Hong Kong to evacuate 6,000 residents after discovery of WWII bomb
Hong Kong police ordered the evacuation of 6,000 residents after a WWII bomb was found at a construction site.
World
Afghanistan bars inclusion of female authors in university curricula
The Taliban government has banned all books written by women from Afghan university curricula, blacklisting at least 679 titles and ordering replacements that comply with its interpretation of Islamic Sharia.
British couple freed after months in Taliban custody in Afghanistan
The Taliban has released an elderly British couple detained in Afghanistan for nearly eight months, with Qatari mediation playing a role in securing their freedom.
Pakistan offers to share nuclear program with Saudi Arabia under defense pact
Pakistan’s defense minister announced that under a new mutual defense agreement, his country’s nuclear capability “will be made available” to Saudi Arabia if needed, formally placing the kingdom under Islamabad’s nuclear umbrella.
UK set to recognize Palestinian state despite U.S. opposition
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to confirm Britain’s vote to recognize a Palestinian state at the UN, defying U.S. opposition and citing growing humanitarian concerns in Gaza.
Trump says Putin has ‘let him down’ as US and UK leaders hold talks on Ukraine, global crises
The US president stressed his “personal obligation” to end the war while Starmer called for tougher international pressure on Moscow.
France prepares for nationwide anti-austerity strikes and protests
France is facing widespread protests and strikes by teachers, hospital staff, transport workers and others as trade unions push back against proposed austerity measures, budget cuts and reforms under President Macron and new Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu.
Ukraine shifts weapons production into NATO territory, beyond reach of Russian strikes
Ukraine is relocating part of its defense industry to Denmark under a $50 million initiative, protecting arms production from Russian strikes while boosting NATO cooperation.
Iran executes man convicted of espionage for Israel, Judiciary says
Iran has hanged a man identified by state media as Babak Shahbazi, convicted of spying for Israel’s Mossad, a claim challenged by activists who say he was tortured into a false confession.
Israel intensifies Gaza strikes as defence minister proclaims “Gaza is burning”
Israel has launched some of its heaviest strikes on Gaza City, fuelling speculation of a full-scale ground operation. Defence Minister Israel Katz declared: “Gaza is burning. We will not relent and we will not go back until the completion of the mission.”