Nicaragua strips lawyers of certification in crackdown on dissent
Nicaragua's government has removed the licences of a large number of lawyers from the official registry, in a move critics say is the latest step in a widening crackdown on dissent. Lawyers in the country noticed in recent days that their authorisations to practise had disappeared from the Supreme Court of Justice registry without explanation. The action has drawn criticism from a United Nations expert, who described it as a purge of the legal profession.According to Reed Brody, an American human rights lawyer and member of a UN panel of experts on Nicaragua, there was no official notification from the... [Continue Reading]
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Cuba hit by second island-wide blackout in less than a week
Cuba has suffered another nationwide power outage, its second in less than a week, after the state utility said the blackout began on Friday afternoon local time. The outage plunged the island into darkness shortly before evening and affected the entire country. Officials gave no immediate explanation for the failure.The state-owned Union Electrica de Cuba said the blackout started at 4:30pm local time, or 20:30 GMT. The latest outage follows a similar power failure on Monday, bringing the total number of island-wide blackouts reported this year to four. Two other total blackouts were recorded in March, according to the supplied... [Continue Reading]
Brazil Amazon deforestation falls to lowest level in a decade under Lula
Deforestation in Brazil's Amazon rainforest fell to its lowest level in a decade in the first half of 2026, according to official figures released on Friday. The data show that an estimated 1,295 square kilometres of forest were cleared between January and June, a 38% drop from the same period a year earlier. The figures mark a significant milestone for President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's pledge to curb destruction in the world's largest rainforest.The numbers were published by Brazil's National Institute for Space Research, which tracks forest loss in the Amazon. They show the lowest overall level of clearing... [Continue Reading]
Trump says Iran ceasefire is over as talks continue amid Strait of Hormuz clashes
US President Donald Trump has said the ceasefire with Iran is over, while also saying Washington has agreed to continue talks. The statement came in a post on his Truth Social platform after renewed clashes linked to the Strait of Hormuz disrupted maritime traffic. The latest developments add to uncertainty around a fragile truce that had already been tested by exchanges of fire and tanker attacks.According to the supplied material, the renewed hostilities began on Tuesday after Iran targeted three tankers in the strait. The row says the trading of strikes has caused severe disruption to shipping in the critical... [Continue Reading]
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Modi arrives in Auckland as first India-New Zealand prime ministerial visit in 40 years
Narendra Modi has arrived in Auckland on the final leg of his three-nation trip, where he was received by New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon at the airport. The visit is being described as the first by an Indian prime minister to New Zealand in 40 years, giving the stop a rare diplomatic significance. Modi is due to hold bilateral talks with Luxon on Saturday at Government House in Auckland.According to the supplied material, the talks are expected to focus on trade and investment, as well as high-tech innovation in dairying, farming and high-performance sports. The Ministry of External Affairs... [Continue Reading]
Trump highlights White House beautification and claims Washington, D.C. has no crime
President Donald Trump made multiple posts on Truth Social in the last hour: - "The Base of the Magnificent White House Face, around the Column area, at its front door, It hasn't been fixed in decades, but you can see how beautiful it will soon be. This is representative of what we are doing in Washington, D. People are saying that the City hasn't been, or felt, like this in 100 years!" - "It is my Great Honor to endorse America First Patriot, Jay Feely, who is running to represent the wonderful people of Arizona's 1st Congressional District! I know... [Continue Reading]
Eight charged as alleged White House UFC attack plot expands with West Virginia arrest
Eight people have now been charged with terrorism and murder-conspiracy offences over an alleged plot to attack a UFC event at the White House in June. Prosecutors say the case centres on the 14 June UFC Freedom 250 event on the South Lawn, where President Donald Trump, Vice-President JD Vance and thousands of invited guests were present. The latest development is the arrest this week of one of the accused in West Virginia, adding to a list of suspects already detained.According to court filings and prosecutors, the men, aged 19 to 32, are accused of conspiracy to provide material support... [Continue Reading]
Ukraine strikes Russia's shadow fleet and Taganrog oil infrastructure as fuel shortages deepen
Ukraine said fresh overnight strikes hit Russia's Taganrog port and the Kurgannefteprodukt oil depot, triggering a fire and an emergency evacuation of residents. The reported attacks came as new claims emerged that multiple vessels linked to Russia's shadow fleet were damaged or destroyed in separate strikes. Together, the incidents point to mounting pressure on Russian fuel logistics and maritime supply routes.The supporting row says 14 new attacks on the shadow fleet were reported on the same day, bringing the weekly total to 49 vessels lost, most of them oil tankers said to be supplying fuel to Crimea and other occupied... [Continue Reading]
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Dozens of abducted schoolchildren and teachers rescued in Nigeria after 56 days
Nigeria says security forces have rescued dozens of schoolchildren and teachers who were abducted from three schools in Oyo state in May. The presidency said the hostages were freed 56 days after they were taken in the southwestern state, in an operation that also led to arrests and deaths among the assailants. President Bola Tinubu said he was profoundly happy that the students and teachers had been brought back safely.According to the statement, eight of the attackers were arrested and an unspecified number were killed. Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga said all of the students and teachers had been rescued, and... [Continue Reading]
Trump removes final members of US Election Assistance Commission ahead of midterms
President Donald Trump has removed the last remaining members of the US Election Assistance Commission, leaving the federal election body without sitting commissioners months before November's midterm elections. The White House confirmed the move on Friday, after two Democratic appointees were fired by email and the lone remaining Republican commissioner resigned. The commission is now vacant at a time when Trump is pressing for broader changes to voting rules.The Election Assistance Commission, often referred to as the EAC, is a bipartisan federal body created by Congress in 2002 to support state and local election officials. Its responsibilities include issuing non-binding... [Continue Reading]
Georgia left off NATO summit partner list, prompting isolation debate
Georgia's absence from the NATO summit in Turkey has triggered a fresh political debate in Tbilisi over whether the country is being pushed to the margins of regional security discussions. According to the supporting material, Georgia was not included in the official summit programme or the accompanying forums, unlike several other NATO partner countries and Ukraine. The omission has been interpreted by critics as a sign of political isolation, while government figures have rejected that reading.The summit in Ankara invited partner countries including Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand and Australia, as well as Ukraine, to... [Continue Reading]
Wall Street closes mixed as AI chips, Meta surge lift Nasdaq, while Dow and small caps lag
Executive summary: US stocks ended mixed, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite higher as investors piled into AI, software and mega-cap tech. Meta’s sharp post-close-style jump and Nvidia’s strong advance led the tape, while the Dow and Russell 2000 slipped. Energy and crude also firmed, but defensive and rate-sensitive pockets were uneven, leaving the session defined by a narrow, tech-led risk-on tone rather than broad market participation. [Continue Reading]
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Man arrested after death of Ann Widdecombe in Devon
A 26-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after the death of former MP and government minister Ann Widdecombe in Devon. Police said Widdecombe, who was 78, was found with serious injuries at her home in Haytor, a rural village on Dartmoor, on Thursday morning. The arrest was made at an address in Newton Abbot on Friday, and the suspect remains in custody.Devon and Cornwall Police said the case is not being treated as terrorism. Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman said officers currently have no information to suggest the crime was politically motivated, and it is too early... [Continue Reading]
Peru's president-elect signals move to restore diplomatic ties with Mexico
Peru's president-elect Keiko Fujimori has said she wants to restore diplomatic relations with Mexico, raising the prospect of an end to a months-long rupture between the two countries. She made the remarks in Lima after winning Peru's presidential runoff on June 7. Fujimori said there would be "every intention" on her part to rebuild ties.The dispute dates back to November, when Peru broke off relations after Mexico granted political asylum to former Peruvian prime minister Betssy Chavez. Chavez had served in the administration of former president Pedro Castillo and later became one of the central figures in the fallout from... [Continue Reading]
Day News Recap: Iran tensions, Asia flooding and Ebola surge dominate a crowded day of global news
Iran buried former supreme leader Ali Khamenei in Mashhad as crowds burned a giant effigy of Donald Trump and chanted anti US slogans, underscoring the sharp rise in tensions after two days of renewed US and Iranian attacks. Washington and Tehran also said they would keep talking even as Trump declared the ceasefire over, while the International Energy Agency warned the fighting could disrupt a fragile recovery in global oil markets and keep pressure on the Strait of Hormuz. 🔗 🔗 🔗 🔗In the Middle East, Israeli drone strikes injured two people in southern Lebanon despite a US brokered framework... [Continue Reading]
Spain wildfire in Almeria kills at least 12 as missing persons search continues
A wildfire in southern Spain has killed at least 12 people, injured eight and left 23 missing, according to the latest confirmed figures. The blaze tore through the Almeria area in Andalusia on Thursday and scorched about 3,800 hectares of land. Emergency crews were still working to contain the fire as smoke and strong winds complicated the response.Authorities said many of the dead were found in vehicles, suggesting they were caught while trying to flee the flames. The fire spread rapidly through very dry vegetation during a heatwave, with strong winds adding to the danger. Reports also suggested that a... [Continue Reading]
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Israel bars Jerusalem grand mufti from Al-Aqsa Mosque for one week
Israeli authorities have barred Jerusalem's grand mufti, Sheikh Muhammad Hussein, from entering the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound for one week after briefly detaining him following Friday prayers, according to the Jerusalem Governorate. The move concerns one of the most sensitive religious sites in the region and comes amid continuing tensions in occupied East Jerusalem. The governorate said the ban could be renewed.The Jerusalem Governorate said Hussein was detained after delivering his Friday sermon at Al-Aqsa Mosque and was later released. In a message cited by the governorate, officials said the arrest was carried out to serve him with an order preventing... [Continue Reading]
Pakistan says 75 insurgents killed in Balochistan after police officers abducted and shot dead
Pakistani security forces say they have killed 75 suspected insurgents in days-long operations in Balochistan after a deadly attack on a police post near Mangi Dam triggered a wider crackdown. The operation involved the Pakistan Army, the Frontier Corps and police, with air and ground support, according to officials cited in the supplied material. The violence has centred on the restive southwestern province, which borders Iran and Afghanistan and remains a focal point of separatist militancy.Authorities said the initial assault began late on Monday when dozens of militants attacked the police post guarding the Mangi Dam project in Ziarat district.... [Continue Reading]
Trump refuses to sign US housing bill amid voting-act standoff
President Donald Trump says he will not sign a bipartisan US housing bill, even though the measure is still set to become law at midnight without his approval. The legislation, known as the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, is aimed at speeding up environmental reviews for construction projects, encouraging development and limiting the number of single-family homes institutional investors can buy. Trump linked his refusal to the Senate's failure to pass the SAVE America Act, a separate voting measure.In a post on Truth Social on Friday, Trump said he would not support signing the housing bill because of the... [Continue Reading]
Europe closes lower as energy and FX moves fail to offset broad equity selloff
Executive summary: European equities ended sharply lower, with the DAX, Euro Stoxx 50, CAC 40 and FTSE 100 all in the red. Brent crude rallied more than 5%, natural gas dropped more than 10%, and sterling strengthened against the dollar, but those moves did not prevent a broad risk-off session across the region. Gold and silver also eased, while the euro was little changed and the yen was broadly steady. [Continue Reading]
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Petr Pavel warns peace window may narrow after Russia's September elections
Czech President Petr Pavel has warned that the window for peace talks with Russia may narrow after the country's parliamentary elections in September. He said there is still an opportunity to push for dialogue, but argued that the situation could change quickly once the vote is over. His comments come amid continuing concern in Europe about the direction of the war in Ukraine.Pavel said Russia would be unlikely to announce mobilisation before the elections, but suggested pressure could build afterwards. He also said that if Ukraine continues to carry out successful deep strikes inside Russian territory, Moscow may be pushed... [Continue Reading]
Israeli drone strikes hit southern Lebanon despite US-brokered framework deal
Two people were injured on Friday when an Israeli drone struck a pick-up truck in southern Lebanon, according to state-run media. The attack took place on the outskirts of Choukine and Kfar Dajjal in the Nabatieh district, where the vehicle was reportedly unloading garbage early in the day. The strike came despite a United States-brokered framework agreement intended to pave the way for a phased Israeli withdrawal.Lebanon's National News Agency said separate strikes also targeted a car in southern Lebanon, while demolition operations shook the border town of Khiam overnight. Later, the agency reported that drones also hit the towns... [Continue Reading]
Trump threatens to block housing bill over voter ID and filibuster fight
President Donald Trump made multiple posts on Truth Social in the last hour: - "I will not sign the Housing Bill, which has been fully approved by Congress and sent to the White House, in PROTEST over the fact that the United States Senate is not capable of passing THE SAVE AMERICA ACT, which is polling at 97% with the Republican Party, and very high with the non-politician Dumocrats. The Act states, quite simply, that to Vote a person must show PHOTO VOTER I. D., PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP, AND THAT THERE WILL BE NO MORE CROOKED, CORRUPT, & DESTABILIZING MAIL-IN... [Continue Reading]
US-Iran escalation threatens oil supply recovery, IEA warns as Hormuz disruption persists
The International Energy Agency has warned that renewed fighting between the United States and Iran could derail a fragile recovery in global oil markets. The warning comes as a lull in hostilities and backroom diplomacy had appeared to create space for a possible revival of the ceasefire. The agency said the latest escalation risks prolonging disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global energy trade.According to the supplied material, the conflict had already cut as much as 14 million barrels per day of crude oil flows when the waterway was effectively closed. The IEA said... [Continue Reading]
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Super Typhoon Bavi kills at least 15 in the Philippines as Taiwan braces for impact
Super Typhoon Bavi has killed at least 15 people in the Philippines and forced more than 2,000 people to leave their homes in Taiwan as it moves across the western Pacific. The storm was advancing toward Taiwan on Friday, with authorities warning that it could also affect remote southwest Japanese islands before later reaching China. In the Philippines, the deaths were linked to two landslides caused by heavy rain on the island of Mindanao.Authorities said six people were still missing in Mindanao after the landslides, which were triggered by rainfall intensified by the storm. In Taiwan, the city of Keelung... [Continue Reading]
Iran funeral crowds burn Trump effigy amid anti-U.S. chants in Mashhad
Crowds in Iran burned a giant effigy of Donald Trump during the public funeral procession for Ali Khamenei in Mashhad, according to footage shared by Iran's state-linked PressTV. The scene took place on Thursday, 9 July, as the funeral of the former supreme leader moved through the city. The procession had been under way for nearly a week and ended with Khamenei's burial in Mashhad.The effigy was made to resemble the US president and was lifted by a crane before people in the crowd set fire to its feet. The flames spread and the figure later collapsed in pieces, according... [Continue Reading]
Noontime News Recap: China flooding worsens as Spain wildfire toll rises and US Iran tensions deepen
Typhoon Maysak has worsened flooding across southern and central China, with people stranded on rooftops in Nanning and surrounding areas, while the storm also triggered tornadoes and widespread disruption. 🔗In southern Spain, a wildfire near Almeria has killed 11 people, injured six and forced about 1,000 residents to evacuate as emergency crews continue to battle the blaze. 🔗Tensions on the Korean peninsula also sharpened after North Korea vowed to strengthen its nuclear force in both quality and quantity and expand the role of its military intelligence agency as part of a wider military modernisation push. 🔗In the Middle East, the... [Continue Reading]
US reports say Israel shared intelligence on alleged Iranian plot to kill Trump
The reports say Israel has shared intelligence with the United States alleging that Iran recently developed a new plan to assassinate President Donald Trump. The warning was described as specific and was said to have been passed to US officials this week. It comes as tensions between Washington and Tehran remain high, even while nuclear negotiations continue.According to the supplied material, US intelligence agencies have been monitoring possible threats linked to Iran, but have not confirmed any active plot. The reports also say earlier intelligence had pointed to possible threats against Trump, while the Israeli information was presented as a... [Continue Reading]
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Ukraine and US still finalising technical terms for Patriot missile production
Trump said at the NATO summit in Turkiye that Ukraine would be given the right to make Patriot missile systems, but he gave no timetable for when production could begin. He told Volodymyr Zelenskyy that the United States would show Ukraine how to do it, while also saying Washington would keep its own stockpile. Ukraine said it will try to master domestic production as soon as possible, but the immediate practical steps remain unclear.The announcement comes as Ukraine's stock of US-made Patriot interceptors has been depleted by frequent Russian strikes, making the air-defence system one of Kyiv's most urgent military... [Continue Reading]
UN warns aid cuts have cut off support for one million women and girls
The United Nations has warned that at least one million women and girls have lost access to critical support because of sharp cuts to foreign aid spending since January 2025. In a new report, UN Women said the reduction in funding is accelerating the collapse of women-led organisations in crisis settings. The agency said the cuts are coming as humanitarian needs continue to rise across multiple conflict-affected countries.UN Women said its findings were based on responses from 855 women-led and women's rights organisations operating in 52 crisis-affected countries. It said 84% of the groups surveyed reported higher demand for their... [Continue Reading]
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China flooding worsens as Typhoon Maysak leaves people stranded on rooftops and triggers tornadoes
Typhoon Maysak has continued to drive severe flooding across southern and central China, with people reported stranded on rooftops in Nanning and surrounding areas in Guangxi. The storm is the first typhoon to make landfall in China in the 2026 season, and it has brought intense rainfall, swollen rivers and further disruption to already affected communities. In central China, the same weather system also helped produce two destructive tornadoes later on Monday evening.The Guangxi region received up to 280mm of rain in 12 hours, according to the supporting report, causing river levels to rise and dam walls to break. By... [Continue Reading]
China completes first controlled recovery of orbital-class rocket booster
China has reported its first successful controlled recovery of an orbital-class rocket booster after a Long March 10B launch in southern China. The booster returned vertically and was recovered on an offshore platform, according to state broadcaster CCTV. The test is being presented as a step toward reusable rockets and a sign of progress in a field long dominated by US companies.The Long March 10B lifted off from the Hainan commercial space launch site on Friday. About six minutes after the booster separated from the upper stage, it came back down in a controlled descent and was retrieved at sea.... [Continue Reading]
Turkey's NATO summit revolver gifts trigger customs and security checks as leaders take delivery
Security and customs officials are continuing to deal with the fallout from Turkey's unusual summit gifts to NATO leaders, after boxes containing engraved revolvers and live ammunition were handed out in Ankara. The gifts were presented after the two-day gathering hosted by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and several delegations were left working out how to clear and store them safely. The episode has drawn attention because the items included functioning weapons rather than symbolic souvenirs.According to the supplied report, each box contained a vintage-style revolver, six live rounds and a cleaning kit, with the recipient's name engraved on the gun.... [Continue Reading]
Breakfast News Recap: Wildfires, Iran tensions and Gaza deaths dominate a crowded global briefing
A wildfire in Bedar in Spain's Almeria province has killed 12 people and injured at least six others, with regional authorities saying the blaze spread quickly through the area. 🔗In Venezuela, the death toll from twin earthquakes last month has risen to 3,889, while health agencies warn that displaced communities now face a growing disease risk. 🔗 In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ebola deaths have reached 600 and officials say the outbreak is now the fastest growing ever recorded. 🔗Iran buried its former supreme leader Ali Khamenei in Mashhad after days of funeral processions and rallies, as renewed... [Continue Reading]
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European markets open lower as energy shock lifts Brent and pressure spreads across equities
Executive summary: European equities opened under pressure, with the DAX, FTSE 100, CAC 40 and Euro Stoxx 50 all lower in early trade. Brent crude jumped sharply, natural gas sold off, and the euro and pound were firmer against the dollar, while gold eased and industrial metals were mixed. The move points to a market still reacting to geopolitical energy risk and shifting rate expectations, with cyclicals and autos among the early laggards. [Continue Reading]
Tokyo and Asia-Pacific Close Mixed as Hong Kong Rallies, Seoul Sells Off on Oil Shock and Gas Slide
Executive summary: Asia-Pacific trading ended sharply mixed, with Hong Kong leading gains while Seoul and Tokyo fell. The Hang Seng jumped +4.1% as WTI crude surged +5.2%, while the Kospi dropped -7.2% and the Nikkei 225 lost -1.7%. The move came alongside a steep slide in natural gas, softer gold, and a firmer dollar-yen rate, pointing to a market still reacting to energy volatility and shifting risk appetite. [Continue Reading]
SK hynix launches huge US listing amid AI boom
South Korean chip maker SK hynix has set pricing for a major US listing, aiming to raise $26.5bn as demand for artificial intelligence infrastructure continues to drive investor interest in semiconductor companies. The offering is expected to be one of the largest stock sales ever completed on US markets. The company plans to list American depositary shares on Nasdaq later on Friday.SK hynix said the deal involves 177.9 million depositary shares, with each ADS representing one-tenth of a regular share, priced at $149.00 per ADS. The listing has been more than seven times oversubscribed, according to US media reports cited... [Continue Reading]
Kyiv court hears Ukrainian agent deny killing Monaco bomb suspect as case widens
A Ukrainian intelligence officer accused of killing Anastasiia Berezovska, the woman suspected in a Monaco bombing plot, has told a court in Kyiv that he did not fire the fatal shot. Vladyslav Reut made the claim during a custody hearing on Thursday, reversing an earlier account in which he had appeared to admit the killing and led investigators to her grave in woodland west of the capital. The case is drawing attention because it involves an active officer from Ukraine's military intelligence agency and a former employee of the security service.In court, Reut said he "categorically denied" murdering Berezovska and... [Continue Reading]
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H5 bird flu detected in Australian seabird for first time, with surveillance stepped up
Australia has confirmed the H5 bird flu strain in a greater crested tern found dead in Robe, South Australia, marking the first detection of the virus in a local Australian seabird. The finding was announced on Friday by federal Agriculture Minister Julie Collins and comes as authorities continue to monitor wildlife along the country's southern coastline. Officials said South Australia is now leading extra surveillance in the area to check whether the virus has spread further in local bird populations.Collins said the discovery was concerning but not unexpected, and described it as another sign that Australia's biosecurity system is working.... [Continue Reading]
Iran buries former supreme leader amid renewed US-Iran fighting
Iran has buried its former supreme leader Ali Khamenei in the eastern city of Mashhad, as two days of renewed US and Iranian attacks deepened fears of a wider war. The burial took place at the Shrine of Imam Reza, one of the country's most important religious sites, where a flag-covered coffin was carried into the complex while mourners gathered outside. State broadcaster IRIB said the body of the "martyred leader of the Islamic Revolution" was buried in the memorial hall of the shrine.The ceremony came more than four months after Khamenei was killed in an airstrike, according to the... [Continue Reading]
Tokyo Opens Lower as Nikkei Slips, Kospi Rout Deepens, and Oil Jumps on Middle East Risk
Executive summary: Tokyo and broader Asia-Pacific trading opened with a defensive tone, led by a sharp Nikkei decline and a steep selloff in Korea’s Kospi. The Hang Seng moved higher, but the regional picture was dominated by risk aversion, a firmer dollar against the yen, and a jump in WTI crude tied to renewed geopolitical tension. Gold and silver eased from recent highs, while natural gas fell sharply. [Continue Reading]
Syria arrests ISIS-linked suspects over Damascus bombings during Macron visit
Syrian authorities said on Thursday they had arrested several suspects accused of carrying out bombings in Damascus, including attacks that took place during French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to the capital earlier this week. The Interior Ministry said the suspects were captured after simultaneous raids in four neighbourhoods in Damascus and its surrounding countryside. Officials said the operation targeted a cell they believe was behind the blasts, which killed one person and wounded dozens.Interior Minister Anas Khattab said the cell responsible for the "terrorist bombings" was now in custody, while Ahmad Dalati, head of interior security for the Damascus region,... [Continue Reading]
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Venezuela earthquake toll rises to 3,889 as disease risk grows in displaced areas
Venezuela's authorities say the death toll from twin earthquakes last month has risen to 3,889, as health agencies warn that displaced communities now face a growing risk of disease. The latest figures also put the number of injured at 16,740, with 17,907 people displaced. The worst-affected area is Venezuela's northern coast, where many residents have been forced into shelters after the tremors.Lawmaker Jorge Rodrigues said the updated toll was reported on Thursday. The Pan American Health Organization warned that the main health threat in the coming weeks may come not only from earthquake injuries, but also from disrupted health services,... [Continue Reading]
Ali Khamenei buried in Mashhad amid renewed Iran-US hostilities
Iran has buried former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei at the Imam Reza Shrine in Mashhad, ending a week of funeral processions, mourning events and rallies across Iran and Iraq. The burial took place in the country's northeast and drew large crowds carrying Iranian flags and photographs of the former leader. Clerics walked beside the coffin as it was moved through the streets on a truck toward the shrine.The funeral followed a period of heightened tension linked in the supplied report to earlier US-Israeli strikes and to renewed hostilities between Iran and the United States. The article says the latest confrontation... [Continue Reading]
Explosions reported in Iran near Bushehr and Konarak as US military denies involvement
Iranian media reported loud explosions in several locations in southern Iran late on Thursday, including areas around Bushehr, Choghadak and the coastal city of Konarak. The reports came amid continuing exchanges between Iran, the United States and Israel, with officials in Washington denying any recent US strikes. Local officials in Bushehr said one blast in the city was caused by air defence systems, while another strike hit a military headquarters on the outskirts of the city.According to the supplied report, the United States Central Command said the US military had not carried out any strikes in Iran in the past... [Continue Reading]
Israeli attacks kill six more in Gaza as ceasefire talks stall
Israeli drone strikes and gunfire have killed six people across Gaza, according to the territory's civil defence agency and health officials. The latest deaths were reported on Thursday and included two people killed in central Gaza's Nuseirat camp. The violence comes despite a ceasefire that remains in place on paper, while efforts to reach a final deal to end the war have stalled.A security source in Gaza said an Israeli drone strike targeted a vehicle linked to Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem. Mr Qassem was not in the vehicle, but the strike killed his bodyguard, the source said. Gaza hospitals confirmed... [Continue Reading]
Syria's diplomatic reintegration accelerates as US plans delisting and OPCW restores voting rights
The United States is preparing to remove Syria from its state sponsors of terrorism list, adding to a series of steps that point to the country's gradual return to international institutions. The move comes as Syria's transitional authorities continue to seek broader diplomatic and economic reintegration after the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad. It also follows a separate decision by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons to restore Syria's voting rights.The US plan was described as part of a wider shift in Washington's approach to Damascus, with the designation dating back to 1979. The earlier announcement said the delisting... [Continue Reading]
Ebola deaths in Democratic Republic of the Congo reach 600 as outbreak is described as fastest-growing ever
Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo say the country's Ebola outbreak has become the fastest-growing ever recorded, as confirmed deaths reached 600 and cases rose to 1,759. The latest figures, issued by the UN health agency and cited by African public health officials, show the outbreak continuing to expand since it was declared in mid-May. Officials say the virus is still outpacing the emergency response, with cases estimated to be doubling about every 28 days.Wessam Mankoula, who heads emergency preparedness and response at the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, said the outbreak was the fastest-growing... [Continue Reading]
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Netanyahu says Israel is building new alliances with India amid strain in US ties
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said his government is working to build new alliances and deepen relationships with countries beyond the United States, naming India as a key partner. He made the remarks in an interview released on Wednesday with Israeli journalist Sharon Gal. The comments come as Israel seeks to broaden its diplomatic options at a time of apparent friction with Washington.Netanyahu said Israel has been actively trying to forge new ties with major world powers. "You have to build new alliances and develop new relationships. That's what I'm doing right now with India," he said.The interview did... [Continue Reading]
Palestinian president sets legislative elections for November 28 amid pressure for reform
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has issued a decree setting legislative elections for 28 November across the Palestinian Territories. The vote is intended to cover Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and would be the first Palestinian legislative election in 20 years if it goes ahead. The announcement adds a new step to a long-delayed political process that has been repeatedly disrupted by division, conflict and unresolved voting arrangements.The decree was issued on Thursday, according to the supplied report, as Abbas and the Palestinian leadership face mounting international pressure to demonstrate legitimacy and reform. The report says the move follows... [Continue Reading]
Day News Recap: Middle East war widens as NATO, markets and global diplomacy feel the shock
The conflict between the United States and Iran widened sharply, with both sides trading strikes for a second day and Tehran saying it fired 10 ballistic missiles at Jordan's Azraq military base, while Washington hit Iran's strategic port city of Chabahar for the first time since the war began. The escalation has pushed the confrontation beyond the Strait of Hormuz and deepened fears of a broader regional war. 🔗 🔗In Iran, huge crowds gathered in Mashhad for the burial of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, with the final rites bringing six days of funeral events to a close after his death... [Continue Reading]
Nigeria orders probe after fake federal agency received budget funding and office space
Nigeria's president has ordered an investigation after a fictitious federal body was found to have received budget funding and office space, triggering a political storm in the run-up to January's general election. The case centres on the presidential foreign intervention promotion council, or PFIPC, which was allocated 1.3 billion naira in the 2026 budget. The development has intensified scrutiny of governance and corruption in Africa's most populous country.According to the supplied material, the issue first came to light last October when Femi Gbajabiamila, the president's chief of staff, wrote to police alleging that his signature, official seals and reference numbers... [Continue Reading]
Mali convoy carrying Russian reinforcements attacked near Anefis
Tuareg separatists and their jihadist allies attacked a convoy carrying Russian soldiers and Malian troops on Thursday morning as it moved to reinforce a military camp near Anefis in northern Mali. The convoy was heading toward a position where Russian paramilitaries from Africa Corps and a small number of Malian soldiers are reported to be holding out. Fighting was still under way after the ambush, according to a Malian security source.The attack was carried out by fighters from the Azawad Liberation Front, also known as the FLA, alongside JNIM, the al-Qaeda-linked jihadist alliance active in the Sahel. A spokesperson for... [Continue Reading]
Europe closes lower as oil spikes, autos and cyclicals lead the retreat
Executive summary: European equities ended the session broadly lower, with the FTSE 100, DAX, CAC 40 and Euro Stoxx 50 all finishing in the red as a sharp jump in Brent crude and a weaker tone in autos and industrial-linked assets pressured risk appetite. The move came alongside firmer sterling, a stronger dollar against the yen, and softer gold and silver, pointing to a market that was repricing geopolitical and inflation risks rather than chasing growth. [Continue Reading]
At least 28 killed in shoe factory fire in Jinjiang, Fujian
At least 28 people have been killed in a fire at a shoe factory in Jinjiang, in China's Fujian province, according to state media. Many others were still thought to be trapped inside the building as firefighters continued rescue efforts on Thursday. The blaze broke out around noon at the Huiteng Shoes factory in Jiangtou village and sent thick black smoke over the site.Local reporting said the fire started on the ground floor and spread quickly through the multistorey building. More than 180 firefighters and rescue workers were dispatched, along with 35 emergency vehicles, to try to reach people inside.... [Continue Reading]
Wall Street opens mixed as oil spikes, energy leads and risk assets wobble
Executive summary: U.S. markets opened with a split tone, as a sharp jump in WTI crude lifted energy shares while rate-sensitive and riskier corners of the market softened. The S&P 500 edged higher, the Dow was little changed, and the Nasdaq slipped slightly. The biggest early move was in oil, where WTI surged more than 6%, a shift that is feeding into sector rotation, inflation expectations and broader risk appetite. [Continue Reading]
Iran prepares to bury slain leader Khamenei in Mashhad amid mass funeral processions
Huge crowds have gathered in the eastern holy city of Mashhad as Iran prepares to bury its slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The burial in his hometown is due on Thursday and follows a week of funeral processions, rallies and mourning ceremonies across Iran. It also comes after large commemorations in Iraq, where the dead leader was honoured in the holy cities of Najaf and Karbala.The supporting report says Khamenei was killed in strikes on Tehran on 28 February, along with several relatives. It says his remains arrived at Mashhad international airport on Thursday after being paraded through Tehran... [Continue Reading]
Iran buries Ali Khamenei in Mashhad after days of public funeral rites
Iran has buried Ali Khamenei in Mashhad after several days of public funeral ceremonies following his death in a wartime attack. The burial took place on Thursday, 9 July, at the Imam Reza shrine, one of the holiest sites in the country. The funeral had been delayed for months before the public rites began on 4 July after a ceasefire was consolidated.According to the supplied report, Khamenei died on 28 February, the first day of the military conflict. The attack was carried out by the United States and Israel, and four of his relatives were also killed. The bodies were... [Continue Reading]
South Korea's top court upholds seven-year sentence for ex-president Yoon
South Korea's Supreme Court has upheld a seven-year prison sentence for former president Yoon Suk Yeol over crimes linked to his botched 2024 martial law declaration. The ruling confirms the sentence imposed by lower courts and closes off Yoon's final appeal in this case. It comes as the former leader is already detained in a separate matter involving a life sentence for leading an insurrection.The court said the lower judgment contained no errors and dismissed all appeals in a televised ruling. According to the case details, Yoon was accused of obstructing cabinet deliberations by convening only a select group of... [Continue Reading]
Breakfast News Recap: Iran and US widen Gulf confrontation as NATO, Gaza and IMF warnings add pressure
The United States and Iran traded strikes for a second day, widening the confrontation across the Gulf and increasing pressure on the Strait of Hormuz as Gulf bases came under attack. 🔗The IMF cut its 2026 global growth forecast to 3.0 percent, saying the war in the region has fed an energy shock that is still weighing on the world economy and markets. 🔗In Gaza, Israeli air strikes and gunfire killed at least eight people, including two children, in incidents reported across Gaza City, Khan Younis and the Z... as ceasefire violations continued. 🔗Washington also signalled a major policy shift... [Continue Reading]
Europe Opens Lower as Oil Jumps and Risk Assets Sell Off Across Stocks, Metals and Crypto
Executive summary: European markets opened under heavy pressure, with the Euro Stoxx 50, CAC 40, DAX and FTSE 100 all lower as Brent crude surged nearly 8% and investors rotated away from risk. Autos, silver, palladium, ether and major European benchmarks were among the sharpest decliners, while sterling and the euro firmed against the dollar. The move points to a classic risk-off session, with energy strength offsetting broader weakness in equities and industrial metals. [Continue Reading]
Tokyo and Asia-Pacific close mixed as oil spikes, yen weakens and Japan leads regional losses
Executive summary: Asia-Pacific trading ended sharply mixed, with Japan and South Korea under pressure while Hong Kong and Australia posted gains. The biggest cross-asset move was in oil, where WTI crude jumped +6.9%, while the yen weakened to 162.257 per dollar and gold slipped. The combination points to a market still reacting to higher energy costs, a softer yen and a rotation away from some defensive metals. [Continue Reading]
IMF cuts 2026 global growth forecast as Iran war fallout hits energy markets
The International Monetary Fund has cut its 2026 global growth forecast to 3.0 percent, citing the lingering effects of the energy shock caused by the war in the Middle East. The revision comes as shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains heavily constrained and oil markets continue to react to renewed military action. The IMF said the outlook is being shaped by both war-related disruption and a technology-driven investment boom.The fund said the 2026 forecast was lowered from 3.1 percent in April, marking its second downgrade this year. It expects global inflation to reach 4.7 percent in 2026, up from... [Continue Reading]
Graham Platner suspends Maine Senate campaign after scandal and assault allegation
Democrat Graham Platner has suspended his campaign for the US Senate in Maine after a series of scandals, including a sexual assault allegation. He said he will formally withdraw from the race once a replacement is selected through what he described as a transparent and democratic process. The move comes in a contest seen as important to Democrats' hopes of winning control of the Senate.Platner said in an 11-minute video posted online that the decision was not an admission of guilt. He said the allegation was false and that the claims against him did not happen. He also said the... [Continue Reading]
Tokyo Opens Lower as Oil Jumps, Nikkei Slides and Hong Kong Rallies on Risk Rotation
Executive summary: Tokyo and broader Asia-Pacific markets opened with a sharp split, as surging WTI crude, a weaker yen and renewed geopolitical stress pressured Japan and South Korea, while Hong Kong extended a strong rebound. The Nikkei 225 fell -3.9% and the Kospi dropped -5.2%, even as the Hang Seng surged +5.8%. Oil’s +8.2% jump is the clearest cross-asset signal, feeding inflation concerns, lifting the dollar against the yen and adding pressure to rate-sensitive and import-heavy sectors. [Continue Reading]
NATO summit unity tested in Turkey as Rutte defends alliance amid Trump criticism
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has insisted there is still unity among the alliance's members as leaders meet in Turkey. His comments came after questions over whether that unity can hold while Donald Trump continues to criticise the alliance publicly. The summit has brought together world leaders discussing Russia's war in Ukraine and the conflict in the Middle East.The latest remarks add to pressure on a gathering already marked by debate over the alliance's direction and the United States' role in it. Trump's criticism has remained a prominent backdrop to the talks, with the issue of cohesion now being openly... [Continue Reading]
Rahm Emanuel says Israel should no longer expect unconditional US aid
Former Obama administration official Rahm Emanuel has said Israel should no longer expect unconditional aid from the United States, in remarks delivered at Tel Aviv University. He also criticised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and argued that the relationship between Washington and Jerusalem needs to be reassessed. Emanuel said the alliance was at a crossroads and called for a new and different approach.Emanuel said unconditional support had encouraged a situation in which a prime minister could ignore American concerns about settlements and risk a regional war without political consequences. He said the long-standing assumption that the best thing Washington could... [Continue Reading]
Sudan official proposes national dialogue to end civil war
A senior Sudanese official has proposed a national dialogue aimed at ending the country's civil war and setting out a path towards civilian rule and elections. Malik Agar Ayyir, who is now aligned with the Sudanese government, is calling for talks to restore the state's monopoly on arms and dissolve non-state armed groups. The proposal is intended to bring together actors aligned with Sudan's internationally recognised government and address the conflict's main political and military disputes.The plan, obtained by the source, says the dialogue could take the form of a single meeting or a series of meetings. It specifically raises... [Continue Reading]
Modi in Melbourne for summit with Albanese as India-Australia ties deepen
Narendra Modi is in Melbourne for talks with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the third annual India-Australia summit. The meeting is expected to focus on cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, critical minerals and education ties, according to the supplied material. Officials say the visit is intended to deepen the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership across areas of mutual interest.A spokesperson for India's Ministry of External Affairs said Modi arrived in Melbourne to a warm welcome, while Modi said on social media that the trip would add vigour to the bilateral partnership. He also said he looked forward to talks with Albanese... [Continue Reading]
Wall Street closes mixed as tech wobbles, oil surges and Apple leads a sharp stock rotation
Executive summary: U.S. markets ended mixed, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq lower, the Dow barely positive, and small caps under pressure. The session was defined by a steep drop in AI and chip shares, a strong rebound in Apple, a jump in crude oil, and a broader rotation toward energy and some financials while high-growth tech and crypto-linked assets softened. [Continue Reading]
Oneida County man pleads guilty in federal child pornography case
Patrick Weaver, 36, of Waterville, New York, pleaded guilty in federal court in Syracuse yesterday to distributing, receiving, and possessing child pornography. The case was announced by First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Buffalo Acting Special Agent in Charge Anthony Patrone. The source identifies Weaver as a Oneida County sex offender. No additional facts were provided on the evidence, the volume of material, or any victims. The report gives no sentencing outcome, no court schedule, and no further operational details beyond the guilty plea in federal court. The available record confirms only... [Continue Reading]
Day News Recap: Iran tensions jolt markets as strikes, tanker attacks and fresh regional violence mount
Oil prices jumped after attacks on tankers near the Strait of Hormuz disrupted traffic through one of the world’s most important shipping lanes, adding to fears of a wider regional shock. Brent crude rose sharply and later hit a two week high as traders priced in the risk of further supply disruption. 🔗 🔗Donald Trump deepened the market turmoil by saying the ceasefire with Iran was over and warning that further US air strikes could follow, comments he made at the NATO summit in Ankara. He also said he was willing to consider selling F 35 fighter jets to Turkey... [Continue Reading]
Rescuers search for five missing after deadly landslide in Kerala, India
Rescuers in India's southern state of Kerala are searching for five people who remain missing after a deadly landslide. The incident has prompted an ongoing emergency response in the affected area, with teams continuing efforts to locate those unaccounted for. The landslide was described as deadly, but no further details on the number of confirmed fatalities were provided in the supplied material.The latest confirmed information says five people are missing, and that rescue operations are under way. The event was reported on 8 July 2026, placing it in the middle of the monsoon period when parts of Kerala are often... [Continue Reading]
Europe closes lower as oil spikes, metals slide and rate-sensitive assets wobble
Executive summary: European equities ended the session under pressure, with the CAC 40 and Euro Stoxx 50 leading losses while the FTSE 100 held close to flat. The sharpest cross-asset move was in Brent crude, which surged more than 11%, reinforcing inflation concerns and helping explain weakness in gold, silver, platinum and autos. FX was comparatively calm, with sterling and the euro firmer against the dollar. [Continue Reading]
Khamenei funeral procession moves from Najaf to Karbala as Iraq ceremonies continue
Funeral ceremonies for Iran's slain Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei continued in Iraq on Wednesday, with his coffin carried through the Imam Ali shrine in Najaf before being flown to Karbala for another procession. Large crowds gathered in both holy cities, and mourners were seen pushing close to the casket as it was moved by hand through the shrine complex in Najaf. The rites are part of a multi-day sequence of public mourning taking place across Iran and neighbouring Iraq.In Najaf, chants of "Death to America" and "Death to Israel" were heard as the coffin was transported towards the shrine, according... [Continue Reading]
Pakistan cargo plane wreckage found in Arabian Sea after disappearance near Karachi
Wreckage from a K2 Airways cargo Boeing 737 that disappeared while approaching Karachi has been found in the Arabian Sea, Pakistan's Airports Authority said. The aircraft lost contact with air traffic control on Tuesday evening after departing Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates. Five crew members remain missing as search teams continue operations across the sea.The debris was recovered about 53 nautical miles south of Ormara port after a search that lasted nearly 12 hours. According to the Airports Authority, radar data showed the aircraft making a sharp change in heading before descending rapidly. Radio and radar contact was lost... [Continue Reading]
Eight killed as landslide hits girls' school in Bangladesh refugee camp
Eight people have been killed after a landslide struck a girls' school inside a Rohingya refugee camp in Cox's Bazar, in south-eastern Bangladesh. The mudslide buried an Islamic study centre in the coastal city on Wednesday afternoon, triggering a rescue operation in difficult conditions. Officials said it is still unclear how many people were inside the school when the slope gave way.Rescuers pulled 13 people from the mud and debris, according to the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner, Mohammed Mizanur Rahman. Eight of those rescued died, while the other five children were taken to hospital for treatment. A local district... [Continue Reading]
Wall Street Opens Mixed as Chip Rout Deepens, Oil Surges and Energy Leads Early Rotation
Executive summary: U.S. markets opened with a sharp split between growth and value, as chip and tech shares sold off hard while energy and banks outperformed. The Nasdaq and Russell 2000 were lower, the S&P 500 slipped, and the Dow held a modest gain. The biggest move was in semiconductors, where SOXX dropped -12.9%, while WTI crude jumped +7.7%, helping lift energy stocks and financials. The session points to a rotation away from rate-sensitive and AI-linked names toward sectors tied to higher oil prices and a firmer inflation backdrop. [Continue Reading]
Pakistan links Shabir Ahmed return to UK extradition demands
Pakistan has reportedly said it could consider taking back convicted Rochdale grooming gang ringleader Shabir Ahmed only if Britain agrees to extradite several Pakistan-based dissidents and critics of Army chief Asim Munir. The reported condition has added a diplomatic dimension to Britain's efforts to remove Ahmed, whose deportation remains blocked by legal and citizenship complications. Ahmed, 73, was released last week after serving 14 years of a 22-year sentence for 30 child sexual offences, including rape, involving girls as young as 12.According to the report, Ahmed held dual British and Pakistani citizenship before he was jailed in August 2012. Britain... [Continue Reading]
Israeli strike in Gaza's Sabra kills aid worker and three others
An Israeli airstrike hit a car in the Sabra neighbourhood of Gaza City on Tuesday evening, killing a Palestinian aid worker who helped organise public screenings of World Cup matches across the territory. Local health officials said the strike also killed two children and a taxi driver who were nearby when the vehicle was hit. The incident took place in a densely populated part of Gaza City and came amid continuing Israeli attacks in the enclave.The dead were identified as Mohamed al-Wahidi, a member of the Egyptian Committee in Gaza, the brothers Hamza al-Deri, aged 10, and Fari al-Deri, aged... [Continue Reading]
Cuba hit by third nationwide blackout of the year as protests break out
Cubans in several parts of the island protested on Tuesday evening after a nationwide power cut left homes and streets in the dark. Residents banged pots and set rubbish on fire in some locations, while others shouted for the lights to be turned back on. The outage was the third nationwide blackout in Cuba this year and came on top of rolling electricity cuts already affecting the country.Officials said most of the country had had power restored by Tuesday, but some areas remained without electricity later in the day. Santiago de Cuba, the country's second-largest city, was among the places... [Continue Reading]
Trump Floats F-35 Sale to Turkey and Sanctions Relief During NATO Visit
US President Donald Trump has said he is willing to consider selling F-35 fighter jets to Turkey and lifting US sanctions imposed on the country. He made the remarks during a visit to Turkey on Tuesday, where he met President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in a high-profile display of warming ties between the two NATO allies. The comments immediately raised questions about whether Washington could reverse restrictions that have been in place since Turkey bought a Russian air defence system.Trump said Turkey had been "much more loyal than other countries" and described the F-35 as "the best plane by far." He... [Continue Reading]
Major Telstra outage disrupts trains and emergency calls across Australia
Australia's largest telecommunications company has restored services after an intermittent outage that disrupted mobile coverage, cancelled train services and prompted checks on emergency calls that did not connect. The incident began at 04:30 local time on Wednesday and lasted for about 12 hours before services were fully restored. The company said the impact was national, affecting customers across Australia.Telstra's chief financial officer, Michael Ackland, said the problem was caused by software defects linked to time-keeping servers at data centres in Sydney and Melbourne. He said the issue was not the result of a cyberattack. The company said it had carried... [Continue Reading]
Kerala suspends Wayanad tunnel project after deadly collapse and landslide
Kerala has suspended construction of the Wayanad twin tunnel project after a tragedy at preparatory work near the tunnel entrance killed three migrant workers and left five others missing. The decision was taken on Wednesday, a day after the incident in Wayanad, as search operations continued for the missing workers. Officials also said a landslide occurred above the construction site, adding to concerns about the safety of the area.After a cabinet meeting, the chief minister said the state would launch legal and technical probes into the circumstances that led to the deaths and disappearances. He said the work would remain... [Continue Reading]
Europe opens mixed as oil spikes, FTSE and DAX climb, and autos lag on supply shock fears
Executive summary: European markets opened with a split tone, as the FTSE 100 and DAX advanced while the Euro Stoxx 50 and CAC 40 slipped. The biggest cross-asset move was in Brent crude, which jumped sharply, reinforcing inflation and margin concerns across energy-intensive sectors and helping explain weakness in global autos. Gold, silver and platinum also firmed, while the euro and pound gained modestly against the dollar. [Continue Reading]
Tokyo Close: Nikkei Slips, Kospi Rout Deepens as Oil Jumps and Hong Kong Rallies
Executive summary: Asia-Pacific trading ended with a sharp split, Japan and South Korea under pressure while Hong Kong and Australia advanced. The Nikkei 225 fell -2.8% and the Kospi plunged -12.5%, while the Hang Seng surged +6.2% and the ASX 200 gained +0.7%. The move came alongside a sharp rise in WTI crude, firmer precious metals, and a slightly softer dollar against the yen, pointing to a session dominated by geopolitics, energy, and risk rotation. [Continue Reading]
Cuba rallies support at UN against US blockade as foreign minister cites record $8bn damage
Cuba has used a United Nations General Assembly debate to renew its attack on the United States embargo, describing it as a long-running form of pressure that has intensified in recent months. Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez told delegates that the blockade amounted to "collective punishment" of the Cuban population. He said the issue remained a responsibility of the UN and urged continued international attention.Rodriguez said the damage caused by the embargo between March 2025 and February 2026 reached a record $8bn, which he said was 7% higher than in the same period a year earlier. He added that the figure... [Continue Reading]
Russian strikes kill three in Ukraine ahead of Trump-Zelensky meeting at NATO summit
Russian overnight strikes on Ukraine killed three people, including a 15-year-old boy and his mother, according to local officials. The attack came as leaders gathered for the second day of the NATO summit in Ankara, where a planned meeting between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was due to take place. The timing has added immediate political weight to the latest escalation in the war.The confirmed death toll is higher than in the earlier report of at least two fatalities, and the new details identify two of the victims. Local officials said the boy and his mother... [Continue Reading]
Trump says Florida court kept his defamation suit against the New York Times in place
President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social at 8 July 2026 at 03:48 BST: "BREAKING NEWS: A very fair and highly respected Judge in the Middle District of Florida just denied The Failing New York Times' desperate attempt, together with other defendants we are suing, to move our powerhouse Defamation Lawsuit against them to another jurisdiction. We will now have an oral argument in Florida, where our lawyers will present, in great detail, all the ways in which The Times publishes, promotes, and deals in Fake News." "Thank you for your attention to this matter!" Explanation: President Donald Trump posted... [Continue Reading]
Australia hosts Pacific leaders in Brisbane amid regional security talks
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is hosting the leaders of Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Samoa in Brisbane for regional security talks. The meeting comes after Australia signed the Ocean of Peace Alliance with Fiji and as Canberra continues to expand its network of defence and strategic agreements across the Pacific. The leaders are also expected to attend the State of Origin match together, adding a public element to a diplomatic visit centred on security.The talks follow a period of intensified Pacific diplomacy by Australia, including the Pukpuk Treaty with Papua New Guinea and the new alliance with Fiji. Defence Industry... [Continue Reading]
US unseals indictments in cross-border crime probe linked to Nijjar killing
The United States has unsealed indictments charging 37 people in a cross-border organised-crime investigation that prosecutors say includes allegations tied to the 2023 killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. The case is part of Operation Hard Ball, a years-long federal probe into India-based transnational criminal groups. Authorities say the charges span crimes including extortion, drug trafficking, kidnapping and shootings.According to the US Department of Justice, law enforcement agencies in the United States, Canada and Europe have arrested 24 defendants connected to three India-based organised-crime groups. Eleven of those arrests were made in California, while three defendants were arrested in... [Continue Reading]
Video shows men who attended Khamenei's funeral and the man who did not
Iran's state funeral for former supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has offered a rare public glimpse of the figures Tehran wants to present as central to its power structure. Video from the ceremony showed three of his sons - Mostafa, Meysam and Masoud - praying behind his coffin in the courtyard of Tehran's Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla. But the most closely watched absence was Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who was not seen at the event despite days of speculation about his health and whereabouts.The funeral took place over the weekend and was described as a tightly choreographed display. The ceremony... [Continue Reading]
Ghana postpones Ramaphosa visit amid xenophobia row
Ghana has postponed a planned state visit by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa after tensions rose over anti-migrant protests in South Africa. The decision comes after xenophobic rallies in South Africa led to the repatriation of hundreds of Ghanaians. Officials in Accra said the visit would not go ahead for the time being.Government spokesman Felix Kwakye Ofosu said Ghana had sent a communication saying it would be best to defer the trip because of the current climate around xenophobia. Ramaphosa had been due to travel to Ghana in the first week of August, and the visit had been expected to... [Continue Reading]
Trump signals lifting sanctions on Turkiye and possible F-35 sales at Ankara summit
US President Donald Trump has said he will lift sanctions on Turkiye and will soon decide whether to resume sales of F-35 fighter jets, in remarks made during a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara. The comments came on the sidelines of a NATO leaders' summit and point to a possible shift in Washington's long-running defence dispute with Ankara. Trump said the United States would be taking the sanctions off and described the F-35 as a plane the US would consider selling.The issue dates back to Turkiye's purchase of Russian S-400 air defence systems in 2019, which... [Continue Reading]
Lebanese Christian villages reject Netanyahu annexation claim amid southern tensions
A number of Christian villages in Lebanon have rejected a claim by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that some of them had asked to be annexed to Israel. The villages issued a statement on Monday denying the allegation, after the remarks were made in a television interview the previous day. Lebanese analysts and local officials also dismissed the comments as fabricated and inflammatory.According to the supplied material, officials in 15 towns in southern Lebanon with Christian populations denounced the claim and said there was no truth to it. One academic described the remarks as cynical and said they were intended... [Continue Reading]
Monaco parcel-bomb suspect found shot dead near Kyiv as Ukrainian officers detained
A Ukrainian woman wanted over a parcel-bomb attack in Monaco has been found shot dead near Kyiv, according to Ukrainian prosecutors and security officials. The suspect, identified as 39-year-old Anastasiia Berezovska, had been the subject of an Interpol red notice after authorities in Monaco accused her of attempted murder and placing an explosive device in a public place. Ukrainian officials said the case has now widened into a separate murder investigation involving people linked to the country's military intelligence structures.Ukraine's prosecutor general's office said the body was found near the capital late on Monday, around 11pm local time, and later... [Continue Reading]
One million more UK homeowners set to face higher mortgages after Bank of England forecast revision
The Bank of England has said that one million more UK homeowners are now expected to face higher mortgage bills than it had previously forecast. In its latest Financial Stability Report, the central bank said just over five million homeowners should see their monthly repayments rise by the end of 2028. The revision comes as the impact of the Iran war feeds through to the outlook for borrowing costs and household finances.The Bank said the new projection compares with four million homeowners it had expected in December to face higher repayments by that point. It added that the increase would... [Continue Reading]
Hamas dissolves Gaza governing body as technocratic transition advances amid stalled talks
Hamas has announced the dissolution of the body that has governed the Gaza Strip for nearly two decades, in a move that clears the way for a technocratic committee to take over civilian administration. The decision marks a significant political shift for the group, which has run Gaza since seizing control from Fatah in 2007 after winning legislative elections the previous year. It comes as the ceasefire in Gaza, which took effect last October, continues to shape negotiations over the territory's future governance.A Hamas official said Mohammed al-Farra, head of the emergency committee, had submitted his resignation and that the... [Continue Reading]
India and Indonesia sign BrahMos deal as missile export talks advance
India and Indonesia have signed a defence package that includes the supply of two BrahMos supersonic cruise missile batteries, according to officials cited in the supporting material. The deal is valued at about $200 million and forms part of a wider set of agreements covering missile systems, technology transfers and maritime security. It adds a more specific defence dimension to the broader bilateral announcements already made during the leaders' meeting in Jakarta.A BrahMos battery typically includes four launchers and 12 ready-to-fire missiles, along with supporting equipment and vehicles, although the exact composition can vary. The latest agreement would make Indonesia... [Continue Reading]
NATO summit in Ankara opens with major defence spending and procurement announcements
NATO has opened its summit in Ankara with a series of defence spending and procurement announcements aimed at showing that allies are responding to pressure to strengthen collective security. The alliance said it will invest about $40bn in anti-drone capabilities, while also moving to buy up to 10 Saab GlobalEye surveillance aircraft to replace ageing AWACS early warning planes. It will also acquire up to five Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton high-altitude surveillance drones, with Norway, Finland, Germany and Denmark signing a letter of intent for the purchase.Secretary General Mark Rutte said the alliance would also work together to acquire, store,... [Continue Reading]
Rare tornadoes and severe thunderstorms kill at least 11 in China's Hubei province
At least 11 people have died after severe thunderstorms and rare tornadoes swept through central China's Hubei province, according to state media. The storms hit the neighbouring cities of Ezhou and Huanggang, where videos circulating online showed the force of the weather. Local authorities said thousands of buildings were damaged and more than 300 residents were injured.The weather struck on 7 July, with one student in Huanggang describing how he first thought it was "just an ordinary thunderstorm" before seeing "things started flying through the air" outside his dormitory window. He said many students were cut by flying glass, and... [Continue Reading]
Joshua Wong set for 2 September sentencing in Hong Kong national security case
Hong Kong democracy activist Joshua Wong is scheduled to face a plea and sentencing hearing on 2 September in a second case brought under the city's national security law. The hearing is expected to last one day, according to the judiciary's website. The case centres on allegations that Wong conspired to collude with foreign forces in 2020.Wong was arrested in June 2025 on suspicion of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces to endanger national security. He is accused of working with fellow activist Nathan Law and others to ask foreign countries, institutions, organisations or individuals outside China to impose sanctions,... [Continue Reading]
Iran rejects Trump military threat and warns US against aggression as nuclear talks remain paused
Iran has rejected a military threat from US President Donald Trump, with a senior security official calling it "delusional" and warning Washington against hostile language. Mohammad Baqer Zolqadr, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, said Tehran was not familiar with the "language of threats" and would respond if the rhetoric continued. His comments came as funeral events for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei continued in Tehran and as nuclear talks between the two countries remained paused.The exchange followed Trump's latest warning that the United States and Iran would either reach a deal or Washington would "finish the job." Speaking... [Continue Reading]
Former Nanjing official sentenced to death in massive bribery case
A court in eastern China has sentenced former Nanjing official Yang Youlin to death after finding him guilty of taking more than 2.2bn yuan in bribes over three decades. The ruling was handed down by a court in Changzhou city and relates to conduct the court said took place while Yang held a series of posts in Nanjing from 1993 to 2023. The case is one of the largest corruption convictions reported in recent years.According to the court, Yang also used his positions to help others secure engineering contracts, land transfers and financing in exchange for money and valuables. He... [Continue Reading]
Landslide in China's Gansu leaves 16 still buried as rescue continues
A landslide in the mountainous western province of Gansu has left 16 people still buried, according to state broadcaster CCTV. The disaster struck on Tuesday and initially trapped 33 people, 17 of whom have now been rescued. Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered an all-out rescue effort, as emergency teams continue searching the affected area.CCTV said the cause of the landslide remained unclear. The incident comes as the country is dealing with damaging thunderstorms and wider weather disruption across several regions. In a separate development, at least eight people were reported killed by thunderstorms in Hubei province on Monday night,... [Continue Reading]
Indian-origin businessman accused of posing as CIA operative in Indonesia defence deal probe
An Indian-origin businessman has been accused of posing as a CIA operative to gain access to senior Indonesian officials and advance defence deals, according to an investigation based on civil lawsuits in the United States. The reporting says the man, identified as Srivastava, used the self-given nickname "Mr G" and cultivated ties with President Prabowo Subianto. It also says the alleged influence effort extended to meetings in Washington and Jakarta and involved discussions on military procurement.The investigation, published by the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project, says the claims are grounded in lawsuits filed in California and New York by... [Continue Reading]
Three injured in bomb blast at student rally in Savar near Dhaka
At least three people were injured when a bomb exploded at a student-led rally in Savar, near Bangladesh's capital Dhaka, on Monday night. The blast hit a gathering organised by the newly formed National Citizen Party, or NCP, during its July march programme. Senior party figures were on stage at the time, including NCP convener and Dhaka-11 MP Nahid Islam.The explosion happened around 9:45 pm at the Eidgah Ground near Savar Thana Stand, according to the details provided by party officials. Arifur Rahman Tuhin, a joint chief coordinator of the NCP, confirmed that the rally came under attack and said... [Continue Reading]
China submarine-launched missile test in the Pacific draws fresh scrutiny over trajectory
China has carried out what appears to be its first submarine-launched intercontinental ballistic missile test into the Pacific, according to the supplied material. The launch was made from a nuclear-powered submarine and involved a missile carrying a dummy warhead. The reported flight path has intensified concern across the Pacific because it crossed or approached the waters of several island states.The supplied rows say the missile flew over multiple Pacific nations and may have landed near Tuvalu's exclusive economic zone. They also say the exact landing point remains unknown, while earlier reporting suggested the missile passed over the exclusive economic zones... [Continue Reading]
Typhoon Maysak floods breach reservoir wall in Nanning, killing at least two
A reservoir wall has broken in Nanning, in southern China, after rivers swelled following the passage of Typhoon Maysak. Floodwater rushed through parts of the city after the breach, according to officials. At least two people have been killed in flooding linked to the storm.The city's emergency flood control response has been raised to its highest level as authorities deal with the aftermath of the breach. The incident was reported on 7 July 2026, with the reservoir wall failure described as a direct result of rising water levels. Officials have not yet given a full account of the extent of... [Continue Reading]
Iran funeral procession reaches Qom as mourning continues and officials project defiance
The body of Iran's late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has reached the holy city of Qom, where further funeral rites are due to continue after a major procession in Tehran. Hundreds of thousands of mourners gathered in the capital on Monday to see the coffin as the multi-day mourning sequence moved into its next stage. The latest developments show the ceremony continuing to function as both a religious event and a political display.The supplied material says the funeral has drawn large crowds in Tehran and that the body was then taken on to Qom for additional ceremonies. It also says... [Continue Reading]
Cuba deepens crisis amid grid collapse and US genocide accusation
Cuba has accused the United States of orchestrating a genocide as the island faces a worsening humanitarian and economic emergency. The allegation comes as Cuba has been hit by an island-wide power outage after the total collapse of its national electricity grid. The blackout has deepened already severe shortages of fuel, medicine and water, while daily life in the capital and beyond has been thrown further into disarray.The supporting report says the Cuban government made the accusation through state-run media outlets more than 100 days after Donald Trump first said he would focus on Havana once the Iran war had... [Continue Reading]
Canada picks Germany's TKMS for submarine programme ahead of NATO summit
Canada has selected Germany's TKMS, working with Norway, to build up to 12 new submarines in what officials have described as the country's largest defence procurement. Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the decision on Monday, after a competition that also included South Korea's Hanwha Ocean. The programme is intended to replace Canada's ageing submarine fleet and expand its naval capabilities.Carney said the decision was made in a "more dangerous and divided world" and linked it to Canada's need to defend its interests, protect its citizens and strengthen its economy. He said the country would work with its German and Norwegian... [Continue Reading]
Morocco says it dismantled ISIL-linked cell planning attack
Moroccan authorities say they have dismantled a cell linked to the ISIL affiliate in Sahel Province after raids across several cities uncovered weapons, chemicals and materials described as part of an attack plot. Police said 10 suspects were arrested in the operation, which they said foiled a planned attack that was already in an advanced stage of preparation. The case is being presented by officials as one of the most significant counterterrorism actions in the country this year.The Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations, Morocco's main counterterrorism agency, said the searches were carried out simultaneously in several Moroccan cities. Officers seized... [Continue Reading]
Peru's Roberto Sanchez concedes presidential race to Keiko Fujimori after razor-thin runoff
Left-wing candidate Roberto Sanchez has conceded Peru's presidential race to Keiko Fujimori after the country's electoral authority certified her victory in the runoff. The announcement came days after the National Jury of Elections confirmed the result of the June 7 second round. It closes a contest that had remained disputed for weeks after a narrow count and repeated allegations of irregularities.Sanchez and his party said they recognised that the National Elections Board had officially proclaimed the electoral results. The concession followed a final certified tally that gave Fujimori about 9,223,000 votes to Sanchez's 9,173,000. That margin was described as razor-thin,... [Continue Reading]
Nigeria warns anti-immigrant violence in South Africa is not easing
Nigeria has warned that the safety of its nationals and other African migrants in South Africa is deteriorating, after two Nigerians were killed in disputed circumstances during anti-immigrant protests. Nigeria's foreign minister, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, said there were no signs the situation was improving and announced more evacuation flights for citizens who want to leave. The warning comes amid weeks of protests against undocumented migrants and renewed pressure on South African authorities to respond to the violence.The Nigerian foreign ministry said the two men were Musa Yunana Joe and Charles Iroegbu, both killed on 28 June. According to the ministry, Joe... [Continue Reading]
DR Congo Ebola death toll rises above 500 as outbreak deepens
The death toll from the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has risen above 500, according to the World Health Organization. Health authorities have recorded 506 deaths and 1,561 confirmed cases in the country, as the 17th Ebola epidemic continues to spread. The outbreak was officially declared on 15 May and is being driven by the Bundibugyo virus.The latest figures were published in a WHO situation report dated 4 July and released on Monday, based on reports from Congolese health authorities. The agency said the first month of the outbreak was the worst on record. It also... [Continue Reading]
Austrian court convicts former Syrian intelligence chief of torture and sexual abuse
A court in Vienna has convicted a former Syrian intelligence chief and a former police chief over torture and sexual abuse committed against political opponents in Raqqa. The verdict is a rare example of a European court exercising jurisdiction over alleged crimes linked to officials from Bashar al-Assad's government. Both men were sentenced to eight years in prison.The former intelligence chief, identified under Austrian privacy rules as Khaled al-H., was found guilty of torture, sexual coercion, aggravated coercion and inflicting serious bodily harm. The second defendant, named as Moussab Abou R., was also convicted of sexual coercion, aggravated coercion and... [Continue Reading]
Algeria ruling FLN wins most seats in parliament amid record-low turnout
Algeria's ruling National Liberation Front has won the most seats in the country's parliamentary elections, according to the election board, but the result was overshadowed by historically low participation. The vote took place on July 2 and returned the FLN with 90 of the 407 seats in parliament. Officials said turnout was about 21 percent among the country's 25 million eligible voters.The National Independent Elections Authority, known as ANIE, said the election was transparent, with its interim head Karim Khelfane describing the abstention rate as not specific to Algeria. The result was announced on Monday, several days after the vote.... [Continue Reading]
Israel approves 13 new West Bank settlements as expansion push accelerates
Israel has approved 13 new settlements in the central occupied West Bank, according to the latest reporting on a fast-moving expansion drive. The move comes as Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich described the policy as a "revolution in settlement" expansion. The approvals are set to affect strategically important areas along Route 60 and land stretching eastward toward the Jordan Valley.The settlements are described as being in the central West Bank, a corridor that links major Palestinian cities including Nablus, Ramallah and Bethlehem. Smotrich said the expansion would extend beyond the occupied West Bank into the Negev and Galilee, framing it as... [Continue Reading]
Israeli drone strike on vehicle in southern Lebanon kills at least four
An Israeli drone strike on a vehicle in southern Lebanon has killed at least four people, according to Lebanese state media. The attack took place in Nabatieh al-Fawqa, where the car was hit as the victims were returning after checking on their family home. The incident adds to a series of strikes in the south despite a ceasefire that began two weeks ago.The National News Agency said the dead included a school principal, her mother, a foreign domestic worker and a Syrian citizen. The report said the vehicle was targeted by a drone on Monday. Israel has continued to carry... [Continue Reading]
Two Assam Rifles personnel killed in militant ambush in Manipur's Ukhrul district
Two Assam Rifles personnel were killed on Monday after militants ambushed their convoy in Manipur's Ukhrul district, in a fresh attack on Indian security forces in the state's hill region. The assault took place near Nungsangkhong, about 16 km east of Ukhrul Police Station, according to a police source. Security forces have since launched a search operation in the area.The attack happened at around 1:30 p.m. and involved explosives and gunfire, the source said. The personnel killed were reportedly from the Sangshak post. No further details were immediately confirmed about the number of attackers, whether any militants were injured, or... [Continue Reading]
At least 25 killed in Sri Lanka prison riot at Negombo as violence continues
At least 25 people have now been killed in the prison violence at Negombo Prison in western Sri Lanka, including four guards, as the two-day disturbance continued into Monday. More than 100 people have been injured, according to the latest confirmed figures, with some taken to Negombo Hospital and others transferred to Colombo National Hospital. The prison, in a coastal town north of Colombo, has remained the focus of a major security operation as authorities work to regain full control.The unrest began with clashes between two groups of inmates and escalated after prisoners were alleged to have seized prison guns... [Continue Reading]
Tehran funeral procession for slain Iranian supreme leader draws huge crowds
Huge crowds have filled the streets of Tehran for the funeral procession of Iran's late supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as the capital marked the latest stage of a week of public mourning. Footage from state television showed tens of thousands of mourners watching a flag-draped coffin move through a 10km route across the city, passing Enghelab Square and other central landmarks. The procession came after two days of lying in state at Tehran's Grand Mosalla mosque and followed three days of public mourning in the capital.The ceremony took place on Monday, with mourners gathering first in Imam Hossein Square... [Continue Reading]
Russian strike on Kyiv residential building as interceptor shortage deepens
The Ukrainian Air Force said a shortage of interceptor missiles meant none of the 23 ballistic missiles fired by Russia at Kyiv overnight were shot down. The attack left a large hole in a residential building in the capital, according to the material provided, and a survivor at the scene said she had been terrified. Ukrainian officials said at least 13 people were killed in Kyiv and six more in the wider Kyiv region.President Volodymyr Zelensky said Moscow would continue to hit residential buildings as long as defensive Patriot missiles remained in allies' stockpiles. The strike was described as the... [Continue Reading]
Sara Duterte impeachment trial opens in Manila amid heavy police deployment
The impeachment trial of Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte opened in Manila on Monday, with heavy police deployment around the Senate and protesters gathering outside the building. The proceedings mark a major new phase in a political and legal crisis that has been building for months. The case could end with Duterte being removed from office and barred from future elected posts.According to the supplied material, thousands of police officers were deployed around the Senate as the trial began. Duterte's office said she would not appear in person, and her defence team said it would seek to show that the... [Continue Reading]
Hamas leaves Gaza government, opening the way for a management committee
Hamas has said it is stepping away from the government in Gaza, opening the way for a new management committee to take shape. The move marks a notable shift in the territory's political administration, according to the supplied report. It comes at a time when Gaza's governance remains a central issue in wider discussions about the enclave's future.The report says the development was announced on 6 July 2026. It does not provide further details on the composition of the proposed committee or the timing of any handover. No additional official figures or direct quotations were included in the supplied material.The... [Continue Reading]
At least 25 killed in clash at overcrowded Sri Lankan prison in Negombo
At least 25 people have been killed and around 100 others injured in a clash between two groups of prisoners at an overcrowded prison in Negombo, Sri Lanka. The violence began on Sunday and continued into Monday, according to the supplied report. The prison is about 35 km north of Colombo, the country's commercial capital.Officials have asked the Sri Lankan military to provide support to police as the situation is brought under control. A military spokesman said troops had been requested to assist but were, at the time of the report, on standby. Police sources said parts of the prison... [Continue Reading]
UK jets intercept Russian patrol aircraft near HMS Prince of Wales in Norwegian Sea
UK fighter jets intercepted a Russian maritime patrol aircraft after it repeatedly approached a carrier strike group in the Norwegian Sea, the Ministry of Defence said. The aircraft was said to have flown at low altitude and uncomfortably close to HMS Prince of Wales, the Royal Navy carrier at the centre of the deployment. The incident took place on Thursday, according to the ministry, and involved two F-35 jets launched from the carrier.The ministry said the Russian Bear-F aircraft was believed to have dropped 10 sonobuoys into the water during the encounter. Sonobuoys are floating monitoring devices used to detect... [Continue Reading]
Australian Federal Police warns young person over online death threat against Narendra Modi
Australian Federal Police have formally warned a young person after an online death threat was made against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The threat was identified and the person was spoken to on 3 July, according to police. Authorities said there is no current or impending risk to the community following the assessment.Mr Modi is due to travel to Melbourne later this week for an official visit. He is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for their annual leaders' summit and to appear at a community event at Marvel Stadium. Police said the matter was treated seriously and that... [Continue Reading]
Ukraine hopes to sign drone deals with seven Nato countries by year-end
Ukraine is seeking to sign major defence agreements with at least seven Nato countries by the end of the year, according to a senior official involved in the talks. The effort reflects a shift in Kyiv's role from a buyer of military equipment to a provider of expertise, particularly in counter-drone systems and related battlefield knowledge. The planned deals are being described as "drone deals", but officials say they go beyond drones themselves.Davyd Aloian, deputy secretary of Ukraine's security council, said the initiative covers the wider system needed to detect and defeat drones, including sensors, ground stations and radar systems.... [Continue Reading]
OPEC+ agrees to raise oil output again from August as prices ease
Seven OPEC+ members have agreed to raise oil production by 188,000 barrels per day from August, extending a series of monthly increases as the group continues to unwind earlier cuts. The decision was taken after a virtual meeting to review global market conditions and the outlook for demand. It is the fifth consecutive monthly increase announced by the same group of producers.The members involved are Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria and Oman. In a statement, the group said it would continue to monitor market conditions closely and keep full flexibility to increase, pause or reverse the phase-out of... [Continue Reading]
Super Typhoon Bavi makes landfall on Rota as major damage is reported
Super Typhoon Bavi has made landfall on the US territorial island of Rota in the western Pacific, bringing powerful winds and torrential rain to the Northern Mariana Islands. Local officials said they had already received reports of major damage as the storm moved across the island. The weather service had warned that the system posed an imminent danger to life.Lou Rosario, a public information officer at the Rota Municipal Operations Center, said residents were experiencing heavy winds and flooding and that some people were already reporting major damage. He also said some cellphone services were down after a tower fell.... [Continue Reading]
US sanctions Rwandan-linked firms over conflict minerals funding M23 in eastern DR Congo
The United States has imposed sanctions on Rwandan businessmen and companies it says are helping finance the M23 rebellion in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo through the illicit trade in conflict minerals. The measures were announced as part of a wider effort to disrupt smuggling networks moving minerals out of the DRC and into regional and international markets. The Treasury Department said the action is intended to cut off funding that supports the armed group's operations in the east of the country.The sanctioned individuals are Jean Malic Kalima, identified as chairman of Gasabo Gold Refinery, and Bosco Kayobotsi, the... [Continue Reading]
Tehran funeral draws millions as Iran tensions remain high
Millions of people gathered in Tehran for the funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a mass public event that has become a focal point for anger toward the United States and Israel. Mourners filled major streets in the capital, waving red flags associated with revenge and chanting anti-US and anti-Israel slogans. The ceremony comes after Khamenei was killed in a US-Israeli air strike earlier this year, according to the supplied report.Donald Trump said both sides had agreed to hold fire during the funeral proceedings, adding a fragile diplomatic note to an event marked by public hostility. The funeral was described... [Continue Reading]
Russia and Ukraine clash over Kostiantynivka control claims and proposed local ceasefire
Russia and Ukraine have issued conflicting claims over the eastern city of Kostiantynivka in the Donetsk region, with Moscow saying its forces have taken the city and Kyiv rejecting that assertion. Russia's Defence Ministry also said Ukraine refused a proposed six-hour local ceasefire in and around the city to allow the handover of fallen Ukrainian soldiers' bodies. The dispute adds to the wider fighting across the front line and highlights how battlefield claims and humanitarian arrangements remain tightly linked.According to the Russian ministry, the proposed pause in fighting was meant to begin on Monday and would have allowed the transfer... [Continue Reading]
US pressure campaign reported over Tehran funeral attendance as 13 countries scale back
A reported US diplomatic campaign has emerged around the funeral procession for Iran's slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran. According to Iranian media cited in the supplied material, 13 countries withdrew or reduced their participation after Washington urged governments to stay away from the event. The funeral is taking place at the Imam Khomeini Grand Musalla in central Tehran, where large crowds have gathered for the public commemorations.The report says the effort began about a week before the funeral and involved Secretary of State Marco Rubio and US ambassadors around the world. It alleges that American diplomats warned... [Continue Reading]
Trump offers help to end Ukraine war in call with Putin as Zelenskiy speaks with him too
Donald Trump offered help to find a solution to the war in Ukraine during a nearly 90-minute call with Vladimir Putin on Saturday, according to a Kremlin aide. The conversation came as Trump prepared to attend next week's NATO summit in Turkey, and it was described by Russian officials as professional and constructive. Volodymyr Zelenskiy also said he spoke with Trump on the same day.Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov said Russia wants a political and diplomatic resolution to the conflict, while accusing Kyiv and its European allies of seeking to prolong and escalate the war. He said Putin set... [Continue Reading]
Syria delays first session of transitional parliament
Syrian authorities have postponed the first session of the country's new transitional parliament, delaying a key step in the post-Assad political transition. State television said the opening meeting of the people's assembly had been moved to a later date, after it had previously been announced for Monday. No reason was given for the delay.The postponement comes as the new legislature is meant to begin work on a 30-month term focused on drafting a new elections law and preparing the ground for a popular vote. The parliament is part of the political framework established after the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad in... [Continue Reading]
Leaked photo of abused Palestinian detainee prompts inquiry and anguish in Gaza
A leaked photograph showing a Palestinian detainee blindfolded, stripped to his underwear and severely restrained has triggered anguish in Gaza and prompted an Israeli military inquiry. Two mothers in the enclave say they believe the man in the image is their missing son, deepening the uncertainty around his identity. The photo has also renewed scrutiny of how detainees are treated during the Gaza conflict.The image was originally posted on Instagram by an account that later appeared to have been deleted, and it included the words "good morning" written in Hebrew. In the screenshot, the detainee's hands are bound behind his... [Continue Reading]
Iran funeral ceremonies continue as senior officials attend and Mojtaba Khamenei stays away
Senior Iranian officials, including President Masoud Pezeshkian and Revolutionary Guards chief Ahmad Vahidi, attended the funeral service for former supreme leader Ali Khamenei in Tehran on Sunday. Mojtaba Khamenei, whose absence had already drawn attention, did not appear at the ceremony. The service took place at the Grand Mosalla religious complex, where Khamenei's body is lying in state as part of a multi-day programme of mourning.Authorities say the funeral proceedings began on Friday and will continue across Iran and Iraq over the coming week. Iranian officials have said between 12 million and 20 million people are expected to take part,... [Continue Reading]
Mali attacks spread to five locations as army reports militant deaths
The Malian army said it repelled coordinated attacks on five positions across the country, with fighting reported in the north, centre and south. The sites named by the military were Aguelhok, Anefis, Gao, Sevare and Kenieroba. The assaults were claimed by a separatist Tuareg-led group and a regional al-Qaeda affiliate, although the claims could not be independently verified.In its latest account, the army said 20 militants were killed in Sevare and six in Gao. It also said one pro-government fighter was killed in Gao and four others were wounded. In a separate statement, the army said it had repelled attacks... [Continue Reading]
Jailed Gaza hospital chief reported in life-threatening condition after prison transfer
The detained director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza is reported to be in life-threatening condition after more than 555 days in Israeli prison, according to a rights group and his family. Dr Hussam Abu Safia was arrested at work on 27 December 2024 during Israeli operations against Gaza's health system, and his son says he can now barely breathe or speak. The latest claims centre on severe deterioration after a transfer to solitary confinement in a maximum-security prison.Elyas Abu Safia said in a video message that his father was visited by lawyer Nasser Odeh two days earlier, and... [Continue Reading]
China and Russia begin annual joint naval drills off Qingdao
China and Russia have begun annual joint naval exercises off the eastern Chinese port city of Qingdao, with the drills scheduled to run from Monday until 13 July. The manoeuvres are taking place in waters and airspace off China's coast and are due to be followed by joint maritime patrols in the Pacific Ocean. The latest phase of military cooperation between the two countries comes as both continue to present the exercises as part of a recurring defence arrangement.China's Ministry of Defence said on Sunday that the annual drills would be held off Qingdao, while Russian state media reported that... [Continue Reading]
From C-17s to Apaches: India-US defence ties reach a new level as Washington marks 250 years
The relationship between India and the United States has undergone a major shift in defence cooperation, moving from Cold War-era mistrust and sanctions to a partnership that now spans military exercises, intelligence sharing, technology transfers and large-scale arms sales. The latest account of that evolution comes as the United States marks 250 years of independence, with the two countries described as having become close strategic partners in the Indo-Pacific. The development is being framed around a series of agreements and purchases that have expanded interoperability between their armed forces.According to the supplied material, a turning point came in 1962 during... [Continue Reading]
Kim Jong Un supervises weapons tests aboard repaired North Korean destroyer
North Korea says Kim Jong Un has overseen weapons tests aboard the repaired 5,000-ton destroyer Kang Kon, in a fresh display of the country's naval ambitions. The tests included a nuclear-capable cruise missile, according to the state media account cited in the supplied material. Kim also ordered the vessel to be placed into active duty within two months.The reported trials took place on Friday and were described as including the ship's main gun, automatic cannons, electronic warfare systems, and its target-detection and information-processing capabilities. Kim observed the tests from the shore, according to the report. The destroyer had previously been... [Continue Reading]
Iran funeral for Ali Khamenei enters second day in Tehran as three sons attend
Thousands of mourners gathered in Tehran on Sunday for the second day of public mourning for Ali Khamenei, after the Iranian leader was reported killed in bombings by the United States and Israel. The funeral took place at the Grand Mosalla Imam Khomeini, a large religious complex in the capital, where prayers were held beside coffins laid out in the courtyard. Images from the ceremony showed a large crowd of worshippers and senior officials taking part in the public rites.State television showed three of Khamenei's sons - Meysam, Masoud and Mostafa - praying beside their father's coffin, along with the... [Continue Reading]
Mass funeral ceremonies for Iran's Ali Khamenei continue amid crowd concerns
Iran has begun six days of public funeral ceremonies for Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, with large gatherings expected in Tehran and other locations through July 9. The processions are taking place across Iran and Iraq, beginning in the capital before moving on to other sites. Authorities are preparing for exceptionally large crowds as the mourning period gets under way.Officials have said they expect between 15 million and 20 million people in Tehran alone over the next three days, while overall attendance across the ceremonies could reach millions more. The supplied material says emergency plans have been put in place because... [Continue Reading]
Trump says Netanyahu requested White House meeting as tensions persist
United States President Donald Trump has said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asked for a meeting at the White House, with the two sides indicating they want to meet soon. Trump said the visit could happen as early as next week after he returns from the NATO summit in Turkey, although an Israeli official said that timing may not be possible because of the trip. If it goes ahead, it would be the first meeting between the two leaders since February.Trump told Axios that he and Netanyahu still get along well, adding: "He knows who the boss is." Netanyahu's... [Continue Reading]
Crew reports missiles seen near Strait of Hormuz and Fujairah anchorage
A marine engineer aboard a vessel waiting outside the Strait of Hormuz has described seeing missiles streak across the sky near the Fujairah anchorage during a tense period in the Persian Gulf. The account places the ship in a strategic shipping corridor where war-related disruption has already altered planned cargo movements. The vessel had been directed to drift offshore rather than continue toward Kuwait, according to the supporting material.The engineer, Hifa Salim, said the sighting happened in the early hours of a tense morning while she was on deck before her engine-room rounds. She said the missiles were visible for... [Continue Reading]
Ukraine strikes major oil terminal in St Petersburg and naval target in Kronstadt
Ukraine said its forces struck a major oil terminal in Russia's St Petersburg region and an important military target in nearby Kronstadt during a mass drone attack overnight. President Volodymyr Zelensky said the operation hit port oil infrastructure that helps finance Russia's war effort, while also targeting what he called an important military site in Kronstadt. St Petersburg Governor Aleksandr Beglov said the city was under a massive drone attack and confirmed that the oil terminal had been hit.Beglov said 72 Ukrainian drones were shot down over St Petersburg and the wider Leningrad region, and he reported no casualties. He... [Continue Reading]
Clashes in Erfurt as protesters try to block AfD conference
Riot police have clashed with protesters in Erfurt, central Germany, as thousands tried to block roads and stop delegates from reaching the Alternative for Germany's national conference. The demonstrations were aimed at disrupting the party's biennial gathering, which began on time despite the blockades. Police said the city saw large-scale mobilisation around the venue, with protesters attempting to prevent access by road and public transport.According to police, about 20,000 people took part in the demonstrations in the eastern city. Officers reported that just under 100 offences had been recorded so far, many of them linked to graffiti and other property... [Continue Reading]
Saudi-led coalition pledges 'unprecedented' force after Houthi threats and Iranian flight lands in Sanaa
The Saudi-led coalition has said it will respond with "unprecedented determination and force" after the Houthi movement threatened Saudi airports and other targets following the arrival of an Iranian civilian flight in Sanaa. The latest exchange marks a sharp escalation in rhetoric between the coalition and the Iran-aligned group, which controls Yemen's capital. It also centres on claims that Houthi air defences were used to stop Saudi warplanes from blocking the landing.Coalition spokesperson Major-General Turki al-Maliki said the group's threats were an attempt to divert attention from its actions in Yemen and to deflect from domestic political and social problems.... [Continue Reading]
Monaco parcel bombing suspect identified as Interpol issues Red Notice and German police search flat
Interpol has issued a Red Notice for Anastasiia Berezovska, the woman Monaco authorities say is the chief suspect in a parcel bombing that injured a Ukrainian businessman and members of his family. The notice was issued on Friday as investigators widened a cross-border manhunt that already involves Monaco, Germany, France and Italy. German police have also searched a rented apartment in the Frankfurt area as part of the inquiry.Monaco prosecutors said the explosive device was detonated remotely and that the suspect may not have acted alone. Deputy prosecutor Morgan Raymond said the evidence points to a sophisticated attack, with investigators... [Continue Reading]
France reports 2,025 excess deaths as Europe's heatwave continues
Public Health France has updated its estimate of excess deaths during the latest week of the ongoing heatwave, saying the country recorded 2,025 additional deaths between 22 and 28 June. The figure is higher than an earlier preliminary estimate of at least 1,000 extra deaths and comes as France experienced its hottest-ever period during the same week. Officials said the death toll is expected to rise further in the coming days.The authority said deaths increased by 29.1% compared with the previous week, while the overall number of recorded deaths rose by about 30%. The updated tally covers the period when... [Continue Reading]
Iran begins six-day funeral programme for Ali Khamenei as a display of power
Iranian authorities are beginning a six-day public funeral programme for the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, presenting the ceremonies as a show of national unity and strength. The public events are due to start on Saturday in Tehran, where officials say they expect what they describe as the largest gathering in the city's history. The funeral was delayed by the conflict in the Middle East and announced only after a fragile ceasefire between Washington and Tehran took effect.According to officials cited in the supplied material, the programme is intended to reinforce cohesion across political, social and religious groups. Tehran's acting... [Continue Reading]
Dubai Property Market Faces Litmus Test as Nakheel Waterfront Investors Await Final Judicial Verdict
Hundreds of international and local investors who purchased land plots in Nakheel’s massive "Waterfront" project nearly two decades ago are holding their breath. Following the official cancellation of the project by the Dubai Land Department and its integration under Dubai Holding, a special judicial committee appointed by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has been tasked with resolving the liquidation and settling investor claims. Because the decisions of this specialized committee are legally binding and final, with no avenue for appeal, the upcoming rulings are being viewed as a critical turning point for the regulatory reputation of Dubai's... [Continue Reading]
The Ghosn Paradox The Imperial Savior, His Cinematic Escape, and the Desperate Call to Salvage a Crumbling Nissan
The Man Who Defied Corporate Gravity Few corporate sagas in modern history possess the cinematic drama, geopolitical friction, and sheer psychological tension as the rise and fall of Carlos Ghosn. Once lauded as the ultimate transnational executive, a multi-lingual titan capable of bridging disparate business cultures, Ghosn became the absolute center of a global firestorm. His story cuts through the pristine facade of global corporate governance to reveal a messy underbelly of nationalism, legal vulnerability, and strategic failure. Rebuilding an Empire from the Ashes of Bankruptcy The mythos of Carlos Ghosn began in 1999. Nissan, one of Japan's proudest manufacturing... [Continue Reading]
Is the Italian Prime Minister the Visionary Leader Europe Needs? An Analysis of Executive Decisiveness, National Security, and the Contrast in European Integration Policies
A Continent in Institutional Deadlock While the rest of Europe remains entangled in a web of bureaucratic deadlock and human rights litigation, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has quietly established herself as a leader operating far ahead of her continental peers. For years, European leaders have debated how to handle radicalism and unchecked migration, often waiting for institutional consensus that arrives too late. Meloni, conversely, has demonstrated a willingness to prioritize state security over political correctness, offering a blueprint for a continent facing asymmetric threats. The Contrast in European Legislative Approvals The contrast between Italy’s swift, executive decisiveness and the... [Continue Reading]
THE BATTLE FOR ALI AL-TAHER: HOW A SOUTHERN LEBANON AMBUSH SHATTERED TRUMP’S WASHINGTON AGREEMENT
A catastrophic military escalation in Southern Lebanon has successfully disrupted the highest levels of global diplomacy. Just days after the signing of the United States and Iran Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), an armoured battlefield clash on the strategic heights of Ali al-Taher has effectively frozen implementation talks scheduled to begin today in Switzerland. The crisis provides an alarming look at how kinetic actions on the ground can instantly sabotage geopolitical blueprints designed in Washington. The Official Statement from Hezbollah Following the midnight clashes, the media wing of Hezbollah issued a formal, comprehensive statement outlining their strategic justification and rejecting accusations... [Continue Reading]
The Unspoken Stats: Who is Raping Europe?
Answering this question requires a direct look at the empirical data so, below is the comprehensive, data-verified draft for my article, formatted to analyse the relationship between immigration demographics and police-recorded sexual offense figures across Europe. Data vs. Perception: An Asymmetric Analysis of Migration and Sexual Offence Statistics in Europe While my primary field of research is rooted in macro-geopolitics, the responsibilities of independent journalism often demand transitioning from international balance-of-power metrics to domestic social realities. A recent high-profile criminal incident in England involving the gang rape of a 17-year-old girl by four Afghani nationals where one of them is... [Continue Reading]
Fear the Shia, Arm the Sunnis: The Uncomfortable Numbers Behind America’s War Narrative
“When fear is managed carefully enough, a nation can be taught to look away from the blood on the floor and stare instead at the shadow on the wall.” A friend of mine, whose name I will not reveal because he asked me not to, sat across from me over dinner and placed a question on the table that would not leave me alone. He was born into a Muslim Shia background, and for the angle of this article, that detail matters, not because I wish to reduce a man to a sect, but because sect has become one of... [Continue Reading]
GAS, GOD, AND GUNS: The Secret Agenda Behind the Washington Talks and the Death of the Maritime Border
The mahogany tables of the U.S. State Department are hosting a ghost today. As official delegations from Israel and Lebanon convene for a third round of high-stakes negotiations this Friday, May 8, 2026, the air in Washington is thick with the scent of a "peace" that looks increasingly like a strategic ambush. While the world watches the diplomatic theatre, the reality on the ground in Southern Lebanon tells a story of a predatory recalibration. Prime Minister Netanyahu isn’t just looking for a ceasefire; he is aiming to hit three birds with one single, devastating stone: the annexation of land, the... [Continue Reading]
The Great Uncoupling: Abu Dhabi’s Sovereign Gambit
The UAE’s decision to cut ties with OPEC is far more than a mere adjustment of energy policy, for it functions as a political telegram written in barrels and sent directly to the heart of the global order. For nearly six decades, Abu Dhabi operated within the rigid architecture of producer discipline, where it accepted the rituals of quotas, the formality of communiqués, and the heavy burden of collective restraint. It played the long game of oil diplomacy with a patient hand, balancing its own massive national ambitions against the gravity of cartel discipline and the delicate logic of Gulf... [Continue Reading]
The Mirage of the Umbrella: The Shifting Sands of the U.S.-Israel-GCC Alliance
As I sat in a recent debate at the historic Carlton Club in London, listening to Faisal Abbas, the Editor-in-Chief of Arab News, I felt a tangible shift in the room, not because a new fact had been revealed, but because an old illusion had finally lost its last breath. The old-world order has not merely changed, it has evaporated, leaving the Gulf to realize it is no longer watching a distant fire from the safety of marble towers and air-conditioned ministries, but is instead standing directly inside the smoke. The GCC today is caught in a lethal crossfire between... [Continue Reading]
The Glass Elevator to Nowhere: A World Trapped in a Chocolate Factory
As a journalist in my mid-fifties, I thought my skin had thickened to the point of being impenetrable. I have covered the rise and fall of regimes, the grinding gears of the Cold War's leftovers, and the digital revolutions that promised to unite us. I thought I had seen every trick in the political playbook. Then came Donald Trump’s 2026 foreign policy, and I realized I was not watching a statesman; I was watching a child play with a chemistry set he does not understand. The Willy Wonka of the West: Rule by Whim Walking into a press briefing lately... [Continue Reading]
The Madness of Power, From Balfour to the Edge of World War Three
A Voice in the Wilderness of War: Who Still Dares to Speak Truth While Empires March There are moments in history when the world suddenly accelerates toward disaster, moments when anyone who has studied history can feel the temperature rising even before the explosions reach their peak. The current escalation in the Middle East is one of those moments. According to the facts we now see unfolding, the United States and Israel made the unilateral decision to attack Iran without the approval of the United Nations, without a global coalition mandate, and without the support of most of the international... [Continue Reading]
WAR CRIMES OR HUMANITY ON LIFE SUPPORT?
The Thin, Bloody Line Between Justice and Jungle Rule IS KILLING WITHOUT MERCY NOW LEGAL? By Anthony Sterling In September 2025, the United States military launched what became known as Operation Southern Spear, a lethal campaign targeting suspected drug smuggling vessels in international waters. The stated objective was to combat narco trafficking networks operating beyond territorial jurisdiction. The ethical shock came on 2 September 2025, when a double strike in the Caribbean left survivors clinging to wreckage for nearly an hour. Drone footage reportedly showed two individuals waving from debris after the first impact. Instead of rescue, three additional munitions... [Continue Reading]
Shadows of Fire: The Long Arc of Iran–United States Tensions
A Region on Edge: The Latest Escalation In recent months, tensions between Iran and the United States have intensified once again, fueled by disputes over regional security, nuclear development, maritime incidents in the Persian Gulf, and the broader strategic balance in the Middle East. Officials in Washington have expressed renewed concern over Iran’s uranium enrichment levels, while leaders in Tehran have accused the United States of economic warfare through sanctions and diplomatic isolation. The fragile equilibrium that followed earlier rounds of indirect negotiations appears increasingly strained, with both sides engaging in sharp rhetoric at the United Nations, reinforcing military postures... [Continue Reading]




