Republican Senator Lindsey Graham passed away on Saturday evening at the age of 71. A medical examiner has determined that the cause of death was an aortic tear. Graham was widely known as a close political ally of former President Donald Trump. He had been a prominent figure in the Republican Party for many years.
Actor Cristo Fernandez, known for his role in the popular TV series Ted Lasso, has made his professional football debut. He played for El Paso Locomotive, a club competing in the second tier of American football. The debut marks a notable crossover from Fernandez's acting career into real competitive football. El Paso Locomotive is based in El Paso, Texas, and competes in the USL Championship league.
Sam Neill, the widely admired actor, built a diverse and celebrated career across multiple film genres. He appeared in major Hollywood blockbusters that drew large audiences worldwide. His work also extended to gripping thrillers and critically acclaimed dramatic productions. Neill earned recognition for his versatility, leaving a lasting mark on both mainstream and arthouse cinema.
Severe flash floods and landslides have struck large parts of Bangladesh, killing at least 51 people. The disasters have left thousands of residents without homes. The flooding has affected widespread areas across the country. Heavy rainfall is reported as the primary driver behind the deadly events.
The United States launched a new round of airstrikes against Iran, resulting in at least one fatality according to Iranian state media. Shortly after the US attacks, Iran retaliated by striking American military bases located in Jordan and Bahrain. The exchange of strikes marks a significant escalation in hostilities between the two nations. The ongoing military confrontations are putting serious pressure on an existing interim agreement between the two sides.
The Football Association of Wales has incorporated military-style training into its UEFA Pro Licence coaching course. The program exposes football coaches to extreme scenarios including simulated kidnappings, invasions, ambushes, and other high-pressure situations. The aim is to deliberately take coaches out of their comfort zones and test their decision-making under stress. The initiative forms part of the formal qualification pathway for top-level football coaches in Wales.
Wildfires of unusual scale have broken out in the region surrounding Paris, France. Authorities deployed firefighting aircraft to combat the blazes, marking a notable emergency response effort. In an unprecedented move, the planes were dispatched from southern France, a region typically more accustomed to tackling wildfires due to its hotter and drier climate. The deployment highlights the growing intensity of fire conditions in areas not traditionally prone to such large-scale wildfire events.
A wildfire tore through Spain's Almeria province on Thursday, killing at least 13 people. Five of the victims are believed to be British nationals. A British couple has since returned to the village that was at the centre of the deadly blaze. The fire caused significant loss of life in the region, drawing international attention due to the number of foreign nationals affected.
Indian scientists have developed a new atlas that maps the brainstem, one of the least understood regions of the human brain. The atlas provides researchers with an unprecedented level of detail about this complex area. The brainstem controls many vital functions, making it a critical but historically difficult region to study. This breakthrough is expected to advance scientific understanding and potentially open new avenues for neurological research.
Zhang Zhidong, a Chinese graduate, has been accused of acting as a key link between Chinese chemical suppliers and Mexican drug laboratories. Cartel members and former colleagues have come forward to describe his alleged role in the fentanyl supply chain. He has earned the informal title of Mexico's 'fentanyl king' due to the scale of his alleged operations. His case highlights the growing connection between Chinese precursor chemical networks and Mexican cartel drug production. The accusations shed light on the international dimensions of the fentanyl crisis affecting North America.
Veteran Republican Senator Mitch McConnell has publicly addressed his prolonged absence from the Senate, attributing it to a fall and a bout of pneumonia. The statement marked his first official communication after weeks of public speculation surrounding his health. McConnell indicated he would not be returning to work immediately, saying the time was not "quite yet." The disclosure came amid growing questions from colleagues and observers about the senior senator's condition and capacity to serve.
Gibraltar has eliminated border controls with Spain that had been in place for 118 years, marking a significant turning point for the UK overseas territory. The removal of these long-standing checks is expected to allow free movement of people between Gibraltar and Spain. Authorities hope the change will deliver a meaningful economic boost to the territory. The development represents a new chapter in relations between Gibraltar and its Spanish neighbor.
A fire broke out at a bar in Bangkok, Thailand, killing at least 27 people, according to Thai authorities. The blaze caused significant casualties, with dozens more reported injured. Unverified video footage circulating online shows large flames erupting from the venue as patrons fled the scene. Thai authorities have confirmed the death toll and are investigating the cause of the fire. The incident has raised concerns about fire safety standards at entertainment venues in the Thai capital.
Senator Lindsey Graham built a reputation as a political survivor by repeatedly adapting to the shifting tides of American politics. Once a vocal critic of Donald Trump, Graham gradually transformed into one of his most steadfast supporters. His career trajectory became emblematic of the broader Republican Party's realignment under the MAGA movement. BBC North America correspondent Anthony Zurcher examines how Graham navigated these dramatic political changes to remain relevant and influential in Washington.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has signaled openness to expanding the men's World Cup to 64 teams. The proposal is expected to be formally studied and assessed following the 2026 tournament. Infantino framed the potential expansion as part of a broader goal to make football accessible to the entire world. No concrete decisions have been made yet, with detailed evaluation planned for after the next World Cup.
South Africa has deported more than 53,000 undocumented foreign nationals as part of an ongoing migration enforcement campaign. The crackdown follows widespread anti-immigration protests that put pressure on authorities to act. The government has ramped up efforts to identify and remove individuals residing in the country without legal documentation. The operation reflects growing public and political tensions around irregular migration in South Africa.
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the former Emir of Qatar, has died at the age of 74. He rose to power in 1996 by overthrowing his own father in a bloodless coup. During his reign, he played a central role in transforming Qatar into a wealthy and influential energy power. His leadership oversaw the country's rise as a major global natural gas producer and regional force.
Deadly wildfires have swept through parts of Spain, destroying homes and scorching vast stretches of land. BBC correspondent Nick Beake visited one of the worst-affected villages, describing the scene as a landscape of total destruction. Entire residential properties were burned to the ground, with the surrounding terrain reduced to blackened ash. The fires have taken lives and caused widespread damage across the affected region. The scale of the destruction highlights the severe impact the blazes have had on local communities.
David Willey, a long-serving BBC foreign correspondent, has died at the age of 93. He was widely regarded as one of the BBC's most distinguished international journalists. Willey was best known for his extensive coverage of the Vatican, where he reported across the tenures of five different popes. His decades-long career made him a respected voice in foreign reporting for the British broadcaster.
A British couple has been rescued from a ravine in Spain's Almeria province after becoming trapped by ongoing wildfires. The pair, whose identities have not been disclosed, were found in a semi-conscious state by rescuers. Both individuals sustained severe burns covering approximately 40% of their bodies. The incident occurred as wildfires continued to rage across the region.
