Ceasefire collapses in Syria’s Suwayda as Israel threatens escalation
Sectarian violence in the predominantly Druze city has resumed in force with deaths reported in the dozens.
Trump threatens to impose drug and chip tariffs as soon as 1 August
US president talks of low tariff to give pharmaceutical firms a year or so to build, and then making it ‘very high’
Donald Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on pharmaceutical products and semiconductors as soon as 1 August, the latest deadline for the introduction of his “reciprocal” levies on individual countries.
The US president told reporters late on Tuesday the taxes on drug imports could be announced “probably at the end of the month, and we’re going to start off with a low tariff and give the pharmaceutical companies a year or so to build, and then we’re going to make it a very high tariff”.
Continue reading...As Iran Deports a Million Afghans, ‘Where Do We Even Go?’ – The New York Times
- As Iran Deports a Million Afghans, ‘Where Do We Even Go?’ The New York Times
- The scale of Afghans returning from Iran is overwhelming, says UN official AP News
- The Take: Why are Afghan refugees being sent back to Taliban rule? Al Jazeera
- Iran expels half a million Afghans in 16-day stretch since recent conflict with Israel, UN says CNN
- One of history’s biggest expulsions: Iran is throwing out 4m Afghans The Times
Thousands of Nigerians attend funeral of ex-President Buhari
Thousands of Nigerians attended the funeral procession of former President Muhammadu Buhari, in his hometown of Dauru.
Thousands of Afghans secretly moved to Britain after data leak – CNN
Indonesia’s Prabowo hails ‘new era’ in US ties after Trump trade deal
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto welcomes deal to lower tariff rate from 32 to 19 percent.
Cuban minister resigns after saying ‘there are no beggars in Cuba’ – BBC
- Cuban minister resigns after saying 'there are no beggars in Cuba' BBC
- Cuban labor minister resigns after her suggestion beggars were pretending sparked backlash AP News
- Cuban minister resigns after suggesting beggars are pretending Al Jazeera
- Cuban minister under pressure for saying country has no beggars Reuters
- Cuban minister resigns after downplaying poverty Chronicle-Tribune
EU accused of ‘cruel and unlawful betrayal’ of Palestinians over failure to confront Israel
Stinging rebuke from Amnesty International follows EU ministers declining to endorse any sanctions over Gaza war
The EU has been accused of a “cruel and unlawful betrayal” of Palestinians and European values after failing to take action to impose sanctions on Israel over the war in Gaza.
The stinging rebuke from Amnesty International, echoed by other human rights organisations, came after EU ministers meeting in Brussels on Tuesday declined to endorse any measures to sanction Israel over the brutal war in Gaza and endemic violence in the West Bank.
Continue reading...Colombia deploys armed drones in escalating fight against drug gangs – NPR
Cambodia deploys rodents for life-saving mine detection operations
Giant pouched rats expertly detect TNT, helping clear mines and remnants from Cambodia's conflict-ridden terrain.
Death of Australia’s ‘Outback Killer’ leaves whereabouts of British backpacker’s body unknown – AP News
- Death of Australia's 'Outback Killer' leaves whereabouts of British backpacker's body unknown AP News
- ‘Outback Killer’ Bradley John Murdoch dies at 67, leaving mystery of Peter Falconio’s body unsolved CNN
- Peter Falconio's family express 'relief' at Bradley Murdoch death BBC
- First cop on scene of Falconio case recalls 'bizarre' tip-off from truckie Australian Broadcasting Corporation
- Bradley Murdoch, man who murdered British backpacker Peter Falconio, dies aged 67 The Guardian
Mystery buildings in Rafah raise concerns
Some buildings remain standing in Rafah despite widespread destruction. Were they left intentionally, and if so, why?
‘North Korea is now a more important ally for Russia than Iran or China’
Pyongyang is reportedly planning to deploy thousands more troops to back Russia.
Thai woman arrested for blackmailing monks after sex with thousands of videos – BBC
- Thai woman arrested for blackmailing monks after sex with thousands of videos BBC
- Woman arrested for allegedly enticing Thai Buddhist monks into sex, then blackmailing them CBS News
- Crafty woman seduces nine horny monks before extorting millions from them to stay quiet Daily Star
- Monks' titles rescinded, 'Golf' cuffed bangkokpost.com
- Thailand defrocks 6 monks as sex and blackmail scandal engulfs Buddhist clergy South China Morning Post
France, UK, Germany to reimpose Iran sanctions in August if no progress
France's foreign minister says sanctions lifted under a 2015 deal would return if no breakthrough on nuclear issue.
‘Inquisitive, relaxed’ humpback whale swimming in Sydney Harbour delays ferries and boats
Whale is having a ‘full harbour experience’, says an expert aboard a maritime boat shadowing the supersized mammal
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An “inquisitive” humpback whale that wandered from its usual migratory route and into the centre of Sydney Harbour is causing “navigational challenges” for ferries and vessels as its tour of the world-famous harbour continues.
The sub-adult whale was spotted by commuters on a harbour ferry service near Fort Denison about 8am on Wednesday. It swam to Circular Quay – Sydney’s central ferry terminal – before moving east towards the defence base of Garden Island then to Watsons Bay and north to Balmoral Bay.
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Continue reading...Lessons Observed from the War Between Israel and Iran – War on the Rocks
- Lessons Observed from the War Between Israel and Iran War on the Rocks
- What's next after Israel devastated Iran's nuclear program? The Jerusalem Post
- The humiliating way Israel achieved air superiority in Iran during the 12-Day War Yahoo
- Iran’s nuclear programme after the strikes The International Institute for Strategic Studies
- Iran and the Logic of Limited Wars Foreign Policy
Rare Gandhi oil portrait sold for more than $200,000
Auctioneers in London say it's thought to be the only oil portrait the Indian independence leader sat for.
China, North Korea and Russia represent biggest security challenge since World War II, Japan says – CNN
- China, North Korea and Russia represent biggest security challenge since World War II, Japan says CNN
- Japan calls axis of China, Russia, North Korea the 'gravest threat' to global order since WWII Fox News
- Pacific Military Balance Tilting in China’s Favor, Says New Defense of Japan Report USNI News
- China-Russia nexus jumps top of mind for Japan’s defense planners Defense News
- Japan decries China threat after string of risky encounters DW
Firefighters warned of ‘dangers of partisan politics’ after truck displays Liberal corflutes at Melbourne protest
Country Fire Authority says it ‘must always remain apolitical’ amid fallout over rally that also featured offensive slogans on trucks
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Victoria’s Country Fire Authority has issued a warning to its senior leadership about the “dangers of partisan politics” and stressed it should remain “apolitical” after Liberal party-branded corflutes were attached to a fire truck at a rally in Melbourne’s western suburbs at the weekend.
A truck from the CFA Inverleigh brigade displayed Liberal party corflutes during a rally in Werribee on Sunday, with a photo of the vehicle shared on social media by the party’s South West Metro branch.
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