Government officials estimate Ukraine’s diaspora at some 25 million people
Ukrainian national flag flies at half-mast near the Ukrainian Motherland Monument after Tuesday’s deadly Russian missile strike, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine June 18, 2025. REUTERS/Thomas Peter
International news via Reuters:
Ukrainians will be able to hold dual or multiple citzenship under a law approved by the parliament on Wednesday that aims to ease a demographic crisis exacerbated by the four-year war with Russia and to improve ties with the country’s large diaspora.
Previously, Ukrainian law did not recognise dual or multiple citizenship, meaning that ethnic Ukrainians living outside the country and holding other passports had to renounce their other citizenship if they wanted a Ukrainian passport.
Government officials estimate Ukraine’s diaspora at some 25 million people. They put the current population in Ukraine at 32 million, down sharply from 52 million in 1991 when Ukraine became independent after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
“This decision is an important step to maintain and restore ties with millions of Ukrainians around the world,” Oleksiy Chernyshov, minister for unity, said in a social media post on Facebook after Wednesday’s vote.
The issue of multiple citizenship has become even more pressing since Russia’s invasion in February 2022, exacerbating a demographic decline that had started years before.
Ukraine saw several large labour migrations in the early 1990s. With the start of the invasion, millions of Ukrainians fled the fighting. With the war now in its fourth year, data shows that more than 5 million Ukrainians live in Europe, while tens of thousands of people have been killed in the conflict.
“Since the situation in Ukraine is unstable, people… do not know whether to return or not…,” said Natalya Kostyk-Ustenko, who fled Kherson in southern Ukraine in June 2022 and lives in Lithuania with her two children.
“Our roots are Ukrainian, we love our country, we support it as best we can. This (move on citizenship) is significant support for us as refugees, we are all scattered around the world,” she told Reuters.
Lawmakers said the new law would simplify procedures for children born to Ukrainian parents abroad and also for Ukrainians who obtain other citizenship by marriage.
It will also make it easier to obtain Ukrainian citizenship for foreigners fighting for Ukraine on the frontlines.
The law does not directly ban Russian citizens from obtaining Ukrainian passports but says the government will be able to implement restrictions related to the armed aggression against Ukraine.
Foreigners would have to pass a test to prove their knowledge of the Ukrainian language, history and constitution.
Additional reporting by Anastasiia MalenkoEditing by Kim Coghill and Gareth Jones
Iran has fired more than 400 ballistic missiles at Israel since Friday
Passengers from the Crown Iris, a cruise ship, wait to board buses at the port of Larnaca, Cyprus, June 18, 2025. REUTERS/Yiannis Kourtoglou
International news via Reuters:
Israel on Wednesday launched a phased airlift operation to bring home its citizens, after the country’s military strike on Iran closed air space across the Middle East, leaving tens of thousands of Israelis stuck overseas.
The first rescue flight, operated by national carrier El Al, touched down at Tel Aviv Airport early Wednesday morning, returning passengers from Larnaca, Cyprus.
Worldwide, Israel’s transport ministry estimates that more than 50,000 Israelis, stranded after airlines halted flights to the country, are trying to come home.
Foreign citizens have also been fleeing Iran overland. China started evacuating its citizens from Tehran to Turkmenistan by overland bus on Tuesday. Hundreds of other foreign nationals fled to neighbouring Armenia and Azerbaijan.
El Al has said repatriation flights are already scheduled from Athens, Rome, Milan, Paris, Budapest and London. Smaller carriers Arkia and Israir are also taking part.
“We are very emotional about receiving the first rescue flight as part of ‘Safe Return’,” Transportation Minister Miri Regev told the captain of the arriving El Al flight before it landed.
While many Israelis want to come back, around 38,000 tourists are stranded in Israel, with much of the country in lockdown, and all the museums and holy sites closed.
The Tourism Ministry said on Wednesday it would start coordinating flights out, while around 1,500 Americans on a Jewish heritage programme were evacuated to Cyprus via a cruise ship, which will now sail back with Israeli citizens aboard.
“We didn’t sleep for nights on end. We are all very exhausted and it’s a sigh of relief,” said Dorian, 20, from New York, after he had disembarked.
“In Israel, I was very afraid. I was never used to anything like that. Sirens, missiles, or anything like that. New York is pretty much very safe and this was new to me.”
Iran has fired more than 400 ballistic missiles at Israel since Friday, triggering air raid sirens and a rush to bunkers. At least 24 people, all civilians, have died so far in the strikes, according to Israeli authorities.
Iranian officials have reported at least 224 deaths, mostly civilians, though that toll has not been updated for days.
CYPRUS HUB
Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion airport has been closed to passenger traffic since Israel launched its pre-dawn attack on Friday and commercial aircraft are sitting out the war in foreign air fields.
The Airports Authority reinforced staffing on Wednesday to ensure arriving passengers left the airport quickly. Relatives were advised to avoid travelling to pick up family members for security reasons.
The airlift is being carried out in stages, based on risk levels and security assessments, a spokesperson for the Airports Authority said.
Large numbers of Israelis seeking to get home have converged on Cyprus, the European Union member state closest to Israel. Flights from the coastal city of Larnaca to Tel Aviv take 50 minutes.
Nine flights were expected to depart Cyprus on Wednesday for Haifa, and four for Tel Aviv, carrying about 1,000 people, sources at Cypriot airport operator Hermes said.
Cruise operator Mano Maritime, whose “Crown Iris” ship carries 2,000 passengers, has said it will make two crossings from Cyprus to Israel’s Mediterranean port city of Haifa.
Writing by Crispian Balmer; Editing by Kim Coghill, Alexandra Hudson
It starts with footage of the white smoke that announced Leo’s election on May 8
Pope Leo XIV leaves the general audience in St. Peter’s Square, at the Vatican June 18, 2025. REUTERS/Yara Nardi
International news via Reuters:
The Vatican on Wednesday unveiled a fundraising video centred on newly elected Pope Leo, urging the faithful to support his mission amid a serious financial crisis for the Catholic Church.
The slick one-minute video was shown on giant screens in St. Peter’s Square to crowds waiting for the pope’s weekly audience, and spread on social media and the internet by Vatican news outlets.
It starts with footage of the white smoke that announced Leo’s election on May 8, followed by his first words as pope, “Peace be with you all”, and images of cheering crowds, all accompanied by gentle piano music.
The video urges people to donate to Peter’s Pence – a papal fund used to support church activities and charity work which, according to latest available records, received 48.4 million euros ($55.66 million) in donations in 2023.
The pope’s home nation, the United States, accounted for the biggest share, equal to just over 28% of the total, but expenses far outstripped offerings, with the fund disbursing 103 million euros in the year, the Vatican said.
“With your donation to Peter’s Pence, you offer tangible support as the Holy Father takes his first steps as Pope. Help him proclaim the Gospel to the world and extend a hand to our brothers and sisters in need,” the video says.
Although the Vatican has not published a full budget report since 2022, the last set of accounts, approved in mid-2024, included an 83-million-euro ($94-million) shortfall, two knowledgeable sources told Reuters.
The shortfall in the pension fund was estimated to total around 631 million euros by the Vatican’s finance czar in 2022. There has been no official update to this figure, but several insiders told Reuters they believe it has ballooned.
($1 = 0.8695 euros)
Reporting by Alvise Armellini and Yara Nardi, editing by Ed Osmond
European rivals were bullish about their future growth prospects
FILE PHOTO: An Anduril Industries Fury autonomous air vehicle (AAV) is displayed at the 55th International Paris Airshow at Le Bourget Airport near Paris, France, June 17, 2025. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier/File Photo
International news via Reuters:
U.S. defence giants, backed by a strong Congressional delegation from Washington, used the Paris Airshow to showcase cutting-edge technologies and court European partners as they seek to tap into rising regional military spending.
Many European nations have pledged to significantly increase defence budgets in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and as U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration has threatened to scale back military support for the region.
That tension has been notably absent at this week’s Paris Airshow, where U.S. lawmakers and arms manufacturers pledged greater transatlantic partnership as Europe ramps up spending on everything from artillery shells and fighter jets to missile defence systems.
“We understand that our allies and partners are a force multiplier, so we are stronger when we are working together,” U.S. Senator Jerry Moran, a member of Trump’s Republican party, told reporters at the show, the world’s largest aerospace and defence gathering.
Moran, whose delegation was supporting U.S. weapons makers, said it was in Paris to send a message that the U.S. “is a dependable and reliable partner”.
The conciliatory tone stands in stark contrast to the Trump administration’s recent string of disparaging remarks about Europe and its defence industry.
“I think antagonising our allies does not make us stronger,” Democrat Senator Jeanne Shaheen told reporters in Paris, expressing her desire to cement defence relations with Europe.
RELIANCE ON U.S.
Despite pledges by many European nations to boost military self-sufficiency, the continent remains heavily reliant on U.S. defence manufacturers.
For instance, Europe buys American-made fighter jets and missiles from Lockheed Martin, Patriot missile defence systems from Raytheon Technologies and military jets and helicopters built by Boeing.
In emerging military areas, like artificial intelligence, drones and satellite constellations, U.S. tech firms like Anduril, Palantir and Elon Musk’s SpaceX are far ahead.
U.S. firms are hoping to press home their advantage as European military spending surges, including through partnerships which are a way to soften any potential diplomatic tensions, delegates said.
U.S. drone-maker Anduril and German defence giant Rheinmetall said on Wednesday they will link up to build military drones for European markets, in a sign of Europe leveraging American technology to boost military capabilities.
Thomas Laliberty, president of Land & Air Defense Systems at Raytheon, said there were no easy replacements for its weapons in Europe and he expected the firm to maintain a long-term footprint on the continent, including through new partnerships.
Laliberty said Raytheon was close to announcing a plan to manufacture Stingers – a lightweight air defence missile used by Ukrainian forces against Russia – in Europe.
“For immediate needs, Raytheon is well positioned to support the European demand,” Laliberty told reporters in Paris.
“We have a very bright future here.”
Boeing, which won a contract from Trump’s administration to develop the next-generation F-47 fighter jet this year, said Europe and the U.S. would remain long-term partners despite political wobbles, partly to hold off the Chinese threat.
“Nobody can do it themselves – maybe the Chinese can try, but certainly the rest of us, we are going to have to work together,” said Turbo Sjogren, Boeing’s general manager for government services.
“To do otherwise takes too long and will be unaffordable.”
The chairman of Italian aerospace and defence group Leonardo, Stefano Pontecorvo, added that U.S. participation in some European programmes would be “unavoidable” in coming years due to the defence technologies available to them.
EUROPE TOO SLOW
European rivals were bullish about their future growth prospects but said budget constraints and a lack of regional alliances were holding back progress, conceding that they would continue to need significant U.S. support.
“National sovereignty matters but fragmentation is detrimental. We need to find a way to hit a balance,” Leonardo CEO Roberto Cingolani told reporters on Tuesday.
Jean-Brice Dumont, head of air power, defence and space at Airbus, said Europe’s dependence on the U.S. was “very high”.
“Zero dependency on the U.S. I believe is a dream. We have a need for interoperability that drives some U.S. needs,” said Dumont, whose firm makes the Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jet with Britain’s BAE Systems and Italy’s Leonardo, as well as Earth observation satellites and drones.
Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said Europe had “too much bureaucracy” compared to the U.S. and needed to adapt to a new military era of faster, cheaper and more nimble technology.
“Either Europe adapts its industry to these new parameters – different from those with which it has lived until four years ago – or it will have huge competitors, and not only the American ones,” he said.
Reporting by Joe Brock, Giulia Segreti, Paul Sandle and Tim Hepher. Editing by Mark Potter
A group of musicians sang Irish ballads and many in the crowd waved Irish and Palestinian flags
Member of Kneecap Liam O’Hanna, also known as Liam Og O hAnnaidh and performing under the name of Mo Chara, who has been charged with a terrorism offence in relation to the alleged display of a Hezbollah flag onstage in 2024, walks outside the Westminster Magistrates’ Court, in London, Britain, June 18, 2025. REUTERS/Chris J. Ratcliffe
International news via Reuters:
A member of Irish rap group Kneecap appeared in a London court on Wednesday charged with a terrorism offence for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed Lebanese militia Hezbollah, as hundreds of people gathered outside in support.
Liam O’Hanna, whose stage name is Mo Chara, is alleged to have waved the flag of banned militant group Hezbollah during a Kneecap gig in London in November 2024.
The 27-year-old was charged last month under the Terrorism Act, under which it is a criminal offence to display an article in a way which arouses reasonable suspicion that someone is a supporter of a proscribed organisation.
Belfast-based Kneecap, who rap in Irish and English and regularly display pro-Palestinian messages during their gigs, previously said the flag had been thrown on stage and described the charge against O’Hanna as an attempt to silence them.
O’Hanna appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court where supporters, including some Northern Irish politicians and musicians including Paul Weller, massed before the hearing.
A group of musicians sang Irish ballads and many in the crowd waved Irish and Palestinian flags and held placards.
He had to push past a scrum of photographers when he arrived as supporters chanted “Free Palestine” and “Free Mo Chara”.
“UP HEZBOLLAH”
Prosecutor Michael Bisgrove told the court the case was not about O’Hanna’s support for Palestinians or his criticism of Israel, saying he was well within his rights to do that.
“The allegation in this case is a wholly different thing and deals with the video recording showing that, in November of last year, Mr O’Hanna wore and displayed the flag of Hezbollah … while saying ‘up Hamas, up Hezbollah’.”
O’Hanna’s lawyer Brenda Campbell said the defence would argue the charge was brought after the six-month limit to bring such a charge. “If we are right in relation to that, then this court has no jurisdiction and there ends the case,” she added.
A hearing will be held on August 20 to determine whether the charge was brought too late, Judge Paul Goldspring said.
O’Hanna spoke only in court to confirm his name, date of birth and address.
One of his lawyers, Darragh Mackin, told the crowd of supporters: “The more they come after Kneecap, the louder they will get.”
Reporting by Sam Tobin, editing by Kate Holton, Alex Richardson, Alexandra Hudson
The U.N. Secretariat is preparing to slash its $3.7 billion budget by 20%
FILE PHOTO: The logo of the United Nations is seen in the General Assembly hall before heads of state begin to address the 76th Session of the U.N. General Assembly in New York City, U.S., September 21, 2021. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz/Pool/File photo
International news via Reuters:
The United Nations trade and development agency, tasked with helping developing countries access the global economy, faces “painful” cuts as part of broader reforms prompted by a decline in global donor funding, its secretary general said.
Rebeca Grynspan told Reuters she was concerned that UNCTAD’s work will be hampered while demand for its services grows, as countries seek information on the impact of sweeping tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump.
For UNCTAD’s 2026 budget, Grynspan said she and her team had proposed cutting 70 posts. That is from an overall headcount of 500 including consultants, with about 400 permanent posts.
“This is painful. There’s no way to disguise this … we haven’t cut that number of posts ever in one budget,” she said.
“It really will constrain the organization and the things that we can do.”
U.N. agencies like UNCTAD are having to cut costs amid a financial crisis triggered in part by the U.S., which has provided nearly a quarter of the world body’s funding, and longer term liquidity problems.
“What worries me the most is the possibility to respond to countries in their needs fast enough,” Grynspan said.
Grynspan, who is part of the task force on broader UN80 reforms to improve efficiency and cut costs at the U.N., said she was involved in discussions on how to better divide tasks among the U.N’s development agencies through collaboration.
The U.N. Secretariat, the global body’s executive arm, is preparing to slash its $3.7 billion budget by 20%. About 75 agencies and departments faced a June 13 deadline to propose budget cuts. The U.N. in Geneva is proposing leaving the historic Palais Wilson, which houses its human rights office.
The final decision on UNCTAD’s proposed budget will be made by the U.N. Secretariat and member states in September.
Reporting by Olivia Le Poidevin; Editing by Aidan Lewis
The highlight of Carnival Week in Bermuda lit up the streets yesterday — Revel de Road, the island’s most high energy street parade.
Blending Caribbean carnival intensity with Bermuda’s own vibrant culture, the event brought hundreds of costumed revelers together in a celebration of music, dance, and community.
Our Kendal Trott was live on the scene, right in the heart of the action.
Bermuda’s Olympian Adriana Penruddocke and Olympic hopeful Sebastian Kempe have concluded their impressive campaigns at the North American Championships in Long Beach, California, both securing top-ten finishes in their respective ILCA fleets.
The regatta, held at the significant venue for the LA2028 Olympic Games sailing events, saw both Bermudian sailors demonstrate consistent improvement and strong performances throughout the competition.
In the ILCA6 Fleet, Adriana Penruddocke finished in a commendable 8th place overall with 106 net points. On the final day, she crossed the line 23rd in the first race and concluded the regatta with a solid 15th-place finish. Her ability to climb into the top ten highlights her competitive prowess.
Meanwhile, in the ILCA7 fleet, Sebastian Kempe also secured a top-ten position, finishing in 9th place overall with 94 net points. Kempe’s final day saw him finish 15th in the first race before closing out with an excellent 4th-place finish, marking his sixth top-ten result of the regatta.
Both Bermudian sailors gain invaluable experience from competing at this high-level competition and future Olympic venue, bolstering their long-term Olympic aspirations. Their strong top-ten placings are a significant achievement on the North American circuit.
Bermudian barber earns top UK award and eyes national title after years of honing his craft
A Bermudian barber has taken his talents from a childhood passion to an international stage, earning top honours in the UK and turning heads in more ways than one.
Kurvin Spence set up shop a couple of years ago in Nottingham as a full-time barber, with his talents recently winning him first place in England’s Business Awards regional final.
To his surprise, his business, TopKuttz, was nominated by a customer, and he credits his level of service for coming out on top.
“I take care of customers,” Mr. Spence said. “I treat them nice. I give them a good haircut, treat them with manners, professionalism. I treat it like an actual business, not just a barber shop, and I guess someone noticed this and they nominated me. It means so much. It just shows that hard work pays off.”
Images supplied
Mr. Spence has now advanced to the next stage of the competition, where he could be up for Best Barber in England overall later this year.
He cited his faith, the support of his wife, and setting a high standard of service as key to his success, which has seen him win several awards over his career.
Mr. Spence has been a barber for most of his life, following in his late father’s footsteps at just 10 years old at the family business, Shabazz Barber Shop, later Spence Hair Designs.
“My late father had a barber shop and beauty salon from when I was a little boy. So around ten years old, I was always in there, used to sweep the floor and clean up the shop, take the trash out and everything, and he asked me, do you want to start cutting hair? And I’m like, of course, let’s do this. So I started at 10 years old. I was actually too short to cut people’s hair, so I had to get a little stool. He taught me, and many other barbers in Bermuda.”
At 13 years old, he was featured in the American publication Jet Magazine as, at that time, the world’s youngest barber.
Nine years ago, he relocated to the UK and fell back in love with the trade after working in the utility sector.
Now, he is almost fully booked every week and has cut the hair of professional boxers, YouTubers, football players, and models.
One of his first customers was actually Shaun Goater, MBE, the Manchester City FC legend, who he attended Whitney Institute with.
Looking ahead, he is eager to pass the clippers on to the next generation by teaching others the toolkit of becoming a successful entrepreneur.
“I would really want to teach barbering. That’s one thing I have to do before I retire, is teach barbering. And I like to teach it the way I do it, the whole package, not just barbering, because there’s the business side of it. You’re not just a barber – you’re an entrepreneur. You’re responsible for your own finances, responsible for your family, you’re responsible for the business, you’re responsible for customers. So I like to teach all of that.”
And his message to others is simple.
“Anyone that’s aspiring to do something, go for it. If you need a mentor, get a mentor. I know it’s so cliché to say you have one life, but it’s true. You have one life to live. Just go for what you want, and you have to stick to it. Just stick to it and things will come. You will reap the rewards.”
Bermuda has secured their first victory in the ICC Men’s T20 CWC Qualifier – Americas 2025, defeating the Bahamas by seven wickets in their second match in Canada.
Both teams entered the contest looking for their first win after suffering opening defeats. The Bahamas won the toss and elected to bat, but a disciplined Bermudian bowling attack restricted them to just 90 runs for 8 wickets in their 20 overs. Eugene Duff top-scored with 31, while Chare Smith was excellent for Bermuda, taking two wickets for just 11 runs.
In reply, Bermuda wasted no time in chasing down the target, scoring 91 runs for 3 wickets in just 9.5 overs. Onias Bascome led the charge with an explosive innings, top-scoring with 43 runs off only 20 balls, an innings that included two fours and five towering sixes.
This dominant victory provides a significant boost to Bermuda’s campaign in the T20 World Cup Qualifiers, putting them firmly back in contention after their opening loss to Canada.
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