Germany’s far-right AfD bans EU top candidate from public appearances
Berlin, May 22 - Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has banned its lead candidate in next month's European elections, Maximilian Krah, from making public appearances, following his comments that not all Schutzstaffel (SS) members were criminals.
Activists confirm release of Chinese vlogger who reported on Covid-19
Beijing, May 22 - Chinese citizen journalist Zhang Zhan, who had been serving a four-year sentence for reporting on the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic in locked-down Wuhan, has been released from prison, according to supporters.
Israel orders immediate recall of ambassadors to Ireland and Norway
Jerusalem, May 22 - Israel's Foreign Minister Israel Katz on Wednesday ordered the "immediate return" of Israeli ambassadors to Ireland and Norway following the decision announced by the two countries to recognise a Palestinian state.
President Xi’s purging of Communist officials: Stunning similarities with Stalin
New Delhi, May 22 - After ascending to power in 2012, President Xi Jinping of China embarked on a journey to strengthen his grip on the country's already authoritarian regime. Having grown up in a political environment, Xi is well-versed in the workings
US: One killed in Iowa as tornadoes rip through Midwest
Chicago, May 22 - One person was killed as multiple tornadoes ripped through the western part of the US Midwestern state of Iowa, local media reported.
Trump’s aide urges sanction on ICC officials who sought arrest warrant for Netanyahu
Tel Aviv, May 22 - Robert O'Brien, former national security adviser and top aide of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, has said that the US should slap sanctions on officials of International Criminal Court (ICC) officials who sought an arrest warrant for Israel
US claims Russia likely launched space weapon into orbit last week
Washington, May 22 - The US has claimed that Russia launched what is likely a space weapon capable of attacking other satellites in low Earth orbit, US Pentagon spokesman Patrick Ryder announced.
Biden accuses Trump of using ‘Hitler’s language’ in newspaper mock-up
Washington, May 22 - US President Joe Biden has accused his predecessor and likely election opponent Donald Trump of using Nazi rhetoric following the publication of a video referencing a "unified Reich."
Vietnam announces former Minister To Lam as new President
Hanoi, May 22 -Vietnam's National Assembly, on Wednesday morning, approved To Lam, the Minister of Public Security, as the country's next President following a vote at its headquarters in Hanoi.
IDF only security force capable of preventing terror resurgence in Gaza, says Netanyahu
Tel Aviv, May 22 - Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said the IDF is the only security force capable of preventing a resurgence of terrorism in the Gaza Strip.
Syria’s first lady Asma al-Assad diagnosed with leukaemia
Damascus, May 22 - Syria's first lady, Asma al-Assad, has been diagnosed with leukaemia, the Syrian presidency said.
Netanyahu says he has no plans for Israeli settlements in Gaza
Tel Aviv, May 22 - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has told US media that Israel has no plans to build settlements in the Gaza Strip once the war there is over.
WHO head urges Israel to lift restrictions on aid into Gaza
Geneva, May 22 - Head of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has asked Israel to lift blockade on medical supplies into Gaza, saying nearly 700 seriously ill patients are stuck in a war zone.
Turkey grants visa exemption to Romanian citizens
Ankara, May 22 - Turkey has launched a passport-free policy for Romanian citizens, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said.
Finnish govt proposes controversial border pushback bill to Parliament
Helsinki, May 22 - The Finnish government has submitted to Parliament a controversial bill that would authorise pushing back asylum seekers at the eastern border and would also allow for the use of force.
Death toll from Brazil’s extended extreme weather reaches 161
Sao Paulo, May 22 - The discovery of four more bodies in the last few hours in south Brazil's weather-battered Rio Grande do Sul state has pushed the death toll to 161, the Civil Defence agency said.
Zelensky discusses Ukraine’s air defence boost with German FM
Kiev, May 22 - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has discussed strengthening Ukraine's air defence with visiting German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, the Presidential press service reported.
Jordan condemns Israeli raid of West Bank’s Jenin
Amman, May 22 - Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi has condemned Israel's raid into the West Bank city of Jenin, which killed seven Palestinians and injured nine others.
Int’l tourism reaches 97 pc of pre-Covid levels in 1st quarter of 2024
Madrid, May 22 - International tourist arrivals surged to 97 per cent of pre-pandemic levels in the first quarter of 2024, with projections indicating that numbers are expected to exceed those of 2019 over the rest of the year, the UN Tourism reported.
Russia begins tactical nuclear weapons drills: Defence Ministry
Moscow, May 22 - Russian military has begun the first stage of military exercises involving tactical nuclear weapons, the Russian Defence Ministry said.