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Around 100,000 Join Budapest Pride in Open Defiance of Hungary’s Ban

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BUDAPEST, Hungary (BN24) — Tens of thousands of people marched through central Budapest on Saturday in what organizers called Hungary’s largest-ever LGBTQ+ Pride event, defying a government ban and mounting pressure from Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s administration to stay home.

An estimated 100,000 participants gathered outside City Hall before moving along the Danube River and crossing Erzsébet Bridge, waving rainbow flags and chanting in support of LGBTQ+ rights. Police diverted the demonstration from its original route to prevent confrontations with a small group of far-right counterprotesters, but the marchers continued undeterred, dancing to music and carrying banners denouncing Orbán’s policies.

The demonstration, marking the 30th annual Budapest Pride, was outlawed in March after Orbán’s right-wing populist Fidesz party fast-tracked legislation that criminalized events deemed to “depict or promote” homosexuality to minors under 18. The law, which government officials acknowledged was aimed specifically at Pride, also introduced fines of up to 200,000 forints ($586) for attendees.

“This isn’t just about LGBTQ+ rights,” said marcher Blanka Molnár. “It’s also about the right to assemble and about standing up for each other and not allowing the government to oppress us.” She described the atmosphere as “fantastic,” saying she believed even those who had never attended Pride before felt compelled to participate this year.

The massive turnout came as Orbán, the European Union’s longest-serving leader, faces declining poll numbers and an energized opposition. Though authorities rejected multiple permit requests to hold the event, Budapest Mayor Gergely Karácsony declared Pride would proceed as a municipal gathering, arguing that such an event does not require government approval. The government disputed that interpretation, warning Karácsony and participants that organizing or promoting Pride could result in prison sentences of up to a year.

Ahead of the march, authorities installed new surveillance cameras and signaled they would use facial recognition technology to identify attendees. Still, the crackdown did not dissuade the crowds.

“I think we can only achieve change if so many people take to the streets,” said participant Zsófia Szekér, who held a sign declaring that Hungary’s democracy itself was under threat. “This is about our future.”

Prime Minister Orbán and his allies have argued that Pride events undermine children’s “moral and spiritual development,” rights that a recent constitutional amendment elevated above other protections, including the freedom to assemble. In recent years, Orbán’s government has also banned same-sex marriage, barred same-sex adoption, and prohibited transgender Hungarians from legally updating their gender on official documents.

The demonstration was widely seen as a high-stakes challenge to Orbán’s authority. As music blasted from speakers and thousands marched through the city center, many said the display of solidarity was itself a form of resistance against the administration’s efforts to curtail civic freedoms.

Marcher András Faludy dismissed the government’s months-long campaign to stop Pride as “hysteria,” adding, “It’s damn pathetic. It’s nonsense.”

Organizers said the record turnout sent a clear message that Hungarians would not be intimidated into silence.

Trump Administration to End Deportation Protections for Haitian Migrants in Major Immigration Shift

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WASHINGTON (BN24) — The Trump administration will terminate deportation relief for more than half a million Haitians, ending protections granted under a decades-old humanitarian program as it escalates efforts to reduce both legal and illegal immigration.

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced Friday that Temporary Protected Status, or TPS, for some 521,000 Haitian migrants will officially end on September 2. The move follows Noem’s earlier decision this year to shorten the duration of TPS protections for Haitians, effectively setting the stage for mass deportations unless migrants secure another form of legal status.

President Donald Trump, who campaigned on a pledge to curb immigration, has used the first months of his term to unwind protections that have shielded hundreds of thousands from removal. In February, Noem rescinded TPS for about 350,000 Venezuelans and thousands of Afghan and Cameroonian nationals, part of a broader strategy to limit humanitarian admissions.

The Supreme Court has largely cleared the path for these terminations. On May 19, justices ruled that the administration could proceed with ending TPS for Venezuelans. Another order issued May 30 permitted the immediate revocation of a different status, known as parole, for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans.

TPS, created by Congress in 1990, allows people to remain in the United States if their country has been devastated by natural disaster, war or extraordinary circumstances. The program requires the homeland security secretary to review conditions two months before protections expire to decide whether to renew, broaden, or end the designation.

In a statement Friday, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said that environmental conditions in Haiti had improved enough to justify returning its citizens, though the agency did not specify which factors led to that determination.

“The environmental situation in Haiti has improved enough that it is safe for Haitian citizens to return home,” the spokesperson said.

Advocacy groups and humanitarian organizations quickly condemned the decision, citing Haiti’s entrenched instability. The Caribbean nation has not held an election since 2016 and much of the capital, Port-au-Prince, remains under the control of heavily armed gangs. United Nations officials have repeatedly warned that insecurity and food shortages are worsening.

Despite those warnings, the Trump administration has frozen portions of previously pledged funding intended to support a U.N.-backed security mission in Haiti.

Trump has long argued that TPS and similar programs were exploited to bypass the immigration system and prolong unauthorized stays. During his first term, efforts to dismantle TPS protections for Haitians, Salvadorans and others were repeatedly blocked by federal judges, delaying removals for years.

With the Supreme Court now signaling a green light for further terminations, the administration appears determined to advance a sweeping rollback of humanitarian relief.

Gauff and Sabalenka Share TikTok Dance at Wimbledon, Signaling Fresh Start After French Open Tension

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LONDON (BN24) — Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka left no doubt Friday that any hard feelings after their French Open final were firmly behind them, joining forces for a playful dance on Centre Court at Wimbledon and posting the clips across social media.

The two top-ranked tennis stars put on a show to C+C Music Factory’s 1990 hit “Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now),” swaying and laughing together on the grass in a moment that quickly went viral.

“TikTok dances always had a way of bringing people together,” Sabalenka wrote on Instagram, captioning the video of the pair’s moves during a practice session ahead of Wimbledon’s start on Monday.

Gauff, who regularly shares videos with her millions of followers, uploaded her own clip outside the All England Club’s main stadium. In it, she and Sabalenka mouthed the words: “OK, guys, we’re back. Did you miss us? ’Cause we missed you.”

“The olive branch was extended and accepted! we’re good so you guys should be too,” Gauff added in her caption.

Three weeks ago, Gauff defeated Sabalenka 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-4 to claim the French Open title. Sabalenka’s remarks after the match — suggesting Gauff had not played “incredible” tennis and instead won because Sabalenka made too many errors — stirred controversy.

Sabalenka, a three-time Grand Slam champion from Belarus, later admitted her comments were “unprofessional” and reached out privately to apologize.

On Friday, the No. 1-ranked Sabalenka and No. 2-ranked Gauff looked united in spirit as they prepared for the year’s third Grand Slam. They could only meet again if both advance to the Wimbledon final on July 12 — setting up the possibility of another high-stakes showdown.

Gauff, 21, has twice defeated Sabalenka in major finals, including last year’s U.S. Open. But for now, the pair seemed more interested in lighthearted camaraderie than rivalry.

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Trump Administration Weighs $30 Billion Civilian Nuclear Deal for Iran in Exchange for Halting Enrichment

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WASHINGTON (BN24) — The Trump administration has examined offering Iran as much as $30 billion in assistance to develop a civilian nuclear program if Tehran agrees to halt uranium enrichment, according to three people familiar with the internal discussions.

The tentative plan, which would also involve releasing billions of dollars in frozen Iranian assets, is among a range of options under consideration as officials debate how to curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions. The idea reflects a potentially dramatic shift for President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly condemned any sanctions relief for Iran since pulling the United States out of the Obama-era nuclear accord in 2018.

The discussions, first reported by CNN, included proposals for regional countries to help Tehran establish a peaceful nuclear energy industry while restricting its capacity to produce weapons-grade material.

It remained unclear whether the plan would move forward or whether U.S. and Iranian officials would enter any direct negotiations.

Trump publicly denied knowledge of the proposal on Friday night, calling it “just another HOAX put out by the Fake News.”

“I never heard of this ridiculous idea,” he wrote in a post on Truth Social.

The president’s remarks came only hours after he threatened to abandon any sanctions relief following inflammatory comments by Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who claimed victory over Israel and dismissed the significance of recent U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.

“Why would the so-called ‘Supreme Leader,’ Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, of the war-torn Country of Iran, say so blatantly and foolishly that he won the War with Israel, when he knows his statement is a lie?” Trump wrote, adding that he had been exploring options for removing sanctions “which would have given a much better chance to Iran at a full, fast, and complete recovery.”

“The sanctions are BITING!” he continued. “But no, instead I get hit with a statement of anger, hatred, and disgust.”

In a televised speech Thursday, Khamenei declared Iran’s retaliation had delivered a “hand slap” to the United States and warned that such operations could be repeated.

Despite the fiery exchange, Trump on Friday said Tehran still appeared interested in meeting to discuss potential sanctions relief.

“They do want to meet me, and we’ll do that quickly. We’re going to do it quickly,” Trump told reporters during a White House meeting with the foreign ministers of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Rwanda.

“Don’t you think we have sanctions on there that they can’t do anything?” he said. “Wouldn’t you think that they want to meet me? I mean, they’re not stupid people.”

Russia Masses 110,000 Troops Near Pokrovsk in Bid to Capture Strategic Ukrainian City, Kyiv Warns

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KYIV, Ukraine (BN24) — Russia has concentrated roughly 110,000 troops near the eastern Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk in preparation for what Kyiv described as a renewed push to seize the strategically critical area, Ukraine’s military chief said Friday.

General Oleksandr Syrskyi called the sector surrounding Pokrovsk the “hottest spot” along the 1,200-kilometer (745-mile) front line, where Russian forces have tried and failed to break through for nearly a year despite their overwhelming advantage in manpower and firepower.

Pokrovsk, though not a major urban center, has long been a central target for the Kremlin as Russian President Vladimir Putin pursues control of the entire Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Those territories remain only partially occupied by Moscow’s forces.

“Pokrovsk is key,” Syrskyi said in televised remarks. “Its capture would disrupt our defensive network across Donetsk and open routes toward Kostiantynivka, Kramatorsk, and Sloviansk.”

Before the Russian invasion began in February 2022, Pokrovsk had about 60,000 residents. Almost all have since fled as the city became a hub for Ukrainian military logistics and defense. The last functioning coking coal mine, once a major local employer, shut down earlier this year, prompting more evacuations.

The U.S.-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported that Ukrainian forces have used integrated drone reconnaissance and coordinated artillery strikes to blunt Russian advances, compelling Moscow’s commanders to abandon plans for a frontal assault. Instead, Russian troops have been attempting to encircle Pokrovsk from the south and northeast.

Despite Moscow’s buildup, Syrskyi said Russian efforts have been hampered by troop shortages as Kremlin forces redeployed thousands to respond to Ukraine’s surprise raids into Russia’s Kursk region. According to Syrskyi, those operations forced Moscow to divert nearly 63,000 soldiers and around 7,000 North Korean fighters, reducing pressure on Ukrainian lines around Pokrovsk.

“This allowed us to regroup and weaken the enemy’s push on key fronts,” he said. “Their announced capture of Pokrovsk back in September 2024 still hasn’t happened, in part thanks to our actions in Kursk.”

The ISW noted that Russian units in the Pokrovsk area increasingly rely on small fireteams that maneuver on motorcycles, buggies, and all-terrain vehicles to probe Ukrainian defenses.

Syrskyi said Russia’s objectives are as much symbolic as tactical.

“They want to do this not only for operational gains, but also for psychological impact—so they can plant a flag and trumpet another false triumph,” he said.

Diddy and Son Justin Combs Accused in Lawsuit of Luring Woman to Los Angeles for Alleged Gang Rape

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LOS ANGELES (BN24) — Sean “Diddy” Combs and his son Justin Combs are facing new accusations in a lawsuit alleging they lured a woman from Louisiana to Los Angeles in 2017 with promises of a television job before she was held against her will and gang-raped.

Filed Monday in Los Angeles County Superior Court, the civil suit claims Justin Combs contacted the woman — identified only as “Jane Doe” — through Snapchat and invited her to visit California with assurances of career opportunities. Once she arrived, she was allegedly drugged and sexually assaulted by Sean Combs, Justin Combs, and two unidentified men who wore masquerade masks.

The lawsuit details how Jane Doe was flown to Los Angeles on April 14, 2017, met at the airport by a black SUV, and taken to a Beverly Hills home known as “The Glass House.” According to the complaint, she initially believed she would be networking to secure a production job in Atlanta through the Combs family’s connections. Instead, she said she was kept inside the residence, provided liquor and marijuana she believed were laced, and later pressured to ingest additional pills.

“When asked if they were ever going to leave, Justin abruptly said ‘no,’” the complaint said.

The woman alleges that later that day, three masked men entered the home, including Sean Combs, whom she recognized by his “stature and mannerisms” and because Justin referred to him as “Pops.” She claims she was threatened — told “You better let this happen. Or else” — and then raped repeatedly over two days while incapacitated.

The lawsuit further claims Jane Doe was driven back to the airport on Monday and warned about explicit photos she had sent to Justin, which he allegedly retained and could use to intimidate her.

In a statement Friday, Combs’ media representatives denied all allegations, saying, “No matter how many lawsuits are filed it won’t change the fact that Mr. Combs has never sexually assaulted or sex trafficked anyone.”

The suit names Sean and Justin Combs, Combs Enterprises LLC, Bad Boy Entertainment, and ten unnamed defendants, alleging sexual battery, gender violence, and negligent supervision. It also accuses Combs’ companies of enabling the abuse by facilitating the deception about job prospects.

Attorney Tony Buzbee, who represents Jane Doe, said Friday, “We are proud of our client for having the courage to step forward and be heard. The details of the lawsuit speak for themselves. We will see that justice is done.”

Sean Combs, whose racketeering and sex trafficking trial is nearing a verdict in New York, has faced multiple lawsuits in recent years alleging sexual misconduct, including a high-profile claim by ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura that was settled out of court.

Jane Doe’s complaint states she has suffered severe trauma, physical injuries, anxiety, and emotional distress as a result of the alleged assault.

Combs’ legal team has not yet filed a formal response to the latest suit.

Marcus Monzo Sentenced to Life for Samurai Sword Murder of Schoolboy in Hainault, London

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LONDON (BN24) — Marcus Arduini Monzo, who launched a brutal samurai sword attack that killed a 14-year-old boy on his way to school, has been sentenced to life in prison for murder and a series of other violent crimes that terrorized an east London neighborhood.

Monzo, 37, was convicted at the Old Bailey of murdering Daniel Anjorin, along with three counts of attempted murder, wounding with intent, aggravated burglary, and possession of a bladed article. Mr Justice Bennathan ordered that Monzo serve a minimum of 40 years before he can be considered for release, meaning he will remain behind bars for at least 38 years and 309 days given time already served. He will be at least 75 if ever eligible for parole.

On April 30 last year, Monzo went on a 20-minute rampage in Hainault, nearly decapitating Daniel with a sword as the boy walked to school. The attack left five others injured, including police officers and a man struck by Monzo’s van and slashed in the neck.

“In Hainault, east London, just before 7 a.m., the weather was good and the streets were starting to fill with people on their way to work and even a few children heading to school,” Mr Justice Bennathan told the court Friday. “Over the 20 minutes that followed, that peaceful, busy scene was devastated as members of the public were attacked, police officers were gravely injured, a couple were terrified in their own home, and a clever, talented young boy was killed.”

Daniel was remembered by his family as a gifted student and talented athlete whose life was filled with promise. His father, Dr. Ebenezer Anjorin, speaking outside the court alongside Daniel’s mother, Grace Anjorin, called the ordeal “the worst nightmare experience of our lives.”

“This has been a painful and deeply traumatic chapter,” Dr. Anjorin said. “No verdict or sentence can bring back our son. But we are grateful that justice has been served.”

The family expressed gratitude to the Metropolitan Police and the prosecution team, adding that they would honor Daniel’s memory through the love and happiness he shared with them.

During the trial, prosecutors described Monzo as intent on “killing as many people as he could” while under the influence of cannabis, hours after he skinned and deboned his pet cat. CCTV footage played to the jury captured him ramming a pedestrian with his van and slashing others with the sword as terrified screams filled the street.

Monzo, a Spanish-Brazilian national from Newham, admitted possessing offensive weapons but claimed he remembered nothing of the attacks. He denied Daniel’s murder and several other charges, but jurors convicted him after hearing harrowing accounts from victims and seeing graphic video evidence.

In court, Daniel’s father said: “We will not see him get married or have children. All these hopes and aspirations have been cruelly snatched away through the wicked actions of Marcus Monzo.”

Trump Says He Would Consider More Strikes on Iran if Necessary

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WASHINGTON (BN24) — President Donald Trump said he would be prepared to order additional military strikes against Iran if necessary, as questions swirl about the extent of damage caused by recent U.S. and Israeli attacks on the country’s nuclear facilities.

Trump insisted the sites targeted last weekend were “obliterated,” dismissing any suggestion that the impact had been overstated. Still, he said he would support the International Atomic Energy Agency or another credible body inspecting the facilities to verify the damage.

“I’d like inspectors to be able to look, whether it’s the IAEA or some other respected source,” Trump told reporters. “I don’t believe Iran wants to keep trying for a nuclear weapon after what we did.”

His comments came as the head of the U.N.’s nuclear watchdog, Rafael Grossi, declared that restoring inspections in Iran remained his top priority. No IAEA visits have taken place since Israel launched strikes on June 13.

Iran’s Parliament moved on June 25 to suspend such inspections, escalating the standoff. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi signaled on June 27 that Tehran may refuse any IAEA request to enter its nuclear sites.

While Trump said he believes Iran is still interested in talks about what comes next, the White House confirmed on June 26 that no meeting between U.S. and Iranian representatives has been scheduled.

Son of Norway’s Crown Princess Suspected in Rape and Assault Cases, Police Say

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OSLO, Norway (BN24) — The son of Norway’s crown princess is suspected of committing three rapes and more than 20 other offences, Norwegian authorities announced Friday, marking the latest development in a sprawling investigation that has gripped the Scandinavian nation.

Marius Borg Høiby, 28, who is the stepson of Crown Prince Haakon and does not hold a royal title or official duties, was arrested three times last year — in August, September and November — amid allegations ranging from sexual assault to bodily harm.

After a 10-month inquiry, police in Oslo have turned the case over to prosecutors, who will determine whether to file formal charges, police attorney Andreas Kruszewski said.

Høiby’s lawyer, Petar Sekulic, said his client “takes the accusations very seriously” but denies any wrongdoing in most of the alleged incidents, especially those involving sexual violence.

The police investigation began after Høiby was detained on August 4, 2024, on suspicion of assault. Authorities said the inquiry had involved “a large number of witness interviews, several searches and a review of extensive digital material.” Høiby was questioned multiple times over the autumn of 2024 and the spring of this year and “cooperated with the police,” the Oslo Police District said in a statement.

Among the suspected offences are four counts of sexually offensive behavior, one count of abuse in a close relationship and two counts of bodily harm.

Kruszewski confirmed that some allegations of sexual offenses were dropped because of the statute of limitations and insufficient evidence. He declined to provide the exact number of alleged victims but said it was in the “double digits.”

Høiby, the son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit, has largely stayed out of the public eye compared to other members of Norway’s royal family.

The Royal House of Norway acknowledged the case in a brief statement, noting that the matter was moving through the legal system and declining to comment further.

Togo Soldiers Break Up Protests Against Longtime Leader Faure Gnassingbe

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LOME, Togo (BN24) — Soldiers in Togo clashed with demonstrators Thursday, using tear gas and batons to disperse hundreds of protesters who blocked major roads in the capital to demand the resignation of Faure Gnassingbe, the West African country’s longtime ruler.

The protests underscored the deepening political tensions in Togo after Gnassingbe assumed a sweeping new role as president of the Council of Ministers, a position created last month that has no term limits. Opposition leaders have condemned the appointment as a “constitutional coup,” warning it effectively allows Gnassingbe to extend his family’s grip on power indefinitely.

Witnesses said demonstrators gathered early Thursday in several neighborhoods of Lome, erecting barricades with burning tires and wooden debris that sent thick plumes of smoke into the air. Security forces responded quickly, charging into the crowds to break up the rallies organized by a coalition of bloggers and activists.

By midday, soldiers in trucks were seen patrolling the city’s main arteries, where storefronts were shuttered and the atmosphere remained tense. Scattered clashes continued into the afternoon as protesters regrouped in the suburbs.

“We’re hungry. Nothing works for Togolese youth any more, that’s why we’re going out to protest this morning,” said Kossi Albert, a 30-year-old unemployed man who joined the demonstration. Albert said he planned to return to the streets on Friday despite the crackdown.

Calls for three days of protests were issued earlier this week, but authorities moved swiftly to quash the gatherings. Togo’s minister of territorial administration, Hodabalo Awate, did not immediately respond to requests for comment about the security response.

The unrest comes weeks after dozens of people were arrested during demonstrations against Gnassingbe’s consolidation of power. Amnesty International said many were quickly released, though rights groups have raised alarms about a broader clampdown on dissent amid soaring living costs.

Gnassingbe, who has already served two decades as president, inherited leadership from his father, Gnassingbe Eyadema, who seized power in a 1967 coup and ruled Togo until his death in 2005. Together, the father and son have overseen more than half a century of continuous rule.

Last week, Togolese authorities suspended the broadcasts of French international news outlets RFI and France 24 for three months, accusing them of biased reporting. The move was widely criticized by press freedom advocates as part of a wider effort to stifle independent coverage of opposition activity.

As tensions simmered Thursday, the demonstrations signaled growing frustration among Togolese citizens who say their demands for political reform and economic relief have been ignored.

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