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EU Suspends Russia, Belarus from Council of Baltic Sea States

European Union flags fly outside the European Commission headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, April 10, 2019. REUTERS/Yves Herman
European Union flags fly outside the European Commission headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, April 10, 2019. REUTERS/Yves Herman
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EU Suspends Russia, Belarus from Council of Baltic Sea States

European Union flags fly outside the European Commission headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, April 10, 2019. REUTERS/Yves Herman
European Union flags fly outside the European Commission headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, April 10, 2019. REUTERS/Yves Herman

The European Union said it had joined members of the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) in suspending Russia and Belarus from the Council's activities.

"This decision is a part of the European Union’s and like-minded partners response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the involvement of Belarus in this unprovoked and unjustified aggression," it said on Saturday.

"The EU agrees with the other members of the CBSS (Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland and Sweden) that the suspension of Russia and Belarus will remain in force until it is possible to resume cooperation based on respect for fundamental principles of international law," it added.

Since President Vladimir Putin's army invaded on February 24, Russia has pummeled Ukrainian cities, killed hundreds of civilians and assaulted Europe's largest atomic power plant.

The invasion has drawn condemnation and severe sanctions from Western nations balancing punishment of the Kremlin with fears of a hazardous escalation.

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World

NATO Chief to Meet Trump Amid Iran Tensions

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte gives a press conference about NATO's general annual report in Brussels on March 26, 2026. (AFP)
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte gives a press conference about NATO's general annual report in Brussels on March 26, 2026. (AFP)
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NATO Chief to Meet Trump Amid Iran Tensions

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte gives a press conference about NATO's general annual report in Brussels on March 26, 2026. (AFP)
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte gives a press conference about NATO's general annual report in Brussels on March 26, 2026. (AFP)

NATO chief Mark Rutte will meet Donald Trump next week on a visit to Washington, as the US president lashes out at the alliance over the Iran war, NATO said Friday.

Trump has suggested he is considering quitting the 77-year-old military alliance due to the response by European nations to his war.

The US leader has criticized NATO members for limiting access for American forces to bases on their territories and refusing to lead efforts to open the Strait of Hormuz.

NATO said that Rutte will meet Trump on April 8 and will also see Secretary of State Marco Rubio and defense chief Pete Hegseth.

The alliance chief will give a speech on April 9 at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation Institute.

Former Dutch prime minister Rutte has been dubbed a "Trump whisperer" for his ability to keep the US leader onside throughout a string of crises since he returned to office last year.

Rutte has insisted that Trump has made NATO stronger by getting European countries to agree to ramp up defense spending.

World

US Fighter Jet Shot Down Over Iran, Search Underway for Crew, US Official Says

14 September 2025, Puerto Rico, Ceiba: A Lockheed Martin F-35B fighter jet of the US Marines flies over the Roosevelt Roads Naval Station. (dpa)
14 September 2025, Puerto Rico, Ceiba: A Lockheed Martin F-35B fighter jet of the US Marines flies over the Roosevelt Roads Naval Station. (dpa)
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US Fighter Jet Shot Down Over Iran, Search Underway for Crew, US Official Says

14 September 2025, Puerto Rico, Ceiba: A Lockheed Martin F-35B fighter jet of the US Marines flies over the Roosevelt Roads Naval Station. (dpa)
14 September 2025, Puerto Rico, Ceiba: A Lockheed Martin F-35B fighter jet of the US Marines flies over the Roosevelt Roads Naval Station. (dpa)

A US fighter jet was shot down over Iran and a search and rescue operation was underway for any survivors, a US official told Reuters on Friday, in the first such ‌known incident ‌since the US ‌launched its ⁠war with Iran ⁠on February 28.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, did not offer further details.

The Pentagon and US ⁠Central Command did not ‌respond ‌to requests for comment.

The prospect of ‌US pilots being alive ‌and on the run inside Iran during an ongoing conflict greatly raises the stakes for ‌the United States in the conflict. Iranian ⁠officials ⁠called on civilians to be on the lookout for survivors.

The governor of Iran's Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province said whomever captured or killed the crew "would be specially commended," according to the semi-official Iranian news agency ISNA.

World

Ukraine Says Russia Fired Hundreds of Drones, Missiles in ‘Massive’ Daytime Attack

People relax at the Gryshko National Botanical Garden in Kyiv on April 1, 2026, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (AFP)
People relax at the Gryshko National Botanical Garden in Kyiv on April 1, 2026, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (AFP)
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Ukraine Says Russia Fired Hundreds of Drones, Missiles in ‘Massive’ Daytime Attack

People relax at the Gryshko National Botanical Garden in Kyiv on April 1, 2026, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (AFP)
People relax at the Gryshko National Botanical Garden in Kyiv on April 1, 2026, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (AFP)

Kyiv and its surrounding region on Friday faced pummeling by Russian missiles and drones, officials said, the latest in an increasing number of daytime attacks on Ukraine.

"The Kyiv region is once again under a massive enemy missile and drone attack," said regional governor Mykola Kalashnyk.

One person died in the attacks, he added.

The barrage prompted emergency power outages in several regions, energy operator Ukrenergo announced.

Russia launched almost 500 drones and missiles over Ukraine, Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga said.

"Terrorist Russia strikes in broad daylight deliberately -- to maximize civilian casualties and damage," Sybiga said.

"This is how Moscow responds to Ukraine's Easter ceasefire proposals -- with brutal attacks," he added.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Kyiv was ready for a truce over the Easter holidays, but the Kremlin said it had not received any proposals.

Ukraine accuses Russia of deliberately prolonging the war to capture more Ukrainian territory and says Moscow is not genuinely interested in peace.

Talks between the two warring parties, mediated by the United States, have been stalled by the war in the Middle East.

Zelensky said he had invited an American delegation to Kyiv to relaunch negotiations with Moscow.

"The American group can come to us and, after us, go to Moscow. If it does not work out with three parties, let's do it this way," Zelensky said, in remarks made public Friday.