The US has imposed a new round of sanctions on Cuban officials and companies, Secretary of State Marco Rubio says. Nine state-owned mining, metal and building firms, the Ministry of Construction and officials connected to a Cuban-based international institute have been named in the latest tranche of economic sanctions. In a statement, Rubio accused various…
A Swiss tourist has been sentenced to one year in prison for insulting a sacred religious event on Indonesia’s holiday island of Bali. In a now-removed video, Luzian Andrin Zgraggen, 26, had filmed himself walking to an empty beach during the Hindu holiday of Nyepi, describing the scene as “crazy”. He was arrested in March…
Nearly six months after US President Donald Trump vowed a swift victory over Iran, the conflict appears to be at a standstill, with prospects of a military victory or negotiated settlement growing dimmer. To break the deadlock, Trump has vowed an “economic D-Day” under which any country that does business with Iran would face “tremendous”…
Internal power struggles, factionalism, insistence that power rotates through the regions and disciplinary measures have all added to the sense of disillusionment within the party. The PDP has been robbed of high-profile figures and talent, including the loss of former Vice-President Atiku Aubakar last year. The crisis was intensified by a debilitating leadership tussle. In…
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, and their children, are planning on relocating back to the UK from the US later this month. Prince Harry and Meghan left the UK and stepped back from royal duties in 2020, and family relations have been strained since. The BBC understands that whilst King Charles III welcomes their…
Despite an Israeli court challenge to the plans by Bedouin Palestinians living in the area and Israeli peace groups, on Wednesday the Israeli housing ministry issued a tender for 1,234 of the 3,401 housing units approved by the Israeli government last August. It covers about 12 sq km (4.6 sq miles) between East Jerusalem and…
The Mexican Navy rescued two fishermen 150 miles off the coast of Chiapas, Mexico on 19 August, after they had been missing for 5 days. Naval authorities began the search for the men, aged 53 and 32, after their fishing cooperative lost contact with them on 15 August and sent out a distress call. The…
At least 46 people have died in Nigeria after a boat capsized in north-western Sokoto state. The boat was believed to be carrying more than 70 people, mostly children, and a search operation is ongoing, officials say. Police spokesperson Ahmad Rufai told the BBC on Thursday that 46 bodies had been found near Gorau in…
The Iranian economy has long been struggling under the weight of decades of international sanctions, which left it in tatters. Earlier this year, Iran experienced weeks of protests due to the spiralling cost of living and inflation – with everyday Iranians blaming the regime for their difficulties. Official figures show that in the 12 months…
Ukraine’s popular ex-defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov has called for wartime elections, in what has been seen as a major challenge to President Volodymyr Zelensky. The country has been under martial law since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022, meaning elections have been suspended. “Democracy cannot be held hostage by Russia,” Fedorov said in a…