WORLD

United Nations, United States | AFP | A donors’ conference will be held next month to help fill a funding gap at the UN agency for Palestinian refugees caused by the US decision to cut support, Sweden’s deputy UN ambassador said Tuesday. The March 15 conference in Rome, hosted by Sweden, …

Jerusalem, Undefined | AFP | Christian leaders in Jerusalem said that they would on Wednesday reopen the ancient Church of the Holy Sepulchre, closed since the weekend in protest at Israeli tax measures. The announcement came hours after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said a “professional team” would be appointed …

Washington, United States | AFP | President Donald Trump has only just completed his first year in the White House, but he is already looking ahead to a 2020 reelection campaign, tapping Brad Parscale to get the ball rolling. In a statement on Tuesday, Trump’s campaign announced the 42-year-old digital expert …

Washington, United States | AFP | Facebook on Tuesday announced a $3 million pilot project aimed at helping US newspapers boost paid digital subscriptions. The move was the latest by the huge social network to respond to concerns that it and other online platforms have hurt news organizations by dominating …

Douma, Syria | AFP | A humanitarian “pause” announced by Russia in Syria’s deadly bombardment of Eastern Ghouta took effect Tuesday, offering a short window for the enclave’s traumatised residents to emerge from their basements. The daily five-hour respite, which began at 9:00 am (0700 GMT), was announced by Russia …

Hong Kong, China | AFP | Banking giant Standard Chartered on Tuesday announced a return of dividends for shareholders after a two-year hiatus as it reported a surge in annual profits following restructuring and cutbacks. The Asia-focused lender said it would pay out a full-year dividend of 11 cents per …

Washington, United States | AFP | Boeing said Tuesday it has reached an agreement to build future Air Force One planes after addressing Donald Trump’s criticism over hefty costs associated with the presidential aircraft. “Boeing is proud to build the next generation of Air Force One, providing American Presidents with a …

Barcelona, Spain | AFP | Blazing fast 5G wireless networks promise to unlock the potential of internet connected devices, or the Internet of Things — making driverless cars and talking fridges a reality. With most European operators targeting 2020 for its rollout, 5G is the term on everyone’s lips at …

Washington, United States | AFP | The White House on Monday said a decision that could see Chinese leader Xi Jinping rule for life was an internal matter for the authorities in Beijing. “I believe that’s a decision for China to make,” said spokeswoman Sarah Sanders, after the country’s Communist …

Miami, United States | AFP | Ancient species of elephants and mammoths interbred, swapping genes that helped them adapt to new habitats and climates, a practice that is lost among modern-day elephants, researchers said Monday. Today, the two kinds of living elephants in Africa — savanna and forest elephants — are …