Netherlands to return stolen Benin Bronzes to Nigeria
The Dutch Minister of Culture says he hopes this move will address the "historical injustice".
Trump calls Zelenskyy a dictator amid fears of irreconcilable rift
Remark follows Ukrainian leader’s claim US president living in a Russian ‘disinformation bubble’
The US and Ukraine appeared to be heading towards an irreconcilable rift after Donald Trump escalated his attacks on Volodymyr Zelenskyy, calling the Ukrainian president “a dictator” and warning that he “better move fast” or he “won’t have a country left”.
The US leader’s comments on Wednesday, which were rife with falsehoods, came after Zelenskyy said Trump was “trapped” in a Russian “disinformation bubble,” following Trump’s claims that Ukraine was to blame for Russia’s 2022 invasion, remarks that echoed the Kremlin’s narrative.
Continue reading...EU’s Top Envoy Says Common Bonds for Defense Are on the Table – Bloomberg
- EU’s Top Envoy Says Common Bonds for Defense Are on the Table Bloomberg
- EU floats plan to boost arms supplies to Ukraine Reuters
- EU targets €6B Ukraine military aid package POLITICO Europe
- Europe races to strengthen Ukraine as negotiations between US and Russia push on Semafor
- Europe announces 700 billion euro package aimed at boosting collective security Telegrafi
Dominican Republic officials cram thousands of inmates facing no charges into overcrowded prisons – NBC News
The Ugandan arts centre bringing harmony to Africa’s biggest refugee camp
The Bidi Bidi performing arts venue offers more than 250,000 refugees the chance to sing, play, dance – and dream of a peaceful future
The sound of a flute floats towards five young men in the 1,000-seat Bidi Bidi Performing Arts Centre theatre in Uganda – the country that hosts the highest number of refugees in Africa. The music carries past them to the shrubs that surround the circular majestic building and the neighbours going about their lives, the more than 250,000 refugees who live in the 250 sq km Bidi Bidi refugee settlement, the largest refugee camp in Africa.
The young men – gathered for a chance to play a musical instrument or record music – welcome visitors with the awkward smile of youth. They are seated under the oldest fig tree, where the dream of building a place for the creative young people of Bidi Bidi to commune and nurture their talents was born.
Continue reading...How Trump’s Gaza Plan Is Backfiring: True Arab Unity Has Never Been Closer – Worldcrunch
- How Trump's Gaza Plan Is Backfiring: True Arab Unity Has Never Been Closer Worldcrunch
- The Weird, Fraudulent and Immoral 'Justifications' for Trump's Gaza Takeover Plan Haaretz
- Israeli military experts weigh in on Trump's ‘all hell’ threat to Hamas and what it could look like Fox News
- Netanyahu vows to "open the gates of hell" if all hostages in Gaza not returned CBS News
- How does Netanyahu measure up to history? The Jerusalem Post
Putin thinks he’s ‘on the brink’ of victory and Zelensky is ‘cornered rat’ – Daily Express US
- Putin thinks he's 'on the brink' of victory and Zelensky is 'cornered rat' Daily Express US
- Give Us Zelenskyy’s Head: Excitement Grows Among Russia’s Propagandists Center for European Policy Analysis
- Vladimir Putin looks set for a colossal propaganda win in Ukraine — while Europe faces ten years of guerrilla warfare Evening Standard
- Putin's confident he's 'on brink' of winning war with Europe 'division' fears MSN
- Zelensky's Alleged Plans for a Bomb Attack in Ukraine to Shift Blame onto Russia Amid Ongoing Conflict Oneindia
Federal judge refuses to block Musk team’s access to US government data
Fourteen Democratic-led states had sought temporary restraining order against body involved in worker layoffs
A federal judge refused on Tuesday to immediately block Elon Musk and the so-called “department of government efficiency” (Doge) from accessing government data systems or participating in worker layoffs.
The US district judge Tanya Chutkan found that there were legitimate questions about the billionaire’s authority but said there was not enough evidence of grave legal harm to justify a temporary restraining order.
Continue reading...Reagan-era Republicans aghast as Trump turns Russia policy on its head
Officials who served in 1980s say Trump is opposing friends and supporting enemies: ‘It makes me sick what’s going on’
Republicans who served under President Ronald Reagan during the cold war have condemned Donald Trump’s move to soften relations with Russia and undermine the 75-year-old transatlantic alliance.
European leaders were left reeling last week when the US vice-president, JD Vance, told the Munich Security Conference that the greatest danger facing Europe was “the threat from within” and the “retreat from fundamental values”.
Continue reading...UAE tells Rubio it rejects displacement of Palestinians from Gaza – The Times of Israel
- UAE tells Rubio it rejects displacement of Palestinians from Gaza The Times of Israel
- US top diplomat Rubio visits the UAE after landmark talks with Russia over Ukraine war The Associated Press
- Trump’s Top Diplomat Rubio Faces Humiliation In US’ Arab Ally UAE Over Gaza Plan: ‘Rejecting Any…’ Hindustan Times
- Middle East: Trump's Gaza plan rejected by UAE DW (English)
- UAE rejects Trump's plan to displace Palestinians from Gaza Middle East Eye
Record orders at BAE Systems as European defence spending rises
Weapons maker’s full-year pre-tax profits top £3bn and it expects sales of more than £30bn next year
Britain’s biggest weapons manufacturer, BAE Systems, has reported record orders as the European defence industry gears up for increased spending sparked by the Ukraine war.
The company, a member of the FTSE 100, said it expected sales next year to top £30bn, as it reported annual profits before interest and tax of more than £3bn for the first time in 2024.
Continue reading...Gaza urgently needs a more effective humanitarian approach
Palestinian families need to be supported in a way that affords them dignity and hope.
Ukrainians are looking past NATO to a European security architecture
Ukrainian politicians express little confidence in direct talks over their heads between Russia and the US.
EU accused of leaving ‘devastating’ copyright loophole in AI Act
Architect of copyright law says EU is ‘supporting big tech instead of protecting European creative ideas’
An architect of EU copyright law has said legislation is needed to protect writers, musicians and creatives left exposed by an “irresponsible” legal gap in the bloc’s Artificial Intelligence Act.
The intervention came as 15 cultural organisations wrote to the European Commission this week warning that draft rules to implement the AI Act were “taking several steps backwards” on copyright, while one writer spoke of a “devastating” loophole.
Continue reading...British journalist Charlotte Peet reported missing in Brazil – BBC.com
- British journalist Charlotte Peet reported missing in Brazil BBC.com
- British journalist missing in Brazil for nearly two weeks CNN
- British journalist missing in Brazil for 11 days The Guardian
- Brazilian police investigate disappearance of 32-year-old British journalist The Associated Press
- Father 'very concerned' as British journalist Charlotte Peet missing in Brazil Sky News
Israeli army’s Jenin raid enters 2nd month; mass displacement in West Bank
Thousands flee Jenin as Israeli army continues demolitions, marking largest displacement in decades across West Bank.
Inflation jumps on food, air fares and school fees – BBC.com
- Inflation jumps on food, air fares and school fees BBC.com
- U.K. Inflation Reaches 10-Month High, Complicating Bank of England’s Rate Path The Wall Street Journal
- Bank of England faces bumpier road after inflation accelerates The Guardian
- UK inflation leaps to higher-than-expected 3% in January CNBC
- UK Inflation at 10-Month High as VAT Hits Private Schools Yahoo Finance
Afghan embassy says nationals face arrests, expulsions in Pakistan capital
The embassy says Afghan nationals face forced relocations in Islamabad amid rising tensions between the neighbours.
Now is the time for Europe to show strength, not division, argues Sanna Marin – The Economist
- Now is the time for Europe to show strength, not division, argues Sanna Marin The Economist
- Ukrainians are looking past NATO to a European security architecture Al Jazeera English
- The threat of peace The New Statesman
- Europe’s Moment of Truth on Defending Ukraine—and the Continent Council on Foreign Relations
- Europe still doesn’t realise how helpless it’s become The Telegraph
Offensive Agricole: Burkina Faso | Africa’s New Directions
Burkina Faso has started an agricultural development strategy to achieve food sovereignty by 2025.