Matthew Coles
- World News
Ukraine reports recapturing three villages in counteroffensive against Russia
Ukrainian forces have reportedly recaptured three villages in the southeast from Russian control, marking the first liberated settlements since launching a counteroffensive. In an unverified video published by Ukraine’s 68th Jaeger Brigade, soldiers raised the Ukrainian flag in the Donetsk region’s village of Blahodatne. Valeriy Shershen, spokesperson for Ukraine’s “Tavria” military sector, announced the initial results of the counteroffensive actions…
- World News
US, EU accused of fueling Serb nationalism in Kosovo and Western Balkans
The Balkan region has recently garnered international attention following violent clashes between Serb militant nationalists and NATO peacekeepers in the northern Kosovo town of Zvecan. The incident raised concerns over the potential for another armed conflict in Europe. While the risk of another Balkan war remains low, the situation in Kosovo and the Western Balkans is undoubtedly alarming. The role…
- World News
Montenegro snap election tests EU path amid political turmoil
In Montenegro, a snap parliamentary election is taking place, which could shed light on the future of the small NATO member in the Balkans as it grapples with political divisions and instability, potentially affecting its path towards joining the European Union. With fifteen coalitions and parties vying for votes, over 542,000 registered voters will determine the composition of the 81-seat…
- World News
Romanian ambassador recalled over racist monkey remark in Kenya
Romania’s foreign ministry has recalled its ambassador to Kenya, Dragos Viorel Tigau, following an incident in which he allegedly made a racist remark involving a monkey and Africans during a meeting at a United Nations building in Nairobi on April 26. The South Sudanese embassy in Kenya reported the comment, which was met with strong condemnation from African diplomats, led…
- World News
Report reveals suppression of pro-Palestinian activism in EU and UK
A recent report by the European Legal Support Center (ELSC) has highlighted the suppression of Palestinian activism in the European Union and the United Kingdom. The study, which focused on the use of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) working definition of anti-Semitism, revealed widespread restrictions on the right of assembly and freedom of expression related to criticism of Israel.…
- World News
Sabotage team used Poland base to blow up Baltic Nord Stream pipelines
German investigators are delving into evidence that suggests a sabotage team may have utilised Poland as a base to orchestrate the destruction of the Nord Stream pipelines in the Baltic Sea, according to the Wall Street Journal. The two-week journey of the Andromeda, a 15-metre yacht suspected to be involved in the sabotage of the Nord Stream 1 and 2…
- World News
Man City claims first Champions League title, completes treble
In a historic moment, Manchester City has secured their first-ever Champions League title, defeating Inter Milan with a 1-0 victory at Istanbul’s Ataturk Olympic Stadium. This win marks the completion of a treble for the team, making them the second English club to achieve this feat. On Saturday, Spaniard Rodri scored the decisive goal in the 68th minute, resulting in…
- World News
Ukraine advances near Bakhmut amid heavy fighting; Russian attack kills three in Odesa
Heavy fighting continues in the eastern region of Donetsk as Ukrainian forces advance towards the city of Bakhmut, which fell to Russian control last month. Despite Moscow’s claims that Kyiv’s forces have made no progress on the front lines, Ukraine’s east military command spokesperson, Serhiy Cherevaty, announced on Saturday that their forces had advanced 1.2 kilometres near Bakhmut within the…
- World News
Boris Johnson quits Parliament amid lockdown party investigation
The political landscape in the UK has been shaken by the abrupt resignation of former Prime Minister Boris Johnson from his role as a Member of Parliament. The 58-year-old politician cited a “stitch-up” by his adversaries as the reason for his departure, as he faces an investigation by a cross-party committee over allegations of lying to Parliament about lockdown-breaching parties…
- World News
Russia blamed for Ukraine dam collapse causing floods and $5m Japanese aid
The Kakhovka dam collapse in Ukraine has sparked a heated debate over responsibility, with European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell pointing the finger at Russia. According to Borrell, the dam was destroyed by explosives placed in the turbine areas, which are under Russian control. The New York Times cited an unnamed US official who claimed that US spy satellites…
- World News
Newcastle secures £25m annual shirt deal with Saudi-backed Sela
Newcastle United has inked a lucrative multi-year shirt sponsorship agreement with Saudi events management firm Sela, following the lifting of a temporary ban on owner-related commercial deals. The sponsorship, reportedly valued at £25 million annually, comes as both organisations experience rapid growth. Sela is supported by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), which also owns an 80% stake in Newcastle…
- World News
Boris Johnson resigns as MP, citing Partygate probe as reason
Boris Johnson, the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, has resigned from his position as a Member of Parliament, citing a parliamentary investigation into the “Partygate” scandal as the reason for his departure. The 58-year-old announced his resignation on Friday, causing an immediate by-election in his constituency and putting pressure on his successor, Rishi Sunak. The parliamentary inquiry was…
- World News
Serbians demand interior minister resignation amid anti-violence protests
A wave of anti-government sentiment has swept through Serbia, with tens of thousands of citizens taking to the streets in Belgrade for the sixth time since May 3. This public outcry has been fueled by a perceived culture of violence, which many believe is responsible for the deaths of 18 individuals in two mass shootings. The protesters are calling for…
- World News
UK net migration hits record high amid government efforts to reduce arrivals
Net migration to the United Kingdom has reached a record high, as the government grapples with reducing the number of arrivals. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) disclosed that 606,000 people arrived in 2022, marking a 24% increase compared to the previous year. In 2015, just before the Brexit referendum, net migration stood at approximately 330,000. Jay Lindop, director of…
- World News
National Highways workers strike for 10% pay rise and improved pensions
In southwest England, Mark Dollar, 50, and three other picketers stood outside the National Highways office, wearing yellow vests emblazoned with “PCS” and “Public and Commercial Services Union”. They were participating in industrial action following a PCS ballot last November, where members across 124 business units, including National Highways, voted in favour of a 10% pay rise, improved pension benefits…
- World News
Ukrainian teen trapped amid Russian-occupied flood zone fears help won’t come
In the attic of a flooded home, a Ukrainian teenager and her 83-year-old grandfather, along with two other elderly individuals, have been waiting for days to be rescued after a catastrophic dam collapse in the town of Oleshky. However, help has been slow to arrive, as Russian forces are reportedly seizing rescue boats and only assisting those with Russian passports.…
- World News
Zelenskyy visits flood-hit Ukraine; warns of mines, chemicals, disease risks
As the aftermath of the Nova Kakhovka dam breach unfolds, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the flooded regions, expressing concern over the dangers posed by floating mines, hazardous chemicals, and the potential spread of disease. Zelenskyy reported witnessing dead bodies floating in the water, a consequence of the Soviet-era dam’s collapse. Oleksandr Prokudin, the regional governor, stated that flooding from…
- World News
Ukraine’s counteroffensive against Russian forces begins, says think tank
The long-awaited Ukrainian counteroffensive against Russian forces seems to have commenced, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), a think tank based in Washington, DC. While Ukrainian officials have not yet confirmed the operation, the ISW has observed a general uptick in military activity across the entire front line. Ukrainian forces have reportedly gained territory in the…
- World News
Biden and Sunak unveil Atlantic Declaration boosting defence, renewable energy ties
The United States and the United Kingdom have unveiled the Atlantic Declaration, a new economic agreement aimed at strengthening ties in defence and renewable energy. This announcement took place during UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s first visit to the White House. The agreement, however, does not encompass a full free trade deal that the UK has been seeking since its…
- World News
Ukraine dam destruction exposes dark history of warfare tactics
The blame game between Ukraine and Russia continues as both nations accuse each other of causing the explosion at the Nova Kakhovka dam in southern Ukraine. Regardless of who is responsible, the destruction of dams in warfare has a long and devastating history. The recent flooding in the region, forcing the evacuation of thousands of civilians, serves as a stark…
- World News
West Ham wins first European trophy in 58 years with late goal
A historic moment was witnessed as West Ham United claimed their first European trophy in 58 years, defeating Fiorentina 2-1 in the Europa Conference League final. The late-game goal by Jarrod Bowen in the 90th minute brought an end to the long wait for the Hammers, who last won silverware in the 1980 FA Cup. The match took place in…
- World News
Putin accuses Ukraine of barbaric act in dam destruction causing floods
On June 8, tensions escalated as Russian President Vladimir Putin labelled Ukraine’s destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam a “barbaric act.” The incident has resulted in widespread flooding and accusations from Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that Moscow was behind the dam’s destruction. Zelenskyy also claimed that Russia-backed forces were struggling to evacuate residents in the affected areas. Russian troops reportedly…
- World News
Zelenskyy accuses Russia of shelling rescuers amid Ukraine flood crisis
The Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has accused Russian forces of targeting emergency workers attempting to rescue flood victims in the aftermath of the Nova Kakhovka dam’s destruction. In his nightly address, Zelenskyy revealed that over 2,000 people have been saved from flooding in the Kherson and Mykolaiv regions. He contrasted this with the Russian-occupied areas, where he claimed Moscow’s forces…
