In a fresh controversy casting doubt on Donald Trump’s approach to Russia, a top State Department official appointed by the president has come under scrutiny for dismantling a key U.S. counter-disinformation unit—while maintaining ties that lead uncomfortably close to the Kremlin. Darren Beattie, the acting Under-Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, oversaw the shutdown of the U.S. government’s Russian disinformation watchdog known as R/FIMI, despite his own past praise…

Vietnamese firms are set to sign Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with U.S. partners to purchase $2 billion worth of American agricultural products, Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture announced on Tuesday. The agreements are part of broader efforts to strengthen trade ties and secure a new bilateral trade deal. The deals come amid trade tensions that saw the Trump administration impose a 46 per cent reciprocal tariff on Vietnamese goods as a…

In a sweeping rollback of environmental protections, the Trump administration announced Monday it would eliminate federal safeguards on millions of acres of Alaska’s  wilderness, exposing the area to oil drilling and mining in a renewed push for energy dominance. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, speaking from Alaska alongside Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin and Energy Secretary Chris Wright, confirmed the reversal of a December 2024 executive order by then…

Millions of South Koreans are heading to the polls in a historic snap presidential election, following the dramatic impeachment and removal of President Yoon Suk Yeol. The former conservative leader now awaits trial on rebellion charges, stemming from his abrupt and widely condemned attempt to impose martial law last December. The election, one of the most consequential in the country’s democratic history, has exposed deep political rifts and civic unrest,…

Renowned AI expert Yoshua Bengio has unveiled a new non-profit organisation aimed at creating safe, transparent artificial intelligence systems capable of detecting and preventing rogue AI behaviour. Named LawZero, the initiative seeks to address growing concerns about autonomous AI agents that could act deceptively or resist human control. Bengio, a professor at the University of Montreal and one of the so-called “godfathers of AI,” will serve as president of LawZero.…

Mount Etna, Europe’s largest and most active volcano, erupted on Monday morning, releasing a vast plume of ash, gas, and volcanic rock into the skies over Sicily. The dramatic event, which began at approximately 11:24 a.m. local time, was captured on surveillance cameras and closely monitored by Italy’s National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV). The eruption produced a pyroclastic flow, a fast-moving and highly dangerous surge of hot gases,…

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Monday that his government would determine its defence capability requirements before committing to any increase in military spending, responding to a U.S. request for Australia to raise its defence budget to 3.5 per cent of GDP. “What you should do in defence is decide what you need your capability and then provide for it,” Albanese told reporters. He emphasised that his government had…

At least 34 people have died in India’s northeast following four days of relentless rainfall that triggered widespread flooding and landslides. The India Meteorological Department has warned of more heavy rain in the coming days, raising concerns of further devastation. In the Himalayan state of Sikkim, more than a thousand stranded tourists were being evacuated on Monday, according to a government statement. Meanwhile, in Meghalaya, army rescue teams have been…

Nationalist candidate Karol Nawrocki narrowly clinched victory in Poland’s presidential runoff, election results revealed on Monday, dealing a major blow to Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s centrist, pro-European government. Nawrocki secured 50.89 per cent of the vote, edging out liberal challenger Rafal Trzaskowski, who garnered 49.11 per cent, according to the state election commission. The outcome is expected to deepen political gridlock in Warsaw. As president, Nawrocki holds veto power and…

What was meant to be a night of jubilation turned into a scene of fiery chaos across France as Paris Saint-Germain fans took to the streets to celebrate the club’s historic Champions League victory, its first ever. The joy quickly turned into unrest as violence, vandalism, and political fallout gripped the country. Following PSG’s 5-0 triumph over Inter Milan in Munich on Saturday night, supporters flooded the Champs-Élysées in central…

In a razor-thin victory, right-wing candidate Karol Nawrocki clinched Poland’s presidential runoff election, official results revealed early Monday. Securing 50.89% of the vote, Nawrocki edged out liberal rival Rafal Trzaskowski, the progressive mayor of Warsaw and close ally of Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who garnered 49.11%. Nawrocki’s candidacy was backed by the nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party, which governed Poland until Tusk’s coalition triumphed in the 2023 parliamentary elections.…

Tensions between the United States and China flared again on Monday, as Beijing accused Washington of “seriously violating” the trade truce agreed in Zurich just weeks ago. The flare-up has sent shockwaves through global markets, rattling investors and reigniting fears of a prolonged trade war between the world’s two largest economies. In a fiery statement, China’s commerce ministry condemned recent US actions, including new export restrictions on AI chips, curbs…