The ultranationalist TV channel fast becoming Israel’s most-watched news source

Channel 14, which counts Netanyahu as a supporter, has denied allegations that its coverage has incited war crimes

An ultranationalist Israeli television channel backed by the government is fast emerging as one of the country’s most-watched news sources, despite allegations from liberal groups that it is inciting war crimes, and claims from the army that it is riling up hatred of its generals for not being far enough to the right.

Last month Channel 14, also known as Now 14, beat Israel’s principal mainstream news outlet, Channel 12, in viewer ratings when 343,000 Israelis watched Channel 14’s “Patriots” talkshow, known for its virulent rhetoric on Gaza.

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A US invasion of Taiwan in WWII would have been a disaster. A Chinese operation faces similar dangers. – Business Insider

  1. A US invasion of Taiwan in WWII would have been a disaster. A Chinese operation faces similar dangers.  Business Insider
  2. The Taiwan Story by Kerry Brown review — will China invade?  The Times
  3. To protect Taiwan, help Ukraine defeat Russia, former UK defense secretary says  Kyiv Independent
  4. Global power shift? Northeastern experts weigh in on China’s future in the world economy  Northeastern University
  5. What happens to global supply chains if China attacks Taiwan? An interview with Ashray Lavsi  DC Velocity
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‘We didn’t realise how hard it is’: small farmers in Europe struggle to get by

Brutal economic situation has inflicted misery on farmers who struggle to turn a profit and forced some to look for alternative streams of revenue

When Coen van den Bighelaar first spoke to school friends about taking over their parents’ dairy farms, he was the only one of the four to voice serious doubts. Fresh out of university, he was making more money in a comfortable office than his father did toiling for twice as long in the field.

But six years later, Bighelaar has followed in his parents’ footsteps, while his friends’ enthusiasm has waned. One quit farming to take a job in logistics. Another opened a daycare centre to supplement the income from selling milk. A third is thinking about buying land and moving to Canada.

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Revealed: billionaires are ‘ultimate beneficiaries’ linked to €3bn of EU farming subsidies

Thousands of small farms have closed according to analysis of official but opaque data from EU member states

The European Union gave generous farming subsidies to the companies of more than a dozen billionaires between 2018 and 2021, the Guardian can reveal, including companies owned by the former Czech prime minister Andrej Babiš and the British businessman Sir James Dyson.

Billionaires were “ultimate beneficiaries” linked to €3.3bn (£2.76bn) of EU farming handouts over the four-year period even as thousands of small farms were closed down, according to the analysis of official but opaque data from EU member states.

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US-Iranian journalist believed to have been detained in Iran

News of Reza Valizadeh’s imprisonment comes as Iran marks 45th anniversary of US embassy hostage crisis

An Iranian-American journalist who once worked for a US government-funded broadcaster is believed to have been detained by Iran for months, authorities have said, further raising the stakes as Tehran threatens to retaliate over an Israeli attack on the country.

The imprisonment of Reza Valizadeh, which was acknowledged to the Associated Press by the US Department of State, came as Iran marked the 45th anniversary on Sunday of the US embassy takeover and hostage crisis. It also followed Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, threatening both Israel and the US the day before with “a crushing response” as long-range B-52 bombers reached the Middle East in an attempt to deter Tehran.

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Islamic Resistance in Iraq ready to intensify attacks against Israel – report – The Jerusalem Post

  1. Islamic Resistance in Iraq ready to intensify attacks against Israel - report  The Jerusalem Post
  2. Iraq trying to reel in Iran-backed groups to prevent confrontation with Israel  The Times of Israel
  3. Iraqi Resistance says targeted Golan, Jordan Valley with drones  Al Mayadeen English
  4. Iraqi Pro-Iran Groups Say Carried Out Drone Attack On Israel's Eilat  Barron's
  5. At least one drone launched at Israel from Iraq, US officials report  Middle East Eye
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Russia Bombards Kyiv and Other Ukrainian Cities Non-Stop for Second Straight Day – Kyiv Post

  1. Russia Bombards Kyiv and Other Ukrainian Cities Non-Stop for Second Straight Day  Kyiv Post
  2. Russian drone attack on Kyiv damages buildings, power lines, Ukraine says  Reuters
  3. Russia sends nearly 100 drones into Ukraine, as Zelenskyy urges tougher sanctions against Moscow  VOA Asia
  4. Russian drone strikes cause destruction in Kyiv  DW (English)
  5. Russian drone debris damages 13 houses in Kyiv region  Ukrinform
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Live: Dozens dead in fresh Israeli strikes on Gaza, Netanyahu visits Lebanese border – FRANCE 24 English

  1. Live: Dozens dead in fresh Israeli strikes on Gaza, Netanyahu visits Lebanese border  FRANCE 24 English
  2. Updates: Israeli attacks kill 35 in Gaza and 18 in Lebanon  Al Jazeera English
  3. News Wrap: Israeli attacks kill dozens of people in Gaza and Lebanon  PBS NewsHour
  4. Israeli airstrikes kill at least 31 people in Gaza, medics say  Reuters
  5. War grinds on as peace talks continue to falter  NBC News
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Community mourns ‘passionate’ young rapper killed in Melbourne as alleged shooter remains on the run

Friends warned against seeking retribution after man in his 20s dies of gunshot wounds in North Melbourne

Family and friends are grieving the loss of a “talented and sociable” young rapper who died after he was allegedly shot by a man who remains on the run.

The man in his 20s was found with gunshot wounds on Langford Street in North Melbourne about 3.15am on Saturday and died at the scene.

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Moldova votes for president in runoff election as Russia hovers

Pro-EU president Maia Sandu faces Alexandr Stoianoglo in polls marred by accusations of Kremlin vote-buying

Moldovans are going to the polls for a second-round vote to choose between the incumbent pro-EU president, Maia Sandu, and a Russia-friendly challenger.

Despite securing 42% of the vote in the first round, Sandu faces a tough challenge in Sunday’s runoff against an opposition bloc led by Alexandr Stoianoglo of the Socialist party, which aligns with Moscow.

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Still wrecked from past Israeli raids, hospitals in northern Gaza come under attack again – The Associated Press

  1. Still wrecked from past Israeli raids, hospitals in northern Gaza come under attack again  The Associated Press
  2. LIVE: Israel attacks north Gaza hospitals, kills two more medics in Lebanon  Al Jazeera English
  3. Strike on Gaza Hospital Destroys U.N. Supplies, Palestinian Officials Say  The New York Times
  4. A war on hospitals is a war on civilians: Israel’s fatal blow to health in Gaza  +972 Magazine
  5. Israel’s siege in north Gaza brings war’s ‘darkest moment’  Financial Times
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Albanese pledges permanent free Tafe places – as it happened

Australians will have access to permanent free Tafe nationwide if the Labor government is re-elected, the PM says in the first major policy announcement. Follow today’s news live

Trump ‘not afraid to exercise power’: Hockey

Hockey says he believes Trump will seek to restart his trade war with China as he “sees China as the main adversary of the United States rather than Russian, or even threats in the Middle East”.

At the end of the day, if – the United States – the thing about Donald Trump is he’s not afraid to exercise power and he’s not afraid to threaten to use power. If he does that, then it actually emboldens Australia’s position, doesn’t weaken it because it means we have an entry point into that unpredictable power that others don’t.

I think Trump is – I know that Donald Trump sees Australia very favourably when it comes to issues like national security. I think that will flow through to Aukus that he won’t want to change the relationship with Aukus. He will, however, put a greater priority on building up the US defence system, its reservoir of not only talent, but also importantly the hardware, be it F-35s or Virginia-class subs. So might mean we go down the pecking order on the Virginia-class subs, but again it will rely heavily on our advocacy with Trump.

Whatever the case, I think, you know, we’ll be in a good position with Harris as well.

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