Why are Caribbean leaders fighting Trump to keep Cuban doctors?
Cuban medical missions provide crucial support to several Caribbean healthcare systems, especially in times of crisis.
Russian ship captain charged with manslaughter appears at Hull court
Filipino national killed during collision between Vladimir Motin’s vessel and a US oil tanker in the North Sea
The captain of the Russian container ship that crashed into a US oil tanker in the North Sea, killing a crew member, has appeared in court.
Vladimir Motin of Primorsky, St Petersburg, in Russia was charged with gross negligence manslaughter over the collision earlier this week.
Continue reading...‘Spreadsheets of empire’: red tape goes back 4,000 years, say scientists after Iraq finds
Ancient Mesopotamian stone tablets show extraordinary detail and reach of government in cradle of world civilisations
The red tape of government bureaucracy spans more than 4,000 years, according to new finds from the cradle of the world’s civilisations, Mesopotamia.
Hundreds of administrative tablets – the earliest physical evidence of the first empire in recorded history – have been discovered by archaeologists from the British Museum and Iraq. These texts detail the minutiae of government and reveal a complex bureaucracy – the red tape of an ancient civilisation.
Continue reading...South Africa committed to US ties after ‘regrettable’ expulsion of envoy
US State Secretary Marco Rubio has accused South Africa's ambassador of hating the US and President Trump.
North Sea collision ship captain appears in court – BBC.com
- North Sea collision ship captain appears in court BBC.com
- Russian captain involved in US tanker crash appears in UK court Reuters.com
- Eye Opener: 1 arrested after cargo ship rammed CBS News
- Jet fuel has spilled into the North Sea. Hear why it could be an environmental disaster CNN International
- A Tanker Collision Threatens One of the UK’s Most Important Coastlines WIRED
Musk says first mission to Mars will launch next year
The billionaire says an unmanned mission by his SpaceX "Starship" vehicle will be followed by human landings as early as 2029.
British Council accused of forcing gig economy teachers into ‘feeding frenzy’ for work
With regular teaching hours unavailable, agency tutors must compete for lessons
The British Council has been accused of exploiting hundreds of agency teachers on zero-hour contracts forced to compete for lessons in a “feeding frenzy” every week.
An open letter from teaching staff reveals the prestigious government-funded public body does not offer regular hours to tutors on its popular English Online platform, which provides lessons to more than 45,000 students worldwide.
Continue reading...US sanctions Thailand’s officials over deportation of Uighurs to China
Thailand defends last month's decision, saying China assured the safety of the repatriated Uighur people.
‘Trump tariffs are reshaping our politics’: Canadians on their election
Voters reflect on their priorities and mood shifts in their communities before a crucial contest
When the Canadian prime minister, Justin Trudeau, resigned in early January, after months of pressure to quit, the approval ratings of the progressive firebrand had dropped from their peak of 65% in September 2016 to 22%.
At the end of last year, the Conservative leader, Pierre Poilievre, described by many as “Trump Lite”, was the clear favourite to win Canada’s next general election, and the top pick of 45% of Canadians for prime minister. At the time, the three biggest issues for voters were all economic: reducing the cost of everyday items, inflation and interest rates, and access to affordable housing.
Continue reading...Syria: An eruption of violence and a misinformation crisis
The Listening Post analyses Syria's past week of violence, vengeance & disinformation.
Five charged over fatal shooting of woman in south Wales
Four of five charged with murder of Joanne Penney, 40, at block of flats in Talbot Green
Five people have been charged after a 40-year-old woman was shot dead in south Wales last week.
Joanne Penney died at a block of flats in Talbot Green, near Pontyclun, in Rhondda Cynon Taf, on Sunday.
Continue reading...Birmingham bin collection strike offers ‘banquet’ for rats, pest expert says
Uncollected food waste ‘poses public health danger’ as 400 workers take indefinite action over pay and conditions
A bin collection strike in Birmingham could lead to rats thriving on a “banquet” of food waste and pose a public health danger, pest controllers have said.
About 400 council bin workers in Birmingham began an indefinite strike on Tuesday as part of a dispute over pay and conditions.
Continue reading...‘I like Nigel Farage’: Runcorn and Helsby byelection could be big test for Starmer
Labour won the seat last year with more than 50% of votes – now polls suggest it will just hang on or lose to Reform UK
On a weekday morning, an advertising van is weaving its way through the narrow streets of Runcorn town centre. On the side is a black and white picture of Nigel Farage with a quote from the Reform UK leader: “We are going to have to move to an insurance-based system of healthcare.”
The starting gun has been fired in the byelection that has been on the horizon since the sitting MP Mike Amesbury announced his intention to resign, and which could prove a huge test for Keir Starmer’s government.
Continue reading...Notable Tesla investor says he hopes Musk’s government role is ‘short-lived’
Christopher Tsai retains faith in carmaker’s earnings potential despite backlash that has seen its shares take a hit
A devoted investor in Elon Musk’s Tesla – and once a close childhood friend of the US president’s eldest son and namesake – says he hopes the world’s richest man’s role in cutting federal spending for Donald Trump’s administration is “short-lived” and that he returns to managing his businesses.
Investment manager Christopher Tsai, whose firm has tens of millions of dollars tied up in Tesla, said the stock market had demonstrated clear signs of displeasure with Musk’s activities at the so-called department of government efficiency. And, in an interview with the Guardian, Tsai said: “I hope his involvement with [Doge] is short-lived so he can spend even more time on his businesses.”
Continue reading...Can an aspirin a day keep cancer at bay?
A new study finds that aspirin may disrupt the protective shield cancer cells use to evade the immune system.
‘Inch by inch’: Myanmar rebels close in on key military base in Chin State
Under heavy Myanmar air force attacks, Chin rebels pay heavy price for success of ‘Mission Jerusalem’.
Islamic State leader in Iraq and Syria killed, US says
Abdallah Makki Muslih al-Rifa was head of IS's most senior decision-making body, the US Central Command said.
Once Again, Ukrainian Drones Are Blowing Up Russian Drone Factories – Forbes
- Once Again, Ukrainian Drones Are Blowing Up Russian Drone Factories Forbes
- Ukraine and Russia Down Hundreds of Drones Overnight The Moscow Times
- Rosneft-owned refinery in Tuapse hit in overnight drone attack (video) Euromaidan Press
- Several Ukrainian drones intercepted overnight just 2 miles away from Kremlin, Russia says ABC News
- Ukrainian drones strike Russian gas facilities, air defense missile depot, source claims Kyiv Independent
South African ambassador ‘no longer welcome’ in US, Rubio says
The US Secretary of State called the ambassador a "race-baiting politician who hates America".