International News

1. Ukraine claims drone strike on Russian oil refinery

   Russia says it shot down more than 120 drones overnight, in what would be one of the largest attacks of the war.

2. Belarus election: 'There is no alternative to Lukashenko'

   Even "rival" candidates support the current leader staying in power, Steve Rosenberg finds in Belarus.

3. Man jailed for 30 years for Charlie Hebdo meat cleaver attack

   Zaheer Mahmood, from Pakistan, seriously injured two people outside magazine's former offices after republication of Muhammad cartoons.

4. Russia suffering 'environmental catastrophe' after oil spill in Kerch Strait

   Activists say the spill - caused after two ships ran were battered by a storm - could cover an area of 400 sq km.

5. 'A performance and a sham': Belarusian opposition denounces election

   Since the protests in 2020 the Lukashenko government has brutally repressed political opponents.

6. German frontrunner vows permanent border controls after knife attack

   Friedrich Merz says he will close Germany's borders to irregular migrants, including those with a right to protection.

7. French divorcee wins appeal in case over refusing husband sex

   Europe's highest human rights court ruled the refusal of sex is not a valid ground for fault in a divorce.

8. EU 'could consider' UK joining pan-Europe customs scheme

   The UK joining the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean Convention is up for discussion in reset talks, says Maros Sefcovic.

9. Micheál Martin elected taoiseach after chaos subsides

   The Dáil had been suspended on Wednesday following chaotic scenes in the chamber.