after Israel ordered them to evacuate.

Fighting rages across Gaza as death toll tops 35,000

Israel struck Gaza on Sunday and troops were battling militants in several areas of the Hamas-run territory, where the health ministry said the death toll in the war had exceeded 35,000 people.

Spain PM's Socialists eye power grab as Catalonia votes

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's Socialists are hoping to show Catalonia has moved past its independence fixation by winning Sunday's regional vote and defeating separatist leader Carles Puigdemont.

Russia claims more advances in Ukraine's Kharkiv region

Russia said Sunday it had captured four more villages in Ukraine's Kharkiv region and thousands of residents were evacuated from the surprise ground offensive and a key border town came under intensive shelling.

Gender breakthrough in Swiss triumph at politically-charged Eurovision contest

Switzerland promised a joyous celebration Sunday for Nemo, the first non-binary performer to win the Eurovision Song Contest at the end of one of the most politically-charged competitions ever.

Fighting rages across Gaza as UN chief urges 'immediate ceasefire'

Israel struck Gaza on Sunday and troops were battling militants in several areas of the Palestinian territory after an Israeli evacuation order sent hundreds of thousands of Palestinians fleeing from Rafah.

Thousands evacuated as Russia pounds Ukraine border town

Thousands of people been evacuated from border areas in Ukraine's Kharkiv region, as Russia kept up constant strikes on a key town as part of a cross-border offensive, officials said Sunday.

Israel strikes Gaza after fresh Rafah evacuation order

Israel launched strikes on Gaza Sunday after it expanded an evacuation order for Rafah, with the United Nations warning an outright invasion of the crowded southern city risked an "epic" disaster.

Concern about Russia dominates as Lithuanians vote

Lithuania votes Sunday in a presidential election dominated by security concerns with the main candidates all agreed the NATO and EU member should boost defence spending to counter the perceived threat from neighbouring Russia.

Israeli fans slam Eurovision snub as 'political'

Music fans who gathered in Tel Aviv on Saturday to watch the Eurovision contest decried juries' snubs of Israel as "obviously political".

Tens of thousands rally in Tbilisi against 'foreign influence' bill

Tens of thousands of Georgians descended onto Tbilisi's Europe Square Saturday in the latest mass protest against a "foreign influence" bill likened to repressive Russian legislation that has sparked outrage.

Swedish police push back protesters outside Eurovision arena

Police were pushing back pro-Palestinian demonstrators around the Malmo Arena in southern Sweden on Saturday, where the Eurovision Song Contest final was taking place, AFP reporters saw.

Russia claims gains in Ukraine's Kharkiv region

Russia on Saturday said it had captured five villages in Ukraine's northeastern Kharkiv region during a surprise ground offensive that prompted mass evacuations, as President Volodymyr Zelensky made an urgent call for military aid.

Thousands rally in Tbilisi against 'foreign influence' bill

Thousands of protesters marched through central Tbilisi on Saturday at a rally against a controversial "foreign influence" bill backed by the Georgian government and likened to Russian laws silencing dissent.

Thousands rally in Tbilisi against 'foreign influence' bill: AFP