Iran protests death toll passes 3,000 as internet blackout eases slightly
More than 3,000 people have been killed in Iran’s nationwide protests, according to rights activists, as monitors reported a slight return of intern...
Leaders across the world have welcomed the Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal brokered under U.S. President Donald Trump's peace plan, calling it a critical first step but warning that full implementation is essential.
The agreement, announced on Wednesday, marks the first phase of a long-awaited truce between Israel and Hamas, which have been locked in a war since October 2023.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the deal offered “a moment of profound relief” and urged all parties to uphold their commitments.
“This agreement must now be implemented in full, without delay, and accompanied by the immediate lifting of all restrictions on life-saving humanitarian aid to Gaza,” he said in a statement.
Global Affairs Canada echoed the call, welcoming the agreement and stressing the need for unimpeded humanitarian access.
“Canada will support all efforts to turn this positive step into lasting peace for Israelis and Palestinians,” it said on social media.
Trump, who announced the deal via his Truth Social platform, said it marked a “GREAT Day” for the region and praised the roles of mediators from Qatar, Egypt and Türkiye. “All Parties will be treated fairly!” he wrote.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called it “a big day for Israel,” confirming he would convene his cabinet on Thursday to approve the agreement.
“With God’s help, together we will continue to achieve all our goals and expand peace with our neighbours,” he said.
Hamas also confirmed its support, while urging Trump and other guarantor states to ensure Israel abides by its obligations. “We affirm that the sacrifices of our people will not be in vain,” the group said.
U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the deal and urged “immediate and unimpeded entry” of humanitarian aid into Gaza. “A permanent ceasefire must be secured,” he said.
“The suffering must end,” Guterres said.
New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters called the ceasefire “an essential first step” and pressed both sides to build on the deal toward a “complete resolution.”
At least four people were injured after a large fire and explosions hit a residential building in the Dutch city of Utrecht, authorities said.
A railway power outage in Tokyo disrupted the morning commute for roughly 673,000 passengers on Friday (16 January) as two main lines with some of the world's busiest stations were halted after reports of a fire.
Iran reopened its airspace late on Wednesday after a near five-hour closure that disrupted airline traffic, amid heightened concerns over possible military escalation involving the United States.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that the international situation is worsening and that the world is becoming more dangerous, while avoiding public comment on events in Venezuela and Iran.
A SpaceX capsule carrying a four-member crew home from orbit in an emergency return to earth necessitated by an undisclosed serious medical condition afflicting one of the astronauts splashed down safely early on Thursday (15 January) in the Pacific Ocean off California.
The Regional Environmental Summit 2026 will be held in Astana from 22-24 April, bringing together Central Asian countries to strengthen regional dialogue on climate and environmental challenges.
Kazakhstan has begun recalibrating its oil export logistics amid ongoing restrictions affecting the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC), a vital conduit for the country’s crude supplies to global markets.
Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran’s last shah, has called for support for protesters seeking to overthrow Iran’s government. Speaking at a press conference in Washington on 16 January, Pahlavi outlined plans to return to Iran and called for action against the country’s Revolutionary Guards.
The Turkish Defence Ministry has voiced its support for recent military operations by Syrian government forces against the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which enjoy the support of the United States.
Uzbekistan plans to establish production facilities in Qatar as part of a strategy to expand exports and strengthen its presence in Gulf markets.
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