Ecuador head coach Sebastián Beccacece celebrating with fans after a historic 2-1 win over Germany.. Source: The Independent EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Ecuador head coach Sebastián Beccacece sprinted past his bench, hurdled the pitch-side barriers, and climbed the stadium railings to embrace his family in the stands. It was the image of a man waking up from a self-described nightmare, and the defining moment of Ecuador's historic 2026 World Cup campaign. Just days ago, La Tri’s

Norisam Sahidan, Muar UMNO Division Deputy Chief. (Photo from umno-online.my) MUAR, June 26 – The Barisan Nasional (BN) machinery in the Muar division is fully prepared and has locked in its campaign strategies ahead of the upcoming Johor state election. The main objectives are clear: to retain the Sungai Balang state seat and to successfully recapture the Maharani state seat. Muar UMNO Division Deputy Chief, Norisam Sahidan, stated that a comprehensive action plan has been m

The alliance between PAS and Bersatu is under strain ahead of the Johor state election.. Source: Utusan Malaysia KUALA LUMPUR — In a major blow to Perikatan Nasional’s (PN) unity, PAS has announced it will not mobilize its formidable grassroots campaign machinery to assist its coalition partner, Bersatu, in the upcoming Johor state election. PAS President Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang confirmed that while both parties remain under the PN banner and will contest using the coalition

Video: Wabi Sabi Studio BANGKOK — The highly anticipated Thai BL series Lately, It’s Winter Season officially concluded its run yesterday, delivering a highly discussed, slow-burn finale for fans. Airing on GMM25 and streaming uncut versions online, the drama wrapped up the tumultuous, interconnected journey of its lead couple, leaving fandoms buzzing across social media. The 7-episode miniseries—a crucial installment of Studio Wabi Sabi’s expansive Fourever You Project Part

Jeonghan return party. (Video courtesy via X: @shua_enthusiast EOUL — Jeonghan has officially become the first member of the K-pop powerhouse SEVENTEEN to complete his mandatory military service, marking a historic milestone for both the group and their global fandom, Carats. Jeonghan was formally discharged on Thursday, June 25, 2026, after successfully completing his duties as a social service agent. He originally enlisted on September 26, 2024, stepping away from public pr

Rescue operations underway in Caracas. Source: Buffalo Toronto Public Media On Wednesday, June 24, 2026, north-central Venezuela was struck by a catastrophic pair of back-to-back earthquakes. Occurring just 39 seconds apart, a magnitude 7.2 foreshock was immediately followed by a massive magnitude 7.5 mainshock. This rare double-strike marks the country's most powerful recorded earthquake in more than 125 years. The tremors caused violent, widespread shaking that devastated c

Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia. Source: www.pmo.gov.my KUALA LUMPUR, 25 June 2026 (BERNAMA) — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim remains Malaysia’s most favored political leader, securing a 52 percent popularity rating in a newly released public opinion poll. The survey, conducted by the independent pollster Merdeka Center between March 12 and April 9, 2026, offers a fresh glimpse into national sentiment regarding political leadership, government performance,

The visitors of We Live in Burma Visual Art Exhibition. (Photo by Phyoe Ratha) YANGON, 23 June 2026 - The 5th edition of the We Live in Burma Visual Art Exhibition was held in Yangon from July 19 June to 23 June , 2026, bringing together artists from across Myanmar and the global Myanmar diaspora to celebrate the country’s rich cultural identity. Organized by the Myanmar Culture Society, the exhibition featured 80 artworks created by 36 artists. Under the theme “We Live in Bu

PARIS, 25 June 2025 - Joshua, a member of the K-pop group SEVENTEEN, delivered a heartfelt message to young people worldwide during a special event at UNESCO headquarters in Paris on June 25, 2026. Speaking as a UNESCO Youth Ambassador, he urged the audience: “Never let anyone, not even yourselves, diminish your dreams.” The event, titled “UNESCO x SEVENTEEN: Celebrating Youth, Creativity and Well-Being Together,” highlighted the success of ongoing youth support programs and

Participants photographed after cultural night performance at the Asia-Pacific Centre of Education for International Understanding Under The Auspices of UNESCO (APCEIU) SEOUL, 18 June, 2026 - 12th Youth Leadership Workshop on Global Citizenship Education (GCED) successfully brought together 42 participants among young leaders, educators, at Asia-Pacific Centre of Education for International Understanding Under The Auspices of UNESCO (APCEIU). Organised under the theme "Empow

Yang Berhormat Datuk Dr. Haji Mohd Puad bin ZarkashiSpeaker Dewan Negeri Johor Datuk Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi has officially quit UMNO with immediate effect, marking a major political development in Johor. According to reports, he announced his resignation from the party while claiming that UMNO Johor is no longer fully independent in its decision-making and is being “controlled,” which he described as the main reason for leaving. Puad, who is also Johor State Legislative Assemb

Nick Kueh, Mr Gay Japan 2026 finalist TAIPEI / TOKYO — Nick Kueh, a university lecturer from Taiwan, has been selected as a finalist for Mr Gay Japan 2026, becoming the first Taiwanese contestant in the history of the competition. Nick, who specializes in Japanese language and cultural studies, views his participation as an opportunity to promote cultural understanding and strengthen connections between Taiwan, Japan, and Southeast Asia. A graduate of Aichi University of Ed

Kyiv the morning after the attack. Photo by The Ukrainians Media Paris, June 15, 2026 — UNESCO has issued a strong condemnation following reports of a strike that hit the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, part of the World Heritage property “Kyiv: Saint-Sophia Cathedral and Related Monastic Buildings, Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.” The attack, which occurred amid the ongoing war in Ukraine, caused significant damage to the Dormition Cathedral’s exterior and interior. Adjacent historic structures,

Former two-term Endau assemblyman Alwiyah Talib PETALING JAYA, 4 June 2024 (FMT) - Former Endau assemblywoman Alwiyah Talib has announced her resignation from Bersatu and rejoined Umno, the party where she began her political career. The ex-Mersing Bersatu chief emphasized that her decision was made voluntarily, stressing it was driven by her commitment to the well-being of her constituents in Endau. Alwiyah first won the Endau seat in 2018 under Umno, securing a majority of

Illustration of Indonesian banknotes. (Shutterstock/devmograph) JAKARTA, 4 June 2026 (CNA) - Indonesia’s currency has plunged beyond 18,000 per US dollar for the first time, underscoring mounting financial strain. The drop reflects a mix of global oil price shocks, shrinking trade surpluses, and investor unease over central bank independence. 📉 Market fallout: The Jakarta stock exchange tumbled nearly 4%, extending losses that have erased a third of its value this year. 🏛️

Former head of Indonesia's National Nutrition Agency Dadan Hindayana (centre) (Photo: EPA/Mast Irham) (CNA) - Indonesian authorities have arrested Dadan Hindayana, the former head of the National Nutrition Agency, just one day after his dismissal from President Prabowo Subianto’s flagship free school meals programme. The initiative, launched in 2024 to provide meals to millions of children and mothers, has been marred by corruption allegations and widespread food poisoning i

Photo generated with AI by The Indian Express U.S. President Donald Trump acknowledged that he referred to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as “crazy” during a recent phone conversation. The remark came amid ongoing tensions between the two leaders, who have had a complicated relationship over the years. Trump’s confirmation followed reports that he used the term while discussing Netanyahu’s handling of political and security matters. Although the two once enjoyed a

Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, BN chairman / Image from Utusan Malaysia JOHOR BAHRU, 3 June 2026 (BERNAMA) - UMNO will officially launch Barisan Nasional’s (BN) election machinery for the upcoming Johor state polls this Sunday, June 7, at Educity Stadium in Johor Bahru. The event is scheduled to begin at 3.30 pm. BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister, and Johor BN chairman Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, the caretaker Menteri Besar, are

Onn Hafiz Ghazi, Johor's Chief Minister. JOHOR BAHRU, 1 June 2026 (CNA) - The Johor state assembly has been officially dissolved, paving the way for elections that must take place by July 31, 2026. At a press conference in Johor Bahru, Chief Minister Onn Hafiz Ghazi announced that the dissolution was signed by Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Ibrahim, with the consent of Malaysia’s King and Johor ruler Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar. He emphasized that the move was intended to ensure a sta

KUALA LUMPUR, May 25, 2026 — Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) has confirmed that three contractors lost their lives and one other was injured during lifeboat maintenance work at the FSO Sepat facility, located off the coast of Terengganu. The incident occurred at approximately 12:50 p.m. yesterday. The three victims were pronounced dead upon arrival at Hospital Sultanah Nur Zahirah in Kuala Terengganu at around 5:57 p.m. The injured worker was evacuated for treatment and rem