In a move that marks the most significant political shift in Gaza in nearly two decades, Hamas announced today the dissolution of its de facto government, clearing the way for a U.S.-backed technocratic committee to assume civilian administration of the Palestinian territory. The announcement, made at a press conference in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza, comes as the second phase of the October 2025 ceasefire—which was supposed to include Hamas’s disarmament and a gradual Israeli withdrawal—remains stalled. Hamas confirmed it had dissolved the “Government Emergency Committee,” the administrative body that has overseen governance in Gaza since the group seized control from…
Author: Oki Bin Oki
UK fighter jets intercepted a Russian maritime patrol aircraft after it “repeatedly approached” a carrier strike group in the Norwegian Sea, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said. The Russian Bear-F plane passed at low altitude and “unnecessarily close” to the HMS Prince of Wales aircraft carrier and is believed to have dropped 10 sonobuoys into the water on Thursday, the MoD added. The MoD said Moscow’s activity in the Norwegian Sea was “unsafe and unprofessional”. It comes weeks after Royal Marines boarded a Russian shadow fleet oil tanker in the English Channel, while the head of the military has warned…
ITV is selling its media and entertainment divisions to Sky in a £1.6bn deal that the companies say will create a strong rival to global streaming giants. The sale includes ITV’s broadcast channels and its ITVX streaming service, with Sky’s chief executive Dana Strong calling it “a defining moment for British media”. It is one of the biggest takeovers in British media history, with American-owned Comcast – which owns Sky – having started takeover talks in November last year. ITV’s studio arm, which makes popular programmes such as Love Island and I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here, is…
Uefa has strongly criticised Fifa’s shock decision not to uphold Folarin Balogun’s automatic ban at this World Cup, calling it “unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable”. United States striker Balogun, who was sent off against Bosnia-Herzegovina, should have served a suspension for the last-16 tie against Belgium (Tuesday 01:00 BST). But Fifa opted not to enforce an immediate sanction on the 25-year-old, meaning the co-hosts’ leading goalscorer will be available to play. Uefa said that intervening to effectively cancel a suspension at a tournament “crossed a red line”. Of the 188 other red cards at the World Cup, only one other player…
Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte was riding high not so long ago, sailing to a landslide 2022 election victory with then-ally President Ferdinand Marcos, while also being seen as a near-lock to succeed him. Four years later, the alliance between their powerful families lies in ruins and she is facing a battle for her political life in a Senate impeachment trial that could see her permanently barred from elected office. AFP looks at how Duterte rose to prominence and what led to her precarious position. The 48-year-old lawyer and mother of three, tattooed and fond of motorcycles, is former president…
Nigeria says two of its citizens have been killed in South Africa “at a time when foreigners are being unduly targeted” there. A statement from the foreign ministry said Emeka Charles Iroegbu was “reportedly killed” on 28 June by police officers “using gruesome interrogation techniques”, while unidentified assailants had killed shop owner Musa Yunana Joe on the same day. The authorities in South Africa’s capital, Pretoria, are yet to comment. Nigeria’s foreign ministry said the incidents came amid a rise in anti-migrant sentiment in South Africa, which has led to roughly 25,000 citizens from other African countries being repatriated by…
At least eight people were rescued from a seaplane that landed in New York City’s East River, authorities say. New York fire officials responded to reports of an aircraft down at around midday local time (16:00 GMT) off the marina at East 23rd Street and FDR Drive in Manhattan. The seaplane was upright and towed back to the dock, fire officials say. Eight people were removed from the Kodiak 100 seaplane by fire department units and two had minor injures and refused medical attention. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which will investigate the incident, said the pilot “made a hard…
A Delta Air Lines plane carrying 52 passengers and six crew members was hit by fireworks as it prepared to land at a Chicago airport on Saturday night. The flight from Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport to Midway International Airport “reportedly made contact with a firework while on descent,” a spokesperson for the airline told the BBC. “The flight safely landed and taxied to the gate,” they added. There were no injuries and the incident was reported to aviation authorities. The aircraft was struck as millions across the United States celebrated the nation’s 250th anniversary with fireworks – part of the annual…
Folarin Balogun is available to play for the United States in their World Cup last-16 tie against Belgium after his one-game ban was suspended by Fifa. The 25-year-old striker was shown a straight red card for a foul on Bosnia-Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemovic as the co-hosts won their last-32 tie 2-0. Fifa said that the automatic one-match ban will be suspended for a year. “In line with article 27 of the Fifa disciplinary code, the implementation of the match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year,” it said in a statement. “If Folarin Balogun commits another infringement…
The authorities in Australia are investigating the origins of mysterious large spheres that washed up on a beach in northern Queensland this weekend. The six solid objects discovered on Forrest Beach, to the north of Townsville, are thought to be space debris, and the Australian Space Agency (ASA) is now trying to determine where they came from. Crews in protective suits were reportedly seen placing the spheres in hazmat barrels under police guard, over concerns they may contain hazardous substances. Queensland’s fire department said on Sunday that a 50m exclusion zone remained in place, urging anyone who found a suspicious…
Detectives are investigating the murder of a 30-year-old advocate whose body was found outside a residential estate in Athi River, Machakos County. According to police, the incident was reported on Sunday, July 5, 2026, after a security officer on duty noticed an unresponsive man lying outside Strawberry Estate. Police officers from Athi River Police Station, accompanied by detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) personnel, visited the scene. Investigators identified the deceased as Edward Kariuki Muthee, a 30-year-old advocate and proprietor of Edward Kariuki Law Firm located along Kiambu Road. Police said he was…
President William Ruto has urged Kenyans to shun tribal politics and those who preach it, saying national unity is the foundation of a strong and prosperous society. He said the government was focused on unity-driven development, noting that economic progress depends on collective effort and trust among Kenyans. Speaking at the Full Gospel Church Gatunduri in Manyatta Constituency, Embu County, Sunday, Ruto said he would not allow tribal politics to thrive in the country. “I will not allow tribal politics to thrive in Kenya. No one will be allowed to divide Kenyans on a tribal basis,” he pointed out. He…
The Inspector General of the National Police Service directed the Internal Affairs Unit (IAU) to fast-track its assessment of the attack on a convoy of Linda Mwananchi brigade in Keumbu, Kisii as part of probe into the attack. This was after leaders said police sat and watched as hired goons attacked the convoy on Friday. Several cars were damaged in the attack. This has attracted condemnation on police as it comes weeks after President Ruto ordered crackdown on goonism in the country. There are claims the attackers were hired by a local leader. Police spokesman Michael Muchiri said in a…
Police have launched investigations after an M-Pesa attendant was robbed of Sh250,000 by armed men during a late-night attack at his shop in Kahawa West, Nairobi. According to a police report, the incident occurred at around 11 p.m. on Friday, July 3, at an M-Pesa outlet along Station Road in Kahawa West. The victim told police that a man posing as a customer entered the shop before being joined by two accomplices. One of the suspects drew a pistol and fired a shot at the shop door to intimidate the attendant. The robbers then struck the victim on the head…
Police in Rachuonyo South, Homa Bay County, are investigating the sudden death of a 24-year-old university student whose decomposing body was discovered inside a house several days after he was last seen. The deceased, identified as Ronny Okumu, a second-year student at Great Lakes University, was found dead while seated on a sofa inside a bedroom at his grandmother’s home in Aramo Village, about six kilometres east of Kosele Police Station. According to police, the body was discovered by his grandmother after she noticed a foul smell coming from the house. She told investigators that Ronny had visited her on…