BELGIUM – The European Union on Tuesday decried the Trump’s threats of attacking Iran‘s critical civilian infrastructure, warning that such actions would escalate regional tensions and affect millions of people. “We have always said that diplomacy is the answer,” EU Commission spokesperson Anitta Hipper told reporters at the midday briefing. “From our side, we reject […]
Category: International Affairs
Shootout Outside Yapi Kredi Plaza in Turkey Leaves 3 Terrorists Dead
TURKEY – A shootout incident outside Yapi Kredi Plaza on Buyukdere Street in Istanbul’s Besiktas district on Tuesday left 3 terrorists dead and 2 police officers injured, according to the Turkish interior minister Mustafa Ciftci. Ciftci said the suspects, who engaged in an armed clash with police officers on duty in the area, have been […]
TGV Train Collision with Military Truck in France Kills 1
FRANCE – A TGV train collision with military truck in France killed the train driver on Tuesday and injured 2 others, according to local reports. The truck was transporting military vehicles. The crash occurred near Nœux-les-Mines at around 7 am local time (0500GMT), according to emergency services and rail operator SNCF. The driver, reportedly in […]
Vietnam’s Communist Party General Secretary To Lam Elected President
VIETNAM – The Vietnam’s Communist Party General Secretary To Lam was on Tuesday unanimously elected president, to serve for the next 5 years. Lam’s election marks his second term after a short-lived tenure in 2024, according to local outlet VnExpress. He is mandated to serve as president for the 2026-2031 term while continuing as general […]
Switzerland’s Aging Population Surpasses the Young Generation
SWITZERLAND – Switzerland’s aging population (over 65 years old) surpassed the young generation for the first time, while the overall population continued to grow in 2025, according to a Thursday report by the Swiss Federal Statistical Office. The country’s permanent resident population reached over 9.1 million by Dec. 31, an increase of 73,300 people, or […]
Students’ Critical Thinking Skills Declining as Use of Artificial Intelligence Grows; UK Teachers
UK – The UK’s National Education Union released a survey on Thursday, which revealed that majority of secondary school teachers in England believe that students’ critical thinking skills have declined with the growing use of artificial intelligence. The survey, based on responses from more than 9,000 teachers in English state schools, found that 66% of […]
Trump’s Address to the Nation Pushes European Natural Gas Prices Over 6pct, Precious Metals Drop
BELGIUM – Donald Trump‘s address to the nation’s remarks on Iran war pushed the European natural gas prices to over 6% (over €50 [$58]) on Thursday, as markets reassessed risks. The Dutch TTF price rose to trade near €50.4 ($58.1) per megawatt-hour as of 0655GMT on Thursday. The jump came after natural gas prices had […]
India’s Maa Sheetla Hindu Temple Stampede Kills 8
INDIA – Maa Sheetla Hindu temple stampede in India‘s Nalanda district on Tuesday killed at least 8 people, according to authorities. Vijay Kumar Choudhary, a minister in Bihar, called the incident “unfortunate” and said compensation would be provided to the families of the deceased. Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the incident as “deeply painful” and […]
Japan Deploys Long-Range Missiles with Counterstrike Capabilities
JAPAN – The Japanese Defense Ministry announced the deployment of long-range missiles with counterstrike capabilities in 2 of its Ground Self-Defense Force bases on Tuesday. “In response to the increasingly severe security environment surrounding Japan, the Ground Self Defense Force is engaged in the development of stand-off defense capabilities,” the ministry said on the US […]
US Seeks Patriot Air Defense System Battery from Poland for Middle East Deployment
POLAND – The US has unofficially requested the Patriot air defense system battery from Poland for deployment in the Middle East, according to a local report on Tuesday. The Rzeczpospolita newspaper said that Washington has not submitted a formal request but has approached Warsaw informally amid growing concern over the security situation in the Middle […]
German Far-Right Alternative for Germany (AfD) Calls for American Troops Withdrawal
GERMANY – The German far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party chairman Tino Chrupalla have expressed opposition to the continued stationing of American troops in the country, demanding their withdrawal. “Let’s start putting this into practice – by withdrawing US troops from Germany,” the daily Bild cited Chrupalla as saying in a speech at the party’s […]
Air China Resumes Direct Flights to North Korea After 6 Years
CHINA – Air China resumed direct flights to North Korea on Monday, ending a 6-year hiatus, following earlier resumption of train services between the two nations. An Air China passenger plane from Beijing arrived in Pyongyang Monday morning, marking the formal restart of passenger flight operations between the two capitals, Xinhua reported. Chinese Ambassador to […]
UK to Deploy Royal Navy’s RFA Lyme Bay Vessel at Strait of Hormuz
UK – UK is preparing to deploy Royal Navy’s RFA Lyme Bay vessel at the Strait of Hormuz for mine detection and clearing, according to local reports on Saturday. Sources cited by The Sunday Times, indicated that John Healey, the UK’s defense secretary, has authorized contingency plans for the 580-foot Bay-class ship to be sent […]
Social Media Account Restrictions for Children Under 16 Begins in Indonesia
INDONESIA – Official enforcement of social media account restrictions for children under 16 years begun on Saturday March 28 in Indonesia, becoming the first country to initiate such a curb in Southeast Asia. In a news briefing in Jakarta late Friday night, Communications Minister Meutya Hafid said that US social media platform X has “fully […]
Iran War’s Effect on European Energy Prices
TURKEY – Following the Iran war initiated by the US and Israel at the end of February, the global energy markets have been rattled, with European energy dependency on natural gas coming into attention. While natural gas prices across Europe surged nearly 100% in the course of the month, the region’s reliance on Gulf countries, […]