Ursula von der Leyen’s push for an EU-South America trade deal is deepening a Franco-German rift. Germany supports the Mercosur agreement to boost its manufacturing sector, while France opposes it, fearing harm to its farmers. This conflict challenges the EU’s trade negotiation role, with Germany questioning Brussels’ authority. Von der Leyen’s move is risky, especially amid France’s political crisis and President Macron’s longstanding opposition to the deal. The situation threatens EU unity and raises concerns about its foundational competences. Penelope Kingsley 06/12/2024 4:30 am
Researchers from the University of Oviedo in Spain have identified the invasive southern giant hornet (Vespa soror) in Europe for the first time. This large hornet preys on animals like butterflies and geckos. The discovery, published in “Ecology and Evolution,” highlights the importance of studying insects for early detection of invasive species. The southern giant hornet, part of the Vespa genus, is typically found in Asia. Previously, a queen was spotted in Vancouver, Canada, in 2019. The term “murder hornet” is discouraged for this species. Noah Prescott 06/12/2024 1:01 am
French President Emmanuel Macron announced he will appoint a new prime minister soon after Michel Barnier resigned following a no-confidence vote. Macron, rejecting calls to resign, pledged to serve until 2027. He criticized the far right and hard left for collaborating against the government. The no-confidence vote, supported by 331 MPs, was unprecedented in over 60 years. Barnier, who used special powers to pass a budget, will remain as caretaker. Macron faced criticism for calling snap elections, leading to political deadlock. Ava Sinclair 06/12/2024 1:01 am
Nearly 100 former U.S. diplomats and security officials urged Senate leaders to review files on Tulsi Gabbard, Trump’s pick for national intelligence director, citing concerns about her ability to provide unbiased intelligence. Gabbard’s team called the appeal “unfounded” and “partisan.” Current intelligence director Avril Haines emphasized the importance of maintaining strong intelligence-sharing relationships, especially among the Five Eyes nations, without directly mentioning Gabbard. Ava Sinclair 06/12/2024 1:01 am
Syrian rebels captured Hama after government forces withdrew, marking a significant shift in Syria’s civil war. This follows their recent control of Aleppo. Analysts attribute the rebels’ success to the weakened state of Assad’s forces and the distraction of his foreign allies, including Russia and Hezbollah, with their own crises. The offensive is led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, formerly linked to Al Qaeda, and other Turkey-backed groups. The rebels reported government forces in disarray, with many abandoning their posts. Ava Sinclair 06/12/2024 1:01 am
ESA’s twin Proba-3 spacecraft launched from India aim to revolutionize space missions with precise formation flying, creating artificial solar eclipses to study the Sun’s corona. Supported by 14 ESA Member States, the mission showcases European technology in autonomous operations and precision maneuvering. The satellites, launched on a PSLV-XL rocket, will achieve unprecedented positioning accuracy. The mission is managed from ESEC in Belgium, with significant contributions from NewSpace India Limited. Ava Sinclair 05/12/2024 9:30 pm
On December 3, 2024, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol unexpectedly declared martial law, citing threats from “pro-North Korean anti-state forces.” This move, perceived as an attempt to suppress the opposition Democratic Party’s influence in parliament, shocked many citizens, likening it to a coup. The martial law was lifted within hours, exemplifying a “self-coup” or “autogolpe,” where a leader seizes more power. Such self-coups have become more frequent in the past decade. Unlike most, Yoon’s attempt quickly failed, highlighting the complexities of modern authoritarian tactics. Ava Sinclair 05/12/2024 9:30 pm
Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te held phone calls with U.S. congressional leaders, including House Speaker Mike Johnson and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, during his visit to Guam. He also had a video call with Senator Roger Wicker. Lai’s trip, which included stops in Hawaii, the Marshall Islands, and Tuvalu, drew criticism from China, which opposes official interactions between Taiwan and the U.S. The U.S. is a key arms supplier to Taiwan and maintains military bases on Guam. Penelope Kingsley 05/12/2024 9:30 pm
A man in Fort Severn, Canada, is expected to recover after leaping on a polar bear to protect his wife. Experts warn that changing environmental conditions may increase surprise encounters with polar bears. The bear attacked the couple in their driveway, and a neighbor intervened, shooting the bear. Despite Canada’s large polar bear population, attacks are rare. However, as sea ice conditions change, interactions with humans may become more unpredictable, especially if bears are in poor condition. Well-fed bears are less likely to pose a threat. Penelope Kingsley 05/12/2024 9:30 pm
In a major speech, Sir Keir Starmer outlined six pledges for voters to hold his government accountable, focusing on the economy, housebuilding, NHS, policing, education, and green energy. The targets aim for economic growth, building 1.5 million homes, reducing NHS wait times, increasing police presence, improving early education, and achieving 95% clean power by 2030. While criticized for lacking concrete immigration targets, Starmer emphasized the need for priorities and acknowledged potential trade-offs. The pledges restate existing commitments and aim to communicate benefits of a Labour government to voters. Noah Prescott 05/12/2024 6:00 pm
