‘It’s a madhouse’: US state department workers reeling after Trump’s firings

About 3,000 workers have left the agency through firings and buyouts in a move Democrats and staff call ‘unlawful’

Workers at the US state department say firings, resignation buyouts, a proposed budget cut of 48%, and reorganization under the Trump administration has left staff with low morale and will likely have long-term impacts.

Foreign programs and services aimed towards LGBTQ+ communities, maternal and reproductive health, and minority groups have been removed or cut in place of far-right ideological policies being pursued by a 26-year-old senior adviser and Trump appointee at the agency.

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Norfolk woman hands over 16th-century painting identified as stolen 50 years ago

Exclusive: Barbara de Dozsa had argued ownership because work by Italian artist Solario had been bought in good faith

A 16th-century Madonna and Child painting that ended up with a woman in Norfolk after it was stolen from a museum in Italy half a century ago is to be returned to its rightful owner.

After years of soul-searching, and persuading by an art lawyer who was acting pro bono, Barbara de Dozsa decided to hand it over to the Civic Museum of Belluno, which last saw the painting in 1973.

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China confirms Xi meeting with EU’s von der Leyen, Costa – Reuters

  1. China confirms Xi meeting with EU's von der Leyen, Costa  Reuters
  2. China’s Hardball Tactics Set Tone for Difficult Summit with Europe  The New York Times
  3. EU leaders brace for frosty China summit as trade frictions bite  Reuters
  4. Why European businesses are now stuck in the middle of an EU-China storm  Atlantic Council
  5. China, EU to hold 25th China-EU Summit in Beijing  news.cgtn.com
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Senior Labour MP urges UK to recognise Palestinian state ahead of UN conference

Emily Thornberry says recognition is vital step towards peace and without long-term solution war in Gaza will continue

A senior Labour MP has said it is time for the UK to recognise a Palestinian state as some western countries are due to press ahead with their own recognition plans at an international conference this month.

Emily Thornberry, who heads the influential House of Commons foreign affairs select committee, said that without a ceasefire and a long-term political solution Israel’s war on Gaza – which has killed more than 58,000 Palestinians since 7 October 2023 – will continue.

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Storms hit southern China mainland in wake of Typhoon Wipha – Reuters

  1. Storms hit southern China mainland in wake of Typhoon Wipha  Reuters
  2. Vietnam races to prepare for Typhoon Wipha as Philippines suffers storm deaths  AP News
  3. Typhoon Wipha Reaches Mainland China After Pounding Hong Kong and Macau  The New York Times
  4. Typhoon Wipha: how did 4 Hong Kong Airlines planes manage to land amid T10?  South China Morning Post
  5. Foreign Office issues travel warning for Vietnam as tropical storm approaches  The Independent
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Ukraine Ups Its Arms Production, Asking Allies to Pay for It – The New York Times

  1. Ukraine Ups Its Arms Production, Asking Allies to Pay for It  The New York Times
  2. Ukraine needs at least $120 billion for defence next year, minister says  Reuters
  3. Ukraine-Russia war latest: Europe promises more air defence for Ukraine after Kyiv hit by huge drone strike  The Independent
  4. ‘Critical shortage’ of air defence systems in Ukraine says top Commander  Channel 4
  5. Key Defense Boosts for Ukraine Unveiled at Ramstein-29 Meeting  united24media.com
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Zelenskyy accuses Russia of ‘assault on humanity’ after latest drone barrage

Germany vows to expedite delivery of Patriot systems as drone strikes Kyiv metro station sheltering civilians

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Russia of “an assault on humanity” after a barrage of drones and missiles hit Ukraine, as Germany promised to supply five Patriot air-defence systems to help an under-pressure Kyiv.

Ukraine’s president said Moscow had launched more than 420 drones and more than 20 missiles in its latest overnight attack, killing at least two people and targeting a metro station in the capital where people were sheltering.

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Russia’s drone swarms pierce Ukraine’s defences at record rate – Financial Times

  1. Russia’s drone swarms pierce Ukraine’s defences at record rate  Financial Times
  2. Deadly wave of Russian missiles pummel Ukraine as Kyiv’s drones spark Moscow airport disruptions  CNN
  3. Russia Launches Heavy Strikes Despite Trump Arms Pledge to Ukraine  The New York Times
  4. Russia launches a major aerial attack on Kyiv hours before high-level talks on weapons support for Ukraine  PBS
  5. Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 1,244  Al Jazeera
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At least 73 people seeking aid in Gaza killed by Israeli gunfire on Sunday, health ministry says – CNN

  1. At least 73 people seeking aid in Gaza killed by Israeli gunfire on Sunday, health ministry says  CNN
  2. Shootings, Devastation, Hunger: Israel Fails to Address Gaza’s Power Vacuum  The New York Times
  3. Officials say 85 Palestinians seeking aid are killed in Gaza as Israel widens evacuation orders  AP News
  4. Nearly 100 people killed seeking aid in Gaza on Sunday, Palestinian officials say  NPR
  5. Report: IDF shot at Gazans holding white flags near aid site, reservist says  Haaretz
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Jeju Air crash: Victims’ families criticise report blaming pilot error – BBC

  1. Jeju Air crash: Victims' families criticise report blaming pilot error  BBC
  2. Did Pilots Shut Down Wrong Engine Before Deadly Korean Plane Crash?  The New York Times
  3. Pilots ‘switched off wrong engine’ in South Korea crash that killed 179  Yahoo Home
  4. Pilots Turned Off Wrong Engine Before Plane Crash That Killed 179, Investigators Found: Reports  People.com
  5. Evidence shows Jeju Air pilots shut off less-damaged engine before crash, source says  Reuters
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Pakistan authorities arrest 13 suspects over ‘honour’ killing video

Arrests made in Balochistan after video showing man and woman being fatally shot went viral

Thirteen suspects have been arrested in Pakistan’s south-western Balochistan province after a video emerged of a woman and a man being shot dead for marrying against the wishes of their families in an “honour” killing.

The footage caused uproar in the country, with activists demanding swift justice and a stop to the crime, which targets women who do not follow local traditions and culture or decide to marry someone of their choosing.

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Small band of independents offer Liberals and Labor a path to power in Tasmania

Jeremy Rockliff has begun courting crossbench support, while Dean Winter is open to governing with five-seat Greens plus independents

The independents who hold Tasmania’s political future in their hands have indicated they could support a premier from either major party.

The incumbent Liberals claimed 14 seats at Saturday’s snap election, ahead of Labor on nine.

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