International

EU chief proposes raising tariffs on Russian grain

BRUSSELS, Belgium, March 22, 2024 (AFP) – EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said Thursday Brussels was proposing raising tariffs on Russian and Belarusian grain to protect Europe’s farmers and punish Moscow over its war on Ukraine. The announcement came hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky complained to EU leaders that it was not fair Russian grain continued to have “unrestricted” access to their markets, while Ukrainian imports were being limited. “It will prevent Russian […]

Spring’s splendor: Celebrating 75 years of blooms at Keukenhof

LISSE, Netherlands, March 22, 2024 (AFP) – The world’s biggest tulip garden opened to the public on Thursday for its 75th edition, with hundreds of thousands of people expected to enjoy a bewildering array of seven million bulbs in the western Dutch city of Lisse. Keukenhof park, southwest of Amsterdam in the heart of “bulb country”, contains millions of tulips of every colour as well as other flowers across 32 hectares (80 acres). The park […]

Blinken embarks on Israel visit urging ‘prompt’ ceasefire in Gaza conflict

By Adel Zaanoun with Leon Bruneau in Cairo GAZA STRIP, Palestinian Territories, March 22, 2024 (AFP) – Secretary of State Antony Blinken heads to Israel Friday to press for a truce in Gaza, ahead of a key UN Security Council vote on a US draft resolution calling for an “immediate” ceasefire. Israel’s main backer the United States announced it would submit for a vote on Friday a draft to the Security Council on the need […]

Russia targets Kyiv after Putin vows revenge for border strikes

KYIV, Ukraine, March 21, 2024 (AFP) – Russia fired more than 30 missiles at Kyiv early Thursday, the largest attack on the Ukrainian capital in weeks after Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed retribution for strikes and incursions into Russia’s border regions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on the West to deliver air defence systems after the attacks, which wounded 17 in Kyiv and the surrounding region. A later missile strike on the southern city of […]

EU agrees to move ahead on using Russian assets for Ukraine

By Max DELANY BRUSSELS, Belgium, March 22, 2024 (AFP) – EU leaders on Thursday agreed to “take work forward” on a plan to use the profits from frozen Russian central bank assets to arm Ukraine, as Kyiv pleaded for more ammunition for its outgunned forces. More than two years into Moscow’s war against its neighbour, Kyiv’s troops are struggling to hold back the Russian army as Western deliveries of weapons have faltered. Meanwhile, Putin has […]

Hundreds march in Paris suburb after youth killed in police chase

BOBIGNY, France, March 21, 2024 (AFP) – Several hundred marched peacefully in a Paris suburb Thursday to demand justice for a teenager killed last week in a collision with a police car. The death of Wanys R. has sparked tensions in the town of La Courneuve near major venues for this summer’s Paris Olympics. Police on March 13 chased a moped that the 18-year-old was driving in the nearby town of Aubervilliers after it said […]

Japan to discuss AUKUS defence tech partnership: US diplomat

TOKYO, March 22, 2024 (AFP) – Japan is expected to discuss cooperating on technology with the AUKUS defence grouping at a summit in Washington next month, according to comments from a high-ranking US diplomat published in Japanese media on Friday. The United States, Australia and Britain established the AUKUS security partnership in 2021, aiming to jointly beef up their military muscle in a bid to counter China’s growing assertiveness in the region. Potential collaboration with […]

Australia vows AUKUS nuclear-powered subs ‘going to happen’

ADELAIDE, Australia, March 22, 2024 (AFP) – Australia insisted on Friday that a landmark deal to develop AUKUS nuclear-powered submarines with London and Washington was “going to happen”, despite mounting fears about costs, capabilities and the possible return of Donald Trump. Under the fledgling AUKUS deal, the three longtime allies have pledged to jointly beef up their military muscle in a bid to counter China’s rise. Defence chiefs this week unveiled ambitious plans to supply […]

Gangs make advances as conditions in Haiti worsen

UNITED NATIONS, United States, March 22, 2024 (AFP) – Haiti’s gangs have made advances in Port-au-Prince, a UN official reported Thursday, with political parties inching toward forming a transition government and new bloodshed roiling the troubled Caribbean nation. Police in Port-au-Prince confirmed that a major gang leader, Ernst Julme, known as Ti Greg, was slain in a clash with security forces. Julme led the Delmas 95 gang. Addressing a news conference from Haiti via videolink, […]

Large group of migrants force way across Texas border

HOUSTON, March 22, 2024 (AFP) – A “large group of migrants” crossing into the United States from Mexico broke through razor wire Thursday and rushed the border wall, the border patrol said, the latest episode in a simmering national immigration crisis. Illegal immigration is a hugely contentious topic in the United States, and an issue already figuring prominently in the campaign for the November presidential election. Republicans blame President Joe Biden for the recent record […]

Ex-lawmaker accused of killing Philippine governor arrested in East Timor

MANILA, March 22, 2024 (AFP) – A Filipino former congressman accused of organising the killing of a provincial governor has been arrested at a golf driving range in East Timor, the Philippine Department of Justice said. Arnolfo Teves was the alleged mastermind of the March 2023 attack, which killed Roel Degamo, then-governor of the central province of Negros Oriental, and nine others. Police in East Timor detained Teves at a golf driving range in the […]

Fighting at Gaza’s Al-Shifa hospital: what we know

Israel’s army was on Thursday four days into a raid at Gaza’s largest hospital, where the military says Hamas was operating from among patients and displaced civilians. Here is what we know about the fighting at and around Al-Shifa medical centre that the Israeli army says has killed more than 140 Palestinian militants. – The raid – The Israeli army announced at 0100 GMT on Monday that it had launched an operation on the Gaza City hospital […]