Author: Disha Mishra

(Forelines) – Farhan Haq, deputy U.N. spokesperson stated on Monday, the United Nations has paused all operations in Yemen’s Sa’ada governorate following more U.N. staff were arrested by the Houthi officials. “This extraordinary and temporary measure seeks to balance the imperative to stay and deliver with the need to have the safety and security of the U.N. personnel and its partners guaranteed,” stated by Farhan Haq. “Such guarantees are ultimately required to ensure the effectiveness and sustainability of our efforts.”

The U.N. human rights office on Monday described images of both emaciated Israeli hostages and Palestinian detainees released as part of the Gaza ceasefire deal as distressing, saying they reflected the dire conditions in which they were held. The gaunt, pale faces of both hostages and detainees have drawn attention since the latest releases over the weekend, with U.S. President Donald Trump comparing those held in Gaza by Palestinian militant group Hamas to Holocaust survivors. “The images we have seen of Israeli hostages released over the weekend show signs of ill-treatment and severe malnourishment, reflecting very dire conditions they were…

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday he is committed to buying and owning Gaza, but could allow sections of the war-ravaged land to be rebuilt by other states in the Middle East. “I’m committed to buying and owning Gaza. As far as us rebuilding it, we may give it to other states in the Middle East to build sections of it, other people may do it, through our auspices. But we’re committed to owning it, taking it, and making sure that Hamas doesn’t move back.” Trump made his remarks to reporters aboard Air Force One on his way to…

(Forelines) – Palestinian militant group Hamas declared on Monday it would stop releasing Israeli hostages until another notice over what it stated were Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement. In response, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz stated Hamas had violated the ceasefire agreement with its declaration and stated that he had instructed the military to prepare at the highest level of readiness in Gaza and to protect Israeli communities. A spokesperson for Hamas’ military wing Abu Ubaida,, stated that since the ceasefire came into enforce on January 19, Israel had delayed allowing displaced Palestinians from returning to northern Gaza, targeted…

The Trump administration’s freeze of foreign funding has begun impacting an international effort to hold Russia responsible for alleged war crimes in Ukraine, according to eight sources and a Ukrainian document seen by Reuters, halting dozens of jobs and tens of millions of dollars in aid. Ukraine has opened more than 140,000 war crime cases since Moscow’s February 2022 invasion, which has killed tens of thousands, ravaged vast swathes of the country and left behind mental and physical scars from occupation. Russia consistently denies war crimes have been committed by its forces in the conflict. U.S.-funded international initiatives such as…

(Forelines) – According to the authorities, South Korean prosecutors mentioned on Monday 63 people for their role in assaulting a court building recent month to protest the imprisionment of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol, with a few facing allegations carrying up to a seven-year jail term. Hundreds of angry Yoon Suk Yeol supporters assault the Seoul Western District Court in the pre-dawn hours of January 19, demolishing property and trespassing into judges’ chambers as certain live-streamed the event. Of the 63 people indicted on allegations that inclusive of aggravated obstruction of official duty, devastation of official property, attempted arson and…

(Forelines) – The European Commission stated on Monday it would react to defend European Union interests following U.S. President Donald Trump’s declaration of upcoming metals tariffs, but stated it would not address until it had clarification of the measures, according to Reuters report. Donald Trump stated on Sunday that he would introduce new 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminium imports into the U.S. in additional significant escalation of his trade policy overhaul. The Commission stated it had not obtained any official notification regarding another tariffs on EU goods and would not address to “broad announcements” without details or written…

Hong Kong’s Sports Association and Olympic Committee said it welcomed a decision by the International Ice Hockey Federation to suspend four Turkmen athletes over what it called their “deliberate attack and injury” on Hong Kong athletes after an ice hockey match at the Asian Winter Games. Three injured Hong Kong players were taken to hospital and were in stable condition with minor injuries, the association said on its website, following the altercation after the men’s ice hockey group C match between Hong Kong and Turkmenistan, without identifying any players. The Hong Kong body said that it “welcomed the International Ice…

Most Germans are worried about the economy and high prices as Europe’s biggest economy, once the region’s economic engine, now contracts, a survey showed on Monday ahead of a February 23 election. The online survey by German reinsurer R&V of 1,000 Germans from January 23-25 showed that 70% worry about the rising cost of living, up from 57% in the previous survey in summer. “Inflation may have dropped, but the absolute prices have remained high,” said Isabelle Borucki from Philipps University of Marburg, an adviser in the study. Of the respondents, 68% fear an economic downturn, up from 48% in…

New Zealand expressed renewed concern on Monday about the Cook Islands’ prime minister travelling to China this week to sign agreements without properly consulting with Wellington despite the two nations’ constitutional ties. New Zealand has become increasingly cautious about China’s growing presence in the Pacific region and the potential threats it poses to the country’s national security. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said on Monday at a press conference New Zealand expected transparency and consultation with Cook Islands after its prime minister, Mark Brown, announced that he was heading to China seeking a partnership in national development including infrastructure, trade and…