Sovereign city-state on the French Riviera; semi-constitutional monarchy led by the Grimaldi family
The International Olympic Committee has provisionally lifted its October 2023 suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee, restoring Russian athletes' access to many international qualifiers for the 2028 Los Angeles Games while leaving decisions on flags, anthems and national symbols unresolved. Several federations, including World Athletics, have kept bans in place.
Ken Bates, the controversial former Chelsea owner and chairman, has died at 94. He bought Chelsea for £1 in 1982, steered the club back to the top flight and helped shape its stadium and ownership model before selling to Roman Abramovich in 2003.
Jannik Sinner has retained his Wimbledon crown by defeating Alexander Zverev 6-7(9) 7-6(2) 6-3 6-4 in a final that tests his endurance and confirms his status as world No. 1. Zverev pushes back in the first two sets before Sinner finds rhythm and seals victory on Centre Court.
Folarin Balogun has been ruled to continue for the World Cup knockout clash after FIFA suspends his automatic red-card ban following a personal appeal from President Trump. The decision has drawn sharp reactions from Belgium and other observers as the co-hosts push toward the quarterfinals.
Balogun remains at the centre of the World Cup narrative as controversy over his red card and Trump’s intervention continues to unfold, with ongoing debates about birthright citizenship and American identity shaping coverage.
Kimi Antonelli has secured pole at Monaco, commanding the weekend with a lap that felled rivals including Leclerc and Hamilton. He leads the championship after four wins in six races, while questions swirl about Ferrari’s future and Vasseur’s medical absence.
Pope Leo XIV is on a weeklong Spain tour, addressing Parliament and meeting migrants, abuse-survivor groups, and young Catholics as Europe faces political polarization, migration pressures, and a church grappling with decades of abuse disclosures.
Lewis Hamilton wins at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix for Ferrari, ending a long drought and narrowing Kimi Antonelli’s championship lead. The race features a three-stop Ferrari strategy, Antonelli’s retirement late on, and an all-British podium with Russell second and Norris third.
Gasly has had his Monaco Grand Prix penalties rescinded after a timekeeping error, restoring his third place on the track and reshuffling the final standings. Alpine had appealed; FIA confirmed the error and the penalties were withdrawn. The Barcelona weekend follows as teams await further clarity.
A two-seat sport aircraft crashed into the Citic Tower in Beijing, killing the pilot and injuring 13 others in a scene that has raised questions about airspace controls and security in the capital. Officials say the incident was caused by personal reasons, with the pilot described as having insomnia and anxiety. Investigations are ongoing.
Bad Bunny has taken Tottenham’s stadium by storm across two nights, delivering a bilingual, genre-blending spectacle rooted in Puerto Rican culture. The gigs are a landmark for UK Latino visibility, with La Casita staging and a community-led build underscoring the scale and significance of Latin music here.
A parcel bomb exploded near a residence in Monaco, injuring three people, including a Ukrainian-born magnate reportedly tied to sanctions. Prosecutors say the attack is being treated as attempted murder, not terrorism. Authorities are hunting a lone suspect who fled the scene, with surveillance footage aiding the manhunt.
A parcel bomb in Monaco has injured Vadym Yermolaiev, his partner and their 13-year-old child. Authorities treat the event as a deliberate explosion; a manhunt is underway as Monaco and France coordinate the investigation. Yermolaiev is a Ukrainian-born oligarch with Cypriot citizenship, previously sanctioned by Kyiv for business in Crimea.
A deliberate explosion in Monaco has wounded Ukrainian oligarch Vadym Yermolaiev, his partner, and their 13-year-old son. Authorities say the blast occurred at a residential building near the France border; four others were treated for shock and injuries. Investigations are underway as Monaco braces for official briefings.
A parcel bomb exploded in the lobby of a Monaco building, injuring three people including Vadym Iermolaiev, a Ukrainian-born Cypriot real-estate developer. The suspect, a Ukrainian woman in her thirties seen on CCTV, is believed to have fled and faces an Interpol Red Notice. Three investigative judges are leading the inquiry into attempted murder and related charges.
A blast at a Monaco residence has injured three people, including a Ukrainian-born tycoon, Vadym Yermolaiev, and his partner. Authorities are reviewing evidence; officials say the attack appears targeted and ongoing investigations are in place with France assisting. No confirmed motive has been announced.
The UN Human Rights Council is debating Sudan’s El-Obeid crisis after warnings of a fresh siege and potential atrocities. Volker Türk has described signs from El-Obeid as a clear red alert, urging world leaders to act amid 18 months of siege-like conditions and drone strikes affecting civilians and infrastructure. A draft resolution calls for an immediate ceasefire and humanitarian access.
Ukrainian authorities have detained a serving military intelligence officer and a former law-enforcement officer and a Kyiv court has ordered both held without bail after the body of Anastasiia Berezovska — wanted in a June 29 bombing in Monaco — was found with gunshot wounds. One suspect initially confessed, led investigators to the grave, then retracted and blamed his co-defendant. President Zelenskyy has said he will publish further reports.
FIFA has suspended the implementation of Balogun’s red-card sanction following a direct appeal by Donald Trump to Gianni Infantino, prompting wide criticism and reigniting questions about political influence in football. The move allows Balogun to play in the next World Cup match against Belgium, marking a rare departure from standard disciplinary practice.