Ukraine war: Russian soldier Vadim Shishimarin jailed for life over

By Patrick Jackson & James Waterhouse in London and Kyiv Russia-Ukraine war   A court in Ukraine has jailed a Russian tank commander for life for killing a civilian at the first war crimes trial since the invasion. Captured soldier Sgt Vadim Shishimarin was convicted of killing Oleksandr Shelipov, 62, in the north-eastern village of […]

Ukraine peace deal: Kyiv rules out ceding land to Russia

Russia-Ukraine war   The Ukrainian government says it will not agree a ceasefire deal with Russia that involves giving up territory. The apparent hardening of Ukraine’s position comes a day after President Volodymyr Zelensky said the war could be resolved only through diplomacy. Presidential adviser Mykhaylo Podolyak said concessions would lead to an even larger […]

Tornado in Germany injures 43 people, police say

By Joseph Lee BBC News A tornado left 43 people injured as it “cut a path of destruction” through several towns in western Germany, police said. Officers in the city of Paderborn said the tornado ripped off roofs and debris was strewn around for kilometres. Ten people have serious injuries and one woman’s life is […]

Turkey: Huge rally for opposition’s Canan Kaftancioglu

Tens of thousands of people have rallied in Turkey’s largest city of Istanbul in support of the leading opposition figure, Canan Kaftancioglu. Kaftancioglu, who heads the secular Republican People’s Party’s (CHP) Istanbul branch, smiled and waved to the cheering crowds. She has received a criminal conviction for insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the Turkish […]

Zelensky: Only diplomacy can end Ukraine war

Russia-Ukraine war   The war in Ukraine can only be resolved through “diplomacy”, President Volodymyr Zelensky has said. Speaking on national TV, he suggested his country could be victorious against Russia on the battlefield. However, he added that the war could only come to a conclusive halt “at the negotiating table”. Meanwhile, heavy fighting is […]

Spain heatwave brings record May temperatures

By Ben Tobias BBC News Parts of Spain are experiencing their hottest May ever with temperatures of more than 40C in some places, according to the state weather agency, AEMET. The agency issued heat warnings in 10 regions for Saturday, saying it could be “one of the most intense” heatwaves in years. The city of […]

Finland, Sweden have ‘full’ US backing in Nato bid –

Russia-Ukraine war   President Joe Biden has said Sweden and Finland have the “full, total, complete backing” of the US in their historic decision to apply for Nato membership. Both countries submitted their applications this week to be part of the defence alliance, a drastic shift in European geopolitics. The move by the two Nordic […]

Turkey threatens to block Finland and Sweden Nato bids

By Yaroslav Lukov & Matt Murphy BBC News Russia-Ukraine war   Turkey’s president has restated his opposition to Finland and Sweden joining Nato – just hours after they said they would seek membership. Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the two Nordic nations should not bother sending delegations to convince Turkey, a key Nato member, of their […]

Mariupol: Hundreds of besieged Ukrainian soldiers evacuated

By Yaroslav Lukov & Matt Murphy BBC News Russia-Ukraine war   Ukraine has confirmed that hundreds of its fighters trapped for more than two months in Mariupol’s Azovstal steelworks have been evacuated. Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar said 53 badly wounded soldiers were taken to the town of Novoazovsk, held by Russian-backed rebels. She said […]

Nato begins its military exercises in Baltics

By Malu Cursino BBC News Russia-Ukraine war   One of the biggest-ever Nato exercises in the Baltics is now under way. Named “Hedgehog”, the drills involve 10 countries, including Finland and Sweden, which are expected to formally apply to join the alliance within days. The exercises in Estonia, which will last until 3 June, were […]