User Articles

Russia steps up UK sabotage campaign

A British court recently found three men guilty of arson in a plot that prosecutors said was masterminded by Russia’s intelligence services — part of a campaign of disruption across Europe that Western officials blame on Moscow and its proxies. Two other men, including Earl, previously pleaded guilty to organising the arson.

India

Workers go on strike over Modi’s economic reforms

Hundreds of thousands of workers across India have gone on a nationwide strike in opposition to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts to privatise state-run companies and other economic reforms. A coalition of 10 major trade unions that represent labourers and several other groups that speak for farmers and rural workers called for the one-day industrial action, dubbing it Bharat Bandh,“ Hindi for “Shut Down India.“ The strikes pose fresh challenges for Modi’s efforts to attract foreign companies by easing labor laws to streamline business operations and boost productivity.

India

7 hours ago

Tragedy as bridge collapses

At least 10 people have been killed when after a bridge over a river collapsed in India’s western Gujarat state. Gujarat’s Health Minister Rushikesh Patel said several vehicles were on the bridge when a portion of it collapsed, sending many into the river. He said at least five people were rescued. The incident occurred in Gujarat’s Vadodara district, which has witnessed heavy rains over the past few days. The bridge was constructed in 1985, Patel said.

7 hours ago

Finance

8 hours ago

Global Indices

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8 hours ago

Disaster

Desperate search for flood victims

As the search in Texas continues for more than 160 people missing days after a destructive flood killed more than 100 people, officials have warned that victims could still be found amid the massive piles of debris. ”Know this: We will not stop until every missing person is accounted for. Know this also: There very likely could be more added to that list,“ Governor Greg Abbott said during a news conference. Abbot said officials have been seeking more information about those who were in the state’s Hill Country during the Fourth of July holiday but did not register at a camp or a hotel and may have been in the area without many people knowing.

Finance

CURRENCIES

USD/AUD1.532+0.004
USD/CAD1.368+0.003
USD/GBP0.736+0.002
USD/NZD1.667+0.001
AUD/NZD1.088+0.002

Migration

Iranian released from ICE detention

An Iranian mother detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers has been released this week following advocacy from Republican House Majority Leader Steve Scalise. Mandonna “Donna” Kashanian, 64, was detained by ICE officers last month as she gardened in the yard of her New Orleans home. She had been living in the United States for 47 years, and her husband and daughter are both US citizens.

France

10 hours ago

Firefighters injured tackling Marseilles wildfire

A wildfire spurred by hot summer winds has reached France’s second-largest city, grounding all flights to and from Marseille, injuring at least nine firefighters and forcing many residents to evacuate or barricade themselves indoors. A big hospital switched to generator power, train traffic was halted in most of the surrounding area, and some roads were closed and others tangled with logjams. More than 1,000 firefighters were deployed to tackle the fire, which broke out near the town of Les Pennes-Mirabeau before racing toward Marseille. Some 720 hectares were hit by the blaze.

10 hours ago

Weather

11 hours ago

House swept away as floods hit New Mexico

At least three people are missing in a mountain village in southern New Mexico that is a popular summer retreat after monsoon rains triggered flash flooding that was so intense an entire house was swept downstream. Emergency crews carried out at least 85 swift water rescues in the Ruidoso area, including of people who were trapped in their homes and cars, said Danielle Silva of the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

11 hours ago

Canada

19 hours ago

Four charged in extremist plot

Canadian police arrested and charged four people, including active members of the Canadian military, who were allegedly involved in an extremist plot to forcibly take possession of land in the Quebec City region, authorities said. Royal Canadian...

19 hours ago

Indo-Pacific

23 hours ago

Allies boost democratic ties in authoritarian region

Japan’s Emperor Naruhito met with Mongolia’s president during a visit to the landlocked Asian nation that marks a step toward closer relations between the democracies in a region dominated by Russia and China. Naruhito met with President Ukhn...

23 hours ago

Travel

09 Jul 2025

Shoes-off policy ends for some

For the first time in almost 20 years, travellers may no longer be required to take off their shoes during security screenings at certain US airports. The Transportation Security Administration is looking to abandon the additional security step that...

09 Jul 2025

Middle East

Israeli soldiers killed during Gaza attacks

Five Israeli soldiers have been killed overnight in northern Gaza, the Israeli military says, in an attack that has come during Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to Washington and as Israel and Hamas consider a US-backed ceasefire proposal. Meanwhile, health officials in Gaza said Israeli strikes at two locations in the territory killed 18 people.

Disaster

Heartbreak as death toll tops 100

The death toll from catastrophic flooding in Texas over the Fourth of July weekend has surpassed 100 as search-and-rescue teams continue to wade into swollen rivers and use heavy equipment to untangle trees as part of the massive search for missing people. Authorities overseeing the search for flood victims said they will wait to address questions about weather warnings and why some summer camps did not evacuate ahead of the flooding that killed at least 104.

Odd Spot

Rumble strips make for a classical road trip

The humble road rumble strip, used to alert drifting drivers to potential hazards or lane departures, is playing Beethoven on a mountain highway in the far reaches of the United Arab Emirates. For nearly a kilometre (a half mile) along the E84 highway – also known as the Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Road – motorists in the right-hand lane coming into the city of Fujairah can play Ludwig van Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony where the rubber meets the road.

Government

EU president faces confidence vote

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen accused her political adversaries of peddling conspiracies about her and the Covid-19 pandemic as she defended herself ahead of a rare no-confidence vote. Von der Leyen said a group of hard-right lawmakers that has tabled censure motion against the European Union’s executive branch is trying to drive a wedge between pro-European political groups in the European Parliament.