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...»»»
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»»»
Europe on high alert as deadly heat set to move east and south
The unprecedented heatwave that has been hitting Europe since the beginning of the week is spreading east and south across the continent, leading to the cancellation of events as temperatures exceed 35C and hospitals are becoming overwhelmed with demand. Health authorities across Europe were on hig»»»
Hezbollah claims hits on Israel’s Iron Dome but videos show strikes on decoys
As the on-again, off-again fighting continues between Israel and Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed militia has revealed its deadly FPV drone fleet: small quadcopters equipped with light explosives. Analysis of videos of the attacks suggests the Israeli army has turned to a Second World War-era trick to»»»
Coal’s unexpected comeback on Middle East conflict energy security fears
The disruption to global energy markets caused by the conflict in the Middle East has triggered an unexpected resurgence in coal demand, as energy security fears outweigh Climate Crisis commitments. Coal prices and consumption both rose following disruptions to natural gas supplies from the Gulf, r»»»
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 »»»
National Armys 70th anniversary: Sehili awards new rank insignia and military decorations
Tunis, June 26 (TAP) - Minister of National Defence Khaled Sehili on Thursday evening chaired ceremony for the awarding of new rank insignia and military decorations to several officers, on the celebrations marking the 70th anniversary of the...»»»
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. »»»
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»»»
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 »»»
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»»»
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»»»
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»»»
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. »»»
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»»»
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»»»
A propos - TotalEnergies ordered to account for client emissions in landmark climate ruling
In a landmark ruling, a French court has ordered energy giant TotalEnergies to account for its clients' emissions in the company's climate plan. It is the first time France's Corporate Duty of Vigilance law has been applied to climate change. FRANCE 24's Sharon Gaffney speaks to Justine Ripoll from»»»
Reporters - Spain bucks European trend with mass amnesty of migrants
A mass amnesty of undocumented immigrants is currently underway in Spain. Bucking the trend of its European neighbours, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s Socialist government is embracing immigration to underpin its growing economy. However, the plan d»»»
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»»»
6.6-magnitude offshore earthquake strikes S. Philippines
MANILA: The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said a 6.6-magnitude offshore earthquake struck Davao Oriental province in the southern Philippines on Friday evening. The institute said the tectonic earthquake occurred at 734 p.m. local time at a depth of 10 km, with the epicenter 90»»»
UN nuclear chief says Iran's pledge not to develop nuclear weapons needs 'very strong' verification
As negociations are underway to end the war launched by Israel and the United Stated against Iran, talks have lagged over the subject of Iran's nuclear programme. The UN's nuclear chief emphasized Friday the need for a "very strong verification system" to ensure the country does not develop nuclear»»»
US wants Iran deal but 'not at any price', Rubio says
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Thursday Washington would not accept any Iran deal allowing Tehran to impose fees on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, warning it would cause "total chaos". His remarks came after an attack on a vessel forced the United Nations to suspend mariner evacu»»»
Nigeria's major police reform edges forward after senate approval
The Nigerian Senate on June 24 approved a bill to allow states to create their own police forces, concerns over the country's myriad conflicts were brought back into the spotlight recently after a mass school abduction in the typically safer southwest. But experts warn that putting Nigeria's 36 sta»»»
Paris bans public alcohol consumption as heatwave overwhelms emergency services
French authorities said hospitals in and around Paris were overwhelmed amid a record-breaking heatwave, adding that consumption and sales of alcohol would be banned from June 26. Paris police also told organisers to cancel several public events including the pride march to avoid overwhelming respon»»»
Scorching record-breaking heatwave 'unequivocally' due to climate change
As Europe bakes under a relentless heatwave, human-caused climate change is "unequivocally" responsible for its intensity, scientists say. A similar heatwave would have been 3.5C cooler during the day in June 1976. Even compared to 2003 -- when tens of thousands of people died in a major European h»»»
Paris police asks major festivals be cancelled due to relentless heatwave
Paris police has asked several organisers to cancel several public events meant to be held on the weekend of June 27, including the pride march and the Solidays music festival. The police have said that if organisers did not comply, they would be banned. This comes as French emergency services and »»»
Focus - Rabbits running rampant: Australia overrun by invasive species
In much of the world, rabbits are seen as harmless, fluffy pets. But in Australia, they’re an economic and environmental disaster. Introduced for sport hunting by British settlers in the mid-19th century, rabbits faced no natural predators. As a result, their population exploded across the continen»»»
Europe’s severe June heatwave ‘virtually impossible’ 50 years ago, climate scientists say
Europe’s record heatwave in the month of June would have been "virtually impossible" 50 years ago, scientists said Friday, proof that human-caused climate change is "unequivocally" responsible for the intensity of the latest scorcher. Half-a-century ago, a similar heatwave would have been 3.5°C coo»»»
Press Review - Arts and humanities graduates earn less than those who didn't go to university
PRESS REVIEW – Friday, June 26: Papers discuss the scientific and political aspects of the earthquakes in Venezuela. Next: a new study sheds light on who makes the most money after university in the UK. Finally, we look at a heatwave headline that will make you giggle. International media discuss w»»»
Why are Ukrainian drones targeting annexed Crimea's infrastructures?
Kyiv is seeking retribution and one of its targets is Crimea. The peninsula annexed by Russia in 2014 now threatens to become Moscow's Achilles' heel, as Ukraine steps up its attacks targeting bridges, ferries and oil storage facilities. The strategy appears to be working: fuel and power shortages »»»
Bulgaria’s Judiciary Still Politicized Despite Reforms, Says MP
PP-DB MP Stoyu Stoev has argued that the latest amendments to Bulgaria’s Judiciary Act do not amount to genuine judicial reform, claiming instead that they preserve existing political influence over the composition of the Supreme Judicial Council. Speaking on BNT, Stoev said that proposals aimed at»»»
Industrial valve maker Komoto eyes Kazakhstan market - UPI.com
A Komoto official tests the company’s solar-powered smart flow control system in Kazakhstan. Photo by Komoto SEOUL, June 25 (UPI) -- South Korea's industrial valve maker Komoto said Thursday that it is seeking to expand into the Kazakh market after wrapping up a field demonstration project in the C»»»
Bulgaria’s Patriarch Daniil Supports No Sanctions on Russian Church Leader Kirill
Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil declined to directly address whether opposing sanctions on Russian Patriarch Kirill contradicts Bulgaria’s national interest, as the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church held a scheduled session alongside a meeting with Prime Minister Rumen Radev. When asked about »»»
Weapons Bust at Kapitan Andreevo: 73 Pistols Seized in Truck Traveling from Turkey to the NetherlandsOpinions
Customs officers at Bulgaria’s Kapitan Andreevo border checkpoint seized 73 combat pistols hidden inside a truck traveling from Turkey to the Netherlands, in what authorities described as one of the most significant weapons interceptions at the site this year. The vehicle, registered in Turkey and »»»
Nigeria's Daya raises $2.4mn to expand stablecoin payment network across Africa
Nigerian fintech startup Daya has raised $2.4mn in a pre-seed funding round to expand its stablecoin-powered cross-border payments platform, underscoring growing investor interest in blockchain-based payment infrastructure serving African businesses. The funding round was led by New York-based digi»»»
Russia's Gulf war oil windfall fades as military spending surges
Russia's brief fiscal reprieve from the Gulf war is already coming to an end. A surge in oil prices in the last months looked like it would bail the Kremlin out which is increasingly struggling to pay for the war in Ukraine. But those hopes look short lived as oil prices are already dropping just a»»»
S. Korean ex-first lady sentenced to 7 years in prison for taking gifts for job appointments - UPI.com
A TV screen shows a live broadcast of former first lady Kim Keon Hee's bribery trial at Seoul Station on Friday. Kim was sentenced to seven years in prison. Photo by Yonhap A Seoul court on Friday sentenced former first lady Kim Keon Hee to seven years in prison for taking expensive gifts in return»»»
Ferrari’s Hamilton faces Mercedes in Austria hoping to turn F1 win into a title shot
The Formula 1 title race is turning into the ultimate battle of youth against experience. On one side, Lewis Hamilton, who at 41 just became F1’s oldest race winner since 1970. An eighth world title would make him the oldest champion since 1957. On the other, Kimi Antonelli, the 19-year-old Italian»»»
Venezuela suffers effects of Trump’s aid, foreign policies after deadly quakes
President Donald Trump’s closure of US development agency USAID adds hurdles to humanitarian relief efforts in quake-hit Venezuela, says Christopher Sabatini, Latin America Programme Director at Chatham House. “Right now, the Trump administration has to coordinate a multi-agency effort when in fact»»»
South Korea to train 500,000 'drone warriors' in new military stategy - UPI.com
Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back speaks during a press briefing on drone and counter-drone policy at the Defense Ministry headquarters in Seoul on Friday. Photo by Yonhap SEOUL, June 26 (UPI) -- South Korea unveiled a sweeping plan Friday to rapidly expand the military's drone and counter-drone capabi»»»
Hezbollah says Israel killed 3 civilians in Lebanon
Hezbollah overnight accused Israel of a "flagrant" ceasefire breach, saying it launched a drone and killed three civilians in southern Lebanon. The group said the strike was a "direct attack" on "civilians," while Israel had earlier said it had killed fighters from Hezbollah ranks. Hezbollah said i»»»
AAFBR's Jakubowicz: I think there will be an economic decline in 2026
Romania could experience an economic decline in 2026, because this political crisis was not budgeted for, and of the 9 billion euros it could still attract through the NRRP by August 31, it will lose at least 5 billion euros, according to the president of the Association of Financial and Banking An»»»
Negrescu:Budget deficit reduction to 1.75% - breath of fresh air ahead of talks with Moody's and Fitch
The reduction of the budget deficit to 1.75% after the first five months of 2026 represents a breath of fresh air for Romania ahead of July discussions with Moody's and Fitch Ratings, according to economic consultant Adrian Negrescu."It is a genuine performance that has a strong chance of helping t»»»
Romania's gov't deficit almost halves to 1.75pct of GDP in May 2026
The implementation of the consolidated general budget as of May 31, 2026, ended with a significantly narrowed deficit of RON 35.94 billion, or 1.75% of GDP, as against RON 64.23 billion (3.35% of GDP) in May 2025, informs the Ministry of Finance.After the first four months of 2026, the government d»»»
USR's Fritz: Letting PSD govern alone now would be a huge mistake
The president of the Save Romania Union (USR), Dominic Fritz, announces that his party will not vote for a single-party PSD government.The USR will instead vote for a social-democratic government in 2027, if the PSD also grants parliamentary support for a PNL-USR-UDMR Cabinet this year."USR will no»»»
PSD's Grindeanu: We agreed with some political leaders general principles of a future political agreement
Social Democratic Party (PSD) Chairman Sorin Grindeanu said on Thursday that he had agreed with some political leaders on the general principles of a future political agreement concerning macroeconomic goals, the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), the accession to the Organisation for Ec»»»