In Brief

After US snub, Russia says aiming for truce

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Moscow: The Kremlin said on Monday that Russia and the United States were working on ideas for a possible peace settlement in Ukraine and on building bilateral ties despite US President Donald Trump saying that he was “pissed off” with Vladimir Putin. It added US firm were interested in cooperation.

Israel offers peace for half the hostages

Tel Aviv: Israel has proposed an extended truce in Gaza in exchange for the return of about half the remaining hostages, Israeli officials said on Monday, as the military issued new evacuation orders and said “intense operations” were planned in the south of the Gaza Strip.

Beijing, Tokyo, Seoul united in reply to US

Beijing: China, Japan and South Korea agreed to jointly respond to US tariffs, a social media account affiliated with the Chinese state broadcaster said on Monday. The comments came after the three countries held their first economic dialogue in five years on Sunday, seeking to facilitate regional trade.

Italy’s demographic crisis hits new low

Rome: Italy's demographic crisis deepened in 2024 as the number of births hit a new record low, emigration accelerated and the population continued to shrink, national statistics bureau ISTAT said on Monday. Italy's ever-falling birth rate is being considered a national emergency.