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Politics

Burnham reopens Brexit debate: EU says UK must chart Its own path on future relations

The EU said Wednesday it was up to London to chart a way forward for Britain's relations with the bloc, after Prime Minister Andy Burnham put the idea of rejoining on the table. Burnham reopened the divisive Brexit debate Wednesday by saying his centre-left Labour government could go "all the way" and propose membership of the bloc, once it has weighed the "pros and cons" of different possible relationships with Europe. For the European perspective, FRANCE 24's Dave Keating reports from Brussels.

World

Russia launches major attack on Ukraine’s energy grid, causing power cuts

Russia launched its heaviest combined assault on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure in months on Wednesday, killing seven people and triggering emergency power cuts in Kyiv and nearby regions. The strikes came as officials warned of a difficult winter amid Russian attacks on Ukraine’s power and heating infrastructure.

Politics

British PM alleges there are 'strong indications' Iran was involved in Fairford airbase incident

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham on Wednesday insisted that there were "strong indications" that Tehran was involved in a security incident on Sunday near an airbase in England that the US military uses in its war against Iran. The British government has still not explained the nature of the incident – in which five British men were arrested only to be later released on bail – and no explosives were found at the scene.

World

UK-France 'one in, one out' migrant exchange deal is scrapped

A British-French agreement aimed at reducing the number of people trying to cross the English Channel in small boats has been scrapped, London said Wednesday. The pilot programme was intended to break the business model of "people smugglers" by exchanging undocumented migrants who had made the crossing for people who legally applied for asylum.

Politics

Macron says UK’s return to EU would be ‘excellent news’

Speaking alongside Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Wednesday, French President Emmanuel Macron said that it would be "a good decision" if the UK decided to rejoin the European Union. The two leaders met at the Moncloa Palace in Madrid on the second day of Macron's two-day state visit to Spain.

Science

Bats may have first evolved in Europe 65 million years ago

A huge genomic and fossil study suggests bats first evolved in Europe around 65 to 60 million years ago before spreading across the globe. The findings also indicate that flight and echolocation emerged near the beginning of bat evolution, potentially helping explain how bats became one of the most successful mammal groups on Earth.

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Politics

Macron says UK’s return to EU would be ‘excellent news’

Speaking alongside Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Wednesday, French President Emmanuel Macron said that it would be "a good decision" if the UK decided to rejoin the European Union. The two leaders met at the Moncloa Palace in Madrid on the second day of Macron's two-day state visit to Spain.

World

Live: Several people killed as Russia launches new round of strikes on Kyiv

At least five people, including a 14-year old child, have died after Russia launched another round of strikes on Kyiv and its surrounding regions overnight to Wednesday, officials said. Several people were also wounded in the attacks. In Poland, two airports, in Lublin and Rzeszow, were briefly shut over “military aviation activity” during Russian attacks on Ukraine. Follow our liveblog for all the latest updates.

World

In Spain, Emmanuel Macron pleads for a "stronger Europe" against the rise of the "extreme"

On the first day of his State visit to Spain, French President Emmanuel Macron called on Tuesday for a massive investment in favour of a "stronger Europe" and to "take over" social networks and AI, who were deemed responsible for the "democratic fatigue". This visit was tarnished by the rejection in the evening of the Franco-Spanish friendship treaty by the Spanish Senate.

World

Mystery over UK airbase scare as police find petrol but no explosives

Britain's counter-terrorism police said ​on Tuesday that no improvised explosive devices had been found as part of an ​investigation ‌into a suspected plot targeting ⁠a British airbase used by US forces to ‌strike Iran, deepening uncertainty over the incident a day after five UK-based suspects were released on bail.

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Politics

Burnham sets out 'new path' for Britain, vows to seek consensus on ties with EU

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham pledged Tuesday to give Britain "a new social contract for the 21st century", reform the country's electoral system and build consensus on a new relationship with the European Union as he set out a long-term vision to tackle the UK's woes in his first speech as leader at the annual Labour party conference.

Politics

France's Le Pen defiant after top ally hit by antisemitism claims

French far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen on Tuesday vowed to hit back at allegations of antisemitism targeting her de-facto number two Jordan Bardella, which have punctured her buoyant campaign at a time she is riding high in the polls. Le Pen, who is aiming to win the Elysee at her fourth attempt next year in a far-right breakthrough that would send a shockwave across Europe, lambasted the Mediapart website that published the claims and said Bardella has her "total confidence".