Indian passport slips in July amid citizenship row and new fees: Where’s visa-free travel still allowed
India’s passport has slipped to 80th place in the latest Henley Passport Index for July, despite offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 56 destinations. The ranking is down from 78th in May, although India had climbed to 75th globally in the Henley Passport Index 2026 released in February »»»
PM pledges Basic Law changes, back-to-school payments and media overhaul
The final proposal for the 17th amendment to the Basic Law will be submitted to the National Assembly shortly — this week or at the latest at the beginning of next week — Péter Magyar announced at the government spokesperson's briefing on Thursday. The Prime Minister said the government had discuss»»»
Court delivers verdict in “Letter of 75” case: Sentences announced - | 24.KG
The Pervomaisky District Court of Bishkek delivered its verdict in the criminal case related to the so-called «Letter of 75.» The verdict was announced publicly, although the trial itself was held behind closed doors. Presiding Judge Aziret Mederov read out the court’s decision. According to a corr»»»
Europe's June heat wave is most severe ever recorded — and the new normal
The heatwave that seared much of Europe in late June is officially the most severe ever recorded in the region, according to a rapid-attribution study published on June 26. Worst of all, scientists warn: “Get used to it. This is going to be normal from now on.” Climate research released this week s»»»
Central, Eastern and Southeast Europe growth holds firm in 2026, says wiiw
Region seen outpacing eurozone, but geopolitical risks and industrial weakness cloud outlook. The economies of Central, Eastern and Southeast Europe are expected to remain resilient despite elevated energy prices and a difficult global backdrop, although structural weaknesses and geopolitical risks»»»
Hungary endures hottest day on record
Hungary's electricity consumption hit a new summer record on June 30 as temperatures climbed to 42°C under a heat dome that pushed large parts of the country above 40°C, state news agency MTI writes. Grid operator Mavir said evening demand reached 7,488 MW, surpassing the previous summer recor»»»
Sudanese paramilitary massing for El Obeid assault targeting key civilian infrastructure, Yale study warns
The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of Sudan have intensified their bombardment of the strategic city of El Obeid, targeting fuel stations, electricity infrastructure, markets and residential neighbourhoods in a campaign that is accelerating the humanitarian crisis and raising the risk of a»»»
Ex-president Áder calls Sulyok removal plan a constitutional coup
Former President János Áder described the planned removal of Head of State Tamás Sulyok and other constitutional officeholders as unconstitutional, speaking on a public media podcast. János Áder stressed that the planned removal of Tamás Sulyok is unconstitutional, that political and legal opinions»»»
Trump touts Iran escrow deal as ‘win-win,’ channeling frozen assets into US farm exports and humanitarian aid
US President Donald Trump outlined his administration's vision for using an interim agreement with Iran as a foundation for broader diplomacy following recent regional conflict In an interview at the White House, Trump stated: “They (Iran) have 300% inflation. They're making no money — so we're goi»»»
Air India cuts long-haul surcharge as oil prices ease; airfare relief ahead?
Air India on Thursday announced a reduction in fuel surcharges on select international routes, including North America, Australia, Europe and the UK, as global oil and jet fuel prices ease. According to a PTI report, the surcharge has been cut to $200 from $280 on North America and Australia routes»»»
French shoppers clash over air conditioners as another heatwave looms
Chaotic scenes have unfolded at supermarkets across France as shoppers fight over discounted air conditioners ahead of another heatwave. Hundreds of people descended on Lidl supermarkets in and around Paris on Thursday after the retailer put around 200,000 discounted air conditioners and fans on sa»»»
WHO declares cruise ship hantavirus outbreak over
The World Health Organization on Thursday declared an end to the deadly hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship which sparked international alarm, after the last person left quarantine. There were 12 confirmed and one probable case stemming from the MV Hondius, including three deaths. Get updated fast»»»
Israelis join protests and memorials to mark 1,000 days since October 7 Hamas attack
Israelis on Thursday held memorials and joined protests to mark 1,000 days since the deadly October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, which triggered the war in Gaza. Many Israelis are calling for an official enquiry into why the government failed to prevent the attack and how it handled the aftermath duri»»»
'Iranians succeeded in making Strait of Hormuz primary issue rather than their nuclear programme'
Delano D'Souza is pleased to welcome Scott Lucas, Professor of International Politics at the University College Dublin. Lucas argues that the centre of gravity has fundamentally shifted. And he highlights the growing divergence between American diplomatic objectives, Israeli territorial ambitions, »»»
Syria rules out military intervention in Lebanon despite US pressure
Syria has ruled out military intervention in Lebanon despite US pressure to act against Hezbollah, saying it seeks to avoid escalation and focus on rebuilding ties with Beirut. Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani told Lebanon's president on Thursday that Damascus had no intention of interveni»»»
Russia massive attack: 'West simply doesn't have enough interceptors', military expert says
Speaking with FRANCE 24's Mark Owen, Frank Ledwidge, Senior Lecturer in Strategy at Portsmouth University, says that "Ukraine's allies are doing as much as they realistically can" adding that "they all suffer from the same problem: the density, the frequency and the numbers involved in Russian atta»»»
Monaco identifies suspect in parcel bombing: prosecutors
Monaco authorities have identified a suspect and issued an international arrest warrant in the investigation into a parcel bombing that seriously wounded a sanctioned Ukraine-born millionaire and two others, prosecutors said Thursday. A suspect has been identified in the investigation into a parcel»»»
Thai monks die after 11-year-old drives truck into them - UPI.com
An 11-year-old boy who took his parents' truck killed nine Buddhist monks after losing control of the vehicle and crashing into them. File Photo by Justin Lane/EPA-EFE July 2 (UPI) -- An 11-year-old boy driving his parents' truck crashed into a Buddhist procession in Thailand, killing nine and seri»»»
Friday sermon, July 3, 2026: Welcome, O Summer
First Sermon (Khutbah One) All praise is due to Allah, who has made the succession of days a blessing and the changing of the seasons a mercy. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone, and I bear witness that our Master and Prophet Muḥammad is the Messenger of Allah. May Allah's peace, b»»»
Great Wall Motors to Launch Major Automotive Manufacturing Hub in Egypt’s Suez Canal Economic Zone
Chinese automotive leader Great Wall Motors is set to establish a significant manufacturing facility within Egypt’s Suez Canal Economic Zone, focused on car production and spare parts. This development follows a recent meeting between Egypt’s Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and Great Wall Motors’ V»»»
Portugal defeat Croatia 2-1 to reach World Cup last 16
TORONTO: Substitute Goncalo Ramos’s headed goal edged Portugal into the last 16 of the World Cup on Thursday after a gripping contest with Croatia. Ramos connected with a superb pass from Rafael Leao in the fourth minute of stoppage time to snuff out a Croatia team which had created the lion’s shar»»»
Portugal defeat Croatia 2-1 to reach World Cup last 16
TORONTO: Substitute Goncalo Ramos’s headed goal edged Portugal into the last 16 of the World Cup on Thursday after a gripping contest with Croatia. Ramos connected with a superb pass from Rafael Leao in the fourth minute of stoppage time to snuff out a Croatia team which had created the lion’s shar»»»
Spain ease past Austria with 3-0 World Cup win
Los Angeles: Spain coasted past Austria and into the World Cup last 16 on Thursday, thoroughly outclassing their opponents in a 3-0 knockout win with a brace from Mikel Oyarzabal and a Pedro Porro header. The European champions controlled possession and sliced through the Austrian defense in a typi»»»
Assessing the Israel-Lebanon Framework Agreement – Ya Libnan
Share: This landmark document offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build real peace between Beirut and Jerusalem, but progress needs to be swift and visible given the threat of violent opposition from Iran and its local allies. By : Robert Satloff After a rocky start to their fifth round of»»»
Explosive-laden Ukrainian drone crashes in Türkiye’s Trabzon province – media
A Ukrainian attack drone carrying explosives has crashed and exploded in a rural area of Türkiye’s Black Sea coast, local media outlets have reported. No casualties or major damage have been reported. The UAV was carrying 5 kg of explosives and came down on Wednesday in Trabzon province, northeaste»»»
Rare copy of Declaration of Independence found by UK National Archives in papers of captured US ship
LONDON: Michael Scurr has been volunteering at Britain’s National Archives for the last 11 years, spending his Thursday mornings painstakingly cataloging documents for the benefit of future researchers. Then one day last May the retired insurance executive made a discovery of his own while sifting »»»
Do not open until 2276: US burying time capsule to mark July 4
Americans living in 2276 will get a taste of what their ancestors today think best represents the nation thanks to a time capsule to be buried this July 4. The 900 pound (400 kilo) stainless steel cylinder will go into the ground Saturday, as the nation marks its 250th birthday, not far from where »»»
Aspen wildfire expected to grow amid sustained winds, lack of rain - UPI.com
The Aspen Acres Fire, which officials have said is completely uncontrolled, surpassed 50,000 acres on Thursday and has already destroyed more than 180 structures. Photo by Pueblo County Sheriff's Office July 2 (UPI) -- The Aspen Acres fire in Colorado has surpassed 50,000 acres as evacuations sprea»»»
Do camels really spit? Inside the UAE's extraordinary world of 7,000 camels and sprawling farm
Dubai: Do camels really spit? How do they keep those impossibly long eyelashes looking so perfect? Is there such a thing as a camel spa? And why, in a country where camels have shaped history, culture and survival for centuries, do so few of us know what really goes on behind the scenes of a camel »»»
Ukraine, Russia vow escalation as strikes on Kyiv kill 27
KYIV: Ukraine and Russia on Thursday vowed fresh assaults in their over-four-year war after Moscow launched a massive barrage on Kyiv, killing at least 27 people, tearing open apartment buildings and sending tens of thousands to shelters. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said his forces would»»»
FBI deploying 260 analysts to Georgia election fraud inquiry, memo shows
ATLANTA: The FBI has asked its field offices across the country to dedicate more than 200 staffers to its investigation of the 2020 election in Georgia’s Fulton County. A memo obtained Thursday by The Associated Press calls for the FBI to “surge” 260 investigative analysts and staff operations spec»»»
‘I was just missing a goal,’ says Spain’s Yamal
LOS ANGELES: Spain star Lamine Yamal said Thursday he was delighted with his team’s performance in their 3-0 win in the World Cup last 32 against Austria — but admitted he would have liked to score. “I was just missing a goal or an assist,” said the 18-year-old Barcelona sensation, who was named ma»»»
$800-a-day fine for US reporter refusing to divulge sources: Supreme Court declines to halt penalty
WASHINGTON: The Supreme Court on Thursday declined to intervene after a judge ordered an $800-a-day fine for a former Fox News reporter if she refuses to reveal her confidential source for stories about a Chinese American scientist who was investigated by the FBI but never charged. The high court r»»»
Spain bans contracts with Palantir
The Spanish government is ordering state-backed companies to cut their ties with US defense contractor Palantir, Spain’s El Confidencial newspaper has reported. The move follows similar bans in France and Germany. Sources within several public firms told the newspaper that they have been instructed»»»
Once a source of national pride, Cuba's healthcare system declines as energy shortages deepen crisis
BATABANO, Cuba (AP): After two surgeries and several rounds of radiation therapy over the past four years to treat a tumor, Irisleydis Tristá has spent the past seven months unable to get a CT scan to determine whether the cancer has grown or spread. The CT scanner at Havana’s Hermanos Ameijeiras H»»»
Rescuers dig out Venezuelan man 8 days after quakes
Hundreds of rescuers in Venezuela cheered and embraced Thursday after pulling a 43-year-old man alive from the ruins of a collapsed building eight days after deadly twin earthquakes, AFP journalists witnessed. With the official death toll nearing 2,300 and huge numbers of people still missing, the »»»
ICE arrests 10,000 in 5 days, a sharp late-June surge in Trump’s deportation push
WASHINGTON: The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested 10,000 people over a five-day period at the end of June, marking a major push by the agency tasked with carrying out the Trump administration’s mass deportations agenda. The arrest numbers, obtained from a person familiar with the info»»»
‘Ukrainian woman’ identified as suspect in Monaco bomb attack – media
A Ukrainian woman who allegedly disguised herself as a man to throw police off the trail has been identified as the main suspect in the Monaco bomb attack that seriously injured Ukrainian millionaire Vadim Ermolaev and his family, Le Figaro and BFM TV have reported. More than 48 hours after the bla»»»
Spain power into last 16 at World Cup, Portugal face Croatia
LOS ANGELES: European champions Spain cruised into the last 16 of the World Cup on Thursday with a dominant 3-0 win over Austria to set up a potential showdown with Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal. Two goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and a Pedro Porro header sealed victory for the Spaniards, who produced t»»»
Unprecedented images show how Russia is using drones from the war in Ukraine in Africa
Russian mercenaries from the Africa Corps, which has replaced the well-known Wagner Group in providing support to the Malian army, are deploying new combat drones in Mali. Frequently found on the frontlines in Ukraine, these drones are now entering the Sahel region – an environment for which t»»»
Peaceful Evening Protest in Tirana Follows Earlier Clashes That Left Dozens Injured
An evening anti-government protest in Tirana remained largely peaceful on Thursday, contrasting with violent confrontations earlier in the day outside Albania's Parliament that resulted in multiple injuries and arrests. Although the evening demonstration proceeded without major incidents, organizer»»»
Remains of World War II pilot identified 8 decades after his plane vanished - UPI.com
1st Lt. Franklin H. McKinney is shown in a photo provided by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency. McKinney's remains were identified May 15, nearly 82 years after his plane vanished on a mission. Photo courtesy of the DPAA July 2 (UPI) -- A young World War II pilot who disappeared during a flight»»»
Fake bomb drone crashes near Russian Embassy in Sweden
Two unidentified drones attacked the Russian Embassy in Sweden overnight from Wednesday to Thursday, with one dropping a container of red paint and another falling near the building with a fake explosive device attached, diplomats have said. In a statement on Thursday, the embassy said that the inc»»»
Belgium must improve against confident co-hosts US after Senegal late show
WASHINGTON: Belgium lived to fight another day after a dramatic turnaround against Senegal set up a last-16 clash with the United States, but defender Timothy Castagne warned they cannot depend on more miracles if they are to go any further in the World Cup. Belgium fans partied long into the nigh»»»
Can foreign energy investment help power Syria’s recovery after years of war?
INNUMBERS: *240 bcm Syria’s estimated natural gas reserves in 2015. *8.7 bcm Annual gas output at the start of the civil war in 2011. *3 bcm Annual production by late 2024. Source: BP ANAN TELLO LONDON: Syria’s battered energy sector faces a daunting challenge after nearly 14 years of war, sanction»»»
'Zico' -- from Brazil to Egypt, a name steeped in World Cup lore
Cairo: Brazilian icon Zico lit up three World Cups as a player -- and 40 years after his final appearance at football's extravaganza his Egyptian namesake is keeping the name in the spotlight. Zico, 29, rewarded coach Hossam Hassan for selecting him by becoming the first Egyptian at a World Cup to »»»
Couple who climbed Empire State Building given supervised release - UPI.com
The couple that climbed the Empire State Building on Wednesday was arraigned and released on supervised bail after being charged with a series of crimes for the stunt. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo July 2 (UPI) -- The couple who climbed to the top of the Empire State Building's s»»»
WHO declares cruise ship hantavirus outbreak over
GENEVA: The World Health Organization on Thursday declared an end to the deadly hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship which sparked international alarm, after the last person left quarantine. There were 12 confirmed and one probable case stemming from the MV Hondius, including three deaths. But whil»»»
Report: Boeing Starliner future with NASA unclear - UPI.com
A ULA Atlas V rocket launches the Boeing Starliner spacecraft on its maiden crewed flight in June 2024 from Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Issues with the spaceflight meant the astronauts on board this flight were stuck at the International Space Station for nine month»»»
Impossible for England to acclimate to altitude for World Cup match against Mexico, Tuchel says
ATLANTA: From the altitude of Mexico City to the memories of Diego Maradona’s infamous “Hand of God” goal, England will have to contend with brutal conditions and the weight of history when they play co-host Mexico at the World Cup on Sunday. The Azteca Stadium — the site of the round of 16 game an»»»