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Jerry Fisayo-Bambi

Venezuela

Venezuela approves amnesty for likely release of political detainees

Although the new law was not a prerequisite for the government to free prisoners, the approval marks a reversal for authorities in the South American nation, who for decades have denied holding any political prisoners.

Culture news

Eric Dane, ‘Grey’s Anatomy and Euphoria’ actor dies aged 53

Dane died from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, known also as Lou Gehrig’s disease, less than a year after he announced his diagnosis.

Iran

Trump warns of ‘bad things’ if Iran does not reach a deal with US

Trump has warned Tehran it has days to reach a deal on its nuclear programme as the US continues massing forces, Iran drills with Russia, and Europe fears an imminent regional war.

USA

UN Security Council warns Israeli West Bank plans threaten Gaza truce

The security council's meeting came on the eve of US President Donald Trump’s first Board of Peace gathering to discuss the future of the Palestinian territories.

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Cuba

Putin offers Cuba support against harsh-biting naval blockade

Speaking with Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez in Moscow, Putin reminded his guest that Russia “will not accept anything of the sort” when discussing the sanctions against the country.

World News

Eleven killed in narcoboat strikes amid Trump’s Latin America drug war

US strikes on three alleged drug boats kill 11, escalating Trump’s campaign against narcotraffickers in South American coastal waters.

World News

Hundreds of millions across Asia welcome the Year of the Fire Horse

Authorities in China say they are expecting to see a record 9.5 billion passenger trips, up from 9 billion the previous year, during the 40-day spring festival.

France

France on record flood alert as storms slam Spain with deadly winds

The storms have so far killed three people across France and Spain and left dozens injured in the extreme weather-related accidents.

Gaza

Board of Peace to unveil $5 billion in Gaza reconstruction, Trump says

The pledges will be formally announced when board members gather in Washington on Thursday for their first meeting, the US president said in a social media post.

Ukraine

Ukraine hits Russian oil terminal as Moscow's drone strikes intensify

Ukraine hits Russian oil terminal and air defence in occupied Crimea as Moscow's drone strikes and power cuts intensify ahead of fresh US-brokered peace talks in Geneva.

Israel

Israel’s Barak says he regrets knowing Epstein after long friendship

Barak said he never observed or took part in any inappropriate behaviour, and even though he was aware of the earlier Epstein case, he assumed Epstein had paid his debt to society.

World News

Trump says change in power in Iran ‘would be the best thing'

The remarks came shortly after Trump confirmed that he was sending a second aircraft carrier group to the Middle East and after he spoke with troops at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina.

Iran

Iranian FM: Iran and US agree to high-stakes nuclear talks in Oman

Foreign Minister Araghchi's announcement on Wednesday came after hours of indications that the anticipated talks were faltering, and some media reports that they had been cancelled over changes in the format and content of the talks.

USA

US Senate passes Trump-backed government funding deal

The bill passed 71-29 and will now head to the House, which is not due back until Monday, meaning the government could be in a partial shutdown temporarily over the weekend until they pass it.

World News

Japan, Philippines sign defence pact to counter growing China threat

According to Japanese and Philippine officials, the new pact would assist both countries in responding to natural catastrophes, a shared concern, and taking part in UN peacekeeping missions, which will be an addition to facilitating cooperative fighting exercises.

Iran

Iran closes airspace for hours as Trump claims executions halted

The airspace closure came as some personnel at a key US military base in Qatar were advised to evacuate. The US embassy in Kuwait ordered its personnel to "temporarily halt" going to multiple military bases in the Gulf nation.

Economy

China records massive $1.2 trillion trade surplus beating forecasts

According to customs data, the surplus was boosted by trade gains in December, with exports climbing 6.6% from the year before, better than economists’ estimates and higher than November’s 5.9% year-on-year increase.

Iran

Iran protest death toll reaches 2,500 as communication blackout eases

The toll exceeds deaths from any Iranian unrest in decades and recalls chaos surrounding the 1979 Islamic Revolution, analysts said.

Iran

Trump weighs military action against Iran over protest crackdown

The demonstrations are the biggest Iran has seen in years. Protests spurred by the Iranian currency collapse have morphed into a larger test of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's rule.

Gaza

Hamas to dissolve Gaza government after Palestinian body takes over

The government and other elements of the truce that went into effect on 10 October, such as disarming Hamas and sending an international security force, are to be supervised by US President Donald Trump's "Board of Peace".

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