Immigration Camps

The Trump administration continues to defend its harsh immigration policies as outrage grows over the separation of families at the southern US border.

Footage of highly traumatised children being separated from their parents has been dominating international news the last couple of days.

Hundreds, perhaps thousands of youngsters are being held in camps which have been termed inhumane and cruel.

Critics say Trump’s child separation tactic is being used as a bargaining tool by Republicans and the White House.

Trump wants billions of dollars for the construction of a border wall with Mexico and other measures to curb immigration.

Manbij

Turkish and American troops have begun patrolling the northern Syrian city of Manbij under a roadmap drawn by the two NATO allies.

The deal between Turkey and the US focuses on the withdrawal of the PKK-affiliated YPG terror group from the northern Syrian city and bring stability to the region.

Should the model prove to be a success, Turkey will push for a similar arrangement in eastern Syria.

Manbij is around 40km from Turkey's border and controlled by US-backed SDF forces of which the YPG militants form a core group.

US military support for the YPG in Manbij, which hosts roughly 2,000 US troops, has strained ties between Ankara and Washington.

And the Manbij roadmap marks an important first step in de-escalation.

Korean Peninsula

South Korea and the United States have called off joint military drills due to take place in August.

This comes after US President Donald Trump's pledge to end 'war games' on the Korean Peninsula.

The large-scale military exercises were delayed following the historic summit in Singapore last week between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

Meanwhile, Kim is in China for a two-day visit as the trade war between the US and China intensifies.

Israel Spy

Israel's internal security agency says a former government minister has been jailed after being charged with spying for Iran.

Former energy minister Gonen Segev was extradited from Guinea and arrested when he arrived in Israel last month.

He's accused of 'acting as an agent' for Iran, and sharing information about Israel's energy market and security sites.

In 2004, he was arrested for trying to smuggle 32,000 ecstasy tablets from the Netherlands to Israel using an expired diplomatic passport.

World Cup

And finally,

To Russia we go.

Day five of the World Cup saw tons of action in Group G with a gutsy Tunisia showing their might against England

But a last minute header by captain Harry Kane gifted the Three Lions a 2-1 victory over the Tunisians at the Volgograd Arena.

In the earlier fixtures, Dries Mertens scored an absolute screamer to open Belgium’s goal tally and Romelu Lukaku got a double as they cruised passed Panama 3-0 in Sochi.

Sweden beat South Korea 1-0.

Today we have Colombia taking on Japan and Poland facing Senegal in Group H.

In the final match of the day, the second round of group games commences with Russia facing Egypt.

Immigration Camps

The Trump administration continues to defend its harsh immigration policies as outrage grows over the separation of families at the southern US border.

Footage of highly traumatised children being separated from their parents has been dominating international news the last couple of days.

Hundreds, perhaps thousands of youngsters are being held in camps which have been termed inhumane and cruel.

Critics say Trump’s child separation tactic is being used as a bargaining tool by Republicans and the White House.

Trump wants billions of dollars for the construction of a border wall with Mexico and other measures to curb immigration.

Manbij

Turkish and American troops have begun patrolling the northern Syrian city of Manbij under a roadmap drawn by the two NATO allies.

The deal between Turkey and the US focuses on the withdrawal of the PKK-affiliated YPG terror group from the northern Syrian city and bring stability to the region.

Should the model prove to be a success, Turkey will push for a similar arrangement in eastern Syria.

Manbij is around 40km from Turkey's border and controlled by US-backed SDF forces of which the YPG militants form a core group.

US military support for the YPG in Manbij, which hosts roughly 2,000 US troops, has strained ties between Ankara and Washington.

And the Manbij roadmap marks an important first step in de-escalation.

Korean Peninsula

South Korea and the United States have called off joint military drills due to take place in August.

This comes after US President Donald Trump's pledge to end 'war games' on the Korean Peninsula.

The large-scale military exercises were delayed following the historic summit in Singapore last week between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

Meanwhile, Kim is in China for a two-day visit as the trade war between the US and China intensifies.

Israel Spy

Israel's internal security agency says a former government minister has been jailed after being charged with spying for Iran.

Former energy minister Gonen Segev was extradited from Guinea and arrested when he arrived in Israel last month.

He's accused of 'acting as an agent' for Iran, and sharing information about Israel's energy market and security sites.

In 2004, he was arrested for trying to smuggle 32,000 ecstasy tablets from the Netherlands to Israel using an expired diplomatic passport.

World Cup

And finally,

To Russia we go.

Day five of the World Cup saw tons of action in Group G with a gutsy Tunisia showing their might against England

But a last minute header by captain Harry Kane gifted the Three Lions a 2-1 victory over the Tunisians at the Volgograd Arena.

In the earlier fixtures, Dries Mertens scored an absolute screamer to open Belgium’s goal tally and Romelu Lukaku got a double as they cruised passed Panama 3-0 in Sochi.

Sweden beat South Korea 1-0.

Today we have Colombia taking on Japan and Poland facing Senegal in Group H.

In the final match of the day, the second round of group games commences with Russia facing Egypt.

Japan Earthquake

At least three people have been killed and over 200 injured after a strong earthquake hit Japan.

The 6.1 magnitude quake shook the country’s second largest metropolis of Osaka and suspended railway services, halted factorylines and burst water mains.

No tsunami warning was issued and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said authorities were assessing damage and the government’s top priority was the safety of residents.

Grim Immigration

In the US, seven Democratic lawmakers visited an immigration detention center in New Jersey.

They were talking to men, separated from their families, on Father's Day.

Their visit comes as US First Lady Melania Trump spoke out for the first time against the controversial US policy - of separating families - who enter the country illegally from Mexico.

Her spokesperson released a statement saying she “hates to see children separated from their families, and hopes both sides can come together to achieve successful immigration reform.”

There's been growing concern over President Donald Trump's "zero-tolerance" policy towards Mexican immigrants.

It’s estimated that nearly 2,000 families have been separated in the last six-weeks.

Colombia Elections

In Colombia, the conservative candidate Ivan Duque (Du-kay) has been elected president.

He beat Gustavo Petro by 54% of the votes to 41% in the runoff.

Duque has pledged to roll back parts of the landmark 2016 peace deal with FARC guerrillas.

His opponent Petro, a former left-wing guerilla, supported the fragile peace process, and was seen as a new hope to strengthen relations with former fighters from FARC.

In his victory speech, Colombia's new president promised to unite the country.

Google Asia

Google will invest $550 million in Chinese e-commerce powerhouse JD.com.

The move is part of the US internet giant’s efforts to expand its presence in fast-growing Asian markets and battle rivals including Amazon.

The two companies described the investment as one piece of a broader partnership that will include the promotion of JD.com products on Google’s shopping service.

This could help JD.com expand beyond its base in China and Southeast Asia and establish a meaningful presence in US and European markets.

World Cup

And finally,

Football.

Day four of the 2018 World Cup in Russia brought a number of upsets.

Favourites Brazil failed to beat Switzerland and drew one all.

But the biggest shock was reserved for match 11 at the Luzhniki Stadium where Mexico consigned reigning champions Germany to a 1-0 defeat.

Hirving Lozano’s 35th-minute strike on a counterattack was enough to seal the deal for Mexico, leaving German coach Joachim Low with a lot of questions for rest of their campaign.

In the day’s other game, Serbian captain Aleksandar Kolarov curled in a superb free kick to get his side a 1-0 win over Costa Rica.

In today’s fixtures, Sweden take on South Korea, Belgium face Panama and the big match of the day will see Tunisia play England.

Japan Earthquake

At least three people have been killed and over 200 injured after a strong earthquake hit Japan.

The 6.1 magnitude quake shook the country’s second largest metropolis of Osaka and suspended railway services, halted factorylines and burst water mains.

No tsunami warning was issued and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said authorities were assessing damage and the government’s top priority was the safety of residents.

Grim Immigration

In the US, seven Democratic lawmakers visited an immigration detention center in New Jersey.

They were talking to men, separated from their families, on Father's Day.

Their visit comes as US First Lady Melania Trump spoke out for the first time against the controversial US policy - of separating families - who enter the country illegally from Mexico.

Her spokesperson released a statement saying she “hates to see children separated from their families, and hopes both sides can come together to achieve successful immigration reform.”

There's been growing concern over President Donald Trump's "zero-tolerance" policy towards Mexican immigrants.

It’s estimated that nearly 2,000 families have been separated in the last six-weeks.

Colombia Elections

In Colombia, the conservative candidate Ivan Duque (Du-kay) has been elected president.

He beat Gustavo Petro by 54% of the votes to 41% in the runoff.

Duque has pledged to roll back parts of the landmark 2016 peace deal with FARC guerrillas.

His opponent Petro, a former left-wing guerilla, supported the fragile peace process, and was seen as a new hope to strengthen relations with former fighters from FARC.

In his victory speech, Colombia's new president promised to unite the country.

Google Asia

Google will invest $550 million in Chinese e-commerce powerhouse JD.com.

The move is part of the US internet giant’s efforts to expand its presence in fast-growing Asian markets and battle rivals including Amazon.

The two companies described the investment as one piece of a broader partnership that will include the promotion of JD.com products on Google’s shopping service.

This could help JD.com expand beyond its base in China and Southeast Asia and establish a meaningful presence in US and European markets.

World Cup

And finally,

Football.

Day four of the 2018 World Cup in Russia brought a number of upsets.

Favourites Brazil failed to beat Switzerland and drew one all.

But the biggest shock was reserved for match 11 at the Luzhniki Stadium where Mexico consigned reigning champions Germany to a 1-0 defeat.

Hirving Lozano’s 35th-minute strike on a counterattack was enough to seal the deal for Mexico, leaving German coach Joachim Low with a lot of questions for rest of their campaign.

In the day’s other game, Serbian captain Aleksandar Kolarov curled in a superb free kick to get his side a 1-0 win over Costa Rica.

In today’s fixtures, Sweden take on South Korea, Belgium face Panama and the big match of the day will see Tunisia play England.

Hudaida

Forces from a Saudi-led coalition were poised to enter the airport of Yemen's main port on Friday.

The battle for Hudaida is the biggest in the three-year war.

The Saudi-led coalition backing the exiled government is battling Iran-linked Houthi rebels.

The UN fears the attack on Hudaida could make the humanitarian crisis in Yemen even worse, a claim the Saudi-led coalition rejects.

Trade war

China has vowed to strike back quickly if the United States hurts its interests.

A foreign ministry spokesman on Friday said if the US imposes tariffs, we will "protect our fair and legitimate rights."

The warning from Beijing came just hours before US President Donald Trump is due to list tariffs targeting 50 billion dollars worth of Chinese goods.

Stephen Hawking

Stephen Hawking is being interred at Westminster Abbey today.

The remains of the renowned physicist will be placed between those of Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin in the English cathedral.

After the service honouring his life, there are plans to broadcast his voice into space.

The broadcast will be directed at the nearest black hole to Earth. Black holes were Hawking's expertise.

Boris Becker

Former tennis star Boris Becker is claiming diplomatic immunity to try to avoid bankruptcy proceedings. That's according to British media.

The three-time Wimbledon champion and former world number one is now a sports attache to the European Union for the Central African Republic.

The German national took up the post in April, after he was declared bankrupt a year ago.

The current battle is over alleged assets.

Becker's lawyers say his position as an attache for the African country gives him immunity from prosecution.

Eid

Muslims around the world are celebrating Eid al Fitr, at the end of Ramadan.

It's time for lavish feasts and new clothes at the end of the fasting month.

Fireworks displays are also held in many countries.

Hudaida

Forces from a Saudi-led coalition were poised to enter the airport of Yemen's main port on Friday.

The battle for Hudaida is the biggest in the three-year war.

The Saudi-led coalition backing the exiled government is battling Iran-linked Houthi rebels.

The UN fears the attack on Hudaida could make the humanitarian crisis in Yemen even worse, a claim the Saudi-led coalition rejects.

Trade war

China has vowed to strike back quickly if the United States hurts its interests.

A foreign ministry spokesman on Friday said if the US imposes tariffs, we will "protect our fair and legitimate rights."

The warning from Beijing came just hours before US President Donald Trump is due to list tariffs targeting 50 billion dollars worth of Chinese goods.

Stephen Hawking

Stephen Hawking is being interred at Westminster Abbey today.

The remains of the renowned physicist will be placed between those of Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin in the English cathedral.

After the service honouring his life, there are plans to broadcast his voice into space.

The broadcast will be directed at the nearest black hole to Earth. Black holes were Hawking's expertise.

Boris Becker

Former tennis star Boris Becker is claiming diplomatic immunity to try to avoid bankruptcy proceedings. That's according to British media.

The three-time Wimbledon champion and former world number one is now a sports attache to the European Union for the Central African Republic.

The German national took up the post in April, after he was declared bankrupt a year ago.

The current battle is over alleged assets.

Becker's lawyers say his position as an attache for the African country gives him immunity from prosecution.

Eid

Muslims around the world are celebrating Eid al Fitr, at the end of Ramadan.

It's time for lavish feasts and new clothes at the end of the fasting month.

Fireworks displays are also held in many countries.

Hudaida

The Saudi-led assault on the Yemen port city of Hudaida is continuing as witnesses report fighting near the airport on Thursday morning.

The coalition is backing the exiled government, after Iran-backed Houthi rebels occupied the capital, Sanaa.

Hudaida is the main entry for food aid into a country already on the brink of famine, with fears mounting of a humanitarian disaster.

The UN security council is scheduled to meet on this latest attack later today.

Pompeo

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is in Seoul meeting his counterparts from South Korea and Japan.

Pompeo said N Korea will continue to face tough sanction until it gets rid of its nuclear weapons.

That appears to contradict the North's view, that its promise to disarm will be phased and ra-see-pra-cal.

Pompeo's visit comes after US President Donald Trump met North Korea's Kim Jong-un earlier this week in a summit in Singapore that was long on talk but short on detail.

Palestine resolution

The UN General Assembly has voted in favour of a resolution put forward by Turkey and Algeria, which condemns Israel for its 'excessive use of force' against Palestinians.

It follows the deaths of more than 120 people in recent months in protests on the Gaza-Israel border.

The US failed to win enough votes in its proposed amendment, which would have condemned Hamas for inciting violence.

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said passage of the resolution signalled a failure for Washington.

Macedonia

A tough road lies ahead for Macedonia and Greece.

The country's two prime ministers thought they had reached a deal to rename the Balkan nation to the Republic of Northern Macedonia to distinguish it from a region in Greece also called Macedonia.

But Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov says he won't sign the agreement.

Macedonia's parliament could force the issue, but that could then lead to a referendum with all bets then off in a dispute that is causing division on both sides of the border.

World Cup

And finally,

Nobody would have picked the tournament’s two worst teams to launch the 2018 World Cup.

But when Russia and Saudi Arabia meet later today, form will be irrelevant as the world’s biggest football festival explodes into life in Moscow.

The game features the two lowest-ranked teams in the tournament, but it does kick off the game's global showcase.

So it's unlikely that anybody outside of Russia and Saudi Arabia will be paying much attention to the score.

Hudaida

The Saudi-led assault on the Yemen port city of Hudaida is continuing as witnesses report fighting near the airport on Thursday morning.

The coalition is backing the exiled government, after Iran-backed Houthi rebels occupied the capital, Sanaa.

Hudaida is the main entry for food aid into a country already on the brink of famine, with fears mounting of a humanitarian disaster.

The UN security council is scheduled to meet on this latest attack later today.

Pompeo

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is in Seoul meeting his counterparts from South Korea and Japan.

Pompeo said N Korea will continue to face tough sanction until it gets rid of its nuclear weapons.

That appears to contradict the North's view, that its promise to disarm will be phased and ra-see-pra-cal.

Pompeo's visit comes after US President Donald Trump met North Korea's Kim Jong-un earlier this week in a summit in Singapore that was long on talk but short on detail.

Palestine resolution

The UN General Assembly has voted in favour of a resolution put forward by Turkey and Algeria, which condemns Israel for its 'excessive use of force' against Palestinians.

It follows the deaths of more than 120 people in recent months in protests on the Gaza-Israel border.

The US failed to win enough votes in its proposed amendment, which would have condemned Hamas for inciting violence.

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said passage of the resolution signalled a failure for Washington.

Macedonia

A tough road lies ahead for Macedonia and Greece.

The country's two prime ministers thought they had reached a deal to rename the Balkan nation to the Republic of Northern Macedonia to distinguish it from a region in Greece also called Macedonia.

But Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov says he won't sign the agreement.

Macedonia's parliament could force the issue, but that could then lead to a referendum with all bets then off in a dispute that is causing division on both sides of the border.

World Cup

And finally,

Nobody would have picked the tournament’s two worst teams to launch the 2018 World Cup.

But when Russia and Saudi Arabia meet later today, form will be irrelevant as the world’s biggest football festival explodes into life in Moscow.

The game features the two lowest-ranked teams in the tournament, but it does kick off the game's global showcase.

So it's unlikely that anybody outside of Russia and Saudi Arabia will be paying much attention to the score.

Hudaida

A Saudi-led coalition has begun an assault on Yemen's port city of Hudaida

The coalition backs Yemen's exiled government.

Hudaida is held by Iranian-backed Shia rebels known as Houthis.

It will be a crucial battle in the 3-year conflict that aid agencies warnDNB could push the Arab world's poorest country into further chaos.

Migrant crisis

An NGO that rescues migrants and refugees says three ships carrying over 600 people are expected to arrive later this week in the Spanish port of Valencia. This comes after Italy and Malta denied their ship, the Aquarius, entry.

France has slammed Italy's decision as a breach of international law.

At the same time, an Italian coast guard ship has docked in Sicily with over 900 migrants and refugees on board.

Warmer summer weather is expected to see an increase in people trying to cross the Mediterranean to seek refuge or a new life in Europe.

Northern Macedonia

Greece has resolved a long-standing dispute with its northern neighbour, which will change its name from Macedonia to the Republic of Northern Macedonia.

Macedonia was the name of one of the six socialist republics that made up Yugoslavia before it broke up in the early 1990s.

Greece opposed the name of the new country because a northern Greek region is called Macedonia.

AT&T Time Warner

A federal judge in the US has given the go ahead to the proposed mega-merger of AT&T and Time Warner.

The ruling ends an antitrust trial in which regulators argued the $85 billion deal would give AT&T too much leverage against rival cable providers that rely on Time Warner content.

Analysts say the ruling could mean a blockbuster summer for media mergers in the US.

World Cup 2026

And finally,

Football's ruling body, FIFA, will decide later today who will host the World Cup in 2026.

Over 200 national football federations are meeting in Moscow and will choose between Morocco and a joint bid from the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Given the latter three make up NAFTA, the coalition is probably nervous that the US president will wake up and take to Twitter.

Hudaida

A Saudi-led coalition has begun an assault on Yemen's port city of Hudaida

The coalition backs Yemen's exiled government.

Hudaida is held by Iranian-backed Shia rebels known as Houthis.

It will be a crucial battle in the 3-year conflict that aid agencies warnDNB could push the Arab world's poorest country into further chaos.

Migrant crisis

An NGO that rescues migrants and refugees says three ships carrying over 600 people are expected to arrive later this week in the Spanish port of Valencia. This comes after Italy and Malta denied their ship, the Aquarius, entry.

France has slammed Italy's decision as a breach of international law.

At the same time, an Italian coast guard ship has docked in Sicily with over 900 migrants and refugees on board.

Warmer summer weather is expected to see an increase in people trying to cross the Mediterranean to seek refuge or a new life in Europe.

Northern Macedonia

Greece has resolved a long-standing dispute with its northern neighbour, which will change its name from Macedonia to the Republic of Northern Macedonia.

Macedonia was the name of one of the six socialist republics that made up Yugoslavia before it broke up in the early 1990s.

Greece opposed the name of the new country because a northern Greek region is called Macedonia.

AT&T Time Warner

A federal judge in the US has given the go ahead to the proposed mega-merger of AT&T and Time Warner.

The ruling ends an antitrust trial in which regulators argued the $85 billion deal would give AT&T too much leverage against rival cable providers that rely on Time Warner content.

Analysts say the ruling could mean a blockbuster summer for media mergers in the US.

World Cup 2026

And finally,

Football's ruling body, FIFA, will decide later today who will host the World Cup in 2026.

Over 200 national football federations are meeting in Moscow and will choose between Morocco and a joint bid from the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Given the latter three make up NAFTA, the coalition is probably nervous that the US president will wake up and take to Twitter.