03 World

France Cracked Down on Far-Right Corruption—And Team Trump Is Triggered – Mother Jones– www.motherjones.com

pgnewser April 1, 2025 0

France Cracked Down on Far-Right Corruption—And Team Trump Is Triggered – Mother Jones– www.motherjones.com
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Far-right French politician Marine Le Pen has not proven to be as lucky as Donald Trump was in skirting consequences of breaking the law.Alexis Sciard/IP3/ZUMA

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After a French court found far-right leader and former presidential frontrunner Marine Le Pen guilty of embezzlement on Monday—a conviction that will bar her from holding political office for five years—some of President Donald Trump’s closest allies are boosting baseless conspiracy theories alleging that Le Pen’s conviction is part of a global scheme to keep right-wing populists from holding office.

Le Pen is reportedly accused of wrongfully diverting $5 million in funds earmarked for the European Parliament to staffers of her nationalist, xenophobic party, the National Rally, over a 12-year period. The verdict makes her ineligible to run in the country’s next presidential election in 2027—and comes after she was polling at 37 percent, more than 10 points ahead of her closest challenger. Le Pen has run for that office three times before, and became more popular as right-wing political parties across Europe rose in prominence in recent years; in the 2022 presidential runoff, Le Pen earned 41.5 percent of votes to President Emmanuel Macron’s 58.6 percent. (Macron is term-limited.)

 

Iran, Facing Trump Threats, Says It Positioned ‘Launch-Ready Missiles’ To Strike ‘US-Related Positions’– freebeacon.com

pgnewser April 1, 2025 0

Iran, Facing Trump Threats, Says It Positioned ‘Launch-Ready Missiles’ To Strike ‘US-Related Positions’– freebeacon.com
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Iran says it has readied “a significant number” of advanced missiles capable of striking American bases and military outposts in the Middle East, drawing a sharp warning from the Trump administration.

Iran’s “armed forces have readied missiles with the capability to strike U.S.-related positions,” the Tehran Times, a state-controlled newspaper, reported on Monday. “A significant number of these launch-ready missiles are located in underground facilities scattered across the country, designed to withstand airstrikes.”

The announcement came in response to President Donald Trump’s threat over the weekend to bomb the country if it does not enter into negotiations over its contested nuclear weapons program. But Trump is not backing down—the White House, in response to Tehran’s war preparations, told the Washington Free Beacon it does “not take kindly to military threats.”

“President Trump and his administration do not take kindly to military threats,” said White House National Security Council communications director James Hewitt. “The President has made clear he prefers direct diplomatic channels with Tehran, or they will face serious consequences if they do not end their work to obtain nuclear weapons.”

Fresh US strikes extend air campaign targeting Yemen’s Houthis | News– www.aljazeera.com

pgnewser April 1, 2025 0

Fresh US strikes extend air campaign targeting Yemen’s Houthis | News– www.aljazeera.com
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Houthis claim to down US drone. President Donald Trump declares Yemeni rebel group ‘decimated’ by air strike campaign.

The United States military launched a series of air attacks on Yemen overnight, targeting Houthi rebels.

Strikes hit an area near the capital, Sanaa, as well as the northern province of Saada early on Tuesday as the US extended a bombing campaign against targets in Yemen that began in mid-March and has killed dozens of people.

The Houthi-affiliated Al Masirah TV reported that US forces launched 15 raids on the northern province of Saada, including the city of Saada and the districts of Majz and Sahar. Mount Nabi Shuaib, in the Bani Matar district of Sanaa province, was also reported to have been targeted.

Thousands flee Gaza’s Rafah after Israel issues new evacuation orders– www.euronews.com

pgnewser April 1, 2025 0

Thousands flee Gaza’s Rafah after Israel issues new evacuation orders– www.euronews.com
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UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini said 140,000 people are impacted by the Israeli military’s latest displacement orders, which indicate it could soon launch another major ground operation in Gaza’s southernmost city.

Thousand of Palestinians fled Gaza’s southernmost city of Rafah on Monday after the Israeli military issued new sweeping evacuation orders, indicating it could soon launch another major ground operation.

At least 140,000 people were affected by the evacuation order, according to Philippe Lazzarini, the head of UNRWA, the UN agency helping Palestinian refugees.

“People are treated like pinballs with constant military orders playing with their fate and lives,” Lazzarini wrote on the social platform X.

Starmer dismisses claims he’s been ‘played’ by Trump, and says future trade deal could lessen impact of tariffs – UK politics live | Politics– www.theguardian.com

pgnewser April 1, 2025 0

Starmer dismisses claims he’s been ‘played’ by Trump, and says future trade deal could lessen impact of tariffs – UK politics live | Politics– www.theguardian.com
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Keir Starmer has dismissed claims that he has been “played” by President Trump over tariffs.

In an interview with Sky News this morning, echoing what Jonathan Reynolds said in his morning interview round (see 8.58am), Starmer said that a future trade deal with the US might lead to the UK getting some exemptions from the tariffs coming tomorrow. He said:

We are of course negotiating an economic deal which will, I hope … mitigate the tariffs.

Asked if he had been “played” by US President Donald Trump, Starmer replied:

The US is our closest ally. Our defence, our security, our intelligence are bound up in a way that no two other countries are.

So it’s obviously in our national interest to have a close working relationship with the US, which we’ve had for decades, and I want to ensure we have for decades to come.

He said talks on an economic deal would normally take “months or years” but “in a matter of weeks we have got well advanced in those discussions”.

Starmer also confirmed that it was likely the UK would be affected by the tariffs being announced tomorrow.

We are obviously working with the sectors most impacted at pace on that.

Nobody wants to see a trade war but I have to act in the national interests.

Le Pen conviction ‘a very big deal’ – Trump — RT World News– www.rt.com

pgnewser April 1, 2025 0

Sweden pledges $1.6 billion in new Ukraine aid, including air defense– www.yahoo.com

pgnewser March 31, 2025 0

Sweden pledges $1.6 billion in new Ukraine aid, including air defense– www.yahoo.com
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PARIS — Sweden announced additional military aid for Ukraine to the tune of 16 billion Swedish kronor ($1.6 billion), in response to a Ukrainian request for capabilities in air defense, artillery, satellite communications and the maritime domain.

The new military aid package, Sweden’s biggest yet, brings support for Ukraine’s defense to 29.5 billion kronor this year, the government said on Monday. The Nordic country said it has provided 80 billion kronor of military aid to Ukraine since 2022.

“We are stepping up the support and we are increasing it in strength and scope, and there are strong reasons to do this in light of the very serious situation in Ukraine,” Minister for Defence Pål Jonson said at a press briefing in Stockholm on Monday. “Russia has the initiative in the war, and we need to support Ukraine to break that trend right now.”

The Swedish government has proposed to provide 40 billion kronor in aid in Ukraine in 2025, partially by moving funds earmarked for 2026 to this year.

Israel Issues Evacuation Order for Southern Gaza– www.nytimes.com

pgnewser March 31, 2025 0

Israel Issues Evacuation Order for Southern Gaza– www.nytimes.com
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The Israeli military issued a sweeping evacuation order for the southern Gaza Strip on Monday, signaling that it could relaunch intensive assaults in the area.

The order — which came during the Eid al-Fitr holiday — heralded renewed hardship for Palestinians in the southernmost city of Rafah, which has been battered by the war between Israel and Hamas, and has endured periods of being overwhelmed with displaced people and depopulated by evacuation orders. The war restarted two weeks ago after a monthslong cease-fire collapsed.

In the past, the Israeli military has ordered evacuations ahead of both aerial attacks and ground maneuvers that it has said were targeting Hamas.

Avichay Adraee, the Israeli military’s Arabic-language spokesman, on Monday posted a map of the affected areas on his social media accounts, including Rafah and parts of neighboring Khan Younis. He said Palestinians must relocate to shelters in a costal region to the north.

Zimbabwe shuts down amid calls for protests– www.yahoo.com

pgnewser March 31, 2025 0

Zimbabwe shuts down amid calls for protests– www.yahoo.com
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A national protest meant to pressure Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa to resign turned into a shutdown as citizens opted to stay away rather than take to the streets amid a heavy security presence.

Only a handful of protesters took part in the planned march, spearheaded by a group of disgruntled war veterans who have accused Mnangagwa of corruption and wanting to cling on to power, and they were dispersed by the police.

Following the reports of a low turnout, protest leader Blessed Geza urged Zimbabweans “not to be cowards” in a post on X.

Mnangagwa became president in 2017 following a coup against long-time leader Robert Mugabe and is currently serving his second and final term.

Putin open to contacts after Trump criticism: Kremlin– thehill.com

pgnewser March 31, 2025 0

Putin open to contacts after Trump criticism: Kremlin– thehill.com
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Russian President Vladimir Putin says he’s open to staying in touch with the White House after critical comments from the U.S. president toward Russia’s leader, which have been rare amid his efforts to get peace talks rolling.

Putin criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday, suggesting he may not be a legitimate leader, and therefore unable to represent Ukraine in peace talks.

Trump said Sunday he was “very angry” and “pissed off” at Putin’s remarks about Zelensky, and threatened to impose new tariffs on Russian oil exports.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov indicated on Monday the remarks would not derail ongoing discussions related to Ukraine.

“We are working to implement some ideas in connection with the Ukrainian settlement. This work is ongoing,” Peskov said, per The Associated Press.

Trump Threatens Europe and Canada if They Band Together Against U.S. – The New York Times

pgnewser March 31, 2025 0

Trump Threatens Europe and Canada if They Band Together Against U.S. – The New York Times
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President Trump said in a middle-of-the-night social media post early Thursday that he would come after the European Union and Canada if they banded together to “do economic harm” to America, opening a new front in the unfolding trade war.

“If the European Union works with Canada in order to do economic harm to the USA, large scale Tariffs, far larger than currently planned, will be placed on them both in order to protect the best friend that each of those two countries has ever had!” Mr. Trump wrote.

His threat creates a new problem for the European Union, which is already trying to respond to his tariffs on steel, aluminum, autos and potentially a broader array of goods and services.

Mr. Trump on Wednesday said that all cars and certain automobile parts that are shipped into the United States would be subject to a 25 percent tariff.

Trump says reciprocal tariffs will target all countries– www.channelnewsasia.com

pgnewser March 31, 2025 0

Trump says reciprocal tariffs will target all countries– www.channelnewsasia.com
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ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE: US President Donald Trump said on Sunday (Mar 30) reciprocal tariffs he is set to announce this week will include all nations, not just a smaller group of 10 to 15 countries with the biggest trade imbalances.

Trump has promised to unveil a massive tariff plan on Wednesday, which he has dubbed “Liberation Day”. He has already imposed tariffs on aluminum, steel and autos, along with increased tariffs on all goods from China.

“You’d start with all countries,” he told reporters aboard Air Force One. “Essentially all of the countries that we’re talking about.”

White House economics adviser Kevin Hassett recently told Fox Business that the administration’s tariffs focus would be on 10 to 15 countries with the worst trade imbalances, though he did not list them.

Trump threatens ‘there will be bombing’ if Iran fails to make ‘peace deal’ – The Times of Israel

pgnewser March 31, 2025 0

Trump threatens ‘there will be bombing’ if Iran fails to make ‘peace deal’ – The Times of Israel
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US President Donald Trump threatened Iran on Sunday with bombing and secondary tariffs if Tehran did not come to an agreement with Washington over its nuclear program.

In Trump’s first remarks since Iran rejected direct negotiations with Washington last week, he told NBC News that US and Iranian officials were talking, but did not elaborate.

“If they don’t make a deal, there will be bombing,” Trump said in a telephone interview. “It will be bombing the likes of which they have never seen before.”

Hamas slams Israel’s ‘colonial’ road project meant to split West Bank, isolate East Jerusalem – The Cradle

pgnewser March 31, 2025 0

Hamas slams Israel’s ‘colonial’ road project meant to split West Bank, isolate East Jerusalem – The Cradle
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Hamas has strongly condemned Israel’s approval of a new road project connecting Jerusalem to the Ma’ale Adumim settlement in the occupied West Bank, calling it a colonial effort to expand illegal settlements and displace Palestinians from occupied East Jerusalem.

In a statement issued on 30 March, the Palestinian resistance group described the Israeli cabinet’s decision as part of a broader plan to isolate Palestinian towns and dismantle hopes for a viable Palestinian state.

“These colonial plans will ultimately be shattered by the steadfastness of the Palestinian people,” the statement read, urging Palestinians in the West Bank and Jerusalem to escalate resistance and confront the occupation.

“The continued implementation of settlement projects in occupied Jerusalem reveals the occupation’s malicious intent to expand settlements and push for the displacement of Palestinians from the holy city.”

The Israeli Security Cabinet on Saturday approved the final phase of the so-called “Fabric of Life Road,” also known as the “Texture of Life Axis.” The project, long delayed, will create a new route allowing Palestinian vehicles to travel between the northern and southern West Bank without passing through Israeli checkpoints or Route 1 — the main highway connecting Jerusalem to Ma’ale Adumim. That road will now be reserved exclusively for Israeli traffic.

Syria Interim President Names New Government Dominated By Allies– www.ndtv.com

pgnewser March 31, 2025 0

Syria Interim President Names New Government Dominated By Allies– www.ndtv.com
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Damascus, Syria: Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa on Saturday announced a new transitional government dominated by close allies and including one woman, replacing caretaker authorities in place since the ouster of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad.

The announcement, initially scheduled for earlier this month, comes amid international calls for an inclusive Syrian transition following recent sectarian bloodshed, as the country’s new leaders seek to reunite and rebuild Syria and its institutions after Assad’s December 8 overthrow brought an end to 14 years of civil war.

Close associates of Sharaa held on to key positions, with Foreign Minister Assaad al-Shaibani and Defence Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra retaining their cabinet posts, while Anas Khattab, the head of general intelligence, was appointed interior minister.

Veteran opposition figure Hind Kabawat, a member of Syria’s Christian minority and longtime Assad opponent, was named social affairs and labour minister, the first woman to be appointed by Sharaa.

The leader of the White Helmets, the Syrian rescuers who worked in rebel-held areas, Raed al-Saleh, was appointed minister of emergency situations and disasters.

Myanmar’s Military Continues To Bomb Towns Amid Deadly Earthquake Crisis– www.ndtv.com

pgnewser March 31, 2025 0

Myanmar’s Military Continues To Bomb Towns Amid Deadly Earthquake Crisis– www.ndtv.com
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An armed resistance movement against Myanmar’s military-run government criticised the junta on Sunday for conducting airstrikes on villages even as the country reels from an earthquake that has killed around 1,700 people.

The Karen National Union, one of Myanmar’s oldest ethnic armies, said in a statement that the junta “continues to carry out airstrikes targeting civilian areas, even as the population suffers tremendously from the earthquake”.

The group said that under normal circumstances, the military would be prioritising relief efforts, but instead is focused on “deploying forces to attack its people”.

A spokesman for the junta did not reply to queries from Reuters about the criticism.

Myanmar has been locked in civil war with multiple armed opposition groups since a 2021 coup, when the military seized power from the elected government of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.

Russia Sends Rescuers to Myanmar After Deadly Earthquake– www.themoscowtimes.com

pgnewser March 31, 2025 0

Russia Sends Rescuers to Myanmar After Deadly Earthquake– www.themoscowtimes.com
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Russia deployed more than 120 rescuers, medics and sniffer dogs to Myanmar following a devastating earthquake that struck the Southeast Asian country on Friday, the Emergency Situations Ministry announced over the weekend.

The death toll from the 7.7-magnitude earthquake rose to more than 1,700 on Monday as more bodies were pulled from the rubble, the country’s military-led government, with thousands more injured and over 300 missing.

Russia’s Emergency Situations Ministry, acting on orders from President Vladimir Putin, sent two teams to assist in search and rescue operations.

Myanmar’s state broadcaster MRTV reported Sunday that two Russian planes carrying rescue workers, ambulances and equipment arrived in the capital, Naypyidaw.