US President Donald Trump met Syria's interim leader Ahmed al-Sharaa in the presence of Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, in Riyadh on Wednesday.

"HRH the Crown Prince holds a meeting with the US President and the Syrian President," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia posted on X along with photographs of the meeting between the three leaders.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other top officials were also present during the meeting.

"A meeting brings together HRH the Crown Prince, the US President, and the Syrian President in Riyadh, with the Turkish President participating via phone," it said in another post.

The meeting came after Trump on Tuesday evening announced that the United States was lifting sanctions on Syria.

At least 17 people have been killed and more than 84,000 others displaced by flash floods following torrential rains across Somalia since mid-April, the United Nations relief agency said.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said an assessment conducted by disaster management officials has revealed extensive damage to infrastructure and an urgent need for assistance to affected people.

"Partners have stepped up assistance in affected areas, including food, shelter items, hygiene kits, and cash assistance," OCHA said in its latest flash update released in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia.

It said heavy rains in the Banadir Region on May 9 caused devastating flash floods that killed nine people, affected at least 24,600 people, damaged key infrastructure in several districts, and swept away shelters in displacement sites.

The Kremlin has rejected the ruling of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Council, which placed the responsibility for the 2014 Malaysia Airlines crash on Russia.

The UN body, ICAO, recently alleged that Russia was responsible for the July 17, 2014, downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 over eastern Ukraine that killed all 298 people on board.

"Russia will not recognise the Council's ruling. It is illegitimate and violates the 1944 Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation and its own rule of procedure. Unlike the biased majority on the Council, Russia remains committed to UN Security Council resolution 2166 (2014) and the cause of identifying the real causes of the air crash," the country's foreign ministry said.

The ministry denied any involvement of Russia in the Malaysia Airlines crash.

External Affairs Minister (EAM), S. Jaishankar extended best wishes to his Canadian counterpart, Anita Anand, on being sworn in as the Foreign Minister.

"Congratulate Anita Anand on your appointment as Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs," he posted on X.

Indian-origin Canadian politician Anita Ananda has been sworn in as the country's Foreign Minister after a major Cabinet reshuffle by Prime Minister Mark Carney, focussing on "mandate for change."

Taking to X, Anand posted, "I am honoured to be named Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs. I look forward to working with Prime Minister Mark Carney and our team to build a safer, fairer world and deliver for Canadians."

One of Anand's missions will be to pilot the reset of the almost ruptured ties with India that Carney signalled, while managing the delicate relations with President Donald Trump's America.

Canadian businessman Maninder Sidhu, who was a parliamentary secretary, has been appointed as International Trade Minister.

Sidhu, 41, who was sworn in as a minister on Tuesday, is an entrepreneur who runs his own international trade specialist business.

He says in his LinkedIn page that he “worked with businesses across Canada to provide strategic advice with a focus on trade, tariffs and growth opportunities”.

Elected to parliament in 2019, he did a short stint as the parliamentary secretary to the Foreign Minister.

Sidhu next parlayed his business experience to become the parliamentary secretary to the International Trade Minister and has now jumped to Prime Minister Mark Carney’s cabinet, assuming that portfolio.

Taiwan on Tuesday said that it spotted 31 Chinese aircraft (30 of which crossed the median line of the strait and entered the northern and southwest airspace), 7 Chinese warships, and one official ship, continuing to operate around the Taiwan Strait.

The Taiwanese army used mission aircraft, ships, and shore-based missile systems to closely monitor and respond.

"31 sorties of Chinese army aircraft, 7 Chinese navy vessels and 1 official ship operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 30 out of 31 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern and southwestern Air Defence Identification Zone," the Ministry of National Defence posted on X.

South Korean Minister of Science and ICT Yoo Sang-im will visit the United States later this week to discuss ways to expand cooperation with Nvidia in securing advanced graphic processing units (GPUs), the ministry said on Tuesday.

The announcement came during a meeting of the government-led special committee on artificial intelligence (AI) computing, which Yoo chairs.

At the meeting, the ministry also unveiled an additional budget of 1.46 trillion won ($1.03 billion) aimed at purchasing 10,000 high-performance GPUs, reports news agency.

The budget will support a comprehensive plan covering procurement, infrastructure development and GPU utilisation through public-private collaboration.

Violent clashes erupted in the Libyan capital Tripoli between rival armed factions, amid reports of the death of Abdul-Ghani al-Kikli, known as Ghaniwa, who headed the Stability Support Department affiliated with the Presidency Council.

Local media reported on Monday that al-Kikli was killed inside the headquarters of the 444 Brigade, which is affiliated with the Tripoli Military Zone.

At the same time, they noted, citing an unnamed security source, that "the reason for al-Kikli's presence inside the headquarters of the 444 Brigade is unknown."

The reports about al-Kikli's death coincided with residents of parts of southern Tripoli confirming hearing sounds of intense gunfire involving heavy weapons, as other areas of Tripoli are experiencing serious security tensions.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced here on Monday that an agreement has been reached with China, at the trade talks held here, for a bilateral reduction in tariffs with effect from May 14 for a 90-day period.

The US will reduce tariffs on Chinese goods from 145 per cent to 30 per cent for 90 days, while China said it will cut tariffs on US goods from 125 per cent to 10 per cent for 90 days.

“We have reached an agreement on a 90-day pause and to substantially move down the tariff levels. Both sides on the reciprocal tariffs will move their tariffs down 115 per cent,” Bessent said at a press conference.

In a new executive order, US President Donald Trump has vowed to cut the price of prescription drugs and pharmaceuticals in the US between 30 per cent to 80 per cent.

Taking to his social media platform Truth Social, Trump promised to sign the order on Monday morning, and provide Americans relief from high medication costs “almost immediately”.

He also cited years of frustration of US consumers in paying significantly higher prices for medications than people in other countries.

“For many years the World has wondered why Prescription Drugs and Pharmaceuticals in the United States States of America were so much higher in price than they were in any other nation,” Trump said in the post.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday expressed willingness to hold discussions with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, to end the ongoing conflict between the two nations.

This statement came shortly after US President Donald Trump called on Ukraine to immediately agree to the negotiations proposed by Russian President Putin, which could take place in Turkey on May 15.

"Here in Ukraine, we have absolutely no problem engaging in negotiations, we are ready for any format. I will be in Turkey this Thursday, May 15, and I expect Putin to come to Turkey as well. Personally. And I hope that this time, Putin won't be looking for excuses as to why he "can't" make it. We are ready to talk, to end this war. President Trump has expressed support. All the leaders support this," Zelensky posted on X.

YouTube has restricted access to at least six Bangladeshi television channels in India following a takedown request from the Indian government "citing concerns related to national security and public order", Bangladeshi media reported on Saturday.

The six Bangladeshi television news channels blocked in India are Jamuna TV, Ekattor TV, DBC News , Somoy TV, BanglaVision News & Mohona TV. While four channels became inaccessible on Friday, two more - DBC News and Somoy TV — were added to the block list on Saturday, reports cited.

Geo-blocking is a practice used to restrict online content based on the geographical location of the user. In this instance, Bangladeshi TV news channels remain available globally, except in India.

Korean Air Lines, South Korea's leading air carrier, said it will acquire a 10 percent stake in WestJet, Canada's second-largest airline, in a bid to strengthen its presence in the North American market.

The South Korean airline's board approved the US$220 million deal earlier in the day, the company said in a press release. Delta Air Lines, Korean Air's joint venture partner in the United States, will also purchase a 15 percent stake in WestJet for $330 million, reports news agency.

Founded in 1994, WestJet operates a fleet of over 180 aircraft and serves more than 100 airports globally. Korean Air has maintained a codeshare partnership with WestJet since June 2012.

Korean Air emphasized that the equity investment is aimed at deepening the codeshare alliance and expanding connectivity in Canada and the broader North and Latin American markets.

US President Donald Trump has called for a 30-day unconditional ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, stating that he is committed to securing peace between both nations. He warned that any kind of violations of the ceasefire would lead to sanctions.

"Talks with Russia/Ukraine continue. The US calls for, ideally, a 30-day unconditional ceasefire. Hopefully, an acceptable ceasefire will be observed, and both Countries will be held accountable for respecting the sanctity of these direct negotiations. If the ceasefire is not respected, the US and its partners will impose further sanctions," he wrote in Truth Social on Friday.

"Thousands of young soldiers are dying on a weekly basis, and everybody should want it to STOP. I do, and the United States of America does, also. As President, I will stay committed to securing Peace between Russia and Ukraine, together with the Europeans, and a Lasting Peace it will be! This ceasefire must ultimately build toward a Peace Agreement. It can all be done very quickly, and I will be available on a moment's notice if my services are needed. Thank you for your attention to this matter!" he further added.

Two Israeli soldiers were killed and three others seriously wounded in two separate attacks in the southern Gaza Strip on Thursday, according to a statement from the Israeli military released Friday.

In the first attack, Sergeant Yishai Urbach, 20, a combat engineer, was killed when Hamas militants fired a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) at a building in Rafah, where Israeli forces were stationed. Two other soldiers were injured in the assault, with one sustaining serious wounds. The injured soldiers were evacuated by helicopter to a hospital in central Israel.

In the second attack, Sergeant Yam Frid, 21, of the Golani infantry brigade, died when an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) struck the tank he was in, also in Rafah. Two other soldiers in the tank were severely wounded.

The Pakistan government and its Army have found themselves at the receiving end of their citizens and Parliamentarians, after getting beaten in the war of nerves with their Indian counterpart and also losing face globally, over their brazen support to terror.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif faced major embarrassment after a Parliamentarian in his country called him out over his "cowardice", saying the former couldn't stand up to his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi.

The video of the Pakistani lawmaker making personal remarks on the Sharif has gone viral on social media and is evoking many likes and comments.

"Pakistan PM is a coward, he can't even take the name of Narendra Modi," the MP is heard saying in the video.

He made the statement while speaking in Pakistan Parliament, a day after its Army launched a volley of missiles and drones on India, however, utterly failing to hit any intended targets.

The stock markets in Pakistan further tanked on Thursday, as trading was halted at the Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) amid rising geopolitical tensions.

Karachi Stock Exchange fell more than 6 per cent on Thursday before the trading was halted. The stock exchange has been witnessing a continuous decline since the barbaric Pahalgam terror attack.

The main index, Karachi Stock Exchange 100 Index (KSE-100), has slipped by more than 13 per cent since April 22 when the terror attack happened, killing 26 people, most of them tourists.

On April 22, the KSE-100 index was at 1,18,430, which has now dropped to 1,03,060.

Apart from this, another Pakistani stock index, KSE-30, has also fallen more than 14 per cent since April 22.

Former Bangladeshi President Abdul Hamid has left the country on Thursday, months after the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during the violent July uprising, according to local media reports.

Hamid, an Awami League leader, was the President for two consecutive terms from 2013 to 2023 during the Hasina-led government.

Hamid departed for the Thai capital, Bangkok, on a Thai Airways flight, the leading Bangladeshi daily, reported, quoting sources.

After fall of Awami League government, a case was filed against Hamid, along with Sheikh Hasina, her sister Sheikh Rehana, Hasina's son Sajeeb Wazed (Joy), daughter Saima Wazed (Putul) and several others in connection with the attack and firing on a demonstration in Kishoreganj during the countrywide student movement, local media reported.

"We were aware of the case filed in Kishoreganj against him. However, there was no travel ban issued by the court or the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) regarding his departure. Therefore, there was no legal bar to his foreign travel. Moreover, he is physically unwell," said an immigration official speaking to the media when asked why Hamid was allowed to leave the country despite the charges.

The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) on Thursday suspended flight operations in all major cities, including capital Islamabad, Lahore, Sialkot and Karachi, as fear and panic gripped the country following India's decisive Operation Sindoor strikes.

As per details, PAA announced that it has suspended all flight operations in Lahore, Sialkot and Karachi till 6 pm today due to prevailing tensions with India and operational considerations.

Emergency alarms were also heard in the federal capital Islamabad after Pakistan Army claimed that it has shot down Harop drones in Rawalpindi and multiple cities across the country.

"The suspension at Lahore and Sialkot were implemented in light of the current security situation following heightened tensions between Pakistan and India," the PAA stated.

Russia has suspended combat operations in following the Victory Day ceasefire announced by President Vladimir Putin, which came into effect on Thursday.

Putin announced the 72-hour ceasefire on April 28, in its ongoing 'Special Military Operation' in Ukraine, on account of the Victory Day celebrations.

Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Russia's position on the May ceasefire is well-known and there have been no new instructions on the matter.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian troops staged a large-scale drone attack on Russian cities in the early hours of Wednesday. However, the Russian air defence forces repelled the attack, state-run news agency reported.

According to Moscow city's mayor, Sergey Sobyanin, nine drones were shot down near Moscow.

Two employees of a pharmacy store in Port Orange, Florida, US, were injured in a shooting. Additionally, the body of the suspect was also found by the police.

The preliminary investigations of the police revealed that the shooting had occurred inside the Walgreens store.

In addition, a man identified as the suspected gunman was found dead from a self-inflicted wound in the parking lot, as confirmed by the police officials on Wednesday.

The Port Orange Police on Wednesday evening responded to a report of an active shooting at the Walgreens located at 1625 Taylor Road, according to its official statement.

"Investigators on the scene have determined that there was one customer inside the store during the incident. That customer was not harmed. At this time, the identities of the employees and the suspect are being withheld, pending notification of next of kin," the Port Orange Police said in a statement.

"This incident remains under active investigation. Law enforcement officials are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting. More details will be released, and information may change, as they become available," the police statement added.

Singapore has issued a travel advisory, urging its citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Jammu & Kashmir and Pakistan in view of the escalating New Delhi-Islamabad tensions.

"Singaporeans are advised to defer all non-essential travel to Jammu & Kashmir in India, and to Pakistan. Travellers should exercise precaution, especially at the border regions between Pakistan and India," the travel advisory stated

"Singaporeans in India and Pakistan are advised to remain vigilant and take all necessary precautions for personal safety, including avoiding large gatherings, monitoring local news closely, heeding instructions of local authorities," it added.

The advisory was issued after the Indian armed forces launched Operation Sindoor targeting nine high-value terror locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in response to the dastardly April 22 Pahlagam terror attack, which killed 26 innocent civilians.

In the wake of India's successful counterterrorism strikes under Operation Sindoor, several Pakistani government-linked media outlets and social media accounts have been caught disseminating misleading and fabricated content in an apparent attempt to distort the facts surrounding the operation.

On Wednesday, the Indian armed forces launched a series of precision strikes against nine high-value terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), in retaliation for the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which left 26 civilians dead.

The operation marked a significant moment in India's continuing fight against cross-border terrorism.

Following the strikes, a wave of disinformation emerged online, with Pakistani media houses and affiliated handles pushing false narratives and unverified claims across social platforms, particularly on X.

South Korea's aerospace agency said on Thursday that it has formally requested a government review to revise the development plan for its next-generation space launch vehicle, aiming to shift toward a reusable rocket system.

According to the Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA), the agency submitted a request to the finance ministry last week for a feasibility reassessment of the project revision, news agency reported.

KASA announced in February that it plans to modify its next-generation space rocket into a reusable system and acquire such technology by 2035.

In its reassessment request to the ministry, the administration said the envisioned change will be part of its broader strategy to respond to the rapidly shifting landscape of the global space industry.

 A loud explosion was heard near the military airport on Walton Road in Lahore on Thursday amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan.

There were also reports that multiple blasts had occurred in areas near the Walton Road in Lahore. The road leads to Lahore Cantonment. Media reports said that the Pakistani police officials confirmed the blast, stating they are in the process of determining the exact nature and location of the explosion.

The blasts sent residents into panic mode. Eyewitnesses described seeing clouds of smoke in the air as people rushed out of their homes in fear.

Sirens were heard in the area shortly after the explosion, adding to the sense of urgency.

Reports said that a drone was seen near the Walton Airport.

Russia and Japan expressed deep concern on Wednesday over escalating military tensions between India and Pakistan.

"We are deeply concerned by the heightened military tensions between India and Pakistan in the wake of a terror attack near the town of Pahalgam," Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova said.

The remarks came after the Indian armed forces launched Operation Sindoor, targeting nine high-value terror locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in response to the dastardly April 22 terror attack, which killed 26 innocent civilians.

"Russia resolutely condemns acts of terrorism as it opposes any manifestations of it and accentuates the need to join forces globally for an effective fight against this evil," Zakharova said.

The Korea Biotechnology Industry Organization (KBIO) on Wednesday said it has requested the US to exempt South Korea from the Donald Trump administration's plan to impose tariffs on pharmaceutical imports.

KBIO said it submitted such an opinion formally to the US Department of Commerce on Tuesday (US time) regarding an ongoing investigation under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, which is examining the national security implications of pharmaceutical imports, news agency reported.

Washington launched the probe on April 1 and has sought public input from stakeholders. US President Trump has said he will announce tariff measures on pharmaceuticals in the coming weeks.

South Korea has asked the United States to make "special consideration" of its chip exports as the Donald Trump administration is moving to impose tariffs on imported semiconductors, Seoul's industry ministry said on Wednesday.

The South Korean government submitted a written opinion to the U.S. administration regarding Washington's national security investigation into semiconductor imports under the U.S. Trade Expansion Act, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, reports news agency.

The Trump administration has been looking to impose new tariffs on semiconductors and pharmaceuticals, with investigations into such imports currently under way.

In its submitted opinion, the Seoul government called for "special consideration" of Korean semiconductor exports to the U.S., saying that semiconductors and manufacturing equipment made in Korea have "very limited" impact on the U.S. security and supply chains.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Khaleda Zia returned to Dhaka on Tuesday after four months of medical treatment in London. She was accompanied by her two daughters-in-law — the acting Chairman of the party, Tarique Rahman’s wife Zubaida Rahman, and the late Arafat Rahman Koko’s wife Syeda Sharmila Rahman.

The air ambulance, provided by Qatar’s Emir, reached Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka on Tuesday morning.

As Khaleda Zia travelled to her Gulshan residence from the airport, hundreds of party workers lined the streets to welcome her return, chanting slogans such as “Welcome Khaleda Zia” , "Khaleda Zia, fear not, we haven't left the streets” and “Tarique Rahman, Khaleda Zia”.

A New Zealand lawmaker is pushing for legislation that would ban children under 16 from accessing social media in a move that could see the country follow Australia's lead in tightening regulations on digital platforms.

New Zealand National Party MP Catherine Wedd has introduced a member's bill that would require social media companies to verify users' ages and block minors from creating accounts, according to news agency.

Platforms could face financial penalties for non-compliance and would be obligated to take "all reasonable steps" to ensure users are at least 16 years old, Radio New Zealand (RNZ) reported on Tuesday.

"My Social Media Age-Appropriate Users Bill is about protecting young people from bullying, inappropriate content and social media addiction by restricting access for under 16-year-olds," RNZ quoted Wedd as saying.

At least 14 people were injured in fresh US airstrikes on Yemen's capital of Sanaa early Monday morning, local medics told news agency.

The medics said 14 residents in the densely populated Shu'ub neighbourhood in the eastern part of Sanaa were injured as a result of the strikes, which also shattered windows in several homes and shops.

Meanwhile, Houthi-run al-Masirah TV reported that dozens of additional US airstrikes targeted various locations across Sanaa, as well as in the provinces of Hodeidah, Saada, Marib and Al-Jawf. No casualties were reported in those areas, as the Houthis rarely disclose their losses.

Nine people died, one was missing, and 70 were injured after four tourist boats capsized due to sudden gales on a river in Qianxi, southwest China's Guizhou province, according to state media.

A total of 84 people fell into the water following the accident on Sunday afternoon, and the search for the last missing person continues.

Speaking to Chinese media Red Star News, tourists who were on-site during the accident said that there was a sudden rainstorm accompanied by hail, thunder, and strong winds.

According to reports, the local meteorological authority issued a yellow alert on Sunday, stating that thunderstorms would occur in multiple places.

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday urged all-out efforts to search for those who fell into the water and treat the injured after the boats capsized.

Iran revised the death toll from a major explosion at its main commercial port late last month down to 57 from 70, while state television reported two arrests in connection with the blast.

The semi-official Tasnim news agency quoted Hormozgan province's Chief Justice Mojtaba Qahremani as saying the updated figure for the April 26 blast at Shahid Rajaee Port includes 46 recovered and identified bodies and 11 people still missing.

Qahremani explained that the initial count was lowered after forensic examinations determined that some body parts collected separately belonged to the same individuals. A special working group has been established to follow up on the missing, he added.

US President Donald Trump on Monday (Indian time) announced a new 100 per cent tariff on foreign films, stating that the movie industry in America is "dying a very fast death," which, according to him, is posing a national security threat.

He accused other countries of offering all sorts of incentives and drawing filmmakers and studios away from the US.

"Industry in America is dying a very fast death. Other countries are offering all sorts of the movie incentives to draw our filmmakers and studios away from the United States. Hollywood and many other areas within the USA are being devastated. This is a concerted effort by other nations and, therefore, a national security threat," he posted on his social media platform, Truth Social.

The US State Department has approved an F-16 fighter jet training and sustainment package worth $310 million for Ukraine, the Pentagon announced.

The package included aircraft modifications, flight training, maintenance support, spare parts, ground handling equipment, and specialised software systems, according to the US Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA).

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, BAE Systems and AAR Corporation are the deal's principal contractors. However, This package contained no actual aircraft, as the jets would be provided by NATO allies rather than directly from the United States, said the DSCA.

The support package followed an earlier $266.4 million F-16 sustainment agreement approved in December 2024 under the administration of Joe Biden, which provided mission planning systems and key maintenance equipment, news agency reported.