Tuesday, 25 Feb, 2025

International

Musk tells US federal workers to list accomplishments or resign

US federal employees received an email on Saturday afternoon instructing them to submit a list of their accomplishments from the past week or face resignation, a move seen as part of the Trump administration's ongoing effort to target government workers. The email came shortly

Germans head to polls in crucial election with int'l implications

Germany’s election on Sunday has become a focal point for Europe and the U.S., as the nation grapples with economic instability and heightened security concerns following a series of deadly attacks.  With migration and crime at the forefront of political debate, 69-year-old

Israel delays Palestinian prisoner release as hostages freed

Israel has indefinitely postponed the release of over 600 Palestinian prisoners, marking a potential setback in the ongoing ceasefire process.  This decision follows the release of six Israeli hostages, including four taken during Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attacks. Israeli

Pope's health critical after respiratory crisis

Pope Francis remains in "critical" condition following a "prolonged asthma-like respiratory crisis" on Saturday, according to a statement from the Vatican. The 88-year-old pontiff's condition worsened overnight, and he has undergone blood transfusions due to low

Six Israeli hostages released in Gaza

Hamas has released six Israeli captives from Gaza as part of the final prisoner exchange under the first phase of the ceasefire agreement between the Palestinian group and Israel. The first two captives, Tal Shoham and Avera Mengistu, were transferred to the Red Cross in Rafah,

Bus crash in Brazil kills 12 university students

Twelve university students died and 21 were injured in a collision between a bus and a truck in Brazil's southeastern state of Sao Paulo, officials said Friday. "We wake up to the sad news of this tragedy that killed 12 students in a terrible accident involving a bus and a

New Zealand: China navy holds second live-fire drill at sea

New Zealand said the Chinese navy conducted a live-fire exercise in international waters near the Pacific nation on Saturday, a day after it held a similar drill between Australia and New Zealand that forced airlines to divert flights. “Reporting from the New Zealand Defense

Israel to free 602 Palestinian prisoners in swap deal today

Israel will release 602 Palestinian prisoners on Saturday, including 50 Palestinians who have been sentenced to life imprisonment and 60 others with lengthy prison terms, according to the Palestinian Prisoners Media Office in Gaza on Friday. The release is a key component of the first

Egypt, Spain reject US plan to displace Gazans

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Wednesday rejected a controversial proposal by US President Donald Trump to ethnically cleanse Palestinians from the war-devastated Gaza Strip. The Arab League is scheduled to hold an extraordinary

Over $50B required to rebuild Gaza following war

A comprehensive assessment by the United Nations, European Union, and World Bank has determined that reconstructing Gaza will necessitate at least $53.2 billion over the next decade.  This estimate follows 15 months of extensive destruction caused by Israel’s military

US judge rejects effort to block Trump’s federal workforce cuts

A U.S. judge has delivered a temporary victory to President Donald Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk by denying a request for a restraining order aimed at slowing their push to reduce the federal workforce. District Judge Tanya Chutkan ruled on Tuesday against 14 states that had

Pope Francis diagnosed with Pneumonia in both lungs 

Pope Francis has been diagnosed with pneumonia affecting both lungs, with his condition described as "complex," according to a statement from the Vatican. The 88-year-old pontiff has been battling a respiratory infection for over a week and was admitted to Rome's Gemelli

Musk's task force seeks IRS data, sparking privacy concerns 

Elon Musk’s task force aimed at streamlining the US government is reportedly seeking access to sensitive taxpayer data, raising concerns about privacy breaches and potential political retribution. As part of his ongoing cost-reduction initiative, Musk’s "Department of

US, Russia set to launch talks to resolve Ukraine war

The US and Russia are set to meet in Saudi Arabia for talks on the ongoing war in Ukraine, marking the first in-person discussions between the two nations since Russia's invasion. Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will sit down with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in

Plane crashes at Toronto airport, all aboard survive

All passengers and crew aboard a flight that crashed and overturned during its landing at Toronto Pearson Airport in Canada have survived, according to the airport's CEO. Deborah Flint of the Greater Toronto Airports Authority expressed relief, stating, "We are grateful there

31 killed as bus plunges into ravine in Bolivia

At least 31 people were killed and 15 injured after a bus plunged into a ravine on a highway between Bolivia’s Potosi and Oruro, local authorities reported Monday. "There are 31 people who lost their lives in this incident. We are still recovering the bodies," Colonel

4 BJP MLAs, including Suvendu Adhikari suspended from WB Assembly

Four BJP MLAs, including Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, Agnimitra Paul, Vishwanath Karak, and Bankim Ghosh, have been suspended from the West Bengal (WB) Assembly for 30 days. The suspension follows a motion raised by the BJP, which alleged that Saraswati Puja was being obstructed

UK 'ready' to put troops on ground in Ukraine to protect peace

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has expressed his readiness to send British troops to Ukraine as part of a broader effort to secure long-term stability in the region. Ahead of an emergency summit with European leaders in Paris on Monday, Starmer emphasized that preventing future

Netanyahu backs Trump’s plan to relocate Gaza’s population

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that he is actively working to implement US President Donald Trump's proposal to evacuate and relocate Gaza’s population. Following a meeting in Jerusalem with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday, Netanyahu confirmed

European leaders to hold emergency summit on Ukraine war

European leaders will convene next week for an emergency summit on the war in Ukraine amid concerns that the US is proceeding with peace talks with Russia without Europe's involvement. Sir Keir Starmer, who is expected to attend the summit in Paris, called it a