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Poland Shoots Down Drones in Historic NATO First, Raising Fears of Wider Conflict

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Poland confirmed on Wednesday that it shot down drones that entered its airspace, marking the first time a NATO member has fired during Russia’s war in Ukraine. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk described the incident as a “large-scale provocation” and warned that it brings Europe closer to open conflict than at any point since World War Two. The move, he said, alters the political situation and underscores the need to prepare for multiple scenarios.

The escalation drew swift international reactions. European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Russia’s war is “escalating, not ending,” urging stronger defence investments and support for Ukraine. French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the drone incursion as “unacceptable,” pledging full solidarity with Poland and consultations with NATO leadership. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the violation of Polish and NATO airspace an “egregious and unprecedented” act that highlighted Moscow’s disregard for peace.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy stressed the significance of European nations acting jointly to shoot down Russian weapons, saying only coordinated action can ensure security. Meanwhile, NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe, General Alexus Grynkewich, confirmed the alliance responded “quickly and decisively,” reaffirming NATO’s resolve to defend allied territory. Russia, however, denied responsibility, with its envoy in Warsaw dismissing the accusations as “groundless.”

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FCA Proposes Flexibility on Contactless Payment Limits in Britain

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The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has proposed allowing card providers in Britain to set their own contactless payment limits, potentially raising the current £100 ($135.35) cap. The regulator said the move aims to make payments more convenient for consumers while supporting digital solutions and economic growth.

The consultation, open until October 15, is part of 50 measures the FCA outlined to the prime minister earlier this year. While the regulator does not expect immediate changes, the flexibility would give firms more freedom to tailor limits to customer needs. Many providers already let users adjust their personal limits or disable contactless features entirely.

David Geale, the FCA’s executive director of payments and digital finance, stressed that fraud protection remains in place. “Even with contactless, firms will refund your money if your card is used fraudulently,” he said, adding that stronger controls mean consumers can benefit from greater convenience without compromising safety.

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Five Eyes Alliance to Announce Tougher Border Security Measures

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Homeland ministers from the Five Eyes alliance – the U.S., Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand – are set to announce new measures this week to strengthen border security and dismantle criminal smuggling networks. The meeting will be held in London on Monday and Tuesday, with Britain’s newly appointed Interior Minister Shabana Mahmood confirming that the talks will focus on “hitting people smugglers hard.”

Alongside people smuggling, the discussions will also cover joint efforts to combat online child sexual abuse and curb the spread of deadly synthetic opioids. U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Canada’s Gary Anandasangaree, Australia’s Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, and New Zealand’s Judith Collins will join Mahmood at the high-level talks.

The issue of migration has become a major political flashpoint worldwide. In the U.S., President Donald Trump has made both legal and illegal immigration a central priority of his second White House term, while in Britain, the government faces intense pressure to address record asylum claims and the rising number of small boat crossings across the English Channel.

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Russia Denies Role in GPS Jamming of EU Chief’s Plane

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Russia has dismissed allegations that it was behind the jamming of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s airplane, calling the claims baseless and paranoid. The denial came from Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on Thursday, following reports of suspected interference.

An EU spokesperson earlier stated that von der Leyen’s plane experienced GPS disruptions while en route to Bulgaria on Sunday. The spokesperson added that European authorities suspected Russian involvement in the incident, raising concerns over aviation security and potential geopolitical motives.

Moscow, however, has rejected the accusations outright. Zakharova emphasized that the narrative was fabricated and fueled by paranoia, accusing European officials of spreading disinformation. The latest exchange adds to already tense relations between Russia and the European Union amid ongoing political and security disputes.

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UK Regulator Probes $2.4 Billion Healthcare Property Deal

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Britain’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched an investigation into Primary Health Properties’ (PHP) $2.4 billion acquisition of rival Assura, a leading healthcare real estate investor. The regulator said it was assessing whether the deal could result in a “substantial lessening of competition” in the UK healthcare property market.

PHP completed the takeover of Assura in August, following a prolonged bidding battle with U.S. private equity firm KKR. The acquisition valued Assura at 53.3 pence per share, comprising 0.3865 new PHP shares, 12.5 pence in cash per share, and a special dividend of 0.84 pence. Both companies have yet to comment on the regulator’s review.

Assura currently manages more than 600 healthcare properties, with the National Health Service among its key clients. The CMA has set October 29 as the deadline for its decision on the initial phase of the inquiry.

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French Actor Gerard Depardieu to Face Trial on 2018 Rape Charges

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French film icon Gerard Depardieu, 76, will stand trial on charges of raping actress Charlotte Arnould in 2018, marking another major setback to his career following a sexual assault conviction earlier this year. Arnould, then in her early 20s, alleged that the assaults took place on two separate occasions at Depardieu’s Paris home. The Paris prosecutor’s office confirmed that an investigating judge has referred the case to court, though no trial date has been set.

Arnould, now 29 and a theatre and voice actress, expressed relief over the ruling in an Instagram post, calling it “huge” and criticizing Depardieu’s previous courtroom defense, where his lawyer labeled her a liar. She has since become a prominent voice in France’s #MeToo movement, advocating for victims of sexual violence and accountability in the film industry.

Depardieu, one of French cinema’s most recognizable figures since his breakthrough in the 1970s, has faced multiple allegations of sexual misconduct in recent years. In May, he received an 18-month suspended prison sentence for sexually assaulting two women on a film set, a verdict his lawyer vowed to appeal. Arnould’s case, initially dropped in 2018, was reopened in 2020 and formally sent to trial in 2022. Depardieu has denied all wrongdoing.

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Silent March in Belgrade Demands Elections After Railway Station Tragedy

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Tens of thousands of people staged a silent march in Belgrade on Monday to honor the 16 victims of a collapsed roof at the city’s renovated railway station and to demand snap elections aimed at unseating President Aleksandar Vucic and his ruling SNS party. Sixteen high school pupils led the procession across Savski Trg square, each carrying a white rose as the names of the victims were read aloud.

The demonstration, organized by students, also spread to towns including Novi Sad, Kragujevac, and Aleksinac. Protesters accused government-linked corruption of causing the disaster and said only early elections could bring accountability. “Corruption is the root of all problems in our society. Elections can be the only solution,” said Srdjan, a 35-year-old scientist attending the march.

Months of protests have rattled Vucic’s government since the November tragedy, with mostly peaceful rallies occasionally turning violent, most notably on August 13 when clashes injured police and civilians. Opposition groups, students, and watchdogs accuse Vucic of ties to organized crime, political intimidation, and suppressing media freedoms—charges the president and his allies strongly deny.

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France’s National Rally Prepares for Snap Elections as Bayrou Faces Confidence Vote

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France’s far-right National Rally (RN) signaled on Monday that it is preparing for potential snap elections, warning that Prime Minister Francois Bayrou’s efforts to save his minority government are unlikely to succeed. Bayrou faces a September 8 confidence vote after unexpectedly announcing it last week in a bid to push through unpopular budget-tightening plans for 2026.

RN president Jordan Bardella said the party “must be ready for anything, including a return to the ballot box,” and revealed that 85% of RN’s candidates have already been selected. Marine Le Pen, despite being barred from standing for election due to a conviction for embezzling EU funds, remains the party’s dominant figure and said she and Bardella would meet Bayrou out of courtesy but expect little from the talks.

With opposition parties including the Socialists and Communists committed to voting against Bayrou, his government’s collapse appears imminent. If defeated, President Emmanuel Macron could either appoint a new prime minister, retain Bayrou in a caretaker role, or dissolve parliament for new elections. While Macron previously ruled out early polls, fresh elections could further fragment parliament, with RN poised to gain strength.

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Domino’s Pizza Reaffirms Earnings Outlook, Launches £20M Share Buyback

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Britain’s Domino’s Pizza Group has reaffirmed its annual earnings forecast while announcing a £20 million ($27 million) share buyback programme on Monday. The company recently lowered its 2025 core profit guidance to between £130 million and £140 million, down from the earlier forecast of £141 million to £150 million, citing rising costs and subdued consumer demand.

UK consumers have been tightening their budgets amid persistent inflation, unpredictable weather, and higher prices as companies pass on additional costs. Domino’s CEO Andrew Rennie said in August that the company would raise prices to help offset increasing wage bills and higher National Insurance contributions.

Despite these challenges, analysts at Peel Hunt remain optimistic, expecting Domino’s like-for-like sales to recover next year. They point to the benefits of the company’s loyalty programme expansion, the FIFA World Cup, and improved weather conditions as potential drivers of growth.

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England Flags Spark Debate Amid Rising Anti-Immigration Protests

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The red and white St George’s Cross and Union Jack flags have appeared across English streets in recent weeks, with supporters calling it an expression of national pride while critics fear it reflects rising anti-immigration sentiment. The flag displays come during a politically charged summer in Britain, where immigration has overtaken the economy as voters’ top concern, according to YouGov polls.

The movement has coincided with protests outside hotels housing asylum seekers, particularly in the West Midlands and London’s Isle of Dogs, a diverse area where nearly half of residents were born outside the UK. While groups like the Birmingham-based Weoley Warriors frame the campaign as patriotism, migrant communities and local councils warn it risks fueling division. Some flags have already been removed from council infrastructure, sparking backlash from politicians such as Nigel Farage and Robert Jenrick, who called councils’ actions “Britain-hating.”

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said flags are symbols of heritage but acknowledged concerns over their misuse to stoke conflict. The protests follow riots last year that targeted migrants after misinformation spread online. With far-right figures and even U.S. billionaire Elon Musk amplifying the flag movement on social media, residents remain divided — some see a show of cultural pride, while others worry nationalism could escalate into hostility.

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