Explainer – Why Trump’s proposal on Gaza is ringing alarm bells in the region
Reuters President Donald Trump’s plan for the United States to take over the war-ravaged Gaza Strip and develop it economically touches on one the most sensitive issues in the Arab-Israeli conflict. Trump’s plans are likely to heighten fears among Palestinians in Gaza, which had a pre-war population of around 2.3 million, of being driven out […]
Trump, in shock announcement, says US wants to take over Gaza Strip
Updated: 5:50pm (AEDT) Washington DC, US Reuters President Donald Trump said the US would take over the war-ravaged Gaza Strip and develop it economically after Palestinians are resettled elsewhere, actions that would shatter decades of US policy toward the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Trump unveiled his surprise plan, without providing specifics, at a joint press conference on […]
Colombians weigh returning home after rebel violence
Tibu, Colombia Reuters Residents of Colombia’s troubled Catatumbo region, near the eastern border with Venezuela, are weighing whether to return home after attacks by a rebel group displaced at least 50,000 people over several weeks. The government has accused rebels from the leftist National Liberation Army (ELN) of targeting former members of the now-demobilised Revolutionary […]
Australia backs two-state solution in Middle East after Trump’s Gaza plan
Reuters Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Wednesday the government supported a two-state solution in the Middle East, following US President Donald Trump’s shock announcement of plans to take over the Gaza Strip. Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks to the media during a press conference with New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon at […]
StrangeSights: Of weather forecasts and groundhogs; inappropriate ambulance calls; and, a new museum-visiting record…
DAVID ADAMS provides a round-up of some stories on the odder side of life…
Turkish firms pursue ambitious plans in rebuilding of Syria’s economy
Istanbul, Turkey Reuters Syrian transitional President Ahmed al-Sharaa was discussing economic ties on a visit to Turkey on Tuesday, as Turkish transport and manufacturing firms eye big expansion plans for Syria in what some expect will be a tripling of trade. Turkish exports to the neighbouring country rose 20 per cent in December, when Sharaa’s […]
Belgium’s new PM plans tougher migration, nuclear revival, and defence boost
Brussels, Belgium Reuters Belgium’s new Prime Minister Bart De Wever presented his government’s focus to parliament on Tuesday, highlighting stricter migration policies, reversing the nuclear phase-out law, and increasing defence spending to meet NATO targets. Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever walks as members of the parliament applaud, at the Belgian Parliament in Brussels, Belgium, […]
Greenland calls 11th March elections as Arctic island fields US interest
Nuuk, Greenland Reuters Greenland’s Prime Minister announced on Tuesday that the semi-autonomous Danish territory will hold a general election on on 11th March amid interest by US President Donald Trump in acquiring the Arctic island. The top issues in the election campaign are expected to be Greenland’s independence aspirations and relations with Denmark and the […]
Europe’s water resources under pressure, most surface bodies polluted, EU says
Brussels, Belgium Reuters Most of European Union surface water bodies are polluted by chemicals, the European Commission said on Tuesday, in a report that revealed the damaged state of Europe’s water resources. The European Union is drafting plans this year to tackle water shortages and droughts being worsened by climate change, and address the intense […]
UN warns maternal deaths in Afghanistan may rise after US funding pause
Geneva, Switzerland Reuters A UN aid official said on Tuesday that a US funding pause would cut off millions of Afghans from sexual and reproductive health services, and the continued absence of this support could cause over 1,000 maternal deaths in Afghanistan from 2025 to 2028. US President Donald Trump last month ordered a 90-day […]