‘Why are you asleep?’ Rahul Gandhi pleads with India’s low castes to vote out Modi (www.theguardian.com)
Hungary and Sweden agree on defense deal ahead of final vote on Sweden's NATO accession (apnews.com)
The prime ministers of Hungary and Sweden concluded a defense industry agreement on Friday that will expand Budapest’s fleet of Swedish-built fighter jets, paving the way for Hungary’s likely ratification of Sweden’s long-delayed NATO bid....
Hundreds are set to descend on Tahiti for Olympic surfing. Can locals protect their way of life? (apnews.com)
In response to criticism, now 98% of Olympic housing will be within the homes of locals, with athletes accommodated on a cruise ship anchored nearby. The size of the judging tower has been scaled back and new infrastructure plans are being drawn up to minimize the need for new construction....
Argentina Sees First Monthly Budget Surplus In 12 Years (www.barrons.com)
The Argentine government in January saw its first monthly budget surplus in nearly 12 years, as new President Javier Milei continues to push for strong spending cuts, the Economy Ministry announced....
Prince William calls for Israel-Hamas fighting to end ‘as soon as possible’ (www.independent.co.uk)
‘They lied’: plastics producers deceived public about recycling, report reveals | Recycling (www.theguardian.com)
Companies knew for decades recycling was not viable but promoted it regar
Xinjiang freezes in -52.3°C temperature, harshest cold spell in over six decades (www.channelnewsasia.com)
China coast guard boarded Taiwanese boat near frontline islands, Taiwan says (www.reuters.com)
Chinese coast guard personnel briefly boarded a Taiwanese tourist boat near Taiwan-controlled islands next to China’s coast on Monday, the government in Taipei said, in an escalation of tensions after China said it would carry out regular patrols....
Mexicans turn out in droves to 'protect democracy' ahead of elections | Reuters (news.yahoo.com)
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) -Huge crowds filled Mexico City’s main square on Sunday in support of the nation’s electoral authority, accusing President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador of trying to weaken the body ahead of a presidential election in June....
Israel Says It Will Not Force Gazans Into Egypt, as It Searches Major Hospital (www.nytimes.com)
Israel said on Friday that it would not try to force Palestinians from southern Gaza into Egypt, seeking to calm Palestinian fears of a mass displacement even as Israeli forces pressed ahead with a military operation inside the largest hospital in the area....
Russia arrests German for carrying cannabis gummy bears (www.bbc.co.uk)
Missing Turkish miners ‘swallowed by cyanide-laced landslide’ (www.theguardian.com)
Church Leads Hateful, Twisted Campaign Against Gay Marriage (www.thedailybeast.com)
‘Now we are not safe’: Sweden’s Kurds fear Nato deal has sold them out (www.theguardian.com)
Farmers' protest: Delhi turns into fortress as thousands march to India capital (www.bbc.com)
Australia's transformation into a cashless society has left people like Morgan behind. Here's how they're coping (www.abc.net.au)
Satellite Images Point to Indiscriminate Israeli Attacks on Gaza’s Health Care Facilities (www.wired.com)
Marathon world record holder dies in car crash at age 24. (abcnews.go.com)
Azerbaijani president on track for 94 percent landslide in tainted election (www.politico.eu)
The vote comes just months after Ilham Aliyev declared victory in the decades-old Nagorno-Karabakh conflict....
Zelenskiy set to replace senior officials amid Ukraine leadership ‘reset’ (www.theguardian.com)
Comments come as speculation continues president is preparing to fire commander of armed forces Valerii Zaluzhnyi...
China threatens Ukraine because of Chinese companies added to list of war sponsors (www.yahoo.com)
Russia condemns Ecuador over decision to hand Russian military hardware to US for Ukraine - RIA (www.reuters.com)
MOSCOW, Feb 2 (Reuters) - Russia’s foreign ministry on Friday condemned a decision by Ecuador to hand over Russian-made military hardware to the United States for use in Ukraine as a “reckless” breach of contract, the RIA news agency reported....
US Approves $4B Sale of MQ-9B Drones, Hellfire Missiles to India (www.thedefensepost.com)
The US State Department has approved the potential sale of 31 MQ-9B Sky Guardian drones to India....
[S Korea] Defense ministry says is not considering female conscription (en.yna.co.kr)
SEOUL, Jan. 30 (Yonhap) – The defense ministry said Tuesday it is not considering conscripting women for the country’s mandatory military service after the issue received renewed attention in a campaign pledge ahead of the April general elections....
Armenia formally joins international criminal court in snub to Russia (www.theguardian.com)
Armenia has formally joined the international criminal court (ICC), officials said, a move which traditional ally Moscow has denounced as unfriendly....
