World Echo

A proposed multinational peacekeeping force for Gaza could total about 20,000 troops, with Indonesia estimating it could contribute up to 8,000, President Prabowo Subianto’s spokesman said on Tuesday. The spokesman said, however, that no deployment terms or areas of operation had been agreed. Prabowo has been invited to Washington later this month for the first meeting of US President Donald Trump's Board of Peace. The Southeast Asian country last year committed to ready 20,000 troops for deployment for a Gaza peacekeeping force, but it has said it is awaiting more details about the force's mandate before confirming deployment. "The total number is approximately 20,000 (across countries) ... it is not only Indonesia," presidential spokesman Prasetyo Hadi told journalists on Tuesday, adding that the exact number of troops had not been discussed yet, but Indonesia estimated it could offer up to 8,000. "We are just preparing ourselves in case an agreement is reached...

South Korea will set up a committee to conduct preliminary reviews of US investment projects as it seeks to speed up the implementation of a $350 billion investment package pledged under a trade deal with Washington, officials said on Tuesday. The move comes a day after parliament formed a panel to fast-track a bill enabling the investment fund by the end of February, following US President Donald Trump's threat to hike tariffs on South Korea, citing a delay in implementing the deal. "Even if the special bill is passed, it will take an additional three months for implementation after preparations such as the enactment of subordinate laws," Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol told a policy meeting. To bridge the gap, the government will establish a system to enable a preliminary review of potential projects until the enactment and implementation of the bill, Koo said, adding that any misunderstandings with Washington were undesirable. Koo, who is also deputy prime minister for ...

Australian leaders on Tuesday urged calm and called on protesters to remain peaceful after clashes between police and demonstrators opposing Israeli President Isaac Herzog's visit to Australia erupted in Sydney. Police said 27 people were arrested, including 10 for allegedly assaulting officers, after violence broke out on Monday evening when police moved in to clear thousands of protesters who had gathered near Sydney's town hall. Protesters, including an opposition lawmaker, said on Tuesday they had been assaulted by officers. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he was "devastated" by the violence and urged protesters to express their views peacefully. "Australians want two things. They don't want conflict brought here. They want killing to stop, whether it's Israelis or Palestinians, but they do not want conflict brought here," Albanese told radio station Triple M. "The causes are not advanced by these sorts of scenes - they are undermined...

Fifty-three migrants, including two babies, were dead or missing after a rubber boat carrying 55 people capsized off the coast of Libya, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) said on Monday. The boat departed from the coastal town of Zawiya on Thursday and overturned off Zuwara on Friday, the IOM said in a statement, citing survivors. Zawiya and Zuwara are located west of the Libyan capital, Tripoli. “Only two Nigerian women were rescued during a search-and-rescue operation by Libyan authorities. One survivor reported losing her husband, while the other said she lost her two babies in the tragedy,” the IOM said. At least 53 migrants, including two babies, are dead or missing after a boat capsized off the coast of Libya.   These tragedies are preventable. Urgent action is needed to protect lives and ensure safe, regular pathways on the Central Mediterranean route. https://t.co/crr3B1Y8tN pic.twitter.com/coEHlcKiXB — IOM Spokesperson (@IOMSpokesperson) February 9, 2026 M...

Britain's Prince William will meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during a three-day visit to Saudi Arabia starting on Monday, an official trip on behalf of the government to deepen ties with the country. The royal's visit follows a 2025 trip to Saudi Arabia by Britain's finance minister, which London said had unlocked trade and investment agreements worth 6.4 billion pounds ($8.71 billion). During his trip, William will hold an audience with the crown prince and take part in engagements focused on Saudi Arabia's economic reforms, cultural initiatives and environmental programmes, his office Kensington Palace said on Monday. Read: Prince William wins privacy case This would not be William's first meeting with the crown prince. In March 2018, he and his father, then-Prince Charles, hosted bin Salman for a dinner at Clarence House in London, on the same day the late Queen Elizabeth held a separate lunch with the Saudi royal. During his visit to Saudi Arabia, William...

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the younger brother of King Charles, shared official British trade documents with Jeffrey Epstein in 2010, leaking information to the late sex offender from his role as a government envoy, emails appear to show. The former prince, 65, has faced years of scrutiny over his friendship with Epstein, a relationship that has cost him his role in the royal family, titles and home. Andrew has always denied any wrongdoing and not responded to requests for comment since the latest release of Epstein files. In the latest batch of files released in the United States, emails appear to show that Andrew forwarded to Epstein reports about Vietnam, Singapore and other places, which he had been sent in relation to a trip he made in an official capacity. Read: UK PM aide quits over Epstein links The Metropolitan Police did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment on Monday asking whether they would open an investigation into Andrew's sharing of information....