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Last refreshed: 24/06/2026 21:42 · 45 articles added
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International Criminal Court rejects motion to halt proceedings against former Philippine President Duterte

The International Criminal Court has rejected a request to stop proceedings against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who faces charges of crimes against humanity. Duterte is accused of orchestrating systematic killings during anti-drug operations that took place during his presidency from 2016 to 2022. His defense team had argued that the ICC lacked jurisdiction over the case and should halt the proceedings. The court's decision allows the investigation into Duterte's role in the controversial drug war to continue, which human rights groups estimate resulted in thousands of deaths.

SMETASR/Teraz
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World

Italy Investigates Booking Platform for Alleged Consumer Deception

Italian authorities have launched an investigation into the Booking accommodation platform over allegations of misleading consumers. Regulators claim the platform's search algorithm favors accommodations that pay higher commissions to Booking rather than prioritizing quality or value for customers. The investigation centers on whether Booking's ranking system deceives users by presenting results that benefit the company's revenue rather than providing the most suitable options based on customer preferences and accommodation quality.

SME
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US Democratic Congressman David Scott Dies at Age 80

David Scott, a Democratic congressman from the United States, has died at the age of 80. Scott made history as the first Black chairman of the House Agriculture Committee in the US House of Representatives, breaking a significant barrier in American congressional leadership.

SME
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World

Mexican President Considers Punishing Chihuahua State for Unauthorized CIA Cooperation

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum is considering punitive measures against the state of Chihuahua for allegedly cooperating with the CIA without federal authorization. The consideration comes following an incident on Mexican territory that resulted in the deaths of two American citizens. The potential punishment reflects tensions over unauthorized foreign intelligence operations conducted without proper federal oversight in Mexico.

SME
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World

Russian Communist Leader Warns of Revolution Risk Due to Declining Economy

The head of Russia's Communist Party has warned of the risk of revolution due to the country's deteriorating economic situation. The communist leadership is calling for measures to prevent a repeat of the 1917 revolution that overthrew the Russian monarchy. The warning reflects growing concerns about economic instability in Russia and its potential political consequences. The 1917 Russian Revolution led to the collapse of Tsar Nicholas II's regime and ultimately brought the Bolsheviks to power, fundamentally transforming the country's political system.

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Swiss Government Seeks Out-of-Court Settlement for Crans-Montana Fire Victims

The Swiss government has appointed Laurent Kurth to lead negotiations for compensation following a devastating fire at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana. The government aims to reach an out-of-court settlement with victims of the tragedy. The fire killed 41 people and hospitalized dozens more with severe burns, making it one of Switzerland's deadliest fire disasters in recent history. Crans-Montana is a popular Alpine resort town in the Valais canton known for skiing and tourism.

SMEAktuality
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World

Greek Parliament Strips Immunity from 13 MPs in Agricultural Subsidy Fraud Case

The Greek parliament voted Wednesday to remove parliamentary immunity from 13 lawmakers involved in an agricultural subsidies fraud investigation. The case centers on a network of individuals who allegedly embezzled at least 23 million euros in EU agricultural funds since 2018. Parliamentary immunity typically protects legislators from prosecution while in office, but can be lifted in cases of serious criminal allegations. The vote allows prosecutors to proceed with formal charges against the MPs in connection with the fraudulent scheme that diverted millions in European Union agricultural subsidies meant to support Greek farmers and rural development programs.

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Mortgage Loan Applications Rise in United States

Applications for mortgage loans in the United States have increased, with refinancing requests showing particular growth. The number of applications for mortgage refinancing loans, which are more sensitive to short-term interest rate changes, rose by 5.8 percent.

TASR/Teraz
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World

Lufthansa to Cancel 20,000 Short-Haul Flights During Summer Season

German airline Lufthansa announced it will cancel 20,000 short-haul flights during the upcoming summer season. The company cited high aviation fuel prices as the primary reason for the significant reduction in its flight schedule. The cancellations represent a major operational adjustment for one of Europe's largest airlines as it grapples with increased operating costs affecting the aviation industry globally.

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Trump Extends Ceasefire with Iran, New Talks Expected Within 72 Hours

U.S. President Donald Trump extended a two-week ceasefire with Iran just before its expiration on Tuesday, opening the door for renewed diplomatic talks. The second round of American-Iranian negotiations could take place within the next three days, according to Pakistani sources who indicate Washington is considering continuing the dialogue. The extension of the temporary truce suggests both sides remain committed to finding a diplomatic solution to their ongoing conflict.

AktualityTASR/Teraz
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World

Climate Change and Extreme Weather Threaten Global Democratic Processes

Climate change and extreme weather events have disrupted at least 94 elections and referendums across 52 countries over the past two decades, highlighting a growing threat to democratic processes worldwide. The disruptions range from postponed voting due to natural disasters to compromised election logistics caused by severe weather conditions. This emerging pattern demonstrates how climate-related emergencies increasingly interfere with fundamental democratic rights and procedures, potentially affecting voter turnout and the legitimacy of electoral outcomes in affected regions.

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Colombian President Ends Peace Negotiations with FARC Dissident Faction

Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced the termination of peace negotiations with a dissident faction of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). The talks, which Petro had been leading since 2023, were part of his broader effort to achieve "total peace" in Colombia by negotiating with various armed groups that remained active despite a landmark 2016 peace agreement with FARC's main leadership. The decision to end negotiations signals a setback for Petro's signature policy initiative aimed at resolving Colombia's decades-long internal armed conflict through dialogue rather than military action.

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World

Seychelles to Open Embassy in Moscow This Year

Seychelles will establish its embassy in Moscow in 2024, according to announcements made during a visit by Seychellois President Patrick Herminie to Russia. The Indian Ocean island nation's decision to open diplomatic representation in the Russian capital comes as Moscow seeks to expand its diplomatic footprint in Africa and smaller nations amid international isolation following its invasion of Ukraine. Seychelles, a nation of about 100,000 people known primarily as a tourist destination, joins other countries that have strengthened ties with Russia despite Western sanctions.

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Republican States Push Gold as Alternative Currency in Challenge to Dollar

Several Republican-controlled states in the United States are advancing legislation to establish gold as an alternative form of payment, potentially challenging the dominance of the US dollar. The proposed systems would not involve direct payment with physical gold, but rather through electronic payment systems and debit cards backed by gold reserves. These initiatives represent a growing movement among conservative states to create alternatives to traditional currency systems, reflecting broader concerns about monetary policy and federal financial control.

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Britain Passes Historic Law Banning Cigarette Sales to Anyone Born After 2008

Britain has approved a landmark law creating a lifelong ban on cigarette sales to anyone born after 2008, aiming to establish the world's first "smoke-free generation." The legislation represents one of the most ambitious tobacco control measures ever implemented, as it will progressively raise the legal smoking age each year, meaning today's children will never legally be able to purchase cigarettes in their lifetime. The law allows vaping products to remain available, reflecting the government's strategy to use e-cigarettes as a harm reduction tool while eliminating traditional tobacco smoking entirely for future generations.

Dennik N
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World

Moldovan oligarch Plahotniuc sentenced to 19 years for 'theft of the century'

A Moldovan court sentenced oligarch Vladimir Plahotniuc to 19 years in prison for fraud in connection with the disappearance of one billion dollars from the country's banking system. The court also froze 60 million dollars worth of Plahotniuc's assets as part of the ruling. The case involves what has been dubbed the 'theft of the century' in Moldova, referring to the massive financial scandal that saw approximately one billion dollars vanish from three Moldovan banks between 2012 and 2014. The missing funds represented roughly one-eighth of Moldova's entire GDP at the time, making it one of the largest bank frauds relative to country size in modern history.

Aktuality
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Czech Students Walk Out of Classes to Protest Government Media Legislation

Students across the Czech Republic walked out of their classes and took to the streets to protest government plans they say threaten independent media. The demonstrations targeted the government's proposal to abolish television and radio license fees and its broader media legislation package. Students accused the ruling administration of attempting to dismantle independent public broadcasting, with the protests representing a coordinated effort by Czech youth to defend media freedom. The Czech government's media reforms have become a flashpoint in debates over press independence, as critics argue the changes could undermine the financial stability and editorial independence of public broadcasters that rely on license fee funding.

Aktuality
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World

Jihadist and Bandit Attacks Kill at Least 23 in Nigerian Villages

At least 23 people died in three separate attacks by jihadists and bandits on villages in Nigeria, highlighting the escalating violence plaguing the West African nation. The coordinated assaults represent a significant increase in deadly attacks targeting rural communities across the country. UN security reports have warned of a potential rise in casualties as armed groups continue to intensify their operations against civilian populations in Nigeria's vulnerable regions.

Aktuality
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World

Ukrainian Parliament Faces Functional Crisis as President Threatens MPs with Front Line

Ukraine's parliament is experiencing a functional crisis characterized by reduced attendance among lawmakers and an inability to pass important legislative decisions. The current situation threatens the smooth flow of foreign financial aid to the war-torn country and jeopardizes Ukraine's European Union integration process. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reportedly threatened parliamentarians with deployment to the front lines amid the ongoing dysfunction. The parliamentary crisis comes at a critical time for Ukraine, which relies heavily on international financial assistance to sustain its war effort against Russia and maintain government operations. The disruption to legislative processes could delay crucial reforms required for EU membership candidacy and potentially impact the country's ability to secure continued Western support.

Košice Dnes
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World

Turkish Court Orders Detention of 19 Opposition Municipal Politicians

A Turkish court has ordered the detention of 19 opposition municipal politicians in connection with an investigation into alleged bribery. The politicians face charges related to corruption, though specific details about the nature of the alleged bribes or which municipalities are involved have not been disclosed. The case represents the latest in a series of legal actions against opposition figures in Turkey, where President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's government has faced criticism for using the judicial system to target political opponents.

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