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Vodafone has settled a high court claim brought by 62 former franchisees who alleged the company enriched itself at their expense by up to £85m. The settlement, reached without admission of liability, comes as the family of a former store manager who died in 2018 presses for a new franchising law.
The UK government has called on FIFA to investigate Argentina players who displayed a banner claiming the Falkland Islands after their World Cup semifinal win over England. FIFA says it is assessing match reports, while Argentina’s vice president defended the gesture. The incident revives a long-standing sovereignty dispute.
The UK government has scrapped plans to end hourly payments for volunteer coastguard rescue officers after intense criticism from officers, unions, and MPs. The decision follows a court of appeal ruling that classified these officers as workers, prompting the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to attempt reclassification.
Witnesses say Usman Ali, a UK-based consignee now charged in Liberia's $19m cocaine seizure, attended a birthday party in Monrovia weeks before the bust. Separately, Philip Yeoh Jr. has been forwarded to court on drug-related charges, while questions persist over the investigation into Michael Browne, a person of interest with a prior drug arrest.
In May 2026, the EU paid the highest amount for Russian pipeline gas and LNG in nearly a year and a half, totaling 1.5 billion euros, according to Eurostat data. France, Spain, and Belgium were among the largest buyers, while overall purchases in the first five months fell by 10%.
Russia's envoy to the OSCE, Dmitry Polyansky, has accused European nations of banking on Russia's military defeat and of preparing for armed conflict, warning that Moscow would respond if NATO and the EU choose war. His remarks, reported by TASS, also criticized Europe's stance on Ukrainian conscripts and its reaction to attacks on Russian territory.
The British government has called on FIFA to investigate Argentine players who displayed a banner claiming sovereignty over the Falkland Islands after their World Cup semifinal win over England. FIFA has opened a disciplinary investigation. Argentine President Javier Milei called the gesture 'perfectly valid'.
US President Donald Trump announced that Iran has released an American citizen detained since December 2024, identified by her lawyer as US-Iranian Dena Karari. However, Iran's judiciary has denied any release or exchange of American prisoners, creating a direct contradiction with Washington's claim.
The U.S. military has launched airstrikes on Greater Tunb Island in the Strait of Hormuz, targeting Iranian defense and missile sites, as part of an intensified campaign and reimposed blockade on Iranian ports. Iran has retaliated with missile and drone fire against regional targets, and Tehran has threatened to halt regional energy exports.
A 14-year-old boy in London has been charged with preparation of terrorist acts linked to extreme right-wing ideology over an alleged plot to attack two mosques. The Metropolitan Police say the case does not indicate a wider threat, but authorities and community leaders have expressed concern about the impact on the Muslim community.
France's National Assembly has given final approval to a bill allowing assisted dying for terminally ill adults, ending years of parliamentary wrangling. The law, championed by President Emmanuel Macron, will now be reviewed by the Constitutional Council. It applies to citizens and legal residents with life-threatening illnesses who can express free and informed choice.
The UK government has outlined plans for a default overnight social media lockout from midnight to 6am for 16- and 17-year-olds, alongside switching off features such as autoplay and infinite scrolling. The measures, which users can override, form part of Labour’s wider effort to limit online harms following an under-16 ban. Campaign groups have called the approach inadequate while officials defend its voluntary design.
A Liberal Party discussion paper canvassing gender quotas has drawn a swift rebuke from leader Angus Taylor, who says he has 'never supported any quotas at all,' while deputy Jane Hume insists all options remain on the table. The internal review warns the party's survival depends on reversing declining support among women, multicultural communities, and urban voters.
South Korea will develop a sovereign AI model focused on cybersecurity by the end of 2026, responding to recent US export controls on advanced AI systems. Science Minister Bae Kyung-hoon announced the plan, highlighting the need to strengthen domestic AI capabilities amid growing digital threats.
The United States fired on an oil tanker attempting to reach Kharg Island, part of its naval blockade on Iran, while strikes were reported in Tehran and other cities. Iran responded with attacks targeting Bahrain and Kuwait, and shipping in the Strait of Hormuz has plunged amid the escalating conflict.
As generative AI tools become ubiquitous, recent studies warn of potential harm to memory, decision-making, and critical thinking, while experts advise using AI to encourage reflection to mitigate cognitive offloading.
The New York Times has filed a motion to quash subpoenas issued by the Justice Department to journalists who reported on security concerns about the new Qatari-gifted Air Force One. The subpoenas seek to compel testimony before a federal grand jury, sparking a court fight over press freedom. A federal judge has scheduled a hearing on the matter.
Argentina's football team celebrated their World Cup semifinal victory over England by holding up a banner reading 'Las Malvinas son Argentinas,' sparking controversy and potential FIFA sanctions. The incident has reignited tensions over the disputed Falkland Islands, with the UK urging FIFA to investigate.
A coalition of 14 nations, led by the US, issued a joint statement on the 10th anniversary of the 2016 South China Sea arbitration, reaffirming that China's expansive claims are illegal. While some reports frame the statement as a reaffirmation of the rules-based order, others criticize it as geopolitically motivated and highlight China's objections based on its 2006 UNCLOS declaration.
A Pew Research Center survey found that in 25 of 36 countries, more people hold favourable views of China than the US, marking a historic shift. Views of Chinese leader Xi Jinping also surpassed those of US President Donald Trump in 22 countries, driven by declining confidence in US leadership and policies.