Latest Local and World News Today
News stories covering the major international affairs shaping world politics, diplomacy, trade, international security, defense and international relations.
BELGIUM – The economic sanctions on Syria lifted by the European Council on Wednesday following an agreement made in May. In a press release, the EU council stated that it had lifted all economic restrictive measures on Syria, with the exemption of those based on security grounds. Underlining that the adoption formalized the political decision … Read more
FRANCE – The French parliament on Tuesday adopted the assisted dying bill. The bill is now expected to be reviewed by the Senate in the fall and return to parliament in early 2026. The parliament adopted the bill in the first reading. The bill, aimed at “authorizing and supporting a person who has expressed the … Read more
UK – The planned EU joint defense procurement programme adopted $170 billion loan amount for the joint financial tool on Tuesday, aimed at boosting defense equipment production capacity to partner nations. The Security Action for Europe (SAFE) instrument, a new EU financial tool, will support member states in investing in defense industrial production through common … Read more
MALAYSIA – The 2025 (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) ASEAN summit in Malaysia has kicked off on Monday in Kuala Lumpur, with regional leaders aiming to cover regional as well as global issues. The event began with a traditional ASEAN handshake as the leaders were set to discuss challenges, strategic priorities and efforts to reinforce … Read more
PAKISTAN – A nationwide polio vaccination drive in Pakistan was launched on Monday to curb the growing risk of the disease under heavy security, in a week-long campaign targeting to reach over 45 million children. Health Minister Mustafa Kamal inaugurated the drive—the third one this year—at a ceremony in the capital Islamabad, the Health Ministry … Read more
HAITI – A gang attack in Haiti’s town of Preval left at least 50 dead, including children on Friday. According to media reports, the assailants set fire to homes, raided a church and killed civilians in what witnesses described as a massacre. Among the victims was 86-year-old pastor Jocques Brutus, who was reportedly beheaded by … Read more
AUSTRALIA – The New South Wales floods have affected at least 50,000 people while leaving a trail of destruction of 10,000 properties. The NSW State Emergency Service (SES) said on Saturday that it had started damage assessments after conditions eased. “Flood waters in some locations are starting to subside, however are also still rising in … Read more
SOUTH KOREA – US troop withdrawal from South Korea is being considered in the latest released report. This will involve around 4,500 troops considered to be moved to another location in Indo-Pacific region, including Guam. An option being developed by the Pentagon is to pull out roughly 4,500 troops and move them to other locations … Read more
AUSTRALIA – The Australia‘s New South Wales floods 2025 have broken record by reaching a flood level of 6.4 meters, surpassing previous 1929 record. This is as a result of the overflow of the Manning River in Taree in Mid North Coast region. Hundreds of people were rescued in Australia’s New South Wales (NSW) state … Read more
CHINA – The China bank interest rate per annum has been reduced to 3% from 3.1%, the first of its kind in 7 months on Tuesday. A five-year interest rate has been reduced to 3.5% from 3.6%. These cuts marked the first reduction in rates since the central bank’s 25-basis-point cut in October, as the … Read more
FRANCE – A boat carrying migrants sinks in English Channel of France off coast of Pas-de-Calais, killing one migrant. French authorities rescued 61 migrants, who were among 62 trying to cross the English Channel when the boat sunk. BFMTV reported that at least 12 migrants had died while attempting to cross the English Channel since … Read more
INDIA – A building fire in Hyderabad India has killed at least 17 people. Among the dead are 8 children and 5 women. The incident occurred in Hyderabad’s Charminar at around 6.30 a.m local time according to the local fire department. The cause of the fire hasn’t be confirmed yet but it’s believed to be … Read more
ROMANIA – As Romanians head to the polls for the second round of presidential elections, the Romanian presidential candidate George Simion was escorted out of a polling station in Mogosoaia after casting his vote. He is the leader of the nationalist party Alliance for the Unification of Romanians (AUR) and front-runner for the previously held … Read more
GERMANY – The German chancellor Friedrich Merz has said that the EU will add new sanctions on Russia starting next week for Putin’s refusal to attend the ongoing direct peace talks with Ukraine in Turkey. Speaking to public broadcaster ZDF late Thursday, Friedrich Merz said while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy travelled to Türkiye and showed … Read more
ALBANIA – The European Political Community summit 2025, the 6th of its kind, is taking place in Albania today, Friday, with the participation of 47 heads of state as well as EU institutions. The summit will take place in Albania’s capital, Tirana. Alongside EU member states, countries like Türkiye, the UK, Norway, Switzerland, and Ukraine … Read more
AUSTRALIA – The outbreak of melioidosis, a tropical disease in Australia that has been linked to heavy rainfall and flooding have claimed at least 30 lives in 2025 in the northern parts of the country. According to the latest data from the health department in Queensland, there were four new cases reported in the past … Read more
GREECE – A 6.1 magnitude earthquake in Crete, Greece has been reported in the early hours of Wednesday morning. The earthquake was felt in Crete and the island of Rhodes, announced public broadcaster ERT, adding that a precautionary tsunami warning was issued, advising residents to move away from coastal areas. No significant material damage or … Read more
TONGA – A magnitude 6.4 earthquake in Tonga today at 0415GMT with a depth of 243 kilometers (150.99 miles), struck off the country’s eastern coast. This was reported by the US Geological Survey (USGS). There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties, and the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center did not issue a tsunami warning … Read more
GERMANY – The German annual inflation rate has eased as consumer prices rose by 2.1% in April, just as estimated according to the official data released on Wednesday. The figure dropped from the previous month’s 2.2% to mark the lowest level since October 2024, as per to Destatis data. It was at 2.3% in February … Read more
SINGAPORE – New COVID-19 cases in Singapore are rising according to Communicable Diseases Agency, with the current reported cases as of May 3, being at 14,200. The Singapore’s Ministry of Health in a press release on Tuesday, May 13, stated that when comparing between April 27 to May 3, in relation to the previous week, … Read more