Thousands seek way out as South Africa braces for anti-immigrant protests
DURBAN: Thousands of Malawian migrants queued for processing at a makeshift camp in the South African city of Durban this week while hundreds of Zimbabweans slept on the pavement outside their consulate in Cape Town. All had the same goal: to leave South Africa before nationwide anti-immigrant prot»»»
Focus - Kushner-backed luxury resort sparks outrage, dividing Albanian population
In Albania, a widespread protest movement is underway against the current government. The demonstrations erupted after construction began on a luxury resort in a nature reserve in the southwest of the country. The real estate project is spearheaded by Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump’s son-»»»
Mongolia's risky fuel strategy gamble
In Brief Mongolia’s dependence on Russian fuel gives it short-term supply stability but leaves it structurally exposed. Russia’s temporary petrol export ban spared Mongolia through bilateral arrangements, underscoring the strength of the relationship while revealing the risks of relying on Moscow. »»»
Oman Tells Allies Ships Going Through Hormuz May Have to Pay: Bloomberg
Oman has told European officials there’s no way of going back to the pre-war status quo with the Strait of Hormuz and transiting ships may have to be charged some fees, according to people familiar with the matter. While Omani officials said they will always abide by international maritime law, the»»»
Amnesty: Four Months after Horrific Minab School Airstrike by USA, Accountability Delayed
Nearly four months after the U.S. airstrike on the Shajareh Tayyebeh Elementary School in Minab, Iran, which killed more than 150 people, including 120 children, Amnesty International USA’s National Director for Government Relations & Advocacy, Amanda Klasing, said: “It’s been four months since the»»»
A Moroccan court sentences 29 prominent people in major drug trafficking and corruption case
CASABLANCA: A Moroccan court handed prison sentences to 29 people, including prominent politicians and sports and business figures, in an international drug trafficking and corruption scandal that has rocked the country. The court also ordered the defendants to pay hundreds of millions of dollars i»»»
Leon Black testifies to Congress about Epstein files - UPI.com
Chair of the House Oversight Committee James Comer, R-Ky., speaks to the press before a closed-door interview with Microsoft Co-Founder Bill Gates on June 10. The committee interviewed billionaire investor Leon Black Friday. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo June 26 (UPI) -- Former Apollo Gl»»»
Trump foe John Bolton pleads guilty to retaining classified information
GREENBELT, United States: Former Trump administration national security adviser John Bolton pleaded guilty on Friday to illegally retaining classified information, sealing a deal with federal prosecutors that could allow him to avoid a prison term. Bolton, who became an outspoken critic of Presiden»»»
Former Trump national security adviser Bolton pleads guilty in classified files case
John Bolton, a former national security adviser to US President Donald Trump who has since become one of his most vocal critics, pleaded guilty Friday to withholding classified documents related to national defence. Former Trump administration national security adviser John Bolton pleaded guilty on»»»
The 51% - France shaken by schoolgirl's murder
How a French government inquiry has uncovered systemic judicial failures in investigating a man who's now accused of the murder of an 11-year-old schoolgirl. Her death has prompted mass protests nationwide. Also pregnant women in India are now entitled to 26 weeks of fully paid »»»
115 vessels, 2,500 seafarers evacuated from Hormuz: UN maritime head
LONDON: A total of about 115 vessels and 2,500 seafarers have been evacuated from the Strait of Hormuz since Tuesday, the head of the UN maritime body said Friday. International Maritime Organization secretary-general Arsenio Dominguez gave the update after the IMO on Thursday suspended its efforts»»»
Pochettino annoyed by perceived disappointment after US finishes group play with 3-2 loss to Turkiye
CALIFORNIA, USA: The United States only wanted to get through their final World Cup group stage match Thursday night without an injury or a red card, while Turkiye were playing for a face-saving victory to end a dismal tournament. Both teams got what they wanted most out of their meaningless meetin»»»
Argentina's informal employment nears 50% - UPI.com
Informal employment in Argentina rose to 44.2% during the first quarter of 2026, reaching its highest level since official records began in 2023. File Photo by David Fernández/EPA June 26 (UPI) -- Informal employment in Argentina rose to 44.2% during the first quarter of 2026, reaching its highest »»»
Doves and hawks vie for Putin's attention to end the Ukraine war, but the “wait-and-see” camp remains in charge
Tensions in the Kremlin are rising as the economy tanks and trust in the president is starting to wane. There is a growing consensus it’s high time to end the war in Ukraine. Two factions have appeared and are vying for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s attention: the doves that want to freeze the»»»
CEU may return degree programmes to Budapest in major turnaround after years in Vienna!
The Central European University (CEU) could once again offer degree programmes in Budapest, nearly eight years after relocating its US-accredited courses to Vienna. University representatives say CEU is preparing to become a dual-campus institution, with accredited programmes operating in both Aust»»»
NGOs demand international action to avert ‘atrocities’ in Sudan’s Obeid
GENEVA: Dozens of NGOs, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, called Friday for international action to avert looming “atrocities” in the Sudanese city of El-Obeid. In an open letter addressed to member and observer states to the United Nations Human Rights Council, the 38 NGOs ur»»»
Saudi users more selective on social media as digital maturity rises: Deloitte
LONDON: As governments move to tighten rules around children’s access to social media, Saudi users appear to be sending a different message: not rejection, but growing caution, selectiveness and a demand for stronger guardrails. In the Arab world, the discussion has become more visible following re»»»
‘Our War Against Russia’: Germany is re-normalizing the unthinkable
For the anniversary of Operation Barbarossa, the German name for the attack on the Soviet Union of 22 June 1941, Germany’s declining yet still dominant mainstream news magazine Der Spiegel has dedicated a long title story and a sensationalist cover to Berlin’s last open war in, as the Germans used »»»
Florida closes Trump-backed ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ ICE detention center, Governor DeSantis says
Florida has shut down a controversial immigration detention center dubbed ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ after it processed around 21,000 deportations, Governor Ron DeSantis has announced. The makeshift facility was hailed by the administration of US President Donald Trump but condemned by civil rights group»»»
Why Venezuela’s ‘doublet’ earthquakes were so devastating
The tremors that hit Venezuela on Wednesday evening have killed nearly 600 people and injured thousands. The disaster consisted of a rare phenomenon called a “doublet”, meaning a quick succession of major “twin” earthquakes. The powerful tremors which rocked Venezuela on Wednesday have claimed at l»»»
Spotlight - 'A very different Afghanistan: Violence now linked to socioeconomic pressures'
François Picard is pleased to welcome Silvia Boccardi, a freelance journalist based in Rome. Nearly five years after the Taliban's return to power, Afghanistan occupies an uneasy position in international politics. As European governments increasingly seek practical engagement with the authorities »»»
Romania Detains Bulgarian Suspect in Major Gambling Bribery InvestigationOpinions
A Bulgarian national has been detained in Romania in connection with a wide-ranging corruption investigation involving the country’s gambling regulator, the National Gambling Office (ONJN). The case is being handled by Romania’s National Anti-Corruption Directorate (DNA), which says the probe conce»»»
Beyond the terminal: A calling from ‘Inevitable India’
There is an experience every NRI knows by heart. You land in India after years, clear the terminal faster than you expected and step into a country that is somehow not quite the one you left. The airport is more tech-enabled, the billboards flashing past are increasingly aspirational. By the time y»»»
Mongolia's risky fuel strategy gamble
In Brief Mongolia’s dependence on Russian fuel gives it short-term supply stability but leaves it structurally exposed. Russia’s temporary petrol export ban spared Mongolia through bilateral arrangements, underscoring the strength of the relationship while revealing the risks of relying on Moscow. »»»
Russia hit by double whammy of forced crude exports as Ukraine drone strikes reduce refining throughput
The Russian government has been hit by a double whammy, forced to boost crude exports just as prices tumble following the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, due to sustained Ukrainian drone strikes on key facilities reducing its refining throughput. Russia is exporting crude oil at its fastest pace»»»
British endurance explorer completes historic 2,000 km desert expedition across Saudi Arabia
JEDDAH: Rosie Stancer has completed her 2,000 km crossing with camels through the length of the Kingdom — from the southwest to northwest — in 69 days, entirely on foot. The British polar and endurance explorer chose this route as the setting for her most ambitious expedition to date, leading her a»»»
UAE foreign minister tells Iran shipping must pass freely through Hormuz
DUBAI: The flow of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz should not be interrupted, the UAE foreign minister told his Iranian counterpart on Friday, after a ship using a UN-approved corridor in the waterway came under fire. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed's comments came during a phone call with Iran's F»»»
Archbishop of Canterbury demands end to Israeli occupation during trip to Holy Land
LONDON: The most senior cleric in the Church of England has called for end to Israel’s occupation of Palestine during a pilgrimage to the region. Archbishop of Canterbury Sarah Mullally issued a joint statement with Hosam Naoum, the Anglican archbishop of Jerusalem, after meeting with Palestinian v»»»
Man who drove car into German Christmas market gets life in prison - UPI.com
Taleb al-Abdulmohsen was sentenced to life in prison for driving into a German Christmas market and killing 6 people. Pool Photo Filip Singer/EPA June 26 (UPI) -- The man convicted of driving his car into a German Christmas market killing six people and injuring more than 300 was sentenced to life »»»
False emergency alerts in UAE traced to technical malfunction: NCEMA
Dubai: The National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) said a technical fault in the UAE's early warning system on Friday evening resulted in incorrect emergency alerts being sent to residents. The authority said the problem was identified shortly after the alerts were issue»»»
Small plane crashes into Beijing's tallest skyscraper, triggering security lockdown
Dubai: A small aircraft crashed into Beijing's tallest skyscraper on Friday, damaging the upper floors of one of China's most recognisable landmarks and prompting a major security response in the heart of the capital. The aircraft, described by witnesses as roughly the size of a car, slammed into t»»»
Cabinet Calls Off "Outrageous Public Procurements", Crash Barrier Contract for EUR 500 Mln Is Among Them
The Cabinet is calling off all "outrageous public procurements" and a crash barrier contract for some EUR 500 million is among them, Prime Minister Rumen Radev told journalists on Friday, taking an opportunity to attack his predecessors. "We are ending all outrageous public procurements, we are end»»»
Venezuela hunts for survivors of twin quakes as it waits for foreign aid
Venezuela's health minister says 235 deaths have been recorded and tens of thousands are still missing after two powerful earthquakes hit on June 24. Emergency workers are still trying to search through the rubble. Rescue teams are coming in from round the world and the US says it is sending milita»»»
Mbappe v Haaland as France face Norway in World Cup group decider
LOS ANGELES, USA: A mouthwatering duel between in-form goalscorers Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland will take center stage at the World Cup on Friday as France face Norway in a crucial Group I decider. Real Madrid star Mbappe and Manchester City striker Haaland have started the tournament in bliste»»»
Analysis: Trump’s push for Sharaa to curb Hezbollah revives fears in Lebanon, Syria - UPI.com
U.S. President Donald Trump’s repeated suggestions that Syria’s new leader, Ahmad Sharaa, can better curb Iran-backed Hezbollah than Israel have alarmed Lebanon and Syria. Photo by Aaron Schwartz/UPI | License Photo BEIRUT, Lebanon, June 26 (UPI) -- U.S. President Donald Trump's repeated suggestion»»»
Paris Pride parade postponed to not stretch already overwhelmed emergency services
Organisers of the Pride March due to take place in Paris on June 27 weekend postponed the event after police ordered them to change the date to relieve pressure on emergency services during the heatwave. A popular music festival has also been cancelled, while public alcohol consumption has been tem»»»
Authorities sound an incoming missile alert in Dubai
DUBAI: Authorities in the United Arab Emirates on Friday sounded an incoming missile alert for Dubai. It wasn’t immediately clear what sparked the warning just after 5:15 p.m. local. Iran is suspected of launching a drone attack against a tanker off the coast of Oman on Thursday as Tehran increasin»»»
Court document: Reflecting pool cut with sharp knife - UPI.com
National Park Service workers use vacuum pumps to clean algae off the bottom of the newly renovated Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on Saturday. A court filing alleges that vandals cut the pool's lining with a sharp knife. Photo by Pat Benic/UPI | License »»»
Church and Politics Collide as Bulgaria's PM Rejects Sanctions on Russian Patriarch Kirill
Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Rumen Radev has drawn political attention after comparing the roles of the Bulgarian Patriarch and Russia’s Patriarch Kirill, in remarks that sparked a broader debate about religion, sanctions, and foreign policy. The comments were made following earlier statements from Ra»»»
Bulgaria Makes Chickenpox Vaccine Mandatory from July 1
Vaccination against chickenpox (varicella) will become mandatory in Bulgaria from July 2026, according to the country's immunization ordinance published in the State Gazette in January. The vaccine will be provided free of charge. A total of 14,570 cases of chickenpox have been registered in Bulgar»»»
Keir Starmer’s CPS legacy: Savile, Assange and the secrets left behind
As Keir Starmer prepares to leave the UK’s highest office after less than two years, the media has lined up to explain why he failed to deliver on the enormous hype he received as opposition leader, and during his initial months in office. A repeated trope has been that Starmer was a “decent man,” »»»
Tragedy: Body with gunshot wound to the head found in Lake Balaton
Police are investigating after a man’s body was discovered in Lake Balaton between Balatonszepezd and Révfülöp. Authorities have confirmed that an administrative procedure has been launched to establish the circumstances of the death, but have not released further details. Body discovered in Lake B»»»
Ukraine targets major reconstruction deals despite tensions with Poland
Ukraine will seek to secure more than €1.5bn in reconstruction agreements at this week's Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC2026) in the Polish city of Gdańsk, with railways, ports, energy infrastructure and private investment expected to dominate the agenda as Kyiv looks to strengthen the economy aga»»»
Inspection of Guardrails to Be Carried Out on Trakia Motorway Section after Deadly Crash
There will be a full inspection of the guardrails on the section of Trakia Motorway where the severe crash occurred a few days ago, Prime Minister Rumen Radev told journalists on Friday. He specified that the inspection would focus on guardrails manufactured in 2024 during the large-scale replaceme»»»
Stocks slide on renewed tech slump, oil prices fall
London: Stock markets retreated Friday, capping a rollercoaster week for technology shares as doubts spread about the huge AI-fuelled gains for technology stocks that have propelled indexes to record territory. Oil prices meanwhile sank more than three percent as fears eased after an attack on a ve»»»
Mbappe v Haaland as France face Norway in World Cup group decider
Los Angeles: A mouthwatering duel between in-form goalscorers Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland will take centre stage at the World Cup on Friday as France face Norway in a crucial Group I decider. Real Madrid star Mbappe and Manchester City striker Haaland have started the tournament in blistering »»»
Magnitude 6.7 quake hits off southern Philippines: USGS
MANILA: A 6.7-magnitude earthquake struck off the southern Philippines on Friday, the United States Geological Survey said, less than three weeks after a major tremor in the same area left more than 80 people dead. The quake struck at 7:42 p.m. (1142 GMT) at a depth of 65.7 kilometers (41 miles) ab»»»
Tunisian rights activist sentenced to 25 years in prison
TUNIS: Prominent Tunisian rights activist Sihem Bensedrine told AFP on Friday that she had been sentenced to 25 years in prison on charges including falsifying part of a transitional justice commission’s final report. Tunisia emerged from the Arab Spring uprisings of 2011 as a beacon of democratic »»»
Romania’s Flag Ban for Russian Gymnasts Last-Gasp Spite Over Russia's Sports Comeback – Expert
Russia’s rhythmic gymnastics team was right to pull out of the Challenge Cup in Romania’s Cluj-Napoca after the local mayor banned its athletes from competing under their national flag and anthem, legendary Soviet gymnast and sports commentator Lidiya Ivanova tells Sputnik. The International Gymnas»»»
Look: Trapped coyote rescued from walled backyard of San Francisco home - UPI.com
View this post on Instagram A post shared by SF Animal Care & Control (@sfanimalcareandcontrol) June 24 (UPI) -- Animal control officers in San Francisco came to the rescue of a juvenile coyote trapped for several days in the walled backyard of a home situated atop a steep hill. Animal Care & Contr»»»