Global News – Page 625

Hong Kong’s biggest pro-democracy party moves to disband as freedoms dwindle

Yeung Sum, the founding member of the Democratic Party, is interviewed at the Democratic Party’s office in Prince Edward in Hong Kong on April 2, 2025. (AP) HONG KONG: When Yeung Sum co-founded the city’s largest pro-democracy party more than 30 years ago, he knew building a democratic Hong Kong would be a “difficult dream.” […]

Spain wants Israel ousted from Eurovision song contest over its role in Gaza war

Spain’s RTVE has urged the EBU to debate Israel’s Eurovision participation due to the Gaza war, prompting the EBU to acknowledge concerns while affirming all members’ eligibility. The contest, set in Basel, faces protests over Israel’s inclusion, with Yuval Raphael representing the nation amidst the ongoing conflict that began on October 7, 2023. Spain’s public […]

Russia labels ex-foreign minister Andrei Kozyrev a ‘foreign agent’; he calls it ‘stupidity of regime’

Vladimir Putin and Andrei Kozyrev (File photo) Russia’s justice ministry said on Friday that it has designated Andrei Kozyrev — a former foreign minister and prominent critic of President Vladimir Putin — as a “foreign agent”. The Yeltsin-era minister responded to this labelling by calling it “the stupidity of the regime.”According to Reuters, Kozyrev, 74, […]

Denmark to host US troops amid Greenland standoff off

Denmark PM Mette Frederiksen (AP file photo) Denmark started the process of approving a new defence agreement with the United States that will allow American troops to be stationed on its mainland. The Danish parliament held the first of three readings of the bill on Friday, with a final vote expected by the end of […]

Kennedy Jr reignites vaccine-autism debate with new study, medical experts warn of public health risks

US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr has launched a new study to investigate what he calls the autism “epidemic”, but the move has alarmed many in the medical community. They say the effort could promote long-debunked claims linking vaccines to autism—claims Kennedy has repeatedly pushed in the past. Speaking on Thursday, Kennedy said the […]

Trump’s nominee Caine approved as top US military leader amid partisan battle

Lt. Gen. John Caine (Retired) (AP Photo) On Friday, the Senate confirmed retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Dan “Razin” Caine as the new chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, nearly two months after President Donald Trump dismissed his predecessor. Trump nominated Caine for the position in February, following the abrupt firing of Gen. CQ […]

Trump’s fight with Maine backfires: Court orders feds to release funds

Democratic Gov. Janet Mills (AP photo) A federal judge has ruled that the Trump administration must immediately lift its freeze on federal funding to Maine, ordering the USDA to release any withheld funds to the state. The ruling demands that the USDA “must immediately unfreeze and release to the state of Maine any federal funding […]

Trump says Tehran may soften stance on nukes amid military and economic strain

US President Donald Trump said Friday that Iran’s vulnerabilities—after months of domestic unrest, international sanctions, and military setbacks—could make it more open to discussions. He says diplomacy is his preferred path, though he warned Iran would face “great danger” if talks fail. Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump said he wants Iran to be “a […]

Judge slams Trump admin’s ‘extremely troubling’ failure to return migrant from El Salvador prison

Supporters of Kilmar Abrego Garcia hold signs reading “Bring Kilmar Home” (AP photo) A federal judge has sharply criticized the Trump administration for failing to take any discernible action to secure the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident wrongfully deported to El Salvador. The strong rebuke came during a Friday hearing in a […]

Bomb blast near Athens train office amid recent protests over 2023 rail disaster; no injury reported

A bomb went off late Friday night near the offices of Hellenic Train in central Athens, Greece. No injuries were reported, but the explosion caused limited damage. The site is located on Syngrou Avenue, a busy area filled with restaurants and bars. Police confirmed that the bomb had been placed inside a bag left near […]