World

NEWBURY PARK, Calif. — Britney Spears was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence Wednesday night after California Highway Patrol officers received reports of a black BMW 430i traveling erratically at high speed on U.S. 101, authorities said. The 44-year-old singer was taken into custody after she “showed signs of impairment and submitted to a series of field sobriety tests” during a traffic stop near the Borchard Road exit in Newbury Park at about 8:48 p.m., a CHP spokesperson said. Chemical test results are…

Australia orders porn sites to block minors as sweeping child-safety rules take effect Australia’s online regulator has ordered pornography websites to block people under 18 starting Monday, enforcing age verification under sweeping new restrictions aimed at shielding children from harmful content across the internet. Some adult sites in Australia had already barred non-members and halted new registrations in recent days ahead of the deadline, as platforms prepare to deploy age checks that go beyond simple self-declaration.…

‘The streets are empty, the windows are gone’: Iranians describe life under bombardment as war enters second week As U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran approach the end of their first week, residents in Tehran describe a capital of shattered glass, shuttered storefronts and competing emotions — fear, exhaustion and, for some, a fragile hope that the Islamic Republic’s grip may finally loosen after the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In a series of interviews with Axadle Times, Iranians living inside the country spoke on…

EU says US missiles insufficient to cover Gulf and Ukraine as Middle East war enters seventh day The European Union said there are not enough U.S. missiles to meet simultaneous needs in the Gulf and Ukraine, a stark assessment delivered as war in the Middle East entered its seventh day and pressure mounted on Western stockpiles across multiple fronts. The brief statement underscored growing concerns about the capacity of transatlantic partners to sustain parallel security commitments. It also highlighted a difficult…

U.S., Israel launch ‘Operation Epic Fury’ on Iran as conflict widens across Middle East; Europe warns of dangerous moment The United States and Israel this week launched Operation Epic Fury on Iran, a move that pushed tensions to a new pitch and rippled across a Middle East already on edge. European officials warned it is a dangerous moment for the continent, underscoring fears that the fallout could spill over borders and disrupt security, travel and markets far beyond the region. Details about the scope and aims of…

Trump says Zelensky is obstacle to Russia deal, calls Putin ‘cooperative’ in Politico interview President Donald Trump said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is the obstacle to a settlement with Russia and described Russian President Vladimir Putin as cooperative, sharpening his pressure on Kyiv as the war grinds on. “Zelensky, he has to get on the ball, and he has to get a deal done,” Trump said in an interview with Politico. Returning to language he used during a tense White House meeting a year ago — when he and Vice…

Iran war enters seventh day as Israel expands strikes to Beirut and Tehran The regional war involving Iran, Israel and the United States entered its seventh day after Israel announced a “next phase” of operations and bombed Beirut’s southern suburbs, while blasts were heard in Tehran following what Israel said were strikes on “regime infrastructure” in the Iranian capital. Residents in Beirut’s southern districts fled after the Israeli military issued an unprecedented warning to evacuate “immediately.” In Tehran, AFP…

Ireland tracks 24,400 citizens in Gulf as charter flight readies departure from Oman; Middle East flight disruptions persist Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee said 24,400 Irish citizens have registered their presence in the Gulf region as the government accelerates repatriation efforts amid a sixth straight day of air travel disruption linked to the war involving Iran. Speaking in the Dáil and to RTÉ News, McEntee said registrations are rising daily and that about 80% of travelers on direct Dubai–Dublin flights last…

Trump replaces Homeland Security chief Kristi Noem with Sen. Markwayne Mullin amid fallout over immigration crackdown President Donald Trump said he will replace Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem with Sen. Markwayne Mullin, a major staffing shift that roils the administration’s hardline immigration agenda after a year of public backlash and political blowback. In a post on Truth Social, Trump called Mullin, a Republican from Oklahoma, “Highly Respected” and said he will become secretary of the Department of Homeland…

Iran warned that any invasion would be a “disaster” for its enemies, according to a live update. The statement, presented without further detail, did not specify who delivered the warning, what prompted it, or whether it was tied to an imminent military development. The single-word characterization — “disaster” — signals a stark deterrent message, suggesting Iran intends to frame any hostile entry onto its territory or against its interests as likely to trigger severe consequences. Without additional context, however, it…