By Michelle Nichols

UNITED NATIONS, Jan 28 (Reuters) - The demilitarization of Gaza will include decommissioning weaponsthrough an agreed process "supported by an internationally funded buyback" program, the United States told the U.N. Security Council on Wednesday.

Palestinian militant group Hamas retains control of just under half of Gaza following an October ceasefire deal brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump. The agreement ties further Israeli troop withdrawals to Hamas giving up its weapons.

Tova Friedman, one of the dwindling band of Holocaust survivors, took to the floor of the German parliament Wednesday to urge lawmakers to get "tougher" on resurgent antisemitism.

In a speech that left some MPs visibly moved, 87-year-old Friedman recounted her experiences as a survivor of the Auschwitz extermination camp and appealed on those present to "use your power to fight".

"Don't let antisemitism grow and bloom here," she said.

Jan 28 (Reuters) - The leader of a Congolese rebel coalition that includes Rwanda-backed M23 said a deal between Kinshasa and Washington related to critical minerals in the war-hit region was deeply flawed and unconstitutional, casting doubt on its implementation.

Corneille Nangaa, who leads the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC), was referring to a strategic partnership agreement signed in Washington on December 4, under which the United States would obtain greater access to the Democratic Republic of Congo's critical minerals in exchange for investment and security cooperation.

By Camillus Eboh

ABUJA, Jan 28 (Reuters) - Turkey aims to lift its trade volume with Nigeria to $5 billion from about $2 billion, President Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday following a meeting with visiting Nigerian President Bola Tinubu.

Turkey exports aircraft, helicopters, machinery, iron and steel, and chemical products to Nigeria, while Nigeria supplies crude oil and agricultural commodities to Turkey.

By Timour Azhari

Jan 28 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia is drafting plans to extend its premium residency program to a wider selection of desirable individuals, including superyacht owners, those looking to live in the kingdom's flagship development projects and top students, a person with direct knowledge of the matter said.

The deliberations, which have not yet been finalized, are part of efforts to attract foreign capital and visitors under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Vision 2030 plan to diversify the country's economy away from oil and transform society.

Iraq's main candidate for the premiership Nouri al-Maliki on Wednesday denounced Washington's "blatant interference", after President Donald Trump threatened to end all support to the country if Maliki took the post.

The US has held significant sway over Iraqi politics since leading the 2003 invasion that ousted long-time ruler Saddam Hussein.

"We categorically reject the blatant American interference in Iraq's internal affairs," said Maliki, the only former Iraqi prime minister to have served two terms since the invasion.

When Hossein Mahmoudi, 36, was killed during the anti-government protests in Iran, it only marked the start of the trauma for his family.

Mahmoudi was shot dead by security forces on January 8 in Falavarjan outside the central city of Isfahan, but it was only on January 16, over a week later, that his family were able to recover his body, according to Norway-based NGO Iran Human Rights (IHR), which has investigated the case.

JERUSALEM, Jan 28 (Reuters) - In Silwan in East Jerusalem, south of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, Kayed Rajabi and his neighbors have been handed eviction orders in favor of an Israeli settler organization which has already taken over parts of the Palestinian district.

Rajabi's home is surrounded by buildings that have raised large Israeli flags - a sign they are owned by settlers, who he said began buying homes in 2004, and have obtained about 40 buildings in Silwan now, many via forced evictions.

WASHINGTON, Jan 28 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump urged Iran on Wednesday to come to the table and make a deal on nuclear weapons or the next U.S. attack would be far worse.

"Hopefully Iran will quickly 'Come to the Table' and negotiate a fair and equitable deal - NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS - one that is good for all parties. Time is running out, it is truly of the essence!" Trump wrote in a social media post.

By Steven Scheer

JERUSALEM, Jan 28 (Reuters) - Israel's parliament was expected to take its initial vote on the 2026 state budget draft on Wednesday, in a test of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government at a time when his coalition has been beset by political fractures.

The budget, as well as an accompanying economic plan, faces an uphill battle for approval as the government has become increasingly polarized. By law it must be approved by the end of March or a snap election would be triggered.