Author: Gulf News Week
BBCAmong the many mysteries shrouding North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, the secrecy around his mother stands out.In his 15 years of rule, he has never once publicly mentioned her by name. The legitimacy of Kim’s dictatorship rests heavily on his “Mount Paektu” bloodline – a lineage tied to the mythical founder of the Korean people. And in a country that prides itself on this hereditary purity, the identity of Kim’s mother is not just a secret – but a threat to the regime itself. A mythological birthplaceThe story of the Koreas, according to popular belief, begins on Mount Paektu…
Clarke steps down as Scotland boss after World Cup exitSteve Clarke resigns as Scotland head coach following the nation’s group exit from the World Cup.2 hrs agoScotland Men
ReutersThe US has conducted new strikes on Iran, following a drone attack on a Panama-flagged vessel in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday.US Central Command (Centcom) said it hit multiple targets across Iran in direct response to “continued aggression” against commercial shipping.In retaliation, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it has launched missiles and drones at US infrastructure in Kuwait and Bahrain, in a statement shared to state media.It warned that violating the ceasefire is against the agreement signed between the two nations and “will lead to a complete halt to the process”.In response, it said it had hit…
US State DepartmentThe Trump administration has unveiled a new limited edition US passport design featuring a photo of President Donald Trump to commemorate America’s 250th birthday. In a post on social media on Friday, Trump shared a photo of the passport’s newly designed pages, one that includes an image of himself with his fists on the Resolute Desk with the Declaration of Independence in the background and his signature below.The passports will become available on 6 July and only while supplies last, the US State Department said.It’s the latest in a series of moves by the president to mark American…
Getty ImagesThe Australian government has announced it will double the maximum penalty for breaches of the nation’s social media minimum age law to $99m (£51.7m). As part of the updated legislation, the eSafety Commissioner will also be able to compel social media companies to provide evidence of what steps they have taken to comply with the ban.Children under the age of 16 have been prevented from 10 key social media platforms in Australia since 10 December 2025, but it has been widely acknowledged that many are still able to access and use the banned apps. Investigations have been opened into…
EPAThe Czech Republic was among the countries hit by record temperaturesEurope has experienced another day of extreme heat with temperature records being broken across the continent again on Saturday.Germany set a new all-time high for the second day in a row, as temperatures reached 41.5C, according to provisional data.On Saturday, records also fell in Denmark and the Czech Republic as the unprecedented early summer heatwave moved further north and east affecting more people.An estimated 150 million people in Europe are now experiencing temperatures of over 35C. The World Meteorological Organization has warned the heatwave would have “major impacts” to health…
Diko Betancourt/Anadolu via Getty ImagesPeople search through the rubble unprotected, using whatever they canBare hands and shovels shift through the rubble, while a drone scans overhead. Every moment, every action matters. It is a race against time to find survivors.Here in the coastal state of La Guaira, which borders the capital district containing nearby Caracas, catastrophic damage is seen almost everywhere you look. The state has been one of the hardest-hit areas after back-to-back earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday. Residents and families are desperately searching the rubble for their loved ones and belongings. They are listening carefully for any sound…
LIVERashford and Saka start in England’s final group game against PanamaFollow build-up before 5 Live commentary and live text updates as England face Panama in their final Group L game at the World Cup.
ReutersIsrael says its forces are preparing for an “extended stay” in southern Lebanon Israeli air strikes in southern Lebanon have killed one person, the country’s health ministry says, a day after Israel and Lebanon signed a framework agreement.Lebanon’s state news agency said an Israeli drone hit the town of Nabatieh al-Fawqa, and later reported further strikes in the area, with at least two more people wounded.The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it carried out the drone strike on an individual who posed a threat to its forces, without providing details.The leader of Lebanon’s Hezbollah militant group – which was not…
ReutersThe Duke and Duchess of Sussex have accepted an offer to stay in a royal residence with their two children when they visit the UK next month.Harry and Meghan, as well as their son Archie, seven, and daughter Lilibet, five, will be guests of the King on a royal estate for their first trip as a family to Britain in four years.The royal residence they will use has not been made public.The family will be in the UK for a number of days and will also be staying in private accommodation during their trip.He is also expected to visit other…