Could Israel be planning a Gaza ‘ceasefire’ for optics only?
US journalist Ryan Grim says it may be risky for Israel to reject a ceasefire in Gaza, even if just to placate Trump.
Ministers from 17 countries meet for Saudi talks on speeding aid to Damascus
Riyadh meeting also discussed keeping pressure on Syria’s new leadership to meet commitment to inclusive transition
Ministers from 17 Middle East and western countries have met in Riyadh to discuss how to speed aid to the new Syrian government while keeping pressure on the caretaker leadership to meet its commitment to run an administration representative of all religions and ethnic groups.
The meeting on Sunday came as protesters in Syria called on the west to move faster on lifting economic sanctions, and so persuade more refugees to return from Europe and the states surrounding the country.
Continue reading...Sweden May Have to Build Up Its Defense Force, Premier Says – Bloomberg
- Sweden May Have to Build Up Its Defense Force, Premier Says Bloomberg
- Sweden neither at war nor at peace, says PM, as warships sent to Baltic Sea The Guardian
- Swedish Prime Minister believes that his country is now in state of "neither war nor peace" Ukrainska Pravda
- Sweden 'Not At War, But Not At Peace Either': PM Barron's
- In Sweden, government prepares public for possible conflict with Russia La Croix International
Can Germany’s AfD win more power in February’s general election?
The far-right party's candidate for chancellor, Alice Weidel, tries to woo voters with her extreme views.
Male stripper reveals ‘crazy’ cheating trend brides often do at their bachelorette parties – UNILAD
State school pupils in England may have to drop GSCE Latin after funding pulled
DfE urged to delay ending funding of popular programme so that hundreds of students can complete their courses
• Axing the Latin excellence scheme: a classic mistake
State school pupils taking GCSE Latin may be forced to drop the subject or even have to teach themselves after the government ends funding for a popular programme that has increased the numbers learning Latin across England.
School leaders, scholars and authors are urging the Department for Education to offer a reprieve to the Latin excellenceprogramme, to enable hundreds of students to complete their GCSE courses and allow schools time to find additional support.
Continue reading...Syria does not need a ‘handshake litmus test’
The Syrian leadership's handshake choices will not determine the country’s future.
Israeli siege of north Gaza leaves 5,000 dead, missing after 100 days
The Israeli military has only intensified its siege of the north and attacks across Gaza amid renewed ceasefire talks.
A&E ‘corridor care’ now normal at NHS hospitals in England, senior doctor says
Consultant’s comments come as north London hospital posts specific ad for corridor care nurses
A senior doctor in emergency medicine has said “almost every hospital is treating patients in corridors and car parks” after a hospital posted adverts calling for nurses to take on 12-hour “corridor care” shifts.
Responding to “very significant pressure” in its A&E department, Whittington hospital in north London posted bank shifts available for A&E nurses, which said “corridor care” in the notes.
Continue reading...Belgians brace themselves for a nationwide strike on Monday – Euronews
- Belgians brace themselves for a nationwide strike on Monday Euronews
- Nationwide strike in Belgium hits air and train traffic Reuters
- Belgian transport faces severe disruption by national strike on Monday POLITICO Europe
- Brussels Airlines cancels half of its European flights scheduled for Monday Aviation24.be
- Belgian workers against austerity and for social justice Social Europe
Taliban ‘do not see women as human’, says Malala
Malala Yousafzai urges Muslim leaders to challenge policies restricting girls and women's schooling.
Steve Bannon condemns Elon Musk as ‘racist’ and ‘truly evil’
Ex-Trump adviser denounces tech CEO’s embrace of some forms of immigration and vows to ‘take this guy down’
In an escalation of discontent among the highest-profile far-right followers of Donald Trump, his former adviser Steve Bannon has called Trump’s newest favorite, Elon Musk, “racist” and a “truly evil guy”, pledging to “take this guy down” and kick him out of the Maga movement.
In an interview with the Corriere della Sera newspaper in Italy, excerpts of which were published this weekend by Breitbart, Bannon criticised Musk’s embrace of some forms of immigration and vowed to ensure that Musk does not have top-level access to the White House.
Continue reading...Somalia and Ethiopia agree to restore diplomatic ties after year-long rift
Somalia severed relations over sea access agreement Ethiopia signed with separatist region of Somaliland
Somalia and Ethiopia have agreed to restore diplomatic representation in their respective capitals, more than a year after Somalia severed ties over a sea access agreement landlocked Ethiopia signed with the separatist northern Somali region of Somaliland.
In a joint statement after an unexpected visit by Somalia’s president, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, to Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa, both countries committed to “restore and enhance bilateral relations through full diplomatic representation in their respective capitals”.
Continue reading...A young gorilla rescued from aircraft hold recovers at Istanbul zoo – ABC News
Poland denies Slovak delegation’s plane access to its airspace en route to Russia – media – Ukrinform
- Poland denies Slovak delegation’s plane access to its airspace en route to Russia – media Ukrinform
- Slovak parliament's deputy speaker arrives in Moscow, TASS reports Reuters
- Fico refused Kyiv's offers to help with gas supplies, Zelensky says Kyiv Independent
- Poland denies closing airspace for Slovak MPs during their trip to Moscow Ukrainska Pravda
- Slovak parliamentary delegation departed for Moscow MSN
Fact check: LA fires drive falsehoods, including by Trump about water use
Trump claims Democratic environmental policies contributed to LA fires, but is that true?
Israeli army forced to ‘change methods’ due to fierce resistance in north Gaza: Report – The Cradle
- Israeli army forced to ‘change methods’ due to fierce resistance in north Gaza: Report The Cradle
- What Are Israelis and Gazans Dying For? A Pointless War With No Goals Haaretz
- IDF announces 4 soldiers killed, 6 wounded during fighting in northern Gaza The Times of Israel
- Guerilla warfare and IEDs exact a price in Gaza's Beit Hanoun Ynetnews
- 4 More IDF Soldiers Die In Gaza; Ground Operation Death Toll Up To 400 i24NEWS
Tens of thousands protest in Romania’s capital against annulled presidential race – The Associated Press
- Tens of thousands protest in Romania’s capital against annulled presidential race The Associated Press
- Romanian protesters demand cancelled presidential election should go ahead Reuters.com
- Far-right AUR party leads protests against annulled Romanian election Euronews
- Thousands protest Romania's canceled presidential election Yahoo! Voices
- Romania sets new election date, but risks same result POLITICO Europe
Mayotte hit by floods and mudslides from second storm Dikeledi – BBC.com
- Mayotte hit by floods and mudslides from second storm Dikeledi BBC.com
- Cyclone Dikeledi kills three in Madagascar, and Mayotte is hit again The Guardian
- French territory Mayotte on red alert again as islands brace for Cyclone Dikeledi Euronews
- Cyclone-battered Mayotte to be put on red alert Reuters
- Map: Tracking Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi The New York Times
More than 60 injured after Strasbourg trams collide
Two trams collided at the French city's main train station, a prefecture spokesperson says.