- Ukraine condemns Russian missile strikes as civilian casualties rise
- South Korea football association apologises over allegations of sexual services to referees
- Roughriders defeat winless Redblacks 42-20 in commanding performance
- Pentagon revokes Frank Kendall’s security clearance for disclosing classified Air Force One information
- Boy, 12, left with minor injuries after being dragged under lorry in Brazil
- Europe experiences temperature rise at double the global average rate.
- Abelardo de la Espriella sworn in as Colombia’s president, pledges crackdown on armed groups
- Winnipeg family expresses frustration after mother waits 20 hours in ER
UK public borrowing exceeds official forecast in September
FT.com Tweet
Government borrowing overshot official projections in September, which is a sign of the difficult fiscal position that the Chancellor faces as she puts the finishing touches on her first tax and spending budget.
CITY AM Tweet
Ukraine condemns Russian missile strikes as civilian casualties rise
Spain has reinstated border controls with Italy amid escalating tensions over a migrant influx into Ceuta. The move comes as authorities respond to increased pressure from the European Union regarding irregular migration routes, with Spanish officials citing security concerns prompted by the significant influx of asylum seekers. This measure, aimed at regulating the movement of people across this Schengen border, reflects broader regional anxieties regarding immigration policy amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions within Europe.
Economically, the impact of Spain’s decision is likely to ripple through regional trade and tourism sectors already burdened by post-pandemic recovery. Stakeholders are particularly keen on monitoring the forthcoming discussions at the EU summit scheduled for next week, where member states will address coordinated approaches to migration and border security.
Key developments across the world
Child among three killed in Russian missile attacks near Kyiv
GLOBAL SECURITY — Recent missile strikes in Kyiv resulted in the deaths of three people, including a child.
The attacks mark an escalation in the ongoing conflict, prompting condemnation from international communities. Ukrainian officials are urging greater military aid from allies in response to the increasing aggression from Russia.
Spain reinstates border controls on Italy as tensions rise over migrants
GLOBAL MIGRATION — Spain has announced reinstated border controls with Italy amid rising tensions regarding migrant influxes.
The decision follows significant pressures on Spain’s border cities, particularly Ceuta, known for high numbers of arriving migrants. This move could strain relations between the two countries and complicate EU migration policies.
Trump renews effort to fire Fed’s Cook, continuing attacks on central bank
DIPLOMACY — Former President Donald Trump has revived his attempt to dismiss Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook.
This development occurs in the context of ongoing dissatisfaction within Trump’s circle regarding Fed policies. Such actions could further complicate financial stability and provoke scrutiny from economic analysts.
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey sign defence pact
GLOBAL SECURITY — Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey have formalised a new defence partnership aimed at enhancing regional security.
This pact underscores a strategic shift in military alliances in response to increasing geopolitical tensions. The agreement may significantly impact the dynamics in an already volatile region.
What to watch — The potential for escalated military responses following the latest missile attacks in Ukraine.
Further reading from global news sources
Financial Times
Spain reinstates border controls on Italy as tensions rise over migrants
BBC News
Spain to impose border controls against Italy as row over Ceuta migrant influx intensifies
The Economist
World in Brief: Spain imposes border restrictions on Italy; Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey sign defence pact
The Guardian
‘We have no tents or blankets’: Ceuta migrants struggle to survive brutal heat and freezing nights
Reuters
Trump renews effort to fire Fed’s Cook, continuing attacks on central bank
Get you up to speed: South Korea FA apologises over ‘sexual services’ allegations
South Korea’s national football association, the Korea Football Association (KFA), has issued an apology following allegations reported by JTBC that it provided “sexual services” to foreign referees during international matches in 2011 and 2012. In a related development, Seoul police raided the KFA’s offices on Thursday as part of an investigation into the appointment of former national team coach Hong Myung-bo.
The Korea Football Association (KFA) acknowledged that a 2016 sports ministry investigation identified seven instances of providing inappropriate entertainment to foreign referees between March 2011 and March 2012. Concurrently, Seoul police are conducting a separate investigation into the recent appointment of national team coach Hong Myung-bo, with KFA offices having been raided for this purpose.
The Korea Football Association (KFA) issued a statement apologising for the allegations regarding the provision of “sexual services” to foreign referees, addressing concerns raised from a parliamentary hearing and media reports. Following a police raid of its offices as part of an investigation into the appointment of former national team coach Hong Myung-bo, the KFA clarified that such practices are “absolutely not currently taking place.”
What remains unclear — It is not clear how many foreign referees were allegedly involved in the inappropriate entertainment provided by the KFA.
South Korea football association apologises over allegations of sexual services to referees
Sport|FootballSouth Korea FA apologises over ‘sexual services’ allegations
South Korea football association apologises over allegations relating to qualifiers for World Cup 2014 and the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Published On 8 Aug 20268 Aug 2026
South Korea’s national football association has apologised after a media report alleged it had provided “sexual services” to foreign referees when they were in the country for international matches more than a decade ago.
South Korean broadcaster JTBC reported on Thursday that the Korea Football Association (KFA) had provided such services to foreign referees on multiple occasions in 2011 and 2012, including when they were in the country for qualifying matches for the 2014 World Cup and the 2012 London Olympics.
“We deeply apologise for causing concern over various issues involving the association, which emerged from a parliamentary hearing and an unprecedented search and seizure, and from reports about events from more than a decade ago, that even many within the organisation were unaware of,” the KFA said in a statement on Saturday.
In its news report, JTBC cited a 2016 sports ministry investigation that found the KFA had provided inappropriate entertainment to foreign referees on seven occasions between March 2011 and March 2012, including trips to massage parlours where the fees had included the costs of sexual services.
The KFA did not immediately respond to an email seeking further comment and details.
“The association makes clear that inappropriate conduct of this kind, or the use of corporate cards for such purposes, is absolutely not currently taking place,” the KFA said in its statement.
The allegations add to scrutiny of the association over a separate issue involving the appointment of former national team coach Hong Myung-bo.
Seoul police raided the KFA’s offices on Thursday as part of an investigation related to Hong’s appointment, police told Reuters.
Hong returned as national team coach in 2024 after a previous spell in charge from 2013 to 2014. His appointment drew scrutiny after the KFA abandoned a months-long search involving foreign candidates and selected Hong following a brief meeting.
The controversy resurfaced after South Korea’s disappointing World Cup campaign ended in a group-stage exit.
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