Putin and Trump envoy Witkoff held constructive talks in Moscow, Russian aide says

Putin and Trump envoy Witkoff held constructive talks in Moscow, Russian aide says

AFP US envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian President Vladimir Putin had “constructive” talks in Moscow on Friday lasting three hours, according to an aide of Putin’s. Yuri Ushakov said the possibility of Russia and Ukraine resuming direct talks was a particular point of discussion. The US has not released details…

Israel’s muted response to Pope Francis’s death signals tensions over Gaza

Israel’s muted response to Pope Francis’s death signals tensions over Gaza

Sebastian Usher Correspondent Getty Images Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met Pope Francis in 2014 in Jerusalem The office of the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has offered its condolences for Pope Francis, four days after his death. An earlier offer of condolences posted on social media by the official state…

Namibian president announces free higher education, saying ‘fees have fallen’

Namibian president announces free higher education, saying ‘fees have fallen’

Namibia’s new president has announced that university fees will be scrapped from 2026. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, the country’s first female president, made the announcement during her maiden state of the nation address on Thursday evening. Addressing lawmakers, Nandi-Ndaitwah said that students would pay “no registration [or] tuition fees” at all…