Author: staff

In Ulaanbaatar, renowned musician Batzorig Vaanchig continues to champion the distinctive vocal art through live performances, studio recordings, and international collaborations, using both traditional techniques and digital platforms to reach wider audiences. By sharing khoomei on global stages and across social media, he aims to preserve the centuries-old practice while inspiring a new generation of singers in Mongolia and beyond. Accompanied by the traditional horsehead fiddle, Vaanchig regularly performs in Mongolia’s capital and appears in television productions, while also reaching audiences far beyond the country’s borders. The unique sound of khoomei, recognised by UNESCO as part of humanity’s intangible cultural…

“Many people started campaigning in June. What matters is what will happen at the end of this year and early next year,” he said. Hollande had previously said he is “getting ready” ahead of the election but is postponing a decision until closer to the end of the year. He hopes favorable opinion polls and turmoil within his own center-left Socialist Party could offer him a path back to power. But a comeback remains a long shot. Hollande left office in 2017 after having registered the lowest-ever approval rating — four percent — of any French president in recent history.…

Published on 16/07/2026 – 12:42 GMT+2 Ukraine’s parliament has appointed Serhii Koretskyi as prime minister as part of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s latest government reshuffle. Koretskyi, who has led state company Naftogaz since May 2025, was nominated by Zelenskyy on 15 July in a move that largely went unnoticed as attention centred on a growing scandal at the Defence Ministry. His experience at Naftogaz “will be invaluable, especially now as Ukraine prepares for what could be the most difficult winter in its history,” David Arakhamia, head of Zelenskyy’s Servant of the People faction in parliament. Koretskyi takes office as Ukraine faces…

Published on 16/07/2026 – 13:28 GMT+2 EU foreign ministers delivered a bleak assessment of Beijing’s geostrategic role, saying that China holds “asymmetric advantages” over the EU through its economic and technological dominance, making it a “critical long-term strategic challenge” for the bloc. Tensions have escalated between the EU and China in recent months, with the bloc setting an October deadline to rebalance trade ties with Beijing through dialogue as Chinese overcapacity threatens entire sectors of the European economy. But every recent move by Brussels to protect its market has prompted threats of retaliation from China, which holds significant leverage over…

The border dates back to 1648, when France and the Netherlands agreed to divide the Caribbean island of Saint Martin but never precisely delineated its border. Instead, a de facto frontier emerged over the centuries, creating recurring disputes over permits, law enforcement and environmental management around the lagoon. It ultimately took Hurricane Irma in 2017, which devastated more than 95 percent of the island’s buildings, to push Paris and The Hague to finally settle the question. “France can be proud of having settled one of its oldest territorial disputes,” lawmaker Bertrand Bouyx, who steered the legislation through parliament, wrote in…

Firefighters battled a large blaze that engulfed a warehouse in Kyiv overnight into Thursday 16 July, after Russian ballistic missiles struck multiple areas of the Ukrainian capital, Ukrainian authorities said. According to Ukraine’s State Emergency Service, at least two people were killed and five others injured, including a child, in the attack. Footage from the scene shows emergency crews arriving amid sirens and low visibility as thick, dark smoke billows into the night sky. Firefighters can be seen working through twisted debris and partially collapsed structures, directing water streams at the flames while search-and-rescue teams comb through damaged sections of…

“Agreements are due to be reached” on nuclear deterrence cooperation, said the official briefing reporters. “Among other things, it will in all likelihood be agreed that German service members will participate in a French nuclear exercise for the first time in the autumn.” In a landmark speech in March, Macron said several European countries — including Germany — had agreed to enhance cooperation on nuclear deterrence. Options for this range from participation in Poker — which simulates air-launched nuclear strikes — to temporary deployment of nuclear-capable French Rafale fighter jets. An Elysée Palace official also hinted that Paris and Berlin…

Updated: 16/07/2026 – 10:28 GMT+2 Routine border checks between Spain and Gibraltar have ended, allowing thousands of daily commuters to cross more easily. While many welcome shorter journeys and greater freedom, others remain cautious about the long-term impact. … More

The World Cup semifinal against England was seen as a chance for many Argentinians to score a point in the long-running dispute between the two countries. In the run up to Wednesday’s match Vice-President Victoria Villarruel described England as “invaders.” FIFA has strict rules banning political gestures at matches, including displaying “banners, flags, flyers, apparel and other paraphernalia that are of a political, offensive, and/or discriminatory nature” inside stadiums. Players for top U.K. clubs were amongst those holding the banner, including Manchester United’s Lisandro Martinez, Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister, and Tottenham’s Cristian Romero. Kyle praised the “dignity” of England’s players,…

In clear evidence of Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov’s popularity in civil society, Ukrainians have organised a rare wartime protest to defend and support him. The calls to demonstrate emerged on social media almost immediately after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed Fedorov on Wednesday evening. Social media anger over the decision quickly turned into plans to gather across major cities at 09:01 on Thursday, immediately after a daily nationwide minute of silence which commemorates fallen Ukrainian fighters and civilians. It is the first time since last summer’s protests in support of Ukraine’s anti‑corruption watchdogs that online mobilisation has spilled back onto the…