WORLD HIGHLIGHTS

►Sweden STOCKHOLM

Sweden should raise its military spending to around 2.6 per cent of GDP by 2030, a parliamentary committee said in a report yesterday, as the country rebuilds its defence capabilities after joining NATO in March.

►Germany BERLIN

Germany plans to change its bilateral debt relief framework to enable middle-income countries to benefit from climate investment, Chancellor Olaf Scholz said yesterday.

►France PARIS

A European rapid-response force, including to help evacuate nationals from hostile environments, could be up and running by next year, French Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu said yesterday.

►UK LONDON

UK police yesterday charged two men arrested after five migrants, including a girl, died this week trying to cross the Channel from France.

►Pakistan ISLAMABAD

Pakistan’s economic indicators are showing positive signs, with an agenda of painful reforms and privatisation on track, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said yesterday, ahead of an IMF board meeting to decide on a US$1.1 billion funding for the country.

►India NEW DELHI

At least six people were killed in a devastating fire that broke out in a wedding marquee in the eastern Indian state of Bihar, police said yesterday.

►South Korea SEOUL

In another conciliatory gesture, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo pleaded with medical professors yesterday to remain at their workplaces and with their patients, as they are considering taking weekly breaks in support of the ongoing walkout by junior doctors.

►Australia PERTH

A vintage trainer plane crashed at a Western Australian airport yesterday, leaving its pilot seriously injured. AGENCIES