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By Andrew Mills DOHA (Reuters) – Qatar could close the political office of Hamas as part of a broader review of its role as a mediator in the war between Israel and the militant Palestinian Islamist group, according to an official familiar with the Qatari government’s reassessment. The Gulf state was weighing whether to allow Hamas to continue operating the political office, and the broader review includes considering whether or […]

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) – The Netherlands was preparing for its annual World War II remembrance ceremony in Amsterdam on Saturday with restricted public access and heightened security as a result of the war in Gaza. The city of Amsterdam announced earlier in the week that it would severely restrict attendance to the ceremony on the city’s central Dam square. The unprecedented security measures were intended to keep the ceremony safe and […]

By P.J. Huffstutter MONEE, Illinois (Reuters) – Farmer Luz Klotz straightened the brightly striped hair bow on Reba, a 1,600-pound heifer lounging on the ground under twinkling fairy lights. Teenager Joey Pachl, hoping to impress his girlfriend with an invitation to the high school prom, had paid $75 for an hour-long cow cuddling session at the farm. Pachl successfully wowed animal loving girlfriend Emma. For Luz and husband Dan Klotz, […]

By Gram Slattery and Nathan Layne WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Donald Trump’s pledge to fight what he calls “anti-white feeling” in the U.S. will likely embolden allies who seek to dismantle government and corporate programs created to battle racism and boost diversity in American life. Some high-profile supporters of the former president, now the 2024 Republican presidential candidate, say policies for safeguarding people of color in classrooms, workplaces and charities should […]

By Jonathan Stempel and Koh Gui Qing OMAHA, Nebraska (Reuters) – Warren Buffett will take center stage at Berkshire Hathaway’s annual meeting on Saturday, as shareholders descend on to watch the famed investor as well as his expected successor. The meeting is the 60th for Buffett, 93, since he took over Berkshire in 1965. He has largely stopped appearing publicly to discuss the company. He told investors in November that […]

By Jonathan Allen NEW YORK (Reuters) – The occupation of a building at Columbia University by pro-Palestinian student protesters was in its 18th hour when photos and videos dinged across students’ phones: police had parked at least seven jail buses south of the campus. The backs of New York police officers standing guard outside the gates of the Manhattan campus could be seen through the railings. Police surveillance drones appeared […]

TAIPEI (Reuters) – A former U.S. ambassador appointed by Donald Trump said on Saturday he believed the former president would again support Taiwan if he wins back the White House. Taiwan, claimed by China as its own territory despite Taipei’s objections, received strong backing from Trump’s 2017-2021 administration, including arms sales, which have continued under the government of President Joe Biden. Trump spoke to Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen in 2016 […]

By Nidal al-Mughrabi and Ahmed Mohamed Hassan CAIRO (Reuters) – Hamas negotiators arrived in Cairo on Saturday for intensified talks on a possible Gaza truce that would see the return to Israel of some hostages, a Hamas official told Reuters, with the CIA director already present for the indirect diplomacy. Egypt’s state-affiliated Al-Qahera News TV channel also confirmed the arrival of the Hamas delegation in Cairo. “The results today will […]

MOSCOW (Reuters) – NATO’s four-month long military exercises near Russia’s borders, known as Steadfast Defender, are proof the alliance is preparing for a potential conflict with Russia, a spokeswoman for Russia’s Foreign Ministry said on Saturday. The spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, dismissed accusations by NATO this week that Russia is engaged in hybrid attacks on its member states, saying this was misleading “misinformation” aimed at distracting people from the alliance’s activities. […]

DUBLIN (Reuters) – Students at Trinity College Dublin protesting Israel’s war in Gaza have built an encampment that forced the university to restrict campus access on Saturday and close the Book of Kells exhibition, one of Ireland’s top tourist attractions. The camp was set up late on Friday after Trinity College’s students’ union said it had been fined 214,000 euros ($230,000) by the university for financial losses incurred due to […]