- EU explores legal options for ending Russian gas deals Financial Times
- Postwar Russian energy return ‘illusory,’ Belgium says politico.eu
- EU mulls plan to let importers break Russian gas contracts without penalties The Guardian
- Back to Russian gas? Trump-wary EU has energy security dilemma Reuters
- EU Plans to Unveil Road Map in May to Phase Out Russian Fuel Bloomberg
EU will struggle to fill gap left by USAID as European countries cut their budgets
NGOs warn of ‘some difficult years’ ahead as increasing humanitarian needs meet shrinking finances
The dismantling of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) has captured headlines, but “very regrettable” reductions in European aid budgets are also contributing to a void in support for some of the poorest people in the world’s most fragile states, according to MEPs and NGOs.
Isabella Lövin, a deputy chair of the European parliament’s development committee, said USAID cuts would have “very dramatic consequences around the world”. But she also criticised recent decisions by EU member states to reduce their aid budgets as “very regrettable” and “wrong”. It would be impossible for the EU to fill the gap, she added.
Continue reading...Iran expected to resist US plan to move uranium stockpile to third country
Issue is seen as a key stumbling block in talks with US as Washington seeks to scale back Iran’s nuclear programme
Iran is expected to resist a US proposal to transfer its stockpile of highly enriched uranium to a third country – such as Russia – as part of Washington’s effort to scale back Tehran’s civil nuclear programme and prevent it from being used to develop a nuclear weapon.
The issue, seen as one of the key stumbling blocks to a future agreement, was raised in the initial, largely indirect, talks held in Muscat, Oman, between Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, and Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff.
Continue reading...Woman killed in late-night drive-by shooting in Sydney suburb
Police searching for perpetrators after multiple shots fired at home in Ambarvale, on the city south-west outskirts
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A drive-by shooting has killed a woman in her 60s and left a suburban Sydney home peppered with bullet holes.
Those responsible remained on the run on Tuesday following the overnight attack in Ambarvale on Sydney’s south-west outskirts.
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Continue reading...Trump officials cut billions in Harvard funds after university defies demands
Education department says $2.3bn in funds to be frozen after university rejects slew of demands as political ploy
The US education department is freezing about $2.3bn in federal funds to Harvard University, the agency said on Monday.
The announcement comes as the Ivy League school has decided to fight the White House’s demands that it crack down on antisemitism and alleged civil rights violations, including shutting down diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
Continue reading...Iraq sandstorm leaves many with breathing problems
The sandstorm blanketed southern regions in an eerie, orange haze and shut down airports.
Thousands of Israeli reservists condemn leadership for return to war – The Washington Post
- Thousands of Israeli reservists condemn leadership for return to war The Washington Post
- Why Mossad and Shin Bet Veterans Are Now Calling to End the War in Gaza Haaretz
- Ex-Israeli military and spy agency leaders say Netanyahu should end 'political' war in Gaza NBC News
- Dissent against war grows in Israel’s military as reservists from elite unit join protest movement CNN
- Ex-hostages, prominent authors join mounting calls for deal – even if it ends war The Times of Israel
El Salvador’s leader will not return man deported from the US in error
Nayib Bukele has won praise from Donald Trump for imprisoning some "very bad people" deported from the US.
Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 1,146
These are the key events on day 1,146 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.
Trump moves closer to semiconductor tariffs, floats pause on auto duties
US president says he is looking at offering relief to automakers as they adjust their supply chains.
‘Still in disbelief’: Fired USAID worker speaks out as Trump targets agency – KING5.com
- 'Still in disbelief': Fired USAID worker speaks out as Trump targets agency KING5.com
- Dozens of USAID contracts were canceled last weekend. Here's what happened : Goats and Soda NPR
- U.S. Slashes Many of the Aid Programs It Had Promised to Keep The New York Times
- Exclusive: Trump administration moves to restore some terminated foreign aid programs, sources say Reuters
- USAID reverses course and restores some humanitarian aid contracts after WFP warning of possible deadly consequences CNN
Suspected US airstrikes kill at least 7 people in Yemen, Houthi rebels say – AP News
- Suspected US airstrikes kill at least 7 people in Yemen, Houthi rebels say AP News
- Exclusive | U.S. Strikes Spur Plans for Yemeni Ground War Against Houthis WSJ
- US strikes Houthi targets in Hodeidah, western Yemen - report The Jerusalem Post
- US attacks on Yemen killed 123 people since mid-March: Health authorities Al Jazeera
- Yemeni factions plan ground offensive against Houthis amid US strikes, officials say Middle East Eye
Sudan in ‘world’s largest humanitarian crisis’ after two years of civil war
NGOs and UN say country is ‘worse off than ever before’ with wide-scale displacement, hunger and attacks on refugee camps
Sudan is suffering from the largest humanitarian crisis globally and its civilians are continuing to pay the price for inaction by the international community, NGOs and the UN have said, as the country’s civil war enters its third year.
The UK is hosting ministers from 20 countries in London on Tuesday in an attempt to restart stalled peace talks. However, diplomatic efforts have often been sidelined by other crises, including the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.
Continue reading...Deadly floods and storms affected more than 400,000 people in Europe in 2024
European State of the Climate report ‘lays bare’ impact of fossil fuels on continent during its hottest 12 months on record
The home-wrecking storms and floods that swept Europe last year affected 413,000 people, a report has found, as fossil fuel pollution forced the continent to suffer through its hottest year on record.
Dramatic scenes of cars piled up on inundated streets and bridges being ripped away by raging torrents were seen around the continent in 2024, with “high” floods on 30% of the European river network and 12% crossing the “severe” flood threshold, according to the European State of the Climate report.
Continue reading...Republican supporters of Ukraine put pressure on Trump after missile strikes – The Guardian
- Republican supporters of Ukraine put pressure on Trump after missile strikes The Guardian
- Analysis: Trump calls Sumy missile strike a ‘mistake.’ But Russia’s war seems to be raging on exactly to Putin’s plan CNN
- Russian missiles hit Ukrainian city of Sumy during Palm Sunday celebrations, killing more than 30 AP News
- Russia’s Palm Sunday attack against Ukraine triggers calls for more US pressure on Putin The Hill
- Civilian Death Toll in Ukraine Climbs as Putin Resists Trump’s Peace Drive WSJ
Exclusive | U.S. Strikes Spur Plans for Yemeni Ground War Against Houthis – WSJ
- Exclusive | U.S. Strikes Spur Plans for Yemeni Ground War Against Houthis WSJ
- Yemeni gov't reportedly preparing 80,000 man assault on Houthi-controlled Hodeidah port The Jerusalem Post
- As U.S. Pounds Houthis From Red Sea, Yemeni Ground Forces Are Arming Up The Maritime Executive
- Yemen government 'planning to retake Hodeidah port' thenationalnews.com
- Houthis Threaten Major U.S. Ally in Fiery Warning, Vow to Cripple Oil Empire | Attack On Saudi Next? MSN
Hundreds may have been killed in recent Darfur attacks, says UN
The UN cites "credible sources" for the estimated death toll of recent attacks on refugee camps in Darfur.
More than 400 killed by rebel group in Sudan says UN – BBC
- More than 400 killed by rebel group in Sudan says UN BBC
- 'Death is everywhere': Sudan camp residents shelter from attacks BBC
- Up to 400,000 displaced from Darfur camp after Sudan RSF takeover, UN agency says CNN
- Sudanese Paramilitaries Kill Entire Clinic Staff in Famine-Struck Camp The New York Times
- Sudan's RSF claims control of major Darfur camp, civilians flee Reuters
EU plan to end Russian oil and gas imports due out in May – Reuters
- EU plan to end Russian oil and gas imports due out in May Reuters
- Back to Russian gas? Trump-wary EU has energy security dilemma Reuters
- EU mulls plan to let importers break Russian gas contracts without penalties The Guardian
- German, French energy giants consider restoring gas supplies from Russia's Gazprom, Reuters reports The Kyiv Independent
- EU may resume Russian gas imports – Reuters Українська правда
What Trump really wants from Canada
Donald Trump's return to the White House has created flashpoints between the North American neighbours.