Georgian police disperse protesters as parliament approves ‘foreign bill’ second reading
Tbilisi, Georgia Reuters Georgia’s parliament on Wednesday approved the second reading of a bill on “foreign agents” that has been criticised as Kremlin-inspired, as police fired tear gas and stun grenades to clear a large crowd of protesters opposed to the draft law. The bill, which would require organisations receiving more than 20 per cent […]
EU sees maritime aid corridor to Gaza opening this weekend amid famine fears
Cairo, Egypt/Larnaca, Cyprus Reuters The head of the European Commission said on Friday a maritime aid corridor could start operating between Cyprus and Gaza this weekend, part of accelerating Western efforts to relieve the humanitarian crisis in the war-ravaged Palestinian enclave. Ursula von der Leyen’s comments came a day after President Joe Biden announced plans […]
Western leaders in Kyiv, G7 pledge support for Ukraine on war anniversary
Kyiv, Ukraine Reuters Heads of the Group of Seven major democracies on Saturday pledged to stand by war-weary Ukraine, and Western leaders traveled to Kyiv to show solidarity on the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion, with no end in the sight to the fighting. After initial successes in pushing back the Russian army, Ukraine has […]
Western leaders in Kyiv to show support on war anniversary
Kyiv, Ukraine Reuters Four Western leaders arrived in Kyiv on Saturday to show solidarity with Ukraine on the second anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion, which has cost tens of thousands of lives and ravaged the country’s economy. The prime ministers of Italy, Canada and Belgium – Giorgia Meloni, Justin Trudeau and Alexander De Croo – […]
Ukraine hails “historic step” as EU takes Kyiv closer to membership
Brussels, Belgium/Kyiv, UkraineReuters Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy praised as a “historic step” a recommendation by the European Union executive on Wednesday to invite Kyiv to begin membership talks as soon as it meets final conditions, even as it fights to repel Russia’s war. The recommendation by the European Commission is an important milestone on Kyiv’s […]
EU chief pledges migrant action plan in Italy’s Lampedusa
Lampedusa, Italy Reuters European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Sunday visited the Italian island of Lampedusa, which is struggling with a surge in migrant arrivals, and promised a 10-point EU action plan to help Italy deal with the situation. Nearly 126,000 migrants have arrived in Italy so far this year, almost double the […]
Russia marks Victory Day with new strikes on Ukraine, but pared-back parade
Updated: 8:30am, 10th May, 2023 (AEST)Moscow, Russia Reuters Russia fired cruise missiles at Kyiv on Tuesday and paraded troops across Moscow’s Red Square for its annual celebration of victory in World War II, pared back amid shortages of manpower and arms at the front after a failed winter campaign in Ukraine. In a fiery 10-minute […]
Ukrainian forces cling onto besieged city, China pressed to help end war
Near Bakhmut, Ukraine Reuters Ukrainian and Russian forces battled in Bakhmut, the devastated eastern city which has become a symbol of Kyiv’s defiance, while seven civilians were reported killed by Ukrainian artillery strikes in Russian-controlled areas. Ukrainian soldiers in trenches just outside Bakhmut said they were ready for a long-anticipated counter-offensive once the weather improves. […]
Rishi Sunak strikes post-Brexit Northern Ireland deal with EU
London, UKReuters British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak struck a new deal with the European Union on post-Brexit trade rules for Northern Ireland on Monday, saying it would pave the way for a new chapter in London’s relationship with the bloc. Standing alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at a news conference in Windsor, […]
World leaders pledge billions to fight AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria on UN sidelines
United Nations/New York City, US Reuters The Global Fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria on Wednesday reached $US14.25 billion pledged as world leaders seek to fight the killer diseases after progress was knocked off course by the COVID-19 pandemic. US President Joe Biden, who hosted the conference in New York on the sidelines of […]