Reuters: World

Homes collapse as earthquake kills over 100 in China's rural Gansu A magnitude-6.2 earthquake struck one of China's poorest regions just before midnight on Monday, killing at least 126 people, injuring hundreds and bringing down mud houses in remote villages that never stood a chance. Chinese state media arriving at the sixth commune of Dahe village, one of the worst-hit areas in China's northwestern Gansu province, found many houses were either at risk of collapse, or had already crumbled to the ground, especially homes built from earth and clay. "I've lived for more than 80 years and had never seen such a big earthquake," said an old man who was being carried out of his damaged home by rescuers. read more

Vatican approves blessings for same-sex couples in landmark ruling The Vatican said on Monday in a landmark ruling approved by Pope Francis that Roman Catholic priests can administer blessings to same-sex couples as long as they are not part of regular Church rituals or liturgies. A document from the Vatican's doctrinal office, which effectively reversed a declaration the same body had issued in 2021, said such blessings would not legitimise irregular situations but be a sign that God welcomes all. read more

Trump to install loyalists to reshape U.S. foreign policy on China, NATO and Ukraine Donald Trump in a second term would likely install loyalists in key positions in the Pentagon, State Department and CIA whose primary allegiance would be to him, allowing him more freedom than in his first presidency to enact isolationist policies and whims, nearly 20 current and former aides and diplomats said. The result would enable Trump to make sweeping changes to the U.S. stance on issues ranging from the Ukraine war to trade with China, as well as to the federal institutions that implement - and sometimes constrain - foreign policy, the aides and diplomats said. read more

North Korea fires ICBM after condemning US 'war' moves North Korea fired an intercontinental ballistic missile on Monday that has a range to hit anywhere in the United States, said South Korea and Japan, marking its second launch in hours as Pyongyang condemned a U.S.-led show of force as "war" moves. The missile has a potential to travel more than 15,000 km (9,300 miles), meaning it can reach anywhere in Japan and the mainland United States, Japan's Parliamentary Vice Minister of Defense Shingo Miyake said. South Korea's National Security Council said it was a solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), labelling the launch a destabilising act that ignored international warnings and multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions. read more

Israel uncovers 'biggest Hamas tunnel' near Gaza border Israeli forces battling Hamas said they had uncovered an unusually large concrete and iron-girded tunnel, designed to carry carloads of militant fighters from Gaza right up to the border. Razing or disabling hundreds of kilometres of underground passages and bunkers is among the aims of the offensive Israel launched after Hamas gunmen went on a killing and kidnapping spree in its southern towns and army bases on Oct. 7. read more

Putin says Russia has no plan to attack NATO, dismisses Biden remark as 'nonsense' Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin dismissed as complete nonsense remarks by U.S. President Joe Biden that Russia would attack a NATO country if it won the war in Ukraine, adding that Russia had no interest in fighting the NATO military alliance. The war in Ukraine has triggered the deepest crisis in Moscow's relations with the West since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, and Biden warned last year that a direct confrontation between NATO and Russia would trigger World War Three. read more

Missing boy found in France to return to Britain in next few days A teenager from Britain who resurfaced in southern France after disappearing six years ago is expected to return to northern England in the next few days, police said on Friday after the boy left a spiritualist mountain community in the Pyrenees. Alex Batty disappeared at the age of 11 during a holiday with his mother and grandfather in Malaga, Spain, in 2017 and both are still wanted in connection with his disappearance. read more

Argentina peso devalued over 50% as markets welcome Milei's 'tough pill' Argentina's government allowed the peso currency to plunge over 50% to 801 per dollar on Wednesday as markets cautiously welcomed the first details of President Javier Milei's plans to shock Argentina's beleaguered economy back on track. The libertarian president's administration swept to office with promises of drastic economic reforms to tackle negative net foreign currency reserves, entrenched capital controls, inflation racing towards 200% and years of economic stagnation. read more

Biden says Netanyahu must change, Israel losing global support U.S. President Joe Biden said on Tuesday that Israel is losing support over its "indiscriminate" bombing of Gaza and that Benjamin Netanyahu should change, exposing a new rift in relations with the Israeli prime minister. Biden's remarks, made to donors to his 2024 re-election campaign, were his most critical to date of Netanyahu's handling of Israel's war in Gaza. They are a stark contrast to his literal and political embrace of the Israeli leader days after Hamas militants' Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel. read more

Zelenskiy makes 11th hour plea for Ukraine war funds in Washington Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy met with U.S. lawmakers on Capitol Hill on Tuesday to make a last-ditch plea to keep military support flowing as he battles Russia, though he is likely to face a skeptical reception from many Republicans. Wearing a black shirt and olive drab trousers, Zelinskiy was met with sustained applause as he arrived for a closed-door meeting with U.S. senators. He was accompanied by Chuck Schumer, the chamber's top Democrat, and Mitch McConnell, the top Republican. read more

Malaysia PM aims to rebuild trust with major cabinet reshuffle Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim made major changes to his cabinet on Tuesday, appointing the chief of the country's largest state pension fund as second finance minister in an effort to rebuild trust after a year in office. Anwar, who suffered a dip in public opinion polls in recent months amid concerns over the economy, inflation and the slow pace of promised reforms, said the economy, health and education were his government's top priority. read more

Russians banned from travel to hand over passports within five days Russians who have been banned from travelling abroad will have to hand over their passports to authorities within five days after being notified, according to a government decree that comes into force on Monday. According to the Russian law, authorities can impose a travel ban on conscripts, employees of the Federal Security Service (FSB), convicts, or people who have access to state secrets or "information of special importance," among others. read more