Culture
Two Iranian female footballers who defied Tehran by refusing to sing the national anthem have been granted Australian citizenship after seeking asylum. The players were among a group of seven who were granted humanitarian visas while playing in Australia, but the other five decided to return to Iran.
News
Former Tehelka magazine editor Tarun Tejpal has been sentenced to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment in a 2013 rape case involving a junior colleague. The high-profile case has drawn significant national attention since its inception.
News
Belgium's recent cut‑off of unemployment benefits has led to a sharp decline in eligible claimants and a larger‑than‑expected influx of applications to local welfare centres. In Brussels, the pool of jobseekers qualifying for benefits fell by 40% in July, prompting many to turn to CPAS for support.
World
NATO is set to urgently supply Ukraine with air defense systems after Russia escalated its Black Sea attacks and missile production. The move comes as Kyiv struggles to intercept ballistic missiles and civilian casualties mount.
World
Iran and Oman are reportedly on the verge of finalizing an agreement regarding shipping routes in the crucial Strait of Hormuz, a development that has generated hope for reduced regional tensions. However, signals from the United States have been inconsistent, with President Trump suggesting an imminent breakthrough while Iran has denied direct talks with Washington.
World
Recent weeks have seen a dramatic escalation in attacks across the Black Sea, with both Russia and Ukraine targeting shipping and coastal infrastructure. Ukraine is urgently calling for increased air defense supplies as Russian missile production surges.
Business
The Central Bank of Egypt reported net international reserves of $56.3 billion at the end of July, a new high for the country. The surge, supported by gold and foreign‑currency inflows, comes as Egypt seeks to stabilise its pound and attract investment.
News
The National Autonomous University of Mexico has terminated its deal with Territorium Life following an AI‑driven review that identified possible widespread cheating on its virtual entrance exam. Around 58,000 to 75,000 applicants are now required to sit for a new test.
News
A 5.1‑magnitude earthquake hit Kumamoto’s Amakusa and Ashikita area, causing widespread damage, at least 38 deaths and significant economic loss. Relief efforts are underway as authorities confront misinformation, a looming typhoon and the impact on local industry.
News
Aleksandar Vučić’s leadership is under intensified scrutiny as opposition figures accuse him of authoritarian tactics and nationalist exploitation. Tensions are spilling over into neighbouring Montenegro, Kosovo and Croatia, prompting fears of broader Balkan instability.
News
Hungary's sole nuclear power station is on the verge of a forced shutdown as the Danube River hits historic lows, prompting emergency power cuts and a political scramble. The crisis coincides with a heat wave, rising public energy savings, and an upcoming presidential election.
News
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis unveiled a suite of emergency measures to aid households and businesses hit by recent blazes in Western Attica. The package follows an industrial fire in Koropi that officials say was sparked by a power‑line short circuit amid a prolonged drought across southern Europe.