International News
World Bank Chief Warns As Mistrust Divides Global South, West
The President of the World Bank, Ajay Banga, has expressed concern over the increasing mistrust that is driving a wedge between the Global South and the West.
He pointed out that the Global South’s frustration with the developed world’s response to climate change is entirely understandable.
During a crucial gathering of G20 finance ministers in India, the newly-appointed World Bank chief highlighted the perilous consequences of widening disparities between wealthy and impoverished nations.
He emphasized that such divisions could exacerbate poverty in the developing world, particularly as many countries continue to grapple with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact of global fuel and commodity price fluctuations resulting from Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Climate change, meanwhile, is most painfully affecting some of the poorest countries least able to cope.
Ajay Banga, president of the World Bank, said he feared a lack of progress was in danger of splitting the global economy, to the detriment of the world’s poorest.
“The thing that keeps me up at night is a mistrust that is quietly pulling the Global North and South apart at a time when we need to be uniting,” Banga told the two-day meeting of finance ministers and central bank chiefs in Gandhinagar, Gujarat state.
“The Global South’s frustration is understandable. In many ways they are paying the price for our prosperity,” said Indian-born Banga, a naturalised American citizen who took up the bank post last month after being nominated by United States President Joe Biden.
“When they should be ascendant, they’re concerned promised resources will be diverted to Ukraine’s reconstruction, they feel energy rules aren’t applied evenly, constraining ambition, and they’re worried the grip of poverty will pull down another generation.”
The World Bank said it is working to increase its financial capability – including by raising hybrid capital from shareholders – to spur growth and jobs, but said the future economy could not rely on expansion at the cost of the environment.
“The simple truth is: we cannot endure another period of emission-intensive growth,” Banga said.
‘Balanced and inclusive growth’
Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, chair and host of the get-together, launched talks on Monday by reminding leaders of their responsibility “to steer the global economy towards strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive growth”.
International News
Miracle in Venezuela: Toddler Rescued Alive Six Days After Deadly Earthquakes
A three-year-old child has been rescued alive from beneath the rubble in Venezuela, six days after two powerful earthquakes devastated parts of the South American nation, offering a glimmer of hope amid a worsening humanitarian crisis.
The remarkable rescue took place in La Guaira, one of the areas hardest hit by the twin earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitudes, which struck less than a minute apart on June 24.
SEE ALSO: Over 800 Dead As Earthquake Devastates Eastern Afghanistan
Rescue workers have continued round-the-clock search operations despite the challenges posed by repeated aftershocks.
The United Nations described the rescue as a powerful reminder that every life matters as emergency teams continue combing collapsed buildings for survivors.
According to Venezuelan authorities, the earthquakes have claimed nearly 2,000 lives, while more than 6,400 people have been rescued since the disaster struck.
Tens of thousands of survivors remain without adequate shelter, with humanitarian agencies warning that urgent needs continue to grow.
The UN refugee agency said the scale of the disaster has left thousands of families in desperate need of emergency assistance, while the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) confirmed that national and international rescue teams remain active in the affected communities.
UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) teams are also assessing the extent of the destruction and identifying communities most in need of humanitarian support.
Officials said about 1,000 buildings, including hospitals, have either been damaged or completely destroyed.
More than 400 schools and water systems have also been severely affected, worsening living conditions for residents.
To support relief efforts, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has delivered an initial 47-tonne shipment of humanitarian supplies, including emergency medical kits, water purification materials, safe birth supplies, wheelchairs, child-friendly tents and educational materials. The shipment follows an earlier consignment that arrived from Panama.
UNICEF said the combined aid will support more than 100,000 children and their families over the next three months.
Speaking from La Guaira, UNICEF representative Gabriel Vockel said the organisation is working around the clock to reach as many children and families as possible, while appealing for more donations to expand its life-saving operations.
UNICEF Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, Roberto Benes, said many affected families are sleeping outdoors for fear of continued aftershocks and remain in urgent need of clean water, healthcare and safe shelter.
The agency estimates that about 680,000 children across six affected states require humanitarian assistance following what has been described as Venezuela’s most significant earthquake disaster in more than a century.
Authorities also reported that more than 600 aftershocks have been recorded since the initial earthquakes, increasing concerns over further damage and risks to survivors.
UNICEF is seeking $52 million to respond to the earthquake emergency as part of its broader 2026 Humanitarian Action for Children appeal for Venezuela, which remains significantly underfunded.
International News
Panic in Europe as France Records First-Ever Ebola Case
France has confirmed its first-ever case of Ebola virus disease, triggering concern across Europe as health authorities move swiftly to contain the deadly infection.
The French Health Ministry announced on Wednesday that a doctor returning from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which is currently battling a major Ebola outbreak, tested positive for the virus after arriving in France.
SEE ALSO: Fresh Ebola Alert: Lagos Tightens Airport Surveillance as Virus Threat Looms
According to officials, the patient was immediately isolated upon arrival, even before laboratory tests confirmed the diagnosis, helping to reduce the risk of transmission.
In a statement, the ministry confirmed the identification of “a first positive case of Ebola virus disease on national territory,” marking the first time the virus has been detected in France.
The development also represents the first confirmed Ebola case recorded outside Africa during the current outbreak, which has affected both the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.
French authorities disclosed that the case was detected in mainland France, while Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu is closely monitoring the situation as health agencies intensify surveillance and response measures.
The current outbreak in the DRC was officially declared on May 15 following a series of unexplained deaths in the eastern Ituri Province.
The outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, for which there is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment.
Despite growing concerns, public health experts have stressed that the risk of widespread global transmission remains low because Ebola is less contagious than many airborne infectious diseases.
The virus spreads through direct contact with infected bodily fluids and contaminated materials.
Ebola is a severe and often fatal haemorrhagic fever that can cause symptoms including high fever, weakness, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, and in severe cases, internal and external bleeding.
French health authorities have assured the public that all necessary precautions are being taken to contain the case and prevent any further spread of the disease.
The announcement has nevertheless sparked anxiety across Europe, given the deadly nature of the virus and its emergence outside the African continent during the ongoing outbreak.
International News
“He Failed Badly” — Trump Says Starmer Will Step Down as UK PM
U.S. President Donald Trump has predicted that British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will step down from office, accusing the Labour leader of failing on two critical issues — immigration and energy policy.
Trump made the remarks on Sunday in a post on his Truth Social platform, where he claimed Starmer’s leadership had fallen short in addressing challenges facing the United Kingdom.
SEE MORE:New US Strike on Iran Sends Oil Prices Soaring as Middle East Tensions Escalate
“Keir Starmer will resign as Prime Minister of The United Kingdom,” Trump wrote. “He failed badly on two very important subjects — IMMIGRATION AND ENERGY (OPEN NORTH SEA OIL!). I wish him well!”
The U.S. president did not provide any evidence to support his claim, nor did he reveal the basis for his prediction that Starmer would leave office.
Starmer, who leads the Labour Party, became Prime Minister after securing victory in the UK’s general election.
Since taking office, his government has faced criticism over a range of issues, including migration policies, energy security, and the cost-of-living challenges confronting many Britons.
Trump’s comments come as debates over immigration and energy continue to dominate political discussions in the UK.
However, there has been no official statement from Starmer, his office, or the British government suggesting that he plans to resign.
As of the time of filing this report, Starmer remains in office and continues to lead the government despite the claims made by the American president.






253994 156599 Nice post. I learn something much more challenging on different blogs everyday. It will always be stimulating to read content material from other writers and practice a little something from their store. Id prefer to use some with the content on my weblog whether you dont mind. Natually Ill give you a link on your internet blog. Thanks for sharing. 660557
44593 522503Glad to be one of numerous visitants on this incredible internet site : D. 208781
941735 957866Hey! Im at work surfing around your weblog from my new apple iphone! Just wanted to say I adore reading through your blog and look forward to all your posts! Keep up the outstanding function! 805897
359186 195649Very good day! This post could not be written any far better! Reading this post reminds me of my previous room mate! He always kept chatting about this. I will forward this write-up to him. Fairly certain he will have a great read. Thanks for sharing! 885172
168322 85677What a lovely weblog. Ill surely be back again. Please preserve writing! 432636
825200 951390There is noticeably a bundle to locate out about this. I assume you produced certain good factors in options also. 282455
120216 431463Hey! Im at function surfing about your weblog from my new apple iphone! Just wanted to say I love reading through your blog and appear forward to all your posts! Keep up the outstanding work! 141251