Comedian Michael Usi becomes Malawi's vice-president after Saulos Chilima's death (www.bbc.com)
South China Sea: Filipino soldiers fought off Chinese 'with bare hands' (www.bbc.com)
Philippines soldiers used their “bare hands” to fight off Chinese coast guard personnel armed with swords, spears and knives in the disputed South China Sea, the country’s top military commander has said....
Woman gets fine for owing maid 3 years’ salary in ‘safekeeping’ arrangement - TODAY (www.todayonline.com)
Netanyahu disbands his war Cabinet (www.nbcnews.com)
Denmark recalls South Korean Samyang noodles for being too spicy - CNA (www.channelnewsasia.com)
Israel Bombs Gaza After UN Security Council Passes Binding Ceasefire Resolution (truthout.org)
As the UN Security Council passed a binding U.S.-sponsored resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza on Monday, Israel continued to slaughter Palestinians in Gaza — despite U.S. officials’ insistence that the ceasefire is backed by Israeli officials....
Ukrainian warplane fires weapon at target inside Russia for first time (news.sky.com)
“While damage assessment is still occurring, it is confirmed as a direct hit,” a Ukrainian military source tells Sky News....
US to send new $225 million military aid package to Ukraine, officials say (apnews.com)
The U.S. will send about $225 million in military aid to Ukraine, U.S. officials said Thursday, in a new package that includes ammunition Kyiv’s forces could use to strike threats inside Russia to defend the city of Kharkiv from a heavy Russian assault....
America is next: South African minister says countries aiding Israel liable for ICC prosecution (www.jpost.com)
Ukraine sent special forces to Syria to attack Russians there, revealing a new front to the war: report (www.businessinsider.com)
Netanyahu won’t agree to hostage release deal unless it polls well for him, Israeli families say they were told (www.nbcnews.com)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will not agree to end the war in Gaza in exchange for the release of hostages unless opinion polls show it is politically advantageous for him, a top Israeli security official told the families of those held captive, a person in the closed-door meeting and an advocacy group said Friday. (…)...
Andrew Tate loses appeal to relax judicial restrictions as he awaits human trafficking, rape trial (apnews.com)
Andrew Tate, the divisive social media influencer awaiting trial in Romania on charges of human trafficking and rape, lost an appeal Thursday to have the court relax geographical restrictions preventing him from traveling outside the eastern European country....
Pope Francis apologizes for using a homophobic slur during a meeting with bishops | CNN (www.cnn.com)
“The Pope never intended to offend or express himself in homophobic terms, and he extends his apologies to those who felt offended by the use of a term, as reported by others,” the Vatican said in a Tuesday statement....
Spain, Norway and Ireland formally recognize a Palestinian state as EU rift with Israel widens (apnews.com)
Knesset to vote on declaring UNRWA a terrorist organization - The Jerusalem Post (m.jpost.com)
Heavy seas disrupt Gaza pier aid operations (www.upi.com)
UPI.com
Mexico's drought, heatwave and water shortage are so bad even police are blocking traffic in protest (www.castanet.net)
Russia begins tactical nuclear weapon drills near Ukraine border (www.theguardian.com)
Russian forces have started military drills near Ukraine simulating the use of tactical nuclear weapons in response to what Moscow deems threats from western officials about increased involvement in the conflict....
Army whistleblower who exposed alleged Australian war crimes in Afghanistan is sentenced to prison (apnews.com)
Joost Klein from the Netherlands disqualified from Eurovision 2024 (eurovisionworld.com)
Chinese climbers stuck on cliff for more than an hour due to overcrowding (www.cnn.com)
Germany recalls envoy to Russia over cyberattack (www.dw.com)
Germany has temporarily recalled its ambassador to Moscow after members of the ruling party were targeted in what Berlin said was a state-sponsored Russian cyberattack....
Archaeologists identify the birthplace of the mysterious Yamnaya (www.economist.com)
Yet they and their descendants would go on to transform Europe and much of Asia genetically, culturally and linguistically. Among the many innovations that these steppe migrants ushered in, scientists believe, are the Indo-European languages that are dominant in Europe today, and which are spoken by nearly half of humanity....
Judge declares mistrial after jury deadlocks in lawsuit filed by former Abu Ghraib prisoners against military contractor (abcnews.go.com)
German far right’s eastern stronghold has clear view on spy allegation: ‘It’s a witch hunt’ (www.politico.eu)
Alternative for Germany’s core supporters are sticking with the party despite allegations of dodgy links to Russia and China....
