Zoom in 'early stages' of security deal with Google: CFO

AFP
Sudan's RSF, allies sign charter for rival government: sources
Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and its allies have agreed to set up a parallel government, sources said Sunday, despite warnings such a move could further fragment the war-ravaged country.A spokesman for UN chief Antonio Guterres warned the move could "increase the fragmentation of the country and risk making this crisis even worse".
Associated Press
Israel's defense minister says troops to remain in some West Bank refugee camps for 'coming year'
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Sunday he has instructed the military to prepare to remain in some of the occupied West Bank’s urban refugee camps “for the coming year.” Katz said that some 40,000 Palestinians had been displaced from three of the camps in the northern West Bank and that they were now “emptied of residents.” The comments by Katz come as Israel is intensifying an offensive in the Palestinian territory and as the ceasefire that paused the war in Gaza holds.
AFP
Musk says all US govt staff must justify their work or lose jobs
Elon Musk, the billionaire advisor to Donald Trump, said Saturday that all US federal employees must justify their work or lose their jobs, hours after the president pushed him to be "more aggressive" in slashing government spending.- 'More aggressive' - Earlier Saturday, Trump said on his Truth Social platform that Musk was "doing a great job, but I would like to see him get more aggressive."
CNN
Melania Trump returns to Washington after four-week absence
After a four-week absence from Washington, first lady Melania Trump returned to the White House on Saturday for an annual dinner and reception with the nation’s governors.
Reuters
Swiss could contribute to peacekeeping in Ukraine, army chief says
Switzerland could contribute troops to a future peacekeeping mission in Ukraine if it were requested and the government agreed, Swiss armed forces chief Thomas Suessli said in an interview published on Sunday. "We could probably field around 200 soldiers in nine to 12 months," Suessli told newspaper SonntagsBlick, stressing that it would be a matter for the government and parliament to decide if any appeal were made to Switzerland. Talk of sending peacekeepers was purely hypothetical for now because it remained unclear how the situation between Russia and Ukraine would develop, Suessli added.
CNN
Pope has peaceful night after suffering respiratory crisis, Vatican says
Pope Francis, who has been hospitalized for more than a week, had a peaceful night which “passed quietly” after suffering from a respiratory crisis on Saturday, the Holy See Press Office said Sunday morning.
AFP
Ukraine contends with how to heal from three years of war
When the physiotherapist at the rehabilitation centre in Kyiv asks the group of wounded Ukrainian veterans to all stretch out their legs, some chuckle.In one room at the centre, a group of veterans are playing billiards.
AFP
Pope Francis, in critical condition, had quiet night: Vatican
Pope Francis had a quiet night in hospital, the Vatican said Sunday, the morning after revealing the 88-year-old was in a "critical" condition."The night passed peacefully, the pope rested," the Holy See said in a short update on Sunday morning.
Reuters
Chinese take record 9 billion domestic trips during Lunar New Year, Xinhua reports
China notched a record 9.02 billion domestic trips during the 40-day Lunar New Year travel rush, the state Xinhua news agency reported on Sunday, surpassing the 8.4 billion trips taken in the same holiday period a year earlier. The travel rush during China's biggest holiday is often read as a barometer for the country's economic health and a pressure test for its vast transportation system. Some 513 million train trips were taken during the Spring Festival, as the holiday is known in China, up 6.1% on last year, while 90.2 million passengers travelled by air, up 7.4%, according to Xinhua.
Associated Press
Pope Francis had a peaceful night following a respiratory crisis and blood transfusions
Pope Francis, in critical condition with a complex lung infection, rested well during a peaceful night following a respiratory crisis and blood transfusions, the Vatican said Sunday. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni's one-line statement early Sunday didn't mention if Francis was out of bed or eating breakfast. “The night passed quietly, the pope rested.”
CNN
Delta flight from Los Angeles makes emergency landing due to smoke on board
A Delta Air Lines flight from Los Angeles International Airport bound for Sydney on Saturday was forced to return after smoke was detected on board.
CNN
Germany is holding a national election. Here’s what’s at stake
Germans are going to the polls on Sunday for national elections. Opinion polls suggest the outcome will be a new chancellor and, likely, a new governing coalition.
AFP
Germans vote under shadow of far-right surge, Trump
Germans began voting Sunday in a pivotal election, with the conservatives the strong favourites after a campaign rocked by a far-right surge and the dramatic return of US President Donald Trump.While Merz has vowed to shutter German borders and lock up those awaiting deportation, the AfD has argued that Germans will "vote for the original". sea-fz-sr/giv
Associated Press
The Latest: Polls open in Germany in crucial general election
German voters are heading to the polls Sunday for a national election. The race pits the incumbent chancellor against the opposition leader, the vice chancellor and — for the first time — a leader of a far-right party. Germany’s electoral system rarely gives any party an absolute majority and opinion polls suggest that no party is anywhere near one this time.
Associated Press
China denies it didn't give timely warning of live-fire drills off Australia
China's Defense Ministry said Sunday that Australia had made “unreasonable accusations” and deliberately hyped the situation after three planes headed to New Zealand changed course in midflight because of live-fire drills by the Chinese navy. Wu Qian, the ministry's top spokesperson, said China had issued safety notices in advance and that the activity was in compliance with international law and did not affect aviation safety. “The relevant remarks from the Australian side are completely inconsistent with the facts,” he said in a response posted on the Defense Ministry website.
Associated Press
Afghan women’s radio station will resume broadcasts after Taliban lift suspension
An Afghan women’s radio station will resume broadcasts after the Taliban lifted their suspension over alleged cooperation with an overseas TV channel. Radio Begum launched on International Women’s Day in March 2021, five months before the Taliban seized power amid the chaotic withdrawal of U.S. and NATO troops. The station’s content is produced entirely by Afghan women.
AFP
The 'new silent ones': Opponents lie low in Russia
One feels "buried alive", another is careful about what he says in public places -- opponents of Russia's campaign in Ukraine are being dubbed the "new silent ones", like Soviet-era dissidents."It's like taking early retirement or, worse, being buried alive."
NBC News
Elon Musk says federal workers must justify their work — or resign
Billionaire Elon Musk issued an ultimatum to federal employees Saturday, saying in a post on his social media platform X that employees must respond to an email justifying the work they completed this week or resign.
AFP
Hong Kong and Singapore lead Asia's drive to cash in on crypto boom
Hong Kong and Singapore are the front-runners in a push by Asian governments to become cryptocurrency hubs as they look to capitalise on the global resurgence of the sector thanks to the support of US President Donald Trump.But Hong Kong and Singapore, along with Middle East standout Dubai, cemented their front-runner status during a period when US regulators under Joe Biden's administration were sceptical toward crypto.
Associated Press
No passengers, no planes, no benefits. Pakistan's newest airport is a bit of a mystery
With no passengers and no planes, Pakistan’s newest and most expensive airport is a bit of a mystery. Entirely financed by China to the tune of $240 million, it's anyone's guess when New Gwadar International Airport will open for business. Located in the coastal city of Gwadar and completed in October 2024, the airport is a stark contrast to the impoverished, restive southwestern Balochistan province around it.

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