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Xi Jinping's Visit Strengthens China-Cambodia Relations
CGTN a publié un article soulignant comment la visite du président chinois Xi Jinping a renforcé l'amitié indéfectible entre la Chine et le Cambodge, les résultats fructueux de la coopération économique et commerciale entre les deux pays et la façon dont les échanges culturels stimulent...
UK Government Steps in to Save Last Steel Furnaces Amid Crisis
There were suspicions, legal wheezes and a plan to divert a ship to Gibraltar to seize cargo, as ministers’ anxieties roseBy next weekend, a cargo ship carrying more than 50,000 tonnes of coking coal from Australia will dock at Immingham. In other circumstances, its arrival would be unremarkable. But the moment Navios Alegria reaches the Lincolnshire port will be the culmination of the government’s high-wire act to keep the UK’s last steel furnaces running.MPs were recalled from their Easter recess last Saturday to pass emergency legislation handing the government control over British Steel, which operates Britain’s last two blast furnaces capable of producing steel from scratch using coke and iron ore. Continue reading...
The Return of 'Hot Girls' in NYC Politics: A New Campaign Movement
Inspired by ‘Hot Girls for Bernie’, a grassroots campaign is rallying behind the democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani“Hot girls” may not be a polster-approved voting bloc in the way that young men or the college-educated are, but since the 2020 election the demographic has held a particular status – at least for the very online.It started in 2020, when the model Emily Ratajkowski officially endorsed Bernie Sanders’s pre-pandemic presidential campaign. Inspired by Ratajkowski, self-professed hot girls piled on their endorsements, posting selfies with the hashtag #HotGirlsForBernie. Some saw it as a way to counter the persistent “Bernie bro” narrative, a rebuke of the idea that Sanders’s fandom consisted solely of obnoxious, socialist-in-name-only men who lived their lives on Twitter. Continue reading...
Trump Administration's Crackdown on International Students and Academics Raises Concerns
The White House is targeting people seen as opponents of its agenda – here are some of the most high-profile casesDonald Trump retook the White House vowing to stage “the largest deportation operation in American history”. The administration has set about further militarizing the US-Mexico border and targeting asylum seekers and refugees while conducting raids in undocumented communities and spreading fear.Critics are outraged, if not surprised. But few expected the new legal chapter that unfolded next: a multi-pronged crackdown on certain people seen as opponents of the US president’s ideological agenda. This assault has come in the context of wider attacks on higher education, the courts and the constitution. Continue reading...
Congress Repeals $5 Overdraft Fee Cap, Leaving Consumers Vulnerable
The cap, approved last year, never took effect, though some banks voluntarily lowered or eliminated their fees. Here are some tips on how to avoid or reduce your costs.
Rising Tensions and Military Justice in Uganda Ahead of 2026 Elections
Used to prosecuting civilians, Uganda’s military courts help entrench repression ahead of the 2026 elections.
Major UK Retailers Urge EU to Reduce Food Trade Checks Ahead of Key Summit
Retailers and food producers offer to help efforts reduce ‘unnecessary red tape’ costing industry billions of poundsMore than a dozen of Britain’s biggest retailers and food producers, including Marks & Spencer, J Sainsbury and Asda, have called on the EU to reduce checks on food and drink crossing the Channel and Irish Sea, which they say are costing billions of pounds.Ahead of a summit on 19 May that is hoped to “reset” trade ties five years on from Brexit, they are urging politicians to hammer out a deal on sanitary and phytosanitary checks. They hope this would include a veterinary agreement and would harmonise food safety rules or recognise them as equivalent. Continue reading...
Hundreds of Students Face Visa Revocations Amid Political Strife in the U.S.
Hundreds of students have had their visas cancelled and find themselves in limbo.
Italian Opposition Parties Challenge AI-Generated Images as Hate Speech
Matteo Salvini’s League party have disseminated the images on social media, which centre-left parties have called ‘racist, Islamophobic and xenophobic’Opposition parties in Italy have complained to the communications watchdog about a series of AI-generated images published on social media by deputy prime minister Matteo Salvini’s far-right party, calling them “racist, Islamophobic and xenophobic”, the Guardian has learned.The centre-left Democratic party (PD), with the Greens and Left Alliance, filed a complaint on Thursday with Agcom, the Italian communications regulatory authority, alleging the fake images used by the League contained “almost all categories of hate speech”. Continue reading...
Meloni Engages Trump: A Bid for Stronger US-EU Ties
In their meeting, President Trump made clear that he had special regard for Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni of Italy. She said he had accepted an invitation to go to Rome.
UK Supreme Court Ruling Sparks Controversy Over Trans Rights and Gender Identity
A UK Supreme Court ruling defining 'woman' as biological female under the Equality Act 2010 sparked controversy. Labour MP Apsana Begum affirmed support for the trans community, prompting YouTuber Mahyar Tousi to question trans women's placement in mosques. This exchange ignited debate over trans rights and religious inclusion.
Germany's Finance Minister Faces Challenges Amid Delays and Tariff Threats
The former Goldman Sachs banker on the impact of US tariffs, and his role in structuring Friedrich Merz’s €1tn spending plan
Elon Musk's Influence on U.S. Department of Transportation Raises Conflict of Interest Concerns
Department of Transportation employees who provide support for Starlink and SpaceX launches safe amid job cutsElon Musk’s “department of government efficiency” and the Trump administration have spared the jobs of US Department of Transportation employees who provide support services for spacecraft launches by Musk’s companies, SpaceX and Starlink – a revelation that raises a new round of conflict of interest questions around Doge.In its most recent buyout announcement, the transportation department did not note that the positions spared supported Musk’s and others’ space operations. Continue reading...
Canadians Experience Surge in Fake Political Content on Social Media Ahead of Federal Election
Report finds over a quarter of Canadians exposed to ‘more sophisticated and more politically polarizing’ fake contentMore than a quarter of Canadians have been exposed to fake political content on social media that is “more sophisticated and more politically polarizing” as the country prepares to vote in a federal election, researchers have found, warning that platforms must increase protections amid a “dramatic acceleration” of online disinformation in the final weeks of the campaign.In a new report released on Friday, Canada’s Media Ecosystem Observatory found a growing number of Facebook ads impersonating legitimate news sources were instead promoting fraudulent investment schemes, often involving cryptocurrency. Continue reading...
UK Local Council Elections: A Significant Test for Political Parties
Contest for the 23 English local authorities is wide open with Labour, Tories and Reform almost tied in national pollsThe English local council elections on 1 May are a big test for the three parties almost tied in the national polls: Labour, Reform and the Conservatives. The Liberal Democrats will also be hoping to do well in areas where it is strong and have a big aim of displacing the Tories as the second largest party in local government.As the polls suggest, the contest is wide open. The Conservatives are in the worst position as they are defending the most seats in more than 900 wards which they won at the high-water mark of Boris Johnson’s popularity in 2021. Of the 23 authorities holding elections, 19 are controlled by the Conservatives and just one by Labour, with the others under no overall control. There are about 1,600 seats up for grabs, plus six mayoralties. Continue reading...
Nepal's Airport Construction Project Under Fire for Corruption and Mismanagement
A Nepali investigation blamed lawmakers and officials for looking the other way. The $216 million airport receives only one international flight a week.
Historic Visit: U.S. Congressmen Make First Trip to Syria in Years
The two Republican congressmen were expected to meet with the country’s new leadership and visit areas destroyed during the long civil war.
Concerns Rise Over Potential Loss of Tax-Exempt Status for Climate-Focused Nonprofits Under Trump Administration
Chilling effect on charitable organisations comes as need for funding rises amid Trump cuts
US Set to Abandon Peace Efforts in Ukraine as Controversial Minerals Deal Progresses
Secretary of state threatens to pull plug ‘within days’, as Kyiv says it has signed mineral deal memorandumRussia-Ukraine war – latest news updatesThe US will abandon its efforts “within days” to broker a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine unless there are clear signs a settlement can be reached, the US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, has said, as Kyiv says it has signed a memorandum with the US over a controversial minerals deal.Speaking in Paris on Friday after meeting European and Ukrainian leaders, Rubio said Donald Trump was still interested in a deal. But he added that the US president had many other priorities around the world and was willing to move on unless there were signs of progress. Continue reading...
Impending Deadline for US Negotiations on Ukraine-Russia Peace Deal
US secretary of state says Washington will focus on ‘other priorities’ if war cannot be ended soon
New U.S. Ambassador to Japan Arrives Amid Crucial Tariff Negotiations
The new U.S. ambassador to Japan has arrived in Tokyo and says he is optimistic that his country and its key Asian ally will reach a deal in their ongoing tariff negotiations.
IRS Considers Revoking Harvard's Tax Exemption Amid Political Tensions
Since the post-Nixon era, the Internal Revenue Service has had a degree of independence from the White House. President Trump is seeking to change that.
Senator Chris Van Hollen Meets Deported Salvadoran Man, Sparking Controversy
Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen shares a photo with the man whose return was ordered by the top US court.
U.S. Secretary of State Signals Potential Shift in Ukraine Peace Efforts
“If it is not possible to end the war in Ukraine, we need to move on,” the American secretary of state said as he departed meetings in Paris.
Judge Rules Trump Administration in Criminal Contempt for Deportation Orders
Judge James Boasberg has ruled that probable cause exists to find the Trump administration in criminal contempt.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio Urges Swift Action on Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks
Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that the U.S. may withdraw from brokering a Russia-Ukraine peace deal within days if progress isn't evident. Following meetings in Paris, Rubio emphasized the urgency for a breakthrough, citing stalled negotiations due to Russia's demands and disagreements between Presidents Trump and Zelenskyy. Despite a potential minerals agreement, the U.S.
Labour's Growing Frustration with the Office for Budget Responsibility
Figures in No 10 feel the Office for Budget Responsibility’s twice-yearly reports undermine Rachel Reeves’ plan to scrap the spring statementWhen Labour was riding high in opposition, the Office for Budget Responsibility was a near sacrosanct institution. Its manifesto pledged Labour would “never sideline the OBR for political convenience”.But emerging from a punishing spring statement, inside No 10 the former devotees have turned sceptics. The fiscal rules remain untouchable – despite Labour MPs’ grumbles – but there is intense frustration at the institution that marks the government’s homework. Continue reading...
Ukraine and US to Sign Key Minerals Deal Amid Diplomatic Talks
‘We’re not going to continue with this endeavour for weeks and months on end,’ Marco Rubio says Senior US, European and Ukrainian diplomats will meet again in London next week, the Élysée Palace has said, after what a French official described as an “excellent” day of talks in Paris aimed at reviving stalled ceasefire efforts.“We have started a positive process in which Europeans are a part,” the spokesperson said after the meetings attended by top British, French, German and Ukrainian officials as well as the US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, and Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff.The Americans are ready to discuss security guarantees, but the exact content of those guarantees will depend on negotiations allowing Ukraine to achieve a solid and durable peace starting with a complete ceasefire as soon as possible.We exchanged views on the next steps … including the implementation of a full ceasefire, the involvement of a multinational military contingent and development of an effective security architecture for Ukraine.We’re not going to continue with this endeavour for weeks and months on end.So we need to determine very quickly now, and I’m talking about a matter of days whether or not this is doable in the next few weeks. If it is we’re in. If it’s not, then we have other priorities to focus on as well. Continue reading...
US Defends Steel and Aluminium Tariffs as National Security Measure in WTO Dispute with India
The US has informed the WTO that its steel and aluminium tariffs were imposed for national security, not as a safeguard measure, challenging India's complaint. India argues the tariffs are essentially safeguards, requiring WTO notifications and consultations. The US maintains it acted under a national security statute, shielding the move from WTO scrutiny.
Xi Jinping's Visit Highlights China's Growing Influence in Cambodia
China is the biggest foreign patron of Cambodia, where Mr. Xi concluded a tour of Southeast Asia. But the region also needs to curry favor with President Trump.
NHS Faces Accountability Over Gender Policies Following Supreme Court Ruling
New guidance for public bodies on single-sex spaces will be issued, after the UK Supreme Court unanimously ruled a woman is defined by biological sex under equalities law. The Equality and Human Rig… [+3099 chars]
US State Department Takens Steps to Screen Visa Applicants Over Social Media Posts
US State Department cable reveals that social media posts could lead to screening for national security threats.
Trump and Meloni Express Optimism Over EU Trade Deal Amid Economic Uncertainty
US president says prospect of a trade deal with the EU is '100 percent', praising Italian prime minister as 'fantastic'.
Juan Carlos Lopez Gomez: Wrongfully Detained Over Immigration Status
Juan Carlos Lopez Gomez, a 20-year-old US citizen, was wrongly arrested in Florida under suspicion of being an unauthorised alien while commuting to work. His detention, prompted by Florida's SB 4-C law, sparked outrage. A judge released Gomez after verifying his birth certificate. A video on social media shows him having an emotional reunion with his mother.