World News

Summary

Syrian rebels, led by the jihadist group Hei’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), launched a surprise offensive in Aleppo, capturing the city and exposing vulnerabilities in President Bashar al-Assad’s regime.

Assad’s forces are weakened as Russia diverts resources to Ukraine, withdrawing key military assets, and Iran faces setbacks from Israeli airstrikes on its proxies, including Hezbollah.

This shift in the balance of power allowed HTS to capitalize on Assad’s reduced support.

The conflict reignites instability in Syria’s northwest, threatening prolonged violence as Assad’s forces scramble to respond.

Summary

Russian police raided several Moscow nightclubs, including LGBTQ+ venues Mono and Arma, under anti-“LGBT propaganda” laws, confiscating devices and detaining individuals, including a travel agency director accused of organizing a trip for LGBTQ+ clients.

The raids coincide with the one-year anniversary of Russia outlawing the “international LGBT movement” as an extremist organization, part of President Vladimir Putin’s broader crackdown on LGBTQ+ rights.

Framed as defending “traditional family values,” these measures reflect escalating repression amid Russia’s conservative shift since its war in Ukraine began.

Summary

Romania’s parliamentary elections could see far-right parties, led by the Alliance for Uniting Romanians (AUR), gain over 30% of the vote, raising concerns about the country’s pro-Western stance and support for Ukraine.

The election follows far-right, pro-Russian candidate Calin Georgescu’s surprising success in the presidential first round, now under recount amid allegations of irregularities.

Pro-European leaders warn that the vote may determine Romania’s democratic future, with fears of a shift toward Russia’s influence.

Romania has been a key NATO ally and supporter of Ukraine since Russia’s invasion.

A long-awaited Fifa report into the legacy of the Qatar World Cup has been published, but only after its key recommendation was rejected by the organisation.

Fifa’s subcommittee on human rights and social responsibility has found that the game’s world body “has a responsibility” to provide financial remedy to workers who suffered loss as a result of employment at the 2022 World Cup. Its report argues that Fifa should use its Qatar legacy fund for those workers. Two days before the report was published, however, Fifa announced that the $50m fund would be used on international development projects instead.

The report contains an independent assessment by the human rights consultancy Human Level. It acknowledges a number of measures Fifa undertook with Qatari authorities to improve conditions, but “a number of severe human rights impacts did ultimately occur in Qatar from 2010 through 2022 for a number of workers connected to the 2022 World Cup” and that “a credible argument can be made that Fifa contributed to some of the impacts”.

Summary

Trump has threatened 100% tariffs on BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and others) if they pursue de-dollarization efforts, including creating a new currency to challenge the U.S. dollar’s dominance in global trade.

Trump warned these nations could lose access to the U.S. economy.

BRICS members, frustrated by U.S. financial dominance, have explored alternatives, with Russia advocating for a new payment system to bypass sanctions.

Analysts say the dollar’s global reserve status remains secure in the near term despite these challenges.

cross-posted from: https://lemm.ee/post/48705781

Summary

Protests erupted across Georgia after the ruling Georgian Dream party suspended EU accession talks and refused EU budgetary grants, effectively halting the country’s bid to join the bloc until 2028.

Thousands demonstrated in cities like Tbilisi and Batumi, with over 100 arrested amid clashes with police involving tear gas and water cannons.

Outgoing President Salome Zourabichvili called the government illegitimate and accused it of turning toward Russia against public will.

Summary

A YouGov poll revealed that 77% of Germans support banning social media for those under 16, similar to a new Australian law.

The survey found that 82% believe social media harms young people, citing harmful content and addiction.

In Australia, the law fines platforms up to AUD 49.5 million (€30.5M) for allowing under-16s to create accounts, with enforcement trials set before implementation next year. Critics

Summary

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy proposed placing Ukraine’s territory under NATO’s protection to halt active warfare with Russia.

Speaking to Sky News, he suggested NATO could safeguard areas currently under Ukrainian control, allowing the rest of the territory to be reclaimed diplomatically.

Zelenskyy said that such a proposal has never been considered by Ukraine because it has never been officially offered.

The statement follows intensified Russian missile and drone strikes targeting Ukrainian energy infrastructure, leaving over 1 million people without power.

Summary

Syrian government forces have withdrawn from Aleppo after a major rebel offensive led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and allied factions, marking the most intense fighting in Syria’s civil war since 2020.

Rebels now control large parts of the city, including the airport, with over 300 deaths reported since Wednesday.

President Assad vowed to counter the attack, while Russia conducted its first airstrikes in Aleppo since 2016.

The conflict disrupts a fragile ceasefire, prompting mass civilian evacuations and reigniting fears of wider escalation.

A lot of this is because they see plastics as the way to keep on extracting oil even if countries decide that burning it isn't a good idea.

They've also opposed efforts to limit that problem.

Summary

An explosion damaged a canal supplying water to Kosovo’s main power plants, prompting Prime Minister Albin Kurti to label it a “terrorist act” orchestrated by “gangs directed by Serbia.”

Serbia denied involvement. The blast threatens electricity for parts of Kosovo and follows other attacks in northern areas with significant Serbian populations.

Eight arrests and a large weapon cache were reported during the investigation.

The EU and US condemned the attack, urging accountability.

Tensions remain high as Serbia refuses to recognize Kosovo’s independence, declared in 2008.

Summary

MI6 Chief Sir Richard Moore revealed a “staggeringly reckless” Russian sabotage campaign across Europe, targeting infrastructure and sowing fear to undermine Western support for Ukraine.

Suspected incidents include a DHL cargo plane crash in Lithuania, undersea internet cable cuts, and fires at facilities in Germany, Poland, and the UK.

Moore emphasized the broader threat to European security if Russia succeeds in Ukraine, warning of emboldened autocracies like China and North Korea.

He highlighted covert Western actions countering Russia and reinforced the importance of UK-France-US intelligence collaboration against Putin’s “morally bankrupt axis.”

cross-posted from: https://lemm.ee/post/48659236

Summary

The Colombian navy intercepted a semi-submersible carrying cocaine in the Pacific, uncovering a new smuggling route to Australia.

The vessel, capable of traveling thousands of miles without refueling, was part of a lucrative operation targeting Australia, where cocaine fetches six times the U.S. price.

This was the third such vessel seized, with maps confirming the route.

The operation, part of the multinational “Orion” initiative, seized 225 tonnes of cocaine and arrested over 400 people globally.

Colombian authorities highlighted links between South American and Oceanian crime networks.

Summary

The New Zealand navy ship HMNZS Manawanui sank near Samoa during an ocean floor mapping mission after crew errors left it on autopilot, causing it to accelerate into a reef.

The vessel, lost in October, was the country’s first navy shipwreck since WWII. A military inquiry blamed human error, with crew failing to disengage autopilot.

The ship carried 950 tons of diesel, raising environmental concerns, though fuel tanks appeared intact.

No fatalities occurred, but minor injuries were reported.

Social media criticism unfairly targeted the ship’s female captain, prompting defense officials to denounce sexist remarks. Salvage efforts are ongoing.

Summary

Rebels in Syria, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), have launched their first major offensive on Aleppo since 2016, threatening a potential shift in the 13-year civil war.

The attack targets a city historically vital to Syria’s economy, previously reclaimed by President Assad with Russian support.

This resurgence could destabilize the region, involving players like Russia, Turkey, and Iran, while creating openings for ISIS.

HTS, previously linked to al-Qaida, has sought legitimacy but remains controversial. The fighting raises concerns of regional escalation amid other Middle Eastern conflicts.

"We think that today, there is an opportunity for all of the (USMCA) countries to work together to have a fully aligned policy on China, to protect all of our workers and to ensure that we are supporting each other in this really important effort," Freeland said.

Summary

Russia’s ruble has plunged to its lowest level since March 2022 following new U.S. sanctions on Gazprombank, a key platform for energy payments.

The ruble’s slide, driven by sanctions, falling oil prices, and soaring defense spending, has intensified inflation and strained the war economy.

While the Kremlin benefits from a weaker ruble by converting foreign revenues into more domestic currency, experts warn of overheating risks and financial instability.

The Russian central bank is scrambling for solutions, but long-term economic pressures and declining oil revenues pose significant challenges.

The opposition fighters have said the campaign was in response to stepped-up strikes in recent weeks against civilians by the Russian and Syrian air force on areas in rebel-held Idlib, and to preempt any attacks by the Syrian army.

Opposition sources in touch with Turkish intelligence said Turkey, which supports the rebels, had given a green light to the offensive.