President Donald Trump. Image: Voice of America, Wikimedia commons

In his first address to Congress, President Donald Trump has called for a renewal of the American spirit.

Adopting a new, softer tone, the president condemned recent vandalism of Jewish cemeteries and the Kansas shooting which left an Indian man dead.

President Trump also reaffirmed several of his key campaign points, including the denunciation of illegal immigrants.

Congress was clearly divided through much of the speech, with female Democrats wearing white as a symbol of women’s suffrage.

However, there was unity at some points, including the president’s pledge to keep business within the USA, and when paying tribute to navy seal Ryan Owens, killed on an operation in Yemen.

Two women have been charged with the murder of Kim Jong-nam

Doan Thi Huong (left) and Siti Aisyah (right) Image: @CGTNofficial

Doan Thi Huong from Vietnam and Siti Aisyah from Indonesia, allegedly smeared Mr Kim with the lethal nerve agent VX at Kualar Lumpar airport.

If convicted of murder, the women could face the death penalty.

No plea was recorded in the magistrates court, but following the reading of the charge, Doan Thi Huong replied ‘I understand but I am not guilty’.

The pair are scheduled to appear again in court on April 13th.

They had both previously claimed that they were paid to take part in what they thought was a TV prank.

A North Korean man, Ri Jong Chol, is also being held by police over the killing.

Malaysia’s chief prosecutor earlier said that the police had not yet made a decision over whether to charge him.

Francois Fillon will not step down from the presidential race

Depuis l’origine, je n’ai pas été traité comme un justiciable comme les autres. L’Etat de droit a été systématiquement violé. pic.twitter.com/rl6cFe1wiu

— François Fillon (@FrancoisFillon) March 1, 2017

The conservative French presidential candidate will be placed under investigation, after allegations he paid family members for fake parliamentary jobs.

Mr Fillon, who initially campaigned as sleaze-free is alleged to have paid his British wife at least €680,000 (£577,000) of taxpayers’ money across 15 years for a parliamentary job that did not exist.

The candidate’s wife, Penelope has been taken into custody for questioning.

Paying a visit to the Paris agricultural fair is seen as integral to the success of any potential candidate in France, but Mr Fillon earlier pulled out of his visit without giving a reason.

In his speech, Mr Fillon complained he was the victim of ‘a political assassination’.

Iraqi forces have taken control of the last major road out of Mosul

Iraqi forces have managed to capture back Eastern Mosul after fierce and prolonged fighting.

The route leads to Tal Afar, the other stronghold of the so called Islamic State.

They have also driven IS forces out of a military base, an airport, a power station and a number of residential areas across the city.

The road was captured near the village of Badush, about 10 kilometres outside of the city.

Reuters reported that local residents had confirmed that the road was under military control and that they could no longer use it.