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The Taliban government said Tuesday it had released two American citizens from prison in return for an Afghan fighter held in the United States, in a deal brokered by Qatar.Outgoing US president Joe Biden agreed on the deal shortly before leaving office on Monday, with the exchange finally taking place after Donald Trump returned to the White House, according to a person familiar with the negotiations.”An Afghan fighter, Khan Mohammed, imprisoned in America has been released in exchange for American citizens and returned to the country,” the Afghan foreign ministry said in a statement.The ministry said Mohammed had been serving a life sentence in California after being arrested “almost two decades ago” in the eastern Afghan province of Nangarhar.Mohammed, who was convicted of narco-terrorism by a US court, returned to the province on Tuesday, where he was greeted by a crowd and presented with garlands of flowers. He told journalists he was grateful to the Taliban authorities for his release and he was “very happy” to be reunited with his family.”A lot of innocent people are imprisoned, my request is that all of them can be released and be able to return to their homes,” he said.His son, Rafiullah Mohammed, said his father was innocent and that the family demanded compensation.Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told AFP two US nationals had been released, declining to provide any further details on the exchange.- ‘Overwhelming gratitude’ – The family of US citizen Ryan Corbett, who was detained by the Taliban in 2022, confirmed he was released and thanked both the Biden and Trump administrations, as well as Qatar.”Today, our hearts are filled with overwhelming gratitude and praise to God for sustaining Ryan’s life and bringing him back home after what has been the most challenging and uncertain 894 days of our lives,” the family said on their website.They called for two other Americans still held in Afghanistan to be released.The person familiar with the deal confirmed William McKenty as the second released American detainee. Little is known about what he was doing in Afghanistan and his family asked for privacy.Qatar’s lead negotiator, Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al-Khulaifi, confirmed the Gulf state’s mediation in the exchange, with all the released people going through Doha.Two other Americans are believed to remain in detention in Afghanistan, former airline mechanic George Glezmann and naturalised American Mahmood Habibi.In August 2024, the US Federal Bureau of Investigation said it was seeking information about the disappearance of Afghan-American businessman Habibi two years previously.- ‘New chapter’ -Biden came under heavy criticism for the chaotic withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan in 2021, more than a year after Trump presided over a deal with the Taliban insurgents to end US and NATO involvement in the two-decade war.After Trump’s election win in November, the Taliban government had said it hoped for a “new chapter” in ties with the United States.Taliban authorities have repeatedly said they want positive relations with every country since sweeping back to power in 2021.No state has officially recognised their government, with restrictions on women’s rights a key sticking point for many countries, including the United States.The Taliban government on Tuesday called the exchange “a good example of resolving issues through dialogue, expressing special gratitude for the effective role of the brotherly country of Qatar in this regard”.”The Islamic Emirate views positively those actions of the United States that contribute to the normalisation and expansion of relations between the two countries,” it added, using the Taliban authorities’ name for their government.A 2008 US Department of Justice statement named Mohammed — in his 30s at the time — as a member of “an Afghan Taliban cell” and said he was arrested in October 2006 and sentenced in December 2008 to “two terms of life in prison on drug and narco-terrorism charges”. It was the first narco-terrorism conviction in a US federal court, the statement said.At least one Afghan prisoner remains in detention at the secretive US prison at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba, Muhammad Rahim, whose family called for his release in November 2023. In February last year, two former prisoners held in Guantanamo Bay until 2017 were welcomed home to Afghanistan, more than 20 years after they were arrested. 

President Donald Trump announced plans to weed out some 1,000 opponents from the US government Tuesday on his first full day in power after taking office with a shock-and-awe blitz of executive orders.Trump was due to meet with leaders of the narrow Republican majority in Congress at the White House as he tries to get his agenda, including tax cuts, approved at rapid pace.In a post shortly after midnight on his Truth Social app, Trump said four people had already been “FIRED!” from advisory roles and made clear they were the tip of the iceberg as he seeks to quickly tighten his grip on the government bureaucracy.”My Presidential Personnel Office is actively in the process of identifying and removing over a thousand Presidential Appointees from the previous Administration, who are not aligned with our vision to Make America Great Again,” he posted.One of those fired was retired general Mark Milley from an infrastructure advisory body. Milley was chairman of the joint chiefs of staff during Trump’s first presidency but became one of the Republican’s most prominent critics after he tried to overturn the 2020 election.The acting head of the Department of Homeland Security separately announced the firing of Coast Guard chief Linda Fagan, who was appointed under Democrat Joe Biden and was the first woman to head one of the six branches of the US military.Trump was inaugurated Monday in the Capitol’s ornate Rotunda, with ceremonies forced indoors due to bad weather for the first time in decades.Only a select group was able to attend in person, rather than the usual massive crowd on the Mall for inaugurations.In an unprecedented display of influence from America’s super-rich, major tycoons including Elon Musk and Amazon’s Jeff Bezos were among those with the best seats.After taking the oath, 78-year-old Trump — the oldest person ever to be sworn in as US president — signed a blizzard of executive actions intended to transform the country.These included pulling the United States from the Paris climate accord and the World Health Organization, while pardoning hundreds of supporters convicted of crimes while attacking the Capitol four years ago in the attempt to overturn the election.- Media relations -Trump attended a prayer service at Washington’s National Cathedral on Tuesday, where just last month he had joined outgoing president Biden and the other living ex-presidents for the funeral of late president Jimmy Carter.Newly installed White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump would also make a “big infrastructure announcement” later, although she did not say what this would be.One thing not happening Tuesday was a traditional daily White House press briefing by the top spokeswoman, who indicated that — as during his first term — Trump himself would do the messaging.“I can confirm the American people won’t be hearing from me today, they’ll be hearing from the leader of the free world once again. President Trump will be speaking to the press later at the White House,” she told Trump-friendly Fox News.Trump likes to berate the “fake news media” and call journalists “the enemy of the people” but also encourages intensive press coverage — in stark contrast to the media-shy Biden.- ‘Golden age’  -Trump’s inaugural address in the Rotunda mixed dark imagery about a failing America with promises that he would usher in a “golden age.”After the pomp and ceremony, it was the showman Trump — along with the sometimes strongman-style rhetoric — that quickly took over.”Could you imagine Biden doing this? I don’t think so,” Trump told cheering supporters in a sports arena as he tossed them the pens used to sign a first round of orders.Once in the Oval Office, Trump held an impromptu 50-minute press conference as he signed multiple more orders, including the one pardoning around 1,500 Capitol rioters.He also declared a national emergency at the Mexican border and said he would deploy US troops to tackle illegal immigration — a key campaign issue in his November election victory over Kamala Harris.The returning president pledged to impose trade tariffs on Mexico and Canada, rename the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America,” and take “back” the Panama Canal, which has been controlled by the Central American country since 1999.He confirmed he would meet Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The World Health Organization said Tuesday it “regrets” US President Donald Trump’s decision — just hours after taking power — to withdraw his country from the UN agency, saying it hoped he would reconsider.Trump on Monday signed an executive order directing the United States to withdraw from the WHO, a body he has repeatedly criticized over its handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.Speaking at the White House after his inauguration, Trump said the United States was paying far more to the United Nations body than China, adding: “World Health ripped us off.”Washington, comfortably the biggest financial contributor to the Geneva-based organization, provides substantial support that is critical to the WHO’s operations. The UN health agency expressed disappointment Tuesday over Trump’s decision.”WHO plays a crucial role in protecting the health and security of the world’s people, including Americans,” spokesman Tarik Jasarevic told a press briefing in Geneva.”We hope the United States will reconsider and we look forward to engaging in constructive dialogue to maintain the partnership between the USA and WHO, for the benefit of the health and well-being of millions of people around the globe.”The American withdrawal could leave global health initiatives short of funding.This marks the second time Trump has sought to sever ties with the WHO.During his 2017-2021 first term, the United States issued a notice of intent to withdraw, accusing the organization of being overly influenced by China during the pandemic’s early stages.That move was later reversed under Joe Biden’s administration.Jasarevic stressed it would take one year from formal notification being deposited with the UN for the United States to leave the WHO.- China promises support -The European Commission voiced “concerns” at Trump’s decision, warning it could undermine the response to future pandemics. “If we want to be resilient to global health threats, we need to have global cooperation,” commission spokeswoman Eva Hrncirova told reporters. “We trust that the US administration will consider all this ahead of the formal withdrawal.”In China, a foreign ministry spokesman said Beijing would continue supporting the UN agency.”The role of the WHO should only be strengthened, not weakened,” Guo Jiakun said.”China will, as always, support the WHO in fulfilling its responsibilities… and work towards building a shared community of health for humanity.”In his new executive order, Trump directed agencies to “pause the future transfer of any United States Government funds, support, or resources to the WHO” and to “identify credible and transparent United States and international partners to assume necessary activities previously undertaken by the WHO.”The administration also announced plans to review and rescind Biden’s 2024 US Global Health Security Strategy — designed to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease threats — “as soon as practicable.”Several experts expressed dismay at the withdrawal.”We cannot make WHO more effective by walking away from it,” Tom Frieden, a former senior health official under Barack Obama, wrote on X.”The decision to withdraw weakens America’s influence, increases the risk of a deadly pandemic, and makes all of us less safe.”Others warned that by exiting the organization, the United States will lose privileged access to important epidemic surveillance data which could harm the capacity to monitor and prevent health threats from abroad.”Instead of being the first to receive vaccines, we will be at the back of the line,” Lawrence Gostin, professor of public health law at Georgetown University, wrote on X.”Withdrawal from WHO inflicts a deep wound on US security & our competitive edge in innovation.”The timing comes amid mounting fears over the pandemic potential of the current bird flu outbreak (H5N1), which has infected dozens and claimed one life in the United States.Meanwhile, WHO member states have been negotiating the world’s first treaty on pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response since late 2021 — negotiations now set to proceed without further US participation.

Paris Men’s Fashion Week kicks off Tuesday, headlined by Pharrell Williams’ highly anticipated new show for Louis Vuitton which is set to take over the Louvre.Transforming the French capital’s most famous museum continues the hip hop artist and singer’s habit of using landmarks as backdrops for his clothes since he began as Vuitton’s creative director in 2023.For his debut show, the LVMH-owned brand turned the Pont Neuf, the oldest bridge in the capital, into a giant runway, even painting its paving stones gold.A historic theme park, the Jardin d’Acclimatation, hosted Pharrell’s show last January while in June he sent models down a lawn catwalk built on the rooftop of the modernist headquarters of UN agency UNESCO.He shared a first glimpse on Instagram of his Autumn-Winter 2025-2026 collection, co-designed with his friend and fellow designer Nigo, which features bomber jackets and trainers in bright primary colours.The Louvre’s iconic architecture has been used several times in the past by Vuitton’s Nicolas Ghesquiere, artistic director of women’s collections, most recently in October.Pharrell’s fifth collection for the brand is expected to once again draw a star-studded crowd from the worlds of rap, cinema, and sports. Brand ambassadors include American basketball player LeBron James, French basketball sensation Victor Wembanyama, and Olympic swimming star Leon Marchand.South Korean star J-Hope of K-pop group BTS, currently in Paris, shared his invitation on social media: a metallic card bearing his name in a leather pouch.After delivering an ode to multiculturalism during his last show in June, Pharrell Williams might be tempted to send a political message a day after the inauguration of Donald Trump as US president, some observers believe.  – ‘Workwear’ -The opening day of Men’s Fashion Week, which runs until Sunday, also featured an afternoon show by Japanese brand Auralee, making its third Paris appearance.Founded in 2015 by Ryota Iwai, the label stands out for its simple, functional design.In terms of looks, experts say the aesthetic dominance of streetwear is fading, with designers increasingly focused on “casual tailoring”, emphasising suits and structured pieces with a relaxed twist.A major trend from the spring-summer 2025 collections was dubbed “workwear”, featuring trench coats, Barbour-style jackets, duffle coats and loafers. “There’s a classic, slightly dandy but chic, elegant, and casual silhouette emerging,” Alice Feillard, men’s buying director at luxury Paris emporium Galeries Lafayette, told AFP.Brown colours have dominated for two seasons, and insiders expect them to remain a key shade at the end of the year.A number of top labels are luring new designers or looking for fresh inspiration in the increasingly tough luxury market.Lanvin is set to return after a two-year hiatus, presenting Peter Copping’s debut collection as the artistic director of France’s oldest couture house.After completing his first show in September, Valentino’s new artistic director, Alessandro Michele, will return for haute couture week, which follows immediately after the menswear week.One of the most anticipated shows will be on Sunday by in-vogue French designer Simon Porte Jacquemus, whose Jacquemus brand is making its return to the official calendar after a five-year absence.Notably absences include Givenchy, whose new chief designer Sarah Burton has reserved her first collection for the women’s Fashion Week in March, as well as Loewe, whose artistic director Jonathan Anderson is rumoured to be on the way out.Hedi Slimane left his role as artistic director at Celine in October, John Galliano quit Maison Margiela in December, and Chanel unveiled their new creative director, Matthieu Blazy, only a month ago. 

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Tuesday vowed to “defend free trade as the basis of our prosperity”, a day after US President Donald Trump threatened to impose tariffs and taxes on trade partners.”Isolation comes at the expense of prosperity,” Scholz told the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. “We will defend free trade as the basis of our prosperity, together with other partners.” “Europe is committed to free, fair world trade.” The leader of Europe’s biggest economy, which is headed for February 23 elections, stressed that EU-US ties must remain strong but also said that “cool heads” would be needed as Trump was sure to “keep the world on tenterhooks”.Trump, in his inaugural address, promised duties on other countries “to enrich our citizens”, and later said that he might impose 25 percent tariffs on Canada and Mexico as early as February 1.In a blizzard of executive orders on his first day back in office, Trump also announced the US withdrawal from the Paris climate accord, declared a national emergency at the Mexican border and said that the Gulf of Mexico would be renamed the “Gulf of America”.”President Trump says ‘America First’ and he means it,” said Scholz. “There is nothing wrong with keeping your own country’s interests in mind. We all do that.”It’s just that cooperation and understanding with others are usually in your own interest as well.”- ‘Cool heads needed’ -The German chancellor said that “the United States is our closest ally outside of Europe and I will do everything I can to ensure that it stays that way.”He said his “first good discussions with President Trump and the contacts between our advisors point in this direction”. Nonetheless, Scholz predicted that Trump and his administration “will keep the world on tenterhooks in the coming years in energy and climate policy, in trade policy, in foreign and security policy.” “We can and will deal with all of this.”Scholz, who cultivates a calm and even demeanour, added that “cool heads are needed”. “Not every press conference in Washington, not every tweet should plunge us into heated, existential debates.”Scholz said that strong trans-Atlantic ties are “essential for peace and security worldwide” and a “driver for successful economic development”.But he also argued that “we Europeans must be strong in our own right. We must become even more resilient and competitive, and we have what it takes.”As a community of more than 450 million Europeans, we have economic weight… Germany is the third-largest economy in the world.”While seeking to reach out to Trump, Scholz condemned the stance of the president’s billionaire ally Elon Musk, who has strongly backed the far-right Alternative for Germany party.Scholz criticised Musk’s support for “extreme-right positions”, a day after the tech mogul sparked criticism with a gesture some likened to a Nazi salute. “We have freedom of speech in Europe and in Germany,” said Scholz when asked about the X, SpaceX and Tesla chief, who made the gesture at an event marking Trump’s inauguration. “Everyone can say what he wants, even if he is a billionaire,” said Scholz. “What we do not accept is if this is supporting extreme right positions.”Musk, who has previously insulted Scholz on X, replied almost immediately with another expletive on his social media platform.

On the first day of his new term, President Donald Trump signed orders ranging from climate to immigration, along with sweeping pardons for nearly all of those charged with storming the capital on January 6, 2021.Some of his orders delivered on promises he made during the 2024 campaign. Others, like a withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO), had not been expected. Here is a summary of the orders Trump signed at a Washington arena packed with supporters, and later at the White House, after he was sworn in as president.- Immigration -Trump signed various orders aimed at reshaping how the United States manages immigration and citizenship. One declared a national emergency at the southern border. Trump also promised a mass deportation operation involving the military, which he says will target those he called “criminal aliens.” In the Oval Office, Trump signed an order revoking birthright citizenship. But automatic US citizenship to people born in the country is enshrined in the Constitution, and Trump’s action is certain to face a legal challenge.- January 6 rioters -Trump signed pardons for more than 1,500 people charged in the January 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol by his supporters trying to overturn the 2020 election.He again referred to those who were convicted or pleaded guilty over the riots as “hostages.”- Diversity, Equity, Inclusion – Trump repealed various executive orders promoting diversity programs and LGBTQ equality, in line with his promised attack on “woke” culture.He overturned decrees promoting diversity and equality in the government, businesses and healthcare, as well as the rights of LGBTQ Americans.Trump said that moving forward the US government will only recognize “two genders, male and female.”- Paris climate accord – The president immediately withdrew the United States from the Paris climate accord, repeating an action he took during his first term.The order extends Trump’s defiant rejection of global efforts to combat planetary warming as catastrophic weather events intensify worldwide.It would take a year to leave the agreement after submitting a formal notice to the United Nations framework that underpins global climate negotiations.- Oil drilling -Trump signed an order declaring a “national energy emergency” aimed at significantly expanding drilling in the world’s top oil and gas producer.”We will drill, baby, drill,” Trump said in his inaugural address.- Work from home – Another order requires federal workers to return to the office full-time, with Trump seeking to undo most of the work-from-home allowances that flourished during the Covid-19 pandemic.- Leaving WHO –  Trump signed an order for the United States to exit the World Health Organization, insisting Washington was unfairly paying more than China into the UN body.- TikTok -The president ordered a 75-day pause on enforcing a law that would effectively ban TikTok.His action delayed implementation of an act that came into effect this week, prohibiting the distribution and updating of TikTok in the United States.Trump has said the app’s Chinese parent company must agree to sell a 50 percent share to the United States. – West Bank settlers -Trump revoked sanctions against violent Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank accused of abuses against Palestinians, undoing an unprecedented action taken by Joe Biden’s administration.- Cuba -Undoing another one of Biden’s more recent moves, Trump reversed the removal of Cuba from a blacklist of state sponsors of terrorism.Biden had removed Cuba from the list only days earlier as part of a deal to free prisoners.burs-bs/jgc/bfm/mtp

The Taliban government said Tuesday it had released two American citizens from prison in return for an Afghan fighter held in the United States, in a deal brokered by Qatar.Discussions about the prisoner exchange were confirmed last year, but the swap was announced after outgoing US president Joe Biden handed over to Donald Trump, who was inaugurated on Monday.”An Afghan fighter Khan Mohammed imprisoned in America has been released in exchange for American citizens and returned to the country,” the Afghan foreign ministry said in a statement.The ministry said Mohammed had been serving a life sentence in California after being arrested “almost two decades ago” in the eastern Afghan province of Nangarhar.Mohammed, who was convicted of narco-terrorism by a US court, returned to the province on Tuesday, where he was greeted by a crowd and presented with garlands of flowers. He told journalists he was grateful to the Taliban authorities for his release and he was “very happy” to be reunited with his family.”A lot of innocent people are imprisoned, my request is that all of them can be released and be able to return to their homes,” he said.His son, Rafiullah Mohammed, said his father was innocent and that the family demanded compensation.Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told AFP two US nationals had been released, declining to provide any further details on the exchange.- ‘Overwhelming gratitude’ – The family of US citizen Ryan Corbett, who was detained by the Taliban in 2022, confirmed he was released and thanked both the Biden and Trump administrations, as well as Qatar.”Today, our hearts are filled with overwhelming gratitude and praise to God for sustaining Ryan’s life and bringing him back home after what has been the most challenging and uncertain 894 days of our lives,” the family said on their website.They called for two other Americans still held in Afghanistan to be released.US media named William McKenty as the second released American detainee, noting little was known about what he was doing in Afghanistan and that his family had asked the US government for privacy in his case.The New York Times said two other Americans remain in detention in Afghanistan, former airline mechanic George Glezmann and naturalised American Mahmood Habibi.In August 2024, the US Federal Bureau of Investigation said it was seeking information about the disappearance of Afghan-American businessman Habibi two years previously.- ‘New chapter’ -After Trump’s election win in November, the Taliban government had said it hoped for a “new chapter” in ties with the United States.Biden came under heavy criticism for the chaotic withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan in 2021, more than a year after Trump presided over a deal with the Taliban insurgents to end US and NATO involvement in the two-decade war.Taliban authorities have repeatedly said they want positive relations with every country since sweeping back to power in 2021.No state has officially recognised their government, with restrictions on women’s rights a key sticking point for many countries, including the United States.The Taliban government on Tuesday called the exchange “a good example of resolving issues through dialogue, expressing special gratitude for the effective role of the brotherly country of Qatar in this regard”.”The Islamic Emirate views positively those actions of the United States that contribute to the normalisation and expansion of relations between the two countries,” it added, using the Taliban authorities’ name for their government.A 2008 US Department of Justice statement named Mohammed — in his 30s at the time — as a member of “an Afghan Taliban cell” and said he was arrested in October 2006 and sentenced in December 2008 to “two terms of life in prison on drug and narco-terrorism charges”. It was the first narco-terrorism conviction in a US federal court, the statement said.Dozens of foreigners have been detained by the Taliban authorities since the group’s return to power.It is unclear how many Afghan citizens are in US custody.At least one Afghan prisoner remains in detention at the secretive US prison Guantanamo Bay in Cuba, Muhammad Rahim, whose family called for his release in November 2023. In February last year, two former prisoners held in Guantanamo Bay until 2017 were welcomed home to Afghanistan, more than 20 years after they were arrested. 

The World Health Organization said Tuesday it regretted US President Donald Trump’s decision — just hours after taking power — to withdraw his country from the UN agency, saying it hoped he would “reconsider”.Trump on Monday signed an executive order directing the United States to withdraw from the WHO, a body he has repeatedly criticized over its handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.Speaking at the White House hours after his inauguration, Trump said the United States was paying far more to the UN body compared to China, adding: “World Health ripped us off.”The United States, the largest donor to the Geneva-based organization, provides substantial financial support that is vital to the WHO’s operations. The UN health agency said Tuesday it regretted the decision.”WHO plays a crucial role in protecting the health and security of the world’s people, including Americans,” spokesman Tarik Jasarevic told reporters in Geneva.”We hope the United States will reconsider and we look forward to engaging in constructive dialogue to maintain the partnership between the USA and WHO, for the benefit of the health and well-being of millions of people around the globe.”The US withdrawal is expected to trigger a significant restructuring of the institution and could further disrupt global health initiatives.This marks the second time Trump has sought to sever ties with the WHO. During his first term, the United States issued a notice of intent to withdraw, accusing the organization of being overly influenced by China during the pandemic’s early stages. That move was later reversed under former president Joe Biden’s administration.Jasarevic stressed that it would take one year from formal notification for the US to leave WHO, according to the rules in place.- China promises support -In China, a foreign ministry spokesman said Beijing would continue supporting the WHO.”The role of the WHO should only be strengthened, not weakened,” Guo Jiakun said.”China will, as always, support the WHO in fulfilling its responsibilities… and work towards building a shared community of health for humanity.”In his new executive order, Trump directed agencies to “pause the future transfer of any United States Government funds, support, or resources to the WHO” and to “identify credible and transparent United States and international partners to assume necessary activities previously undertaken by the WHO.”The administration also announced plans to review and rescind Biden’s 2024 US Global Health Security Strategy, which was designed to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease threats, “as soon as practicable.”Several experts expressed dismay at the withdrawal.”We cannot make WHO more effective by walking away from it,” Tom Frieden, a former senior health official under Barack Obama, wrote on on X.”The decision to withdraw weakens America’s influence, increases the risk of a deadly pandemic, and makes all of us less safe.”Others warned that by withdrawing from the organization, the United States will lose privileged access to important epidemic surveillance data which could harm the capacity to monitor and prevent health threats from abroad.”Instead of being the first to receive vaccines, we will be at the back of the line,” wrote Lawrence Gostin, professor of public health law at Georgetown University, on X.”Withdrawal from WHO inflicts a deep wound on US security & our competitive edge in innovation.”The timing of the US withdrawal comes amid mounting fears over the pandemic potential of the current bird flu outbreak (H5N1), which has infected dozens and claimed one life in the United States.Meanwhile, WHO member states have been negotiating the world’s first treaty on pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response since late 2021 — negotiations now seemingly set to proceed without US participation.

Billionaire tech mogul Elon Musk said Tuesday his critics needed “better dirty tricks” after a row erupted over a gesture he made at an inauguration event for US President Donald Trump that some likened to a Nazi salute.The X, SpaceX and Tesla chief appeared on stage at the Capital One Arena in Washington, where supporters of the newly inaugurated president had gathered for a rally.Upon thanking the crowd for returning Trump to the White House, Musk tapped the left side of his chest with his right hand and then extended his arm with his palm open, repeating the gesture for the crowd seated behind him.Claire Aubin, a historian who specializes in Nazism within the United States, said Musk’s gesture was a “sieg heil,” or Nazi salute.”My professional opinion is that you’re all right, you should believe your eyes,” Aubin posted on X, aligning with those who found the gesture was an overt reference to Nazis.But Musk later posted on X that his opponents needed “better dirty tricks.””The ‘everyone is Hitler’ attack is sooo tired,” he said.Musk has also made several statements in recent weeks in support of Germany’s far-right AfD party and British anti-immigration party Reform UK.But the Anti-Defamation League, an organization founded to combat anti-Semitism which has criticized Musk in the past, defended his actions this time around.- ‘Awkward gesture’ -“It seems that Elon Musk made an awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm, not a Nazi salute,” the organization said in a statement posted on X.Another historian, Aaron Astor, also rebuffed accusations of Musk’s Nazi emulation.”I have criticized Elon Musk many times for letting neo-Nazis pollute this platform,” he wrote on X, adding: “But this gesture is not a Nazi salute.””This is a socially awkward autistic man’s wave to the crowd where he says ‘my heart goes out to you.'”Musk announced in 2021 he had been diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome, a form of autism.One attendee at the rally told AFP he thought Musk was making the gesture as a joke.”He’s very humorous, and he uses a lot of sarcasm. So when he did that on the stage, I don’t think he meant it,” said Brandon Galambos, a 29-year-old pastor and tech worker.Still, reports by Wired and Rolling Stone magazines said far-right personalities in the United States were celebrating the move, such as the writer Evan Kilgore, who called the salute “incredible.”Ruth Ben-Ghiat, a historian of fascism, found the gesture “was a Nazi salute — and a very belligerent one too,” she said on X.Democratic Party members also quickly responded with alarm.Congressman Jimmy Gomez reacted to the moment by posting on X: “Well, that didn’t take long.”

Paris Men’s Fashion Week kicks off Tuesday, headlined by Pharrell Williams’ highly anticipated new show for Louis Vuitton which is set to take over the Louvre in the evening.Transforming the French capital’s most famous museum continues his tradition of using major landmarks as backdrops for his clothes since he began as creative director in 2023.For his debut show, the LVMH-owned brand used the Pont Neuf, the oldest bridge in the capital, as a giant runway, even painting its paving stones gold.A historic theme park, the Jardin d’Acclimatation, hosted Pharrell’s show last January while in June he sent models down a lawn catwalk built on the rooftop of the modernist headquarters of UN agency UNESCO.The Louvre’s iconic architecture has been used several times in the past by Vuitton’s Nicolas Ghesquiere, artistic director of women’s collections, most recently in October.Pharrell’s fifth collection for the Autumn-Winter 2025-2026 season is expected to once again draw a star-studded crowd from the worlds of rap, cinema, and sports. Brand ambassadors include American basketball player LeBron James, French basketball sensation Victor Wembanyama, and Olympic swimming star Leon Marchand.South Korean star J-Hope of K-pop group BTS, currently in Paris, shared his invitation on social media: a metallic card bearing his name in a leather pouch.After delivering an ode to multiculturalism during his last show in June, Pharrell Williams might be tempted to send a political message a day after the inauguration of Donald Trump as US president, some observers believe.  – ‘Workwear’ -The opening day of Men’s Fashion Week, which runs until Sunday, will also feature an afternoon show by Japanese brand Auralee, making its third Paris appearance.Founded in 2015 by Ryota Iwai, the label stands out for its simple, functional design.In terms of looks, experts say the aesthetic dominance of streetwear is fading, with designers increasingly focused on “casual tailoring”, emphasising suits and structured pieces with a relaxed twist.A major trend from the spring-summer 2025 collections was dubbed “workwear”, featuring trench coats, Barbour-style jackets, duffle coats and loafers. “There’s a classic, slightly dandy but chic, elegant, and casual silhouette emerging,” Alice Feillard, men’s buying director at luxury Paris emporium Galeries Lafayette, told AFP.Brown colours have dominated for two seasons, and insiders expect them to remain a key shade at the end of the year.A number of top labels are luring new designers or looking for fresh inspiration in the increasingly tough luxury market.Lanvin is set to return after a two-year hiatus, presenting Peter Copping’s debut collection as the artistic director of France’s oldest couture house.After completing his first show in September, Valentino’s new artistic director, Alessandro Michele, will return for haute couture week, which follows immediately after the menswear week.One of the most anticipated shows will be on Sunday by in-vogue French designer Simon Porte Jacquemus, whose Jacquemus brand is making its return to the official calendar after a five-year absence.Notably absences include Givenchy, whose new chief designer Sarah Burton has reserved her first collection for the women’s Fashion Week in March, as well as Loewe, whose artistic director Jonathan Anderson is rumoured to be on the way out.Hedi Slimane left his role as artistic director at Celine in October, John Galliano quit Maison Margiela in December, and Chanel unveiled their new creative director, Matthieu Blazy, only a month ago.