Witness News

Andy Burnham Confirmed as Sole Labour Leader Candidate, Prime Minister Bid Expected by July

Politics·

Former DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson Convicted of 18 Child Sex Abuse Charges, Including Rape

Lewis Hawkes Charged with Five Attempted Murders in Edinburgh Anti-Muslim Attacks

UK Met Office Issues First Red Extreme Heat Warning, 40C Temperatures Expected in England, Wales

World

Qatar Gas Explosion Kills 13 Indian and Pakistani Workers, Injures 66

An explosion at Qatar's largest gas facility in Ras Laffan killed 13 workers from India and Pakistan and injured 66 others. The incident occurred at the Barzan local gas supply facility, which had only just resumed operations after maintenance and prior conflict-related shutdowns.

WhatsApp Appoints Indian Fintech Founder Kunal Shah as New Head

UN Report Documents Over 700 Civilian Deaths in Myanmar Military Actions During Six-Month Election Period

Former US Federal Reserve Chair Alan Greenspan Dies Aged 100

UK

politics

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson Convicted on 18 Child Sex Abuse Charges at Newry Crown Court

Former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson was found guilty on 18 charges of child sex abuse, including one count of rape, following a four-week trial at Newry Crown Court. His wife, Lady Eleanor Donaldson, was found to have committed five related acts, including aiding and abetting.

Second Reform UK Councillor Departs Wakefield Council, Weakening Party Control

Two Men Admit Guilt in £39 Million Transport for London Cyber Attack Case

Three-Year-Old Boy Stable After Crocodile Attack at Johnsons of Old Hurst Enclosure

Middle East

Strait of Hormuz: Three Obstacles Delay Oil and Gas Passage Despite US-Iran Deal

Despite President Trump's announcement of an 'opening' for the Strait of Hormuz, ship-tracking data reveals only a handful of vessels have transited the waterway since the US-Iran deal. Hundreds of ships remain stalled in the Gulf, facing significant unresolved issues of security, potential minefields, and proposed tolls.

Prime Minister Starmer Pledges UK Role in Reopening Strait of Hormuz After Iran-US Deal

Donald Trump Declares Iran War Deal Signed, Strait of Hormuz Reopens Friday

UK Motorists Anticipate Cheaper Petrol as US-Iran Deal Reopens Strait of Hormuz

Ukraine War

Russian Forces Infiltrate Kostyantynivka, Threatening Ukraine's Eastern Donbas Strongholds

Russian troops have entered the strategic Ukrainian city of Kostyantynivka, creating a "grey zone" and advancing on multiple fronts. Ukrainian military sources acknowledge a serious situation, with Russian forces aiming to encircle the city and subsequently target Kramatorsk and Sloviansk, crucial for Moscow's objective of seizing the Donbas.

Crimea Halts Public Fuel Sales as Ukraine Targets Kerch Oil Depot

Ukraine President Zelensky Returns Poland's Highest Honour After UPA Unit Renaming

Polish President Karol Nawrocki Strips Volodymyr Zelensky of Top Honour Over UPA Unit Name

Business

Guinea Halts Raw Gold Exports, Mandates Domestic Processing to Boost Economy

Guinea's President Mamadi Doumbouya has implemented an immediate ban on the export of unrefined gold, aiming to bolster the national economy and create employment by requiring all gold to be processed within the country. This move mirrors policies in other African nations seeking greater value from their mineral resources.

South East Water Appoints Former Thames Water Executive John Halsall as New Chief

Government Unveils Heathrow Third Runway Blueprint, Citing "Critical National Growth"

Japan Raises Visa Fees Five-Fold, First Increase Since 1978

Politics