EUROPE

SCOTLAND IN TURMOIL: RESIGNATION OF FIRST MINISTER HAMZA YOUSAF

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Scottish First Minister Hamza Yousaf's resignation marks a dramatic turn of events in Scotland's political landscape, throwing the ruling pro-independence party, the Scottish National Party (SNP), into turmoil. Yousaf's tenure, barely a year long, was characterized by challenges and controversies, culminating in the collapse of his coalition government and his subsequent resignation.

VENICE STARTS CHARGING DAY TRIPPERS

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In November 2023, authorities in Venice came up with a pilot program for their long-mooted plan to start charging day trippers to visit the city. This has been passed, and the program has finally been put in place, starting today, April 25. Signs advising arriving visitors of the new €5 fee for a test phase of 29 days through July have been put outside the main train station and other points of arrival.

SPAIN'S PRIME MINISTER ANNOUNCES HE WILL STAY ON IN HIS POSITION

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Pedro Sánchez has said he will stay on as Spain's prime minister, following five days of speculation over his future.

Mr Sánchez cancelled official engagements last week after a court opened an initial inquiry into his wife over corruption claims. He denounced them as a harassment campaign by right-wing media.

VLADIMIR PUTIN: ACOMPLEX FIGURE IN MODERN POLITICS

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Rise to Power:

Vladimir Putin's journey to the presidency is a testament to his shrewd political acumen and determination. Rising through the ranks of the Russian government, Putin served in various roles, including as Director of the Federal Security Service (FSB) and Prime Minister, before assuming the presidency in 2000. Since then, he has wielded considerable power and influence, shaping Russia's domestic policies and its interactions with the international community.

GERMANY'S PRIORITIZATION OF RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES AMID THE CLIMATE CRISIS THIS MONTH

Germany's energy transition, known as the Energiewende, represents a bold and comprehensive shift towards renewable energy sources in response to the pressing challenges posed by the climate crisis. This transition, initiated in the early 2000s, aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance energy security, and foster sustainable economic development. At its core, the Energiewende seeks to decouple economic growth from fossil fuel consumption, thereby creating a cleaner and more resilient energy system for future generations.

DUST STORM TURNS GREECE ORANGE

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Southern Greece has been engulfed in an orange haze due to clouds of dust blowing in from the Sahara desert. This is one of the worst episodes of its kind to hit Greece since 2018. Similar clouds had already hit Greece, Switzerland and Southern France in late March and early April. The weather service in Greece has predicted that the skies will clear on Wednesday. However, the air quality has deteriorated in many parts of the country, and the dust cloud has reached as far north as Thessaloniki. The people with respiratory conditions have been advised to limit their time outdoors, wear protective masks and avoid physical exercise until the dust clears.

KING CHARLES III TO RESUME PUBLIC DUTIES AFTER CANCER TREATMENT

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Buckingham Palace made a significant announcement on Friday, April 26th, 2024, revealing that Britain's King Charles III is set to resume his public duties after a period of treatment and recuperation. This news comes two months after the monarch disclosed that he was undergoing treatment for cancer.

TWO MEN TO BE CHARGED FOR SPYING FOR CHINA

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A parliamentary researcher, Christopher Cash, was charged under the Official Secrets Act. Cash and another man, Christopher Berry, have been charged with spying for China after allegedly providing information which could be "useful to an enemy".