Author: Disha Mishra

(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…

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian on Monday questioned the United States’ sincerity in seeking negotiations with Tehran as crowds of people, many chanting “Death to America”, rallied across the country to mark the anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution. U.S. President Donald Trump last week restored his “maximum pressure” campaign on Iran that includes efforts to stop Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and tightened sanctions. Trump said however that he was open to a deal with Iran and expressed a willingness to talk to Pezeshkian. Pezeshkian, in a televised speech at Tehran’s Azadi (Freedom) Square, said: “If the U.S. were…

China’s foreign ministry said on Monday it had complained to Japan over “negative” references to China in a statement issued after a meeting between the leaders of Japan and the United States. The “stern representations” and “strong dissatisfaction” was conveyed by the Department of Asian Affairs Director-General Liu Jinsong to the Japanese embassy in Beijing. U.S. President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba held their first meeting last week in Washington. According to a joint statement released by the White House, the two leaders expressed views opposing China’s military actions in the South and East China Seas. They…

Metal stocks led losses in Indian shares on Monday after President Donald Trump said he would impose new tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports into the U.S., in addition to further reciprocal tariffs. The Nifty 50 (.NSEI), opens new tab was down 0.75% at 23,385.75 as of 10:14 a.m. IST, while the BSE Sensex (.BSESN) , opens new tab shed 0.75% to 77,285.48. Twelve of the 13 major sectors declined. The more domestically focussed smallcaps (.NIFSMCP100), opens new tab and midcaps (.NIFMDCP100), opens new tab fell about 1% each. The metals index (.NIFTYMET) , opens new tab declined 3%…