BELGIUM: Prime Minister Alexander De Croo has announced an investigation into suspected Russian interference in the European Parliament elections in June, saying today that an intelligence probe had confirmed the existence of a network trying to undermine support for Ukraine. 

Mr De Croo, whose country currently holds the rotating EU presidency, said: “Belgian intelligence services have confirmed the existence of pro-Russian interference networks with activities in several European countries and also here in Belgium.”

SPAIN: The bodies of four women have been found in a rubber dinghy off the south-eastern coast, authorities said today.

The government office in the city of Murcia said the women appeared to be of North African origin and may have been migrants trying to reach Spain. 

Post-mortems are to be held to establish the cause of death, the office said.

KENYA: Heavy rains pounding different parts of the country have led to the deaths of at least 13 people and displaced some 15,000 the United Nations said today.

The UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs, citing the Kenya Red Cross Society, said nearly 20,000 people were affected, including an estimated 15,000 displaced by heavy rains and flash floods nationwide.

GERMANY: The parliament approved legislation today introducing payment cards for asylum-seekers, a system that is meant to limit benefits paid in cash and make the country less attractive for migrants.

The new rules allow asylum-seekers to receive their benefits on a card that can be used for payments in local shops and services.