Cambodia PM has nominated Trump for Nobel Peace Prize
Hun Manet made the announcement in a Facebook post late on Thursday, accompanied by a letter he said had been sent to the Norwegian Nobel Committee.
He hailed Trump's intervention as an example of his "exceptional achievements in de-escalating tensions in some of the world's most volatile regions".
"This timely intervention, which averted a potentially devastating conflict, was vital in preventing a great loss of lives and paved the way towards the restoration of peace," the Cambodian leader wrote in the letter.
It was a July 26 call by Trump to the leaders of both Thailand and Cambodia that broke the deadlock in efforts to end some of the heaviest fighting between the neighbours in recent history, Reuters has reported.
That led to a ceasefire negotiated in Malaysia on July 28.
The two countries agreed on Thursday to ensure no reigniting of hostilities and to allow observers from Southeast Asia.
In total, 43 people were killed and more than 300,000 displaced by a five-day conflict.
It started with small arms fire and quickly escalated into heavy artillery and rocket fire, then Thailand's deployment hours later of an F-16 fighter jet for air strikes.
The nomination had been expected after Cambodia's deputy prime minister last week announced the plan, while thanking Trump for a tariff of 19 per cent on Cambodian imports by the United States.
It was sharply reduced from the previously threatened 49 per cent that he said would have decimated its vital garment manufacturing sector.
Pakistan said in June that it would recommend Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize for his work in helping to resolve a conflict with India.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said last month he had also nominated Trump for the award.
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SBS Australia
an hour ago
- SBS Australia
'Disappointment': US diplomat responds to Australia's Palestinian statehood decision
The United States ambassador to Israel has hit out at Australia's decision to recognise a Palestinian state, saying the US is "disappointed" by the decision. Mike Huckabee, who was appointed to the ambassadorial role by US President Donald Trump in April, said the US was taken aback by the federal government's announcement on Monday. "There is an enormous level of disappointment and some disgust," he told ABC's 7.30 program on Thursday night. Huckabee criticised the timing of the statehood announcement. "What Australia and the other countries may have done inadvertently is to push Israel towards doing exactly what they're afraid of," he said. "The result of this has been to completely halt any type of thoughtful negotiations going forward," Huckabee said. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Monday Australia will formally recognise Palestine at a United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York in September. Australia's decision comes after other Western allies — the United Kingdom, France and Canada — unveiled plans to recognise statehood at the summit, with certain conditions. The goal is to end the cycle of violence in Gaza that escalated when the designated terrorist group Hamas attacked southern Israel on October 7 in 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking about 250 hostage, according to Israeli tallies. 'We're convinced this is the right decision' Federal minister Mark Butler sought to downplay the ambassador's comments. "At the end of the day, this is the ambassador to Israel — his job is to manage the relationship between America and Israel," he told Seven's Sunrise program on Friday. "We are convinced this is the right decision at the right time to help build momentum to break this cycle of violence." While Huckabee said the US got "no heads up" about Australia's decision, Foreign Minister Penny Wong did inform US secretary of state Marco Rubio ahead of it being made public. Butler denied the US was not informed. "There is a readout from the state department about that conversation," Butler said. "It wasn't one taken lightly. It was one taken after weeks and weeks of consideration." Liberal senator Jane Hume said Americans on both sides of politics had been shocked by the decision on statehood. "This decision by the Labor government has bewildered the Americans, that [the government] essentially departed from years of a strong alliance between Israel and America and Australia to make this decision unilaterally," she told Seven's Sunrise. "This is going to set back the peace process by weeks, potentially months, maybe even years." Israel's war on Hamas in Gaza has killed almost 62,000 Palestinians, including 18,000 children, according to local health authorities. The UN projects 2.1 million people in Gaza are facing high levels of acute food insecurity, while 470,000 are facing catastrophic levels of food insecurity. Hamas has still not released all of the Israeli hostages. Albanese has said Australia's recognition is tied to a commitment that Hamas play no role in a future Palestinian state. Almost 150 out of the 193 UN member states have already recognised the Palestinian state, including European Union countries Spain and Ireland. The Coalition has pledged to reverse Australia's position if it wins the next election.
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Protesters in Serbia demolish ruling party offices
Anti-government protesters have demolished the offices of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party in the northern city of Novi Sad in the capital Belgrade, a day after violent unrest left dozens injured. In Novi Sad on Thursday, Serbia's second-largest city, police and SNS supporters loyal to populist President Aleksandar Vucic were absent as dozens of anti-government protesters smashed the windows of the party's offices, threw out furniture, and splashed paint across the entrance. "He's gone," protesters chanted in unison, referring to Vucic's 13-year-long rule. Police in full riot gear later cordoned off several blocks in Novi Sad's city centre and used tear gas to disperse the crowd. Daily protests across Serbia, sparked by the deaths of 16 people when the roof of a renovated railway station in Novi Sad collapsed in November, have rattled the popularity of Vucic and the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS). In Belgrade, hundreds of protesters and SNS supporters threw flares and firecrackers at each other on one of the city's main boulevards. Police charged the anti-government protesters and used tear gas to force them to leave the area, a Reuters witness said. Interior Minister Ivica Dacic accused protesters of attacking police in Novi Sad and Belgrade, and towns of Pancevo and Sabac. At least five police officers were injured, he said. "Police had to act ... to avert attacks," he told a news conference in Belgrade. "We are urging everyone to leave the streets." In a live broadcast, the Belgrade-based N1 TV showed at least five protesters being detained by police. Vucic pledged more arrests after the protests. "I think it is clear they did not want peace and Ghandian protests. There will be more arrests," he said in a live broadcast by Belgrade-based private Informer TV. The opposition Party of Freedom and Justice said that Pedja Mitrovic, its parliamentary deputy, was injured during the protests and hospitalised. "This is the handwriting of this government and Aleksandar Vucic, this is how they see Serbia," the party said in a statement. Similar protests were held in towns across the country. Earlier on Thursday, Dacic said 27 police officers and around 80 civilians were injured in Wednesday's clashes, and 47 people had been detained. Protesters have blamed corruption for the Novi Sad railway station disaster and are demanding early elections in hopes of ousting Vucic and his party. Students, opposition groups, and anti-corruption watchdogs have accused Vucic and his allies of ties to organised crime, using violence against political rivals, and suppressing media freedoms—allegations they deny. Anti-government protesters have demolished the offices of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party in the northern city of Novi Sad in the capital Belgrade, a day after violent unrest left dozens injured. In Novi Sad on Thursday, Serbia's second-largest city, police and SNS supporters loyal to populist President Aleksandar Vucic were absent as dozens of anti-government protesters smashed the windows of the party's offices, threw out furniture, and splashed paint across the entrance. "He's gone," protesters chanted in unison, referring to Vucic's 13-year-long rule. Police in full riot gear later cordoned off several blocks in Novi Sad's city centre and used tear gas to disperse the crowd. Daily protests across Serbia, sparked by the deaths of 16 people when the roof of a renovated railway station in Novi Sad collapsed in November, have rattled the popularity of Vucic and the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS). In Belgrade, hundreds of protesters and SNS supporters threw flares and firecrackers at each other on one of the city's main boulevards. Police charged the anti-government protesters and used tear gas to force them to leave the area, a Reuters witness said. Interior Minister Ivica Dacic accused protesters of attacking police in Novi Sad and Belgrade, and towns of Pancevo and Sabac. At least five police officers were injured, he said. "Police had to act ... to avert attacks," he told a news conference in Belgrade. "We are urging everyone to leave the streets." In a live broadcast, the Belgrade-based N1 TV showed at least five protesters being detained by police. Vucic pledged more arrests after the protests. "I think it is clear they did not want peace and Ghandian protests. There will be more arrests," he said in a live broadcast by Belgrade-based private Informer TV. The opposition Party of Freedom and Justice said that Pedja Mitrovic, its parliamentary deputy, was injured during the protests and hospitalised. "This is the handwriting of this government and Aleksandar Vucic, this is how they see Serbia," the party said in a statement. Similar protests were held in towns across the country. Earlier on Thursday, Dacic said 27 police officers and around 80 civilians were injured in Wednesday's clashes, and 47 people had been detained. Protesters have blamed corruption for the Novi Sad railway station disaster and are demanding early elections in hopes of ousting Vucic and his party. Students, opposition groups, and anti-corruption watchdogs have accused Vucic and his allies of ties to organised crime, using violence against political rivals, and suppressing media freedoms—allegations they deny. Anti-government protesters have demolished the offices of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party in the northern city of Novi Sad in the capital Belgrade, a day after violent unrest left dozens injured. In Novi Sad on Thursday, Serbia's second-largest city, police and SNS supporters loyal to populist President Aleksandar Vucic were absent as dozens of anti-government protesters smashed the windows of the party's offices, threw out furniture, and splashed paint across the entrance. "He's gone," protesters chanted in unison, referring to Vucic's 13-year-long rule. Police in full riot gear later cordoned off several blocks in Novi Sad's city centre and used tear gas to disperse the crowd. Daily protests across Serbia, sparked by the deaths of 16 people when the roof of a renovated railway station in Novi Sad collapsed in November, have rattled the popularity of Vucic and the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS). In Belgrade, hundreds of protesters and SNS supporters threw flares and firecrackers at each other on one of the city's main boulevards. Police charged the anti-government protesters and used tear gas to force them to leave the area, a Reuters witness said. Interior Minister Ivica Dacic accused protesters of attacking police in Novi Sad and Belgrade, and towns of Pancevo and Sabac. At least five police officers were injured, he said. "Police had to act ... to avert attacks," he told a news conference in Belgrade. "We are urging everyone to leave the streets." In a live broadcast, the Belgrade-based N1 TV showed at least five protesters being detained by police. Vucic pledged more arrests after the protests. "I think it is clear they did not want peace and Ghandian protests. There will be more arrests," he said in a live broadcast by Belgrade-based private Informer TV. The opposition Party of Freedom and Justice said that Pedja Mitrovic, its parliamentary deputy, was injured during the protests and hospitalised. "This is the handwriting of this government and Aleksandar Vucic, this is how they see Serbia," the party said in a statement. Similar protests were held in towns across the country. Earlier on Thursday, Dacic said 27 police officers and around 80 civilians were injured in Wednesday's clashes, and 47 people had been detained. Protesters have blamed corruption for the Novi Sad railway station disaster and are demanding early elections in hopes of ousting Vucic and his party. Students, opposition groups, and anti-corruption watchdogs have accused Vucic and his allies of ties to organised crime, using violence against political rivals, and suppressing media freedoms—allegations they deny. Anti-government protesters have demolished the offices of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party in the northern city of Novi Sad in the capital Belgrade, a day after violent unrest left dozens injured. In Novi Sad on Thursday, Serbia's second-largest city, police and SNS supporters loyal to populist President Aleksandar Vucic were absent as dozens of anti-government protesters smashed the windows of the party's offices, threw out furniture, and splashed paint across the entrance. "He's gone," protesters chanted in unison, referring to Vucic's 13-year-long rule. Police in full riot gear later cordoned off several blocks in Novi Sad's city centre and used tear gas to disperse the crowd. Daily protests across Serbia, sparked by the deaths of 16 people when the roof of a renovated railway station in Novi Sad collapsed in November, have rattled the popularity of Vucic and the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS). In Belgrade, hundreds of protesters and SNS supporters threw flares and firecrackers at each other on one of the city's main boulevards. Police charged the anti-government protesters and used tear gas to force them to leave the area, a Reuters witness said. Interior Minister Ivica Dacic accused protesters of attacking police in Novi Sad and Belgrade, and towns of Pancevo and Sabac. At least five police officers were injured, he said. "Police had to act ... to avert attacks," he told a news conference in Belgrade. "We are urging everyone to leave the streets." In a live broadcast, the Belgrade-based N1 TV showed at least five protesters being detained by police. Vucic pledged more arrests after the protests. "I think it is clear they did not want peace and Ghandian protests. There will be more arrests," he said in a live broadcast by Belgrade-based private Informer TV. The opposition Party of Freedom and Justice said that Pedja Mitrovic, its parliamentary deputy, was injured during the protests and hospitalised. "This is the handwriting of this government and Aleksandar Vucic, this is how they see Serbia," the party said in a statement. Similar protests were held in towns across the country. Earlier on Thursday, Dacic said 27 police officers and around 80 civilians were injured in Wednesday's clashes, and 47 people had been detained. Protesters have blamed corruption for the Novi Sad railway station disaster and are demanding early elections in hopes of ousting Vucic and his party. Students, opposition groups, and anti-corruption watchdogs have accused Vucic and his allies of ties to organised crime, using violence against political rivals, and suppressing media freedoms—allegations they deny.
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Israel moves to 'bury' idea of Palestinian state
Israel's far-right's finance minister has announced will would start on a long-delayed settlement that would divide the West Bank and cut it off from East Jerusalem, a move his office said will "bury" the idea of a Palestinian state. The Palestinian government, allies and campaign groups condemned the scheme, calling it illegal and saying the fragmentation of territory would rip up any internationally backed peace plans for the region. Standing at the site of the planned settlement in Maale Adumim on Thursday, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump had agreed to the revival of the E1 development, though there was no immediate confirmation from either. "Whoever in the world is trying to recognise a Palestinian state today will receive our answer on the ground. Not with documents nor with decisions or statements, but with facts. Facts of houses, facts of neighbourhoods," Smotrich said. Israel froze construction plans at Maale Adumim in 2012, and again after a revival in 2020, because of objections from the US, European allies and other powers who considered the project a threat to any future peace deal with the Palestinians. The move could further isolate Israel, which has watched some of its Western allies condemn its military offensive in Gaza and announce they will recognise a Palestinian state. Palestinians fear the settlement building in the West Bank - which has sharply intensified since the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel that led to the Gaza war - will rob them of any chance to build a state of their own in the area. In a statement headlined "Burying the idea of a Palestinian state," Smotrich's spokesperson said the minister had approved the plan to build 3401 houses for Israeli settlers between an existing settlement in the West Bank and Jerusalem. In Maale Adumim, Smotrich told Reuters the plan would go into effect on Wednesday, without specifying what would happen on that day. Breaking the Silence, an Israeli rights group established by former Israeli soldiers, criticised Smotrich, accusing him of encouraging West Bank settlement activity while the world's attention was on the Gaza war. "This land grab and settlement expansion will not only further fragment the Palestinian territory, but will further entrench apartheid," it said. Nabil Abu Rudeineh, the Palestinian president's spokesperson, called on the United States to pressure Israel to stop settlement building. Qatar, which has mediated between Hamas and Israel in efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza, condemned Smotrich's actions as a "blatant violation of international law". Palestinians were already demoralised by the Israeli military campaign which has killed more than 61,000 people in Gaza, according to local health authorities, and fear Israel will ultimately push them out of that territory. About 700,000 Israeli settlers live among 2.7 million Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Israel annexed East Jerusalem in a move not recognised by most countries but has not formally extended sovereignty over the West Bank. The UN and most world powers say settlement expansion has eroded the viability of a two-state solution by fragmenting Palestinian territory. The two-state plan envisages a Palestinian state in East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza, existing side by side with Israel. Australia, New Zealand, Britain and Canada imposed sanctions in June on Smotrich and another far-right minister who advocates for settlement expansion, accusing both of them of repeatedly inciting violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. Israel's far-right's finance minister has announced will would start on a long-delayed settlement that would divide the West Bank and cut it off from East Jerusalem, a move his office said will "bury" the idea of a Palestinian state. The Palestinian government, allies and campaign groups condemned the scheme, calling it illegal and saying the fragmentation of territory would rip up any internationally backed peace plans for the region. Standing at the site of the planned settlement in Maale Adumim on Thursday, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump had agreed to the revival of the E1 development, though there was no immediate confirmation from either. "Whoever in the world is trying to recognise a Palestinian state today will receive our answer on the ground. Not with documents nor with decisions or statements, but with facts. Facts of houses, facts of neighbourhoods," Smotrich said. Israel froze construction plans at Maale Adumim in 2012, and again after a revival in 2020, because of objections from the US, European allies and other powers who considered the project a threat to any future peace deal with the Palestinians. The move could further isolate Israel, which has watched some of its Western allies condemn its military offensive in Gaza and announce they will recognise a Palestinian state. Palestinians fear the settlement building in the West Bank - which has sharply intensified since the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel that led to the Gaza war - will rob them of any chance to build a state of their own in the area. In a statement headlined "Burying the idea of a Palestinian state," Smotrich's spokesperson said the minister had approved the plan to build 3401 houses for Israeli settlers between an existing settlement in the West Bank and Jerusalem. In Maale Adumim, Smotrich told Reuters the plan would go into effect on Wednesday, without specifying what would happen on that day. Breaking the Silence, an Israeli rights group established by former Israeli soldiers, criticised Smotrich, accusing him of encouraging West Bank settlement activity while the world's attention was on the Gaza war. "This land grab and settlement expansion will not only further fragment the Palestinian territory, but will further entrench apartheid," it said. Nabil Abu Rudeineh, the Palestinian president's spokesperson, called on the United States to pressure Israel to stop settlement building. Qatar, which has mediated between Hamas and Israel in efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza, condemned Smotrich's actions as a "blatant violation of international law". Palestinians were already demoralised by the Israeli military campaign which has killed more than 61,000 people in Gaza, according to local health authorities, and fear Israel will ultimately push them out of that territory. About 700,000 Israeli settlers live among 2.7 million Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Israel annexed East Jerusalem in a move not recognised by most countries but has not formally extended sovereignty over the West Bank. The UN and most world powers say settlement expansion has eroded the viability of a two-state solution by fragmenting Palestinian territory. The two-state plan envisages a Palestinian state in East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza, existing side by side with Israel. Australia, New Zealand, Britain and Canada imposed sanctions in June on Smotrich and another far-right minister who advocates for settlement expansion, accusing both of them of repeatedly inciting violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. Israel's far-right's finance minister has announced will would start on a long-delayed settlement that would divide the West Bank and cut it off from East Jerusalem, a move his office said will "bury" the idea of a Palestinian state. The Palestinian government, allies and campaign groups condemned the scheme, calling it illegal and saying the fragmentation of territory would rip up any internationally backed peace plans for the region. Standing at the site of the planned settlement in Maale Adumim on Thursday, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump had agreed to the revival of the E1 development, though there was no immediate confirmation from either. "Whoever in the world is trying to recognise a Palestinian state today will receive our answer on the ground. Not with documents nor with decisions or statements, but with facts. Facts of houses, facts of neighbourhoods," Smotrich said. Israel froze construction plans at Maale Adumim in 2012, and again after a revival in 2020, because of objections from the US, European allies and other powers who considered the project a threat to any future peace deal with the Palestinians. The move could further isolate Israel, which has watched some of its Western allies condemn its military offensive in Gaza and announce they will recognise a Palestinian state. Palestinians fear the settlement building in the West Bank - which has sharply intensified since the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel that led to the Gaza war - will rob them of any chance to build a state of their own in the area. In a statement headlined "Burying the idea of a Palestinian state," Smotrich's spokesperson said the minister had approved the plan to build 3401 houses for Israeli settlers between an existing settlement in the West Bank and Jerusalem. In Maale Adumim, Smotrich told Reuters the plan would go into effect on Wednesday, without specifying what would happen on that day. Breaking the Silence, an Israeli rights group established by former Israeli soldiers, criticised Smotrich, accusing him of encouraging West Bank settlement activity while the world's attention was on the Gaza war. "This land grab and settlement expansion will not only further fragment the Palestinian territory, but will further entrench apartheid," it said. Nabil Abu Rudeineh, the Palestinian president's spokesperson, called on the United States to pressure Israel to stop settlement building. Qatar, which has mediated between Hamas and Israel in efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza, condemned Smotrich's actions as a "blatant violation of international law". Palestinians were already demoralised by the Israeli military campaign which has killed more than 61,000 people in Gaza, according to local health authorities, and fear Israel will ultimately push them out of that territory. About 700,000 Israeli settlers live among 2.7 million Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Israel annexed East Jerusalem in a move not recognised by most countries but has not formally extended sovereignty over the West Bank. The UN and most world powers say settlement expansion has eroded the viability of a two-state solution by fragmenting Palestinian territory. The two-state plan envisages a Palestinian state in East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza, existing side by side with Israel. Australia, New Zealand, Britain and Canada imposed sanctions in June on Smotrich and another far-right minister who advocates for settlement expansion, accusing both of them of repeatedly inciting violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. Israel's far-right's finance minister has announced will would start on a long-delayed settlement that would divide the West Bank and cut it off from East Jerusalem, a move his office said will "bury" the idea of a Palestinian state. The Palestinian government, allies and campaign groups condemned the scheme, calling it illegal and saying the fragmentation of territory would rip up any internationally backed peace plans for the region. Standing at the site of the planned settlement in Maale Adumim on Thursday, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump had agreed to the revival of the E1 development, though there was no immediate confirmation from either. "Whoever in the world is trying to recognise a Palestinian state today will receive our answer on the ground. Not with documents nor with decisions or statements, but with facts. Facts of houses, facts of neighbourhoods," Smotrich said. Israel froze construction plans at Maale Adumim in 2012, and again after a revival in 2020, because of objections from the US, European allies and other powers who considered the project a threat to any future peace deal with the Palestinians. The move could further isolate Israel, which has watched some of its Western allies condemn its military offensive in Gaza and announce they will recognise a Palestinian state. Palestinians fear the settlement building in the West Bank - which has sharply intensified since the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel that led to the Gaza war - will rob them of any chance to build a state of their own in the area. In a statement headlined "Burying the idea of a Palestinian state," Smotrich's spokesperson said the minister had approved the plan to build 3401 houses for Israeli settlers between an existing settlement in the West Bank and Jerusalem. In Maale Adumim, Smotrich told Reuters the plan would go into effect on Wednesday, without specifying what would happen on that day. Breaking the Silence, an Israeli rights group established by former Israeli soldiers, criticised Smotrich, accusing him of encouraging West Bank settlement activity while the world's attention was on the Gaza war. "This land grab and settlement expansion will not only further fragment the Palestinian territory, but will further entrench apartheid," it said. Nabil Abu Rudeineh, the Palestinian president's spokesperson, called on the United States to pressure Israel to stop settlement building. Qatar, which has mediated between Hamas and Israel in efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza, condemned Smotrich's actions as a "blatant violation of international law". Palestinians were already demoralised by the Israeli military campaign which has killed more than 61,000 people in Gaza, according to local health authorities, and fear Israel will ultimately push them out of that territory. About 700,000 Israeli settlers live among 2.7 million Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Israel annexed East Jerusalem in a move not recognised by most countries but has not formally extended sovereignty over the West Bank. The UN and most world powers say settlement expansion has eroded the viability of a two-state solution by fragmenting Palestinian territory. The two-state plan envisages a Palestinian state in East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza, existing side by side with Israel. Australia, New Zealand, Britain and Canada imposed sanctions in June on Smotrich and another far-right minister who advocates for settlement expansion, accusing both of them of repeatedly inciting violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.
