NEWS

Finland, Poland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania have announced plans to withdraw from the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty, citing heightened threats from Russia, The Guardian reported. Latvia’s parliament became the first to formally approve the move in April 2025, prompting alarm…

Over 400,000 people, including global leaders and pilgrims, bid farewell to Pope Francis at a solemn funeral in St. Peter’s Square, The Independent reported. The late pontiff, who died at 88 after a stroke, was eulogized for his advocacy for…

The UN World Food Programme (WFP) announced it has exhausted all food stocks in Gaza after Israel’s seven-week blockade halted aid deliveries, BBC reported. Community kitchens—providing 1 million daily meals—will run out of supplies “in coming days,” leaving 2.1 million…

The UN Security Council unanimously condemned Tuesday’s militant attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 tourists—including one Nepalese national—and injured dozens, Muslim Mirror reported. In a Friday statement, the Council expressed “deepest condolences” to victims’ families and governments…

Saudi authorities reported 19,328 arrests during a weeklong nationwide operation targeting immigration violations, Arab News reported citing the Saudi Press Agency release. The crackdown netted 11,245 residency law violators, 4,297 illegal border crossers, and 3,786 labor regulation offenders. Among those…

The new Syrian flag, symbolizing the opposition-led government, was raised at the United Nations headquarters on Friday, Rudaw reported. The ceremony, attended by Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani and UN envoy Geir Pedersen, marked a diplomatic milestone for the rebel-backed…

A massive explosion and fire tore through Iran’s Shahid Rajaei port near Bandar Abbas on Saturday, killing at least 14 people and injuring more than 750, according to Iranian state media. The blast, one of the country’s most severe industrial…

The European Union has allocated €250,000 in emergency funding to the International Federation of Red Cross to support Afghan migrants forcibly returned from Pakistan, Khaama Press reported. The aid will provide critical shelter, healthcare, clean water, and food supplies to…

The European Union will implement a comprehensive ban on products made with forced labor starting December 2027 under its newly enacted Forced Labor Regulation, HRW reported. Announced through a joint statement by Human Rights Watch and Cornell University’s Global Labor…

At least 11 Alawite civilians, including university students, were executed or tortured to death in Homs province within 24 hours, Kurdistan 24 reported citing the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR). Three victims died under torture by Syrian security forces…