Volodymyr Zelensky Challenges Trump’s Perspective on Ending Ukraine War
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky countered a claim by former US President Donald Trump that he could end the Ukraine-Russia war “almost immediately.” Zelensky emphasized that the power to stop the war lies solely in the hands of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
In a recent post on platform X ahead of his meetings in Washington, Zelensky expressed gratitude to Trump for the invitation and reiterated the need for a lasting peace. He stated, “Russia must end this war, which it started. Our strength, combined with the support from America and European allies, will push Russia toward genuine peace.” This statement follows Trump’s comments suggesting Zelensky could resolve the conflict “immediately” but questioned Ukraine’s NATO ambitions.
Massive Protests in Israel for Hostage Release from Gaza
Israel witnessed one of its largest protests in the last 22 months, with citizens demanding a deal to free hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. Hundreds of thousands of people across the country blocked roads, flooded city streets, and rallied against the government’s refusal to negotiate.
Protesters expressed frustration over the government’s military plans, fearing they may jeopardize the safety of the remaining hostages. Yehuda Cohen, whose son is among the hostages, stated, “We are caught between a terrorist organization holding our children, and a government refusing to act for political reasons.”
The protest saw solidarity from businesses, theatres, and individuals, while police arrested 38 participants involved in blocking major highways. The protesters’ anger underscored the growing demand for immediate government action.
Google Faces $55 Million Fine for Anti-Competitive Behavior
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has imposed a $55 million fine on Google for engaging in anti-competitive conduct between 2019 and 2021. The tech giant admitted to signing agreements with Telstra and Optus to pre-install Google Search on smartphones, limiting competition from other search engines.
ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb highlighted, “This conduct was illegal in Australia as it restricted market competition. Today’s outcome paves the way for consumers to have more search options, especially as AI technology evolves.” Although Google admitted liability, it disagreed with all ACCC allegations and committed to removing default search restrictions in future agreements.
Qantas Fined $90 Million For Wrongful Dismissals During COVID-19 Pandemic
Australian airline Qantas has been ordered by the Federal Court to pay $90 million for illegally terminating over 1,800 ground staff amidst the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The decision comes after the court found the airline’s outsourcing strategy aimed to prevent workers from taking future industrial action.
The fine includes $50 million to be paid to the Transport Workers’ Union (TWU), which brought the case to court. This penalty is in addition to the $120 million already committed by Qantas to compensate the dismissed workers. Federal Court Justice Michael Lee remarked, “The actions taken by Qantas were both illegal and harmful to its employees.”
The TWU had sought the maximum penalty of $121 million, while Qantas aimed to reduce the punishment to between $40 million and $80 million.
Anthony Albanese Advocates Global Peace Initiatives
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese continues to work alongside world leaders to address conflict in Ukraine, while also pushing for recognition of the State of Palestine. Albanese recently highlighted the necessity of promoting peace in regions like the Middle East, stating, “It’s not enough to continue the status quo while the world watches devastation on TV. Leaders must unite for an actionable path to lasting peace.”
While meeting with European leaders and other global representatives, Albanese reiterated his commitment to ensuring sustainable systems like the NDIS, which provide critical support to vulnerable populations.
