Everything is a political weapon since Trump’s re-election, says Germany’s ex-economy minister
Robert Habeck says world has moved on from weaponising energy to using tariffs, technology and more to inflict harm
The weaponisation of energy when Russia invaded Ukraine has given way to “weaponising everything” since Donald Trump returned to the White House, Germany’s former economy minister has said.
Robert Habeck, the Green politician responsible for keeping the lights on during the last energy crisis, said the belief gas “would never be a political weapon” led successive German governments blindly into Putin’s trap by building the Nord Stream pipelines and selling strategic reserves to Gazprom, which Russia emptied before the invasion.
Continue reading...Trump threatens Iran following new wave of attacks on Gulf states and Israel – AP News
- Trump threatens Iran following new wave of attacks on Gulf states and Israel AP News
- Trump revels in killing of Iran's leaders as war nears two-week mark Reuters
- Iran war disrupts energy supplies as Iran’s new leader resolves to keep fighting AP News
- Trump vows to end war soon as Iran hits ships, threatens banks, and toll on U.S. forces emerges CBS News
- Trump Warns Iran to ‘Watch What Happens’ Today Bloomberg.com
French soldier killed, others wounded in attack in Iraq, Macron says – Al Jazeera
- French soldier killed, others wounded in attack in Iraq, Macron says Al Jazeera
- Several French soldiers wounded, one officer dead in Iraq after drone attack Reuters
- French president says a French soldier has been killed in attack in Iraq Politico
- French soldier killed and several wounded in attack in Iraq's Kurdistan region, confirms Macron Le Monde.fr
- French soldier killed in drone attack in Iraq’s Kurdish region, Macron says France 24
Thousands of Chinese boats mass at sea, raising questions – France 24
Killing of Modi’s Invited Iranian Guests Strains US-India Ties – Bloomberg.com
- Killing of Modi’s Invited Iranian Guests Strains US-India Ties Bloomberg.com
- Iran’s Frantic Attempt to Save Its Ships Before Torpedo Attack The New York Times
- Australian submariners have a brush with Iran war Defense News
- The Final Days of an Iranian Navy Crew Before the U.S. Torpedoed Their Ship WSJ
- Armed or unarmed? US and Iran spar over status of Iranian warship sunk by a submarine AP News
Former Iranian diplomat was granted asylum in Australia after defecting
Mohammad Pournajaf, Tehran’s former charge d’affaires in Canberra, sought protection in 2023, government source confirms
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One of Iran’s former top diplomats in Australia has defected from the theocratic regime, with the revelations only coming to light this week after six members of the Iranian women’s football squad were granted protection.
London-based news outlet Iran International, which is not tied to the Islamic Republic’s regime, reported on Friday that Mohammad Pournajaf, Tehran’s charge d’affaires in Canberra until at least 2023, had applied for asylum. Another Iranian diplomat had applied for asylum in Denmark, the outlet reported.
Continue reading...Nepal ex-rapper’s party wins election in landslide after Gen Z protests – Reuters
- Nepal ex-rapper's party wins election in landslide after Gen Z protests Reuters
- Nepal election: Balen Shah's RSP wins a huge mandate and country steps into unknown BBC
- Ex-rapper Balendra Shah sweeps to power in Nepal landslide election victory Al Jazeera
- Nepal’s new prime minister is a 35-year-old former rapper The Economist
- Former rapper’s fledgling political party sweeps Nepal’s first post-revolt election AP News
KPop Demon Hunters to return as Netflix announces sequel
The sequel brings back the co-directors of the first film, which was a smash-hit for the streaming service.
King expressed ‘concern’ over Alberta separatists, say First Nations chiefs
Indigenous leaders made Charles aware of the "threat" posed by the movement during a meeting in London, they say.
The kill line v Chinamaxxing: a window into how China and the US see each other
In China, one social media trend hangs on the idea that a life in the US is always one step from disaster, while another in the US has gen Z revelling in Chinese lifestyle hacks
Across two online worlds that are normally splintered, over the last few months there has been a mirroring of sorts. On TikTok and Instagram, young people are diving into the joys of Chinese culture – from drinking hot water to playing mahjong – all under the banner of “Chinamaxxing”. On the Chinese internet, however, the US is losing its decades-long grip on soft power, and is instead being replaced by a darker trend: the kill line.
The kill line is a dangerous place to be. In gaming, the term refers to the point at which a player’s strength is so depleted that one more blow could lead to total wipeout. In China, the term refers to the risks that come with daily life in the US.
Continue reading...China slams Trump’s trade investigation, as it approves a 5-year economic plan – NPR
- China slams Trump's trade investigation, as it approves a 5-year economic plan NPR
- Trump Targets Forced Labor in Global Tariff Scheme The New York Times
- US launches 'forced labour' probe against India and 59 other countries: What is Section 301? The Times of India
- White House takes first step toward permanent fix for illegal tariffs The Washington Post
- Trump raises the stakes on China with Section 301 trade probe, weeks before Beijing summit CNBC
Iran vows to fight on in first message issued in name of Mojtaba Khamenei – The Guardian
- Iran vows to fight on in first message issued in name of Mojtaba Khamenei The Guardian
- Live updates: Iran's new supreme leader vows to keep blocking Strait of Hormuz as oil prices spike again NBC News
- Iran's new supreme leader vows to keep Hormuz shut, Netanyahu issues threat Reuters
- Iran’s New Supreme Leader Was Wounded Early in the War, Iranian and Israeli Officials Say The New York Times
- Strait of Hormuz must remain closed as 'tool to pressure enemy,' Iran's new supreme leader says CNBC
Suspect dead after ramming vehicle into Michigan synagogue
The FBI says the incident is being investigated as a "targeted act of violence against the Jewish community".
Netanyahu says he doesn’t know if Iranians will oust regime, threatens new supreme leader – The Times of Israel
- Netanyahu says he doesn’t know if Iranians will oust regime, threatens new supreme leader The Times of Israel
- Top Iranian nuclear scientists killed, Israel says – as it happened The Guardian
- Netanyahu says Israel ‘stronger than ever’ in first speech since Iran war Al Jazeera
- Netanyahu Says No Guarantee of Iran Regime Change After War Bloomberg.com
- Netanyahu’s Very Useful War The Atlantic
Emboldened by Oil Shock, Iran’s Leaders Play Diplomatic Hardball – WSJ
- Emboldened by Oil Shock, Iran’s Leaders Play Diplomatic Hardball WSJ
- Day 13 of Middle East conflict — global economy disruptions, Iranian attacks spread to sea CNN
- ‘We Would Be Entering a Completely Different World’ The Atlantic
- Live: The Latest: Crude oil hits $100 a barrel as Iran vows to keep fighting after 6,000 US airstrikes The Seattle Times
- Attacks reported on three more cargo ships in Gulf, with oil price back near $100 BBC
‘There’s no hiding place on a ship’: The sailors stranded in the Gulf
Drones, cruise missiles and fighter jets have become a common sight for many sailors stranded on ships in the Gulf.
‘There’s no hiding place on a ship’: The sailors stranded in the Gulf
Drones, cruise missiles and fighter jets have become a common sight for many sailors stranded on ships in the Gulf.
UK MPs ‘deeply troubled’ by BBC World Service funding uncertainty
The current funding agreement between the BBC and the government expires at the end of this month.
Qantas agrees to pay $74m over Covid-19 travel voucher refunds
The case relates to cancelled flights during the pandemic, for which customers were given credits instead of cash.