US president Joe Biden signs bill averting debt default

US President Joe Biden has signed legislation that lifts the US debt ceiling, avoiding a default on the federal government's debt. The decision suspends the debt limit until 2025, and restricts government spending. The bill passed the House on Wednesday and the Senate on Thursday. Biden praised all congressional leaders for ensuring swift passage of the legislation, and pledged to continue working with Republicans.

Artists among 8 detained in Hong Kong on eve of Tiananmen Square anniversary

Eight people, including activists and artists, have been detained by Hong Kong police on the eve of the 34th anniversary of China?s Tiananmen Square crackdown. Four arrests were made for allegedly disrupting order in public spaces or carrying out acts with seditious intent, and four others were taken away for investigation. For decades, tens of thousands of Hong Kongers held a candlelight vigil on 4 June to commemorate the 1989 crackdown on pro-democracy protesters. This year?s Tiananmen commemoration is expected to be muted as many Hong Kongers are trying to mark the event in private.

Ukraine targeted luxury homes of Vladimir Putin's ex-wife, daughter?

A drone attack in Moscow on May 30 may have targeted properties owned by Kremlin-linked associates, including the homes of Russian President Vladimir Putin's ex-wife and daughter. The four mansions and Putin's house are located along the Rublevka highway in an elite hotspot known as "Tsar's Village". The details of the residences come from leaked emails between Katerina Tikhonova, Putin's daughter, and her ex-husband, Kirill Shamalov. Putin's spending on personal security has risen this year, with 77% of the annual budget allocation of 15 billion rubles ($185.7m) spent on his safety and that of his staff.

‘Perfect pathogen storm’ coming? Flesh-eating bacteria in seaweed on Florida beaches

Brown Sargassum seaweed clusters in Florida have become infested with flesh-eating bacteria, according to a study by Florida Atlantic University. The "Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt," a 5,000-mile stretch of seaweed, could become overrun with Vibrio bacteria, which can cling to the surface of plastic waste and pose significant health risks. People can become infected by Vibrio by eating raw or uncooked seafood or through contact with an open wound, which could lead to necrotizing fasciitis, a flesh-eating bacterial infection, potentially resulting in amputation or death.

Trump's legal tango! Judge-juggling tactics in Hush Money case take center stage

Donald Trump's legal team is making a calculated effort to remove Judge Juan Merchan from his hush money case, citing an alleged conflict of interest. Trump's lawyers assert that Merchan has an "actual or perceived conflict of interest" due to his daughter's work experience. They also claim that the judge's involvement in a prior case, where he allegedly encouraged Allen Weisselberg to cooperate against Trump, demonstrates a preconceived bias. The judge has reportedly denied the request to recuse himself from the trial, leaving Trump's legal team searching for alternative strategies.

Christian youth sentenced to death for sharing ‘blasphemous’ content through WhatsApp in Pakistan

A Pakistani court has sentenced a 22-year-old Christian man, Noman Masih, to death for allegedly sharing blasphemous content on WhatsApp. Masih, who was arrested four years ago on a complaint that he had shared blasphemous material on the messaging app, was also fined Rs 20,000 ($129). Minority rights activist Joseph Jansen claimed a fair investigation had not been conducted and that false accusations of blasphemy against religious minorities were often made to settle personal disputes.

Earthquake of magnitude 5.4 jolts Somalia

A 5.4 magnitude earthquake hit 156 km north of Las Khorey in Somalia on Saturday. The US Geological Survey reported that the quake took place at a depth of 10 km and no casualties have been reported as of yet. Further details are awaited.

Vladimir Putin scared? Russian president spending ‘too much’ on his security

Russia's Ministry of Finance data reveals that spending on the safety and security of President Putin and his staff between January and May this year reached 15 billion rubles ($185.7m), or 77% of the annual budget allocation, up 15% from the same period last year. The figure is higher than government spending on Russian military and border protection. The Kremlin is believed to be ramping up measures to protect Putin amid the conflict with Ukraine, as well as a rise in drone strikes inside Russian territory.

King Charles in Romania without Camilla: Details of his private hideaway

King Charles III of the UK is visiting his Romanian holiday home, a former farmhouse in the hamlet of Zalanpatak, alone. The king has visited Romania several times and owns at least 10 properties in the country. The house has no Wi-Fi, TV or radio, but does have a small hi-fi player, according to royal expert Jennie Bond. The king is expected to recuperate from his coronation at the property. The guesthouse is available to rent for £140 ($186) per night.

Florida's spellbinding teen Dev Shah wins Scripps National Spelling Bee 2023, but do you know which state has 15 titles?

Texas has cemented its position as the dominant state in the Scripps National Spelling Bee by producing 15 winners, according to data compiled by Bet Texas. Ohio and Pennsylvania follow with nine and seven champions respectively, while Southern states such as Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, Alabama and Virginia have also made their mark. The 2023 competition saw 21 Texans competing for the championship title, but victory went to 14-year-old Dev Shah from Largo, Florida, who spelled the word "psammophile".

'When you have a huge crisis…': Imran Khan on Pakistan's downturn

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has claimed that the country’s military establishment is trying to prevent his party from winning the next election. Speaking to Bloomberg, Khan cited the arrest of his supporters by the government and the military as evidence of a concerted effort to “crush” his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party before the mid-October elections. He denied that his supporters had carried out recent attacks and accused the government of using the incidents as a pretext for an “unprecedented crackdown”.

Over 2.5 million girls deprived of education in Afghanistan: US special envoy

Over 2.5 million girls in Afghanistan are being denied education, according to Rina Amiri, the US Special envoy for Afghan women, girls and human rights. Speaking at a Human Rights Council meeting, Amiri said that there is an urgent need for girls' education in Afghanistan, and that every girl deserves access to quality education. The Taliban's oppressive attitudes towards women and girls mean that many institutions accepting female students have been forced to close. Since the Taliban seized control in August 2021, restrictions on women and girls have increased.

‘Lived privileged life but…’: Kate Middleton's brother talks about depression

James Middleton has given an interview in which he talks about how his dogs have helped him to cope with depression. Middleton, the younger brother of the Duchess of Cambridge, who has previously written about his difficult battle with the illness, says that his dogs were ?fundamental? in his recovery. ?My dog Ella, in particular, was my reason to get up in the morning, my reason to get dressed and go outside and go for a walk ? even if it was pouring with rain,? he said.

GOP's debate drama unleashed! Republican candidate filter frenzy ignites Presidential campaign sparks

The Republican National Committee has set the qualifying rules for the first presidential debate for the 2024 elections, requiring candidates to have at least 40,000 individual campaign donors and secure at least 1% in national polls. This has sparked both excitement and concern among GOP candidates, with the strict criteria potentially excluding lesser-known candidates. The RNC justifies the rules as a means to prevent the debate from descending into a circus, but critics argue they may favor a two-person race. The pressure is on for candidates to meet the requirements and outmaneuver their opponents.

France can hardly be a 'moderator' in Ukraine war, Kremlin says

France cannot be a mediator in the Ukrainian conflict due to its active participation in it, according to Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov. However, President Vladimir Putin is open to any contacts to achieve Russia's goals.