Daily News Brief

Ceasefire shattered, Gaza turns hellish: UNRWA chief US, Iran to hold key nuclear talks amid mistrust Judge permits US deportation case against pro-Palestine Columbia student Nearly 10K cases of sexual violence against children in DRC: UN Erdogan vows Türkiye's regional role, vision for peaceful future

Israel kills eight more Palestinians in Gaza bombardment Israel's brutal war on Gaza continues with fresh air strikes targeting the Al-Farra family home in the Sheikh Nasser area of Khan Younis, killing at least eight Palestinians and injuring several others, according to reports. Children are believed to be among the victims. Meanwhile, rescue teams are searching for missing Palestinians trapped under rubble after another Israeli strike destroyed a home in Gaza City's al-Shujaiya neighbourhood, local media said. Netanyahu furious as Israeli Air Force's 1,000 reservists demand end to Gaza war A group of 1,000 current and former Israeli Air Force reservists has publicly urged the government to secure the return of all captives held in Gaza, even if it means ending the war. In an open letter, the reservists warned that continuing the war risks the lives of hostages, soldiers, and civilians, accusing leaders of prolonging the conflict for “political and personal interests." China engages with Saudi Arabia and South Africa on US tariffs; Xi to embark on three-nation tour China's Commerce Minister Wang Wentao held separate video talks with his Saudi and South African counterparts to discuss responses to the United States' ""reciprocal tariffs,"" according to China's commerce ministry. The discussions also focused on deepening bilateral economic and trade cooperation between China, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa. Russia making 'systematic' efforts to recruit Chinese citizens for Ukraine war: Zelenskyy Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Russia of “systematic” efforts to recruit Chinese nationals for its ongoing war in Ukraine, now in its fourth year. In a post on X, Zelenskyy said Ukraine is investigating the involvement of Chinese citizens, including two reportedly captured in the eastern Donetsk region, with the Security Service conducting procedural actions. China has rejected claims made by Kiev that Chinese citizens were “fighting alongside Russia in Ukraine." Türkiye, Somalia sign onshore hydrocarbon exploration deal Türkiye and Somalia have expanded their energy cooperation by signing a new onshore hydrocarbon exploration and production deal, granting Turkish Petroleum (TPAO) rights to explore three land blocks covering around 16,000 square kilometres. The agreement was signed in Ankara by Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar and Somali Petroleum Minister Dahir Shire Mohamed, marking a key step forward following previous offshore accords.

Israel's bloodbath in Gaza continues At least 38 Palestinians have been killed, including women and children, and scores wounded in Israeli air strikes on a residential building in Al Shujaiah neighbourhood in Gaza City, as Tel Aviv's deadly onslaught on the enclave continued unabated. At least eight women and eight children are among the victims, while more than 85 people were also wounded, including many in critical condition. More than 34 people remain missing under the rubble of the targeted building, including several women and children. US strikes kill at least 16 in Yemen Yemen's Houthi group has said at least 16 people were killed in US air strikes. The strikes targeted areas of Hudaida and the capital Sanaa. A strike hit al-Hawak district in Hudaida, killing 13 people, most of them women and children. In Sanaa, multiple air strikes targeted the Rajam area in the Bani Hushaysh district and the al-Nahdayn area in the Al-Sabeen district China hits US with 84% tariffs in trade war escalation Beijing has sharply retaliated to the United States' trade war, announcing an increase in tariffs on American goods to a total of 84 percent, up from the previously stated 34 percent. The Chinese Finance Ministry's declaration is set to take effect from April 10th. The Chinese countermeasures had an immediate impact as US stock index futures experienced a sharp decline following the announcements Trump declares 90-day reciprocal tariff pause except for China President Donald Trump has announced a 90 day pause on his sweeping tariffs, giving all countries a 10 percent baseline except China, which will see even higher levies. Trump said based on the lack of respect that China has shown to the World’s Markets, the tariff charged to China by the United States of America was raised 125 percent. The US president also said that more than 75 countries had asked for negotiations over the tariffs and that he authorised a 90 day pause, and a substantially lowered Reciprocal Tariff during this period, of 10 percent. US imposes new sanctions on Iran The United States has announced new sanctions targeting Iran's nuclear programme ahead of closely watched talks on the row between the longtime adversaries. The Treasury Department imposed sanctions under additional authorities on five entities, including the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran and one individual over the contested nuclear programme

UN chief calls Gaza a 'killing field', condemns Israel for aid blockade UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has condemned the suffering caused by Israeli war in Gaza, calling it “a killing field” and holding Tel Aviv responsible for blocking humanitarian aid and neglecting its obligations under international law. Speaking to journalists, Guterres stressed that no aid—food, fuel, medicine, or supplies—has entered Gaza for over a month, warning that the ""floodgates of horror have re-opened."" He cited the Geneva Conventions, emphasizing Israel’s duty as an occupying power to provide for the civilian population, which he said is not being fulfilled. Gaza is now Hiroshima: Israeli soldiers describe their horrendous crimes Israeli soldiers have given detailed testimonies revealing widespread destruction and killings in Gaza as part of efforts to establish a so-called buffer zone, according to a new report by the Israeli group Breaking the Silence. The report compiles firsthand accounts from soldiers involved in the invasion, describing the razing of large areas inside Gaza. The group stated that the deliberate devastation was aimed at paving the way for future Israeli control of the territory. Punitive US tariffs on China to hit 104 percent: White House The US will impose a 104 percent tariff on Chinese goods starting on Wednesday, the White House announced. Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt confirmed the move, stating the tariffs will take effect at midnight. Leavitt said President Trump believes China ""has to make a deal"" and criticised Beijing’s retaliation as a mistake. She added that Trump would be “incredibly gracious” if China engages, but emphasised he will act in the best interest of the American people. Over 100 killed in RSF attacks near Khartoum: Sudanese medics More than 100 people, including women and children, were killed in attacks by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Omdurman, the twin city of Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, according to Sudanese medics. The Sudan Doctors Network reported that the deaths occurred over the past week in the Jama’iya region, south of Omdurman, as violence continues to escalate in the conflict-hit country. Trump admin freezes funding for Cornell, Northwestern University The Trump administration has frozen over $1 billion in funding for Cornell University and $790 million for Northwestern University amid investigations into alleged civil rights violations, a US official said. The paused funding includes grants and contracts from federal departments such as health, education, agriculture, and defence. The move follows the administration’s threats to cut funds over pro-Palestine campus protests.

US and Israel discuss Gaza, hostages at White House Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced fresh hostage release negotiations for besieged Gaza in a White House meeting with US President Donald Trump. Trump, on the other hand, reiterated his controversial idea of ethnic cleansing and US takeover of Palestinian territory during the same meeting. While acknowledging ongoing efforts, Trump called securing all hostages ""a long process"" and suggested the Gaza war's end wasn't far off. He also predicted Israel's war would end “not in the too-distant future.” Separately, hundreds of pro-Palestinian demonstrators in New York City halted Grand Central Terminal, demanding an end to the ""genocide"" and US support for Israel. Trump threatens 50 percent tariff hike on Chinese imports President Trump has threatened a staggering 50 percent hike in tariffs on Chinese imports unless Beijing backs off its retaliatory plans, raising total US duties to a sky-high 104 percent. The move builds on previous levies tied to fentanyl trafficking and alleged trade abuses. Trump declared talks with China are off the table while negotiations with other nations will begin immediately. The US President's latest move is seen as throwing gasoline on the fire. Beijing is set to retaliate with matching tariffs and export controls on rare earths. Global markets have plunged since Trump announced his tariff policy. Report accuses 10 Brits of war crimes in Gaza A legal bombshell drops in London. About 240-page war crimes dossier has been submitted to London’s Metropolitan Police, accusing 10 British nationals of involvement in atrocities in Gaza. Spearheaded by famed barrister Michael Mansfield KC, the report cites crimes against humanity and demands urgent prosecutions. Filed by UK and Palestinian legal groups, the report arrives amid Israel's intense bombardment and violence in Gaza. Pro-Israel groups, including UK Lawyers for Israel, dismiss it as a “publicity stunt,” while supporters call it a bold bid for global justice. US-Iran diplomatic discussions set to take place in Oman Diplomatic channels have opened as Iran announces indirect high-level talks with the US in Oman this Saturday. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed the meeting, calling it a "test" for America. While US President Donald Trump suggested direct negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear programme, Araghchi dismissed the notion, stating that the ball is in America’s court. Trump, continuing his threats of military action, emphasised that the talks are in Iran’s best interests but warned of ""great danger"" if an agreement fails. Both sides are now preparing for pivotal discussions. Three dire wolf pups bring back an ancient predator to the wild In an almost secluded 8-kilometre-square preserve, three dire wolf pups — Romulus, Remus and Khaleesi — roam once more, marking the revival of an ancient predator. After 13,000 years, the biotech firm Colossal Biosciences has successfully resurrected these Ice Age creatures, blending science with fantasy. This is the first successful de-extinction. Using ancient DNA, the pups serve as a powerful symbol of de-extinction and conservation. With Indigenous collaboration, the project could also help in saving other endangered species, like the red wolf.

Gaza media office: 490 children killed by Israeli forces in 20 days Israeli forces have killed 490 Palestinian children in Gaza over the past 20 days, according to the media office in Gaza. Describing the attacks as “one of the most horrific crimes against humanity in modern times,” the office said Israel continues to carry out brutal massacres, with children being a primary target. The total number of Palestinians killed during this period has reached 1,350, highlighting the heavy toll of continued air strikes on Gaza’s civilian population. Palestinian journalist burned alive as result of Israeli strikes in Khan Younis Israeli forces struck areas near Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, causing casualties and drawing outrage after a journalist was burned alive in the attack. The strike targeted a tent set up for journalists near the hospital. Disturbing footage shows the journalist engulfed in flames as bystanders and rescue workers frantically tried to save him. The journalist has been identified as Ahmed Mansour, a father and reporter for Palestine Today. Mass protests erupt across US against Trump policies Mass protests erupted across major US cities as demonstrators rallied against President Donald Trump's divisive policies, marking the largest wave of opposition since his return to the White House. In Washington, D.C., thousands gathered on the National Mall, with many traveling from across the country to join the demonstrations. Dozens of speakers took the stage to denounce Trump’s agenda and call for unified resistance. Russia claims capture of Basivka in Ukraine’s Sumy region Russia announced that its forces have captured the village of Basivka in Ukraine’s Sumy region, intensifying its offensive near the northeastern border. According to the Russian defence ministry, troops also struck Ukrainian positions at 12 other locations across the Sumy region, signaling a broader push in the area. Moscow further claimed to have defeated Ukrainian units in the Russian settlements of Gornal, Guevo, and Oleshnya, as fighting continues to escalate along the border. US stocks headed for another plunge amid Trump’s global trade war Wall Street opened the week facing significant losses following the implementation of President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs on exports to the United States. The move has rattled markets and sparked concerns of a deeper global trade rift.

* Israel has killed 17,000 children in Gaza * Israel launches new attacks in southern Gaza * Myanmar earthquake toll tops 3,000 * DRC govt met M23 rebels in Qatar * UK slams Israel for denying entry to British lawmakers

* Israel expands ground invasion in Gaza Israel has announced the launch of a new ground invasion in Gaza, with rescuers saying military attacks had killed many people across the Palestinian territory. Simultaneously, Israel has escalated attacks on Lebanon and Syria, with a strike in south Lebanon, killing a Hamas commander. Defence Minister Israel Katz said that Israel would bolster its military presence inside Gaza to, what he claimed, "destroy and clear the area of terrorists and terrorist infrastructure". * Tens of thousands to attend anti-Trump protests across US Around 200 groups are planning to hold over 1,300 protests against President Donald Trump and Elon Musk on Saturday, marking the largest single-day demonstration of the new Trump administration. The "Hands Off!" anti-Trump protest, organised by progressive groups like Third Act and MoveOn, opposes Trump's alleged "hostile takeover" of the government, economy, and rights, with Musk as a key ally. Key grievances include Trump's tariffs causing a stock market crash, cuts to USAID, government layoffs by Musk's DOGE, and policies seen as anti-immigrant and harmful to the environment and democracy. * China strikes back at Trump with own tariffs China has said it would slap 34 percent tariffs on all imports of US goods from April 10 after Washington imposed steep new levies on Chinese products, vowing "countermeasures" to protect its rights and interests. Beijing's Commerce Ministry also imposed export controls on seven rare earth elements, including gadolinium and yttrium, which is used in consumer electronics. China will also file a lawsuit with the World Trade Organization over tariffs, the ministry said. * Russian strike kills 14 in Ukraine leader’s home city A Russian ballistic missile strike on Volodymyr Zelenskyy's home city of Kryvyi Rig has killed 14 people, including six children, the Ukrainian leader said. The missile struck a residential area near a children's playground and wounded more than 50 people, according to the head of the city's military administration. Regional governor said the number of reported casualties was "constantly increasing". * Judge denies government's bid to move Rumeysa Ozturk case to Louisiana A federal judge has denied the Trump administration's attempt to dismiss or transfer Turkish student Rumeysa Ozturk’s case to the state of Louisiana, instead ruling that the proceeding will be transferred to Vermont. US District Judge Denise Casper also granted a request to block the government from removing Ozturk from the US while her petition challenging her detention is considered.

Qatar refutes claims of paying to disrupt Israel-Hamas negotiations Qatar condemned and rejected allegations that it made "financial payments" to undermine efforts by Egypt and mediators in talks between Hamas and Israel for a ceasefire in Gaza. It affirmed that "these allegations are baseless and serve only the agendas of those who seek to sabotage the mediation efforts and undermine relations between nations," it added. Doha "remains committed to its humanitarian and diplomatic role as a mediator between the relevant parties to end this devastating war and is working closely with Egypt in our efforts to achieve a lasting ceasefire and protect civilian lives," it stressed. Brown University hit with $500M funding freeze amid Gaza protest The Trump administration plans to halt over $500M in contracts and grants to Brown University over its response to alleged anti-Semitism, a White House official said. It comes two days after the Trump administration halted research grants at Princeton University and began reviewing $9 billion in federal contracts and grants awarded to Harvard University. Dozens of other universities are facing federal investigations following a wave of pro-Palestine and anti-genocide protests last year, but the administration has focused special attention on elite colleges. Palestine urges UN to act against Israel's land grab in Gaza Palestine's ongoing envoy to the UN, Riyad Mansour, urged the UN Security Council to act against what he described as Israel's ongoing annexation of Palestinian land under the guise of security operations. Mansour warned that failure to act would deepen Palestine's despair and reinforce perceptions that the world is abandoning them. Mansour stressed that Israel is prioritising territorial expansion over the release of hostages, saying ""Israel's true objective is not the release of the hostages but stealing Palestinian land." South Korea's Constitutional Court ousts impeached President Yoon South Korea's Constitutional Court decided to oust President Yoon Suk-yeol, upholding parliament's impeachment motion over his short-lived imposition of martial law last year. With Yoon's ouster on Friday, a presidential election is required to take place within 60 days, according to the country's constitution. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will continue to serve as acting president until the new president is inaugurated. Turkish finance minister vows to enhance economic ties with EU Türkiye and the EU developed a consensus on enhancing economic relations and increasing cooperation in all areas, Turkish Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek said. The EU and Türkiye held the first High-Level Economic Dialogue (HLED) meeting in six years in Brussels on Thursday. Issues such as the modernisation of the Customs Union and visa facilitation were also discussed between the two sides. "In the government-to-government session, the parties reviewed the latest economic policy developments and prospects in Türkiye and the EU, amid a challenging and highly uncertain global outlook," it added.

Trump escalates global trade war with new 'Liberation Day' tariffs "US President Donald Trump has unveiled a sweeping new ""Liberation Day"" tariffs in a decision that is billed to escalate a devastating global trade war. He announced plans for sweeping tariffs on Wednesday, saying ""our country has been looted, pillaged, raped, plundered"" by other nations. Trump promised so-called reciprocal tariffs on friends and foes alike if they target the world's largest economy, saying the levies will stop the United States being ""ripped off." UN chief 'deeply alarmed' by human toll in Gaza "UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep alarm about the human cost of intensified Israeli attacks in besieged Gaza. His spokesperson's office state that Guterres condemns the reported killing of over a thousand people, including women and children, since the collapse of the ceasefire."" The Israeli army killed at least 86 Palestinians in a series of air strikes across besieged Gaza." PKK/YPG to withdraw from Aleppo under deal with Syrian government "The PKK/YPG terror group will withdraw from two neighbourhoods in Aleppo under an agreement with the Syrian government, a Syrian official told. The group's so-called ""internal security forces"" in Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighbourhoods will be unified under a single structure and placed under the Interior Ministry. The official noted the deal includes provisions for removing barricades in the neighbourhood and forming committees to establish security checkpoints." Columbia students chain themselves to protest Mahmoud Khalil's detention "Students at Columbia University in New York, US, have chained themselves to the entrance gate of the school campus to demand the release of Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil, who was detained for leading demonstrations in support of Palestine last Spring. A group of students, mostly of Jewish origin, organised a demonstration to protest the detention of Khalil on Wednesday, chanting slogans such as "Freedom for Palestine" and "Mahmoud Khalil, release him immediately." Amazon makes a last-minute bid to buy TikTok in US: report "Amazon has made a last-minute bid to buy TikTok, which faces a US ban if not sold by its Chinese owner, the New York Times reported on Wednesday. President Donald Trump has downplayed risks that TikTok is in danger of being banned in the United States, saying he remains confident of finding a buyer for the app's US business by a Saturday deadline. According to reports, the most likely solution would see existing US investors in ByteDance roll over their stakes into a new independent global TikTok company.

Bombardment intensifies in Gaza as Israel strikes shelter and home Israel’s latest raids in Gaza have left three more Palestinians dead and several others wounded, bringing the death toll during the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr to 13. Air strikes hit a shelter in Deir al-Balah and an evacuated home in Khan Younis, while artillery and naval fire added to the casualties. Witnesses report intense Israeli bombardment across northern and southern Gaza, signaling escalating violence. Israel's genocidal war on Gaza has killed over 50,400 Palestinians and has wounded over 114,500 since October 2023, according to figures released by the Palestinian Health Ministry in the enclave. Taiwan scrambles defenses as China conducts large-scale drills Tensions skyrocket as China encircles Taiwan with extensive military drills, simulating precision strikes and a blockade. Taiwan responded by scrambling aircraft and ships, deploying missile systems in the region. The Chinese drills follow US pledges to bolster deterrence in the region, with Washington calling Beijing’s actions "aggressive." The European Union has urged restraint, while tensions between China and Taiwan, fueled by history and geopolitics, remain a potential flashpoint. Myanmar earthquake death toll surpasses 2,700 as crisis deepens Tragedy unfolds in Myanmar as the death toll from Friday’s catastrophic 7.7-magnitude earthquake surpasses 2,700—and is still climbing. Thousands remain injured and missing, while rescue teams struggle against time. Miraculously, a 63-year-old woman was pulled alive from the rubble after 91 hours. Aid is trickling in, but with civil war complicating relief efforts, millions are at risk. The looming monsoon season and fears of disease outbreaks add to the crisis. US lawmaker delivers longest Senate speech to protest Trump US Senator Cory Booker made history with the longest speech in Senate history, delivering a fiery 25-hour, five-minute protest against President Donald Trump’s “unconstitutional” actions. Standing firm without breaks, Booker criticised Trump’s cost-cutting policies and executive overreach, warning of the damage to American democracy. The New Jersey senator, recalling the iconic scene from Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, energised his fellow Democrats while urging resistance to Trump's agenda. “The power of the people is greater than the people in power,” he concluded, igniting the opposition. SpaceX launches Fram2 mission on historic polar orbit journey SpaceX has launched the Fram2 mission, marking the first-ever crewed flight to orbit Earth’s poles! Aboard the Crew Dragon, billionaire Chun Wang, filmmaker Jannicke Mikkelsen, robotics expert Rabea Rogge, and explorer Eric Philips are set for a thrilling three-to-five-day journey. Unlike traditional launches, this southward trajectory required extra power, pushing limits in space travel. The crew will conduct 22 experiments while braving the ultimate extreme environment. "We’re not your typical NASA astronauts," Mikkelsen said. While requiring immense power, the mission promises groundbreaking polar observations and human adaptation research.

Gaza suffers as children and aid workers killed in Israeli bombardment "Tragedy deepens in Gaza as at least 322 children have been killed and 609 wounded in the past 10 days, UNICEF reports, after Israel resumed attacks. ""Children have again been plunged into deadly violence,"" warns UNICEF’s Catherine Russell. Separately, Gaza's media office confirms 1,513 humanitarian workers killed in Israel's relentless bombardment. Meanwhile, The Palestinian presidency condemns forced evacuations in Rafah, calling them a violation of international law. Israel and Hamas remain at odds over key conditions, including prisoner releases and military withdrawal." French court bans Marine Le Pen from office over EU funds scandal "French political circles are in turmoil. Marine Le Pen's electoral ambitions face a stunning blow as a court imposes a five-year ban after she was found guilty of embezzling European Union funds. International figures, including US President Donald Trump and his billionaire supporter Elon Musk, decry the ruling as politically motivated. Le Pen vows to appeal, insisting she's ""eliminated,"" not defeated. Her National Rally party now weighs its options, with 29-year-old protege and the party leader Jordan Bardella potentially stepping into the spotlight." Myanmar declares national mourning as earthquake deaths surpass 2,000 "Myanmar declared a week of national mourning on Monday following a devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake that claimed over 2,000 lives. The ruling junta announced flags would fly at half-mast until April 6 in honour of the victims. Rescue efforts have slowed in Mandalay, the worst-hit city, as fears of aftershocks persist. Thousands are still living on the streets, and with communication networks disrupted, the true scale of the disaster remains uncertain. At least 3,900 people are injured, and hundreds are still missing." Khamenei warns Trump that Iran will retaliate firmly against aggression "Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, responded sharply to US President Donald Trump's threat of ""bombing,"" warning that any external aggression would prompt a ""firm retaliatory blow."" Addressing a congregation in Tehran, Khamenei emphasised Iran’s readiness for any confrontation. Meanwhile, Iran rejected direct talks with the US but remains open to indirect negotiations. Iran's Foreign Ministry condemned Trump's remarks as a “shocking affront to international peace.”" France fines Apple over its app tracking transparency practices "French antitrust authorities have slapped Apple with a $162 million fine over its App Tracking Transparency or ATT feature. The watchdog argued that the implementation of ATT was excessive and harmed third-party publishers. The system, which debuted in 2021, requires users to opt-in before tracking across apps, with critics accusing Apple of using it to promote its own advertising. Despite the fine, Apple maintained the feature gives users greater control over privacy and has strong support globally. Investigations are ongoing in several European countries."

Gaza mourns as Israeli strikes target Palestinians on Muslim holiday "Tragedy strikes Palestinians during the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr in Gaza. At least 33 Palestinians, including 13 children, were killed in Israeli air strikes, with many more wounded. In a holiday message, the Palestinian resistance group Hamas condemned the attacks as ""brutal Zionist aggression"" and decried the ""siege, starvation, and destruction"" across besieged Gaza, the occupied West Bank, and East Jerusalem. The group accused the international community of remaining silent and blamed the US for supporting Israel amid the ongoing conflict." Netanyahu vows to enforce Trump-backed Palestinian displacement plan "Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu vowed to intensify the war on Gaza and advance a contentious, US President Donald Trump-backed plan for Palestinian displacement. Netanyahu's statement comes as an Arab summit proposes a $53 billion Gaza reconstruction plan without displacement—an initiative rejected by Israel and the US. As Israel renews its air strikes on Gaza, the Palestinian death toll has surpassed 50,200 since October 2023. The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his former defense minister for war crimes, while Israel faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice." Greenland makes it clear: US won't get the island "Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen made it crystal clear: The US will not get Greenland. His statement on Facebook is a response to the US President Donald Trump's desire to take control of the Arctic territory. “We determine our own future,” Nielsen stated. Trump told NBC that he ""100 percent"" will annex Greenland, while Vice President JD Vance, visiting a US base in the island, suggested that Denmark isn’t securing the island properly, suggesting that the US would do a better job." Trump expresses 'anger' at Putin over stalled Ukraine talks "Donald Trump, in a sharp shift in tone, expressed ""very angry, pissed off"" sentiments towards Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump's fiery reaction to his Russian counterpart comes amidst stalled peace talks regarding Ukraine. He threatened Putin with ""secondary tariffs on all oil exports from Russia"" if a deal isn't reached and blamed Moscow for the continued bloodshed. Putin's remarks questioning Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's leadership prompted Trump's response. Weeks ago, Trump himself had questioned Zelenskyy's leadership." China’s banks plan to raise $71.6 billion to boost capital "China's banking behemoths are poised for a substantial capital infusion. Four major state-owned banks have announced plans to raise a staggering 520 billion yuan or $71.60 billion through private placements, with the finance ministry playing a pivotal role. It has been seen as a strategic step by Beijing to bolster its capacity to invigorate the nation's economy amidst headwinds. Analysts say the recapitalisation step is crucial for navigating economic deceleration and challenges in the property sector."

Hamas accepts ceasefire proposal from Egypt and Qatar "The Palestinian resistance group Hamas has accepted a ceasefire proposal from Egypt and Qatar, urging Israel not to obstruct the plan. The leader of Hamas in Gaza, Khalil al-Hayya, announced the decision on Eid al-Fitr, a holiday following the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, emphasising their commitment to mediation efforts. Al-Hayya said that the weapons of the resistance are a red line. Meanwhile, Israel has countered with its own proposal, reportedly seeking the release of more captives. The push for a deal comes amid renewed Israeli air strikes on Gaza, which have killed over 920 people since March 18. In its war on Gaza, Israel has killed more than 50,200 Palestinians since October 2023, following the Hamas-led attack on Israel." Academy apologizes after backlash over Palestinian filmmaker’s arrest "The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has issued an apology after its initial response to the arrest of Palestinian filmmaker Hamdan Ballal sparked outrage. Ballal, co-director of the Oscar-winning No Other Land, was assaulted by Israeli settlers and detained by Israeli forces before his release. Critics slammed the Academy’s vague statement, prompting a stronger follow-up. While it now explicitly mentions Ballal and reiterates its condemnation of violence and suppression of free speech, it does not directly name Israel. No Other Land won Best Documentary for exposing Israel's demolition of Palestinian homes. " Syria's al Sharaa unveils new government "A new chapter for Syria has begun as President Ahmad al Sharaa unveiled the newly formed government, emphasizing a commitment to rebuilding state institutions grounded in transparency and accountability. Speaking at a ceremony in Damascus, al Sharaa declared the government’s mission to advance education, healthcare and tackle corruption. The cabinet, comprising 22 ministers—including the first woman—covers key sectors, from defence to culture. The groundbreaking change in Syria comes after al Sharaa’s leadership, following the ousting of Bashar Assad’s regime." Sudanese army secures key area from paramilitary RSF "Sudan's army has announced it has seized control of the crucial Souq Libya market in Omdurman, a key area previously utilised by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces for attacks during the two-year conflict. The new development follows the army's declaration of victory in the capital Khartoum. Souq Libya, a major commercial hub, was left abandoned by the Rapid Support Forces, who fled, leaving behind weapons and equipment. While the army already held much of Omdurman, it aims to secure the entire capital area. The Rapid Support Forces has yet to comment. The UN has described the war, triggered by a power struggle, as one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, causing widespread displacement, hunger and ethnic violence. Estimates suggest tens of thousands have died. The conflict has further destabilised the region.   " Myanmar quake death toll exceeds 1,600 "The death toll from a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar and Thailand has surpassed 1,600. Myanmar's military junta reports at least 1,644 dead and over 3,400 injured, with the toll expected to rise. The quake, followed by a 6.7-magnitude aftershock, devastated Mandalay and surrounding regions. Rescue efforts continue as the isolated areas struggle with severe damage, including collapsed buildings and infrastructure. Amid the destruction, survivors are calling for urgent aid, with some fearing more casualties are trapped in the rubble."

Israel strikes Beirut for first time since Lebanon ceasefire "An unprecedented Israeli air strike hit south Beirut, marking the first such attack since the ceasefire reached in November with Hezbollah. Lebanese officials confirmed the strike. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to ""strike everywhere"" in Lebanon against perceived threats, signaling a shift in strategy. Meanwhile, Hamas spokesperson Basem Naim reported growing momentum in Gaza ceasefire negotiations with mediators, despite Israel's ongoing attacks in the Palestinian enclave." US judge blocks Ozturk’s deportation after visa revocation "Massachusetts federal judge has temporarily blocked the deportation of Turkish-born Tufts University doctoral student, Rumeysa Ozturk, pending a ruling on her petition challenging the removal. The decision, made by US District Judge Denise Casper, halts her removal until at least April 1, while the court reviews jurisdiction concerns. Ozturk was detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement near her Somerville home for criticising Israel in her academic work. The US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed her visa revocation, citing her activism but providing no evidence of violence." Myanmar earthquake death toll tops 1,000 "A devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake in Myanmar has claimed 1,002 lives, with more than 2,000 wounded, according to the country's military government. The quake, which struck near Sagaing, caused widespread destruction, particularly in Mandalay. A state of emergency is in effect across six regions. As international aid begins to arrive, China has deployed a rescue team, with both Russia and the US offering assistance. The disaster also affected neighbouring Thailand, heightening concerns across the region." VP Vance calls for stronger US leadership in Arctic "US Vice President JD Vance stressed the importance of American leadership in the Arctic during a visit to Greenland, warning that inaction could leave the region vulnerable to rivals like Russia and China. Speaking at a US Space Force base in Greenland's Pituffik, Vance emphasised the need to strengthen Arctic security, criticising European allies, particularly Denmark, saying they haven't done a good job. He also stressed the significance of the US's presence in Greenland, highlighting its crucial role in national security and urging Greenlanders to consider a partnership with the US for enhanced security and economic benefits." Elon Musk's xAI buys his X platform "Elon Musk has announced that his AI startup, xAI, has officially acquired X—formerly known as Twitter—for $33 billion in an all-stock deal, valuing the combined entity at $80 billion. Musk touts the merger as a leap toward ""accelerating human progress,"" intertwining xAI's AI prowess with X's vast user base. The acquisition follows Musk's controversial 2022 purchase of Twitter, which was marked by workforce cuts and advertiser exodus. Notably, banks recently offloaded $12 billion in X's debt amid renewed investor interest in AI and the platform's improved performance."

Hamas makes peace efforts despite Israel 's Gaza bloodbath Israel has killed at least 29 Palestinians in fresh air strikes on besieged Gaza amid its carnage on the blockaded enclave. Meanwhile, Palestinian sources close to Hamas have said that talks were underway between the resistance group and mediators from Egypt and Qatar to revive a ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal for Gaza. Rubio defends visa cancellation of Turkish scholar " US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has confirmed the revocation of Turkish PhD student Rumeysa Ozturk's visa and defended her arrest following an article she co-authored criticising Israel. Ozturk's friends and family say she was arrested following a campaign by Canary Mission, a pro-Israel website that blacklists pro-Palestinian students and activists. Without providing any evidence linking the Turkish student to violence, Rubio defended the decision, saying those who are “vandalizing universities, harassing students and taking over buildings” will not be granted a US visa. " South Sudan peace deal collapses after Machar's arrest " South Sudan’s main opposition party has said that a peace agreement that ended a five-year civil war has collapsed, following the arrest of its leader, Riek Machar. The United Nations has warned on that the country was teetering on the edge of a renewed civil war following fighting in the north between an armed group allied to Machar and government forces. " Turkish Foreign Minister Fidan holds key talks during US visit " Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has held a series of high-level meetings during his two-day visit to Washington, engaging with US officials on critical bilateral and regional matters. Fidan met US Congressman Joe Wilson at the Turkish Embassy in the US capital. Fidan also received representatives of the American Coalition for Syria at the Turkish mission." Carney labels Trump's auto tariffs 'direct attack' on Canada Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has said that US President Donald Trump's auto tariffs are a "direct attack" on his country and that the trade war is hurting Americans, noting that American consumer confidence is at a multi-year low. Carney also said he needs to see the details of Trump's executive order before taking retaliatory measures.

Israeli kills 28 more Palestinians in Gaza "At least 28 more Palestinians have been killed in Israeli air strikes across Gaza as attacks targeted residential homes and civilians. Israel launched an aerial offensive on Gaza on March 18, killing at least 830 people and wounding nearly 1,800. The assault shattered a January ceasefire, displacing 124,000 Palestinians again and deepening the humanitarian crisis." US lawmakers, rights groups condemn arrest of Turkish student over criticism of Israel "US lawmakers and rights groups have condemned the arrest of Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish PhD student at Tufts University and Fulbright scholar, over her criticism of Israel. Ozturk was detained by masked federal agents in broad daylight, with authorities claiming her of supporting Hamas—an allegation her family and advocates strongly deny. US lawmakers and rights groups say her arrest is part of a wider crackdown on free speech and civil liberties in the US, particularly against those voicing support for Palestinians. Israel constantly denying aid supplies to Gaza: UN "Israel has rejected most attempts by humanitarian organisations to deliver essential supplies into Gaza, the UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) has said. With intense hostilities continuing for a second week, UNRWA warned that basic supplies are running out and could be depleted within days if aid is not allowed in. The agency said most efforts to coordinate access with Israeli authorities have been blocked, worsening the humanitarian crisis in the besieged territory. Sudan's Burhan declares Khartoum 'free' after reclaiming airport Sudan's Sovereign Council Chairman Abdel Fattah al Burhan declared Khartoum ""free"" after the army expelled the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and reclaimed key sites, including the airport. Speaking from the presidential palace, also recaptured by the army on Tuesday, al Burhan marked his first landing in Khartoum since the civil war began nearly two years ago. The local government also confirmed on Facebook that RSF forces had been driven out." Trump orders 25% tariffs on foreign-built cars, light trucks "US President Donald Trump has announced a 25% tariff on auto imports, escalating trade tensions ahead of further levies next week. Speaking at the White House, Trump said the tariffs would apply to all foreign-made cars but not those manufactured in the US. Set to take effect on April 2, the move will hit foreign-made cars and light trucks, adding to existing tariffs on those goods."

Syria calls for international probe after deadly Israeli bombing Israel threatens to occupy more Gaza land Ukraine ceasefire talks in Riyadh conclude without breakthrough Trump signs executive order to overhaul US elections Deadly South Korea wildfires cause unprecedented damage

Israel's genocide of Palestinians in Gaza continues Israel kills two more journalists in Gaza Israel detains Oscar-winning Palestinian filmmaker Trump signs order imposing tariffs on countries importing oil from Venezuela South Korea, Japan battle deadly wildfires

Israel continues to expand its ground invasion of Gaza Israeli siege pushes Gaza closer to ‘acute hunger crisis’: UNRWA South Korea court strikes down prime minister's impeachment Sudan’s army advances in central Khartoum Talks in Saudi Arabia with US constructive: Ukraine

Israel launches more strikes on Lebanon Canada's PM Carney expected to announce snap elections Three killed and 15 injured in New Mexico mass shooting Syrian security forces arrest brigadier general close to Assad's brother Türkiye condemns 'heinous attack' at mosque in Niger

UN reports record Israeli barricades in occupied Palestinian territory US dodges questions after Israeli minister calls for Gaza annexation Japan, China, South Korea agree to boost cooperation Over 100,000 people fled from DRC to neighbouring countries: UN Türkiye supports US-led peace talks between Russia, Ukraine — Fidan

Amnesty slams EU’s 'shameful' stance on Gaza "Amnesty International has condemned the European Council’s latest position on Gaza, calling it a “shameful attempt” to justify Israeli attacks while failing to denounce air strikes and blocked aid. Amnesty’s Eve Geddie blasted EU leaders for their “selective compassion,” saying their refusal to hold Israel accountable after 17 months of war amounts to complicity in genocide. She urged immediate action to prevent further war crimes in the besieged Palestinian enclave. " Trump backs Israel’s brutal war as death toll soars "Donald Trump “fully supports” Israel’s latest assault on Gaza, which has killed at least 700 Palestinians—including 200 children—since Tuesday. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt blamed Hamas for the bloodshed, insisting the war is their fault for not releasing hostages. Meanwhile, Gaza’s health officials warn of a deepening humanitarian disaster as Israeli strikes level homes and entire families are buried under rubble." Trump moves to boost US minerals, eyes Ukraine deal "Trump has invoked emergency powers to ramp up domestic production of critical minerals, aiming to reduce reliance on China. The executive order fast-tracks mining permits and directs agencies to identify federal land for extraction. As part of this push, Trump said he will sign a minerals deal with Ukraine “very shortly.” The move signals an aggressive bid to secure key resources for electronics and EV batteries amid intensifying global competition." Zelenskyy: Keep sanctions on Russia until war ends "Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged the EU to keep sanctions on Moscow until Russia withdraws from Ukrainian territory. Speaking via video to EU leaders, Zelenskyy accused Putin of making “unnecessary demands” to prolong the war. He insisted economic pressure must continue until Russia not only pulls out but also compensates Ukraine for the devastation caused by its military offensive." After nine months in space, astronauts struggle to reclaim their bodies "After 288 days in orbit, NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams returned to Earth—only to face a battle with their own bodies. Months in microgravity weakened their muscles, thinned their bones, and even altered their vision. Experts say long space missions mimic a decade of ageing in just months, despite rigorous exercise."

Israeli army begins ground invasion to occupy Netzarim, bisect Gaza Gaza enters famine phase as Israel blocks aid Armenia’s Pashinyan ‘ready’ to sign peace deal with Azerbaijan Bosnia issues arrest warrant for separatist leaders of Republika Srpska Canada explores European defence options to reduce reliance on US

Israel again kills hundreds of Palestinians in 'horrifying' war "Israeli air strikes on besieged Gaza have killed at least 404 Palestinians, including 150 children, a Geneva-based rights group reported as Benjamin Netanyahu decides to resume his war on enclave. The Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor also reported hundreds of wounded Palestinians. Separately, images emerging from Gaza following Israel's attacks are beyond horrifying, UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said. She noted that some of the strikes reportedly hit makeshift shelters with sleeping children and families. A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect on January 19. Israel has killed over 48,500 Palestinians since October 2023. The rights group warned that global inaction is enabling further massacres." Netanyahu calls intensified Gaza strikes are 'only the beginning' "Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed that deadly strikes on Gaza were only the start of intensified military attacks. In a televised speech Netanyahu said Hamas has already felt the strength of Israel in the past 24 hours, noting that this is only the ""beginning."" Meanwhile, pro-Palestine protests erupted in Washington and London, with demonstrators demanding an end to US military aid to Israel. Crowds outside the White House and Downing Street chanted, “Free Palestine” and “Arms embargo now,” calling for immediate international action." Zelenskyy backs 30-day ceasefire proposal on energy infrastructure "Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed support for a proposed 30-day ceasefire on energy infrastructure, following talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump. Zelenskyy clarified that Ukraine had initially proposed the ceasefire, stressing that Washington's involvement as a guarantor was essential. However, he accused Putin of seeking to weaken Ukraine, reiterating that Russia isn’t ready for peace. Zelenskyy also confirmed a prisoner exchange of 175 soldiers from each side and noted ongoing fighting in the Russian Kursk region." US releases final JFK assassination files after decades of secrecy "The US National Archives has released the final batch of files on John F. Kennedy’s assassination, a case still shrouded in conspiracy theories six decades later. It fulfills a prior executive order by president Donald Trump mandating the unredacted release of records on JFK, his brother former attorney general Robert F. Kennedy and civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. Millions of pages have been released over decades, but these final files, held back due to national security concerns. While past investigations concluded Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone, the slow declassification of documents has only fueled speculation of a deeper plot behind Kennedy’s 1963 murder." Astronauts return to Earth after unexpected nine-month stay in space "After an unexpected nine-month stay in space, four astronauts have finally returned to Earth, ending a mission that captivated global attention. A SpaceX Crew Dragon carrying NASA’s Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams alongside fellow American Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov splashed down off Florida’s coast yesterday evening. The mission garnered worldwide interest. NASA confirmed the successful landing, concluding a mission that far exceeded its original timeline."

Houthis vow to attack US warships, carriers "Yemen’s Houthi leader Abdul Malik al Houthi vowed to intensify attacks in response to US military operations, warning that drones and missiles will target American warships and aircraft carriers. Speaking in a video statement, al Houthi declared they would respond to escalation with escalation and accused the US of turning the sea into a battlefield. He also said that the US would now be included in the Houthi-imposed naval blockade, alongside Israel, as long as its aggression persists." Armenian forces attack Azerbaijani troops: Baku "Azerbaijan on Sunday said that its military positions were fired upon by Armenian forces in three separate incidents along the border. The Defence Ministry reported gunfire from Armenian troops near the Khazinevar, Burun and Digh settlements. Armenia has denied the claims. The renewed friction comes just days after both nations announced progress on a draft peace deal aimed at ending decades of conflict." Russia seeks 'ironclad' guarantees in Ukraine war "Moscow is demanding ""ironclad"" guarantees in Ukraine peace talks, insisting on Kiev's neutrality and exclusion from NATO. This comes as Washington pushes for a 30-day ceasefire, with talks expected between the US and Russian presidents this week. Separately, Ukraine's military leadership sees a shake-up with the appointment of Major General Andrii Hnatov as the new chief of General Staff, aiming to bolster operational efficiency." Deadly suicide attack strikes Pakistan military forces "A vehicle-borne suicide bomber targeted a military convoy in southwest Pakistan, killing at least five, including three Frontier Corps troops and wounding over 43 others, according to officials. Security forces suspect the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) is behind the bombing. Three suspected terrorists were killed in the security operation in the volatile district of Noshki in Balochistan after the attack, the Pakistani military said. Authorities fear the death toll may rise as several victims remain in critical condition. The attack followed Pakistan’s recent anti-terror operation against the BLA, which killed dozens of terrorists after a deadly train hijacking ambush." Netanyahu moves to dismiss Shin Bet chief over Hamas attack fallout "Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has decided to propose the dismissal of Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar to the government, citing a ""lack of trust."" The decision follows tensions over an internal investigation into the agency’s failure to foresee Hamas’s October 7 attack. While Shin Bet admitted lapses, it also pointed to Netanyahu’s policies as a contributing factor. The dismissal is poised to stir significant controversy within Israel."

* Netanyahu orders prep for ceasefire talks under US proposal Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a meeting with a delegation that returned from Qatar to discuss ceasefire negotiations in Gaza. At the end of the meeting that included ministers and security officials, Netanyahu ordered preparations for negotiations under a proposal by US President Donald Trump's Special Mideast Envoy Steve Witkoff. The proposal includes the immediate release of 11 Israeli hostages and the remains of half of the deceased captives. Israeli media previously reported that Witkoff presented a new proposal during ceasefire talks in Doha. * US, Russia discuss Ukraine, Yemen strikes US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov spoke to discuss the next stage in talks on ending the Ukraine war. According to State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce, the top diplomats "agreed to continue working towards restoring communication between the United States and Russia". Rubio also updated Lavrov on military activity in the Middle East, where US forces carried out deadly strikes against Houthis in Yemen. * Over 100,000 rally in Serbia against Vucic government At least 100,000 people descended on Belgrade for a mass rally seen as a culmination of months-long protests against Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic and his government. Large crowds of flag-waving protesters clogged the downtown area of the capital despite occasional rain, with people hardly able to move and many stuck hundreds of metres away from the planned protest venue. Police said the crowd reached 107,000 people with no major incidents reported. Serbian independent media described the rally as the biggest ever in the country, saying the numbers were much higher. * Bangladeshi students urge UN to seek ICC trial for Hasina Bangladeshi student representatives urged the United Nations to assist in taking former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's case to the International Criminal Court over alleged crimes against humanity committed during the July uprising last year. The demand was made on Saturday during a meeting between a student delegation and visiting UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in Dhaka. Guterres is in Bangladesh for a four-day visit, set to conclude on Sunday. * Trump mutes Voice of America, employees put on leave President Donald Trump's administration has begun making deep cuts to Voice of America and other government-run, pro-democracy programming, with the organisation's director saying all VOA employees have been put on leave. On Friday night, shortly after Congress passed its latest funding bill, Trump directed his administration to reduce the functions of several agencies to the minimum required by law. That included the US Agency for Global Media, which houses Voice of America, Radio Free Europe and Asia and Radio Marti, which beams Spanish-language news into Cuba.

Hamas says won't renegotiate Gaza truce deal Rubio declares South African ambassador to US persona non grata Putin calls on Ukrainian troops in Kursk to surrender Canada's new PM Carney says his country will never be part of US SpaceX launches replacement crew, paving way for stuck astronauts' return

Hamas warns of attempts to undermine Gaza ceasefire Jewish protesters in US flood Trump Tower over student arrest Qatar steps in to ease Syria’s energy crisis Türkiye offers to help rebuild war-torn Ukraine Trump's trade war sparks North American backlash

Israeli army chief admits paying 'heavy price' in Gaza Syrian president issues decree to establish National Security Council Putin urges troops to 'fully liberate' Kursk from Ukraine Peace talks between DRC, M23 rebels to start March 18 — Angola Türkiye's anti-ship missile Atmaca successfully hits target

US envoy Witkoff starts talks in Qatar as Israel proposes truce extension "US presidential envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, has begun talks in Qatar to push for progress on releasing Israeli captives amid a proposal by Tel Aviv to extend a ceasefire deal in besieged Gaza for 60 days, Israel's public broadcaster KAN reported. The first 42-day phase of a three-phase ceasefire and prisoner swap deal, each of equal length, between Hamas and Israel, brokered by Qatar, Egypt and the US, ended March 1 after starting on January 19. Israel has reneged on the truce deal announced by Biden administration last year and wants to impose its own new deal on Palestine." White House puts pressure on Columbia University as it seeks to deport pro-Palestine activists "The White House says Columbia University is refusing to help federal agents find people being sought as part of the government's effort to deport participants in pro-Palestine demonstrations. In a briefing with reporters in Washington, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said federal authorities have been ""using intelligence"" to identify other people involved in campus demonstrations critical of Israeli aggression. She said Columbia had been given names and was refusing to help the Department of Homeland Security ""to identify those individuals on campus""." Syrians rally in support of new government after attacks by Assad loyalists "Hundreds of civilians have gathered in Syria's Latakia to express support for the government forces following recent incidents in the province. People assembled in Sheikh Dahir Square in the centre of Latakia, holding banners with Arabic messages, including: ""The forces of the deposed regime have destroyed the infrastructure"", "The Alsharaa government represents me", and ""We stand with the security forces"". Some demonstrators carried flags of the Syrian Army, while others displayed photos of security personnel who died in clashes between March 6 and 10." Portuguese government loses confidence vote, paving way for snap elections "Portugal could be heading to its third general election in three years after the centre-right government of Prime Minister Luis Montenegro lost a vote of confidence. The vote was called over conflict-of-interest accusations against Montenegro involving a family business. A last-minute attempt to avoid the vote failed when terms could not be agreed for setting up a mooted parliamentary inquiry. The country's president, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, must now decide whether to dissolve the assembly and call new elections." India bans Kashmir political parties days after criticising 'obscene' fashion show "The Indian government has imposed a five-year ban on two local political parties in India-administered Kashmir, declaring them ""unlawful associations"" threatening India's sovereignty, integrity and security. According to Indian Home Ministry, the Awami Action Committee (AAC) and the Jammu and Kashmir Ittihadul Muslimeen (JKIM), were accused of ""supporting terrorism, spreading anti-India narratives, and raising funds for secessionist movements in the region"". The Indian government invoked Section 3 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 to enforce the five-year ban."

US court halts Trump’s bid to deport pro-Palestine activist "A US federal judge has temporarily blocked the deportation of Mahmoud Khalil, a pro-Palestine activist and permanent resident, following his weekend arrest. The judge ruled that Khalil could not be removed from the US until further notice and scheduled a court hearing for Wednesday. Khalil's detention in Louisiana sparked nationwide outrage, with mass protests in New York and Washington. Earlier, President Donald Trump praised the arrest, warning it was the first of many. Khalil, who holds a master's degree from Columbia's School of International Affairs, had not been charged with any crime related to his activism." Syria reaches integration deal with SDF, led by YPG terror group "Syria has sealed a deal with the SDF, led by the YPG, the Syrian offshoot of the PKK terrorist organisation, declaring a nationwide ceasefire while reaffirming the country's territorial unity. Announced by the Syrian Presidency, the agreement integrates northeastern Syria into state institutions and rejects partition. It also ensures political participation for all Syrians, recognises Kurdish citizenship rights, and mandates control over key assets like borders, oil and airports." Boat capsizes in DRC, killing dozens, including football players "A boat tragedy in southwestern Democratic Republic of the Congo has left 25 dead, many of them football players, after capsizing on the Kwa River. The team was returning from a match in Mushie when disaster struck, possibly due to poor visibility, according to the provincial spokesperson. At least 30 survived as deadly boat accidents remain common as overcrowded vessels navigate DRC’s vast waterways." Elon Musk cites potential cyberattack as major outage hits X "The social media giant X, formerly known as Twitter, faced major disruptions, with thousands of users reporting outages. The company's owner Elon Musk said the platform was hit by a ""massive cyberattack,"" possibly from a coordinated group or even a nation-state. Complaints peaked at 40,000 users affected, according to reports. The outage, which lasted over an hour, hit hardest on the US coasts. In March 2023, similar issues plagued the platform, disrupting links, logins, and image loads." Global markets slump over Trump’s trade policies, recession fears "Stock markets tumbled as tech shares led the charge, spooked by concerns over President Trump’s trade policies potentially pushing the US into recession. Wall Street saw the Nasdaq drop over 3.6 percent, with Trump leaving the door open to a downturn. Meanwhile, global markets, including London and Paris, closed lower. Investors also reacted to weakening consumer confidence and rising trade uncertainties. Separately, China’s deflationary pressure deepens as tariffs escalate."

Hamas blames Netanyahu for derailing Gaza truce "Palestinian resistance group Hamas accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of obstructing the Gaza ceasefire deal for his political gains. Hamas official Izat al-Rishq warned that Netanyahu's actions are a waste of time and an attempt to manipulate the captives' fate. Meanwhile, Israeli tanks stormed Palestinian city of Jenin, in a dramatic escalation of military raids in the occupied West Bank. Witnesses reported indiscriminate Israeli gunfire before the tanks retreated, with videos capturing the chaos and thick smoke. No injuries were reported. " US is 'just about' lifting intelligence freeze on Ukraine "President Donald Trump has said that the US has ""just about"" lifted its intelligence-sharing freeze with Ukraine, a decision with major security stakes. The reconciliation move from the US comes as top officials gear up for crucial talks in Saudi Arabia, where Ukraine may face pressure to make concessions to Russia. However, the fate of a key minerals deal between Washington and Kiev also hangs in the balance. Despite these challenges, President Trump expresses optimism that substantial progress will be made this week." Liberal Party elects new leader, Canada's next PM "Mark Carney has been elected leader of Canada's Liberal Party and he is set to become the country's next prime minister. He replaces Justin Trudeau, who resigned in January following declining approval ratings after nearly a decade in power. The 59-year-old former central banker, known for tackling crises, secured over 85 percent of the vote. Carney, an outsider with no prior political office experience, is poised to face his toughest challenge yet. Managing Canada's response to US tariffs under President Donald Trump remains key issue." Iran shows openness to discuss nuclear concerns with US "Iran signalled openness to talks with the US on Sunday, but only if discussions focus on concerns about the militarisation of its nuclear programme. Tehran's UN mission stressed that it would not negotiate away its peaceful nuclear ambitions. Earlier, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who dismissed US offers for a broader deal, said that such talks would aim to limit Iran's missile capabilities and regional influence. Khamenei underlined that military and influence demands wouldn't resolve the tensions with the West." Türkiye warns against provocations in Syria's clashes "Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has warned against efforts to provoke the Syrian government’s policy of restraint amid over clashes in Syria between government forces and loyalists of ousted regime leader Bashar al Assad. He stressed the need for Alawites, Christians, Druze and Nusayris to stay clear of provocations. Fidan reaffirmed Türkiye’s commitment to supporting Syria’s new government in restoring peace. The summit in Jordan, which included key regional officials, focused on regional security, counterterrorism, and Syria’s stability."

*Qatar calls for safeguards for all Israeli nuclear facilities Qatar reiterated its call for intensified international efforts Saturday to subject all of Israel’s nuclear facilities to the safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Qatar’s Ambassador Jasim Yacoub Al Hammadi highlighted “the need for the international community and its institutions to uphold their commitments under resolutions of the UN Security Council, which called on Israel to subject all of its nuclear facilities to IAEA safeguards.” He also highlighted “the urgency for the international community and its institutions to take decisive action to compel Israel to implement international resolutions, recognise the Palestinian people's right to self-determination and the establishment of their independent state. *Russia says France has repeatedly lied Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has accused France of lying and violating international agreements, including the implementation of the Minsk agreements for a settlement in Ukraine and violated security guarantees given to Viktor Yanukovych, a former Ukrainian president. He stressed: "France, like other countries, didn’t fulfill its guarantees. It was a real lie," adding that when French President Emmanuel Macron accused Russia of posing a threat to Europe, he did not mention France's mistakes. The Minsk Agreements were meant to resolve the Crimea crisis in 2014, as well as Eastern Ukraine. *Arab League denounces attack on security forces in Syria The Arab League condemned acts of violence and attacks on government security forces to fuel internal tensions and threaten civil peace in Syria. It expressed "condemnation of violence, attacks on government security forces, and reckless killings, threaten civil peace, and exacerbate the challenges Syria is facing at this critical stage."​​​​​​​ The Arab League emphasised that "such circumstances require a focus on policies and measures that strengthen and safeguard stability and civil peace to thwart any plans aimed at destabilising Syria and undermining its chances for recovery." *North Korea unveils nuclear-powered submarine for the first time North Korea has unveiled for the first time a nuclear-powered submarine under construction, a weapons system that can pose a major security threat to South Korea and the US. The naval vessel appears to be a 6,000-ton-class or 7,000-ton-class one which can carry about 10 missiles, South Korean submarine expert said, adding the use of the term “the strategic guided missiles” meant it would carry nuclear-capable weapons. *Un warns South Sudan’s peace process at risk amid growing violence A recent surge in violence and escalating political tensions in South Sudan are putting a fragile peace process in jeopardy, a UN human rights commission warned. "We are witnessing an alarming regression that could erase years of hard-won progress," Yasmin Sooka, chairperson of the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan, said. She urged leaders to "urgently refocus on the peace process, uphold the human rights of South Sudanese citizens, and ensure a smooth transition to democracy."

* Islamic nations adopt Arab counter to Trump’s Gaza takeover plan * Syria to brings remnants of Assad regime to justice through fair trial * Trump woos cryptocurrency industry's elite at White House * Russia hits Ukraine as US cuts Kiev's access to satellite images * Israeli plans to expel Gaza's Palestinians 'totally unacceptable' — Türkiye

Palestinians point to Israel's retention of 600+ bodies after Trump's remark "Palestinians are pushing back against US President Donald Trump's fiery demand that Hamas return Israeli captives and bodies of those killed, reminding him that Israel has long been keeping hundreds of bodies of Palestinians. According to multiple media sources, Israel is holding 665 bodies, including those of 59 children. Israeli officials say they keep Palestinian bodies as leverage — to deter attacks, to trade in future negotiations. Palestinians and human rights groups call it something else — collective punishment." Ukraine, US to hold talks next week to end war "President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he would travel to Saudi Arabia and his team would stay on to hold talks with US officials about ending the war between Ukraine and Russia. The talks follow a letter from Zelenskyy to US President Donald Trump. "There was an apology, there was an acknowledgment that the United States has done so much for the country of Ukraine, and a sense of gratitude,"" US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff told reporters in describing the tone of Zelenskyy's letter." EU leaders agree to boost defence following decades of hesitation "European Union leaders have committed to a massive step in defence cooperation following decades of hesitation. The 27 leaders signed off on a move on Thursday to loosen budget restrictions so willing EU countries can increase military spending. They also urged the European Commission, the EU's executive branch, to explore new ways to facilitate significant defence spending in all member states, a statement said." CAIR urges Muslim immigrants not to leave US ahead of potential Trump ban "The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) warned regular immigrants in the US not to travel overseas this month ahead of potential President Donald Trump's Muslim travel ban. CAIR Government Affairs Director said they do not know ""for sure"" whether the administration will issue a new ban or which countries would be targeted. CAIR encourages the Trump administration to reconsider any plans to impose any new total travel bans on Muslim-majority countries under the guise of protecting national security, the official said." Turkish researcher to study women astronauts’ health on all-female spaceflight "Begum Aydogan Mathyk, an obstetrics and gynecology researcher at the University of South Florida, will investigate the health of an all-women flight team scheduled for 2026. Underlining the lack of studies on women’s health in space, she pointed out that while animal reproduction studies have been conducted in space, her approach is different. Mathyk highlighted the importance of moving women’s health studies from Earth to space, as the long-term effects of space on women astronauts’ reproductive health and hormonal systems remain unknown."

Trump issues deadly ultimatum to Palestinians over captives "US President Donald Trump has issued a dire ultimatum to Palestinians once again. He warned that Palestinians in Gaza will face deadly consequences if hostages are not released. ""Release all of the hostages now, not later, and immediately return all of the dead bodies of the people you murdered, or it is over for you,"" he wrote on his Truth Social platform. Pledging unwavering support for Israel, Trump vowed to send, what he calls, ""everything it needs to finish the job."" At least 48,400 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's genocidal war on Gaza amid a stalled ceasefire agreement reached on January 17." Israel’s occupation is the real issue, not Hamas: Palestinian official "The head of Gaza’s Government Information Office Salama Maroofa fired back at US President Donald Trump’s call for Palestinians to release Israeli hostages or face death. He stated that Israel’s occupation is the core issue, not Hamas. In a statement, Maroof accused Trump of emboldening Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, enabling further ""crimes against 2.4 million people."" He added that the ongoing violence in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem is proof of Israeli crimes." Syria vows to destroy Assad's chemical weapons legacy "Syria’s foreign minister has pledged to swiftly eliminate the country’s remaining chemical weapons and is calling on the world for support. Speaking at the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in The Hague, Asaad Hassan al Shaibani became the first Syrian official to address the disarmament agency. , New government's decision comes after years of controversy, despite Syria’s 2013 pledge to destroy its stockpile, multiple probes confirmed chemical attacks by the Bashar al-Assad regime. For over a decade, chemical weapons watchdog's inspectors have faced roadblocks in uncovering the full extent of Syria’s arsenal." US nixes intelligence-sharing with Ukraine "The US has halted intelligence-sharing with Ukraine, CIA Director John Ratcliffe confirmed, a move that could shake Kiev’s battlefield strategy. The Trump administration's tough stance aims to push Ukraine toward a mineral deal with the US and peace talks with Russia. President Trump earlier revealed that he received a letter from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressing willingness to negotiate. Amid concerns, Ratcliffe suggested it may soon be reversed as Washington reaffirms its support for Ukraine." UN warns of drastic food ration cuts for Rohingya refugees "The United Nations has warned it may reduce food rations for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh from $12.50 to $6 starting April 1, unless it raises $81 million. Bangladesh's top official, Mohammed Mizanur Rahman, expressed concern over the potential impact of this cut, noting current rations are already insufficient. The UN's World Food Programme is scrambling for funds to avoid further worsening the humanitarian crisis. With over a million refugees, many already facing hunger, the cuts threaten to undermine basic survival needs."

Arab leaders reject Trump’s Gaza plan, offer alternative Lapid to Netanyahu: Apologise for October 7 failures Somalia hunger crisis worsens, one million more at risk Trump’s 'dumb' tariffs ignite global trade war US lists Department of Justice, FBI buildings for potential sale

Gaza food prices surge 100-fold after Israeli border closure Israeli drone strikes kill multiple Palestinians, violating the ceasefire Trump orders halt to US aid in Ukraine Austria's first three-party gov't since WW2 takes office, keeps far-right out Türkiye's Erdogan calls for Muslim veto power at UNSC

Starvation as a weapon': Israel blocks Gaza aid Plan Hell': Israel set to escalate Gaza war Ukraine ready to sign US minerals deal – Zelenskyy Syria forms committee for transition constitution No Other Land' wins Oscar for Best Documentary

* Messages of support for Ukraine after Trump berates Zelenskyy * Rubio says Zelenskyy owes Trump apology after White House clash * Türkiye advances in its quest for 'terror-free' future: Erdogan * Bangladesh students whose uprising ousted Hasina unveil new political party * Gaza marks Ramadan amid ruins, hunger after months of Israel's brutal war

Gaza truce talks underway in Cairo Israeli army admits to 'colossal failure' on October 7 8,500 killed in DRC violence since January Putin warns the West against blocking US-Russia thaw Jailed PKK leader calls for group’s dissolution

UN agency chief warns West Bank is turning into war zone Trump’s AI-generated Gaza video sparks global outrage online Zelenskyy to visit Washington for high-stakes mineral deal Bosnia sentences Serb leader Dodik to one year in prison Jordan, Syria agree to strengthen border security against trafficking

* Hamas, Israel agree to resolve delay in release of Palestinians Hamas has said it has agreed during a visit to Cairo on a solution to end the delay of releasing Palestinian prisoners. In a statement, the resistance group said its delegation met with Egyptian officials to discuss the implementation of the ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement as well as preparations for the next phase of negotiations. Hamas added a solution has been reached ensuring the release of Palestinian prisoners would occur simultaneously with the handover of the remains of Israelis. * Israel carries out air strikes in southern Syria Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has confirmed the military assault on southern Syria. Residents of Damascus and Reuters reporters in the city heard the sound of airplanes flying several low passes over the capital and a series of blasts. The bombardment came hours after Syria condemned Israel's invasion into the country's south and demanded it withdraw, according to the closing statement of a national summit. * US, Ukraine agree on terms of minerals deal — Ukrainian official Ukraine has agreed on the terms of a minerals deal with the United States and could sign it as early as Friday on a trip to Washington by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, a senior Ukrainian official said. The deal would see the United States jointly develop Ukraine's mineral wealth, with revenues going to a newly created fund that would be "joint for Ukraine and America", a senior Ukrainian source told the AFP news agency on condition of anonymity. The Washington Post, which cited a Ukrainian official and another person familiar with the matter, said the deal was on "much better term" than those offered in an earlier proposal. * Dozens dead as hail, rain hit two provinces in Afghanistan — officials At least 29 people have died in two provinces in Afghanistan due to hail and heavy rain, officials said. Among the poorest countries in the world after decades of war, Afghanistan is particularly exposed to the effects of the climate crisis, which scientists say is spurring extreme weather. Flash floods in May last year killed hundreds and swamped swaths of agricultural land in Afghanistan, where 80 percent of people depend on farming to survive. * Chile declares state of emergency after sweeping power blackout Chile has declared a state of emergency and curfew across much of the country, including the capital, Santiago, following a massive blackout possibly caused by an electrical system failure, the interior ministry said. After the blackout hit, subway services were promptly evacuated. Traffic lights were knocked out, causing traffic jams in the country's largest cities, while a fleet of electric buses was deployed to assist with inner-city mobility. The outage occurred amid a heat wave in Chile, and in small towns such as Lo Barnechea, Talagante and La Florida, authorities promptly established supplies of drinking water.

Israel prepares to occupy Gaza with US backing "Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has said that the military is gearing up to occupy Gaza under newly appointed Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir—coordinating efforts with US President Donald Trump’s administration. Smotrich issued a stark warning to the Palestinian resistance group Hamas, vowing a devastating offensive. He also said that when they decide the time has come to resume the war, everyone will be surprised by the unity, strength, and lethal precision of Israel's Gaza occupation. The Trump administration, he added, firmly backs the Israeli invasion of Gaza." UNSC passes resolution calling for end to Russia-Ukraine war "The UN Security Council has passed a resolution urging a “swift end” to the Russia-Ukraine war, though it fell short of stronger language pushed by the UK and EU. The US-drafted measure passed with 10 votes in favor and five abstentions. While hailed as a crucial step toward peace, the resolution avoided direct mention of Russia’s annexations—fueling criticism. European envoys stressed Ukraine must dictate its own peace, rejecting any “false equivalence” between aggressor and victim." Russia proposes joint exploration of rare earth metals, energy with US "Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed a rare economic deal with the US, offering joint exploration of rare earth metals and a potential supply of 2 million tons of aluminum annually—if US tariffs are lifted. He also hinted at energy cooperation in Siberia. Putin chaired a meeting with his officials to discuss rare earth metals following US President Donald Trump's statement, in which he said major economic development transactions with Russia would take place. Meanwhile, the Russian president signaled openness to slashing defence budgets by 50 percent to ease global tensions." Fighting in DR Congo's east kills 7,000 since January "Fighting in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s eastern region has claimed 7,000 lives since January, Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka has confirmed. Speaking in Geneva, she highlighted that over 3,000 deaths occurred in Goma alone, many of them civilians. Tuluka echoed UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' concerns about the M23 rebel offensive, which is fuelling violence and human rights abuses. Amid growing fears of a regional war, she called for an immediate ceasefire and troop withdrawal, and welcomed US sanctions against Rwanda for supporting the rebel group." Apple announces $500B US investment in software development "Apple has pledged a massive investment of over $500 billion in the US over the next four years, a move that will create 20,000 new jobs, focusing on research and development, artificial intelligence, and software development. The tech giant will also open a manufacturing plant in Houston and an academy in Detroit to support advanced manufacturing. The company's CEO Tim Cook expressed confidence in America's innovation future, further cementing the company’s commitment to US growth, following President Trump's tariff-driven push for domestic production."

Hamas announces halt in talks until Israel frees Palestinian prisoners "Hamas leader Mahmoud Mardawi announced the resistance group would halt negotiations with Israel until Palestinian prisoners held by Tel Aviv are released. The decision comes after Israel cancelled freeing of 620 Palestinian prisoners, initially set for Saturday. The United States backed Israel’s decision. Separately, Israel has heightened its military readiness near Gaza, while President Donald Trump reaffirmed support for Israel’s war on enclave." Germany's Christian political alliance declares election victory "Germany’s opposition leader, Friedrich Merz, declared victory as projections showed his Christian conservative political alliance securing 28.5 percent of the vote, surging past rivals. Merz urged swift coalition talks to restore Germany’s leadership. Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s Social Democratic Party SPD, suffered a historic defeat at 16.5 percent, while the far-right Alternative for Germany AfD, soared to 20.6 percent. Coalition negotiations remain uncertain, with smaller parties struggling to meet the 5 percent threshold. Voter turnout hit a record high of 84 percent." US pushes for Ukraine-Russia peace deal based on Istanbul pact "The US says it is ""very close"" to brokering a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia, modeled after the Istanbul Protocol Agreement, says Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff. Speaking to CNN, he stressed that the war was ""provoked"" and must end. Meanwhile, Ukraine has resisted US pressure to withdraw its European-backed UN resolution demanding Russia’s withdrawal, according to officials, setting the stage for a high-stakes vote on Monday." CAIR condemn Musk's claim that US Muslim aid groups are terrorists "The Council on American-Islamic Relations CAIR has condemned Elon Musk for amplifying claims that US Muslim aid groups receiving USAID funds are “terrorist organisations.” CAIR warns that such rhetoric fuels Islamophobia and puts Muslim Americans at risk. Musk’s post targeted over a dozen nonprofits, including Islamic Relief and Palestine Children's Relief Fund. ""Anyone who sees the word 'Islam' in the name of an American charity and then immediately declares that the charity must be a 'terrorist organisation' is a hateful person,"" CAIR said." Thousands gather in Beirut to mourn Hezbollah leaders killed by Israel "People gathered in Beirut to mourn the late Hezbollah leaders, Hassan Nasrallah and Hashem Safieddine. Hezbollah's Naim Qassem condemned Israel for breaching a ceasefire deal and stressed the group's readiness to defend Lebanon. The funeral comes after a fragile ceasefire, marking the end of intense clashes between Israel and Hezbollah. Despite Israel’s delayed withdrawal, Qassem vowed that neither Israel nor the US would pressure Lebanon into submission. The fallen leaders were assassinated in September and October of 2024."

*Israel strikes several locations along Syrian-Lebanese border The Israeli army has said it carried out air strikes on several locations along the Syria-Lebanon border, alleging the sites were being used for weapons transfers to Hezbollah. The Israeli military further claimed that such smuggling efforts "are a blatant violation of the understandings between Israel and Lebanon." This marks the second time in less than 48 hours that Israel has announced air strikes in the border region. *Trump says US close to minerals deal with Ukraine, wants aid 'money back' President Donald Trump said the United States is close to an agreement with Ukraine on sharing revenue from Ukrainian minerals as part of efforts to end the Ukraine war, saying his intent is to recover the aid Washington has provided. "Europe has given $100 billion. The United States has given $350 billion because we had a stupid, incompetent president and administration," he told the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on Saturday. The president argued that Washington should not bear the burden alone. *DRC's Tshisekedi plans unity government in response to rebels' offensive Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi will launch a unity government, his spokesperson has said, as he faces domestic pressure over his handling of an offensive by M23 rebels in eastern provinces. Since the start of the year, DRC has faced back-to-back losses in North and South Kivu provinces, fuelling criticism of the authorities' military strategy. *Israel may deploy tanks in northern West Bank for 1st time since 2002 The Israeli army may deploy tanks to the northern occupied West Bank for the first time in 23 years, a media outlet has reported. According to Channel 14, citing anonymous sources, the political leadership is "pressuring for the inclusion of tanks” in the ongoing military raids in the northern occupied West Bank. The tanks "could soon participate" in the raids, the sources further indicated. It added that the decision came "after pressure from the political leadership." *Gambian information minister praises strong bilateral ties with Türkiye Gambian Information, Media, and Broadcasting Services Minister Ismaila Ceesay stated that Türkiye has very strong bilateral relations with Gambia. It is important for Gambians to know their friends and to fully understand Turkish culture, traditions, geography, and history, he stated. Ceesay also suggested signing a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in capacity building, experience sharing, and news exchange between the two countries.

Hamas hands over bodies of four captives killed by Israeli bombing China supports Trump's Ukraine peace initiative at G20 Major Al Shabab attack repelled, 130 terrorists killed: Somalia Multiple explosions hit buses in central Israel Syria economic recovery could take over half a century: UN

February 20, 2025 by TRT World

February 19, 2025 by TRT World