Hello. The International Criminal Court has vowed to keep working despite new sanctions from US President Donald Trump. My colleagues explain what prompted Trump's action, and its implications. In Myanmar, South East Asia correspondent Jonathan Head explores a city accused of being built on scams and exploitation. And finally, rapidly reproducing reptilians surprise Australian snake handlers.

TOP OF THE AGENDA

ICC vows to continue 'providing justice'

The US and Israel are not members of the court, which is recognised by more than 120 other countries. Credit: Getty Images

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has vowed to continue its judicial work after President Donald Trump signed an order to impose sanctions on its staff. In his first term, Trump sanctioned ICC officials who were investigating whether the US committed war crimes in Afghanistan. These were then lifted under President Joe Biden. This time, Trump accused the court of "illegitimate and baseless actions", referring to an arrest warrant for Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over alleged war crimes in Gaza, which Israel denies. The ICC also issued a warrant for a Hamas commander. The order follows Netanyahu's visit to the White House, in which he gifted Trump a golden pager, a reference to the deadly detonation operation in Lebanon in September.

• Trump's cabinet: The Senate has confirmed Project 2025 co-author Russell Vought to lead the White House budget office, despite strenuous opposition from Democrats.

• Court battles: A US judge has temporarily halted Trump's plan offering incentives to federal workers to voluntarily resign by Thursday.

• Watch: BBC Verify explains why a viral video claiming that USAID has paid Hollywood celebrities to visit Ukraine bears hallmarks of a Russian disinformation operation.

WORLD HEADLINES

BEYOND THE HEADLINES

High-rises and fraud: Inside Shwe Kokko

Yatai has put up several billboards all over town proclaiming that forced labour was not allowed. Credit: Jonathan Head/BBC

In the past eight years, the small city of Shwe Kokko, or Golden Raintree, has emerged like a mirage along the Myanmar side of the Moei river, bordering Thailand. It is accused of being home to a lucrative yet deadly nexus of fraud, money-laundering and human trafficking. Jonathan Head visits the bizarre city and speaks to representatives of the company that built it. Its founder, She Zhijiang, is languishing in a Bangkok jail, awaiting extradition to China.

And finally... 

Australian reptile handler Cory Kerewaro has claimed a record haul for snake handlers. His business got a call to rescue "a bunch" of venomous snakes from a mulch pile in Sydney, after one was reported to have bitten a dog. As it turned out, there were 40 red-bellied black snakes - four of which gave birth to more live young once he had placed them in a removal bag, forming a grand total of 102 reptiles. Take a look - from here, they won't bite.