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China denies active negotiations with US

China has denied any suggestion that it was in active negotiations with the administration of US President Donald Trump over tariffs, saying that any notion of progress in the matter was as groundless as “trying to catch the wind.“ China’s comments...

14 hours ago

Paddleboard guide jailed over trip tragedy

A former Welsh police officer who who led four people to their deaths in a paddleboarding tragedy in the UK has been sentenced to 10.5 years in prison for manslaughter. Nerys Bethan Lloyd, 39, had previously pleaded guilty in Swansea Crown Court to four counts of gross negligence manslaughter and failing to discharge her duty for the October 30, 2021 incident. The River Cleddau in Haverfordwest was raging after heavy rains when Lloyd, who operated a side business called the Salty Dog, made the ill-fated decision to lead a group of beginners toward a dangerous weir where the churning waters created a deadly undertow.

23 Apr 2025

Gaza mediators seek long-term truce

Arab mediators are working on a proposal to end the Israel-Hamas war that would include a five-to-seven-year truce and the release of all remaining hostages. Egypt and Qatar are still developing the proposal, which would include the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from the entire strip and the release of Palestinian prisoners, according to an Egyptian official and a Hamas official. As talks were progressing, an Israeli strike on a school-turned-shelter in Gaza City overnight killed at least 23 people.

23 Apr 2025

UN to review agency helping Palestinian refugees

The United Nations chief has appointed a British human rights activist to carry out a strategic review of the UN agency helping Palestinian refugees to assess its impact. Israel has banned the agency, known as UNRWA, from operating on its territory, but its Palestinian staff have still been key to delivering aid and running medical clinics in Gaza, even though Israel has cut off all humanitarian deliveries since March 2. UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric, who announced the review, said Ian Martin, a former head of Amnesty International, would also be looking at the “consequences and risks for Palestinian refugees” of UNRWA’s operations.

23 Apr 2025

Italy

20 Apr 2025

Vance meets with the Pope

US Vice President JD Vance has met briefly with Pope Francis to exchange Easter greetings, after they got into a long-distance tangle over the Trump administration’s migrant deportation plans. Vance’s motorcade entered Vatican City through a side gate and parked near Francis’ hotel residence while Easter Mass was being celebrated in St. Peter’s Square. Francis, who has greatly cut back his workload to recover from a near-fatal case of pneumonia, delegated the celebration of the Mass to another cardinal. The Vatican said they met for a few minutes at the Domus Santa Marta “to exchange Easter greetings.“ Vance’s office said that they met, but provided no further details. In all, Vance’s motorcade was on Vatican territory for 17 minutes.

20 Apr 2025

AP

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CURRENCIES

China denies active negotiations with US

Paddleboard guide jailed over trip tragedy

Gaza mediators seek long-term truce

UN to review agency helping Palestinian refugees

Vance meets with the Pope