Major Asian stock markets experienced significant gains, while oil prices declined, driven by renewed hopes for ceasefire talks between the United States and Iran. US President Donald Trump claimed that Iranian officials had allegedly reached out to his administration and expressed a strong desire for a deal, sparking optimism among investors.
The international charity Save the Children has warned that at least three babies a minute are being born in Sudan into conditions “no child should ever face”, as a ruinous conflict between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) hits its third-year mark. The organization stated on Tuesday that official data shows 5.6 million births in Sudan since the war began in April 2023, meaning 5,000 children a day are born in a country where millions survive on just one meal a day. Mohamed Abdiladif, country director for Save the Children in Sudan, said these children are born in overcrowded shelters, under-equipped or damaged health facilities, or while their families are on the move, emphasizing that children have a right to care and protection even in conflict.
In San Francisco, 20-year-old Daniel Moreno-Gama faces attempted murder and arson charges after allegedly throwing a Molotov cocktail at the residence of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins announced at a Monday press conference that Moreno-Gama has been charged with two counts of attempted murder and nine other charges following last week's arson attack.
India marks the 135th birth anniversary of B.R. Ambedkar, the principal architect of the country's constitution and a champion for Dalit rights (people from the lowest caste). DW's special coverage explores the stark gap between promises of Dalit upliftment and today's reality, revealing deep-seated social issues that persist despite legal frameworks.
Lebanon is once again mired in a serious military conflict. President Joseph Aoun, during a meeting last August at the Baabda Palace overlooking Beirut, stated, "I was born an optimist." He, a former army chief, came to power after a devastating war between Israel and Hezbollah, a Lebanese militia and political party backed by Iran. At that time, Hezbollah was weakened and isolated domestically, and Aoun vowed to disarm it. However, the issue of Hezbollah's weapons has long divided Lebanon, and a solution appears intractable.
Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem has strongly rejected an upcoming meeting between the Lebanese government and Israel in the United States, labeling such efforts as "futile". In a televised speech on Monday, he called on the government to take "a historic and heroic stance" by not attending the planned talks. Qassem asserted that the negotiations are a ploy by the Israeli regime to pressure Hezbollah into laying down its weapons.
The funeral of legendary Indian singer Asha Bhosle took place in Mumbai on Monday, a day after her death at the age of 92. The two-time Grammy nominee was cremated with full state honours at Shivaji Park, with the ceremony attended by celebrities, politicians, and large crowds of mourners gathered to bid her farewell.
US President Donald Trump's harsh criticism of Pope Leo XIV has been labeled 'unacceptable' by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Trump allegedly accused the pontiff of being 'WEAK on Crime and terrible for Foreign Policy' in a lengthy Truth Social post, later telling reporters he was 'not a big fan'. Meloni, who heads a right-wing coalition government and is a close ally of Trump, had previously been reluctant to condemn the US president's sharp attacks on the Pope.
Philippine authorities announced the discovery of cyanide on Chinese vessels in a disputed area of the South China Sea. National Security Council spokesperson Cornelio Valencia stated that laboratory tests confirmed the presence of the toxic substance in bottles seized by the Philippine navy last year at Second Thomas Shoal (Ayungin Shoal) in the Spratly Islands.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's wife, Begoña Gómez, has been formally charged with corruption following a two-year criminal investigation, according to a court ruling. The charges allege that Gómez exploited her position as the spouse of the nation's leader to advance her private career and personal interests through improper means.
Hungary's newly elected Prime Minister Péter Magyar announced that he has already spoken with ten European leaders on his first day after the final victory of his Tisza party. This follows historic elections that ended Viktor Orbán's 16-year continuous rule. Magyar noted that in last week's election, his party secured two-thirds of the seats in parliament, enabling constitutional changes.
Iran executed at least 1,639 people last year, the highest number recorded since 1989, according to a report by Norway-based Iran Human Rights (IHR) and Paris-based Together Against the Death Penalty (ECPM). This represents a 68% increase compared to 2024, when 975 executions were recorded. The report states that most of those hanged were convicted of drug-related offences or murder, but at least 57 were convicted of security-related charges, including two protesters.