UK monarchy signals cooperation as Epstein fallout deepens
King Charles has made his first formal intervention in the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, expressing “profound concern” as police consider allegations involving his brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. Buckingham Palace said it stands ready to support Thames Valley Police should they pursue an investigation, after an anti-monarchy group filed a complaint alleging misconduct in public office.
Newly released Epstein files appear to show Andrew sharing confidential travel reports and investment details with Epstein in 2010, intensifying scrutiny of his conduct and renewing pressure on the royal household.
South Korea official expelled after remarks on ‘importing’ foreign women
A senior local official in South Korea has been expelled from the ruling Democratic Party after suggesting the country should “import young women” from Vietnam or Sri Lanka to address its plunging birth rate.
The comments, made during a televised town hall, triggered public outrage and a diplomatic protest from Vietnam, underscoring the political sensitivity surrounding demographic decline in Asia’s fourth-largest economy.
US warns shipping to steer clear of Iranian waters
The United States has urged American-flagged vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to remain as far as possible from Iran’s territorial waters, citing heightened regional tensions.
The advisory follows indirect US-Iran talks in Oman and comes amid fears of miscalculation in one of the world’s most strategic maritime chokepoints.
Starmer resists calls to quit amid Epstein-linked crisis
Keir Starmer, British Prime Minister has rejected growing calls to resign following the appointment of Peter Mandelson as UK ambassador to the United States, an appointment now overshadowed by Mandelson’s past links to Jeffrey Epstein.
The controversy has already claimed two senior aides, raising questions about judgement and stability at the heart of the new government.
Hong Kong jails Jimmy Lai for 20 years under security law
Hong Kong pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for colluding with foreign forces under the city’s national security law.
Rights groups described the sentence as th devastating, while Lai’s family and supporter say it marks the effective end of judicial independence in the territory.
AFRICA
Migrant boat capsizes off Libya, leaving 53 dead
At least 53 migrants have died after a rubber boat capsized off Libya’s coast, the UN migration agency has said. Only two Nigerian women survived.
The incident adds to a growing death toll in the central Mediterranean, one of the world’s deadliest migration routes.
UN warns of worsening civilian toll from drone attacks in Sudan
The United Nations says deadly drone strikes on civilians are continuing in Sudan’s Kordofan region, now a major front line in the country’s nearly three-year war.
UN human rights chief Volker Turk warned that failure by the international community to act decisively would lead to further atrocities.
Senegal dismantles alleged paedophile network linked to France
Senegalese authorities say they have arrested 14 people accused of operating a transnational paedophile ring between Senegal and France.
Police allege the group exploited and abused minors over several years, with coordination and funding linked to a suspect already detained in France.
Egypt announces $1bn Red Sea tourism development
Egypt has unveiled plans for a $1 billion marina, hotel and residential project on the Red Sea, part of a wider push to raise annual tourist arrivals to 30 million by 2030.
Construction is expected to begin later this year and run for seven years.
Mali to set up state-owned mining holdings company
Mali has approved the creation of a fully state-owned company to manage government stakes in mining ventures, following a model adopted by other West African resource producers.
The move signals a continued shift towards tighter state control over strategic natural resources.
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