Biden warns of ‘red line’ for Israel over Rafah – POLITICO

Biden warns of ‘red line’ for Israel over Rafah – POLITICO

The number of Palestinians who have been killed in the Israeli invasion of Gaza in response to the October 7 attack by Hamas is disputed, but reports from the ground show that, in addition to civilians killed by bombings and the ground assault, there are growing numbers of people dying of starvation. On Wednesday, the … Read more

Aid ship to leave Cyprus for Gaza within 24 hours, Christodoulides says – POLITICO

Aid ship to leave Cyprus for Gaza within 24 hours, Christodoulides says – POLITICO

But “the U.S. construction is a serious step bringing in a coordinated action which was long overdue, but now at least is happening,” he added. “This time most — if not all — of the actors seem to be in principle cooperating on this. So the chances of it materializing are much higher,” Tzimitras said. … Read more

Building Biden’s Gaza pier could take 60 days, Pentagon says – POLITICO

Building Biden’s Gaza pier could take 60 days, Pentagon says – POLITICO

Biden announced his pier plan after the United Nations raised the alarm about an “imminent” famine in the Gaza region amid reports that Israel’s military operation is hindering road deliveries of aid and food to the Palestinian territory of 2.3 million people. The U.N. on Wednesday warned that the population in Gaza is suffering from … Read more

Cyprus-Gaza humanitarian corridor to open soon, von der Leyen says – POLITICO

Cyprus-Gaza humanitarian corridor to open soon, von der Leyen says – POLITICO

The deliveries by sea “will be complex,” the EU, Cyprus, the U.S., Britain, the UAE and others said in a joint statement on Friday. “Our nations will continue to assess and adjust our efforts to ensure we deliver aid as effectively as possible,” they said. The hope is that the aid can help alleviate the … Read more

Europe’s drug gangs open ‘torture rooms,’ arm kids with Kalashnikovs, EU agencies warn – POLITICO

Europe’s drug gangs open ‘torture rooms,’ arm kids with Kalashnikovs, EU agencies warn – POLITICO

Another growing concern is the age of the people working in illicit markets. Gangs in Marseille are increasingly hiring adolescents as police spotters or to sell drugs, leading to children killing one another with Kalashnikovs. Authorities in the ports of Antwerp and Rotterdam have caught scores of adolescents who were paid to extract cocaine loads … Read more

Ukraine vows more self-reliance as war enters third year – POLITICO

Ukraine vows more self-reliance as war enters third year – POLITICO

Ukrainians have questions On the anniversary of Putin’s aggression, however, uncertainty and irritation were undisguised in Kyiv. Ukrainians wanted to know why Western sanctions on Russia are not working, and why Moscow keeps getting components for its missiles from Western companies. Why Ukrainians have to keep asking for weapons; and why the U.S. is not … Read more

New Houthi attack risks ‘environmental disaster,’ US says – POLITICO

New Houthi attack risks ‘environmental disaster,’ US says – POLITICO

While the crew of 24 has been safely evacuated, the cargo of fertilizer “could spill into the Red Sea and worsen this environmental disaster,” it said. The attack has heightened concerns for the Red Sea’s unique coral reefs, which scientists have found to be so far resilient to climate change but at risk from other threats. … Read more

Labour slash green spending pledge in major U-turn – POLITICO

Labour slash green spending pledge in major U-turn – POLITICO

Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves said the party’s plans would be funded through an extension of the windfall tax on oil and gas producers, bringing in £2.2 billion a year, along with £2.6 billion per year in additional borrowing. Labour hope the stripped back spending plan will blunt Conservative attacks over its economic policy. Prime Minister … Read more

In Northern Ireland, ‘a Protestant state’ finally has a Catholic leader – POLITICO

In Northern Ireland, ‘a Protestant state’ finally has a Catholic leader – POLITICO

Demands and priorities Britain is providing the executive an extra £3.3 billion to start patching holes in services and pay long-delayed wage hikes that just triggered the biggest public sector strike in Northern Ireland’s history. The trouble is, the head of Northern Ireland’s civil service, Jayne Brady, has already told the new leaders that these eye-watering sums are still … Read more

DUP agrees to drop boycott of Northern Ireland power-sharing – POLITICO

DUP agrees to drop boycott of Northern Ireland power-sharing – POLITICO

Back in London, Donaldson’s early hours statement was viewed with a touch of caution. One U.K. official, granted anonymity to discuss internal government thinking, said: “This is obviously good news, but this is only one step and there are about 10 things that could still go wrong. Put it this way, we were expecting a … Read more