Submit your Article

The UAE and Iraq have praised recent international recognition of the State of Palestine, calling it a vital step toward justice and lasting peace. UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed urged continued global support for the Palestinian cause, calling it a moral responsibility, Xinhua reported.

Iraq’s Foreign Ministry echoed the support, saying such recognition advances the goal of an independent Palestinian state.

Meanwhile, the Israeli military said it airdropped 43 aid packages over Gaza in coordination with Egypt, Jordan, and the UAE, delivering food to northern and southern areas. It pledged to continue humanitarian efforts while rejecting accusations of intentional starvation, according to Xinhua.

US President Donald Trump has raised tariffs on Canadian imports from 25 to 35 percent through a new executive order, set to take effect at midnight, according to BBC.

New tariffs on dozens of other countries will follow in seven days, as part of a broader trade push. Trump had announced the plan in April but paused it to allow time for new trade deals.

The UK, EU, and several others have since reached agreements. Mexico has been granted a 90-day extension,

Experts warn the tariffs may raise costs for US importers and consumers, BBC reported.

Myanmar’s National Defense and Security Council has imposed martial law in 63 townships across the country, following the declaration of a state of emergency in those areas, according to Xinhua.

The order grants the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services full executive and judicial authority in the affected regions. Authorities say the move aims to restore peace, stability, and effective governance.

The townships span multiple regions and states, including Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Chin, Sagaing, Magway, Mandalay, Rakhine, and Shan. The martial law will remain in effect for 90 days, Xinhua reported.

Russian president Vladimir Putin has directed the government to develop a roadmap for a national high-speed rail network by March 31, 2026. The plan will set timelines and key details for each project, starting with the Moscow–St. Petersburg line, Xinhua reported.

He also instructed the government and SberBank to outline how 300bn rubles (about $3.7bn) from the National Wealth Fund will be used to fund the route, with a report due by October 1.

The Moscow–St. Petersburg line will be Russia’s first high-speed rail, cutting travel time to 2 hours and 15 minutes. Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and Russian Railways CEO Oleg Belozerov will lead the effort, according to Xinhua.

President Donald Trump announced that the United States and Mexico have agreed to a 90-day extension of their current trade terms, aiming to reach a new agreement during that period.

The decision came after a phone call with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who confirmed that planned US tariffs—previously set to begin on August 1—have been postponed to allow space for dialogue, according to Xinhua.

Trump highlighted the complexity of negotiating with a neighboring country but said the two sides are building a better understanding. Both leaders described the conversation as positive, with hopes of finalizing a long-term trade deal within the 90-day window.

Talks are expected to continue actively during this period, Xinhua reported.

Indonesia and Somalia have agreed to strengthen ties in trade, agriculture, maritime affairs, and education following a meeting in Jakarta between Foreign Minister Sugiono and his Somali counterpart, Abdisalam Abdi Ali, according to Xinhua.

Sugiono reaffirmed Indonesia’s support through technical assistance in key sectors, including fisheries, agriculture, and health—highlighting an ICU project at the University of East Africa Hospital in Bosaso.

He also encouraged Somali students to take advantage of Indonesian scholarships and training programs to help deepen future cooperation, Xinhua reported.

Syria’s Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, on his first official visit to Moscow, said Damascus wants Russia “by our side” as the country rebuilds after last year’s regime change. He called for ties based on “mutual respect” despite existing challenges, Al Jazeera reported.

The visit marks a shift under interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who has taken a pragmatic approach to Moscow. Russia has maintained a military presence in Syria and continued economic ties, including oil shipments.

Chile has launched a new effort to save the endangered Darwin’s frog, a tiny amphibian where males carry tadpoles in their mouths. The initiative aims to protect habitats, support breeding areas, and work with private landowners to expand the frog’s range, according to Reuters.

The species includes two types — one endangered and the other critically endangered and nearly extinct. Once found across southern Chile and Argentina, the frog’s population has sharply declined due to deforestation, climate change, and urbanization.

Officials and conservationists hope the move will boost awareness and restore fragile populations of this unique native species, Reuters reported.