World

China has said its outbreak of a respiratory illness stems from the flu and other known pathogens – while questions about its origins rise. A spokesperson from China’s National Health Commission said clusters of respiratory infections across the country are caused by an overlap of common viruses. They cited the influenza virus, rhinoviruses, the respiratory

Joe Biden has called for the truce between Hamas and Israel in Gaza to be extended after more hostages were released on Sunday. The latest captives to be freed include four-year-old dual Israeli-American national Abigail Edan, whose parents were reportedly killed in the 7 October attacks. The US president said her father was “gunned down

Ukraine and Russia both claim to have thwarted major drone attacks as a former NATO chief warned against world attention shifting from the ongoing conflict. Kyiv said its military had destroyed eight of nine unmanned aircraft launched overnight by invading forces. There were no immediate reports of damage or about where the remaining device had

A rescue mission trying to save 41 construction workers from a collapsed tunnel in India has been stopped again. Late on Friday, a drilling machine being used to rescue the workers trapped in a tunnel in the state of Uttarakhand broke down, forcing an end to the operation. Arnold Dix, an international expert assisting the

Kyiv has been hit by what Ukraine’s air force described as the largest Russian drone attack of the war so far. At least five people were injured after Iranian-made kamikaze Shahed drones descended on the capital overnight. Explosions were heard as the aircraft were intercepted, with buildings damaged across multiple districts. Writing on Telegram, mayor

The eyes of the world have been on Qatar, as mediators there announced a four-day truce between Israel and Hamas. Its foreign affairs spokesperson Majed al Ansari revealed the details of the deal, including a temporary ceasefire and the release of some Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. Follow Israel-Gaza latest: British hostages to

Thirty-four people have been arrested following “huge destruction by a riotous mob” in Dublin, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said. Three young children were injured in a stabbing outside a primary school which sparked violent protests and clashes with police. A five-year-old schoolgirl, and a woman in her 30s, described as a “member of staff caring

A temporary truce period between Israel and Hamas has begun – with the first group of Israeli women and children due to be released later today. There has been no official word from either side as to whether there has been a pause in the fighting – however, the truce period was due to start

Three young children are among five people injured following a “serious public order incident”outside a school in Dublin city centre. Police said the three children, a man and a woman were taken to hospitals around Dublin shortly after 1.30pm. One of the children, a girl, and the woman are being treated for serious injuries. The

For the president, it was personal. That was certainly the tone struck in a late night statement on the hostage deal from the White House. “Jill and I have been keeping all those held hostage and their loved ones close to our hearts these many weeks, and I am extraordinarily gratified that some of these

The hostage release deal has been delicately structured after weeks of negotiation and many false starts. After ratification by Israel’s war cabinet, security cabinet and full cabinet, Benjamin Netanyahu now has the support of Israel’s security establishment. Some 50 hostages will be released, in phases, all with Israeli citizenship. Roughly 12 every day. We understand

The King dropped some references to South Korean popular culture as he hosted the country’s president at a state banquet at Buckingham Palace. Listening to the King’s banquet address were singers Jennie Kim, Jisoo Kim, Lisa Manobal and Rose Park from the K-pop band Blackpink, South Korea’s biggest girl group who became the first Korean

Israel’s government has agreed to back a deal with Hamas for the release of some hostages in Gaza and a temporary pause in the fighting. The agreement involves swapping the hostages for Palestinian prisoners being detained in Israel. The prime minister’s office said the deal involves the release of 50 women and children being held

Israel’s latest evidence is the most convincing yet of Hamas military activity at al Shifa hospital, Gaza’s largest.  Thus far, it falls short of proving there was a substantial secret subterranean command and control base below the medical complex. What it does show is the presence of men with guns inside al Shifa, something doctors

Argentina has elected a right-wing populist known as “el Loco” (the Madman) as its new president. Javier Milei, a self-described anarcho-capitalist who has been compared to former US president Donald Trump, promised to deal with Argentina’s soaring inflation and rising poverty. “The model of decadence has come to an end, there’s no going back,” Mr

Plans to stop emitting greenhouse gases in order to limit global warming are nowhere near enough to avert dangerous climate change, a United Nations body has warned. In its annual Emissions Gap report, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) says the climate action plans of governments around the world will fail to limit the global temperature

Gaza has lost its largest hospital. Al Shifa has been the beating heart of the strip’s medical infrastructure for almost eight decades, but now is “basically not functioning”, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). Thirty-two babies still in hospital ‘death zone’ – live updates The WHO’s findings pose some very difficult questions for Israel

Flying with the Icelandic coast guard low over Grindavik’s deserted streets, we followed the gash that has ripped the town apart. It zig-zags across gardens, car parks and streets, through houses and the sports centre. Iceland volcano live updates A crack in the earth that stretches for nine miles across the Reykjanes Peninsula. Steam still

Israel’s response to Hamas’s brutal attacks last month was immediate. However, it appears that Israel‘s military offensive was primarily motivated by anger and a political imperative to “do something, and get on with it”, rather than evolving clear military objectives, and how to enable post-conflict peace. Historically, Israel’s response to Hamas aggression is tolerated by

A powerful undersea earthquake of up to 7.2 magnitude has struck the Philippines. The tremor, which lasted several seconds, occurred around 16 miles (26km) off Burias at the southern tip of the archipelago, the US Geological Survey said. Scientists said no tsunami was expected, but residents were advised to be on alert for aftershocks and