- MSC 2025: Conference opens as US pushes to end Ukraine war DW (English)
- EU braces for turbulent diplomacy as US demands ‘rebalancing’ of relations FRANCE 24 English
- Europe braces for a future without the US as a reliable ally POLITICO
- VP Vance Delivers Remarks at Munich Security Conference C-SPAN
- “Frenzy of Warmongering”: Critics of Munich Security Summit Warn of Musk, Rising Fascism in Europe Democracy Now!
Cover up or pay a fine, Portugal’s Albufeira warns
Wearing bikinis and going shirtless may soon be banned in the city, as it fights against badly behaved tourists.
Trump disrupting US bird flu response as outbreak worsens
Experts’ concern grows as communication breaks down among federal agencies responsible for tackling epidemic
The Trump administration has disrupted the US response to bird flu as the outbreak worsens, leading to confusion and concern among federal staff, state officials, veterinarians and health experts, 11 sources told Reuters.
Since Donald Trump took office on 20 January, two federal agencies responsible for monitoring and responding to the epidemic have withheld bird flu reports and canceled congressional briefings and meetings with state health officials, the sources said.
Continue reading...‘In Alaska, it’s Denali’: senators move to counter Trump’s mountain name order
Republican senator Lisa Murakowski introduces bill to require peak’s name kept on US maps, laws and regulations
The Alaska Republican US senator Lisa Murkowski has introduced legislation to officially rename North America’s tallest mountain as Denali, a counter to Donald Trump’s executive order to revert the peak’s name to Mount McKinley.
Murkowski’s bill, which was co-sponsored by her fellow Republican senator for Alaska, Dan Sullivan, would require the peak to be referred to as Denali on any US maps, laws and regulations.
Continue reading...Italian ‘mystic’ may face trial after DNA match with blood on Virgin Mary statue
Allegations of fraud against Gisella Cardia, who drew pilgrims by claiming statue wept tears of blood
A self-styled mystic who drew hundreds of pilgrims to a town near Rome by claiming that a statue of the Virgin Mary wept tears of blood could face trial after a DNA test indicated the blood was hers.
Gisella Cardia, who also claimed that the statue was transmitting messages to her, was last year declared a fraud by the Roman Catholic church, which subsequently tightened its rules on supernatural phenomena.
Continue reading...Pope Francis cancels events after being admitted to hospital
Pontiff to receive treatment for bronchitis after having difficulty breathing during meeting
Pope Francis has cancelled his scheduled events over the next few days after being hospitalised, the Vatican said.
The pontiff, who has been suffering from bronchitis, was admitted to Gemelli hospital in Rome on Friday after reportedly having breathing difficulties during one of his meetings.
Continue reading...Why Trump’s Plan to Relocate Gazans Is Untenable for Jordan – The New York Times
- Why Trump’s Plan to Relocate Gazans Is Untenable for Jordan The New York Times
- Trump Wants the U.S. to Control Gaza. So, Who Owns It Anyway? The Wall Street Journal
- Gaza Must Be Rebuilt by Palestinians, for Palestinians The New Yorker
- Tariq Ali on Trump’s Embrace of Ethnic Cleansing in Gaza & Global Rise of the Far Right Democracy Now!
- Israel's Embrace of Trump's Gaza Plan Is 'Atrocious, Unthinkable and Morally Wrong' Haaretz
Israel rejects France’s plan to speed up Israeli troop withdrawal from Lebanon, ‘Post’ learns – The Jerusalem Post
- Israel rejects France's plan to speed up Israeli troop withdrawal from Lebanon, 'Post' learns The Jerusalem Post
- Tensions Mount in Lebanon as Deadline Nears for Israeli Withdrawal The New York Times
- Israel to Keep Five Army Posts in Lebanon, Top Minister Says Bloomberg
- Lebanese villagers blocked from returning home as Israeli forces remain in area PBS NewsHour
- US said to accept IDF request to remain in 5 south Lebanon posts after Feb. 18 deadline The Times of Israel
Workers are cannibalised by the capitalist class: Nancy Fraser
Professor Nancy Fraser tells Marc Lamont Hill why she believes capitalism is at the root of multiple world crises.
Goa man found guilty of rape and murder of Irish backpacker eight years ago
Family of Danielle McLaughlin say justice has finally been achieved after Vikat Bhagat convicted in India
The family of a young Irish woman raped and murdered in India eight years ago have said justice has finally been achieved after a man was convicted in Goa.
Danielle McLaughlin, from Buncrana in County Donegal, was found dead in a field in Canacona, an area of Goa popular with holidaymakers, in March 2017.
Continue reading...Tasmania fires destroy huge swath of wilderness and could ‘burn for weeks’
Around 90,000 hectares of remote country in the state’s north-west have been razed after fires sparked by lightning strikes
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Fires that have razed 90,000 hectares of remote Tasmanian wilderness, including world-heritage listed areas and parts of the famous Overland walking track, could burn for weeks as firefighters battle to contain blazes in remote terrain.
By late on Friday, more than 20 fires – which were sparked by dry lightning strikes on 3 February – had a combined perimeter of about 1,200km in the state’s north-west.
Continue reading...Trump’s reciprocal tariff threat brings fears for Australian trade
Economist argues GST is not protectionist and should not attract any new levy from the US but concern remains for steel industry
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US president Donald Trump has threatened “reciprocal tariffs” on US trade partners in retaliation for some domestic taxes, such as value-added taxes, sparking concerns Australia could be targeted.
But economists have argued Australia’s value-added tax – the goods and services tax, which is applied to imported and domestically sourced goods and services identically – is not protectionist, and so could escape retaliation from the US.
Continue reading...Premature speculation keeps parliament hot under the collar but Albanese quiet on election date
Spectre of unconfirmed date looms over past fortnight as PM’s political theatre only fuels anticipation
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Was that really the last week of parliament before the election? Every person in Canberra, from senior cabinet ministers to junior staffers, has a different theory.
MPs are acting as if they’re about to hit the election trail, with some giving farewell speeches. “See you in a few months if I don’t lose my seat”, one MP told me on Thursday night.
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Continue reading...Von der Leyen demands trigger of emergency clause to massively boost defense spending – POLITICO Europe
- Von der Leyen demands trigger of emergency clause to massively boost defense spending POLITICO Europe
- Brussels to exempt defence spending from EU budget constraints Reuters
- European Commission to Tweak Fiscal Rules to Boost EU Defense Spending The Wall Street Journal
- EU to ease fiscal rules to boost defence spending Financial Times
- EU Commission to activate fiscal escape clause to boost defence spending Euronews
Three captives in Gaza, 369 Palestinians held by Israel to be released
Palestinian group in Gaza says a total of 369 prisoners held in Israeli jails are expected to be released on Saturday.
Africa’s leaders must address weaponisation of rape in Sudan’s conflict
Sudan's women and girls have endured horrific sexual violence throughout this war. They deserve support and protection.
Europe quietly works on a plan to send troops to Ukraine for post-war security – The Associated Press
- Europe quietly works on a plan to send troops to Ukraine for post-war security The Associated Press
- Can European ‘Boots on the Ground’ Help Protect Ukraine’s Security? The New York Times
- The Global South, Not Europe, Should Play Peacekeeper in Ukraine Foreign Policy
- Peacekeepers could be deployed to Ukraine from both NATO and third countries – Rutte Ukrinform
- Opinion | European boots on the ground in Ukraine might be Trump’s toughest ask The Washington Post
Infant mortality rises in US states with abortion bans, study finds
Some states restrict access for women following the overturning of Roe v Wade.
Munich car attack believed to have had Islamist motive, says prosecutor
Gabriele Tilmann says suspect’s online communications point to extremism but investigators have found no links to jihadist groups
German police and prosecutors have said the Afghan suspect in a car ramming in central Munich that injured at least 36 people is believed to have had an “Islamist” motive and will answer to charges of attempted murder.
One day after the attack on a trade union rally during the final stage of the German election campaign, the chief prosecutor Gabriele Tilmann told reporters that online “communications” by the suspect, a 24-year-old asylum seeker, pointed to Islamic extremism.
Continue reading...Flurry of resignations after DOJ tells prosecutors to drop Eric Adams case
Danielle Sassoon quit rather than follow an order to drop a corruption case against Eric Adams, saying it set " dangerous precedent".