- Trump Sparks Crisis in the World’s Other Vital Strait, the Panama Canal The Daily Beast
- Businesses dole out up to $4 million to cross Panama Canal during Strait of Hormuz chokehold AP News
- Iran War Drives Some Ships to Pay $1 Million to Transit Panama Canal WSJ
- Panama Canal says $1 million-plus auction slots reflect temporary surge in demand Reuters
- Iran war drives Panama Canal lane prices to record high Financial Times
Mixed views in Lebanon ahead of controversial talks with Israel
Lebanon remains divided over the best way to end the conflict with Israel, with some backing Hezbollah's armed response.
UK prepared to deploy RAF Typhoons to keep strait of Hormuz open after Iran war
Proposal at heart of offer made during a 30-country two-day meeting jointly organised by France
Britain is prepared to deploy a squadron of RAF Typhoons based in Qatar to patrol over the strait of Hormuz as part of a multinational mission to keep open the strategic waterway once the Iran war comes to an end.
The UK military also offered to deploy mine-hunting drones and specialist divers to help clear the strait mined by Iran – but no decision has been made on whether HMS Dragon or another warship would also be deployed.
Continue reading...Indonesia suggests charging a toll to transit the Malacca Strait – The Economist
- Indonesia suggests charging a toll to transit the Malacca Strait The Economist
- The Iran war is pushing Southeast Asia to debate the once unthinkable: Whether ships will need to pay to transit the Strait of Malacca Yahoo
- Hormuz crisis throws spotlight on world's largest 'chokepoint' - the Malacca Strait Reuters
- Indonesia Rules Out Tolls for Malacca Strait Ship Transits Bloomberg.com
- Indonesia Floats Ship Tax in Malacca Strait as Singapore Defends Free Passage Jakarta Globe
On Everest, Everyone Is Waiting for a Block of Ice to Fall – Newser
- On Everest, Everyone Is Waiting for a Block of Ice to Fall Newser
- Huge chunk of glacier blocks Everest route in peak climbing season BBC
- Ice block stalls hundreds of Everest climbers at base camp The Guardian
- Mount Everest Summit Route Blocked by Immovable Slab of Ice The Inertia
- Everest: New Drone Service to Counter Delays in the Khumbu Icefall Explorersweb »
EU formally approves €90bn Ukraine loan and 20th sanctions package against Russia
Ursula von der Leyen hails ‘good news’ after Hungary’s lifting of vetoes allows leaders to sign off on agreements
EU leaders have welcomed the end of diplomatic deadlock over a long-awaited €90bn (£78bn) loan for Ukraine, after the bloc completed the agreement along with a 20th sanctions package against Russia.
After weeks of delay, the EU signed off on the loan on Thursday, in time for a summit in Cyprus that began in the evening and will include talks over a dinner with the Ukrainian leader, Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Continue reading...The no-go zone paradox: Chornobyl’s wildlife thrives amid pro-nuclear shift – The Guardian
- The no-go zone paradox: Chornobyl’s wildlife thrives amid pro-nuclear shift The Guardian
- PHOTO ESSAY: Chernobyl liquidators return to where they faced an invisible enemy AP News
- Scientists are still learning from the Chernobyl nuclear disaster The Economist
- Chornobyl first responder says few survive 40 years on Reuters
- Chernobyl at 40: The lies, the loss and why we can't let go Phys.org
The welcome return of German military might – Financial Times
- The welcome return of German military might Financial Times
- Germany unveils first ever military strategy for Bundeswehr DW.com
- Can the Germans fight? The Economist
- Germany unveils strategy for becoming Europe’s strongest military by 2039 Defense News
- Boris Pistorius, the man preparing Germany for war Le Monde.fr
More than 6 million Somalis face hunger amid climate shocks and conflict – Al Jazeera
- More than 6 million Somalis face hunger amid climate shocks and conflict Al Jazeera
- Drought Displaces Nearly 62,000 in Somalia as Climate Shocks Intensify International Organization for Migration
- 5 things you need to know about Somalia’s humanitarian crisis Doctors Without Borders
- Malnutrition Crisis Deepens in Somalia Camp Amid Severe Drought fundsforNGOs News
- Drought displaces tens of thousands in Somalia: UN Arab News PK
More than 6 million Somalis face hunger amid climate shocks and conflict
Drought, failed rains, and conflict drive 6.5 million Somalis into hunger; children face acute malnutrition risks.
Israeli forces kill Palestinian teenager in occupied West Bank raid
Teenager dies in hospital after Israeli forces shot him with live ammunition in the shoulder, Palestinian media reports.
Dozens of Mexican mafia members arrested in California crackdown
Prosecutors say 43 people indicted on charges including murder, kidnapping, extortion and drug trafficking
More than two dozen members and associates of the Mexican mafia were arrested during an early morning crackdown in southern California, federal authorities said on Thursday.
The FBI and other federal and local agencies executed search and arrest warrants at locations mostly in Orange county, south of Los Angeles, according to the US attorney’s office.
Continue reading...Iran’s Mehr says air defences heard ‘engaging hostile targets’ in Tehran – Reuters
- Iran's Mehr says air defences heard 'engaging hostile targets' in Tehran Reuters
- Iran war live: Air defences engaged over Tehran, reason unclear Al Jazeera
- Israel denies it is attacking Iran after air defenses reportedly fire at 'hostile targets' over Tehran The Times of Israel
- Air defenses activated in Tehran against ‘hostile targets’; Katz: Israel awaiting US green light to resume strikes ynetnews
- US-Iran War Live: Iran activates air defences, engages 'hostile targets', local media reports India Today
Lebanese Christians rejoice over new Christ statue brought by Italian soldiers – OSV News
- Lebanese Christians rejoice over new Christ statue brought by Italian soldiers OSV News
- Israel jails two soldiers who damaged and photographed a Jesus statue in Lebanon CNN
- How a single incident undermines Israel’s religious tolerance reputation The Jerusalem Post
- IDF Replaces Smashed Crucifix In Lebanon, Metes Out Punishment To Guilty Soldier i24NEWS
- Opinion | Israel Is Weaponizing Lebanon’s Diversity The New York Times
Trump tells BBC that King’s visit could ‘absolutely’ help repair relations with UK
In a phone interview with the BBC's North America editor, the president discussed next week's visit and his relationship with the UK PM.
US reclassifies some marijuana products as less dangerous drug
Step is latest example of shift away from heavy penalisation that has given way to widespread legalisation efforts.
Decapitating cartels? Mexico leans into ‘kingpin strategy’ but at a cost
Under pressure from the US, President Claudia Sheinbaum has authorised military operations to arrest cartel leaders.
Italy slams Trump envoy proposal of taking Iran’s place in World Cup 2026
Italy officials slam suggestion that national football team should replace Iran at World Cup; fans also underwhelmed.
Pope Leo ends Africa tour with prison visit
Pope Leo wrapped up his 10-day four-nation tour of Africa in Equatorial Guinea.
Trump claims US has total control over strait of Hormuz after Iran seizes two container ships
US president says Tehran hobbled by infighting as Pentagon reportedly briefs mine clearance may take six months
Donald Trump has again said that the US has “total control over the strait of Hormuz”, adding that Iran’s leadership was so hobbled by infighting that it was unclear who was in charge.
But the US president’s claim seemed questionable in the face of the seizure of two container ships by Iranian commandos and a US report warning it could take six months to clear the strait of mines.
Continue reading...