The quake was followed by at least 15 aftershocks. Local authorities say they’re conducting rapid assessments to determine the initial impact of the earthquake.
Day: August 17, 2025
Leaders set to meet to try to protect peace deal after Putin demands Ukraine withdraws from Donetsk and Luhansk
Welcome back to our live coverage of Russia’s war on Ukraine.
While Washington prepares to welcome Volodymyr Zelenskyy for crunch talks with Donald Trump on Monday, European leaders who make up the so-called “coalition of the willing”, a loose partnership of western countries pledging support for Ukraine, are set to hold a conference call on Sunday to try to protect a peace deal that does not reward Russia for its aggression.
President Trump’s efforts have brought us closer than ever before to ending Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine. His leadership in pursuit of an end to the killing should be commended.
While progress has been made, the next steps must be further talks involving President Zelenskyy. The path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without him.
The Jets starting defense did not play poorly but they gave up one huge play — an 80-yard bomb from Russell Wilson to Beaux Collins.
New Initiative to Promote Dutch in Brussels
Flemish Minister for Brussels Cieltje Van Achter has officially launched the Totaalplan Nederlands, a comprehensive strategy aimed at enhancing the Dutch language’s prominence in the capital. The program focuses particularly on improving language skills among children and young people.
Van Achter’s initiative seeks to unify existing and new efforts under a single framework, encouraging collaboration within the Flemish network in Brussels to fortify the Dutch language’s position. “The plan aims to encourage every Brussels resident to learn, practise and use Dutch,” said Minister Van Achter. Emphasizing the importance of early exposure, she noted that children who engage with Dutch from a young age are more likely to continue using the language.
To further support this objective, parents opting for Dutch-speaking childcare will be encouraged to participate actively in the community, including learning the language themselves. Plans are also underway to develop a framework to promote the use of Dutch in playgrounds and among parents at schools.
Moreover, Van Achter contended that proficiency in Dutch is essential for adult residents, as good language skills can facilitate job opportunities, education, and social integration. The Totaalplan includes additional resources dedicated to increasing access for Brussels residents interested in learning Dutch. Strengthening collaboration between employment services VDAB and Actiris will be a focal point, ensuring that more residents can secure employment in Flanders.
To raise visibility for the Dutch language, campaigns will target sectors such as hospitality and retail. Additionally, discussions will take place with Brussels authorities, hospitals, and emergency services to ensure compliance with bilingual service requirements and improve language support for patients. A pilot project will aim to enhance staff bilingualism at one hospital, while further initiatives will be considered for security services to bolster their Dutch language capabilities.
“From birth to old age, you must be able to make use of high-quality services in Dutch,” concluded Van Achter. “It must become self-evident that you can practise and use Dutch in Brussels,” reports 24brussels.
The activations of external Guard troop deployments suggest the Trump administration sees the need for additional manpower, despite the president personally downplaying the need for Washington to hire more police officers.
With the Bayeux Tapestry that tells of their long rivalry, France and Britain are making nice
“When you’re faced with someone that’s gross and has no remorse, you kind of don’t want to deal with it because you don’t want to take it to where you want to take it.”
Historian Andrew Lownie said Donald Trump and Prince Andrew were “swapping notes about masseurs,” citing a diplomatic source.
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Israel says it’s preparing to mass move Palestinians from combat areas in Gaza to the south as plans of its new military offensive reach final stages of planning.