Von der Leyen under growing pressure to take tougher line with Israel

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EU Commission president urged to ‘show leadership’ and preserve bloc’s credibility amid catastrophe in Gaza

The European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, is under growing pressure from MEPs to “show leadership” and preserve the EU’s political credibility by taking a tougher approach to Israel’s government over the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.

Von der Leyen is expected to refer to the EU’s role on the world stage in her annual “state of the union” speech to the European parliament on Wednesday, where she will set out her agenda for the year ahead.

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Activist group says a drone hit a Gaza aid boat in Tunisia. Authorities deny claim – AP News

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  1. Activist group says a drone hit a Gaza aid boat in Tunisia. Authorities deny claim  AP News
  2. Gaza flotilla ship attacked by drone off Tunisia, organizers say  NBC News
  3. Greta Thunberg flotilla says Gaza aid boat hit by drone attack in Tunisia  The Guardian
  4. Using video to investigate reported strike on Gaza-bound flotilla  BBC
  5. Flotilla for Gaza says boat struck by drone at Tunisian port, authorities deny strike  Reuters
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Ethiopia inaugurates Africa’s largest hydroelectric dam as Egypt rift deepens

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Ethiopian PM says dam will electrify entire region but Egypt fears it could restrict water supply during droughts

Ethiopia has inaugurated Africa’s largest hydroelectric dam, a project that could transform the country’s energy sector but may also aggravate tensions with neighbouring Egypt.

State media showed the Ethiopian prime minister, Abiy Ahmed, touring the site of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) in Guba district with the Kenyan president, William Ruto, the Somali president, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, and the African Union chairperson, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf.

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At least nine pigs’ heads found outside mosques in Paris region

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Police do not rule out possibility of finding more as incidents raise alarm over increase of anti-Muslim hatred

At least nine pigs’ heads were found outside several mosques in the Paris region on Tuesday, the city’s police chief said, prompting alarm over rising anti-Muslim hatred.

“Pigs’ heads have been left in front of certain mosques ... Four in Paris and five in the inner suburbs,” Laurent Nuñez told a press conference, adding that officers were not “ruling out the possibility of finding more”.

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Victorian Labor targets affluent Melbourne suburbs for rezoning to allow 16-storey apartment towers

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Under the plan, the state government will seize planning controls for the designated areas – near train and tram stops – from local councils

Affluent Melbourne suburbs such as Hampton, Hawthorn and Kew could be rezoned to allow apartment towers of up to 16 storeys, according to new draft maps released by the Victorian government.

The premier, Jacinta Allan, and the planning minister, Sonya Kilkenny, will on Wednesday release the maps showing proposed heights and boundaries for 25 of the government’s 50 activity centres, which were first announced in October 2024.

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Pocock questions Bishop’s ANU leadership as pressure builds for chancellor and vice chancellor to step down

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Independent senator claims there was ‘no faith’ in leadership of Genevieve Bell or Julie Bishop among university staff

David Pocock has called on the federal government to urgently intervene into the leadership crisis at the Australian National University as pressure mounts on the chancellor and vice-chancellor to resign.

It comes after the independent senator told ABC earlier on Tuesday he hoped to see “some change in leadership at the top” of ANU, following a tumultuous year including redundancies, proposed course closures and allegations of a toxic work culture.

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Spanish government moves to ban smoking on bar terraces

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Tobacco law would also prohibit minors from using vapes and stop sale of single-use electronic cigarettes

The Spanish government has approved a draft tobacco law that would ban smoking and vaping on bar and restaurant terraces, prohibit minors from using vapes and related products, and end the sale of single-use electronic cigarettes.

The legislation, which was signed off by the cabinet on Tuesday morning, is intended to “reinforce protections on people’s health and to adapt the law to consumption patterns and to the tobacco-product market”, according to the health ministry.

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Proposed ‘nation-leading’ NSW childcare reforms to include $500,000 fines

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Greens welcome Minns government’s ‘bare-minimum’ changes but say more work is needed to restore faith in the sector

Large childcare providers found in breach of safety directives will face $500,000 fines – a 900% increase – under new laws to be introduced by New South Wales parliament on Wednesday.

The proposed legislation will grant greater powers to the early childhood regulator to suspend educators and revoke quality ratings in a suite of measures addressing grave concerns about safety in the sector.

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