27-01-2025 KINSHASA: 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 …
Read More »Trump fires several government watchdogs
27-01-2025 WASHINGTON/ NEW YORKS: The Trump administration has fired at least a dozen federal watchdogs late on Friday evening, a possibly illegal move that could face court challenges. Speaking from the Senate floor on Saturday, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer described the watchdog firings as a “chilling purge”. “These firings …
Read More »Israel accuses Hamas of breaching truce deal
24-01-2025 JERUSALEM/ GAZA STRIP: 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 …
Read More »Rebels kill DR Congo governor as fighting intensifies
26-01-2025 KINSHASA: Rebels from the Rwanda-backed M23 have killed a military governor as they advanced through eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, the army confirmed on Friday. Maj Gen Peter Cirimwami, North Kivu’s Governor, was shot by M23 fighters when visiting the frontline on Thursday. He was airlifted to the capital …
Read More »Afghans stranded in Mexico under Trump crackdown face bleak choices
26-01-2025 TIJUANA, MEXICO: Naser Zazai, 29, had planned to reunite with his mother and brother in the United States this week after fleeing Afghanistan, where he says he was threatened and attacked because his brother had once worked for the US military. Instead, he is now stranded in Mexico after …
Read More »Indonesia & India sign wide range of agreements
26-01-2025 JAKARTA/ NEW DELHI: Indonesia and India signed a wide range of agreements on Saturday covering culture, health, maritime, security and digital sectors. The signing ceremony was witnessed by Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of India’s Republic Day celebrations on Sunday. President Prabowo said …
Read More »Four Israeli soldiers swapped for 200 Palestinians
26-01-2025 JERUSALEM/ CAIRO/ GAZA: Hamas freed four female Israeli soldiers on Saturday in exchange for 200 Palestinian prisoners, the second swap under theGazatruce, although Israel halted families from returning to bombed-out north Gaza over a delay in another hostage’s release. The four freed Israelis were led onto a podium in …
Read More »Philippines stops research survey in disputed sea
26-01-2025 MANILA/ BEIJING: The Philippines says it has suspended a scientific survey in the South China Sea after its fisheries vessels faced “dangerous harassment” and aggressive behavior from China’s coastguard and navy. The Philippine Coast Guard said on Saturday that three Chinese coastguard vessels and four smaller boats made “aggressive …
Read More »Yemen’s Houthi rebels release 153 prisoners of war
26-01-2025 SANA’A: The Houthis in Yemen have unilaterally released 153 prisoners of war to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the non-governmental organization and the rebel group confirmed. The “conflict-related detainees” were released in the capital, Sanaa on Saturday, and had received regular visits by the ICRC as …
Read More »US orders pause to all foreign aid except for Israel
26-01-2025 WASHINGTON: The US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, has ordered a halt to virtually all foreign aid, but made an exception for funding to Israel and Egypt, according to an internal memo to staff at the US state department. “No new funds shall be obligated for new awards or …
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