Kurdish-led SDF agrees to integrate with Syrian government forces
The militia alliance that controls much of north-eastern Syria will merge with new state institutions, the presidency says.
US judge blocks deportation of Palestinian activist detained by Ice
Critics condemn arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, Columbia University graduate student who led protests over Gaza war
A judge has blocked the deportation of the prominent Palestinian activist who helped lead Columbia University’s protests against Israel over the war in Gaza. Mahmoud Khalil, a graduate student at Columbia University until this past December who holds permanent US residency, is being detained by US immigration authorities at a facility in Louisiana after his arrest, according to information from officials.
A spokesperson for the US’s homeland security department – as well as the country’s top diplomat – confirmed the arrest. In a statement to the Associated Press, a homeland security department spokesperson, Tricia McLaughlin, said Khalil’s arrest was made to support Donald Trump’s presidential orders “prohibiting antisemitism”.
Continue reading...A ‘dangerous’ moment: Advocates denounce arrest of activist Mahmoud Khalil
Rights groups argue that the Trump administration is using anti-Semitism as a pretext to clamp down on free speech.
Trump says William McKinley ‘made our country very rich through tariffs.’ But the 25th president changed his mind on tariffs after realizing ‘friendly trade relations will prevent reprisals’ – Fortune
- Trump says William McKinley 'made our country very rich through tariffs.' But the 25th president changed his mind on tariffs after realizing 'friendly trade relations will prevent reprisals' Fortune
- Beware Zombie McKinleyism National Review
- Freedom, Not Tariff, Is the Most Beautiful Word in the Dictionary Cato Institute
- The Gilded Age Is Back in America, Except This Time It’s Golden Bloomberg
- Trump Gilded Age Buffalo News
Why China isn’t as worried about Trump’s trade war as in 2018
Beijing is much better positioned to withstand US tariffs than during Trump's first administration, analysts say.
RFK Jr directs FDA to revise ‘self-affirm’ rule to improve food ingredient safety
Health secretary accuses food companies of ‘exploiting loophole’ over food safety and urges greater transparency
The US secretary of health and human services, Robert F Kennedy Jr, has directed the Food and Drug Administration to revise safety rules to help eliminate a provision that allows companies to self-affirm that food ingredients are safe.
The move would increase transparency for consumers as well as the FDA’s oversight of food ingredients considered to be safe, Kennedy said on Monday.
Continue reading...Rubio says Ukraine partial ceasefire plan ‘has promise’ ahead of talks
Russia has previously rejected a temporary ceasefire, calling it an attempt to buy time.
US rebrands immigration app to CBP Home with ‘self-deport’ function
Kristi Noem, the DHS secretary, announced the new version, raising privacy concerns for those using CBP One
On day one of his presidency, Donald Trump issued a directive abruptly ending the government’s use of CBP One – an online application that had served as the primary means for people at the southern border to apply for asylum in the US. On Monday, the administration announced it has reimagined the app as a platform for “self-deportation”.
Kristi Noem, the secretary of Homeland Security, announced that the app had been rebranded as “CBP Home” and that anyone with the old CBP One app would be redirected to the new version.
Continue reading...US playwright ak payne wins Susan Smith Blackburn prize
Furlough’s Paradise, a ‘lyrical’ journey about grief, scoops award for female, transgender and non-binary playwrights
The Susan Smith Blackburn prize for female, transgender and non-binary playwrights has been awarded to the US writer ak payne for their poignant and funny two-hander Furlough’s Paradise.
The play has been described by payne as a “lyrical journey about grief, home and survival”. It follows two cousins, one of whom is on a three-day release from prison, as the pair attend a funeral in their childhood town.
Continue reading...US court temporarily blocks effort to deport Gaza protest leader
President Trump says more arrests will follow, as protesters demonstrate against the detention of Mahmoud Khalil.
Amid serious threats, Israel is trying to shape a new reality in Syria – Ynetnews
- Amid serious threats, Israel is trying to shape a new reality in Syria Ynetnews
- Israeli warplanes attack military sites in Syria’s southern Deraa province Al Jazeera English
- Israel strikes former Assad regime bases in southern Syria The Times of Israel
- IDF strikes regime weapons in Syria, car thief breaks into IDF base The Jerusalem Post
- Israeli army says it targeted military headquarters, sites containing weapons in southern Syria Reuters
From chatbots to intelligent toys: How AI is booming in China
China plans to invest more than a trillion dollars as it races against the US to rule advanced tech.
Facebook was ‘hand in glove’ with China, BBC told
Social media company considered letting Beijing control content for access to its lucrative market, BBC told.
Ukraine under pressure in Russia’s Kursk region – ABC News
- Ukraine under pressure in Russia's Kursk region ABC News
- Video appears to show Russians advancing in Kursk region CNN
- Russia says it makes big new advance in its Kursk region against Ukrainian troops Reuters
- Ukraine Army Chief Syrskyi Says Units in Kursk Not Encircled Bloomberg
- Russia-Ukraine updates: General denies Russian forces encircling troops Al Jazeera English
Romanian far-right populist Calin Georgescu appeals against poll ban – BBC.com
- Romanian far-right populist Calin Georgescu appeals against poll ban BBC.com
- Video. Chaos in Bucharest after Georgescu barred from election rerun Euronews
- In Romania, the far right has unleashed a tide of hate and resurrected our fascist ghosts | Andrei Popoviciu The Guardian
- Explainer: Why is Calin Georgescu's Romanian presidential bid being blocked? Reuters
- Mercenary boss calls for Romania to ‘boil over’ after far-right front-runner blocked from race POLITICO Europe
Romanian far-right populist appeals against poll ban
Sunday's decision sparked violent protests by Calin Georgescu's supporters in the capital Bucharest.
Kicking Horse Gondola Falls From Cable in Latest Ski Lift Accident| SKI – Ski Magazine
- Kicking Horse Gondola Falls From Cable in Latest Ski Lift Accident| SKI Ski Magazine
- Fallen gondola cabin shuts down British Columbia ski resort CNN
- Gondola Cabin Plummets to Snow at Canadian Ski Resort Powder Magazine
- Occupied Gondola Cabin Falls at Kicking Horse Ski Area Management
- Gondola cabin falls at Kicking Horse, resort closed 'until further notice' Calgary Herald
‘They live in big fear’: The BBC visits displaced Alawites in Lebanon
Thousands of Syrians have crossed into Lebanon from the provinces of Latakia and Tartus.
Paris planning talks on security force for Ukraine expected to draw more than 30 nations – PBS NewsHour
- Paris planning talks on security force for Ukraine expected to draw more than 30 nations PBS NewsHour
- US wasn't invited to summit of military representatives in Paris - AP RBC-Ukraine
- European and NATO countries convene in Paris for Ukraine security talks FRANCE 24 English
- Army chiefs meet in Paris to discuss peacekeeping for Ukraine Yahoo
- Macron assembles top generals in fresh push for Western troops in Ukraine EURACTIV
A horrific killing spree shakes Syria – The Economist
- A horrific killing spree shakes Syria The Economist
- Religious slaughter in Syria shows need for US, Europe to 'keep a close eye' on Islamist regime: Greek FM Fox News
- Entire families killed in Syria's military crackdown, UN says Reuters
- Video verified by CNN shows graphic extent of violence in Syria CNN
- More than 1,300 Syrians killed in 72 hours amid clashes and acts of revenge NPR