Year: 2024

Joe Biden has said he “strongly supports” a new $61bn (£49bn) aid bill for Ukraine, arguing it will “send a message to the world”.The aid package is to be voted on this Saturday. The long-stalled measure is one of four that the House of Representatives will vote on.

Several Gulf states are being hit by heavy rain, causing deadly flash floods and disrupting flights at the world’s second-busiest airport. Dubai International Airport warned of “very challenging conditions” and advised some passengers not to turn up due to flooding.

Swedes can change their legal gender from the age of 16, after the Swedish parliament passed a law lowering the age. The law passed with 234 votes in favour and 94 against in Sweden’s parliament. Sweden was the first country to make gender transition legal – in 1972. But the new law has sparked a debate. For some, lowering the age from 18 to 16 will make an “important difference” but critics say more research is needed.

The EU will expand sanctions on Iranian producers of drones and missiles following Iran’s attack on Israel. More than 300 missiles were launched from Iran, with 99% of them shot down or intercepted by Israel and its allies. Iran launched its attack after an Israeli strike on its consulate building in Syria killed 13 people.