English

Gavin Blackburn

Singapore

Singapore dissolves parliament, paving the way for 3 May election

The ruling People's Action Party has been criticised for tight government control and a government-knows-best stance, media censorship and the use of oppressive laws against dissidents.

Europe News

EU announces €1.6bln financial aid package for Palestinian Authority

More than a third of the money, to be provided over two years, will come as direct budget support to the PA and is aimed at improving financial sustainability, democratic governance and services to help the private sector develop.

Europe News

Two bodies found on Greek island after suspected migrant boat sinking

Officials said there were no reports of any missing people, nor any immediate information on the migrants' nationalities or how their boat had sunk.

Europe News

Cyprus sentences Syrian man for bringing migrants on overloaded boat

According to the ruling, the Syrian man, himself a migrant, received training on how to operate the boat and was in radio contact with another trafficker who instructed him on the route.

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Europe News

EU sanctions seven Iranian officials over arrests of its citizens

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot welcomed the sanctions, describing Iran's actions as a "state policy" of hostage taking.

Europe News

Erdoğan positions Turkey as point of stability for European security

Erdoğan said European security is ‘unthinkable without Turkey’ after White House warned that the continent must look after its own security.

Europe News

Jailed Istanbul mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu appears in court on threat charge

İmamoğlu's arrest and imprisonment have been widely viewed as politically motivated despite Turkey's government insisting the judiciary is independent and free from political influence.

Israel

IDF says it will fire air force reservists who condemn Gaza war

While the soldiers who signed the letter didn’t refuse to keep serving, it's part of a growing wave of Israeli service personnel speaking out against the 18-month conflict.

China

Xi calls for fair global governance in meeting with Spain's Sánchez

Tariffs announced last week and than paused by US President Donald Trump could push the European Union to pursue more trade with China, the world's third-largest consumer market after the US and the EU.

Morocco

Hackers breach Morocco's social security system, post data on Telegram

The hackers who posted the documents on Telegram said the attack was in response to alleged Moroccan 'harassment' of Algeria on social media platforms, pledging additional cyberattacks if Algerian sites were targeted.

Tunisia

Tunisia dismantles coastal camps housing migrants en route to Europe

Authorities suggested more than 20,000 people were sheltering in the camps, which are near a part of the coastline located less than 161 kilometres from the Italian islands that form the European Union's outermost borders.

Europe News

China rejects claims it is aware its citizens are fighting in Ukraine

The rebuke came after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his government had evidence of at least 155 Chinese nationals fighting alongside Russia on Ukrainian territory.

Japan

Japan, NATO agree to deepen security ties in face of regional threats

"A stronger NATO will benefit Japan greatly," Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said at a press conference with Rutte, who was visiting Japan for the first time since becoming secretary general of the alliance in October.

North Korea

Kim Yo Jong mocks Western calls to denuclearise North Korea

Tensions in the regions have increased as Kim Jong Un continues to flaunt his military nuclear capabilities and align with Russia over President Vladimir Putin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Europe News

Germany's CDU and SPD reach deal on new coalition government

The centre-right CDU and its sister party, CSU, have agreed on a joint coalition agreement with the centre-left SPD, which they plan to present on Wednesday afternoon.

Panama

US Defence Secretary says China poses a threat to Panama Canal

Hegseth's visit comes amid tensions over US President Donald Trump's repeated assertions that the United States is being overcharged to use the Panama Canal and that China has influence over its operations.

Europe News

Frontex investigates Greece over alleged migrant rights violations

Greece has come under increased international scrutiny and criticism from human rights groups following a migrant boat sinking in 2023 off its southern coast that killed hundreds.

Libya

Libya cracks down on 10 NGOs providing aid to migrants

The Internal Security Agency said the organisations were also suspected of money laundering because they avoided transparency in how financial transfers are made for their projects.

Europe News

Kallas says Albania faces tricky reforms but its future is in the EU

Brussels decided in 2020 to start full membership negotiations with Albania, and talks began last October on how the Western Balkan country aligns with the EU in its fundamental principles.

Europe News

Dutch cannabis growers welcome expansion of scheme to legalise sales

While growing cannabis is still illegal, cannabis shops — known as coffeeshops — in 10 municipalities will be allowed to sell marijuana from 10 licensed producers.

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