Paul Kirby

Igor Kirillov: Russia's chemical weapons chief and mouthpiece killed in Moscow Kirillov, who has been killed in Moscow, was accused by the West of overseeing the use of chemical weapons on the battlefield in Ukraine.

Igor Kirillov’s assassination has shocked Russians but has illustrated the reach of Ukraine’s SBU. He was far more than just a Kremlin mouthpiece. The UK said the force he commanded had deployed "barbaric chemical weapons in Ukraine”
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Volleyball on #Rustaveli, with European & #Georgia flags.

Actor Andro Chichinadze was arrested at his home today. He is an active opponent of the regime.

Georgia's opposition comes under attack as leader is dragged from HQ The prime minister had earlier vowed that the organisers of a week of pro-EU protests would face justice.

One opposition leader Nika Gvaramia was carried by his arms and legs by police from his party HQ. Other leaders were later ambushed after they met at a hotel www.bbc.com/news/article...

Georgians risk serious injury and jail in fresh pro-EU protests More than 300 people have been arrested and police are accused of using unnecessary force on the streets.

When I opened my eyes a third time I couldn't feel my legs or hands - I couldn't even move my head” - latest piece from Georgia www.bbc.com/news/article...

Georgia’s moment of truth: Protesters demand Western path not Russian past The ruling party denies any Russian link, but its actions raise questions about Georgia's path to the EU.

In a country of only 3.7 million people, these are dangerous as well as momentous times. One Georgian Dream supporter spoke of his country sitting at the edge of an abyss www.bbc.com/news/article...

TV Pirveli reporter Mariam Gaprindashvili has reportedly been hospitalised after sustaining a visible head injury while covering the detention of protesters near the parliament building in Tbilisi.

🔴 Live updates: oc-media.org/live-updates...

French mass rape trial: Abused Pelicot family torn apart in public Gisèle Pelicot, 71, is the woman at the centre of this trial, but no-one has emerged unscathed in her family.

In stifled sobs and fierce accusations, family falls apart at mass rape trial
www.bbc.com/news/article...
The story of the #Pelicot family, as observed in the courtroom by #BBCNews @lauragozzi.bsky.social, one of the best journos covering Europe
#GiselePelicot

Russia and US battle for advantage in Ukraine war ahead of Trump's return Moscow appears to be maximising its gains while Joe Biden abandons long-held red lines at the end of his presidency.

In a matter of days US President Joe Biden's administration and Russia have made separate - but significant - moves aimed at influencing the outcome of the war in Ukraine, two months ahead of Donald Trump’s return to the White House. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Tbilisi State University’s administration, which closed its doors to its own students, widely opened the gates for the riot police, who later dispersed the protesters, including TSU students. A video shows police entering the TSU yard.

Video: Mravalkutkhedi

Sweden, Finland and Norway release new advice on surviving war Sweden said the new advice follows a worsening security situation, by which it means the war in Ukraine.

Within a matter of weeks the Nordic countries have all issued new guidance on what to do in the event of a crisis or even war. Today Sweden’s 32-page pamphlet started arriving in people’s letterboxes and Finland updated its advice online - this by Alex Maxia www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

No-one will stop Putin with phone calls. The attack last night, one of the biggest in this war, has proved that telephone diplomacy cannot replace real support from the whole West for Ukraine. The next weeks will be decisive, not only for the war itself, but also for our future.

Final phase for mass rape trial that has horrified France Fifty-one men are on trial in a case that focuses on a formerly married couple, Dominique and Gisèle Pelicot.

This week the mass rape trial that has shocked France enters its final phase of closing statements before the 51 accused face verdicts next month. Laura Gozzi explains what the case is all about www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Musk rebuked after siding with Meloni on Italy's foreign migrant centres There is increasing tension between Italy's ruling coalition and the judiciary over migrant centres.

Musk weighs into Meloni’s migrant centre problem with Italy’s judiciary - by my colleague Davide Ghiglione in Rome www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Amsterdam violence exposes tensions in Dutch society: 'We cannot be made into enemies' There are concerns the unrest has damaged community relations and tensions have spilled over into politics too.

A fragile calm hangs over the Dutch capital but tensions linger in Amsterdam and in Dutch politics - this reflective piece by my colleague Anna Holligan www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...