Spotify down for thousands of users worldwide
The audio streaming giant denies allegations of a security breach
Hungary Implemented Anti-LGBTQ+ Laws, but Hollywood Probably Won’t Care – Variety
- Hungary Implemented Anti-LGBTQ+ Laws, but Hollywood Probably Won’t Care Variety
- Hungary ‘rapidly going in wrong direction’, EU lawmakers warn after visit – as it happened The Guardian
- Hungary passes constitutional amendment to ban LGBTQ+ public events, seen as a major blow to rights AP News
- Orban Escalates Culture War in Hungary by Mandating Two Genders Only The New York Times
- Hungary's parliament votes to limit rights of dual nationals and LGBTQ+ people BBC
US tariffs will make global trade shrink, says WTO
The Geneva-based institution says American tariffs will send international trade into reverse.
US tariffs will make global trade shrink, says WTO
The Geneva-based institution says American tariffs will send international trade into reverse.
MEPs call for EU court to suspend Hungary’s Pride ban
Visiting delegation find ‘hostile atmosphere’ for LGBTQ+ people and say country heading in ‘wrong direction’
A delegation of EU lawmakers visiting Hungary has called on Europe’s top court to suspend a new law banning Budapest Pride, as they criticised a “very hostile atmosphere” for LGBTQ+ people in the country and urged a return to “real democracy”.
Tineke Strik, a Dutch Green politician who led a cross-party group of MEPs to investigate democratic standards in Hungary, said developments were going “rapidly in the wrong direction”.
Continue reading...US government sues Maine over refusing to ban transgender athletes
The suit comes after a public spat between the state's governor and Donald Trump over transgender women competing in sports.
No final agreement at London Sudan conference with Arab powers at odds – Reuters
- No final agreement at London Sudan conference with Arab powers at odds Reuters
- Sudan rebels declare rival government on anniversary of brutal 2-year war with army CNN
- Two years into Sudan’s war, where is its civil society? Al Jazeera
- Rare footage from Sudanese city under siege BBC
- R.S.F. in Sudan Declare Parallel Government Amid Assault on Zamzam Camp The New York Times
US pastor kidnapped during sermon in South Africa rescued after shootout
Joshua Sullivan was abducted from his church by four gunmen, but is now recovering and in ‘excellent condition’
South African police have rescued an American pastor who was abducted last week while he was conducting a sermon, as kidnappings have soared over the last decade in the country.
Three unidentified suspects were killed during the “high-intensity shootout” on Tuesday in which Joshua Sullivan, a missionary from Tennessee, was rescued, the Hawks, the police unit that deals with serious crime in South Africa, said in a statement.
Continue reading...As US and China escalate trade war, the world asks, ‘Who will blink first?’
US President Donald Trump says ball is in China's court, but analysts say Beijing is prepared to withstand trade war.
Russia jails journalists for alleged ties to Navalny
Four Russian journalists were sentenced to over 5 years in prison for ties to late opposition leader Alexey Navalny.
EU shelves idea of sanctions on Russian LNG imports – Reuters
- EU shelves idea of sanctions on Russian LNG imports Reuters
- Postwar Russian energy return ‘illusory,’ Belgium says politico.eu
- European Commission to wean off Russian oil, gas imports after Trump criticism Fox Business
- German, French energy giants consider restoring gas supplies from Russia's Gazprom, Reuters reports The Kyiv Independent
- EU explores legal options for ending Russian gas deals Financial Times
Top Trump officials will hold talks with Europeans on the Russia-Ukraine war – AP News
- Top Trump officials will hold talks with Europeans on the Russia-Ukraine war AP News
- Ukraine war: US to hold talks in Paris with Europeans BBC
- Secretary Rubio’s Participation in Meetings in Paris, France U.S. Department of State (.gov)
- US officials head to Europe for high-level talks on Ukraine, Iran Reuters
- Trump admin live updates: 3rd Pentagon official placed on leave amid leak investigation ABC News
UK’s top court rules legal definition of ‘woman’ refers to ‘biological sex’
The decision was welcomed by some activists, but transgender campaigners warned it could lead to discrimination.
EU tightens asylum rules with list of 7 safe countries – DW
- EU tightens asylum rules with list of 7 safe countries DW
- EU names seven countries as safe in plan to fast-track migrant returns BBC
- EU names 7 ‘safe’ countries for deporting migrants politico.eu
- EU issues list of 'safe countries' for migrant returns that includes Egypt, Tunisia Reuters
- Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco in EU list of safe countries of origin Euronews.com
Berlin palliative care doctor charged with murder of 15 patients
Authorities say suspect had a ‘lust’ for killing and used drugs to paralyse the respiratory muscles of victims
Prosecutors have charged a Berlin palliative care doctor with the murder of 15 patients, alleging he acted out of a “lust” for killing.
The 40-year-old suspect is accused of killing 12 women and three men between September 2021 and July 2024 using a deadly cocktail of sedatives. German press reports identified the suspect as Johannes M, but prosecutors have not released a name.
Continue reading...Trump administration seeks criminal prosecution of New York attorney general
Federal housing officials accused Letitia James, who won a real estate case against Trump in 2023, of mortgage fraud.
EU names 7 ‘safe’ countries for deporting migrants – politico.eu
- EU names 7 ‘safe’ countries for deporting migrants politico.eu
- EU names seven countries as safe in plan to fast-track migrant returns BBC
- The EU moves to fast-track asylum claims by migrants from 7 countries to speed deportation AP News
- EU issues list of 'safe countries' for migrant returns that includes Egypt, Tunisia Reuters
- EU tightens asylum rules with list of 7 safe countries DW
Canada’s Green party removed at last minute from election debates
Upheaval follows decision to shift timing of first debate over fears of clash with Montreal Canadiens ice hockey game
Canada’s Green party has been removed from the country’s two election debates amid accusations it would “undermine the integrity” of the events, just hours before leaders square off in Montreal.
The last-minute upheaval follows a decision to shift the timing of the first televised debate on Wednesday evening over fears the French language showdown would clash with a closely watched Montreal Canadiens ice hockey game.
Continue reading...Adelaide becomes fifth Australian capital where median house value exceeds $1m
Across Australia, home prices grew at slowest rate in two years and unit prices fell in March, Domain says
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Million-dollar houses are now more common than homes costing less than seven figures in five of Australia’s capital cities.
Adelaide’s median house value passed $1m in March, even as unaffordable costs and high interest rates saw home prices grow at their slowest rate in two years and unit prices fall.
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Continue reading...Embattled Creative Australia boss served angry letters from staff and 600 literary figures amid Sabsabi fallout
Letters from staff expressed ‘complete lack of confidence in your ability to lead this organisation effectively’ and fears over participating in external inquiry
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The embattled head of Creative Australia has been served with two letters of complaint collectively written by staff, and a third signed by more than 600 Australian literary figures.
The fallout over Creative Australia’s decision in February to withdraw the artistic team of Khaled Sabsabi and Michael Dagostino from next year’s Venice Biennale continues, with its chief executive, Adrian Collette, now on leave and an inquiry under way into the circumstances surrounding the selection and subsequent sacking of the pair as Australia’s representatives.
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