French international news agency, oldest in the world, headquartered in Paris
Sony has announced it will stop releasing new PlayStation games on physical discs from January 2028. New titles will be sold through the PlayStation Store or as retailer-issued download codes. The move follows rising digital sales — roughly 78–85% of full-game purchases in recent fiscal results — and comes as publishers and retailers already shift away from discs.
A Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak has infected more than 1,400 people and has killed 438, with Ituri province accounting for the majority of deaths. Cases have been reported across Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu and Haut-Uele; Uganda has confirmed imported infections and France has isolated a returning humanitarian worker. Response capacity is strained by conflict, mistrust and cuts to aid.
Andy Burnham is moving toward Westminster with a plan to devolve power, while Labour factions and unions weigh policies as the party braces for a potential premiership. The coverage shows a real-time shaping of policy, with debates over welfare, devolution, and the economy.
Researchers using 12-year UK Biobank data show sitting for long periods increases cancer risk, while breaking up sedentary time with light activity reduces risk. Replacing an hour of sitting daily with movement could cut cancer deaths by about 12%.
Palestinian officials report that Israeli forces have conducted raids across the West Bank, killing a 15-year-old in Ramallah and fatally shooting other youths in Beit Ummar and Sarta. Dozens of arrests have followed, including women detained in Hebron, Ramallah, Nablus and Bethlehem. Rights groups say detentions of women are rising amid the Gaza war.
A sweeping heatwave is driving extreme temperatures across the US, Canada, and parts of Europe. Health officials warn of heat-related risks as Fourth of July events unfold; cooling centers are opening and cities urge hydration and precautions.
The Onion is launching a dedicated Infowars parody platform to mock Alex Jones’ conspiracy empire. The initial merchandise revenue will fund the Sandy Hook families, who have not yet received the billions from Jones’s defamation judgments. The project includes shows, branding, and satirical products, signaling a move to convert Obsessions with Jones into a charitable cause.
The National Crime Agency has identified a truly international network involved in drug-facilitated sexual assault, linking over 270 individuals to online forums. Victims in Britain and globally are being safeguarded as the investigations expand and more forums are uncovered. Authorities say the abuse is no longer isolated and is increasingly coordinated across networks.
Scotland has been eliminated from the World Cup after a 3-0 defeat to Brazil. The loss leaves them third in Group C with three points and a -3 goal difference, ending any hopes of advancing to the knockout stages. Final standings and subsequent Nations League schedule are set.
Twinning earthquakes have killed thousands and injured thousands more in Venezuela. The government reports rising tolls over the week, with La Guaira hardest hit. International aid flows in as rescue teams search for survivors amid damaged infrastructure and mounting missing-person reports.
The acting US ambassador to Ukraine has announced her retirement as talks toward a ceasefire remain stalled. The State Department denies that disagreements with President Trump motivated the departure, saying she has long supported administration efforts to achieve durable peace between Russia and Ukraine. Washington’s focus has shifted amid broader international concerns.
New Zealand's Court of Appeal has rejected Brenton Tarrant's bid to overturn his March 2020 guilty pleas for the 2019 Christchurch mosque attacks, finding his claim that harsh prison conditions forced those pleas to be "utterly devoid of merit." The decision preserves his life sentence without parole and avoids a retrial, relieving victims' families.
Since mid-April's US-brokered ceasefire, Israel has continued air and drone strikes across southern and eastern Lebanon and near Beirut while Hezbollah has been firing explosive drones and rockets at Israeli forces. Lebanese authorities have reported rising civilian casualties and infrastructure damage as US-facilitated Israel–Lebanon talks proceed in Washington (25 May 2026).
The acting US ambassador to Ukraine has announced she will depart in June 2026 after less than a year in Kyiv, amid broader questions over U.S. support for Ukraine and ongoing ceasefire efforts.
The UAE has emerged as a more direct participant in the Iran conflict, with reports that it carried out strikes against Iran, including an attack on the Lavan Island refinery. The ceasefire holds but regional tensions are rising as Gulf states respond to Iran's actions and to allied pressures from the US and Israel.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is traveling to Beijing with Donald Trump amid Chinese sanctions that have been navigated by a name transliteration change. Beijing has reportedly shifted the first syllable of Rubio’s surname to a different Chinese character, enabling his entry while sanctions remain in place. The move follows Rubio’s history of criticizing China and backing human-rights measures.
Tens of thousands of Israeli nationalist marchers have marched through Jerusalem's Old City for Jerusalem Day, chanting anti‑Palestinian slogans, vandalising property and prompting many Palestinian shopkeepers to shut. Far‑right ministers have entered the Al‑Aqsa/Temple Mount compound and unfurled an Israeli flag. Activists have deployed to protect locals and regional governments have condemned the incursions.
Thailand is reducing visa-free stays for tourists from more than 90 countries from up to 60 days to mostly 30 days, with some nations receiving 15 days. The move aims to curb crime and unlawful activities linked to foreign visitors, while allowing a single renewal. Authorities say the policy targets offenders, not nationalities, and follows broader border-security measures.
A gas explosion has struck the Liushenyu coal mine in Qinyuan county, Shanxi, leaving dozens dead and scores injured. Authorities have reported 247 workers underground, detained company executives and ordered nationwide inspections of coal‑mine safety. Rescue teams are continuing search efforts and two workers remain missing.
Gunfire near the White House has prompted a security lockdown as responders have engaged a suspect. A bystander has been wounded and the suspect has been killed by law enforcement. President Trump has not been reported harmed and remains at the White House. Journalists on scene have described a chaotic scene and accounts indicate multiple gunshots.
A bomb has hit a passenger shuttle carrying military personnel and families near Quetta, Balochistan on 24 May 2026, killing at least two dozen people and wounding dozens more. The Balochistan Liberation Army has claimed responsibility; carriages have overturned, nearby buildings have been damaged and hospitals have declared emergencies.
The focus has shifted to recovering the remains of victims after a condominium collapse in Angeles, north of Manila, with at least four dead and several missing. Authorities have halted rescue efforts and are investigating the cause, including possible safety violations at the site.
A jury has convicted a man of torturing and raping a woman in France, while a separate case concerns a campaigner who was drugged and raped by her husband alongside dozens of accomplices. The stories highlight ongoing debates over justice, victim protection, and systemic delays in French legal proceedings.
A dormitory fire at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, Nakuru County, has killed at least 15–16 students and injured dozens. Police and rescue teams have been searching the burned dormitory, investigators have opened a probe and authorities have said eight students are persons of interest in a suspected arson plot.
A Nepali guide, Dawa Sherpa, has been found alive six days after he went missing descending Mount Everest on 29 May. He has been airlifted to a Kathmandu hospital with frostbite after a cleanup crew found him crawling near the Khumbu Icefall. His family had already begun funeral rites and have accused his employer of delayed search efforts.
A wave of tests and product launches shows the tech industry pressing to give AI a physical form. From gig-data data collection to consumer humanoids, firms are racing to turn digital intelligence into real-world Lab-to-life tools.
Russia has launched a large overnight assault on Ukraine, firing 73 missiles and 656 attack drones that struck multiple cities including Kyiv, Dnipro and Kharkiv. Ukraine's air force has said it has shot down most incoming weapons but at least several dozen missiles and drones have hit targets, killing and injuring civilians and forcing thousands into metro shelters on Tuesday morning.
Ukraine faces a large-scale Russian assault as missiles and drones hit Kyiv, Dnipro, Kharkiv and Kursk. Officials report casualties and ongoing air alerts; Ukraine urges Europe to bolster defenses while Russia says targets are hit.
Franco-Iranian graphic novelist Marjane Satrapi has died aged 56 after the death of her husband, Mattias Ripa. Relations and cultural figures have paid tribute, with Macron praising Satrapi as a universal voice who transformed an Iranian childhood into a global story. The reporting highlights Persepolis and Satrapi’s influence on countering stereotypes about Iran while noting her activism and anti-regime stance.
Bernadette Chirac, the wife of former French president Jacques Chirac, has died at age 93. She was a trailblazing first lady who held political office in her own right as a general councillor for Corrèze. Her life intersected with decades of French political history and philanthropy, including her work with hospital charities and her influence during her husband’s presidency.
The UK, France and Germany are coordinating on security guarantees for Ukraine as Zelenskyy meets with partners after Russia’s war setbacks. A drone strike near the Chernobyl site underscores ongoing tension, while Kyiv pledges to respond and strengthen European air defence.
A magnitude 7.8 earthquake has struck off Mindanao on Monday morning, killing dozens, injuring hundreds and displacing tens of thousands. General Santos City and nearby provinces have reported collapsed buildings, landslides and damaged infrastructure. Rescue teams are searching rubble while aftershocks and earlier tsunami alerts are complicating operations.
The New York Knicks have closed to one win from their first NBA championship since 1973 after a dramatic comeback over the San Antonio Spurs in Game 4. OG Anunoby’s tip-in with 1.2 seconds left sealed a 107-106 victory, giving New York a 3-1 series lead. Spurs had led by 29 before the rally.
Trump has attended Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden amid heightened security. Counter-drone measures are in place, and fans are urged to arrive early. The Spurs have defeated the Knicks 115-111, narrowing the series lead to 2-1.
Donald Trump has attended the New York Knicks–San Antonio Spurs game amid heavy security and a chorus of boos. The president watched from a private box as Spurs won 115-111. Police and Secret Service staff screened fans, and some viewers were shown chanting against him while others cheered. Trump downplayed the reception after the game.
Britain has expanded counter-state threat powers to target proxy groups and those funding them after a spate of antisemitic attacks linked to Iran and other foreign actors. The measures will criminalise support for designated organisations and enable authorities to act against state-backed proxies.
Across Afghanistan and Pakistan, airstrikes on the border provinces of Khost, Kunar and Paktika have killed civilians, including children, and injured many more. UNAMA has documented civilian casualties and is calling for de-escalation, a durable ceasefire, and humanitarian access as fighting continues near the border.
The United States and Iran have released and signed a 14‑point Islamabad memorandum of understanding that has paused military operations and opened a 60‑day window for final negotiations. The MOU covers the Strait of Hormuz, sanctions relief, Iran's nuclear commitments and reconstruction aid; talks are due to start in Switzerland within days.
David Hockney has died at 88, ending a seven-decade career that reshaped portraiture, landscape and pop art. Born in Bradford, he moved to London and then Los Angeles, where his pool paintings defined a generation. He continued creating across formats, including iPad drawings, until late in life.
Authorities say a body wrapped in a black bag has been found in the trunk of a gray Toyota SUV with California plates in a supermarket parking lot opposite Tijuana’s Caliente Stadium. Iran’s national squad is using Tijuana as a base for World Cup preparations amid visa delays and travel restrictions. The city has a high murder rate, and the investigation continues as teams prepare for group-stage play.
A deal between the United States and Iran aims to end the wider Middle East war and could include Lebanon. Rumors of a breakthrough surface as Israeli strikes persist and displacement remains widespread in southern Lebanon.
Spain faces intensified political strain as court rulings involve the prime minister’s wife, brother, and former allies in corruption cases tied to public contracts and the Plus Ultra bailout. Ábalos and GarcÍa have been convicted; Zapatero under investigation. Sánchez denies wrongdoing and calls it a smear, while opposition pushes for change.
The Bank of Japan has raised its policy rate to 1% from 0.75% in line with expectations, as the yen remains near multi-decade lows amid pressure from the Iran war and higher oil prices. Officials warn of ongoing volatility and potential further action to stabilize markets and inflation.
A gunman in military camouflage opened fire in Montreal’s Côte-des-Neiges neighborhood, killing an officer and injuring others before the assailant was neutralized. A bystander and a local resident were also killed. Investigations are underway, with authorities examining links to a manifesto and possible incel‑ideology influences.
China's official manufacturing PMI has edged into expansion at 50.3 in June from May's 50.0, with improvements in new orders and production. Export demand remains a key engine, while domestic consumption shows caution amid a prolonged property downturn. Analysts expect policy support to sustain momentum.
Bolivia has declared a 90-day state of emergency to restore order and ensure fuel and food supplies after weeks of road blockades. The decree allows the military to support police and targets disruption of transportation, while protests connect to wider economic demands. Some blockades are easing, but tensions persist as talks continue.
A German journalist, Eva Maria Michelmann, has been released from a Damascus prison and has returned to Berlin. Her Kurdish-Turkish colleague Ahmet Polad remains detained and unaccounted for. The German government and CPJ had pressed for her release amid a high-profile case that drew international attention.
Andy Burnham has emerged as the clear frontrunner to replace Keir Starmer and is using a Manchester speech to press a major devolution agenda. He has proposed shifting decision‑making and parts of the prime ministerial operation north, a 10‑year mission on living standards and changes to public procurement to favour British jobs.
Taleb al-Abdulmohsen has been found guilty of six murders and attempted murder in Magdeburg. The court rules the crime as of particular severity, making release unlikely after 15 years. The rampage occurred on December 20, 2024, targeting a Christmas market and leaving multiple dead and injured.
De la Espriella has won the runoff by under a point and pledges to restore Colombia's ties with the United States and Israel, reversing Petro-era policies amid rising violence.