Author: Publisher
When people think of the world’s deadliest threats, armed conflicts usually come to mind first. Yet every year, organized crime quietly claims a comparable number of…
Australia crushed England by seven wickets in a one-side final to land their seventh T20 women’s World Cup at a sold-out Lord’s on Sunday.A sparkling second-wicket century partnership between Beth Mooney and Phoebe Litchfield helped Australia to chase down a victory target of 151 with 17 balls to spare.Having beaten England 16-0 in the multi-format Ashes 18 months ago, Australia comprehensively outplayed their rivals again in regaining the trophy.England’s under-par total of 150-4 was built around an unbroken partnership of 80 between captain Nat Sciver-Brunt and Freya Kemp.Sciver-Brunt made 58 from 53 balls, with Kemp striking 44 from 28 including a straight six off Sophie Molineux in the final over but they were starting from too far back after a sluggish start.Australia reduced England to 39-2 in the first six overs. Lucy Hamilton picked up her first wicket in the World Cup, slanting a delivery across Amy Jones to have England’s opener caught low down by Georgia Voll at deep gully for six. MOONEY’S SUPERB TUMBLING CATCHWicketkeeper Mooney took a superb tumbling catch down the leg side off the glove to remove the tournament’s leading run scorer Danni Wyatt-Hodge for eight to give Annabel Sutherland her 50th wicket in T20 internationals.Alice Capsey hit Ash Gardner over deep mid-wicket for six as England tried to break the stranglehold but she was bowled by Molineux, reverse-sweeping, for 23 and, next over, Heather Knight was trapped lbw for two by the miserly Kim Garth who led the way for Australia with 1-20 from her four overs.Sciver-Brunt and Kemp upped the ante but the modest target was insufficient to test Australia.Voll signalled Australia’s intent by hitting the first ball of the reply from Charlie Dean to the boundary and although the opener departed next over, dragging on Lauren Bell for nine, Mooney and Litchfield flayed the England attack.They took out a huge chunk of the target in the first 10 overs, reaching 98-1, and kept their foot to the floor.Litchfield, who hit two sixes, was eventually bowled by Dean for 48 off 35 balls, with Mooney following for 64 off 49, and Ellyse Perry saw Australia home at a canter after being given a life when a catch by Sophie Ecclestone was controversially ruled out by the TV umpire.Victory was confirmed with four wides from a wayward delivery from Ecclestone – a neat summation of England’s day. BRIEF SCORESAustralia 153 for 3 (Mooney 64, Litchfield 48) beat England 150 for 4 (Sciver-Brunt 58*, Kemp 44*, Hamilton 1-19) by seven wickets Related Story Source link
Team Qatar by Iron Lynx celebrated another milestone in the 2026 European Le Mans Series after securing an impressive second-place finish in the LMGT3 category at the 4 Hours of Imola, the third round of the championship. Representing Qatar on one of Europe’s most demanding circuits, Abdulla Al-Khelaifi joined teammates Julian Hanses and Maxime Martin to deliver a composed and competitive performance throughout the four-hour endurance race. The trio combined consistency, speed and flawless teamwork to claim a well-deserved podium finish aboard the No. 62 Mercedes-AMG LMGT3. The result marks Team Qatar by Iron Lynx’s first podium of the 2026 ELMS season and reinforces the team’s growing competitiveness in one of the world’s most fiercely contested endurance racing championships. The podium finish also strengthens Team Qatar by Iron Lynx’s position in the LMGT3 championship standings as the team heads into the second half of the European Le Mans Series season with renewed confidence and momentum. Related Story Source link
Romanian coach Razvan Lucescu after signing a new deal with Al Sadd, the Qatari football powerhouse. Romanian coach Razvan Lucescu is seen at the Al Sadd…
Early in the morning on June 18, a message from an unknown account slipped into the TikTok inbox of a flight attendant in Bangkok with a series of questions: ‘Are you flying to Australia? Do you do carry-for-hire? What is your rate?’The 30-year-old, who flies for a regional budget carrier, ignored the message and forgot about it — until Tuesday, when a Thai Airways flight attendant was charged with importing more than one kilogram (2.2 pounds) of heroin into Australia hidden in several tote bags.The rare detention of a national airline cabin staff has triggered alarm in Thailand, raising questions about security measures at airports and concern that international trafficking networks are targeting air crew in their attempts to get illicit drugs to lucrative markets beyond the Southeast Asian nation.’According to reports, in the first half of this year, there have already been at least six cases of people travelling from Thailand who were charged with commercial drug trafficking,’ Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said at a meeting on Friday of the top national anti-drug committee.’This is considered a high number… and it damages the country's image,’ he said.Thailand's main airport operator will improve baggage screening and inspections, including those of crew members, and airlines will take serious disciplinary actions against staff carrying or accepting items on behalf of others, a government spokesperson said.’I don't reply to strangers like this,’ the Bangkok flight attendant told Reuters, referring to the account that messaged her. She asked not to be named due to the sensitivity of the issue. ‘We've been constantly warned about this, no carry-for-hire. It's a well-known rule.’The unknown account — named ‘Powder is Powder’ in Thai — was linked to drug trafficking networks that create fake social media accounts to find people to move illicit substances across borders, said Areepak Ngernbamroong, a spokesperson for Thailand's Office of the Narcotics Control Board.’The account has now been shut down,’ Areepak said. ‘The ONCB is investigating, and preliminary findings indicate that the account used many different names.’In a statement following the detention, Thai Airways said it had strict rules governing the conduct of all employees and would cooperate with the relevant authorities.CROSS-BORDER MOVEMENTAfter procuring drugs from neighbouring countries with large production facilities, trafficking networks move the substances through Thailand concealed in items such as clothing, coffee packets, and vases, according to Thai authorities. The cultivation of opium poppies for the production of heroin in neighbouring Myanmar surged to its highest level in a decade in 2025, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reported in December.War-torn Myanmar is the world's main known source of illicit opium, amid declining production in Afghanistan, as conflict and economic hardship push more farmers into the illicit trade.In Thailand, trafficking networks target specific groups of travellers, including flight attendants, to help transport the drugs overseas, said Police Major Suriya Singhakamol, Secretary-General of the ONCB.In the case of the Thai Airways flight attendant arrested in Australia, she had initially posted in a social media group where people offer to carry items overseas for a fee, he said.The flight attendant then began communicating with a Facebook user named ‘Rose Rose’, according to Suriya.’They later agreed on a fee of 8,800 baht ($265.46),’ he told reporters.The heroin concealed within the lining of the bags carried by the attendant had an estimated street value of A$500,000 ($347,150), according to the Australian Federal Police.Using similar methods, drug smuggling networks had prepared to send five more packages from the Thai capital Bangkok to Australia and Taiwan between June 30 and July 1, said Suriya.’But authorities seized 24.38 kilograms of heroin, concealed in traditional goods, silk clothing, coffee sachets, and winter jackets,’ he said, adding that Thai agencies were coordinating with Australian and Taiwanese authorities.So far, Thai authorities have taken into custody two people, a Thai man and his Laotian wife, suspected of sending drug parcels from a border province to Bangkok. Source link
The new US ambassador to New Zealand and several Pacific island nations said on Friday that securing Cook Islands seabed minerals was a top priority, and that China's push for influence in the Pacific carried risks for small island states.Jared Novelly, US ambassador to New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Niue and Samoa, said in a press conference that critical minerals had moved rapidly up his agenda over the last year.’When I was getting briefings in October, November last year, the critical minerals thing was kind of a lesser item,’ Novelly said. ‘Fast forward to February, March of this year, critical minerals, and particularly in the Cooks, is either 1A or 1B of my priorities.’ Washington has made securing critical minerals a strategic priority as it seeks to reduce its reliance on China-dominated supply chains and support defence and clean-energy industries. The Cook Islands' waters contain deposits of polymetallic nodules, sought for batteries and other technologies, and the government has allowed exploration, but not commercial extraction. In February, the Cook Islands and the US signed a non-binding framework on critical minerals research and supply-chain security, including deep-sea minerals in Cook Islands waters. It has also signed an exploration and research agreement with China.Novelly, a Missouri businessman and sports team owner who is the inaugural US ambassador to the Cook Islands, said he planned to spend time in the country and would look to introduce US companies that could help with the minerals' extraction. The Cook Islands government did not immediately respond to a request for comment.He said he also believed he needed to warn Pacific countries to be cautious in dealings with Beijing.’China has made no bones about they want a base in the Pacific, they want an expanded presence there,’ he said, adding that island nations needed to understand ‘what a debt trap is’ and that ‘there can be strings attached’. China in recent years has become a major player in the region, in development finance, ports, airports and telecommunications, and has sought a greater role in the military, policing, digital connectivity and media. Beijing says its relationships in the region are based on mutual respect and delivering benefits to the Pacific people.Novelly said he was also exploring ways to support Pacific economies beyond aid, including by reducing the cost of remittances.US FACES MORE SCEPTICAL KIWISNovelly arrived in New Zealand earlier this week and presented his credentials to the governor general on Wednesday before hosting the embassy's annual July 4 party.Novelly said Washington respected New Zealand's role in the South Pacific, including defence cooperation, but said partners needed to spend more on security. ‘It's important that you care as much about your defence as we care about your defence,’ he said, echoing US policy towards partners and allies around the globe. Novelly arrives as New Zealanders' views of the US have fallen. A June survey by the Asia New Zealand Foundation found that, for the first time in a decade, they viewed Washington as more of a threat than China.But Novelly said it was not something he had experienced on his visits to the country and ‘there seems to be a very friendly camaraderie that occurs between folks from the US and Kiwis.’On New Zealand's nuclear-free policy, which restricts visits by nuclear-powered or nuclear-armed vessels, Novelly said any change was a decision for Wellington but that he would like to see a US aircraft carrier visit in Auckland harbour.’I would really like the opportunity to work with New Zealand on that,’ he said. Source link
People in Guam and the Northern Marianas readied themselves Saturday as the second “super typhoon” since April drew closer to the US territories, bringing the equivalent of category-5 hurricane winds.Bavi was moving westward with sustained winds of 269 kilometres per hour (167 miles per hour) and gusts of 324kph (201mph), the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) said in an update at 7:00pm local time (0900 GMT).The eye of the storm was expected to pass Monday very close to the small island of Rota between Guam and Saipan, the main island of the Northern Marianas, with winds set to strengthen to 278kph, the JTWC forecast.”My girls were saying to me it’s scary. But it will be okay. My house is concrete so the worst that can happen is a window could blow in,” local Arabella Paulino, 48, told AFP on a Guam beach as the sky darkened and rain fell intermittently.”Typhoon Sinkalu in April wasn’t as bad as Mawar in 2023. That brought my whole house down,” said her friend Derma Soaladaob, 51. “I stay up north, but I’m going to a hotel. I have a concrete house but with the noise and the wind, it’s scary.”Guam was set to go into “Condition of Readiness 2” — meaning a typhoon was expected in 24 hours — from 10:00pm, with emergency shelters due to open Sunday from 7:00am, the governor’s office said.Residents were told to bring to the shelters “enough food and water to last seven days for each family member” as well as medicines, bedding and personal hygiene products. Pets were not allowed.Any plans for celebrating the United States’s 250th anniversary on Saturday — also Liberation Day for Saipan — have been quickly overtaken by storm preparations, with both Guam and the Northern Marianas declaring a state of emergency.Many of the islands’ roughly 200,000 inhabitants have queued at petrol stations in recent days and thronged hardware stores to buy plywood to board up their windows while also stocking up on food, water and other essentials.Jeff Garcia, 48, who lives in Kagman Village in the Northern Marianas, told AFP that safety was the top priority, adding that they had “weathered super typhoons before.””We bought basic needs like water, candles, batteries, and canned goods… As a community, our greatest defence is our unity, our preparation and our discipline,” he said.Still recoveringThe Northern Marianas archipelago is home to around 40,000 people, and nearby Guam — a separate US territory — around 170,000. Major battles were fought in the area in World War II.Super Typhoon Sinlaku, which hit in mid-April, knocked out power for tens of thousands of people, uprooted trees, overturned cars and ripped metal roofs off buildings.A cargo ship, the MV Mariana, suffered engine failure and overturned in the storm. The body of one crew member was recovered and five others were missing, presumed dead.The American Red Cross warned that some locals were still in temporary shelters or under makeshift roofs, even as it deployed disaster teams and supplies ahead of Bavi’s arrival.Em Marilla, 42, who lives in As Lito village on Saipan, told AFP the thought of “going through it all again without electricity and water is really sad.””Furthermore, the application process for assistance takes far too long, and having to keep spending out of pocket for our daily needs is truly draining,” she said.Lherie Galvan, 50, an accountant in San Antonio village, said: “I’m tired of preparing, planning and fixing our roof.””It’s another anxiety to recover from. We need more psychiatrists on the island and financial assistance.”Children already have trauma but at a young age they know how to prepare — pack their things for emergencies.”Warming oceans The world’s oceans experienced their hottest June on record and could set fresh highs in the months ahead, the European Union’s Copernicus Marine Service said on Wednesday.Warmer oceans help tropical storms to intensify and add more moisture, which can fall as heavy rain.The World Meteorological Organisation warned on Friday that El Nino, which typically occurs every two to seven years and lasts nine to 12 months, has already begun in the tropical Pacific and is likely to be strong.The natural climate phenomenon warms surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean, bringing worldwide changes in winds, pressure and rainfall patterns. Related Story Source link
The 2026 Korea Beauty Festival (KBF) is attracting thousands of international visitors to Seoul, further reinforcing South Korea’s reputation as a global destination where beauty, wellness, technology, and tourism converge. Organized by the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO), the festival officially opened on June 24 and has quickly emerged as one of the country’s most anticipated tourism events, offering travelers immersive experiences that extend far beyond traditional shopping.At the heart of this year’s festival is the KBF Beauty House, a large-scale pop-up exhibition at HiKR Ground, one of Seoul’s most accessible tourism and cultural landmarks. The venue brings together leading Korean beauty brands under one roof, allowing international visitors to explore, compare, and experience the latest innovations in skincare, cosmetics, haircare, and wellness.Unlike conventional beauty exhibitions, the 2026 festival places a strong emphasis on personalization and technology. Visitors can undergo advanced skin diagnostics powered by artificial intelligence, receive personal colour analyses, and obtain customized skincare recommendations tailored to their individual needs. These interactive experiences demonstrate how digital innovation is transforming the global beauty industry while making professional beauty consultations more accessible to travelers.Following the overwhelming success of its first exhibition phase, held from June 25 to 28, the festival expanded into a second phase running from July 1 to 19 on the fourth floor of HiKR Ground. The new exhibition features an enhanced lineup of 11 participating companies, showcasing both established and emerging Korean beauty brands. Several popular exhibitors from the festival’s opening days—including beall·Heumm, ECLAT HARMONIE, and Dr. HAN K-BEAUTY CARE CENTER—have extended their participation in response to strong public demand. Visitors continue to enjoy customized hairstyling, professional makeup consultations, and traditional Korean beauty experiences that blend modern techniques with the country’s rich cultural heritage. The second phase also introduces new attractions, including AI-powered smart mirror scalp analysis, personalized skincare matching services, therapeutic Gua Sha massage experiences, and creative lifestyle activities such as custom sock-making. These additions reflect the festival’s broader vision of beauty as an integral part of a holistic wellness lifestyle rather than merely cosmetic enhancement. To further enhance accessibility for international tourists, the Korea Tourism Organization has partnered with nine major global online travel agencies (OTAs), including Trip.com and Klook, to launch the KBF Special Promotions campaign. Running through September 30, the initiative enables overseas travelers to reserve exclusive beauty and wellness experiences before arriving in South Korea. The curated travel packages include skincare and makeup masterclasses inspired by K-pop celebrities, premium spa and wellness programs, healing tours, and exclusive booking discounts. Visitors can also benefit from promotional offers, including discount coupons for Olive Young, one of South Korea’s largest health and beauty retail chains. According to the Korea Tourism Organization, the festival reflects the rapid global expansion of K-beauty and its growing influence on international travel trends. Rather than serving solely as a platform for cosmetic products, the event is designed to position South Korea as a leading destination for beauty tourism by offering immersive, hands-on experiences that appeal to visitors of all ages and nationalities.The Korea Beauty Festival also demonstrates how South Korea continues to integrate technology, culture, healthcare, and tourism into a seamless visitor experience. By combining artificial intelligence, personalized wellness services, cultural traditions, and internationally recognized beauty expertise, the festival offers travelers a unique opportunity to experience Korean beauty from an entirely new perspective.As global demand for K-beauty products and wellness experiences continues to rise, the 2026 Korea Beauty Festival stands as a compelling example of how experiential tourism is shaping the future of travel. Through innovation, collaboration, and cultural exchange, the festival not only promotes South Korea’s beauty industry but also strengthens Seoul’s position as one of Asia’s premier destinations for wellness and lifestyle tourism. Source link
Iran’s ambassador to China insisted Saturday that new fees would be charged to ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz an idea rejected by Washington while assuring that “friendly” nations would receive special treatment. The initial deal struck between Iran and the United States to end their war stipulated that commercial ships would transit the strait free of charge for 60 days, but it remains unclear what will be in place after that period. Iranian Ambassador Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli told the World Peace Forum in Beijing that his country was working in “collaboration and cooperation” with Oman on “new arrangements” for the vital waterway. “As a country where the Hormuz is part of its territorial waters, we will definitely charge service fees,” Azli said in translated remarks, while insisting such fees would not be a “toll.” “These new arrangements will be concerning guaranteeing the security of passage through the Straits of Hormuz, supervision of the passage of the vessels… and also guaranteeing and dealing with the environmental consequences of the massive number of ships,” he said. “We will definitely consider special treatment for the countries that were friendly to us and specially stood by us during the hard times,” he added.The strait normally carries one-fifth of the world’s crude oil and liquefied natural gas, but it was all but closed by Iran during the Middle East war, sending energy prices soaring. Iran lifted its blockade of the Hormuz after it struck an initial deal with the US to end the Middle East war, and negotiations on a permanent settlement of the conflict are ongoing. Related Story Source link
Gustavo Alfaro, Head Coach of Paraguay, applauds fans after the 0-1 loss during the FIFA World Cup 2026 (AFP) Paraguay coach Gustavo Alfaro said his side had “fought like lions” in their 1-0 World Cup defeat at the hands of France on Saturday. “France couldn’t find the answers, and it took a bit of individual skill and a penalty given by VAR to make the difference which their football had not been able to do,” Alfaro said after the game at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. Kylian Mbappe’s 70th-minute spot-kick finally broke the deadlock in the last-16 tie and took France through to a quarter-final against Morocco, as Paraguay go home. The South American nation were appearing at the World Cup for the first time since 2010 and had been hoping to match their run to the quarter-finals at that tournament, which remains best ever showing. The tactics they employed to try to unsettle their opponents irritated France forward Kylian Mbappe, while coach Didier Deschamps accused Paraguay of issuing verbal insults. But Alfaro insisted his men had “fought like lions out on the pitch”. He added: “It took us 16 years to get back to a World Cup, while Mbappe won the World Cup the first time he played in it, got to the final in his second and now is fighting to be the top scorer.” It remains the case that Paraguay’s only victories in the knockout stages of the World Cup have come in penalty shoot-outs — including against Germany in Boston in the last 32. “We worked so hard to get a different result but I will leave here with the knowledge that we came to compete and we did compete,” added Alfaro, who added that his team were in tears of disappointment in the dressing room after the match. “I have no doubt that this World Cup has made us all better, although I am sad to go out because I hoped we might go further.”bur-gfe/as/gj Related Story Source link