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Russia, Ukraine discuss more prisoner swaps
ISTANBUL (Reuters) -- Russia and Ukraine discussed further prisoner swaps on Wednesday at a brief session of peace talks in Istanbul, but the sides remained far apart on ceasefire terms and a possible meeting of their leaders. "We have progress on the humanitarian track, with no progress on a cessation of hostilities," Ukraine's chief delegate Rustem Umerov said after talks that lasted just 40 minutes. He said Ukraine had proposed a meeting before the end of August between Ukraine's President Vo
July 24, 2025 -
Israel denies Gaza 'mass starvation' accusations
JERUSALEM (AFP) -- Israel hit back on Wednesday at growing international criticism that it was behind chronic food shortages in Gaza, instead accusing Hamas of deliberately creating a humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian territory. More than 100 aid and human rights groups said earlier Wednesday that "mass starvation" was spreading in the Gaza Strip, while France warned of a growing "risk of famine" caused by "the blockade imposed by Israel." The head of the World Health Organization also weig
July 24, 2025 -
Iranian negotiator doesn't rule out exiting nuclear treaty if sanctions are reimposed
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — A top Iranian official warned Wednesday that European threats to reimpose sanctions could lead Iran to withdraw from an international pact that limits the spread of nuclear weapons, one of the last remaining safeguards against the Islamic Republic's nuclear program. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi discussed with reporters his country's recourse against further financial punishment ahead of a critical meeting Friday with Britain, France and Germany. The tal
July 24, 2025 -
Hamas confirms it responded to latest Gaza ceasefire proposal
Hamas confirmed on Thursday that it has responded to an Israeli proposal for a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza, after more than two weeks of indirect talks in Qatar have failed to yield a truce. "Hamas has just submitted its response and that of the Palestinian factions to the ceasefire proposal to the mediators," the Palestinian militant group said in a statement on Telegram. The response included proposed amendments to clauses on the entry of aid, maps of areas from which the Israeli army should with
July 24, 2025 -
Trump was told he is in Epstein files, WSJ reports
WASHINGTON (Reuters) — US Attorney General Pam Bondi told President Donald Trump in May that his name appeared in investigative files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, the Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday. The disclosure about Trump's appearance in the Justice Department's case records threatened to deepen a political crisis that has engulfed his administration for weeks. Some Trump supporters for years have fanned conspiracy theories about Epstein's clients and the circum
July 24, 2025 -
World's top court paves way for climate reparations
THE HAGUE (AFP) — The world's highest court Wednesday declared that states are obliged under international law to tackle climate change and warned that failing to do so could open the door to reparations. In a historic statement, the International Court of Justice said climate change was an "urgent and existential threat" and countries had a legal duty to prevent harm from their planet-warming pollution. Countries breaching their climate obligations were committing a "wrongful act," the court sa
July 24, 2025 -
US, EU trade talks bolstered by Trump's agreement with Japan
BRUSSELS/WASHINGTON (Reuters) — The European Union and the US are moving toward a trade deal that could include a 15 percent US baseline tariff on EU goods and possible exemptions, two European diplomats said Wednesday, potentially moving President Donald Trump closer to another major trade agreement on the heels of the one he just unveiled with Japan. European negotiators were hoping to reach an agreement to dodge the 30 percent tariff rate Trump has said he would impose on imports from the 27-
July 24, 2025 -
US to supercharge AI sales, loosen environmental rules
The Trump administration released a new artificial intelligence blueprint Wednesday that aims to loosen environmental rules and vastly expand AI exports to allies, in a bid to maintain the American edge over China in the critical technology. President Donald Trump marked the plan's release with a speech where he laid out the stakes of the technological arms race with China, calling it a fight that will define the 21st century. "America is the country that started the AI race. And as President of
July 24, 2025 -
Japan's Ishiba to quit after election drubbing, local media report
TOKYO (Reuters) -- Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba will announce his resignation by the end of next month, Japanese media reported on Wednesday, following a bruising election defeat that cost his administration its upper house majority. The reports come after Ishiba and US President Donald Trump unveiled a trade deal that lowers tariffs on imports of Japanese autos and spares Tokyo punishing new levies on other goods. In the wake of Sunday's poll drubbing, Ishiba said he would stay in off
July 23, 2025 -
US withdraws from UNESCO again, only 2 years after rejoining
United Nations (AP) — The Trump administration announced Tuesday that it will once again withdraw from the UN cultural agency UNESCO, an expected move that has the US further retreating from international organizations. The decision to pull US funding and participation from UNESCO comes two years after the Biden administration rejoined following a controversial, five-year absence that began during President Donald Trump’s first term. The White House cited similar concerns as it did in 2018, sayi
July 23, 2025 -
US House ends session early as Republicans clash over Epstein vote
WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Mike Johnson is rebuffing pressure to act on the investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, instead sending members home early for a monthlong break from Washington after the week's legislative agenda was upended by Republican members who are clamoring for a vote. Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, said Tuesday morning that he wants to give the White House “space” to release the Epstein information on its own, despite the bipartisan push for legislation that aims to f
July 23, 2025 -
UN urges peaceful settlement of disputes as UN chief points to 'horror show in Gaza'
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The UN Security Council urged the 193 UN member nations on Tuesday to use all possible means to settle disputes peacefully. The UN chief said that is needed now more than ever as he pointed to “the horror show in Gaza” and conflicts in Ukraine, Sudan, Haiti and Myanmar. The vote was unanimous on a Pakistan-drafted resolution in the 15-member council. In urging greater efforts to pursue global peace, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the council, “Around the world, we
July 23, 2025 -
House committee passes bill to establish interparliamentary dialogue among S. Korea, US, Japan
A US House committee passed a bill Tuesday to establish an interparliamentary trilateral dialogue among South Korea, the United States and Japan as part of efforts to deepen cooperation in tackling shared challenges in the Indo-Pacific. The House Foreign Affairs Committee endorsed the US-Japan-ROK Trilateral Cooperation Act aimed at creating permanent channels of communication and coordination among the three countries' legislative bodies, according to the office of Rep. Ami Bera, ranking member
July 23, 2025 -
Tears of joy as Venezuelan migrants return from Salvadoran prison 'hell'
BARQUISIMETO, Venezuela (AFP) -- Tears of joy and relief flowed freely Tuesday as Venezuelan Maikel Olivera returned home to his mother's embrace after four months of "hell" in a Salvadoran prison. The 37-year-old is one of 252 Venezuelan migrants flown home last Friday from a notorious "anti-terrorism" prison where they were sent by the US in March in a fear-inducing crackdown on undocumented migrants. Family and friends waited impatiently for Olivera to be released by Venezuelan officials afte
July 23, 2025 -
Ukraine curbs anti-corruption agencies, sparking rare protests
KYIV, Ukraine (AFP) -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a bill on Tuesday revoking the autonomy of two anti-corruption agencies, a proposal that has sparked rare street protests in Kyiv and alarm among the country's international backers. Critics say the legislation consolidates power in Zelenskyy's hands and will allow government meddling in high-profile graft cases. The European Union called the decision a "serious step back," while hundreds gathered in central Kyiv to oppose the
July 23, 2025