French police launch prison hunt for Chinese-made miniature phones

Hugh Schofield Paris correspondent FRENCH PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE The contraband phones are the size of a cigarette lighter French authorities have launched a nationwide hunt for thousands of tiny Chinese-made telephones used by convicts to continue criminal activities from inside prison. The telephones, no bigger than a cigarette-lighter, are almost entirely plastic, and have a reputation … Read more

Spain clamps down on Airbnb as tourism backlash returns for summer

Getty Images Thousands of protesters took to the streets in the Canary Islands complaining of over-tourism The Spanish government has called for the removal of the listings of nearly 66,000 properties on rental platform Airbnb on the grounds that they breach regulations for tourist accommodation. The clampdown comes as protests against over-tourism have begun ahead … Read more

Zelensky accuses Russia of ‘buying time’ to stall truce talks

Getty Images Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russia of “trying to buy time” to continue its war in Ukraine, a day after Donald Trump said progress towards a ceasefire had been made in a call with Vladimir Putin. “If Russia continues to put forward unrealistic conditions and undermine progress, there must be tough consequences,” Ukraine’s president … Read more

At least 38 killed by Israeli strikes in Gaza in half-hour period, medics say

Rushdi Abualouf Gaza correspondent James Chater BBC News, London Reuters Israel has intensified its offensive on Gaza in recent days At least 38 Palestinians were killed in a series of Israeli air strikes across the Gaza Strip during a half-hour period overnight, according to Palestinian medics. Israeli warplanes struck several locations, including a school in … Read more

Russian ballet maestro Yuri Grigorovich dies age 98

Getty Images Yuri Grigorovich’s productions of Ivan the Terrible and Romeo and Juliet redefined Soviet ballet Acclaimed Russian ballet choreographer, Yuri Grigorovich, has died aged 98. Described as one of the greatest choreographers of the 20th century, he was artistic director of the Bolshoi Ballet from 1964 to 1995, which he is said to have … Read more

Stolen grave bust found in France after 37 years

Getty Images Jim Morrison’s grave, which is located in Paris’s famous Père-Lachaise cemetery, has long attracted fans of the rock band. A memorial bust of American singer Jim Morrison that was stolen from his grave 37 years ago has been found by chance, according to French police. The statue of The Doors frontman was recovered … Read more