Gazans begin searching for people under rubble on day two of ceasefire
Palestinians began searching on Monday for thousands of Gazans believed still buried under rubble, as residents expressed shock at the devastation wrought by 15 months of war on the enclave on the second day of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
The truce in the 15-month-old conflict, which has laid waste to the Gaza Strip and inflamed the Middle East, took effect on Sunday with the release of the first three hostages held by Hamas and 90 Palestinians freed from Israeli jails. read more
Palestinians began searching on Monday for thousands of Gazans believed still buried under rubble, as residents expressed shock at the devastation wrought by 15 months of war on the enclave on the second day of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
The truce in the 15-month-old conflict, which has laid waste to the Gaza Strip and inflamed the Middle East, took effect on Sunday with the release of the first three hostages held by Hamas and 90 Palestinians freed from Israeli jails. read more
After taking office, Trump pardons 1,500 Jan. 6 defendants
Donald Trump pardoned about 1,500 of his supporters who attacked the U.S. Capitol four years ago as he moved swiftly to impose his will on the U.S. government just hours after reclaiming the presidency on Monday.
After a day of ceremony, Trump signed a series of executive actions to curb immigration and roll back environmental regulations and racial and gender diversity initiatives. He did not take immediate action to raise tariffs, a key campaign promise, but said he could impose 25% duties on Canada and Mexico on Feb. 1. read more
Donald Trump pardoned about 1,500 of his supporters who attacked the U.S. Capitol four years ago as he moved swiftly to impose his will on the U.S. government just hours after reclaiming the presidency on Monday.
After a day of ceremony, Trump signed a series of executive actions to curb immigration and roll back environmental regulations and racial and gender diversity initiatives. He did not take immediate action to raise tariffs, a key campaign promise, but said he could impose 25% duties on Canada and Mexico on Feb. 1. read more
Trump orders US exit from the World Health Organization
The United States will leave the World Health Organization, President Donald Trump said on Monday, saying the global health agency had mishandled the COVID-19 pandemic and other international health crises.
Trump said the WHO had failed to act independently from the "inappropriate political influence of WHO member states" and required "unfairly onerous payments" from the U.S. that were disproportionate to the sums provided by other, larger countries, such as China. read more
The United States will leave the World Health Organization, President Donald Trump said on Monday, saying the global health agency had mishandled the COVID-19 pandemic and other international health crises.
Trump said the WHO had failed to act independently from the "inappropriate political influence of WHO member states" and required "unfairly onerous payments" from the U.S. that were disproportionate to the sums provided by other, larger countries, such as China. read more
Mexico builds temporary shelters to prepare for mass deportations from U.S.
Mexican authorities have begun constructing giant tent shelters in the city of Ciudad Juarez to prepare for a possible influx of Mexicans deported under U.S. President Donald Trump's promised mass deportations.
The temporary shelters in Ciudad Juarez will have the capacity to house thousands of people and should be ready in a matter of days, said municipal official Enrique Licon.
"It's unprecedented," Licon said on Tuesday afternoon, as workers unloaded long metal bracings from tractor trailers parked in the large empty lot yards from the Rio Grande, which separates the city from El Paso, Texas. read more
Mexican authorities have begun constructing giant tent shelters in the city of Ciudad Juarez to prepare for a possible influx of Mexicans deported under U.S. President Donald Trump's promised mass deportations.
The temporary shelters in Ciudad Juarez will have the capacity to house thousands of people and should be ready in a matter of days, said municipal official Enrique Licon.
"It's unprecedented," Licon said on Tuesday afternoon, as workers unloaded long metal bracings from tractor trailers parked in the large empty lot yards from the Rio Grande, which separates the city from El Paso, Texas. read more
Exclusive: Putin growing concerned by Russia’s economy, as Trump pushes for Ukraine deal
President Vladimir Putin has grown increasingly concerned about distortions in Russia's wartime economy, just as Donald Trump pushes for an end to the Ukraine conflict, five sources with knowledge of the situation told Reuters.
Russia's economy, driven by exports of oil, gas and minerals, grew robustly over the past two years despite multiple rounds of Western sanctions imposed after its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. read more
President Vladimir Putin has grown increasingly concerned about distortions in Russia's wartime economy, just as Donald Trump pushes for an end to the Ukraine conflict, five sources with knowledge of the situation told Reuters.
Russia's economy, driven by exports of oil, gas and minerals, grew robustly over the past two years despite multiple rounds of Western sanctions imposed after its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. read more
China to prioritise physical education in schools as obesity rates rise
China is aiming to beef up physical education in schools, making it core to the curriculum rather than a secondary subject, authorities said as they push for a more "holistic education" amid growing concerns about the rise in childhood obesity.
Primary and secondary schools must ensure physical education teachers are treated "the same as their colleagues in subjects such as Chinese, math and English, and intensify efforts to develop key sports such as soccer, basketball and volleyball," the official Xinhua news agency said, citing the country's Ministry of Education. read more
China is aiming to beef up physical education in schools, making it core to the curriculum rather than a secondary subject, authorities said as they push for a more "holistic education" amid growing concerns about the rise in childhood obesity.
Primary and secondary schools must ensure physical education teachers are treated "the same as their colleagues in subjects such as Chinese, math and English, and intensify efforts to develop key sports such as soccer, basketball and volleyball," the official Xinhua news agency said, citing the country's Ministry of Education. read more
Trump aid freeze stirs chaos before it is blocked in court
President Donald Trump's attempt to freeze hundreds of billions of dollars in federal aid was temporarily blocked in court on Tuesday, even as it sowed chaos throughout the government and stirred fears that it would disrupt programs that serve tens of millions of Americans.
Minutes before it was due to take effect at 5 p.m. ET (2200 GMT), a federal judge blocked Trump's spending freeze that would have affected thousands of federal grant programs. read more
President Donald Trump's attempt to freeze hundreds of billions of dollars in federal aid was temporarily blocked in court on Tuesday, even as it sowed chaos throughout the government and stirred fears that it would disrupt programs that serve tens of millions of Americans.
Minutes before it was due to take effect at 5 p.m. ET (2200 GMT), a federal judge blocked Trump's spending freeze that would have affected thousands of federal grant programs. read more
Many feared dead after passenger jet and helicopter collide, crash into Washington river
Scores of people were feared dead after an American Airlines regional passenger jet with 64 people on board and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter collided and crashed into the frigid Potomac River near Reagan Washington National Airport.
Officials did not provide a death toll from Wednesday night's collision but U.S. Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas, where the flight originated, suggested most if not all those on board had been killed. read more
Scores of people were feared dead after an American Airlines regional passenger jet with 64 people on board and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter collided and crashed into the frigid Potomac River near Reagan Washington National Airport.
Officials did not provide a death toll from Wednesday night's collision but U.S. Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas, where the flight originated, suggested most if not all those on board had been killed. read more
In shock announcement, Trump says U.S. wants to take over Gaza Strip
President Donald Trump said the U.S. would take over the war-ravaged Gaza Strip and develop it economically after Palestinians are resettled elsewhere, actions that would shatter decades of U.S. policy toward the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Trump unveiled his surprise plan, without providing specifics, at a joint press conference on Tuesday with visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. read more
President Donald Trump said the U.S. would take over the war-ravaged Gaza Strip and develop it economically after Palestinians are resettled elsewhere, actions that would shatter decades of U.S. policy toward the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Trump unveiled his surprise plan, without providing specifics, at a joint press conference on Tuesday with visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. read more
Trump's Gaza plan for 'Riviera of the Middle East' triggers international condemnation
President Donald Trump's plan for the U.S. to take over war-torn Gaza and create a "Riviera of the Middle East" after resettling Palestinians elsewhere has shattered U.S. policy on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and sparked widespread criticism.
The shock move from Trump, a former New York property developer, was swiftly condemned by international powers, with regional heavyweight Saudi Arabia, which Trump hopes will establish ties with Israel, rejecting the plan outright. read more
President Donald Trump's plan for the U.S. to take over war-torn Gaza and create a "Riviera of the Middle East" after resettling Palestinians elsewhere has shattered U.S. policy on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and sparked widespread criticism.
The shock move from Trump, a former New York property developer, was swiftly condemned by international powers, with regional heavyweight Saudi Arabia, which Trump hopes will establish ties with Israel, rejecting the plan outright. read more
War crimes prosecutor first target of Trump's ICC sanctions, sources say
International Criminal Court Prosecutor Karim Khan is the first person to be hit with economic and travel sanctions authorized by U.S. President Donald Trump that target the war crimes tribunal over investigations of U.S. citizens or U.S. allies, two sources briefed on the matter told Reuters on Friday.
Khan, who is British, was named on Friday in an annex - not yet made public - to an executive order signed by Trump a day earlier, a senior ICC official and another source, both briefed by U.S. government officials, told Reuters. They spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a confidential matter.
The sanctions include freezing of U.S. assets of those designated and barring them and their families from visiting the United States. read more
International Criminal Court Prosecutor Karim Khan is the first person to be hit with economic and travel sanctions authorized by U.S. President Donald Trump that target the war crimes tribunal over investigations of U.S. citizens or U.S. allies, two sources briefed on the matter told Reuters on Friday.
Khan, who is British, was named on Friday in an annex - not yet made public - to an executive order signed by Trump a day earlier, a senior ICC official and another source, both briefed by U.S. government officials, told Reuters. They spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a confidential matter.
The sanctions include freezing of U.S. assets of those designated and barring them and their families from visiting the United States. read more
Exclusive: US will push European allies to buy more arms for Ukraine, say sources
The Trump administration plans to push European allies to buy more American weapons for Ukraine ahead of potential peace talks with Moscow, said two people with knowledge of the matter, a move that could improve Kyiv's negotiating position.
The plan, if formalized, will offer some reassurance to Ukrainian leaders who have worried that President Donald Trump might block further aid to the country, whose military has been slowly losing territory under fierce Russian assault in the east. read more
The Trump administration plans to push European allies to buy more American weapons for Ukraine ahead of potential peace talks with Moscow, said two people with knowledge of the matter, a move that could improve Kyiv's negotiating position.
The plan, if formalized, will offer some reassurance to Ukrainian leaders who have worried that President Donald Trump might block further aid to the country, whose military has been slowly losing territory under fierce Russian assault in the east. read more
Trump says he backs Ukraine, but early concessions to Russia spark concerns
U.S. President Donald Trump has promised a swift end to the Ukraine war but with talks about to begin the author of "The Art of the Deal" may have already complicated his task by sacrificing leverage.
Trump, who took office on January 20, separately discussed the war on Wednesday with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and told U.S. officials to begin talks on ending the nearly three-year-long war. read more
U.S. President Donald Trump has promised a swift end to the Ukraine war but with talks about to begin the author of "The Art of the Deal" may have already complicated his task by sacrificing leverage.
Trump, who took office on January 20, separately discussed the war on Wednesday with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and told U.S. officials to begin talks on ending the nearly three-year-long war. read more
Singapore opposition party leader Pritam Singh found guilty of lying to parliament
A court in Singapore on Monday found opposition Workers' Party leader Pritam Singh guilty of two counts of lying to parliament, a verdict that could see him barred from contesting a general election this year.
Singh had pleaded not guilty and his sentencing was due later on Monday. The prosecution has asked for a maximum fine of S$7,000 ($5,231) for each charge.
If the combined fines amount to more than S$10,000, or if he is jailed for more than one year, Singh would be unable to run in an election, which must be held by November. read more
A court in Singapore on Monday found opposition Workers' Party leader Pritam Singh guilty of two counts of lying to parliament, a verdict that could see him barred from contesting a general election this year.
Singh had pleaded not guilty and his sentencing was due later on Monday. The prosecution has asked for a maximum fine of S$7,000 ($5,231) for each charge.
If the combined fines amount to more than S$10,000, or if he is jailed for more than one year, Singh would be unable to run in an election, which must be held by November. read more
US and Russia conclude first talks without Ukraine, as Moscow makes new demand
U.S. and Russian officials held more than four hours of talks in Riyadh on Tuesday, their first on ending the war in Ukraine, as Kyiv and its European allies watched anxiously from the sidelines and Moscow raised a major new demand.
Interfax news agency quoted Russian negotiator Yuri Ushakov as saying the talks went well, and conditions were discussed for a meeting between presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. read more
U.S. and Russian officials held more than four hours of talks in Riyadh on Tuesday, their first on ending the war in Ukraine, as Kyiv and its European allies watched anxiously from the sidelines and Moscow raised a major new demand.
Interfax news agency quoted Russian negotiator Yuri Ushakov as saying the talks went well, and conditions were discussed for a meeting between presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. read more
As Germany moves right, migrants grapple with uncertainty and hope
Germany's asylum policy was one of the biggest topics in this year's election, pushing the conservatives and the AfD to win first and second place, respectively.
Worried about an increasingly hostile atmosphere, and the cost of living, Azmouz gave his vote to the far-left Die Linke party, which ran a campaign promoting social justice and promising more support for low-income households.
"We now miss the days when Mrs. Merkel was in charge of the government," he said, referring to long-time chancellor Angela Merkel. "Now everything is expensive ... It feels like one is running and running without ever catching up." read more
Germany's asylum policy was one of the biggest topics in this year's election, pushing the conservatives and the AfD to win first and second place, respectively.
Worried about an increasingly hostile atmosphere, and the cost of living, Azmouz gave his vote to the far-left Die Linke party, which ran a campaign promoting social justice and promising more support for low-income households.
"We now miss the days when Mrs. Merkel was in charge of the government," he said, referring to long-time chancellor Angela Merkel. "Now everything is expensive ... It feels like one is running and running without ever catching up." read more
Duterte takes responsibility for Philippines drug war, anticipates long ICC battle
Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said he takes full responsibility for his administration's "war on drugs", in a video message posted on his Facebook account, as he braces for a legal battle at the International Criminal Court.
"Whatever happened in the past, I will be the front of our law enforcement and the military. I said this already, that I will protect you, and I will be responsible for everything," Duterte said. His remarks were his first since being put on a plane to The Hague. read more
Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said he takes full responsibility for his administration's "war on drugs", in a video message posted on his Facebook account, as he braces for a legal battle at the International Criminal Court.
"Whatever happened in the past, I will be the front of our law enforcement and the military. I said this already, that I will protect you, and I will be responsible for everything," Duterte said. His remarks were his first since being put on a plane to The Hague. read more
Pope Francis has died, Vatican says in video statement
Pope Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, has died, the Vatican said in a video statement on Monday, ending an often turbulent reign marked by division and tension as he sought to overhaul the hidebound institution.
He was 88, and had recently survived a serious bout of double pneumonia. read more
Pope Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, has died, the Vatican said in a video statement on Monday, ending an often turbulent reign marked by division and tension as he sought to overhaul the hidebound institution.
He was 88, and had recently survived a serious bout of double pneumonia. read more
Pakistan minister denies nuclear body meeting after offensive launched on India
Pakistan's defence minister said on Saturday that no meeting of the top military and civil body overseeing the country's nuclear arsenal had been scheduled following a military operation against India earlier in the day.
Pakistan's military said earlier that the prime minister had called on the authority to meet. The information minister did not respond immediately to a request for comment. read more
Pakistan's defence minister said on Saturday that no meeting of the top military and civil body overseeing the country's nuclear arsenal had been scheduled following a military operation against India earlier in the day.
Pakistan's military said earlier that the prime minister had called on the authority to meet. The information minister did not respond immediately to a request for comment. read more
Trump says India and Pakistan agree to a ceasefire
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday that India and Pakistan had agreed to a "full and immediate ceasefire" after a fourth day of strikes and counter-strikes against each other's military installations.
Pakistan's foreign minister also said both countries had agreed to a ceasefire "with immediate effect". read more
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday that India and Pakistan had agreed to a "full and immediate ceasefire" after a fourth day of strikes and counter-strikes against each other's military installations.
Pakistan's foreign minister also said both countries had agreed to a ceasefire "with immediate effect". read more
Fragile ceasefire holds between India, Pakistan as Trump offers more help
A fragile ceasefire was holding between India and Pakistan on Sunday, after hours of overnight fighting between the nuclear-armed neighbours, as U.S. President Donald Trump said he will work to provide a solution regarding Kashmir.
The arch rivals were involved in intense firing for four days, the worst in nearly three decades, with missiles and drones being fired at each other's military installations and dozens of people killed. read more
A fragile ceasefire was holding between India and Pakistan on Sunday, after hours of overnight fighting between the nuclear-armed neighbours, as U.S. President Donald Trump said he will work to provide a solution regarding Kashmir.
The arch rivals were involved in intense firing for four days, the worst in nearly three decades, with missiles and drones being fired at each other's military installations and dozens of people killed. read more