Tuesday, 25 Feb, 2025

International

Trump signs order to defund gender transitions for LGBTQ youth

U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to stop funding and promoting gender transitions for LGBTQ youth. The order, signed on Tuesday, states that the federal government will no longer "fund, sponsor, promote, assist, or support" gender

Trump offers millions of federal workers eight months pay to resign

President Donald Trump has offered buyout packages to almost all federal workers who do not want to return to the office, a major move designed to shrink the US government. In an email sent to millions of employees on Tuesday, his administration told workers they had to decide by 6

US judge blocks Trump's freeze on federal grants, loans

A US judge temporarily halted President Donald Trump's order to freeze hundreds of billions of dollars in federal grants and loans, minutes before it was set to come into effect on Tuesday. Judge Loren AliKhan's order to pause the plan until next Monday at 17:00 EST (22:00 GMT)

UN chief concerned over Trump’s freeze on US foreign aid

The UN chief has voiced concern over President Donald Trump's decision to suspend U.S. foreign aid as part of his administration's "America First" policy. At a press conference on Monday, a spokesperson for Antonio Guterres stated that the secretary-general

Trump unveils 4 executive orders, including "Iron Dome" defense plan

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced plans to sign an executive order for the development of an "Iron Dome" missile defense system. On Monday, Trump spoke at a retreat for Republican lawmakers at his Mar-a-Lago golf resort in South Florida, promising to strengthen U.S.

New Zealand eases visa rules for remote workers to boost tourism

New Zealand has eased its visa regulations to attract "digital nomads"—individuals who work remotely while traveling—as part of efforts to boost tourism. Under the revised rules, visitors can work remotely for a foreign employer while vacationing in the country

Lukashenko wins 7th straight term in ‘sham’ Belarus election

Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko has been declared the winner of a contested presidential election, securing his seventh consecutive term, according to the country’s electoral commission. Lukashenko, whose four opponents in the race were loyal to him and endorsed his

Palestinians condemn Trump’s proposal to ‘clean out’ Gaza

Palestinians have strongly denounced U.S. President Donald Trump’s suggestion to relocate them from the Gaza Strip to Egypt and Jordan, a proposal that has sparked concerns over potential ethnic cleansing. Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Trump stated that it was time to

Lebanon ceasefire deal extended as initial deadline passes

The United States and Lebanon have announced an extension of the ceasefire agreement with Israel, which was originally set to expire on Sunday, now pushing the deadline to mid-February. Despite the initial timeline, Israel maintained its troop presence in Lebanon, citing the Lebanese

6 hostages to be freed, Gazans to be allowed north: Israel

Hamas will release six hostages this week and Israel will allow Gazans to return to homes in the north from Monday, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says. The hostages include Arbel Yehud - the civilian at the centre of a row which has led to Israel delaying the return of

US will get Greenland, Trump believes 

President Donald Trump expressed confidence that the US will eventually take control of Greenland, following his renewed interest in acquiring the autonomous Danish territory in recent weeks. "I think we're going to have it," he told reporters on Air Force One on

Trump makes 2,000-pound bombs available to Israel

Republican President Donald Trump announced Saturday that he directed the U.S. military to lift the hold, previously imposed by Democratic former President Joe Biden, on supplying 2,000-pound bombs to Israel. The decision came as no surprise. "We released them. We released them

Rebels kill 13 foreign peacekeepers in DR Congo

Thirteen soldiers serving with peacekeeping forces in the Democratic Republic of Congo have been killed in clashes with rebels from the M23 group. The South African military said nine of its soldiers died helping to push back a rebel advance on the city of Goma, in eastern DR Congo,

Palestinians' return stalled as Israel blames Hamas for truce breach

Thousands of displaced Palestinians have been prevented from returning to their homes in the north of the Gaza Strip, after Israel blocked a main road, accusing Hamas of breaching the terms of the ceasefire deal. The dispute came after Hamas released four Israeli female soldiers - and

India probes mystery illness after 17 die

Authorities in India-administered Jammu and Kashmir were investigating a mysterious disease that has claimed the lives of 17 people, local media reports said Saturday. The deaths, including those of 13 children, have occurred in the remote village of Badhaal in Jammu’s Rajouri

Trump visits LA fire destruction amid concerns over disaster aid

President Donald Trump visited California on Friday to assess the damage caused by the deadly wildfires that ravaged multiple communities in the Los Angeles area earlier this month. This visit, marking the end of Trump's first week back in office, came as he continued to criticize

Israel, Hamas to exchange 4 Gaza captives for jailed Palestinians

Hamas says four female Israeli soldiers will be released in Gaza as the second exchange of captives for Palestinian prisoners under the Gaza ceasefire deal is expected later today. The Palestinian Detainees’ Commission said the release of Palestinians under the terms of the deal

Pete Hegseth confirmed as US defence secy in senate tie-breaker

Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump's pick for U.S. Defence Secretary, was confirmed by the Senate late Friday night, despite facing misconduct allegations that nearly hindered his confirmation. Vice President JD Vance cast the tie-breaking vote in Hegseth's favor after three Republican

8 killed, several injured in blast at ordnance factory in India

At least eight people were killed and several others injured in a massive blast at ordnance factory in Maharashrta state of India. According to Indian media, an explosion took place on Friday at an arms factory in Nagpur city of Maharashtra, which was heard about 5 km away. Indian

UN denounces Israel’s use of ‘war fighting’ methods in West Bank

The United Nations voiced serious concerns Friday over the Israeli military’s use of force in its raid this week in the West Bank, including methods “developed for war fighting.” “We are deeply concerned by the use of unlawful lethal force in Jenin, in the