Industrial orders in the United States increased modestly in January, driven primarily by demand for short-term consumer goods. Orders for durable goods rose by 0.3 percent during the month, marking a gentle upturn in manufacturing activity at the beginning of the year. The increase reflects continued, though measured, economic momentum in the American industrial sector.
Iran has confirmed the death of its intelligence minister, who had served in the position since 2021. The minister was among Iranian senior officials targeted by the United States last week with a $10 million bounty. The confirmation comes as tensions remain high between Iran and the US, with American authorities seeking Iranian officials for various alleged activities. The intelligence minister held a key position in Iran's security apparatus and was considered part of the country's top leadership structure.
Russia has described an incident in the Iranian city of Bushehr as unacceptable, citing concerns for Russian citizens who were reportedly endangered in the area. The nature of the incident and specific details about the threat to Russian nationals were not disclosed in the brief statement.
Poland's Defense Minister has called on the country's president to apologize for exercising a veto, according to Slovak news agency reports. The minister declared readiness to negotiate on the project in question while simultaneously emphasizing the need to advance army modernization priorities. The specific details of the vetoed legislation and the nature of the dispute between the defense minister and president were not elaborated in the available reports.
Austria is planning to reduce its fuel tax as the government seeks to provide relief to consumers facing rising energy costs. Chancellor Karl Nehammer's administration has indicated it will move forward with the tax reduction, with officials stating that the state should not profit from the current crisis. The measure represents Austria's response to widespread concerns about fuel price increases that have affected households and businesses across the country.
Approximately nine children under the age of five die every minute worldwide, according to new data on global child mortality. The statistics reveal that child mortality rates are distributed very unevenly across different regions of the world. The figures highlight ongoing disparities in healthcare access, nutrition, and living conditions that continue to affect infant and child survival rates globally, with some regions experiencing significantly higher mortality rates than others.
Poland is preparing to implement a comprehensive ban on mobile phones in elementary schools beginning in September. Education Minister Barbara Nowacka has announced that the ministry is finalizing legislation that would prohibit smartphone use across all primary schools nationwide, with exceptions only for students who have documented medical needs. The initiative is part of broader efforts to protect children from digital distractions in educational environments. The ban represents one of the most comprehensive approaches to restricting mobile device use in schools among European Union countries, as governments increasingly grapple with concerns about technology's impact on student learning and social development.
The USS Gerald R. Ford, the world's largest aircraft carrier, is heading to Crete after a devastating fire that burned for 30 hours and destroyed hundreds of sailors' beds. The blaze has left crew members sleeping on floors and tables as the vessel continues its Mediterranean deployment. The Ford-class supercarrier, which represents the newest generation of American naval technology, suffered extensive damage to crew quarters during the incident, forcing sailors to find makeshift sleeping arrangements throughout the ship.
An Israeli airstrike without warning struck an apartment building in central Beirut near government headquarters and embassy districts, killing at least six people and injuring dozens more according to Lebanese officials. The attack targeted a residential area in Lebanon's capital, marking an escalation in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah forces based in Lebanon. The strike occurred in a densely populated part of the city close to key government buildings and diplomatic missions, raising concerns about the expansion of military operations into civilian areas of Beirut.
Cuba's president has warned the United States that it will face "unbreakable resistance" as Washington pursues an oil blockade against the Caribbean island nation. The US is pushing for the embargo as part of efforts to end single-party rule in Cuba. The statement represents the latest escalation in tensions between the two countries, which have maintained a hostile relationship since Cuba's 1959 revolution brought the Communist Party to power under Fidel Castro and later his brother Raul Castro.
An Iranian rocket attack struck a suburb of Tel Aviv, killing an elderly married couple. Police and emergency responders reported multiple impact sites from the missile strikes in the area surrounding Israel's commercial capital.
Five people died in a fire at the Dos Bocas oil refinery in Mexico's Tabasco state. Heavy rains caused oil to leak from the facility, which then ignited, triggering the deadly blaze at the refinery complex.
Dubai was shaken by powerful explosions early Wednesday morning during Iranian attacks targeting Persian Gulf countries with missiles and drones. Local authorities reported that their air defense systems successfully intercepted the incoming threats. The explosions in Dubai, a major commercial hub in the United Arab Emirates, occurred as part of broader Iranian military operations across the Persian Gulf region, highlighting escalating tensions in the strategically important waterway that serves as a crucial global oil transit route.
American actor and filmmaker Sean Penn received a Ukrainian award fashioned from a piece of a train car, according to ongoing coverage of the war in Ukraine. The award represents Ukraine's recognition of Penn's support during the ongoing conflict with Russia. Penn has been a prominent advocate for Ukraine since Russia's invasion began, making multiple trips to the country and using his platform to raise awareness about the war.
A key figure associated with anti-immigration enforcement operations in the United States has retired. The official, known as Bovina, was removed from their position at the end of January, marking the end of their involvement in controversial immigration crackdown measures.
Four people died when scaffolding collapsed in Vienna, Austria. A crane operator was trapped in his cabin for three hours following the incident. The accident occurred during construction work, though specific details about the cause of the collapse have not been released.
Explosions shook Baghdad during an attack targeting the United States embassy in the Iraqi capital. A witness told news agencies that the blasts were caused by the embassy's air defense system intercepting incoming projectiles. The incident represents the latest in a series of attacks on American diplomatic facilities in Iraq, where tensions remain high between US forces and Iran-backed militia groups that frequently target American installations with rockets and drones.
Powerful explosions rocked Baghdad after a drone and rocket attack targeted the American embassy in the Iraqi capital. The attack represents part of a growing wave of strikes against US facilities, highlighting deteriorating security conditions and rising tensions in the Middle Eastern nation. The incident underscores the volatile situation facing American diplomatic and military personnel in Iraq, where various militant groups have repeatedly targeted US interests in recent years.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro has regained access to US visas after facing restrictions. The visa restoration comes amid deteriorating relations between Petro and US President Donald Trump in recent months. The diplomatic tension between the two leaders has strained bilateral ties between Colombia and the United States, though specific details about the visa restrictions or the reasons for their restoration were not disclosed.
Four construction workers died and one suffered severe head and spinal injuries when scaffolding and formwork collapsed during an attic renovation project in Vienna. The accident occurred on Porzellangasse street in Vienna's ninth district of Alsergrund while workers were performing concrete work as part of the building renovation. The injured worker remains in critical condition with serious head and spine trauma.