China has launched its first nationwide child subsidy to boost declining birth rates, offering parents 3,600 yuan ($500) annually for each child under age three. The policy, retroactive to January 2024, aims to support around 20 million families amid a growing demographic crisis. Additional local incentives include larger payouts for third children and monthly allowances. Despite ending the one-child policy nearly a decade ago, China’s … Continue reading China offers parents $1,500 in bid to boost births

A brutal attack by Islamist rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has left at least 49 Christians dead, drawing strong condemnation from the Pope, the U.S. State Department, the United Nations, and Christian advocacy groups. The Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), an ISIS-linked terrorist group, attacked a church in Komanda during a night vigil, using machetes and burning homes. Among the victims were nine … Continue reading Pope Leo condemns brutal machete attack that killed 49 Christians during prayer in DR Congo

At least four people were killed and hundreds arrested during protests in Angola’s capital, Luanda, following a 30% diesel price hike. The increase triggered sharp fare rises by minibus taxis, leading to widespread unrest, looting, and road blockades. Police reported 400 arrests overnight and significant property damage, including vandalized shops and damaged vehicles. The protests began after fuel subsidies were cut on July 1, part … Continue reading Four killed, hundreds arrested in Angola protests against fuel price hike

Heavy rains and flooding in Beijing have killed at least 30 people, mostly in the hard-hit Miyun district, bringing the regional death toll to at least 34. Over 80,000 residents were evacuated, and more rain is expected. The flooding has damaged roads, knocked out power in over 130 villages, and triggered landslides in neighboring Hebei province, where four people died and eight are missing. Authorities … Continue reading Heavy rains and flooding kill at least 34 people in and near Beijing

Thailand and Cambodia agreed to an unconditional ceasefire Monday after five days of deadly border clashes that killed at least 35 people and displaced over 260,000. The deal was reached during a U.S.-backed meeting in Malaysia, hosted by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and attended by both nations’ leaders. Fighting began after a land mine wounded Thai soldiers, with both sides blaming each other. The ceasefire, … Continue reading Thailand and Cambodia agree to ceasefire

The UK has announced it will recognize Palestine as a state unless Israel takes meaningful steps to end the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Prime Minister Keir Starmer called for an immediate ceasefire, increased UN aid access, and the release of hostages, with 28 of the remaining 50 believed dead. Over 60,000 Palestinians have been killed since Israel’s offensive began in October 2023, and famine is … Continue reading Britain to recognize Palestine as a state unless Israel agrees to an ‘immediate ceasefire’ in Gaza

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a new law allowing citizens over 60 to voluntarily enlist in the military during martial law, provided they are deemed medically fit and receive approval from military commanders. The move aims to address severe manpower shortages reported in late 2024, particularly in technical and support roles. Contracts for these recruits will end once martial law is lifted, the Express has … Continue reading Zelensky allows Ukrainians over 60 to join military as war stretches on

President Trump confirmed that a Secret Service agent attempted to sneak his wife, a U.S. Air Force member, onto a support flight accompanying Air Force One to Scotland, despite being warned not to. The agent’s wife was removed before departure, and the agency has launched a personnel investigation. This incident comes amid ongoing scrutiny of the Secret Service after two assassination attempts against Trump in … Continue reading Secret Service agent tried to sneak wife onto transport plane to Scotland

Dozens of people were killed in an attack by the Islamic State-linked Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) in Komanda, northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo. About 20 victims were worshippers attending a church vigil, while others were killed in nearby areas. Shops were looted and burned, and some youths were reportedly kidnapped. Death toll estimates vary, with local sources reporting at least 43 dead, the BBC has … Continue reading Churchgoers killed in DR Congo attack linked to Islamic State

Israeli forces intercepted the aid ship Handala in international waters near Gaza on Saturday, seizing the vessel and detaining its 21-member international crew. The flotilla, organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, aimed to break Israel’s blockade and deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza. The ship was taken to Ashdod port, where legal support was eventually granted to the activists, including lawmakers, journalists, and U.S. citizens. Israel said the … Continue reading Gaza flotilla seized by IDF towed to Ashdod, activists taken into custody

Russia has launched a regular monthly flight between Moscow and Pyongyang, marking closer ties with North Korea. The first Nordwind Airlines flight carried over 400 passengers. The move follows Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s visit to North Korea’s Wonsan-Kalma resort, which aims to boost tourism and support the country’s struggling economy, the Associated Press has reported. North Korea is gradually reopening its borders post-pandemic, while … Continue reading Russia starts direct commercial flights between Moscow and Pyongyang

A regional passenger train derailed near Riedlingen in southern Germany on Sunday, killing at least three people and seriously injuring others. Around 100 passengers were on board when two carriages left the tracks in a forested area. The cause is still under investigation, CNN has reported. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz offered condolences, while rescue operations continued at the scene. Written by B.C. Begley Continue reading Passenger train derails in Germany killing at least 3 people

Greece continues to battle widespread wildfires for a second day, with major blazes in the Peloponnese, Evia, and the tourist island of Kythera, where half the island is reportedly burned. Dozens of homes and natural areas have been destroyed, prompting evacuations and emergency alerts. Strong winds and extreme heat, with temperatures reaching 45.2°C, have fueled the fires, though conditions are expected to improve from Monday. … Continue reading Greece: Wildfires continue to burn with danger mounting

Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to hold talks in Malaysia on Monday to seek an end to four days of border fighting that has killed at least 33 people and displaced thousands. The move follows pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, who called both leaders and warned there would be no trade talks until the violence stops. Cambodia has agreed to an immediate ceasefire, while … Continue reading Thailand and Cambodia agree to talks in Malaysia after four days of fighting

A Chinese research icebreaker, Xue Long 2, was detected Friday in the U.S. Extended Continental Shelf about 290 nautical miles north of Alaska, prompting surveillance by the U.S. Coast Guard. While not in U.S. territorial waters, the ship was inside a zone where the U.S. holds exclusive rights to manage resources. Canada is also monitoring the vessel’s Arctic movements, CBS News has reported. The sighting follows … Continue reading Chinese research ship detected off Alaskan coast, Coast Guard says

The Israeli military has begun daily 10-hour pauses in fighting across three populated areas of Gaza to allow more humanitarian aid, amid growing concern over hunger and international criticism. The pauses aim to ease the flow of aid, including airdrops, as over 2 million Gazans face severe shortages. UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher welcomed the move but stressed the need for faster, sustained action, the … Continue reading Israel begins daily pause in fighting in 3 Gaza areas to allow ‘minimal’ aid

Nearly 50 people, including children, are feared dead after an Antonov An-24 passenger plane crashed near Tynda in Russia’s Amur region. The Soviet-era aircraft, operated by Angara Airlines, vanished from radar during a regional flight and was later found wrecked and on fire on a remote mountainside. No survivors were seen, and preliminary reports indicate all 49 people on board perished. The plane crashed during … Continue reading Dozens feared killed after plane crashes in Russia’s Far East

French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France will officially recognize the state of Palestine, with a formal declaration planned at the UN General Assembly in September. He called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the release of hostages, humanitarian aid, Hamas’s demilitarization, and the establishment of a viable Palestinian state that recognizes Israel, ABC News has reported. The move drew strong backlash from the U.S. … Continue reading France to recognize the state of Palestine, Macron says

Thai and Cambodian soldiers clashed along their border in a major escalation that left at least 14 dead, mostly civilians, and displaced over 4,000 people. The fighting involved small arms, artillery, rockets, and Thai airstrikes, following a land mine explosion that injured five Thai soldiers. Clashes resumed Friday near the Ta Muen Thom temple. This marks a rare military conflict between ASEAN members, the Associated … Continue reading Thailand launches airstrikes on Cambodia as border clashes leave at least 14 dead

In parts of Mexico, organized crime groups have taken control of hospitals and forced medical staff to treat wounded cartel members under threat of violence, according to doctors speaking anonymously. In Guanajuato, a doctor described being threatened at gunpoint and coerced into treating injured hitmen from the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. While official data shows a drop in homicides under President Claudia Sheinbaum, experts warn … Continue reading Drug traffickers take control of health centers in some areas of Mexico

A series of drone attacks have targeted oil fields in Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdish region, damaging infrastructure but causing no injuries. Norwegian company DNO ASA and a U.S.-operated field were among those affected, leading to temporary shutdowns. No group has claimed responsibility, but Kurdish officials suspect the attacks aim to disrupt the region’s economy and energy sector. Tensions have risen between Kurdish authorities and Baghdad, with … Continue reading Drone attacks on oil fields in Iraq’s Kurdish region shut down facilities

Fugitive Moldovan oligarch Vladimir Plahotniuc, wanted for his role in a $1 billion bank fraud and other corruption charges, was detained in Greece, Moldovan police announced. Plahotniuc, who fled Moldova in 2019, had been on Interpol’s international wanted list. He is accused of fraud, money laundering, and leading a criminal organization. Moldovan authorities are working to secure his extradition, the Associated Press has reported. Once … Continue reading Fugitive Moldovan oligarch implicated in $1 billion bank fraud detained in Greece

A Syrian government committee has confirmed that over 1,400 people, mostly Alawite civilians, were killed during sectarian violence in the country’s coastal region in March. The investigation identified 298 suspects in serious crimes including murder, torture, and looting, with 37 arrests made so far. While government forces were accused of summary executions, the report found no evidence the military leadership ordered attacks on the Alawite … Continue reading More than 1,400 killed in sectarian violence in coastal Syria, report finds

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has signed a controversial law that critics say weakens the independence of Ukraine’s key anti-corruption agencies, sparking protests across major cities and drawing sharp criticism from Western allies. The law gives the prosecutor general — a Zelensky ally — control over the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO), raising concerns about political interference. Zelensky defended the … Continue reading Protests in Ukraine as Zelensky signs bill targeting anti-corruption bodies

Thirteen people have been arrested in Pakistan’s Balochistan province after a video showed the brutal “honour” killing of a couple, Bano Bibi and Ahsan Ullah, for marrying against their families’ wishes. The footage, showing the woman being shot after asking to be killed respectfully, sparked national outrage. Authorities identified the perpetrators, including a tribal elder who ordered the killings, and are searching for nine more … Continue reading Pakistan authorities arrest 13 suspects over ‘honour’ killing video