International from Thursday, September 18th, 2025

Workers broke through a final, thin veil of rock on Thursday, opening an underground tunnel between Austria and Italy that will eventually become a high-speed rail line linking the north and south of Europe.

Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer hailed the renewal of their nations' "special relationship" on Thursday, ending the US President's unprecedented second state visit with a show of unity after avoiding several possible pitfalls.

The Gulf Cooperation Council's (GCC) Joint Defence Council has strongly condemned the Israeli military attack on Qatar, calling it a dangerous escalation and a violation of international law and the UN Charter.

Israeli tanks were seen in two Gaza City areas that are gateways to the city centre, residents said on Thursday, while internet and phone lines were cut off across the Gaza Strip, a sign that ground operations were likely to escalate imminently.

Thai police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at Cambodian civilians in a disputed border area on Wednesday, authorities in both countries said, the most significant escalation since they declared a ceasefire to end a deadly five-day conflict in July.

Donald Trump meets British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday for talks designed to focus the US leader's unprecedented second state visit firmly on global affairs rather than domestic political problems.

Teachers, train drivers, pharmacists and hospital staff are among workers expected to strike in France on Thursday as part of a day of protests against looming budget cuts.