WORLD

US Claims Free Passage Through Panama Canal

Around 40 percent of US container traffic passes through the Panama Canal
The United States said Wednesday that its government vessels would sail for free through the Panama Canal following heavy pressure from President Donald Trump, but authorities at the waterway swiftly issued a denial.

January Sets 'Surprising' Heat Record: EU Monitor

Scientists say global warming  is making extreme weather events like droughts, wildfires and floods more frequent and intense.
Last month was the hottest January on record, Europe's climate monitor said Thursday, despite expectations that cooler La Nina conditions might quell a streak of record-breaking global temperatures.
Authorities are still rebuilding homes two years after the quake

Pain, Anger As Turkey Marks Two Years Since Quake Disaster

Thousands of survivors held torchlit vigils across southern Turkey at 4:17 am Thursday, expressing pain and anger as they marked the exact moment two years ago when a devastating earthquake struck that led to the deaths of over 53,000 people in Turkey and some 6,000 in Syria.
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The US Postal Service says it will temporarily suspend inbound parcels from China and Hong Kong, shortly after Washington imposed fresh tariffs on Beijing

China Slams US 'Suppression' As Trade War Deepens

Beijing accused the United States Wednesday of "suppression" after its postal service said it was suspending parcels from China and Hong Kong, a move that could hit e-commerce giants Temu and Shein.
Prime Minister Francois Bayrou's job seems safe for now

French PM Set To Survive No Confidence Vote

French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou is expected on Wednesday to survive a no-confidence vote in parliament, winning some breathing space after less than two months in office but by no means ensuring his long-term future.
Trump has long railed against Washington's levels of funding of multilateral bodies, calling for other countries to increase their contributions

Trump Signs Order Withdrawing US From UN Bodies

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed an executive order withdrawing Washington from a number of United Nations bodies, including its Human Rights Council (UNHRC), and setting up a broader review of US funding for the multilateral organization.
Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is visiting Washington this week for his first face-to-face meeting with President Donald Trump

Japan PM To Meet Trump On Feb 6-8 US Trip

Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba will meet President Donald Trump on a visit to the United States this week, top government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi said on Tuesday.
OpenAI boss Sam Altman will attend the Paris summit and an appearance by DeepSeek's Liang Wenfeng is under discussion

American VP Vance To Attend Paris AI Summit

US Vice President JD Vance will join top tech players in Paris next week at an artificial intelligence summit billed by France as a "wake-up call" for Europe in the global race for AI.
US government sites were unavailable amid the Trump administration's controversial drive to shrink the government.

Hundreds Of US Government Sites Go Offline

Hundreds of US government websites were offline on Monday, an AFP review showed, including that of the humanitarian agency USAID which President Donald Trump's administration is shutting down.
Bayrou argues that a budget has to be passed without delay

French PM Set To Force Budget Through Parliament

French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou will Monday force through France's budget without a vote, a move set to prompt a no-confidence motion from the left that could topple his government after less than two months in office.
Scattered protests broke out in Panama against Donald Trump's rhetoric seeking to reclaim the Panama Canal

Rubio Lays Down Ultimatum To Panama Over Canal

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday threatened action against Panama without immediate changes to reduce Chinese influence on the canal, but the country's leader insisted he was not afraid of a US invasion and offered talks.
Trump had vowed since before his inauguration to hit Mexico, Canada and China with tariffs

Trump Announces Talks With Canada, Mexico Over Sweeping Tariffs

President Donald Trump said he will discuss the punishing tariffs he has levied on Canada and Mexico with both countries on Monday, after arguing that Americans may feel economic "pain" from the 25 percent duties but that it will be "worth the price."

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