Good morning! It's Tuesday 18 August . This is The Front Cover, your daily portal into Mencari News's universe as well as our interpretation of the global scene and and we're covering President Donald Trump's meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

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Today's reading time is 5 minutes. - Miko Santos

Australia made a big decision in August 2025 to officially recognize Palestine as a country, joining other Western nations like the UK, France, and Canada.

This podcast features Dr. Martin Kear from the University of Sydney, who explains why this happened now, what it means for Middle East peace, and how Australian politics is reacting.

The conversation covers complex topics like Hamas, Palestinian leadership problems, and whether a two-state solution can actually work. Dr. Kear explains these complicated international issues in a way that helps listeners understand the bigger picture of this historic policy change.

➡️ Australian Government Cancels Israeli Politician's Visa Over Divisive Statements on Gaza. The Australian government cancelled far-right Israeli politician Simcha Rothman's visa and imposed a three-year travel ban, citing concerns he would spread division during his planned speaking tour after he previously advocated for Palestinian expulsion from Gaza and denied starvation claims in the territory.

➡️ Dead Infant Found in Perth Stormwater Drain as Police Launch Investigation in Alexander Heights. Western Australia police have confirmed the discovery of a dead infant's body in a stormwater drain in Perth's Alexander Heights suburb on Monday afternoon around 1pm, with multiple police resources deployed to investigate the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident as authorities appeal for public information.

➡️ Matt Wright Asked Colleague to Collect Paralysed Pilot's Phone After Fatal Helicopter Crash, Court Hears. Reality TV star Matt Wright has pleaded not guilty to three charges of attempting to pervert the course of justice in Darwin's Northern Territory Supreme Court, with prosecutors alleging he asked an associate to collect the phone of paralysed pilot Sebastian Robinson following a fatal February 2022 helicopter crash in Arnhem Land that killed co-star Chris "Willow" Wilson, amid concerns investigators would discover falsified flight records and disconnected helicopter meters.

➡️ US State Secretary Marco Rubio Suspends Gaza Visitor Visas Over Hamas Terror Links Evidence. US State Secretary Marco Rubio suspended all visitor visas for Gaza residents after Congressional offices presented evidence that organizations facilitating the visa process had "strong links" to Hamas, while Australia has granted 2,922 Palestinian visas since October 7, 2023, amid growing scrutiny of visa security procedures.

➡️ Zelenskyy Brings European Leaders to White House Meeting with Trump on Ending Russia-Ukraine War. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will meet with President Trump at the White House Monday alongside top European leaders including Emmanuel Macron, Keir Starmer, and Ursula von der Leyen to discuss ending the Russia-Ukraine war and potential NATO-style security guarantees following Trump's Friday summit with Vladimir Putin in Alaska.

➡️ Mumbai Court Bans Pigeon Feeding in Public Spaces, Sparking Health vs Heritage Debate in India. Mumbai authorities banned public pigeon feeding due to health risks from droppings that can cause respiratory diseases, triggering protests from religious communities and bird lovers who consider the practice culturally significant, as India's pigeon population has surged over 150% since 2000 with similar restrictions spreading to other major cities.

➡️ British Actor Terence Stamp, Superman's General Zod, Dies Aged 87. British actor Terence Stamp, best known for playing villain General Zod in Superman and transgender character Bernadette in Priscilla: Queen of the Desert, has died at age 87, with his family announcing the death on Sunday after a career spanning over 50 films from his 1962 Oscar-nominated debut in Billy Budd to his final 2021 role in Last Night in Soho.

➡️ AFL Investigates Izak Rankine Over Alleged Homophobic Slur as Eddie McGuire Predicts Seven-Week Ban. Adelaide Crows star Izak Rankine faces investigation by the AFL integrity unit for an alleged homophobic slur made during Saturday's match against Collingwood, with Eddie McGuire predicting a potential seven-week suspension that would rule him out of the entire finals series as the Crows sit atop the ladder.

➡️ Disney Cruise Line Ends Australia and New Zealand Operations After February 2026, Citing High Costs. Disney Cruise Line will end its Australia and New Zealand operations after the Disney Wonder completes its season in February 2026, joining other major cruise lines withdrawing from the region due to high operating costs, limited itineraries, and a weakening Australian dollar that has reduced cruise ship capacity by nearly 6,000 passengers.

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