Belgium into World Cup last 32 with New Zealand rout
Vancouver: Belgium defeated New Zealand 5-1 to book their place in the knockout rounds of the World Cup on Friday, securing their first win of the tournament to finish on top of Group G in Vancouver. A double strike from Arsenal's Leandro Trossard and goals from Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and A»»»
Support for euro adoption reaches 75%, says prime minister
Support for Hungary joining the eurozone is exceptionally high, at around 70–75%, Prime Minister Péter Magyar said at a press conference in Budapest on Friday following talks with Kyriakos Pierrakakis, president of the Eurogroup, the finance ministers' body of the eurozone. He stressed that meeting»»»
The World Cup and the meteoric rise of sports betting
From the moment the referee blew the opening whistle of the FIFA World Cup 2026, the players were not the only ones competing. During the 39-day competition, billions of dollars will be wagered across smartphone apps, betting platforms, and data centres scattered across the globe. In London, a fan »»»
Uruguay crash out of World Cup as Spain avoid Argentina clash
Guadalajara, Mexico: Uruguay bowed out of the World Cup as goalkeeper Fernando Muslera's howler gifted Spain a 1-0 win in Guadalajara to secure top spot in Group H. Alex Baena's weak shot slipped through Muslera's grasp for the only goal as Spain avoided a last-32 showdown against Argentina. The Eu»»»
Why Syrian action against Hezbollah is unlikely
When Hezbollah began attacking Israel on 2 March shortly after Israeli and American bombers killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, Israel hit back. Their sparring, which has continued ever since, is nothing new—the pair are sworn enemies who have fought several wars in recent decades. What was »»»
Arab teams at World Cup 2026: Saudi Arabia and Iraq knocked out after last game in the group stage
DUBAI: Saudi Arabia exited the World Cup at the group stage for the third tournament in a row, after a goalless draw with Cabo Verde at Houston Stadium on Friday. Cape Verde (0-0-3, 3 points) are now the smallest nation ever to reach the second phase, finishing second in the group above Saudi Arabi»»»
Kyrgyzstan improves position in KidsRights Index 2026 - | 24.KG
Kyrgyzstan ranked 82nd out of 194 countries in the international KidsRights Index 2026, improving by five positions compared to last year, when it placed 87th. The ranking covers countries that have ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. The assessment is based on five k»»»
Venezuelans take search for the missing into their own hands as earthquake death toll nears 1,000
LA GUAIRA, Venezuela: Venezuelans took the search for missing loved ones into their own hands Friday in the aftermath of back-to-back earthquakes, citing the scarcity of government rescuers, as the human toll of the disaster climbed to at least 920 dead and more than 51,000 missing. Citizens diggin»»»
Dembele hat-trick as France swat Norway, Senegal stay alive
LOS ANGELES: Ousmane Dembele scored a first-half hat-trick as France powered past Norway 4-1 to clinch top spot in World Cup Group I on Friday as Senegal kept their hopes of a last-32 spot alive with a thumping victory over Iraq. Paris Saint-Germain’s reigning Ballon D’Or winner Dembele scored in t»»»
10-man Iraq depart World Cup after 5-0 drubbing by Senegal
DUBAI: Iraq bowed out of the 2026 World Cup on Friday with a 5-0 loss to Senegal at Toronto Stadium that left them bottom of Group I with no points from their campaign. The result rounded off three heavy defeats in which Iraq conceded 12 goals and scored only one. Senegal now sit on three points in»»»
Morocco converts ONHYM into joint-stock company to support $25bn Africa-Atlantic Gas Pipeline
Morocco has officially converted the National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines (ONHYM) into a joint-stock company, completing a year-long reform designed to give the state-owned energy agency greater financial and operational flexibility as it prepares to support major strategic projects, including»»»
Germany loss is timely warning ahead of World Cup knockout stage
BOSTON, Massachusetts: Germany may not be too worried by their 2-1 loss to Ecuador on Thursday as they had secured top spot in Group E beforehand, but it was a timely wake-up call ahead of the World Cup knockout stage for the four-time world champions. Germany made it out of their group for the f»»»
Netherlands coach wary of Morocco threat despite topping group
KANSAS CITY, Missouri: Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman was taking nothing for granted after his side sealed top spot in Group F with a 3-1 win over Tunisia on Thursday, warning that next opponents Morocco would provide a formidable test in the World Cup round of 32. The Dutch finished the group s»»»
Trump threatens 100% tariffs for nations with digital service taxes - UPI.com
President Donald Trump on Friday threatened a 100% tariff against any country that levies digital services taxes, which he considers to be an attack on U.S. companies. Photo by Aaron Schwartz/UPI | License Photo June 26 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump on Friday threatened to impose a 100% tariff on»»»
Zied El Heni’s appeal dismissed; one-year prison sentence upheld
Tunis, June 26 (TAP) - The Criminal Division of the Tunis Court of Appeal on Friday has upheld the one-year effective prison sentence imposed on Journalist Zied El Heni, a judicial source told TAP.The Court dismissed the appeal lodged by the...»»»
CDC increases response level to Ebola outbreak - UPI.com
June 26 (UPI) -- The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday increased its response level to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. In an update to reporters, Satish Pillai, the Ebola response incidence manager at the CDC, said public health officia»»»
Middle East war: Lebanon, Israel and US sign framework agreement in Washington
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Friday a framework agreement between Israel and Lebanon following talks held in Washington. Nada Hamadeh, ambassador of Lebanon to the United States described the framework as "a first step on the road of restoring Lebanese sovereignty and terri»»»
Eye on Africa - Togo's parliamentary reforms: unconstitutional
In tonight's programme, Togo’s switch to a parliamentary system is under scrutiny, after a regional court ruled the reforms: unconstitutional. Also once a jewel of Ethiopia’s tourism scene, Lake Tana is now caught in the shadow of conflict. And archaeologists are racing to preserve the ancient»»»
Lebanon, Israel, US sign trilateral framework agreement in Washington
Lebanon, Israel and the United States on Friday signed a trilateral framework agreement aimed at paving the way for a peace deal between the two long-time Middle East adversaries. The agreement -- which officials said includes a pilot effort in which Lebanese soldiers will take control of two areas»»»
Court of Appeal upholds sentences in case of former MP Jilani Dabboussi’s death
Tunis, June 26 (TAP) - The Criminal Division of the Tunis Court of Appeal has upheld on Friday the first-instance judgment handed down against all the defendants in the case of the death of Jilani Dabboussi, a former MP prior to 2011, a judicial...»»»
Antoine Semenyo: Time for Ghana to pressure officials after big no-call
PHILADELPHIA, USA: Ghana star Antoine Semenyo says his team needs to “gang around the referee” more often after his side’s potential penalty shot against England on Tuesday went unreviewed. The Black Stars earned a historic 0-0 draw against the Three Lions in Group L. With a win or draw against Cr»»»
TSA expects to screen nearly 19M people during week of July 4 - UPI.com
The TSA said on Friday that it expects roughly 18.7 million people to be screened at U.S. airports during the July 4 holiday week, with more than 3 million people expected to travel on July 2 alone. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo June 26 (UPI) -- The Transportation Security Administr»»»
Fatah Central Committee discusses political developments and internal affairs
RAMALLAH: The Central Committee of the Palestinian National Liberation Movement, known as Fatah, held a meeting chaired by Deputy Chairman Hussein Al-Sheikh to discuss the latest political developments and internal organizational affairs. During the meeting, the committee reviewed current political»»»
Canada and South Africa enter uncharted territory in first World Cup last-32 game
CALEFORNIA, USA: Co-hosts Canada and South Africa clash on Sunday in the first of the last-32 ties at the World Cup, both entering unfamiliar territory without any prior experience of the tournament’s knockout stages. For Canada, it is the first time they have advanced past the group stage in three»»»
Where We Are Going Today: ‘Shaziz Shawarma’ in Mateen Center, Riyadh
Shawarma is a simple, wholesome food that gives you comfort in every situation, whether you are lonely at home or in your car or cheering on your favorite team with friends during a World Cup match. Who makes the best shawarma, however, is highly debatable. Now, this is not me throwing my hat in to»»»
Hezbollah leader says Israel must leave ‘humiliated,’ calls Iran ‘path to salvation’ - UPI.com
Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem seen in June 19, 2024. He spoke in a televised speech Friday, marking Ashura, the culmination of a 10-day mourning period observed by Shiite Muslims. Photo by Wael Hamzeh/UPI BEIRUT, June 26 (UPI) -- Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem said »»»
Hakimi to appeal ruling to stand trial for rape, lawyer says
NEW YORK: Paris St. Germain defender and Morocco international Achraf Hakimi will appeal to France’s highest court after a ruling confirming that he should stand trial on a rape charge, his lawyer Fanny Colin told Reuters on Friday. Hakimi’s referral for trial was confirmed by the Versailles C»»»
Wawrinka announces farewell fete with Federer and Murray
PARIS: Stan Wawrinka announced Friday he will throw a farewell party for fans on December 19 in Geneva with former tennis stars Roger Federer and Andy Murray on the card of the “One last backhand” event. The 41-year-old three-time Grand Slam champion said on Instagram that after more than 20 years »»»
Brussels separates Ukraine and Moldova on EU accession track as merit-based approach takes hold
The EU has effectively separated the accession trajectories of Ukraine and Moldova, with each country now expected to advance towards membership at its own pace after the opening of the first negotiating cluster, reported European Pravda. The shift reflects a more explicitly “merit-based” approach »»»
Utah prosecutor found in contempt in Charlie Kirk shooting case - UPI.com
Tyler Robinson, 22, of Utah, is shown in his mugshot on Sept. 12, 2025. The prosecutor in his case was found to be in contempt of court Friday for speaking to the press. UPI | License Photo June 26 (UPI) -- The Utah prosecutor in the case against Tyler Robinson for the alleged murder of conservativ»»»
Palisades Fire: Judge declares mistrial in Jonathan Rinderknect case - UPI.com
Jonathan Rinderknecht pleaded not guilty to three charges related to the setting of the Palisades Fire in 2025. File Photo courtesy of Acting United States Attorney Bill Essayli | License Photo June 26 (UPI) -- A federal judge declared a mistrial Friday after a jury said it couldn't reach a verdict»»»
Over a million immigrants risk deportation from US after landmark decision
The US Supreme Court has handed the Trump Administration another win on its policies aggressively cracking down on immigration and allowing mass deportations. In the conservative majority's 6-3 decision -the justices ruled that Washington can lift the temporary protected status of hundreds of thous»»»
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. »»»
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»»»
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 »»»
UN demands probes into US ICE custody deaths
GENEVA: The United Nations on Friday demanded independent investigations into dozens of deaths in US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody since last year — and swift action to prevent more people from dying. At least 52 deaths have been reported in ICE holding facilities since the star»»»
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»»»
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»»»
Iranian national sought by US on hacking charges arrested in Montenegro
PODGORICA: An Iranian national who is wanted by the United States for mass hacking attacks that caused damage of $3.4 billion was arrested in Montenegro, police in the Balkan country said late Thursday. The 39-year-old man, who holds both the Iranian and Turkish citizenship, is wanted by a court in»»»
In win for Trump, US Supreme Court paves way for mass deportation of Haitians and Syrians
The US Supreme Court has backed a Trump administration move to strip deportation protections from some 350,000 Haitians and 6,000 Syrians living in the United States. The decision effectively stops migrants from being able to make the asylum claim. One of three dissident Justices criticised the rol»»»
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»»»
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. »»»
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 »»»
Bulgaria, Vietnam Exchange Expertise on Mediation
Representatives of the National Association of Mediators (NAM) met with a Vietnamese government delegation led by Deputy Justice Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Nguyen Thanh Ngoc and Ambassador Nguyen Thi Minh Nguyet at the headquarters of the Union of Bulgarian Jurists in Sofia. Mile»»»
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»»»
Judicial Council Reallocates Judges’ Positions Across Bulgaria, Expands Staffing in Sofia Regional Court
The Plenum of the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) approved Friday the opening of 15 new judicial posts in the Sofia Regional Court, while simultaneously eliminating 15 vacant positions across 11 courts in the country. The abolished positions were previously vacant posts in the Varna District Court, »»»
John Bolton to plead guilty in classified information case - UPI.com
John Bolton, a national security adviser in the first Trump administration, is expected to enter a guilty plea Friday for mishandling classified information. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo June 26 (UPI) -- John Bolton, a national security adviser in the first Trump administration, »»»
Dozens of international teams rushing to Venezuela: UN
GENEVA: International search and rescue teams from at least 17 countries are being scrambled to Venezuela to help look for survivors of the devastating twin earthquakes, the United Nations said Friday. Getting those search and rescue teams to the scene is the “top priority,” the UN humanitarian age»»»