Iraq’s highest appellate court has upheld a landmark ruling recognising a Christian woman’s right to be officially identified as a follower of Jesus Christ rather than being classified as Muslim in state records. The case challenged Article 26(2) of Iraq’s National Card Law, which automatically assigns the religion of Islam to minor children whenever one […]
U.S. President Donald Trump has called on the United Kingdom to reopen North Sea oil production and strengthen efforts to tackle illegal migration, describing the two issues as among Europe’s biggest challenges. Speaking on the UK’s energy and immigration policies, President Trump argued that increasing oil production in the North Sea would help lower energy […]
Japan’s government has approved the use of 20 billion yen, approximately $153 million, from its fiscal 2026 budget reserve funds to support recovery efforts following the major earthquake that struck the southwestern prefecture of Kumamoto a week ago. The funding will be used to provide emergency relief supplies dispatched by the central government to affected […]
Massive wildfires burning across more than 250,000 acres in the U.S. state of Washington have prompted widespread evacuation orders as firefighters continue battling multiple fast-moving blazes. Washington Governor Bob Ferguson has declared a statewide emergency and imposed a statewide burn ban in response to the worsening conditions, urging residents to remain alert and comply with […]
Venezuela has formally notified the United Nations of its decision to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC), marking a significant step in its long-running dispute with the Hague-based tribunal, which is investigating alleged crimes against humanity committed in the country. The Venezuelan government announced that it had submitted its notification to the UN Secretary-General, […]
The United Kingdom has temporarily withdrawn its embassy staff from Iran, citing the deteriorating security situation in the country as tensions in the Middle East continue to raise concerns about the safety of diplomatic personnel. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) announced that embassy operations in Tehran have been temporarily suspended, emphasizing that […]
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in a renewed diplomatic effort aimed at exploring possible pathways to end the war in Ukraine, as Washington seeks to revive stalled peace discussions despite continuing hostilities on the battlefield. The high-level meeting, taking place on the sidelines of regional […]
The United States has spent approximately $37.5 billion on its military campaign against Iran, according to U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who warned lawmakers that additional funding will be needed to sustain operations as fighting continues across the region. Speaking before Congress, Hegseth said the figure includes both current expenditures and projected costs through the […]
The United States has announced a new trade agreement with Jordan aimed at strengthening economic ties, boosting bilateral investment, and expanding opportunities for businesses in both countries. The agreement reflects Washington’s broader strategy of reinforcing partnerships with key allies in the Middle East while promoting regional economic growth. The deal is expected to enhance cooperation […]
Leaders from across the Indo-Pacific have begun a week-long series of high-level meetings aimed at strengthening regional security, expanding economic cooperation, and addressing growing geopolitical challenges, as governments seek to reinforce stability in one of the world’s most strategically important regions. The discussions bring together heads of government, foreign ministers, defence officials, and senior diplomats […]