- Slovakia’s leader rejects an EU plan to halt Russian natural gas imports by the end of 2027 AP News
- The EU wants to end all Russian gas imports. Moscow's friends in the bloc say it's a 'serious mistake' CNBC
- After 3 years of full-scale war in Ukraine, Europe announces plan to ban all Russian gas imports The Kyiv Independent
- Why the EU's push to cut Russian energy ties is so difficult dw.com
- A Russian Gas Ban Will Boost These Companies Barron's
Military briefing: How Indian might stacks up against Pakistan – Financial Times
China to cut interest rates in response to trade war with US
Half-point cut to be made to banks’ reserve requirement ratio and 1tn yuan released into banking system
China will cut interest rates and inject some much-needed liquidity into the domestic economy, as the country steels itself for a bruising trade war with the US.
The People’s Bank of China said on Wednesday it would make a half-point cut to the banks’ reserve requirement ratio, its benchmark interest rate, and release 1tn yuan (£103.6bn) into the banking system.
Continue reading...‘World Cup can be incentive for Russia to end war’, says Trump
'World Cup can be incentive for Russia to end war', says Trump
Trump Declares Truce With Houthis but Israel Still at Risk – WSJ
- Trump Declares Truce With Houthis but Israel Still at Risk WSJ
- Houthis say US 'backed down' and Israel not covered by ceasefire BBC
- Trump Says U.S. Will End Bombings of Houthi Militants in Yemen The New York Times
- Trump announces US, Houthis to stop bombing each other -- Houthis argue they will 'evaluate' ceasefire proposal ABC News
- An ‘America First’ Deal With the Houthis theatlantic.com
Smokey Robinson accused of sexual assault by four women
The Motown legend is being sued for $50m by four women who accuse him of sexual assault and rape.
Smokey Robinson accused of sexual assault by four women
The Motown legend is being sued for $50m by four women who accuse him of sexual assault and rape.
Norwegian fan trades five kilos of fish for ticket to Bodø/Glimt v Tottenham
- Supporter with spare ticket took the bait over offer
- Around 50,000 supporters vying for just 480 seats
A Norwegian bartered five kilos of semi-dried fish for a ticket to Thursday’s semi-final clash between Bodø/Glimt and Tottenham in the Arctic Circle, as the hosts aim to become the first Norwegian club to reach a European final.
Some 50,000 fans were vying for just 480 remaining tickets to the second leg of Bodø/Glimt’s Europa League semi-final.
Continue reading...Trump plans to announce that the US will call the Persian Gulf the Arabian Gulf, officials say – AP News
Election process for next pope commences with papal conclave – ABC News
- Election process for next pope commences with papal conclave ABC News
- Live updates: New pope to be elected by the conclave CNN
- Cardinal Dolan of New York Shares His Conclave Advice: ‘Bring a Book’ The New York Times
- College of Cardinals meet Wednesday, could elect a new pope within hours, days Fox News
- Cardinals are watching ‘Conclave’ the movie for guidance on the actual conclave politico.eu
Airports closed, eerie silence in Indian-administered Kashmir
In Srinagar in Indian-administered Kashmir, a road, normally busy with tourists and travellers, lies deserted.
Sudan cuts ties with UAE over alleged paramilitary support
The army has repeatedly accused the Gulf nation of backing the RSF, something which the UAE denies.
Fear and uncertainty after strikes: BBC reports from Muzaffarabad
An Indian air strike damaged a mosque and some houses Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
Netherlands urges review of EU-Israel trade deal over ‘catastrophic’ Gaza aid block
Foreign minister Caspar Veldkamp tells top EU diplomat Kaja Kallas he believes Israel is in breach of rights obligations linked to trade agreement
The Dutch government, seen as one of Israel’s most loyal allies in the European Union, is calling for an urgent review of the EU Israel association agreement, the basis for the EU-Israeli free trade agreement, the Dutch foreign minister Caspar Veldkamp told the Guardian.
Veldkamp described the Israeli ban on the supply of aid into Gaza as “catastrophic, truly dismal” and in clear breach of international humanitarian law.
Continue reading...Live updates: India’s ‘Operation Sindoor’ strikes hit Pakistan, Pakistan says it has shot down jets – Reuters
Biden accuses Trump of ‘modern-day appeasement’ towards Russia
In his first interview since leaving office, former US president told the BBC he fears for US-Europe relations
Joe Biden has accused Donald Trump of “modern-day appeasement” in his approach to Russia and expressed fears that Europe would “lose confidence in the certainty of America” in his first interview since leaving the White House in January.
“He [Vladimir Putin] believes it [Russia] has historical rights to Ukraine,” Biden told the BBC. Anybody who thought the Russian president would stop if Kyiv conceded territory, as recently proposed by Trump, “is just foolish”, he said.
Continue reading...Measles cases hit six-year high in South Korea amid outbreaks across south-east Asia
South Korea passes annual tally for 2024 already, as Vietnam and Thailand continue to battle outbreaks
South Korea has recorded the highest number of measles cases in six years, adding to concerns that low vaccination rates combined with international travel are contributing to further outbreaks elsewhere in the region.
The country has confirmed 52 cases so far this year, exceeding the 49 recorded for the whole of 2024, the Korean Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said this week. It is the highest figure since 2019, when 194 cases were recorded.
Continue reading...Why did India strike Pakistan? All we know about Operation Sindoor
India carried out strikes early on Wednesday against Pakistan, two weeks after an attack in Kashmir's Pahalgam.
Joe Biden on Trump: ‘What president ever talks like that? That’s not who we are’
Exclusive: The former president tells Nick Robinson his verdict on his successor's first 100 days and his "grave concern" for the future of the Atlantic Alliance
Trump appeasing Putin with pressure on Ukraine, Biden tells BBC
In his first interview since leaving office, the 82-year-old criticises his successor's handling of the war and is challenged on his own record.