Armenia’s defiant drag scene braves pushback – Spotlight
Armenia sits at the crossroads of Europe, Asia and the Middle East. While in much of the European Union, the drag scene is mainstream, in Armenia it remains underground. Performers face threats of violence, stigma, police pressure and even rejection by…
Chess body suspends Vladimir Kramnik over Daniel Naroditsky cheating remarks
The World Chess Federation (Fide) has banned former world champion Kramnik for at least a year over verbal attacks he made on other players, including the late Daniel Naroditsky. The body said it had found Kramnik «responsible for multiple violations» of…
France’s first detected Ebola patient recovers, leaves hospital
A doctor who had tested positive for Ebola in the first such case on French territory has recovered and left the hospital, France‘s health minister said on Saturday. The doctor tested positive after flying to France on June 23 from the Democratic…
BBC in Tehran as mourners gather for supreme leader’s funeral
BBC International correspondent Nawal Al Maghafi reports from Tehran, where authorities say they expect millions to take part in funeral commemorations for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The former supreme leader of Iran was killed more than four months ago in…
Rebel attacks in northern Mali: Some targets meant as ‘diversions’, expert says
The Malian army said Saturday that several northern towns, including Gao and Sévaré, were targeted by rebels. The statement came as a rebel group announced a new offensive to capture a town in the country’s north. Andrew Lebovich, a research fellow…
Wimbledon 2026: Serena Williams pulls out of doubles with sister Venus because of knee injury
Williams’ hopes of playing in Saturday’s doubles looked to have improved after their match was added to the order of play on Friday. Their tie, against Colombia’s Camila Osorio and Argentina’s Solana Sierra, was not allocated a…
A divided US celebrates 250th birthday as heatwave bears down on East Coast
The 250th anniversary of American independence is colliding with a country gripped by deep political divisions and a heatwave bearing down on millions of people across multiple states as celebrations get underway across the United States on Saturday. The…
Pope urges Europe to do more for migrants while visiting gateway island
«Europe is capable of addressing the crisis in this region in a comprehensive manner, integrating immediate relief efforts into a long-term strategic plan capable of receiving, protecting, supporting and integrating migrants» while «assisting developing…
Mali government says rebels attacking northern towns
The Malian army said Saturday that several northern towns, including Gao and Sévaré, were targeted by rebels. The statement came as a rebel group announced a new offensive to capture a northern town. Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane, a spokesperson for the…
What we know about Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding
Around 1,000 names were reportedly on the guest list, including some of the biggest stars from music, Hollywood and sport. Selena Gomez, Camila Cabello, Hugh Grant, Gracie Abrams, Gigi Hadid, Bradley Cooper, Tom Hanks, Millie Bobby Brown, Ellie Goulding,…