World

A forest fire has wreaked havoc on several seaside towns east of Athens, Greece. This devastating blaze has led to extensive damage to homes and prompted the evacuation of numerous residents from a beloved tourist locale. Located near Palaia Fokaia and Thymari, the fire has already necessitated the evacuation of five villages, as confirmed by brave firefighters on the front lines. Just a few days prior, a wildfire on Chios—Greece's fifth-largest island—devastated more than 4,000 hectares of land. "Ground and aerial…

US President Donald Trump may consider extending the July deadline for higher tariffs on imports, according to recent statements from the White House. Originally set for July 9, this deadline marks when punitive tariffs on a range of EU goods are scheduled to be imposed, which has prompted the EU to promise approximately €95 billion in retaliatory measures. When asked about the possibility of extending the pause on tariffs, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt commented, "Perhaps it could be extended, but that's a decision…

UNICEF has raised an urgent alarm, indicating that while global attention is drawn to other crises, the situation in Gaza is dire, described as "the worst it has ever been." It is a reality where the Palestinian territory has, in many ways, "hit rock bottom." The UN agency reports a staggering decline in aid availability, noting that 400 distribution points across Gaza have dwindled to a mere four. With a population exceeding two million, the territory is grappling with famine-like conditions, exacerbated by Israel's…

Taoiseach Micheál Martin recently announced a significant commitment of €21.6 million in Irish funding to Gavi, the global vaccine alliance. This pledge was made during a vital global summit aimed at generating at least $9 billion (€7.8 billion) to bolster Gavi's efforts. Gavi plays a critical role in providing access to vaccines that protect the world's most vulnerable children from disease. Looking ahead to 2026-2030, Gavi has set ambitious goals: to immunise an additional 500 million children, save over eight million…

Zohran Mamdani, a 33-year-old state politician and self-proclaimed democratic socialist, is making headlines with his remarkable lead in New York City's Democratic mayoral primary. He appears on track to defeat former New York governor Andrew Cuomo in a surprising upset. In a brief yet gracious statement to his supporters, Mr. Cuomo, 67, who had aimed for a political comeback four years after resigning amidst sexual harassment allegations, announced his congratulations to Mr. Mamdani. "Tonight is his night,"…

The ceasefire facilitated by U.S. President Donald Trump between Iran and Israel appears to be holding, a day after both nations indicated an end to their airstrikes. Each party claimed victory following a 12-day conflict that saw U.S. involvement with airstrikes aimed at dismantling Iran's uranium-enrichment facilities. Steve Witkoff, President Trump's Middle East envoy, shared optimistic news last night, stating that talks between the United States and Iran were "promising." He expressed hope for a sustainable peace…

NATO leaders have expressed strong support for a significant increase in defense spending, reiterating their commitment to mutual defense in a summit tailored for U.S. President Donald Trump. As they convened, a key resolution emerged: members endorsed a heightened defense spending goal of 5% of GDP by 2035. This decision not only responds to President Trump’s insistence but also addresses European concerns regarding the rising threat posed by Russia, particularly following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The summit's…

In a recent statement, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed his concerns regarding the ongoing tensions between Israel and Iran, emphasizing the need for Israel to de-escalate the situation. This follows his attempt to broker a ceasefire, which he noted both nations have since violated. As he departed from the White House, Mr. Trump remarked, "I need to get Israel to calm down now." He elaborated on the urgency of the situation, stating, "As soon as we made the deal, they came out and dropped a load of bombs, the likes of…

As US President Donald Trump made his way to NATO's summit in The Hague, the anticipation among allies was palpable. They hoped his pledge to increase defense spending would solidify his commitment to their protection. After all, as former Secretary of State Colin Powell once remarked, “The world is not just for us; it’s for all of us.” Kicking off the event, Mr. Trump joined leaders from NATO's 31 other member countries for a formal dinner hosted by Dutch King Willem-Alexander in the stunning Orange Hall of his royal…

As he trekked through the mud and rocks of Japan's humid Okinawan jungle, Takamatsu Gushiken came upon a slope where human remains have remained unnoticed since World War II. At 72 years old, he took a moment to pray and lifted a makeshift protective cover, revealing half-buried bones believed to belong to a young Japanese soldier. "These remains deserve to be returned to their families," said Mr. Gushiken, a businessman who has dedicated over 40 years to searching for war casualties. Recently, the island of Okinawa…