California passes partisan redistricting plan to counter Texas maps
California lawmakers have fast-tracked a redistricting plan giving Democrats a potential five-seat gain in Congress, with Governor Gavin Newsom signin...
Migration offset natural decline for the fourth consecutive year, pushing the European Union’s population to an historic high of 450.4 million in 2024, according to Eurostat figures released on Friday.
For the first time since the pandemic, the EU’s population rose by more than 1 million people last year, despite recording more deaths than births for the twelfth year in a row.
The bloc registered 2.3 million more migrants than emigrants, which outweighed a natural population loss of 1.3 million — 4.82 million deaths versus 3.56 million births.
Eurostat said the rise was mainly due to increased migratory movements following the COVID-19 pandemic. The trend underscores Europe's growing demographic challenge, as an ageing population and declining fertility threaten long-term economic and social stability.
Germany, France and Italy remained the bloc’s most populous nations, together making up 47% of the total EU population. While 19 countries saw population increases in 2024, including Malta (+19.0 per 1,000), Ireland (+16.3), and Luxembourg (+14.7), others such as Latvia (-9.9), Hungary (-4.7), and Poland (-3.4) recorded declines.
Since 1960, the EU has grown by nearly 100 million people, but growth has slowed — from 3 million annually in the 1960s to fewer than 1 million per year in recent decades.
Meanwhile, governments across the bloc have been tightening border controls due to public unease over migration. Temporary checks have returned in countries such as Germany, Belgium, and Poland, straining the passport-free Schengen zone. This comes even as irregular border crossings fell by 38% in 2024, reaching their lowest level since 2021.
To address the pressures, the EU adopted a new migration pact last year aimed at reducing irregular arrivals and accelerating asylum processing.
A powerful eruption at Japan’s Shinmoedake volcano sent an ash plume more than 3,000 metres high on Sunday morning, prompting safety warnings from authorities.
According to the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), a magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck the Oaxaca region of Mexico on Saturday.
The UK is gearing up for Exercise Pegasus 2025, its largest pandemic readiness test since COVID-19. Running from September to November, this full-scale simulation will challenge the country's response to a fast-moving respiratory outbreak.
Honduras has brought back mask mandates as COVID-19 cases and a new variant surge nationwide.
Kuwait says oil prices will likely stay below $72 per barrel as OPEC monitors global supply trends and U.S. policy signals. The remarks come during market uncertainty fueled by new U.S. tariffs on India and possible sanctions on Russia.
California lawmakers have fast-tracked a redistricting plan giving Democrats a potential five-seat gain in Congress, with Governor Gavin Newsom signing the measure on Thursday to counter Republican efforts in Texas.
The U.S. National Guard has been deployed across Washington, D.C. following President Trump’s declaration of a public safety emergency, as federal authorities continue efforts to reduce crime and secure the capital.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un praised troops who fought for Russia in Ukraine, calling them "heroic" during a ceremony honoring soldiers of the army's overseas operations.
The U.S. State Department confirmed that all 55 million visa holders are under continuous review, with potential revocations for security or legal violations.
Bangladesh and Pakistan have agreed to allow visa-free travel for holders of diplomatic and official passports, marking a major step in restoring relations after decades of restrictions.
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