Is the US-China TikTok deal done? Here’s what you need to know
Donald Trump says a deal on the future of TikTok in the US has been made, but it’s not been confirmed by China or the app’s owner ByteDance.
Tony Blair in discussions to run transitional Gaza authority – BBC
- Tony Blair in discussions to run transitional Gaza authority BBC
- Washington backing plan for Tony Blair to head transitional Gaza authority The Guardian
- Trump Plan Backs Tony Blair as Postwar Gaza Leader The Wall Street Journal
- Revealed: Tony Blair’s US-backed proposal for ending the Gaza war and replacing Hamas The Times of Israel
- 'Show us your (digital) papers' and 'Blair ready to run Gaza' BBC
Tony Blair in discussions to run transitional Gaza authority
The former prime minister has been in high-level planning talks over the territory's future, the BBC understands.
Benjamin Netanyahu set for defiant UN speech as Trump warns on annexation of West Bank – Middle East crisis live
Israeli PM expected to share a defiant message at the UN general assembly on Friday against a Palestinian state
Israel’s air force carried out airstrikes on Friday on eastern Lebanon, the Lebanese state-run news agency reported without giving any word on casualties. The Israeli military said it struck a site used for manufacturing precision missiles, reports the Associated Press (AP).
The airstrikes took place near the Lebanese village of Saraain in the Bekaa valley region, according to the National News Agency. They are the latest strikes since the 14-month Israel-Hezbollah war ended with a US-brokered ceasefire in November.
The Israeli military said the site constituted a violation of the understanding between Israel and Lebanon. It added that the military will continue to operate to remove any threat posed to Israel.
Since the ceasefire went into effect, Israel has carried out almost daily airstrikes on southern and eastern Lebanon, alleging that Hezbollah is trying to rebuild its capabilities.
The White House is backing a plan that would see Tony Blair head a temporary administration of the Gaza Strip – initially without the direct involvement of the Palestinian Authority (PA), according to Israeli media reports.
Continue reading...Europe is at hybrid war, Danish prime minister announces – politico.eu
- Europe is at hybrid war, Danish prime minister announces politico.eu
- 'Shining star in the sky' highlights Denmark's drone anxiety Reuters
- Denmark Investigates Potential Russia Link After Drone Attacks at Multiple Airports Bloomberg.com
- Russian Navy Ship Caught Lurking Off Denmark’s Coast as Drones Attack Newsweek
- Drone incursions in Denmark were 'hybrid attack' DW
Former FBI director James Comey indicted on two charges
James Comey says he is innocent and the charges are politically motivated, as they follow Trump pressure on prosecutors to act.
Trump says he will not allow Israel to annex the occupied West Bank
US President Donald Trump has publicly stated he will not allow Israel to formally annex the occupied West Bank.
Russia dares NATO to shoot – Axios
- Russia dares NATO to shoot Axios
- Kremlin says talk of shooting down Russian planes is a serious escalation of tensions Reuters
- NATO chief echoes Trump’s call for member countries to shoot down Russian planes The Hill
- Europeans Privately Tell Russia They’re Ready to Shoot Down Jets MSN
- Kremlin Slams Idea of NATO Downing Russian Planes The Moscow Times
IOPC investigators allegedly said Nottingham stabbings inquiry was ‘politically motivated’
Mother of victim Barnaby Webber says allegations about watchdog staff have left families asking whom they can trust
Police watchdog investigators who are alleged to have described an inquiry into the 2023 Nottingham stabbings as politically motivated are “disrespectful and inhumane”, the mother of one victim has said.
Emma Webber said new allegations about staff at the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) had left families asking whom they could trust.
Continue reading...Farage endangering women by failing to condemn paracetamol claims, says Bridget Phillipson
Labour deputy leader candidate criticises ‘scaremongering’ on autism and says party must be firmer in tackling Reform
Nigel Farage is “endangering women’s health” by failing to condemn Donald Trump’s claims that using paracetamol during pregnancy causes autism, Bridget Phillipson has said.
The education secretary and minister for women said she had used the painkiller throughout her second pregnancy, and she warned that Reform’s connections with medical conspiracy theories including anti-vaccine rhetoric made the party a danger to public health.
Continue reading...Keir Starmer says digital ID cards an ‘enormous opportunity’ for the UK
PM to set out plans for compulsory ‘Brit card’ but faces opposition from civil liberty groups over privacy concerns
Digital ID cards present “an enormous opportunity” for the UK, Keir Starmer has said, as the government braces for a civil liberties row over the proposals.
The prime minister will set out the measures on Friday morning at a conference on how progressive politicians can tackle the problems facing the UK, including addressing voter concerns around immigration.
Continue reading...Abnormally hot days may hit Australia’s south-east after rare sudden warming over Antarctica
Phenomenon extremely unusual in southern hemisphere and last occurred in 2019 when it contributed to worsening of black summer bushfires
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A rare rise in stratospheric temperatures over Antarctica could influence weather into summer, with previous events driving hotter and drier conditions for south-east Australia.
The phenomenon – called sudden stratospheric warming – is extremely unusual in the southern hemisphere.
Continue reading...Abu Dhabi royal family to take stake in TikTok US under Trump deal
MGX, chaired by Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, will take 15% stake, with social media firm valued at $14bn
The Abu Dhabi royal family is to take a stake in TikTok’s US business after Donald Trump signed an executive order brokering a deal valuing the social media company at $14bn (£10.5bn).
MGX, a fund chaired by Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, will take a 15% stake and gain a board seat when TikTok US is spun out.
Continue reading...Controversial Queensland mayor Troy Thompson resigns after corruption inquiry
Thompson, accused of misleading voters about his military record, says he will now nominate in the byelection caused by his departure
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A controversial north Queensland mayor accused of misleading voters about his army service has resigned.
Troy Thompson was suspended on full pay in November while the Queensland Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) conducted an investigation.
Continue reading...Labour MPs call for action to tackle deprivation in coastal ‘sea wall’ seats
Exclusive: Group warn coastal communities need greater investment to reduce inequality and fight off threat from Reform
A group of Labour MPs representing coastal areas will demand urgent action to tackle deprivation in their seats, warning a lack of progress could leave them vulnerable to Reform.
They will use the party conference this weekend to call for an equivalent of the London Challenge, which turned around failing schools in the capital under Tony Blair’s government, but with a focus on post-16 training and apprenticeships.
Continue reading...Trump says he won’t allow Israel to annex the West Bank – The Washington Post
Taiwan convicts ex-presidential aide of spying for China
A court said the espionage was carried out "over a long period" and involved "important intelligence".
Ukraine strikes on Russian oil might be too successful for Trump’s liking – Reuters
- Ukraine strikes on Russian oil might be too successful for Trump’s liking Reuters
- Kremlin bans fuel exports until the end of the year as Russia’s supply is disrupted by Ukrainian drones CNN
- Russia Moves to Extend Gasoline Export Ban Until 2026 as Shortages Persist The Moscow Times
- Refinery shutdowns hurt fuel supply in several Russian regions, Russian Crimea head says Yahoo
- Russia Plans to Ban Diesel Exports for Resellers Until Year-End Bloomberg.com
China launches sweeping probe into Mexican tariffs as trade war widens – Financial Times
- China launches sweeping probe into Mexican tariffs as trade war widens Financial Times
- China’s trade probes into Mexico seen as ‘clear warning’ not to bow to US pressure South China Morning Post
- China probes US, Mexican pecan imports, Mexico's restriction measures Reuters
- Pecans Are Latest Trade Focus as China Probes US, Mexico Exports Bloomberg.com
- Mexico to raise tariffs on China, Russia, India and others Queen City News
‘Blood on these walls’: Mudrat tears into ABC’s Gaza coverage during Triple J live set
Australian hip-hop artist donned a Palestinian keffiyeh and delivered a blistering critique of the broadcaster and its treatment of Antoinette Lattouf
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The hip-hop artist Mudrat used Triple J’s video series Bars of Steel to deliver a blistering critique of the ABC’s coverage of the Israel-Gaza war and its treatment of Antoinette Lattouf.
The federal court found in June the ABC breached the Fair Work Act when it terminated the casual broadcaster for reasons including that she held a political opinion opposing the Israeli military campaign in Gaza.
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