World News

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ml/post/25627002

By Yasmine El-Sabawi in Washington
Published date: 5 February 2025 02:09 GMT

"On Tuesday, at a stunning joint press conference alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump announced the US will be taking over and running Gaza, potentially for the foreseeable future.

“Everybody I've spoken to loves the idea of the United States owning that piece of land, developing and creating thousands of jobs with something that will be magnificent,” Trump told reporters after a three-hour meeting with Netanyahu. "

Summary

Support for Germany’s CDU/CSU alliance has dropped to 28% after candidate Friedrich Merz relied on far-right AfD votes to pass a border policy resolution, breaking a long-standing political taboo.

Merz’s chancellor approval ratings also fell to 22%, tying with Green candidate Robert Habeck.

Nationwide protests followed the CDU-AfD cooperation, and parliament later rejected Merz’s immigration bill.

Meanwhile, Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s SPD holds at 16%, and the AfD remains steady at 20%.

Summary

Elon Musk’s shutdown of USAID has triggered a global humanitarian crisis, blocking life-saving medical supplies, halting food aid, and forcing aid organizations to close.

Experts predict thousands of deaths, especially among women and children, as famine and disease spread.

Trump’s 90-day aid freeze has disrupted critical programs in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, affecting millions.

Critics call the move an “extinction-level event” for humanitarian aid.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ml/post/25623037

By Peter Oborne and Richard Sanders in Amman
Published date: 4 February 2025 17:15 GMT

"Well-placed sources in Amman and Jerusalem told MEE that the last thing #Jordan wants is war and it is eager for a peaceful solution. But they are adamant that the ##Jordanians will close the border if refugees begin to cross into the country.

If the #Israelis seek to re-open it, that would be "a casus belli," one source said.

The Jordanians are under no illusion they could win a war with #Israel, but believe they would have no choice but to fight. "

Summary

Trump granted Canada a 30-day tariff delay after Prime Minister Trudeau agreed to boost border security and designate drug cartels as terrorist organizations.

However, Trump is already pushing for further economic concessions, including changes in dairy, auto, and banking regulations.

His repeated comments about annexing Canada have sparked controversy but lack political support in either country.

The tariff threats rattled markets, briefly lowering stocks before rebounding. With another deadline looming, Canada faces continued uncertainty as Trump’s administration signals more aggressive trade demands.

Donald Trump has said that Palestinians have “no alternative” but to leave Gaza due to the devastation left by Israel’s war on Hamas, in effect endorsing ethnic cleansing of the territory over the opposition of Palestinians and the neighbouring countries.

Speaking as he prepared to host Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, on Tuesday, Trump repeated the suggestion that Gaza’s population should be relocated to Jordan and Egypt – something both countries have firmly rejected.

Trump claimed Palestinians would “love to leave Gaza”, telling reporters: “I would think that they would be thrilled.”

MBFC
Archive

Summary

A mass shooting at Campus Risbergska in Örebro, Sweden, left 11 dead and six injured, in what Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson called the country's worst mass shooting.

The suspected gunman, previously unknown to police, is believed to be among the dead. Authorities say the attacker acted alone and no further threats remain.

An investigation is underway into murder, arson, and weapons offenses.

School shootings are rare in Sweden but have occurred in recent years.

Summary

The North Pole experienced an extreme warming event, with temperatures soaring more than 20°C above average, nearing 0°C—the melting point of ice.

Scientists attribute this anomaly to a low-pressure system over Iceland directing warm air northward, amplified by unusually warm Atlantic waters.

The Arctic is warming nearly four times faster than the global average, accelerating sea ice loss.

Experts predict Arctic summer sea ice could vanish within two decades.

Summary

Police in Saxony, Germany, uncovered an illegal wild garlic harvesting ring, seizing 100 kg of bulbs worth thousands of euros.

Six suspects, including repeat offenders, were caught in two separate vehicles with bags of the protected plant.

Wild garlic, prized in cooking, can only be collected in small amounts for personal use under German law. Large-scale theft is a recurring issue.

The suspects are now under investigation for gang theft.

The Trump administration has begun flying undocumented immigrants from the US to a military detention facility at Guantánamo Bay in Cuba, the White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, said on Tuesday.

Leavitt told Fox Business Network that at least two deportation flights were “under way”, but gave no further details.

Her comments, however, appeared to confirm reporting by the Wall Street Journal, citing an anonymous official with knowledge of the operation, that about a dozen immigrants were onboard one flight from Fort Bliss, Texas. The newspaper said an additional flight had departed on Monday.

CNN later reported one of the flights had “about nine or 10” people onboard who were detained in the US without valid immigration documents.

Summary

Canadians feel betrayed after Trump launched a trade war, threatening 25% tariffs and even suggesting Canada become the 51st U.S. state.

Prime Minister Trudeau secured a 30-day tariff delay after pledging border cooperation, but tensions remain high.

Canadian officials announced retaliatory tariffs, while citizens boycott U.S. goods and boo the American anthem at sports events.

Experts warn the damage to U.S.-Canada relations could be long-lasting.

What is known so far.

Shooter was 35-year old male

Shooter dead at the scene

The school is what could be described as an adult municipal school (komvux). Classes there are mainly for those looking to improve grades from primary and high school, aswell as SFI (Swedish for immigrants)

Edit https://www.thelocal.se/20250204/police-suspected-school-shooting-orebro-sweden

Summary

Two Panamanian lawyers have filed a lawsuit with the supreme court seeking to cancel a Hong Kong-based company's contract to operate two ports at the Panama Canal, arguing it is unconstitutional.

The case follows U.S. pressure on Panama to curb Chinese influence, with Senator Marco Rubio urging President José Raúl Mulino to act. Trump has also called for reclaiming the canal.

If revoked, Panama risks international arbitration.

Mulino has already agreed to restrict migration, exit China’s Belt and Road Initiative, and reportedly allow U.S. military vessels free transit.

President Donald Trump took office last month touting his commitment to ending wars. “My proudest legacy will be that of a peacemaker,” he announced in his recent inaugural address. For years, in fact, Trump has touted his antiwar credentials and boasted about ending “endless wars.”

On Saturday, Trump ramped up America’s longest-running war, carrying out a strike in Somalia that killed an unspecified number of people. “These killers, who we found hiding in caves, threatened the United States and our Allies,” Trump posted on social media. “The strikes destroyed the caves they live in, and killed many terrorists without, in any way, harming civilians.”

Trump asserted that the airstrike killed a “Senior ISIS Attack Planner” that the Biden administration failed to strike, despite a yearslong military targeting effort. “The message to ISIS and all others who would attack Americans is that ‘WE WILL FIND YOU, AND WE WILL KILL YOU!’” Trump announced.

Summary

Italian politician Andrea Zanoni has reported Donald Trump Jr to authorities for allegedly shooting a protected ruddy shelduck while hunting in Venice Lagoon.

A video from Trump Jr’s publication, Field Ethos, reportedly shows him with the rare bird among other dead ducks.

The species is protected under EU and Italian laws, making its killing a potential crime. Zanoni has called for sanctions, including suspending hunting licenses.

Regional officials have yet to respond. The incident occurred in a conservation area south of Venice.

Summary

European and US shipowners have sold at least 230 aging tankers to Russia’s "shadow fleet," allowing it to evade sanctions and fund the Ukraine war, an investigation reveals.

Greek firms led the sales, with UK, German, and Norwegian companies also involved, collectively earning over £4.8bn.

Many tankers were reflagged and used to transport Russian oil despite sanctions. The EU and US have tightened regulations, sanctioning some vessels.

However, opposition from shipping-heavy nations like Greece has prevented an outright ban on such sales.

Summary

Trump announced he would cut U.S. funding to South Africa over alleged human rights violations, echoing Elon Musk’s repeated and false claims that the government discriminates against whites.

Trump appeared to reference South Africa’s new Expropriation Act, which allows land redistribution in certain cases. Musk has falsely accused the country of enabling "genocide" against white farmers.

South African officials denied Trump’s claims and defended the law.

The funding cut could impact $400 million in U.S. aid, including HIV/AIDS programs, and jeopardize South Africa’s AGOA trade benefits.

Summary

Russia criticized Trump’s proposal to provide military aid to Ukraine in exchange for access to its rare earth minerals.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov condemned the idea as a commercial transaction rather than genuine support and reiterated Russia’s stance that halting aid would help end the war.

Trump argued that securing Ukraine’s resources, including titanium and lithium, was in U.S. interests.

While Ukraine has not responded, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz denounced the plan as selfish, noting Ukraine's need to retain resources for postwar rebuilding.

Summary

Trump’s overhaul of U.S. foreign aid has thrown USAID into turmoil, forcing contractors to fire staff and struggle with unpaid invoices.

His administration halted aid projects and tasked Elon Musk with downsizing USAID, leading to layoffs and funding freezes.

Contractors face millions in unpaid dues, with some considering legal action. The cuts have disrupted global health and humanitarian programs, sparking protests.

USAID funding, less than 1% of the U.S. budget, is key to diplomacy and countering China and Russia’s influence, raising concerns about long-term global impact.

Summary

Georgia’s ruling party, Georgian Dream, has cracked down on protests following a contested election, jailing over 40 people, including journalists and activists.

Independent journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli, arrested during demonstrations, is on a life-threatening hunger strike. Detainees report police abuse, and critics liken the repression to Russian tactics.

The government is introducing harsher penalties for protesters, sparking international condemnation.

The crackdown follows Georgia’s stalled EU accession talks, with opponents warning it is pushing the country closer to Russia’s influence, undermining democracy and civil liberties.

Summary

Russian state disinformation campaigns are aggressively spreading across Africa, with Moscow using manipulated images and deceptive narratives to bolster its global influence.

Campaigns mix truths with distortions, employing local influencers, nano-influencers, and buzzers to amplify messages.

State-sponsored efforts extend to radio stations and online news outlets, weaving networks that adapt propaganda to local cultural contexts and historical sentiments.

These tactics stoke anti-West anger and revive nostalgic Soviet-era alliances, effectively challenging Western influence while reshaping Africa's political landscape.