The U.S. and Israel contacted Sudan, Somalia, and Somaliland about resettling Palestinians from Gaza, but Sudan rejected the proposal, and Somalia and Somaliland were unaware of any discussions. The White House and U.S. State Department did not comment, nor did officials from Somalia and Somaliland. Sudan, facing its own civil war crisis, also did not respond. Meanwhile, Arab leaders endorsed a $53 billion Egyptian plan to rebuild Gaza without displacing Palestinians, opposing Trump’s “Middle East Riviera” vision. Noah Prescott 14/03/2025 1:00 pm
Syria’s interim president, Ahmad al-Sharaa, signed a temporary constitution, maintaining Islamist rule for five years. This follows the overthrow of President Bashar Assad by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). The interim government struggles to assert control, facing skepticism from religious and ethnic minorities. The temporary constitution retains Islamic law as a legal basis but includes freedoms of expression and media. A permanent constitution is planned, but inclusivity remains uncertain. Al-Sharaa reached a ceasefire with Kurdish-led forces, aiming for political transition within five years, including elections. Noah Prescott 14/03/2025 9:30 am
The U.S. and Israel have approached Sudan, Somalia, and Somaliland about resettling Palestinians displaced from Gaza under Trump’s postwar plan. This proposal, widely condemned for its legal and moral implications, suggests relocating over 2 million Palestinians to these impoverished and sometimes violent regions. Sudan has rejected the idea, while Somalia and Somaliland claim no knowledge of such discussions. Trump’s plan includes the U.S. taking control of Gaza, cleaning it up, and developing it as a real estate project, an idea previously seen as fringe. Ava Sinclair 14/03/2025 9:30 am
Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te labeled China a “foreign hostile force” and announced new security measures, including a controversial proposal to restore Taiwan’s military court system. This move follows increased Chinese espionage and infiltration efforts. Beijing criticized Lai, calling him a “destroyer of cross-Straits peace.” Lai cited China’s exploitation of Taiwan’s democratic freedoms to recruit and subvert from within. Opposition parties questioned the military court proposal, citing human rights concerns. Lai also plans to tighten restrictions on Chinese travelers and monitor Taiwanese in China. Ava Sinclair 14/03/2025 9:30 am
A UN-backed report accuses Israel of systematic gender-based violence in its conflict with Hamas, following the October 2023 attack. Israeli PM Netanyahu criticized the UN Human Rights Council as biased but didn’t address the findings. The report, by the Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, details alleged crimes, including sexual violence by Israeli forces, and could inform international legal actions. Israel denies systematic abuse and criticizes the report’s reliance on unverified sources. The commission highlights disproportionate violence against women and children in Gaza. Ava Sinclair 14/03/2025 6:00 am
For months, tips on a Facebook page suggested a mass grave near Guadalajara, Mexico. With over 110,000 missing people, such discoveries are common. A group searching for the missing, led by Indira Navarro, investigated an abandoned ranch in La Estanzuela on March 5. They found three underground ovens with hundreds of bone shards, resembling an “extermination camp.” The discovery of over 200 shoes evoked comparisons to Auschwitz, as noted by former Mexican Supreme Court Chief Justice José Ramón Cossío. Noah Prescott 14/03/2025 6:00 am
Canada humorously welcomed U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio with a tiny red carpet in Quebec, sparking online speculation about its symbolism. Rubio faces opposition from allies over U.S. trade policies at the G-7 Foreign Ministers meeting, amid tensions from Trump’s tariffs on steel and aluminum. Canada, a focal point of these tensions, has been strained by recent U.S. actions. Over two days, Rubio will meet with ministers from Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, and Japan, all concerned about U.S. trade policies. Ava Sinclair 14/03/2025 2:30 am
Argentina’s security minister faces resignation calls after police violently dispersed a pensioners’ protest, leaving a photographer in a coma and many injured. Over 1,000 riot police used teargas, rubber bullets, and water cannons against demonstrators demanding pension increases and medication restoration. The protest grew as football fans joined. Violence erupted, with police driving into crowds and injuring protesters. Photographer Pablo Grillo was critically injured by a teargas canister. His father blamed President Milei and Security Minister Bullrich, who labeled Grillo an activist. Ava Sinclair 14/03/2025 2:30 am
Global diplomatic efforts focused on achieving peace in Ukraine, with discussions led by world leaders and foreign ministers. Ukrainian President Zelensky expressed readiness for a 30-day ceasefire, contingent on US persuasion of Russia. Russian President Putin, while open to the ceasefire, attached conditions, prompting Zelensky to label his comments as “manipulative” and call for more sanctions. G7 foreign ministers met in Quebec, and President Trump discussed the situation with NATO’s secretary-general. The US president found Putin’s response “incomplete” but hoped for Russian agreement. The situation remains tense as diplomatic efforts continue. Ava Sinclair 14/03/2025 2:30 am
US hunting influencer Sam Jones left Australia after causing outrage by grabbing a baby wombat from its mother, prompting immigration authorities to review her visa. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke expressed relief at her departure, while Prime Minister Anthony Albanese criticized her actions. The incident, shared on social media, drew widespread condemnation for its disregard for wildlife. Jones’s Instagram was set to private, and a TikTok account disappeared amid backlash. A new TikTok account claiming to be hers emerged, but its authenticity is unconfirmed. Penelope Kingsley 14/03/2025 2:30 am
