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Hungary’s LGBTQ+ Community Pushes for Rights Restoration After Years of Restrictions

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Hungary’s LGBTQ+ community is preparing for its annual Pride march in Budapest, with activists calling for the restoration of rights that were curtailed during the 16-year rule of former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Last year’s Pride event evolved into a major anti-government demonstration after authorities attempted to ban it, drawing tens of thousands of participants.

This year’s march has been officially authorized following the election victory of Prime Minister Peter Magyar’s centre-right Tisza party. While organisers welcomed the lifting of restrictions, they stressed that significant work remains to reverse policies introduced under the previous government, including limits on gender recognition, same-sex adoption and LGBTQ+-related educational materials.

Activists say the impact of those measures continues to affect the community. Many are urging the new government to address past legislation and strengthen protections for LGBTQ+ individuals. Although Magyar has called for patience regarding legal reforms, he has publicly criticised attempts to restrict public assembly and argued that the state should not interfere in citizens’ private lives.

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Berlusconi Family Sells Iconic Sardinian Villa to Qatari Buyer

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The heirs of former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi have agreed to sell Villa Certosa, his famous luxury estate in Sardinia, to a company linked to Qatar’s ruling family. According to local media reports, the property was sold for around €350 million, with the buyer identified as Constellation Hotels Holding Ltd, associated with Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani.

Villa Certosa was one of Berlusconi’s most recognizable residences and became a symbol of his lavish lifestyle. Located on Sardinia’s exclusive Costa Smeralda coastline, the sprawling estate spans roughly 120 hectares and features numerous villas, swimming pools, an amphitheatre, extensive gardens, a mock volcano and a private underground grotto designed for discreet boat access.

The property frequently hosted world leaders, celebrities and business figures during Berlusconi’s time in office and beyond. The sale is part of a broader effort by Berlusconi’s five children to streamline and manage the vast assets inherited following his death in 2023, ending an era for one of Italy’s most famous private estates.

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Technical Glitch Halts Germany’s Rail Network Nationwide

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Germany’s national rail operator, Deutsche Bahn, said a scheduled technical update caused a major disruption in its digital railway radio system, bringing train services across the country to a temporary standstill. The outage affected long-distance, regional and some local transport services, making it one of the most significant rail disruptions in recent years.

According to Deutsche Bahn, the issue originated during the replacement of a technical component in the GSM-R communication system, which is used to connect train drivers with traffic control centres. Train operations were suspended for around two hours on Tuesday before services gradually resumed overnight and into Wednesday.

Authorities stated there is currently no evidence of sabotage or external interference. The incident comes amid growing concerns about the vulnerability of Germany’s critical infrastructure and adds to ongoing criticism of Deutsche Bahn over delays, cancellations and aging infrastructure. The company said investigations into the exact cause are continuing while rail services have largely returned to normal.

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Teen Glam World 2026: Shrika Satheeshan from UAE Claims the Crown

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Shrika Satheeshan from the UAE has been crowned SAJ Group Hotels & Resorts and DQ Watches Teen Glam World 2026, with Alona Angel James from India as the first runner-up, Sarah Vanderdonckt from France as the second runner-up and Kapshik Kira from Russia as the third runner-up. The highly anticipated pageant, featuring talented contestants aged 13 to 18 from across the globe, culminated on 23rd June at the Gokulam Park Hotel & Convention Centre, Kochi. Organized by Pegasus Global Pvt Ltd under the visionary leadership of Dr. Ajit Ravi, the event set new standards in celebrating youth, talent, and individuality.

Reigning queen Bellefontaine Marie, along with Sajan Varghese, CMD of SAJ Group of Hotels & Resorts, crowned the winner of the title. Preethi Parakkat, Managing Director of Parakkat Jewels, crowned the First Runner-Up. The Second Runner-Up was crowned by Vijayakumar, Chairman of Aiswaria Advertising, and Deepthi Vijayakumar, Managing Director of Aiswaria Advertising. Dr. Jolly Antony, Chairman of Vibe Munnar Resort & Spa and Managing Director of Fogg Resort, and Dr. Ajit Ravi, Chairman of Pegasus Global Pvt. Ltd crowned the Third Runner-Up. The coronation ceremony was held in the presence of Dr. Ajit Ravi, Chairman of Pegasus Global Pvt. Ltd.

The judging panel for Teen Glam World 2026 included Ashwaria Ullas (First Runner-Up, Miss Glam Universe 2025; Second Runner-Up, Miss Asia Global 2025; First Runner-Up, Miss Queen Kerala 2025), Rita Mathan (Owner, Pro Nail Studio), Alina Farkhutdinova (Miss Glam World 2025), Maeva Balan (Model) and Ambika S Nair (Actress) all of whom brought their expertise to evaluate the contestants. Breaking away from traditional pageantry norms, Pegasus prioritizes talent and personality over conventional practices, focusing on empowering young individuals and fostering confidence.

Subtitle Winner

Teen Glam World National Costume – France (Sarah Vanderdonckt)

Teen Glam World Talent – UAE (Shrika Satheeshan)

Teen Glam World Ramp Walk – Russia (Kapshik Kira)

SAJ Group Hotels and Resorts and DQ Watches are the main partners of Miss Glam World 2026 organized by Pegasus Global Pvt Ltd. Unique Times, Alcazar Watches, Parakkat Resorts, Vibe Munnar, and Green Media are powered by Partners.

Co-partners are DQUE Soap, Aiswaria Outdoor Media, Europe Times, UT World, Times New, uniquetimes.org, Vikas VKS Make-Up Artist, Gokulam Park Hotel & Convention Centre, VPS Lakeshore Hospital, JD Institute of Fashion Technology, Akshay Inco, and VKS Beauty and Bridal Lounge.

The event showcased Pegasus’ unparalleled commitment to innovation and quality, with its mission to promote cultural diversity and tourism while creating an empowering platform for young talent. Teen Glam World 2026 left a lasting impression with its grandeur, purpose, and celebration of youthful excellence.

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Zelenskiy Skips Poland Recovery Forum Amid Ukraine–Poland Row

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Ukraine has scaled back its participation in the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Poland, with Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko leading the delegation instead of President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. The decision comes as Kyiv and Warsaw navigate renewed diplomatic friction linked to historical disputes and recent political tensions.

The two-day forum in Gdańsk is expected to focus on reconstruction deals for Ukraine, including agreements to restore energy infrastructure damaged by ongoing Russian strikes and to expand international economic cooperation. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Zelenskiy’s absence could help reduce tensions and keep discussions more productive, while still emphasizing the scale of investments tied to Ukraine’s recovery.

The diplomatic strain intensified after disagreements over World War Two-era history and symbolic political gestures, prompting exchanges of criticism between officials on both sides. Despite this, both countries continue to underline the importance of cooperation, with the forum still expected to advance hundreds of proposed agreements involving international partners.

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Dr. Yogesh Lakhani Earns Coveted MBA Honour

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The 21st edition of the Manappuram Multibillionaire Business Achiever (MBA) Award was conferred upon Dr. Yogesh Lakhani, Chairman and Managing Director of Bright Outdoor Media Limited, at a grand function held on June 23, 2026, at the Gokulam Park Hotel & Convention Centre, Kochi. The prestigious honour was handed over by Shri V. P. Nandakumar, Chairman and Managing Director of Manappuram Finance Ltd., Shri Gokulam Gopalan, Founder & Chairman, Sree Gokulam Group and Chairman, FICF, and Dr. Viju Jacob, Executive Chairman, Synthite Industries Limited and 11th MBA award recipient in the presence of Dr. Ajit Ravi, Founder of Pegasus Global Pvt Ltd, the MBA Award, and the Federal International Chamber Forum (FICF).

Dr. Yogesh Lakhani is a visionary entrepreneur and industry leader whose inspiring journey from a humble single-room office in Mumbai to building one of India’s most respected outdoor advertising companies reflects extraordinary resilience, innovation, and determination. Under his leadership, Bright Outdoor Media Limited became the first outdoor advertising company in India to be listed on the BSE and earned recognition in the Guinness World Records for installing the largest number of solar panels on a single billboard in Mumbai. Today, the company stands as a leading 360-degree media and advertising powerhouse, renowned for executing high-impact campaigns for leading brands, blockbuster films, and globally celebrated events.

With this remarkable achievement, Dr. Yogesh Lakhani joins the elite ranks of the Federal International Chamber Forum (FICF), one of the world’s most prestigious business forums. FICF membership is exclusive to business leaders possessing a minimum of ₹1,000 crore in assets and demonstrating a strong commitment to social responsibility. The MBA Award, instituted to recognize exceptional business leaders with significant social involvement, has previously been bestowed upon Shri V.P. Nandakumar, Shri Joy Alukkas, Shri M.A. Yusuff Ali, Shri T.S. Kalyanaraman, Shri P.N.C. Menon, Shri Gokulam Gopalan, Dr. Ravi Pillai, Shri M.P. Ramachandran, Shri Kochouseph Chittilappilly, Shri Sabu M. Jacob, Dr Viju Jacob, Dr. A.V. Anoop, Dr. Varghese Kurian, Adv. P. Krishnadas, Dr. Hafeez Rahman, Shri Soundararajan Bangarusamy, Shri V.R. Muthu, Shri V.C. Praveen, Dr. Arun N. Palaniswami, Shri C.K. Kumaravel, Shri T.K. Chandiran, Sir Sohan Roy SK, Dr. Vijay Sankeshwar, and Dr. Siddeek Ahmed. The MBA Award stands as a distinguished symbol of recognition, celebrating visionary entrepreneurs who drive transformative change in both business and society.

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Netherlands Joins US-Led AI Alliance Despite ASML Export Dispute

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The Netherlands has agreed to join Pax Silica, a U.S.-led initiative aimed at strengthening and coordinating artificial intelligence supply chains among allied nations. The move marks a significant boost for Washington’s technology diplomacy efforts, even as the two countries continue to disagree over certain chip equipment exports to China.

The announcement comes as Dutch Trade Minister Sjoerd Sjoerdsma visits Washington to discuss trade issues, including concerns over the proposed U.S. Match Act. While both countries support restrictions on exporting advanced semiconductor manufacturing tools used for AI chip production, they remain divided on whether Dutch company ASML should be allowed to sell and maintain some less-advanced equipment in China.

Pax Silica seeks to enhance economic security and cooperation in critical technology sectors. Besides the Netherlands, members include Japan and South Korea, while Taiwan has endorsed the initiative without formally joining. The European Union is also expected to participate in the future, further expanding the alliance’s influence over global AI and semiconductor supply chains.

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France’s Private Sector Slowdown Eases in June

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France’s private sector remained in contraction during June, but the pace of decline eased significantly, according to the latest S&P Global Flash PMI survey. The Composite Output Index rose to 47.6 from 44.9 in May, indicating that business activity is still shrinking but showing signs of stabilization. Economists viewed the improvement as a positive signal after France’s first-quarter GDP was revised to reflect an economic contraction.

The manufacturing sector showed encouraging progress, with the Manufacturing PMI climbing to 50.7, returning to growth territory. Manufacturing output also improved, while the services sector remained weak but contracted at a slower rate than in previous months. The Services PMI rose to 47.4, marking its highest level in three months.

Despite the improvement, demand remained subdued as new orders declined for a seventh consecutive month and export orders continued to fall sharply. Employment levels stabilized after a significant drop in May, while business confidence improved for the first time since January. Cooling cost pressures and softer pricing trends suggested easing inflation, although uncertainties surrounding shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz continue to pose risks to the outlook.

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Former SNP Chief Peter Murrell Jailed for Embezzling Party Funds

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Former Scottish National Party (SNP) chief executive Peter Murrell has been sentenced to five years and three months in prison after admitting to embezzling more than £400,000 from party funds over a 13-year period. The court heard that Murrell used the money to purchase vehicles, a luxury motorhome, and high-end consumer goods.

Murrell, the estranged husband of former SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon, pleaded guilty to embezzling £400,310 between 2010 and 2023. During sentencing, the judge described his actions as a serious breach of trust and a calculated act of dishonesty, emphasizing that the punishment should serve as a warning to senior officials in other organizations.

The case stemmed from a wider investigation into the SNP’s finances that also led to Sturgeon’s arrest in 2023. However, she was later cleared of any wrongdoing and has repeatedly stated that she had no knowledge of Murrell’s misuse of party funds. Authorities are now expected to pursue legal action to recover the embezzled money through proceeds-of-crime measures.

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German Business Activity Falls to 18-Month Low as Services Sector Weakens

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Germany’s private sector activity contracted at its fastest pace in 18 months during June, according to the latest S&P Global survey. The Composite Flash Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) dropped to 48.0 from 48.8 in May, falling short of market expectations and remaining below the 50-point mark that separates growth from contraction.

The decline was driven mainly by the services sector, where the PMI fell to 46.8, its lowest level since November 2022. Business activity and new orders in the sector weakened further, while overall new business across the economy declined for a fourth consecutive month, marking the sharpest fall since December 2024.

Despite the slowdown, the survey highlighted easing inflationary pressures. Input costs rose at the slowest pace in four months, while output price inflation softened. However, business confidence for the next 12 months weakened slightly and remained below long-term averages, raising concerns that Germany’s economy may have slipped back into contraction during the second quarter.

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