UN chief pleads for Palestinian relief funding amid allegations of Hamas aid – POLITICO

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Sunday pleaded with donor countries to keep the U.N.’s Palestinian relief agency financially afloat after some governments suspended funding amid allegations that some agency staff aided the Hamas attacks on Israel last October. The agency’s current funding will not carry it through next month, Guterres said. Germany and the … Read more

Holland’s flower powerhouse: It’s difficult to believe, but in a small town near the Dutch capital 19 MILLION tulips and other beauties are traded each day

The volunteer-guide in Aalsmeer’s delightful Horticultural Museum is describing his long, back-breaking life as a lilac grower. ‘I started at 15 and my father died when I was 19, so I had to take over, as the eldest son,’ he says. ‘That’s the way it goes.’ His shrug suggests he might have liked another life, … Read more

How the far right aims to ride farmers’ outrage to power in Europe – POLITICO

“Farmers’ anger has become a major issue for the far right across Europe,” said Kevin Cunningham, a political scientist who has studied the surge in support for the far right for the European Council on Foreign Relations. “It may not be the number one issue, it is surprisingly effective at crystalizing resentment over economic problems.” … Read more

‘Rent is too damn high!’ Europe’s growing housing crisis – POLITICO

In this episode we look at a crisis that is affecting many Europeans in most EU countries: skyrocketing rents and house prices, a shortage of flats, long waiting lists for social or affordable housing — commonplace problems from Greece to Luxembourg to Portugal.  Host Sarah Wheaton talks to POLITICO’s Aitor Hernández-Morales and Sorcha Edwards, secretary … Read more

Make Mario Draghi European Council chief, Renzi says – POLITICO

Press play to listen to this article Voiced by artificial intelligence. ROME — Matteo Renzi has a dream: An Italian centrist will take over one of the EU’s most powerful jobs as president of the European Council. Following an announcement that the incumbent, Charles Michel, plans to run in the European Parliament elections in June, … Read more

Nicolas who? Socialists close in on challenger to take on Ursula von der Leyen – POLITICO

Press play to listen to this article Voiced by artificial intelligence. Europe’s socialists are on course to pick a relatively unknown European commissioner to take on Ursula von der Leyen at the EU election. Nicolas Schmit, the 70-year-old EU commissioner for jobs and social rights, is the front-runner to become lead candidate (so-called Spitzenkandidat) for … Read more

Chinese etching tools giant AMEC sees 2023 sales rise more than 30% on strong demand from mainland semiconductor fabs

Shanghai-based AMEC said in a regulatory filing on Sunday that its 2023 revenue is expected to reach 6.26 billion yuan (US$879 million), up 32.1 per cent from the previous year, on the back of strong domestic demand. The company said it recorded 8.36 billion yuan worth of new orders, a 32.3 per cent year-on-year increase. … Read more

Middle East braces for chaos as Iran and West square up – POLITICO

Press play to listen to this article Voiced by artificial intelligence. Western warplanes and guided missiles roared through the skies over Yemen in the early hours of Friday in a dramatic response to the worsening crisis engulfing the region, where the U.S. and its allies are facing a direct confrontation with Iranian-backed militants. The strikes … Read more

EU makes muddled response to crisis in the Red Sea – POLITICO

Press play to listen to this article Voiced by artificial intelligence. While the U.S. and U.K. carried out airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen on Thursday — in a bid to deter attacks on ships in the Red Sea — it remains to be seen whether there will be a meaningful EU involvement in the growing conflict. So … Read more

I’m a full-time digital nomad who has visited 44 countries – and here’s why I’m delaying having children…

Would you delay having children to travel the world carefree for longer? It is a topic that’s gaining momentum on popular social media platforms such as TikTok, where videos asking the question have gone viral. MailOnline Travel speaks to one global traveller who explains why she has already made the decision to prioritise exploring over … Read more