Global brief of the day: 10 stories to read

From rising tensions in the Middle East to diplomatic moves in Europe, major developments are unfolding worldwide. Saudi Arabia, Iran and Qatar are at the centre of several key regional developments. Meanwhile, Russia-Ukraine tensions remain high, while Italy moves on new migration-related policies.

Here are the top 10 global stories making headlines today;

1. Saudi Arabia exits China-backed mBridge project
Saudi Arabia has withdrawn from mBridge, a China-led blockchain-based cross-border payment project involving several central banks. The development comes as countries explore new digital payment systems for international transactions.

2. Saudi air defences intercept Houthi missile targeting Riyadh
Saudi Arabia’s air defences intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched by Yemen’s Houthis towards Riyadh early Saturday, according to the Saudi-led Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen. Coalition spokesperson Maj. Gen. Turki al-Malki said the Houthis also attempted to target civilians and civilian sites in Baish, Taif, Farasan and Yanbu.

3. Italy plans school face-covering ban and foreign student limits
Italy is preparing to ban face coverings in schools and introduce a cap on the number of foreign students in individual classes, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said Sunday. The proposals come as migration remains a major political issue in Italy, which is among Europe’s main entry points for migrants arriving across the central Mediterranean.

4. Macron welcomes US-Denmark-Greenland agreement
French President Emmanuel Macron said an agreement involving the United States, Denmark and Greenland would help “reaffirm Danish sovereignty” over Greenland. The development comes amid growing international attention on the Arctic territory’s strategic location and resources.

5. Trump says US remains in contact with Houthis
US President Donald Trump told Fox News that Washington is in “constant communication” with Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis. Trump said the group had “agreed not to fight the United States,” amid continuing tensions across the region.

6. Iran shuts French-affiliated language centre in Tehran
Iranian authorities have sealed a French language centre affiliated with the French embassy in Tehran following a judicial order, according to the Tehran prosecutor’s office and semi-official Tasnim news agency. The move comes amid strained Iran-France relations, with Tehran and Paris at odds over diplomatic activities, detainees and alleged interference in Iran’s internal affairs.

7. Iran says three Israeli-linked cells dismantled
Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence said its forces had killed or detained members of three operational cells allegedly linked to mercenary groups supported by Israel. Tehran described the groups as terrorist organisations and said the operations were carried out against networks it accused of working for Israel.

8. Iran pressures Iraqi factions over weapons handover
Iran is pressuring Iraqi armed factions not to surrender their weapons as Baghdad pushes ahead with plans to bring arms under state control, according to sources. The Iraqi government has reportedly presented several proposals to factions on restricting weapons to state institutions.

9. QatarEnergy warns LNG output remains ‘very minute’
QatarEnergy CEO Saad Al-Kaabi said LNG production is currently “very minute” amid the crisis surrounding the Strait of Hormuz. He said normal operations could resume within weeks if the strategic waterway reopens, underscoring its importance to global energy supplies.

10. Russia threatens intensified strikes on Kyiv
Russia has vowed to “intensify” strikes on Kyiv in response to a wave of Ukrainian drone attacks on Moscow during Russia’s three-day parliamentary elections. The warning comes amid continued escalation in long-range attacks between the two sides.
These developments underline the rapidly shifting global landscape, with security, diplomacy, energy and migration shaping the day’s major headlines. Stay with PPC Digital for the latest updates and developments from around the world.