“Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s coalition suffered a crushing defeat to a key partner in a regional poll on Saturday, raising questions over the strength of the blocs’ alliance at the federal level amid talk of an early general election. While the result in Malaysia’s southern Johor state will not directly impact Anwar’s majority in parliament, it could deepen strains between Anwar’s Pakatan Harapan grouping and the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition – rivals that joined forces to form a government after a hung general election in 2022. While Pakatan and BN insist their federal partnership can withstand differences at the state level, Anwar said in May he would consider calling a snap poll if internal divisions continued to widen.” (07/11/26)
“The US government has paid nearly $3m (£2.2m) in compensation to victims of so-called Havana Syndrome, a mysterious neurological condition reported by spies, diplomats and their families. The payments are the first to be made to US agency staff in relation to the illness, reports of which began emerging a decade ago by CIA officers working in the Cuban capital. Since then, American staff based elsewhere, including China, have reported ‘anomalous health incidents’. Sufferers have described symptoms such as hearing a low hum, clicks, squeals and ‘grinding metal’ while others reported intense pressure on the skull, dizziness and nausea. The US Department of Defence said it would continue to prioritise ‘the care of affected personnel’ as it announced the compensation, paid out under the Havana Act which was signed into law in 2021.” (07/11/26)
“Congressman Ro Khanna said he was detained by Israeli [squatters] for over an hour while visiting the West Bank. Khanna also said members of the Israel Defense Forces spoke with the [squatters] and moved a car to block the road. Khanna’s experience was first reported by The New York Times. A spokesperson for the congressman confirmed the details of the Times'[s] report to CBS News. The Times said a photojournalist from the publication also witnessed the interaction. When asked to comment on Khanna’s allegations, a spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces said it had received a report of Israeli civilians ‘unlawfully blocking the vehicles of foreign nationals and members of the media.’ The IDF said troops ‘were dispatched to the scene, quickly dispersed the Israeli civilians, and reopened the blocked road.'” (07/11/26)
“Mali and Algeria reopened their airspace and reinstated their ambassadors, ending a diplomatic rift that started over a year ago after Algeria shot down a Malian armed drone near the shared border. Mali’s military junta said in a statement late Friday it would restore the Algerian ambassador to Bamako and open its airspace to ‘all civilian and military aircraft operating flights to or from the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria.’ Algerian media also confirmed the restoration of diplomatic relations. The two nations recalled their ambassadors and closed their airspace in April 2025 after the drone shooting, with Algeria accusing Mali of repeatedly violating its airspace. Mali denied the claim.” (07/11/26)
“Lindsey Graham, the four-term Republican U.S. senator from South Carolina, died on Saturday after a ‘brief and sudden illness,’ his office said in a statement. … Emergency Medical Services responded to Graham’s Capitol Hill address at 8:27 p.m. Saturday for someone with ‘chest pains,’ according to audio of the call. He was 71.” (07/12/26)
“Mick Jagger says fans don’t come to concerts to hear a political lecture in the wake of Bruce Springsteen’s on-stage speeches targeting President Trump. The Rolling Stones frontman weighed in during an interview on The New York Times’ podcast Saturday after host David Marchese questioned him about Springsteen, who has repeatedly criticized President Trump during his latest tour. … ‘The bottom line of my thing really is that my job in the live music world is [for] those people that come is to have the best time they possibly can,’ Jagger said. … Jagger explained he’s not opposed to politics making their way into his music — he just prefers a lighter touch.” (07/12/26)
“Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday he had proposed replacing Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko. ‘I am grateful to Yuliia for her clear, steady, and effective work as Prime Minister, for her years of productive service on Ukraine’s team, and I have offered her the opportunity to lead a new and important area of relations with a key partner,’ Zelensky said on X. … Zelensky did not specify Svyrydenko’s new position or the name of her successor, but added that there would also be changes among the heads of law enforcement agencies.” (07/12/26)
“Police investigating the alleged murder of Ann Widdecombe say there is ‘nothing to suggest it was politically motivated’. Devon and Cornwall Police added they are not looking for anyone else in connection with her death, following the arrest of a 28-year-old white British man in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, on Saturday. The former MP and MEP, 78, was found dead on Thursday at her home in Haytor, Devon, having sustained serious injuries. Police believe she had been attacked almost 24 hours earlier. … Widdecombe served as the Conservative MP for Maidstone for 23 years, holding ministerial roles in John Major’s government between 1994 and 1997.” (07/12/26)
“A United States federal court has dismissed the seditious conspiracy cases against four members of the Proud Boys, the far-right group involved in the attack on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. On Friday, Judge Timothy J Kelly, an appointee of President Donald Trump, granted the government’s motion to dismiss the case with prejudice, meaning it cannot be revived in future. But Kelly made it clear that the defendants — Ethan Nordean, Joseph Biggs, Zachary Rehl and Dominic Pezzola — had been ‘convicted of serious offences’. He wrote in his seven-page ruling that his decision was ultimately rooted in the separation of government powers, not in the merits of the case.” (07/11/26)
“A disgraced Colorado DNA analyst’s guilty plea is putting JonBenét Ramsey’s murder back in the spotlight, as her father renews his push for cutting-edge DNA testing that he believes could finally solve the case. John Ramsey told Fox News Digital he has long understood former Colorado Bureau of Investigation forensic analyst Yvonne ‘Missy’ Woods had no involvement in his daughter’s case because the earliest DNA testing was performed by an independent laboratory. … The DA’s office said investigators also met with the Ramsey family several months ago, plan to continue providing updates and are reviewing evidence to ensure the investigation benefits from the latest advances in forensic science.” (07/12/26)
