Taiwan's president pushes to increase defense budget amid rising threat from China

In Chelsea, Michigan, the local community rallied together to assist Serendipity Books in relocating to a larger space, demonstrating their strong connection to the independent bookstore. Owner Michelle Tuplin's call for volunteers resulted in over 300 people forming a 350-foot human chain to transport 9,100 books in less than two hours, all while sharing joy and stories about the books. This heartwarming event showcased the town's spirit and love for literature, as the bookstore prepared...

Jordanian security services arrested 16 individuals suspected of plotting attacks using rockets and drones, with plans targeting national security. The suspects, allegedly linked to the Muslim Brotherhood, were organized into four cells engaged in activities like manufacturing explosives and recruiting operatives for illicit training. All have been referred to the State Security Court for violating anti-terrorism laws, while the Brotherhood denied involvement and asserted its commitment to peaceful approaches. Full Article

Belgium is set to increase its defence budget to 2% of GDP in response to NATO's spending goals, but faces challenges in meeting a potential new target of over 3% amid concerns for its welfare system. Budget Minister Vincent Van Peteghem indicated that the government will utilize temporary funding measures and creative accounting, including classifying certain infrastructure investments as military spending, to reach this goal, while also planning to privatize state assets and implement spending...

An open letter from Manitoba researchers has gained widespread support from hundreds of scientists and academics across Canada, highlighting concerns about the impact of research funding cuts in the U.S. on Canadian research initiatives. The letter calls on federal political leaders to take action in response to these challenges, emphasizing the interconnected nature of research funding between the two countries. This collective effort underscores the urgent need to address the potential negative consequences of reduced...

Summary Andrew and Tristan Tate, charged with human trafficking in Romania, traveled to Florida in February 2025 after a travel ban was lifted. Florida authorities indicated they would assist the UK in extraditing the brothers, who face separate allegations of rape and sexual assault from the UK. The Tates, who deny all charges, returned to Romania after a brief stay in the US, where they attended a UFC event, and are under investigation for various...

Bank of Queensland's Financial PerformanceShares in Bank of Queensland (BoQ) rose 4.7% to $6.81 despite the bank warning of an expected increase in bad loans due to economic uncertainty. For the six months ending February, BoQ reported total income of $793 million, slightly lower than the previous year, but post-tax cash earnings rose 6% to $183 million, surpassing expectations. The bank completed the conversion of its branches and declared an interim dividend of 18¢ per...