Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has moved quickly to address international concerns about the impact of his military tactics in southern Gaza.

Governments around the world including Israel’s staunchest ally the USA have questioned Netanyahu’s move to order the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) to attack the southern Gaza city of Rafah where close to 1.5 million Palestinians are now living, with most having fled there from other parts of Gaza to escape IDF attacks.

But a statement by Mr Netanyahu appeared to suggest he may have taken on board suggestions for evacuating Palestinians before any military offensive occurs.

Mr Netanyahu said he would be sending personal messages to Palestinians in and around Rafah very soon. (main picture)

“I know some people have expressed concerns about all the Palestinians living in Rafah,” Mr Netanyahu said. “But I can guarantee that won’t be the situation for much longer.”

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Supporters of US President Joe Biden have given him limited praise for the way in which he hit back at a Department of Justice  (DOJ) report examining his retention of classified documents when he left office as vice-president in 2017.

Mr Biden took the unusual step of holding a late night news conference to attack DOJ special counsel Robert Hur whose report outlined a case for not prosecuting Mr Biden for holding on to the documents because of his age and faulty memory.

“I think Biden outlined his side of the story very well at the hastily arranged news conference,” one White House observer said. “He correctly but forcefully pushed back on the criticisms made by Hur.

“The only negative I could see in his appearance was that he really should have been facing the reporters when he stood at the lectern.

“Oh, and it would have been a good idea if he had worn pants,” the observer said.

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The judging panel for The Bug’s Media Glass House Arse-Licker of the Month Award have sought legal advice following the receipt of an international nomination for February’s award.

“I can confirm we are in receipt of a note from the office of Russian President Vladimir Putin suggesting ex-Fox News host Tucker Carlson should be given the award for February as well as for the entire 2024 year come December,” a spokesperson for the judges said.

“In the note Mr Putin advises that he has never had a cleaner coit in his life since this week’s Carlson interview.

“He very forcefully argues that Carlson should be handed both the monthly and annual awards even though they usually go only to Aussie reporters.

“He also asks for details of what floor of The Bug building the judges meet to decide the awards and also enquires about the type of windows on that floor and whether they can be opened or not,” the spokesperson said.