UNITED NATIONS: The United States pledged $2 billion (£1.48bn) for UN humanitarian aid today as the Trump administration continues to cut foreign assistance and push agencies to consolidate or shrink.

The funding, far below past US contributions, will initially target 17 countries, including Bangladesh, Congo, Haiti, Syria and Ukraine.

Aid groups have warned that the cuts are worsening hunger, displacement and disease as global humanitarian needs continue to rise.

MEXICO: A train derailment in southern Mexico has killed at least 13 people and injured dozens near the town of Nizanda.

The Interoceanic Train, which links Oaxaca and Veracruz, was carrying 241 passengers and nine crew members when it left the rails on Sunday.

President Claudia Sheinbaum ordered officials to help victims and their families, while service along the Pacific-Gulf line was suspended as emergency crews responded to the accident.

KOSOVO: Prime Minister Albin Kurti secured another term at the weekend when his Self-Determination party won nearly 50 per cent of the votes cast in an early parliamentary election, far ahead of its rivals.

The snap vote ended a months-long deadlock following the February election and Mr Kurti pledged to form a new government quickly.

Turnout was around 44 per cent, with the party promising to tackle security, economic challenges and relations with ethnic Serbs and the European Union.

INDONESIA: A fire at a retirement home in Manado, North Sulawesi, has killed 16 residents and injured 15.

Flames broke out  on Sunday evening while residents slept, with neighbours helping rescue some before firefighters extinguished the blaze over more than two hours.

Authorities said an electrical fault may have triggered the fire and that the victims’ bodies were taken to local hospitals for identification while investigations continue.