Under Trump, US Justice Department ends cryptocurrency investigations
The Justice Department says it will instead pursue cartels and criminal networks that use digital currencies.
Rising death toll in Dominican Republic nightclub roof collapse
At least 27 people have now been confirmed dead from a roof collapse at a popular Dominican Republic nightclub.
Ukraine says it captured two Chinese nationals fighting in Russian army – CNN
- Ukraine says it captured two Chinese nationals fighting in Russian army CNN
- Ukraine captures two Chinese nationals fighting for Russia BBC
- Two Chinese Citizens Captured in Ukraine While Fighting for Russia, Zelensky Says The New York Times
- US knocks China over citizens captured in Ukraine war: ‘Disturbing’ The Hill
- Chinese nationals captured fighting for Russia in Ukraine, Zelenskiy says Reuters
Iran says talks with US will be indirect, contrary to Trump’s words
US president had trailed ‘direct talks’ and said Iran would be in ‘great danger’ if they failed
Iran, wrongfooted by Donald Trump’s revelation that “direct talks” between the US and Iran on its nuclear programme are set to start in Oman on Saturday, insisted the talks would actually be in an indirect format, but added that the intentions of the negotiators were more important than the format.
Trump on Monday threw Tehran off guard by revealing the plan for the weekend talks and saying that if the talks failed Iran would be in “great danger”. There has been an unprecedented US military buildup across the Middle East in recent weeks, and Trump’s decision to make the talks public looks designed to press Iran to negotiate with urgency.
Continue reading...Zelensky confirms Ukraine troops in Russia’s Belgorod region
Ukraine's operations in a second region in Russia are explicitly acknowledged for the first time.
Ukraine captures two Chinese nationals fighting for Russia, Zelenskyy says
President Zelenskyy said Kyiv is demanding a response from Beijing after Chinese fighters found in the Donetsk region.
Fear is not a word that can describe what we feel in Gaza
The past three weeks since the ceasefire ended have been an endless horror story.
Gaza medic deaths just the latest in Israel’s long history of changing its story over civilian killings
After 15 Palestinian medics and civil defence workers were killed by Israeli forces late last month, Israel began a familiar pattern of denial
The Israel Defense Forces’ changing account of its killing of 15 Palestinian medics and civil defence workers is part of a long familiar pattern in high profile cases involving the killing of civilians.
Often, at first, the IDF denies involvement. Sometimes – in the context of Gaza – it suggests one of Hamas’s own rockets fell short, causing the casualties.
Continue reading...Musk labels Trump trade adviser ‘moron’ over Tesla comments
Peter Navarro had described Musk's electric car company as a "car assembler" rather than manufacturer.
American academic held in Thailand charged with insulting monarchy
Paul Chambers detained under strict lese-majesty law, which can lead to 15 years in jail on a single charge
A prominent American academic has been detained in Thailand after being charged with insulting the monarchy, a rare case in which a foreign national has fallen foul of the country’s strict lese-majesty law.
Paul Chambers, who specialises in civil-military relations and democratisation in south-east Asia, was denied bail on Tuesday and is being held at Phitsanulok provincial prison in northern Thailand, his lawyers said.
Continue reading...Iran sceptical over coming US talks, Iranian officials say – Reuters
- Iran sceptical over coming US talks, Iranian officials say Reuters
- An emboldened US and a weakened Iran will hold nuclear talks. Is there space for a deal? CNN
- State Department says talks with Iran are not a negotiation, will be direct ABC News
- Trump envoy Witkoff to lead high-stakes nuclear negotiations with Iran Axios
- Iran insists on 'indirect' talks with the U.S., refuting Trump NPR
Ukraine captures two Chinese nationals fighting for Russia
President Zelensky says two soldiers were captured while fighting in Ukraine's Donetsk region.
Gaza is a ‘killing field’, says UN chief, as agencies urge world to act on Israel’s blockade
Israel has blocked all supplies from entering for five weeks - the longest period since the war began.
Germany halts UN refugee resettlement programme
The next German government, likely to be led by the centre-right CDU, is expected to be tougher on migration.
King and Queen visit Colosseum during state visit to Italy – BBC
- King and Queen visit Colosseum during state visit to Italy BBC
- UK royals meet Italy’s president and enjoy a special tour of Rome’s Colosseum AP News
- King Charles and Queen Camilla Star in New Photos Taken at an Italian Villa to Mark 20th Anniversary People.com
- King Charles makes state visit to Italy Vatican News
- The King and Queen visit Italy The Royal Family
Dominican Republic nightclub collapse kills 98
More than 150 people are injured as rescuers continue to search for survivors in Santo Domingo.
Two Chinese nationals caught fighting for Russia in Ukraine, Zelenskyy says
Ukrainian president says men’s capture shows Moscow is trying to involve Beijing in the war ‘directly or indirectly’
Ukrainian forces have captured two Chinese nationals fighting with the Russian army in the eastern Donetsk region, according to Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The Ukrainian president said they were two of many more Chinese members of the Russian armed forces, and he accused the Kremlin of trying to involve Beijing in the conflict “directly or indirectly”.
Continue reading...San Sebastián locals write to Fifa saying they don’t want to host 2030 World Cup
- Six neighbourhood associations join forces in letter
- Fears it would add to ‘touristification’ of city
Six neighbourhood associations in the Basque city of San Sebastián have asked Fifa to withdraw it as a venue for the 2030 men’s World Cup. The letter – which was criticised by the city’s mayor on Tuesday – comes three months after the city was named as one of 11 Spanish venues for the tournament taking place in Spain, Morocco and Portugal.
Signed by associations representing several areas around the San Sebastián’s historic centre as well as a platform of residents pushing for “tourism degrowth,” the letter said: “Hosting the Fifa World Cup will only worsen living conditions in our city,” adding that it would “further exacerbate the touristification” of the city.
Continue reading...Are Iran and the US having ‘direct’ talks on the nuclear file?
Iran's foreign minister confirms indirect talks with the US via Oman, questions sincerity of Washington's approach.
Fifty hippos killed by anthrax in DR Congo
Efforts are now under way to recover the animals and bury them to prevent further spread.