Pentagon chief calls on NATO partners to increase role in Europe’s defense
PENTAGON — U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has called for NATO’s European members to increase their role in the defense of Europe as the United States focuses on defending the alliance’s Pacific flank. It is a move that he…
Global AI race is on, world leaders say at Paris summit
At this week’s Artificial Intelligence Action Summit in Paris, world leaders and technologists gathered to discuss the rapidly evolving field of generative artificial intelligence. Many are eager to join the global AI race, while others are proceeding with caution. Tina…
Zelenskyy rejects bilateral US-Russia pact to end Moscow’s war against Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Thursday that his country would not accept any agreement on its fate decided bilaterally by Russia and the United States on how to end Moscow’s three-year war on Ukraine without Kyiv’s involvement. “We, as an…
Senate confirms Kennedy for top US health post after close vote
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate on Thursday confirmed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as President Donald Trump’s health secretary, putting the prominent vaccine skeptic in control of $1.7 trillion in federal spending, vaccine recommendations and food safety as well as health…
Ukraine, US weigh critical minerals agreement
Ukraine and the United States are considering a crucial minerals deal at this week’s Munich Security Conference, according to officials from the two countries. After meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described the proposed agreement…
Archaeologists unearth remains of Roman basilica on site of new London skyscraper
LONDON — Work to give 21st-century London yet another skyscraper has uncovered traces — in fact chunks — of the city’s origins almost 2,000 years ago. Archaeologists exploring the site of a planned 32-story office tower announced Thursday that they…
China’s fuel demand may have passed its peak, IEA says
London — China’s demand for road and air transport fuels may have passed its peak, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said Thursday, citing data showing that the country’s consumption of gasoline, gasoil and jet fuel declined marginally in 2024. Combined…
UNICEF sounds alarm over child crisis in eastern DR Congo
Catherine Russell, UNICEF Executive Director, expressed deep concern over the devastating impact on children and families. “In North and South Kivu provinces, we are receiving horrific reports of grave violations against children by parties to the conflict, including rape and…
DR Congo: Shortage of humanitarian routes threatens aid operation, top UN official warns
“The frontline is getting closer to Kavumu Airport,” warned Bruno Lemarquis on Wednesday. Following the fall of regional capital Goma, in North Kivu, at the end of January, the Rwanda-backed M23 armed group is now making headway against Congelese Government…
Political solution to end war in Yemen is achievable, UN envoy says
Hans Grundberg briefed on latest political developments in the country, where Houthi rebels, also known as Ansar Allah, and Government forces, backed by a Saudi-led coalition, have been battling for power for more than a decade. He spoke alongside UN…