The United States is deploying additional fighter jets around the strategic Strait of Hormuz to protect ships from Iranian seizures, a senior US defence official said, according to a news report. Speaking to Pentagon reporters on Friday, the official said the US will send F-16 fighter jets to the Gulf region this weekend to augment … Read moreUS to send F-16 fighter jets to Gulf amid Iran shipping tensions
The leaders of Greece and Turkey have agreed to resume talks and confidence-building measures as they hailed a new “positive climate” in their often fraught ties. The two neighbouring countries have been at odds for decades over several issues, including energy resources, overflights above the Aegean Sea and ethnically split Cyprus. On Wednesday, Greek Prime … Read moreMitsotakis, Erdogan hail ‘positive climate’ in Greece-Turkey ties
A year after ending her first Grand Slam final in tears at Wimbledon’s centre court, Ons Jabeur got her “revenge” over 2022 champion Elena Rybakina in the quarterfinal of the same tournament. Jabeur came back from a set down and finished the match 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-1 at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet … Read moreOns Jabeur progresses to Wimbledon semifinals
At least one person has been killed and four wounded as Ukrainian air defence units fought off a Russian drone attack for the third consecutive night in and around Kyiv. Emergency services responded to calls in the capital city’s Solomyanskyi, Shevchenkivskyi, Podilskyi and Darnytskyi districts following “explosions”, Kyiv’s Mayor Vitali Klitschko said in the early … Read moreAt least one killed in third night of Russian drone raids on Kyiv
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has returned home, from a visit to Turkey, with five commanders of Ukraine’s former garrison in Mariupol, a move Russia said violated the terms of a prisoner exchange deal engineered last year. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Saturday that Ankara had promised under the exchange agreement to keep the men … Read moreUkraine’s Zelenskyy brings home Azovstal commanders from Turkey
France has banned the sale, possession and transport of fireworks during the July 14 national holiday weekend, following protests sparked by the killing of a teenager by the police. Fireworks were used in some protests that erupted in France after a police officer shot dead 17-year-old Nahel M during a traffic stop on June 27 … Read moreFrance bans Bastille Day fireworks sale after anti-gov’t protests
Pope Francis has announced he would elevate 21 churchmen to the high rank of cardinal, again putting his mark on the group that will one day choose his successor after his death or resignation. The ceremony to install them, known as a consistory, will be held on September 30, the 86-year-old Francis announced on Sunday … Read morePope Francis names 21 new cardinals
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has blamed France’s nationwide riots on “institutional racism” and the country’s colonial past. The French government has been battling violence and looting in Paris and across the country since 17-year-old Nahel M – a French citizen of Algerian background – was shot dead by a police officer during a traffic … Read moreTurkey’s Erdogan blames France riots on ‘institutional racism’
Authorities in the Russian Far East declared a state of emergency on Monday as summer wildfires spread amid intense heat and lightning storms. The head of the Republic of Sakha, a region also known as Yakutia, wrote on the Telegram messaging app that more than 110 forest fires were raging across about 61,000 hectares (151,000 … Read moreState of emergency declared in Siberia over raging wildfires
Iran has lashed out against France for allowing a meeting and rally by the blacklisted Mojahedin-e Khalq (MEK), or People’s Mujahidin Organization, which Tehran says amounts to support for “terrorism”. French officials need to “make up for their past mistakes” in backing the “murderers of Iranian people” and focus on the country’s “deep internal crisis” … Read moreIran condemns MEK rally in France as support for ‘terrorism’