English

Jerry Fisayo-Bambi

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.

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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".

Myanmar

Polls close in first day of Myanmar's general election since 2021 coup

Final results are expected to be announced by February after two more rounds of voting are completed, but the ballot is widely being criticised and dismissed as a sham.

Ukraine

One dead, scores injured after Russia launches massive attack on Kyiv

The latest attack comes as presidents Zelenskyy and Trump prepare to meet in Florida on Sunday amid ongoing efforts to end the war.

China

China sanctions 20 US defence companies over arms sales to Taiwan

According to the Chinese foreign ministry, the sanctions entail freezing the companies’ assets in China and banning individuals and organisations from accessing them.

World News

Thailand and Cambodia agree ceasefire to end weeks of border fighting

The ceasefire, which came into force around noon local time, calls for no further military movements by either side and no violations of either side’s airspace for military purposes.

World News

Thailand and Cambodia vow to fight on as border clashes kill 13

Border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia killed 13 people and forced mass evacuations, derailing a Trump-brokered ceasefire that ended deadly July fighting.

China

China court orders Malaysian Airlines to pay damages to MH370 families

Flight MH370 vanished on 8 March 2014 while flying from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing with 239 people aboard, including 227 passengers — most of them Chinese — and 12 crew members.

Gaza

Five killed in Israeli strike on Gaza after attack injures soldiers

Meanwhile, Israel says it would open up the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, which would allow Palestinians to leave the Strip.

Europe News

Europe accuses Putin of feigning interest in Ukraine peace talks

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha urged Putin to “stop wasting the world’s time,” while the UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper called on the Russian leader to “end the bluster and the bloodshed and be ready to come to the table and to support a just and lasting peace”.

USA

Trump calls Somali migrants 'garbage' during cabinet meeting

Trump's remarks came days after his administration announced it would halt all asylum decisions following the shooting of two US National Guard soldiers in Washington.

World News

White House defends follow-up strike on alleged drug boat

The controversial September strike was one in a series carried out by the US military in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean, as Trump ordered the buildup of a fleet of warships near Venezuela.

Honduras

Vote count under way in Honduras in close presidential race

Trump shocked Hondurans on Friday by endorsing one of the candidates and announcing that he would pardon ex-President Juan Orlando Hernández, who was serving a 45-year sentence in a US prison for drug trafficking.

Indonesia

Death toll from Indonesian floods and landslides rises to 442

According to the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), some 402 people were still missing after initial rescue efforts were hampered by a lack of heavy equipment.

USA

Rubio insists peace plan is by US amid claim it is Russia's wish list

The White House said that Rubio and Trump envoy Steve Witkoff worked on the widely leaked 28-point US-backed peace proposal for a month, with participation from both Russians and Ukrainians.

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