World News

Summary

The Munich Security Conference report warns that Trump’s proposed territorial acquisitions, including Greenland, Panama, and Canada, have damaged the U.S.'s global standing, making it seen as a risk rather than a stabilizing force.

The report highlights the decline of U.S.-led global leadership amid a shift toward a multipolar world, with China and Russia expanding influence.

European leaders will press U.S. officials on NATO commitments and Ukraine support.

Survey data shows U.S. risks are now perceived as greater than Russia’s in many G7 nations.

Summary

Donald Trump stated that Palestinians displaced by Israel’s military actions would not have a right to return to Gaza under his plan.

Instead, he proposed resettling them in Egypt and Jordan, despite both nations rejecting the idea.

Trump suggested creating permanent refugee communities funded by the U.S., calling Gaza a "real estate development for the future."

His proposal has drawn condemnation from Arab nations and legal experts, with the UN warning it could constitute ethnic cleansing and violate international law.

Israel’s far-right settlers welcomed the plan.

Summary

The Vatican’s Caritas Internationalis condemned the Trump administration’s decision to halt USAID funding, warning it will cause millions of deaths and widespread poverty.

Cardinal Michael Czerny criticized the move as “reckless” and urged the U.S. to uphold Christian values of aid and compassion.

The cuts impact Catholic Relief Services and other humanitarian programs, jeopardizing decades of progress.

Czerny also denounced Trump’s immigration crackdown. U.S. Catholic bishops issued a rare rebuke, calling Trump’s policies on aid, immigration, and justice harmful to the vulnerable.

Summary

The EU and its leaders warned of swift retaliation if Donald Trump enacts new 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, as he announced over the weekend.

The European Commission criticized the move as “unjustified” and vowed to protect EU businesses.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron pledged countermeasures, with Macron warning tariffs would also hurt the U.S.

The UK government said it was monitoring developments, while UK Steel called the potential tariffs “devastating.” The EU previously responded to Trump-era tariffs with retaliatory measures.

Summary

Support for Germany’s far-right AfD is surging among young men, driven by concerns over immigration, conservative values, and distrust of mainstream politics.

A Pew study found 26% of German men view AfD positively, compared to 11% of women.

Social media, particularly TikTok, has helped spread its message. Some young supporters reject accusations of extremism, while others openly embrace far-right views.

Analysts warn that if mainstream parties ease their opposition to the AfD, it could become Germany’s dominant right-wing party.

Summary

Donald Trump reiterated his claim that Canada would be better as the U.S.’s 51st state, citing trade imbalances and lower taxes.

He also announced new 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, including from Canada, despite a recent 30-day reprieve.

Canadian PM Justin Trudeau has not formally responded, but a government source said they await official confirmation.

Trump criticized Canada’s defense spending and border security, despite recent Canadian commitments.

Canada previously retaliated against similar tariffs in 2018 before a 2019 trade deal resolved the dispute.

Summary

Russia warned that U.S.-Russia relations are near collapse, with Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov stating the Ukraine war will continue unless Kyiv abandons its NATO ambitions.

The Kremlin declined to confirm Trump's claim that he spoke with Putin, despite Trump's assertion that he expects more discussions to end the war.

Trump’s security adviser suggested economic pressure on Moscow to negotiate, while Ukraine's Zelenskyy insists on U.S. and European support before engaging with Putin.

Meanwhile, a Russian drone attack injured a civilian in Ukraine’s Sumy region.

Summary

Over 200,000 people marched in Munich against the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, with organizers claiming 320,000 participants.

The protests, held under the slogan “democracy needs you,” warned against any party collaborating with the AfD, particularly the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), ahead of legislative elections.

Summary

China is gaining global support for its claim over Taiwan, with 70 countries now endorsing its sovereignty and unification efforts—many omitting calls for peaceful resolution.

This shift follows China’s diplomatic push targeting the Global South, leveraging economic ties through infrastructure projects.

China looks to preempt Western sanctions in a Taiwan conflict by securing international legitimacy. Meanwhile, the U.S. and allies struggle to counter China’s influence.

Trump's return signals a firmer stance, but China’s diplomatic momentum complicates efforts to rally support against aggression.

Summary

Tesla's European sales are plummeting, with Germany seeing a 60% drop despite strong EV growth. Similar declines hit Norway, Sweden, and France.

While some blame the Osborne effect—buyers delaying purchases for a refreshed Model Y—Musk’s endorsement of Germany’s far-right AfD may also be repelling customers.

Online backlash has linked Tesla to fascist imagery. In contrast, UK sales fell only 7.8%, suggesting political factors play a role.

With strong domestic EV competition in Europe, Tesla’s reputation crisis could further hurt demand.

Summary

Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania officially disconnected from Russia’s Soviet-era power grid on Saturday, marking a major geopolitical shift.

The Baltic nations will operate independently for 24 hours before integrating with Europe’s energy system via links with Finland, Sweden, and Poland.

The move severs their last energy ties with Russia and Belarus, reducing reliance on Russian resources amid ongoing tensions.

For the three countries, as well as the rest of Europe, the move was steeped in geopolitical and symbolic significance.

Summary

China is rapidly surpassing the U.S. in nuclear energy, building more reactors at a faster pace and developing advanced technologies like small modular reactors and high-temperature gas-cooled units.

The U.S. struggles with costly, delayed projects, while China benefits from state-backed financing and streamlined construction.

This shift could make China the leading nuclear power producer within a decade, impacting global energy and geopolitical influence.

Meanwhile, the U.S. seeks to revive its nuclear industry, but trade restrictions and outdated infrastructure hinder progress.

A Hungarian-based company has been commissioned to deliver gas to the Transdniestria region of Moldova.

(Brian) Adams was due to perform at the Western Australian capital’s RAC Arena on Sunday night, but the city’s water corporation said a “large blockage of fat, grease and rags” was causing wastewater overflows at nearby properties, prompting authorities to intervene.

Frontier Touring posted a statement on Monday announcing the cancellation, and that attendees will receive an automatic refund in full.

“Last night’s concert could not proceed due to an external Perth Water Corporation issue, which was unable to be fixed in time. The issue, which impacted all of Wellington Street, meant that it was deemed unsafe for patrons to enter RAC Arena.”

> Yle catches up with two new university graduates who know how frustrating it can be to search for a job in Finland in the current economic climate.

The biggest child abuse trial in French history will open in Brittany this month amid anger that a surgeon was allegedly able to attack hundreds of young patients over decades, targeting some when they were under anaesthetic, in the post-surgery recovery room or in their hospital beds.

France is braced for serious questions over child protection amid harrowing testimony from a record number of alleged victims of Joël Le Scouarnec, 73, who worked as a digestive surgeon. He was employed in public and private hospitals across Brittany and the west of France, often operating on children with appendicitis.

Despite being flagged to the French authorities by the FBI in 2004 for viewing child abuse imagery on the dark web, for which he was convicted and given a four-year suspended prison sentence in France in 2005, he was never prevented from working with children and continued to gain prestigious jobs in hospitals across the country.

> Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and France's Marine Le Pen headlined a rally in Madrid on Saturday by Europe's biggest far-right bloc, buoyed by Donald Trump's return to power and calling for "a 180-degree pivot". > > Patriots for Europe has realigned extreme-right forces in the European Union. It became the European Parliament's third-largest force after Orban helped launch it last year to pull the bloc towards the far right. > > "Yesterday we were the heretics. Today we are the mainstream... We are the future," proclaimed Orban, sharing the stage with other leading extreme-right nationalists including Dutch anti-Islam firebrand Geert Wilders, Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini and former Czech premier Andrej Babis.

Summary

Germany’s top defense official, Gen. Carsten Breuer, warned of Russia’s escalating military buildup, calling it an “imminent threat” and comparing it to a wildfire at Europe’s doorstep.

Russia is doubling its pre-war troop levels and stockpiling weapons, suggesting broader ambitions beyond Ukraine. NATO leaders stress the war’s global implications, with China, North Korea, and Iran aligning with Moscow.

As the U.S. pauses most foreign aid under Trump, European officials fear weakened Western support.

Breuer urged allies to unite financially and militarily to counter Russia’s expansionist goals.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ml/post/25854998

> By Alex MacDonald > Published date: 10 February 2025 16:44 GMT

Summary

Over 1,000 protesters, including Hongkongers and Uyghur activists, gathered outside the proposed Chinese "mega-embassy" site in London, fearing it could be used for surveillance and illegal detentions.

Tower Hamlets council previously rejected the plan, but Beijing resubmitted it under the new Labour government. The final decision rests with Deputy PM Angela Rayner.

Politicians like Tom Tugendhat warned approving the embassy would be a "grave mistake."

Demonstrators clashed with police, highlighting growing UK-China tensions over human rights and security concerns.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ml/post/25815419

> By Lubna Masarwa in Jerusalem > Published date: 7 February 2025 10:27 GMT

Summary

Air pollution is responsible for over 1,100 annual cases of adenocarcinoma, the most common form of lung cancer in the UK, according to new WHO data.

The UK's rates are higher than the US and Canada, with experts calling for urgent government action.

Lung cancer charities and health professionals warn of devastating consequences, urging stricter air quality regulations.

Despite a government pledge to improve air quality, critics argue that recent policies, such as Heathrow’s expansion, contradict efforts to reduce pollution-related health risks.

Israeli troops were ordered to shoot and kill captive Israeli civilians on 7 October 2023, Israel’s then defence minister admitted this week. The order to carry out Israel’s so-called Hannibal Directive was issued “tactically” and “in various places” next to Gaza, Yoav Gallant told Israel’s Channel 12 on Thursday. “In other places it was not given, and that is a problem,” he continued.

Contrary to Gallant’s statement that the Hannibal Directive was unevenly applied in different areas, Israeli newspaper Yediot Ahronot reported in January 2024 that at midday on 7 October, an unambiguous order was given from the high command of the Israeli military to invoke the Hannibal Directive across the entire region.

In July, Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported that the order “not a single vehicle can return to Gaza” was issued to the Gaza Division of the Israeli military at 11:22 am that day. But Gallant’s new statement is highly significant, as the first public admission by a contemporary Israeli minister that their troops were ordered to fire on their own people on 7 October.

Summary

Trump proposed offering refugee status and U.S. resettlement for white South Africans amid alleged oppression and rights abuses, claiming protection for Afrikaners.

Leading Afrikaner organizations, including Solidarity and AfriForum, rejected Trump’s offer, stating their commitment to remain in South Africa and build a future locally.

The U.S. executive order cut aid to South Africa and accused its government of enabling attacks and enforcing a law seizing white-owned farmland.

South Africa’s officials dismissed Trump’s claims as misinformation, noting that Afrikaners remain economically privileged and integral to the nation’s recovery from apartheid.

Summary

The documentary Mr Nobody Against Putin exposes how Russian schools are being used for pro-war indoctrination.

Directed by former teacher Pavel Talankin, the film captures students forced to march, study propaganda-filled history books, and attend speeches by war veterans, including ex-Wagner fighters.

Some teachers embrace nationalism, while others feel trapped. Facing mounting threats, Talankin fled Russia in 2024 with footage documenting the militarization of youth.

He hopes the film, which won a Sundance award, will reveal the extent of Putin’s ideological control over education.

The United States has announced the approval of the sale of more than $7.4bn in bombs, missiles and related equipment to Israel, which has used American-made weapons to devastating effect during the war in Gaza.

The state department has signed off on the sale of $6.75bn in bombs, guidance kits and fuses, in addition to $660m in Hellfire missiles, according to the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA).

The proposed sale of the bombs “improves Israel’s capability to meet current and future threats, strengthen its homeland defense, and serves as a deterrent to regional threats”, the DSCA said in a statement.

Gambling companies are covertly tracking visitors to their websites and sending their data to Facebook’s parent company without consent in an apparent breach of data protection laws.

The information is then being used by Facebook’s owner, Meta, to profile people as gamblers and flood them with ads for casinos and betting sites, the Observer can reveal. A hidden tracking tool embedded in dozens of UK gambling websites has been extracting visitors’ data – including details of the webpages they view and the buttons they click – and sharing it with the social media company.

By law, data should only be used and shared for marketing purposes, with explicit permission obtained from users on the websites in which the tools are embedded. But testing by the Observer of 150 gambling sites – including virtual casinos, sports betting sites and online bingo – found widespread breaches of the rules.