EUROPE

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Munich airport in Germany resumed normal operations on Friday following an overnight closure due to multiple drone sightings. This marks the latest in a series of aviation disruptions across Europe attributed to similar incidents. Recently, airports in Denmark, Norway, and Poland have suspended flights because of unidentified drones. Romania and Estonia have alleged Russian involvement in these incidents, though Russia has denied the accusations. The closure of Munich's airspace on Thursday night resulted in the cancellation or diversion of over 30 flights and left nearly 3,000 passengers without accommodations.

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Nicolas Sarkozy, the former French president, has been handed a five-year prison sentence after being convicted of criminal conspiracy related to illicit funds from the late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. The Paris court acquitted him of other charges, including passive corruption and illegal campaign financing. Sarkozy has announced plans to appeal, but the sentence requires him to start serving time immediately.

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A man in his forties has been arrested in West Sussex in connection with a cyber-attack that disrupted operations at multiple European airports, including Heathrow. The National Crime Agency (NCA) confirmed the arrest as part of an investigation into a cyber incident affecting Collins Aerospace. The attack caused widespread failures in Collins Aerospace’s baggage and check-in software, leading to hundreds of flight delays and forcing some airlines to board passengers using pen and paper.

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Ten years after being lifted as part of an international nuclear agreement, sweeping UN economic and military sanctions have been reimposed on Iran. The UK, France, and Germany, key European partners in the original deal, triggered the "snapback" mechanism, citing Iran's "continued nuclear escalation" and lack of cooperation.

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In an effort to preserve nuclear arms control, Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed to U.S. President Donald Trump a one-year extension of the New START treaty. The treaty, which is due to expire on February 5, limits each country to 1,550 deployed warheads. Without an extension or a new agreement, Russia and the United States, who possess by far the world's largest nuclear arsenals, will likely exceed this limit. The treaty concerns strategic nuclear weapons intended for use against centers of military, economic, and political authority.

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Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is introducing paid subscriptions in the UK for users who prefer an ad-free experience. The company announced that it will begin notifying users in the coming weeks, allowing them to opt for a subscription to access the platforms without advertisements. While EU users can already subscribe starting at €5.99 (£5) per month for an ad-free experience, UK subscriptions will begin at a lower price of £2.99 per month.