Iran and FIFA refuse to answer questions about Seattle’s World Cup ‘Pride Match’ vs. Egypt Iran's coach and FIFA officials have refused to answer questions about a World Cup “Pride Match” in Seattle The Independent UK · Jun 26
Fifa confirms rainbow flags to be allowed at Egypt v Iran World Cup ‘Pride Match’ Iran and Egypt have attempted to sidestep questions about their reluctance to take part in the match celebrating the LGBTQ+ community in Seattle The Guardian - UK · Jun 26
Oil edges lower amid resumption of strait shipments even as vessel hit near Oman Oil prices are poised for significant weekly declines as supply worries ease with tankers navigating the Strait of Hormuz. Despite a cargo vessel being struck near Oman, with Iran implicated, and earthquakes in Venezuela causing minor infrastructure damage, crude shipments through the vital waterway have increased. However, lingering geopolitical tensions… The Economic Times · Jun 26
Trump news at a glance: US asylum policy slated to change after supreme court ruling Supreme court ruling will allow Trump administration to block asylum seekers at the US-Mexico border – key US politics stories from Thursday 25 June The Guardian - US · Jun 26
Scoreless wonder: 'special' Socceroos book last-32 spot The Socceroos have sealed progression to the World Cup round of 32 by playing out a 0-0 draw with Paraguay that delivers second place in Group D. AAP · Jun 26
US wants Iran deal but 'not at any price', Rubio says US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Thursday Washington would not accept any Iran deal allowing Tehran to impose fees on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, warning it would cause "total chaos". His remarks came after an attack on a vessel forced the United Nations to suspend mariner… France 24 · Jun 25
Bad loans still elevated as Iran war hammers firms The Bank of Thailand intends to focus on asset quality in the banking industry as non-performing loans (NPLs) remain at elevated levels, attributed in part to the impact of the Middle East conflict, says the central bank's chief. Bangkok Post · Jun 25
Why are oil prices up today, and will Brent, US WTI crude futures continue to rise or fall again? Cargo ship attack near Oman lifts crude prices Why are oil prices up today, and will Brent, US WTI crude futures continue to rise or fall again? Oil prices gained more than 2% after a cargo ship was struck near Oman, raising concerns over crude shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. Brent and US WTI crude futures moved… The Economic Times · Jun 25
World Cup 'Pride Match': FIFA refuses to ban rainbow flags despite Iran, Egypt objections FIFA has rejected calls from Iran and Egypt to ban rainbow flags at their World Cup match in Seattle on Friday, despite both countries objecting to local Pride-themed celebrations linked to the fixture. FIFA says LGBTQ+ flags are permitted at all World Cup games under its Code of Conduct, despite… France 24 · Jun 25
Tucker Carlson delivers final blow to Trump friendship telling him ‘shut up b****’ on a podcast The conservative commentator and former Trump ally has accused the president of serving foreign interests over American ones The Independent UK · Jun 25
‘Queer people exist in Iran and Egypt’: Inside the politicisation of the first-ever World Cup pride match WORLD CUP 2026 : A match celebrating the LGBTQ+ community in conjunction with Seattle’s Pride Weekend celebrations was a perfect moment for inclusivity and football to align. Then, Iran were drawn to face Egypt. Kieran Jackson takes a look at the rainbow game – an event which turned into (another)… The Independent UK · Jun 25
Trump Seeks $87.6 Billion Emergency Spending Package for Iran War & Ebola Outbreak President Donald Trump's administration has asked Congress to approve an $87.6 billion emergency spending package, with the overwhelming majority of the money earmarked for military operations tied to the ongoing conflict with Iran. International Business Times · Jun 25
Iran Reportedly Estimates It Could Get $40 Billion a Year From Management Of Hormuz Strait Iran estimates it could make $40 billion a year from managing shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, according to a new report. International Business Times · Jun 25
The Economic Times · Jun 25 Iran fired on cargo ship in Strait of Hormuz, say US officials Iran fired on a cargo ship transiting the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, according to two US officials cited by Reuters. The vessel had earlier reported being struck by a projectile near Oman's coast. The incident raises fresh concerns over maritime security and shipping traffic through the strategically vital waterway.
France 24 · Jun 25 Divorce, Italian style: Is Meloni-Trump row bringing Europe closer together? Has Trump whispering run its course? Ask the now departing British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who famously brought that letter of invitation from the king to the Oval Office, or Hungary’s ousted leader Viktor Orban. And how about the very public breakup with the only European leader invited to Donald…
The Conversation · Jun 25 Other nations thirst for Ukraine’s drone success — but they need a culture shift first Ukrainian drone strikes are devastating Russian communities. The city of Sevastopol, the largest in Russian-occupied Crimea, is the latest community to be hit, losing power as Ukrainian drones strike energy facilities in the region.
Bangkok Post · Jun 25 US says wants deal with Iran, but not 'at any price' MANAMA - Top US diplomat Marco Rubio said Thursday that there were limits to what Washington would accept in any deal with Iran, warning that permitting Tehran to charge fees in the Strait of Hormuz would open the door to "total chaos".
The Economic Times · Jun 25 Rubio hails US-Gulf Arab unity despite region's persistent concerns about Iran agreement US Secretary of State Marco Rubio assured Gulf Arab partners of unwavering support amidst ongoing negotiations to end the war with Iran. Despite fears of being sidelined, Rubio emphasized their crucial involvement in all discussions. While a joint statement highlighted areas of agreement, concerns linger among Gulf Council members about…
The Times of India · Jun 25 The week that was in international affairs: US-Iran talks, Ukraine-Poland kerfuffle, Ukraine targets Russian-occupied Crimea Welcome back to another edition of My Take 5. This week we are covering the US-Iran talks to end their war, the sudden kerfuffle between Ukraine and Poland, Ukraine’s increasing strikes on Russian-occupied Crimea, Keir Starmer’s resignation in UK, and the Fifa World Cup in the US doing pretty well.…
The Independent UK · Jun 25 Carney says Canada should reopen embassies in Iran and earthquake-stricken Venezuela Caandian Prime Minister Mark Carney says he’s in favor reopening embassies in Iran and Venezuela that his predecessors closed
AAP · Jun 25 Socceroos ready with World Cup fate in their hands The Socceroos have their World Cup fate in their hands with all eyes on whether coach Tony Popovic unleashes Nestory Irankunda from the start against Paraguay.
Euronews · Jun 25 Cargo ship hit by projectile in Hormuz as Iran issues renewed passage warning The British military said a cargo ship on the new Omani UN-backed route sustained bridge damage from a projectile, hours after the IRGC warned that vessels without Iranian permission were transiting "illegally".
The Economic Times · Jun 25 British military says a cargo ship was hit while moving through the Strait of Hormuz In a worrying development, a cargo ship on a UN-supported journey through the Strait of Hormuz was hit by a projectile, raising alarms as Iran warned of the need for its consent for passage. Despite this incident, multiple tankers successfully navigated the critical waterway. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio…
The Economic Times · Jun 25 Vessel hit by 'unknown projectile' in Hormuz Strait: Maritime agency The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) security agency reported that the incident occurred 7.5 nautical miles (14 kilometres) southeast of Dahit, in Oman's Musandam exclave.