End of the “Sarafov Era”: Bulgaria’s Longtime Prosecutorial Power Figure Steps Down
Borislav Sarafov officially stepped down from his positions as director of the National Investigation Service and deputy prosecutor general, bringing to a close more than a decade at the top levels of Bulgaria’s prosecution system. The Prosecutorial College of the Supreme Judicial Council approved »»»
U.S. reinstates sanctions on UN expert Francesca Albanese
Washington, May 28 (SANA) The United States has reinstated sanctions on Francesca Albanese, the United Nations special rapporteur on human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories, according to a notice published by the U.S. Treasury Department. The move follows a decision by a three-judge pa»»»
Tiny Malta votes in shadow of Mideast crisis
VALLETTA: Malta votes Saturday in elections expected to result in an unprecedented fourth consecutive term for the Labour government, which has pledged to keep the Mediterranean island nation stable in a turbulent world. Prime Minister Robert Abela called a snap general election last month, saying »»»
China vows to support Cuba against ‘power politics and bullying’
BEIJING: China’s foreign minister Wang Yi vowed to support Havana and confront “power politics and bullying” during talks with his Cuban counterpart in New York, state media reported Wednesday, as the Caribbean island faces mounting pressure from the United States. Cuba is suffering under a US ener»»»
EU top diplomat warns debate over Ukraine talks envoy is Russian ‘trap’
LIMASSOL: EU top diplomat Kaja Kallas warned Thursday that Europeans risk walking into a Russian “trap” by getting bogged down over who should represent them in any Ukraine peace talks with Moscow. “It’s a trap that Russia wants us to walk into, that we discuss who talks to them, and they are alrea»»»
US Reimposes Sanctions on UN Expert on Palestinians
The United States on Wednesday reimposed sanctions on Francesca Albanese, a UN expert on the Palestinian territories who has harshly criticized Israel, after an appeals court overruled an earlier order prohibiting the action. A notice on the Treasury Department's website showed that it had reimpose»»»
How my brother went from liberal Hollywood actor to manosphere 'messiah'
How my brother went from liberal Hollywood actor to manosphere 'messiah' 8 hours agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleJacqui Wakefield,BBC Global Disinformation Unit ,Owen PinnellandKaty Ling,BBC Eye YouTubeEl Temach is Latin America's biggest manosphere influencer, with 11 million followers Warni»»»
Australian Woman Linked to ISIS Charged with Terror Offenses
An Australian woman who returned home in September from a Syrian refugee camp has been charged with allegedly joining the ISIS group and entering and remaining in a declared conflict zone, authorities said on Thursday. The 34-year-old travelled to Syria between 2013 and 2014 with others, including»»»
Labor minister mandated to seek EC agreement on staggered dignitary pay rises under public-sector wage bill
Acting Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan said he has mandated Labor Minister Dragos Pislaru to negotiate with the European Commission an agreement allowing staggered pay increases for dignitaries under the public-sector wage bill.Speaking on radio station Digi FM, Bolojan was asked why the bill grants la»»»
Fake Pride, masked men and a surge in misinformation ahead of Armenia’s election
There has been a “tenfold increase” since the start of May in misinformation circulating online in Armenia ahead of the June 7 parliamentary elections, according to Artur Papyan, the director of Armenia’s Media Diversity Institute. Both the ruling party and the opposition – as well as foreign inter»»»
“One Message Away”: Bulgaria Confronts Growing Drug Crisis After Teen Girl’s DeathOpinions
The death of a 16-year-old girl in Blagoevgrad and the hospitalization of another teenager with serious injuries after both fell from the fifth floor of an apartment building on Sunday has reignited concerns in Bulgaria over drug distribution among minors, institutional failures, and the accessibil»»»
Brazil moves toward five-day workweek
Brasília: Brazil's Chamber of Deputies advanced a reform on Wednesday that would shorten the workweek and give workers two days of rest, a pre-election victory for President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Latin America's biggest economy currently has workers hustling six days a week. Backed by labor un»»»
Trump’s sound-and-fury diplomacy produces unclear outcomes
Deal or no deal? That has been the central question looming in the standoff between Iran and America since a fragile ceasefire was announced on 8 April before being extended indefinitely by US President Donald Trump weeks later. There has been a flurry of diplomacy, leaks, and mixed messages about »»»
Thai court acquits opposition politician accused of royal insult
BANGKOK: A Thai criminal court has acquitted a prominent Thai opposition political figure charged with cybercrimes and insulting the royal family during a 2021 Facebook livestream, his lawyer said on Thursday. Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, the 47-year-old founder of the progressive political move»»»
Fuel costs surge
Polish households and companies have absorbed an estimated PLN 10bn in additional fuel costs following renewed instability in the Middle East and higher global oil prices. Analysts at Warsaw-based think tank Instrat argue that transport operators, logistics groups and manufacturing businesses are p»»»
Government orders reviews of hospitals, schools and private funds
The government adopted decisions at Tuesday’s meeting on, among other issues, reviewing the Chamber of Agriculture and the Klebelsberg Centre, increasing transparency and identifying the owners of private equity funds, and making hospital infection data public, government spokespersons said at a pr»»»
Newsom signs bill to protect California elections from Trump - UPI.com
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (sitting) signed legislation Wednesday to curb federal interference in the state's elections. Photo courtesy Office of California Gov. Gavin Newsom/Release May 27 (UPI) -- California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation Wednesday aimed at protecting the state's election»»»
Brazil revives plan to pave highway through Amazon
Nature and EnvironmentBrazilBrazil revives plan to pave highway through AmazonRoshni Majumdar with AP, ReutersBrazil will invest $75 million to pave a highway that cuts through the center of the Amazon rainforest. Environmentalists argue for strong protections to conserve the ecosystem so crucial t»»»
Ex-CIA official charged with stealing millions of dollars in gold bars from the federal government
WASHINGTON: A former senior CIA official with top secret-level clearance is accused of stealing hundreds of gold bars worth more than $40 million from the federal government and stashing them in his home. David Rush was arrested and charged with criminal theft of public money last week, according t»»»
Bolivian president warns country at 'breaking point' after month of protests
Bolivian president warns country at 'breaking point' after month of protests 9 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleMimi SwabyandYang Tian Getty Images Bolivia's President Rodrigo Paz has warned the country is "at breaking point" after a month of anti-government protests that have led to s»»»
Norway becomes ninth country to come under French nuclear deterrence scheme
Norway on Wednesday became the ninth country to join the France-led nuclear deterrence scheme, the leaders of both countries said. President Emmanuel Macron announced in March that France – the only nuclear-armed country in the EU – would extend its nuclear deterrence scheme to willing European par»»»
China imposes travel limits on AI workers at private firms
BEIJING: China is reportedly requiring some senior AI workers at private firms including Alibaba and DeepSeek to obtain approval before traveling abroad. The restrictions apply to startup founders, researchers, and executives considered important to China’s AI ambitions, with authorities adding peo»»»
Trump is getting the Republican Party he wants. But can he win in the midterms?
Donald Trump is on a winning streak in Republican primaries, most recently endorsing Ken Paxton ahead of his Tuesday runoff victory over Sen. John Cornyn in Texas. The president bragged at his Cabinet meeting Wednesday that Paxton's romp “was a prelude” for success in the November midterms. But Tru»»»
Austria sentences Syrian to life over deadly knife attack
VIENNA: An Austrian court on Wednesday sentenced an unrepentant 24-year-old Syrian Kurd refugee to life in prison over a terrorist knife attack which claimed the life of a teenage boy and wounded five. “He said he was prepared to do it again at any time,” Christian Liebhauser-Karl, spokesman for th»»»
Australia-India-Japan-US Quad to build port, unveil pact on critical minerals
Agencies New Delhi The foreign ministers of Australia, India, Japan and the US agreed to jointly build a port in Fiji and signed pacts covering critical minerals and energy security, as they sought to inject fresh energy into their grouping known as the Quad. The brief meeting between the countrie»»»
Spring snow closes Tioga Road into Yosemite National Park - UPI.com
A late-spring storm is bringing snow to California's Sierra Nevada, prompting Yosemite National Park officials to temporarily close Tioga Road, the continuation of Highway 120 through the park. Park rangers closed the road at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, May 26, due to forecast snow and hazardous travel cond»»»
Barcelona reach agreement with Newcastle’s Gordon
BARCELONA: Barcelona reached an agreement with Newcastle on Wednesday for the transfer of England international Anthony Gordon, the La Liga champions told AFP, confirming reports in the Spanish press. The 25-year-old winger, who has been named in England’s World Cup squad, is expected to be Barca’s»»»
Tête à tête - USAID was shut down 'to soothe ego' of Musk, whistleblower says
In an interview with FRANCE 24, Nicolas Enrich, a former senior USAID official-turned-whistleblower, said the US agency was dismantled not to cut waste but "to soothe the ego of the world's richest man", then DOGE head Elon Musk. Enrich warned that up to 14 million people could die in the next five»»»
Iran war drives India’s cockroaches out, but can Modi crush them?
When an Indian student at a US university used AI to create the “Cockroach Janta Party (CPJ)”, a parody political party, it sparked a viral sensation, hitting the zeitgeist in a country that has been particularly affected by the Iran war. As India's youth circumvent bans to express their economic d»»»
The Debate - Where does Europe's far-right turn? Populists look to distance themselves from Trump
If the first thing Europeans think of when they fill up at the pump is Donald Trump's decision to attack Iran, it's little wonder that previously pro-Maga populists are quietly distancing themselves from the president of the United States. In fact, Trump actively campaigning for Peter Magyar's riva»»»
What is behind the surge in Israeli settler violence across the West Bank?
LONDON: Yusuf Kaabneh, 16, was shot dead during a raid by Israeli settlers on the Palestinian towns of Sinjil and Jiljilya in the central West Bank on May 13. It is not clear who killed him — the armed settlers themselves or the Israeli army, which stood by and watched until a handful of villagers »»»
Petro investigated over alleged election interference in Colombia - UPI.com
President of Colombia Gustavo Francisco Petro Urrego speaks at the public Homegoing Service for the Reverend Jesse Jackson at the House of Hope church in Chicago, on March 6. Petro is under criminal investigation over allegations of improper political interference. File Photo by Tannen Maury/UPI | »»»
Matthew Perry’s assistant sentenced to 41 months in prison
LOS ANGELES: The personal assistant who injected “Friends” star Matthew Perry with a fatal dose of the hallucinogenic drug ketamine was sentenced to 41 months in federal prison on Wednesday, bringing to a close the prosecution of five people who admitted to playing roles in the actor’s death. Judge»»»
UAE ranks 9th globally in Kearney 2026 FDI Confidence Index, leads emerging markets in investor optimism
Dubai: The UAE retained its position as the world’s ninth most attractive destination for foreign direct investment in 2026, remaining among the top 10 global economies for attracting overseas capital, according to Kearney’s 2026 Foreign Direct Investment Confidence Index. The report showed the UAE»»»
Alabama asks Supreme Court to allow district map favoring Republicans - UPI.com
On Wednesday, Alabama asked the U.S. Supreme Court to allow it to use a map that a lower court on Tuesday ruled "racially discriminatory." File Photo by Molly Riley/UPI | License Photo May 27 (UPI) -- One day after a federal court blocked an Alabama congressional voting map that reduced the state's»»»
Iranians are back online after a monthslong shutdown but still face heavy restrictions
CAIRO: Iranians began to regain Internet access on Wednesday after authorities ended a monthslong shutdown. But users said service was slow and spotty in some areas, with apps like YouTube and Instagram heavily restricted, as they were before the cutoff began during nationwide protests in January. »»»
Scorching heat, faster courts test players at French Open
PARIS: Sweltering conditions during the opening week of this year’s French Open have added a fresh challenge, with players including Iga Swiatek and Elina Svitolina saying success will hinge on who adapts best over the course of the tournament. Like much of Western Europe, France is experiencing h»»»
Swiatek, Svitolina cruise into French Open third round
Paris, France: Four-time champion Iga Swiatek and Elina Svitolina both eased into the French Open third round with straight-sets wins on Wednesday, ahead of Novak Djokovic's match against Valentin Royer. Swiatek, looking to regain the title she last won in 2024, saw off battling Czech youngster Sar»»»
UK’s ex-PM Blair calls on Labour to focus on policy, not personality
LONDON: Tony Blair, who led Labour to victory in three UK elections, called on the party on Tuesday to shun the temptation to move left or reverse Brexit to shore up its fortunes, and to concentrate on policy rather than personality. As Labour gears up for a possible leadership contest, Blair, the »»»
Hotels can refuse to serve tap water, Italy’s top court rules
MILAN: Italian hotels can refuse to serve their guests tap water, Italy’s highest court ruled in response to a tourist’s complaint against a luxury hotel in a ski resort in the Dolomites. The tourist sued the five-star Hotel Sassongher in Corvara, where she stayed for the 2020 New Year holidays, a»»»
Dutch delight for Depay and Timber
AMSTERDAM: The Netherlands’ top scorer Memphis Depay and Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber were both included on Wednesday in the country’s squad for next month’s World Cup despite concerns over their fitness. The 32-year-old Depay, whose 55 goals are the most for the Dutch, has been struggling with»»»
Lobbyist-linked lawyer secures VIP access in Brussels during tobacco reform push
An industry lawyer who has represented Philip Morris International (PMI) gained access to the highest echelons of the European Commission’s legal services at a time when the institution is set to redraft EU-wide tobacco rules. An annual conference by the commission legal services held April last ye»»»
Spanish police raid ruling party's headquarters looking for documents - UPI.com
The Police Central Operative Unit raided the Socialist Party, PSOE, headquarters in Madrid, Spain, Wednesday. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has faced calls to step down as his allies have been embroiled in scandal. Photo by Borja Sanchez-Trillo/EPA May 27 (UPI) -- Police raided the headquarters of S»»»
North Korea tests new lightweight multi-purpose missile launch system
North Korea said on Wednesday it had tested a new lightweight multi-purpose missile launch system and a multiple tactical cruise missile weapon system a day earlier, under the supervision of leader Kim Jong Un. South Korea's military said the North fired several projectiles, including a ballis»»»
South Africa’s Ramaphosa seeks to overturn report on "Phala Phala" cash-in-sofa scandal
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has filed a legal challenge against a parliamentary panel report that found he may have committed misconduct in connection with the so-called “Phala Phala” scandal, in which large amounts of cash were stolen from a sofa at his private farm, according to broad»»»
Russia Wants Banks and Their Staff to Help Fight Ukrainian Drones
Russian bank staff and branches could be joining the fight against Ukrainian drone attacks under an ambitious plan approved by the country’s lower house of parliament. The banks would bear the cost of installing electronic jamming systems on their premises while selected employees would shoot down »»»
Starmer Cites Russian Threat as UK, Poland Seal Defense Pact
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer hailed Wednesday a defense pact with Poland, arguing the European allies faced "no greater challenge" than "Russian aggression" as he welcomed Polish counterpart Donald Tusk to Britain. The new security treaty signed by the NATO allies aims to allow the two countries »»»
Ousted Chair Manifold disputes behavior allegations from BP board - UPI.com
Ousted board Chair Albert Manifold said he takes issue with the way BP has characterized his behavior that caused his removal. Photo by Adam Vaughan/EPA May 27 (UPI) -- Ousted BP board Chair Albert Manifold challenges the allegations of his behavior cited for his removal. In a statement to CNBC, Ma»»»
Hundreds flee India migrant crackdown toward Bangladesh
NEW DELHI: Hundreds of people in India’s border region with Bangladesh have fled to the frontier, police said Wednesday, after the government ordered the construction of detention centers for undocumented Bangladeshi migrants and Rohingya refugees. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu-nationalist B»»»
Sarafov Resigns as Investigative Service Chief; Politicians React
Borislav Sarafov resigned as National Investigative Service Director and Deputy Prosecutor General on Wednesday. He tendered his bid in the morning, and it was later accepted by the Prosecutors Chamber of the Supreme Judicial Council. "This is a decision I made after careful consideration," Sarafov»»»