Reuters: World

British lawmakers fear for their safety after threats and abuse over Gaza It was 10 minutes of shouted accusations of being a "genocide enabler" and having "blood on your hands" that made a British lawmaker fear for his safety over his decision to voice support for Israel in its war with Hamas. Almost touching noses with his accuser before walking away and warning he would call the police, the opposition Labour Party member said the incident in a town in his constituency was just the latest of several that made him change his behaviour. He now makes sure he sits near the door on public transport and limits meetings with the public. "It feels like it could just need one spark to flip from someone giving you tuppence (criticism) in the street to escalating to actual violence," the lawmaker said. read more

Indonesia's presumed president Prabowo awarded highest military honour Indonesia's outgoing president on Wednesday awarded Prabowo Subianto, his presumed successor and an ex-special forces commander, the country's highest military honour. Defence Minister Prabowo swept the Feb. 14 election to replace President Joko Widodo with nearly 60% of votes, according to unofficial vote tallies and an ongoing preliminary count by the national poll body. Prabowo, who was honourably discharged from the military amid allegations of human rights abuses in 1998, is only the seventh person to receive the title of a four-star honorary general after the end of strongman Suharto's rule in the same year. read more

France's Macron says sending troops to Ukraine cannot be ruled out France's President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday there was no consensus on sending troops to Ukraine, but the subject could not be ruled out. "There is no consensus at this stage... to send troops on the ground," Macron said after hosting some 20 countries allied to Ukraine. "Nothing should be excluded. We will do everything that we must so that Russia does not win." read more

Brazil's Bolsonaro gathers supporters in show of strength amid coup probe Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro gathered thousands of supporters on Sao Paulo's iconic Paulista Avenue on Sunday to demonstrate political strength amid investigations that many believe could land him in jail. The far-right former president, who called the rally after being targeted by a police raid earlier this month investigating an alleged coup attempt, spoke for about 20 minutes to defend himself while reminiscing about his 2019-2022 term. read more

Four Western leaders arrive in Kyiv to show solidarity on 2nd war anniversary Four Western leaders, including the prime ministers of Italy, Canada, and Belgium, arrived in Kyiv on Saturday to show solidarity with Ukraine on the second anniversary of Russia's invasion. Italy's Giorgia Meloni, Canada's Justin Trudeau, Belgium's Alexander De Croo and the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, travelled to the Ukrainian capital together overnight by train from neighbouring Poland, the Italian government said in a statement. read more

US to impose sanctions on over 500 targets in Russia action on Friday The United States will impose sanctions on over 500 targets on Friday in action marking the second anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Deputy U.S. Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo told Reuters in an interview on Thursday. The action, taken in partnership with other countries, will target Russia's military industrial complex and companies in third countries that facilitate Russia's access to goods it wants, Adeyemo said, as Washington seeks to hold Russia to account over the war and the death of opposition leader Alexei Navalny. read more

Exclusive: Iran sends Russia hundreds of ballistic missiles Iran has provided Russia with a large number of powerful surface-to-surface ballistic missiles, six sources told Reuters, deepening the military cooperation between the two U.S.-sanctioned countries. Iran's provision of around 400 missiles includes many from the Fateh-110 family of short-range ballistic weapons, such as the Zolfaghar, three Iranian sources said. This road-mobile missile is capable of striking targets at a distance of between 300 and 700 km (186 and 435 miles), experts say. read more

US blocks ceasefire call with third UN veto in Israel-Hamas war The United States on Tuesday again vetoed a draft United Nations Security Council resolution on the Israel-Hamas war, blocking a demand for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire as it instead pushes the 15-member body to call for a temporary ceasefire linked to the release of hostages held by Hamas. Thirteen council members voted in favor of the Algerian-drafted text, while Britain abstained. It was the third U.S. veto of a draft resolution since the start of the current fighting on Oct. 7. Washington has also used its veto to block an amendment to draft resolution in December. read more

US pushes for UN to support temporary Gaza ceasefire, oppose Rafah assault The United States has proposed a rival draft United Nations Security Council resolution calling for a temporary ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war and opposing a major ground offensive by its ally Israel in Rafah, according to the text seen by Reuters. The move comes after the U.S. signalled it would veto on Tuesday an Algerian-drafted resolution — demanding an immediate humanitarian ceasefire — over concerns it could jeopardize talks between the U.S., Egypt, Israel and Qatar that seek to broker a pause in the war and the release of hostages held by Hamas. read more

What we know about Alexei Navalny's death in Arctic prison Alexei Navalny, Russian President Vladimir Putin's most prominent domestic foe, died on Friday at the Arctic prison where he was serving a three-decade prison term. What do we know, and not know, about the death? Navalny was incarcerated at the IK-3 penal colony north of the Arctic Circle located in Kharp in the Yamalо-Nenets region about 1,900 km (1200 miles) northeast of Moscow. His death was announced by the Federal Penitentiary Service of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District at 2:19 pm Moscow time (1119 GMT) on Feb. 16. read more

Mexicans turn out in droves to 'protect democracy' ahead of elections Huge crowds filled Mexico City's main square on Sunday in support of the nation's electoral authority, accusing President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador of trying to weaken the body ahead of a presidential election in June. The protests, one of several in recent years meant to "protect" the National Electoral Institute (INE), come after Lopez Obrador sent a sweeping package of constitutional reforms to Congress, which would include an overhaul of the INE. Organizers said 700,000 people turned out, which could mark one of the largest protests against Lopez Obrador as his administration comes to a close. read more

France's Macron opens door to recognising Palestinian state The recognition of a Palestinian state is no longer a taboo for France, President Emmanuel Macron said on Friday, suggesting Paris could make the decision if efforts for a two-state solution stalled because of Israeli opposition. A unilateral French recognition would do little to change the situation on the ground without true negotiations, but would weigh symbolically and diplomatically. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has voiced opposition to Palestinian sovereignty, saying he will not compromise on full Israeli security control west of Jordan and that this stands contrary to a Palestinian state. read more