Migrants deported from US, including an Iranian woman, arrive in Central African Republic
BANGUI, Central African Republic: An Iranian woman is among around two dozen migrants who arrived Friday in the Central African Republic on a deportation flight from the United States, lawyers said, in the latest example of the Trump administration’s widely criticized deals with African and Latin A»»»
Judge extends block on Trump administration 'anti-weaponization' fund - UPI.com
A judge on Friday permanently blocked President Donald Trump's "anti-weaponization" fund because, despite administration officials' statements that the fund will not be enacted, she does not believe them. Photo by Samuel Corum/UPI | License Photo June 12 (UPI) -- A federal judge on Friday extended »»»
Syria, IMF discuss boosting cooperation in tax and customs fields
Damascus, June 13 (SANA) Finance Minister Mohammed Yisr Barnieh met on Friday with a mission from the Fiscal Affairs Department of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to discuss ways of strengthening technical cooperation in the reform and modernization of tax and customs administration. Accordin»»»
Sweden strike force faces tough Tunisia test in opener
FRISCO, Texas: Sweden boast a formidable strike partnership in Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres, but the two will have their work cut out in their opening World Cup Group F game on Sunday when they take on a Tunisia side that didn’t concede a goal in qualifying. The 28-year-old Gyokeres arrives i»»»
Shakira, Andrea Bocelli and Salma Hayek light up opening ceremony in Mexico City
MEXICO CITY: Shakira, Mana, Andrea Bocelli and a surprise appearance by Salma Hayek lit up the World Cup opening ceremony ahead of Mexico’s 2-0 victory over South Africa on Thursday. Shakira performed “Dai Dai,” the tournament’s official song, with Burna Boy. The Colombian star had a hit with “Waka»»»
What do Iraq’s latest militia disarmament pledges really mean for state authority?
LONDON: Iraqi officials like to say that the “age of militias” is ending. On paper, the past few weeks seem to support that narrative. Asaib Ahl Al-Haq, a hardline Iran-aligned faction, announced it would disengage from the Popular Mobilization Forces and place its weapons under state control, foll»»»
Illicit gold networks fuelling conflict, organised crime across Africa and global south, GI-TOC warns
Gold is increasingly being weaponised by states, criminal networks and sanctioned regimes as a strategic financial tool, while regulatory systems are failing to keep pace with rapidly evolving illicit supply chains, according to a new report from the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organize»»»
Supreme Court disallows nitrogen gas execution method - UPI.com
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled against nitrogen gas as an execution method. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo June 12 (UPI) -- The Supreme Court has denied Alabama's attempt to execute a prisoner with nitrogen gas after two lower courts denied the method, calling it cruel and unusual. The»»»
Combating foreign digital interference: ‘France is among the top three in Europe’
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu hosted political representatives from across party lines on Thursday to discuss the issue of electoral interference ahead of the country’s 2027 presidential election. French authorities are sounding the alarm over the rapid advances in artificial intelligence»»»
Hundreds gather for funeral of French schoolgirl whose killing sparked national outrage
Flags flew at half-mast at the town hall in Fleurance in southwestern France on Friday as hundreds of mourners gathered for the funeral of Lyhanna, an 11-year-old schoolgirl whose suspected murder sparked national outrage over the exposed failures in the judicial system. Several hundred people»»»
Revisited - Brexit: 10 years of regret?
On June 23, 2016 the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union with 52 percent of "Leave" votes against 48 percent for "Remain". It was a political storm few had predicted. Ten years on, our Revisited show explores the social and political im»»»
LGBTQ rights in Hungary: 'We are very hopeful that changes will be made'
The election of the Hungary's new centre-right prime minister, Peter Magyar, in April marked a particularly stinging defeat for Viktor Orban, whose government was widely regarded as one of the most anti-LGBTQ in the EU. Rights advocates expect legal changes but wonder about the timeline Magyar will»»»
SpaceX IPO tops $176, launches company past $2 trillion - UPI.com
1 of 3 | Pedestrians walk in Times Square with screens showing visuals of Elon Musk and SpaceX branding at the Nasdaq MarketSite Exchange in Times Square on Friday in New York City. Elon Musk celebrated the Nasdaq opening bell Friday as SpaceX prepared to start trading publicly and likely cementing»»»
Ebola spreading into new areas in northeast DR Congo, WHO says
GENEVA: The Ebola outbreak in the northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo is spreading into new areas, the World Health Organization warned on Friday. Much more needs to be done to get on top of the virus, the WHO said, with isolation bed capacity far below anticipated needs given its spread. Sin»»»
AI era demands protection of ‘non-negotiable human skills,’ FII warns
LONDON: Education systems must preserve “non-negotiable human skills” as artificial intelligence becomes deeply embedded in daily life and learning, a new report by the Future Investment Initiative has said ahead of its key summit in Rome next week. The report, published on Friday, identifies judgm»»»
Hungary’s state media system to be completely rebuilt under new Tisza proposal
The Tisza Party has submitted a comprehensive bill to Parliament that would fundamentally transform Hungary’s public media system, abolishing the current MTVA-based structure and replacing it with a new institutional framework designed to increase transparency, political balance and public oversigh»»»
Judge declines to block planned UFC event at White House - UPI.com
1 of 4 | The Ultimate Fighting Championship Freedom 250 arena is seen from the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C., on Friday. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo June 12 (UPI) -- A federal judge in Washington, D.C., on Friday refused to halt a planned UFC fight on the White House's South »»»
Brazilian football players added to Ukraine’s state-linked ‘kill list’
Two Brazilian football players from Russian club CSKA Moscow have been targeted by the pro-Kiev Mirotvorets (‘Peacemaker’) website, which publishes personal details of individuals it deems ‘enemies’ of Ukraine. Matheus Reis de Lima, 31, and Joao Victor da Silva Marcelino, 27, as well as their Russi»»»
From Saudi factory floor to World Cup stage … FPC fabric crowns Mexico’s Azteca Stadium
MAKKAH: When the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicked off at Mexico City’s legendary Azteca Stadium, fans looked up and saw a piece of Saudi Arabia. FPC Industries, a subsidiary of FIPCO, supplied more than 4,000 sq. meters of PVC fabric for the venue’s new “Red Crown” — the sweeping canopy that rings the to»»»
Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, says he is physically ‘fine’ ahead of World Cup
WASHINGTON: Despite not scoring in either of Portugal’s World Cup tune-ups this month, 41-year-old captain Cristiano Ronaldo insists his fitness level is not a concern. “Physically? I’m fine,” the forward told reporters on Friday, per ESPN. “Have you not seen my matches?“ Ronaldo scored 28 times f»»»
Judge blocks suit by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton against ActBlue - UPI.com
A judge has blocked Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's lawsuit against Democratic fundraising platform ActBlue. File Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI | License Photo June 12 (UPI) -- A federal judge blocked a lawsuit by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton against Democratic fundraising platform ActBlue. In»»»
Former NYC Comptroller Brad Lander acquitted of charge related to ICE inspection - UPI.com
New York City Comptroller Brad Lander speaks to a member of the press during an election night rally for Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani on November 4 at the Brooklyn Paramount Theater in New York City. Lander, who is no longer comptroller, was acquitted of a charge related to his attempt to inspect an »»»
Team Qatar building momentum across practice and hyperpole qualifying
LE MANS, France: Team Qatar’s preparations for its historic debut entry in the 24 Hours of Le Mans continued at the Circuit de la Sarthe yesterday with a further two practice sessions and Hyperpole qualifying. In an extremely competitive session, Team Qatar just missed out on advancing to Hyperpole»»»
Brnabic: Venice Commission's opinion on judicial laws absolutely positive
VENICE - Serbian Parliament Speaker Ana Brnabic said on Friday the Venice Commission had given an absolutely positive opinion on a set of Serbian judicial laws, and announced that amendments to those laws would be tabled to the parliament next week. Speaking to reporters in Venice following a plena»»»
USA play first World Cup finals game on home soil since 1994
Los Angeles, United States: The United States begin their World Cup challenge on Friday, taking on a savvy Paraguay side in a high-stakes match in Los Angeles. The World Cup co-hosts know that they must avoid a banana skin at the futuristic SoFi Stadium in the first World Cup finals game on US soil»»»
Finance Minister Donev Takes Part in ECOFIN Meeting
Bulgaria's Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Galab Donev attended a meeting of the EU Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN) in Luxembourg on Friday. During the meeting, the Council discussed the economic and financial impact of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, Europe’s econom»»»
Appeals court denies former crypto mogul Sam Bankman-Fried - UPI.com
Former FTX CEO Sam Bankman Fried appealed his 2023 fraud conviction and was denied. Photo by Louis Lanzano/UPI | License Photo June 12 (UPI) -- The conviction of FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried will stay after an appeals court shot down his bid to overturn his 2023 conviction of fraud. Bankman-Fried,»»»
Former refugees look to ignite Australia’s World Cup
CALIFORNIA: Born in refugee camps to parents displaced by conflict in Africa, three players will show the changing face of Australian soccer at the World Cup and look to answer the nation’s call for goals. Coach Tony Popovic is putting his faith in attackers Mohamed Toure and Nestory Irankunda, two»»»
EU disunity deepens as foreign policy chief Kallas’ job comes under attack
France and Germany are discussing proposals for a radical overhaul of the EU’s 15-year-old diplomatic service and cutting the powers of EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, in an attempt to improve the bloc’s response to geopolitical crises, the Financial Times reported on June 11. Paris, Berlin an»»»
McLaren set to appeal after Gasly reinstated to Monaco GP podium
BARCELONA: Alpine driver Pierre Gasly was reinstated to the Monaco Grand Prix podium on Friday after Formula One stewards, meeting days later, recognized a timekeeping error and rescinded penalties for pitlane speeding that had dropped him to seventh. Champions McLaren, one of several teams set to »»»
Turkiye’s Erdogan, Israel’s Netanyahu trade genocide barbs
ISTANBUL: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused Benjamin Netanyahu of “following the path of Hitler” on Thursday after the Israeli leader alleged he was an “antisemitic dictator” who had committed a “genocide” against the Kurds. The relationship between Israel and Turkiye has nosedived sin»»»
Muslim teacher in UK hailed a ‘hero’ after saving students from knife attack
LONDON: A Muslim teacher in the UK who was stabbed while protecting students from a knife-wielding attacker has been named as 27-year-old Maysam Abdullah. The teacher, of Pakistani extraction, has been hailed as a hero after he intervened in the attack at Co-op Academy Manchester this week, The Ind»»»
Spain opens new probe into ex-PM Zapatero over jewelry found in office
MADRID: A Spanish High Court judge investigating former Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero for suspected corruption has opened a separate probe over jewelry found during a search of his office, the court said on Friday. Zapatero, prime minister from 2004 to 2011, remains a leading figure »»»
A new Medical joint venture between an Egyptian and a British company
A new medical joint venture between an Egyptian and a British company to launch a state-of the-art- facility to produce catheters is set to start at an investment of $4 million, the British embassy in Cairo announced on Thursday. The new facility, which involves the British company Kimal and the Eg»»»
Belgian driver convicted of murder over carnival crash
Brussels, Belgium: A Belgian driver was convicted on Friday of murdering seven people by ploughing his car into a carnival procession while filming himself at the wheel. Paolo Falzone, 38, is due to be sentenced next week over the fatal March 2022 crash in the southern town of La Louviere. He faces»»»
Garmin expands ECG App to customers in Saudi Arabia and the UAE
Olathe, Kansas: Garmin (NYSE: GRMN) today announced the ECG App is now available to customers in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates with a compatible Garmin smartwatch, including fēnix 8, Venu 4, Forerunner 970 and more. The ECG App allows users to record their heart rhythm and check for sig»»»
Kennedy Center board appeals removing Trump's name - UPI.com
The board of trustees at the Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., said it wants to pause efforts to remove Trump's name from the facility while the case concerning its naming plays out in higher courts. Photo by Aaron Schwartz/UPI | License Photo J»»»
Putin makes a rare call for a rate cut
Russian President Vladimir Putin made a rare call for the Central Bank of Russia (CBR) to cut interest rates on June 11 for the first time since the Central Bank’s benchmark rate moved into double digits two years ago. As the economy slows and inflation continues to fall, the Russian president made»»»
Illicit gold networks fuelling conflict, organised crime across Africa and global south, GI-TOC warns
Gold is increasingly being weaponised by states, criminal networks and sanctioned regimes as a strategic financial tool, while regulatory systems are failing to keep pace with rapidly evolving illicit supply chains, according to a new report from the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organize»»»
Illicit gold networks fuelling conflict, organised crime across Africa and global south, GI-TOC warns
Gold is increasingly being weaponised by states, criminal networks and sanctioned regimes as a strategic financial tool, while regulatory systems are failing to keep pace with rapidly evolving illicit supply chains, according to a new report from the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organize»»»
Musk vows to reach Mars as SpaceX makes biggest-ever Wall Street debut
Elon Musk on Friday promised to take humanity to Mars as his SpaceX company began its first day of trading on Wall Street with expectations of a $12 trillion valuation blockbuster. Elon Musk's SpaceX began its first day as a public company on Wall Street Friday after the biggest initial public offe»»»
Morocco sentences 18 people over Gen Z protests
RABAT: Morocco handed prison terms to more than a dozen people arrested during youth-led protests last year, after convicting them of obstructing traffic, their lawyers said on Friday. The Gen Z movement, which took the usually stable kingdom by surprise in late September 2025, demanded sweeping re»»»
Trump to celebrate 80th birthday with cage fight on White House lawn
US President Donald Trump will celebrate his 80th birthday on Sunday with a characteristically unique event: a $60 million UFC match will see bare-knuckle fighters battle it out in a mesh-framed cage on the White House's famed South Lawn. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the »»»
Tornadoes, storms damage homes in the midwest, 1 dead - UPI.com
One man was killed as tornadoes touched down accross the midwest. Image courtesy of UPI June 12 (UPI) -- Multiple tornadoes caused severe damage across several midwestern states Thursday evening. A 54-year-old man was killed in a homeless encampment in a park Wednesday in Des Moines, Iowa, after he»»»
South Korea sentences ex-president Yoon to 30 years over North Korea drone incident
South Korea on Friday sentenced ex-president Yoon Suk Yeol to 30 years in prison for sending military drones into North Korea in 2024 in a bid to "heighten inter-Korean military tensions and manufacture a national crisis" enabling him to declare martial law. Yeol was in February given a life i»»»
Kazakhstan’s ruling party announces merger with pro-Tokayev upstart
ASTANA: Kazakhstan’s ruling Amanat party said on Friday it is merging itself into a party created earlier this year by allies of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev ahead of parliamentary elections expected in August. At its congress in Astana, Amanat said it would become part of the Adilet, or “Justi»»»
Somaliland says it has a right to choose its relationships as it opens new Taiwan office
TAIPEI: Somaliland has a right to choose its own relationships and pressure tactics from Beijing and Mogadishu have not succeeded in altering its friendship with Taipei, its top diplomat in Taiwan said on Friday at the opening of a new office. Strategically situated on the Horn of Africa, Somalilan»»»
Prime Minister Radev: Bulgaria and Turkey Share a Common Interest in Expanding Regional Connectivity
Rumen Radev stated that Bulgaria and Turkey share a common interest in expanding transport, energy, and digital connectivity, which is of strategic importance for the entire region. He made the remarks to journalists at the National Assembly of Bulgaria following his participation in parliamentary »»»
US plans major NATO drawdown as Trump shifts focus from Europe
The United States is planning a significant reduction in the military assets it makes available for NATO operations in Europe, a move that could reshape the alliance’s defence posture and accelerate Washington’s push for European countries to shoulder more of their own security burden. According to»»»