Cliff Notes – Donald Trump has decided climate action is woke and here’s how he is going to war with it Trump’s EPA to roll back cornerstone of climate action The administration of US President Donald Trump is forging ahead with a plan to revoke a scientific finding that’s long been the cornerstone of US climate action. Lee Zeldin, the head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) who along with Trump has called for the “death of the Green New Scam,”…
Cliff Notes – Trump strikes tariff deal with S. Korea as deadline nears President Trump announced a 15% tariff on South Korean goods, lowering the previously threatened rate of 25%, aligning South Korea with other trade partners like Japan and the EU. Trump hailed the deal as comprehensive, with South Korea committing to purchase $100 billion worth of US energy products and making significant investments in the US. Despite the positive announcement, South Korean opposition…
Cliff Notes – Floods kill at least 23 people in northeastern Nigeria Flash floods in Adamawa state have resulted in at least 23 fatalities and left over 5,500 individuals displaced, according to the UN humanitarian agency (OCHA). As rescue efforts continue, a camp has been established at Aliyu Musdafa College in Yola to provide shelter and basic materials to those affected. Meteorologists advise residents in flood-prone areas to evacuate as further heavy rainfall is anticipated,…
Cliff Notes – Ivory Coast President Ouattara seeks fourth term President Alassane Ouattara confirmed his candidacy for a fourth term in the October 25 presidential election amid rising tensions over the exclusion of notable opposition candidates. Critics argue that his bid for another term is unconstitutional, as two of his main rivals have been barred from the race under controversial legal rulings. Ivory Coast President Ouattara seeks fourth term Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara said…
Cliff Notes – US and EU reach trade deal to avoid tariffs The US and EU have agreed on a trade deal imposing a 15% tariff on goods, averting a potential 30% tariff threatened by Trump. The agreement includes a significant energy purchase from the US by the EU, aimed at enhancing energy security and diversifying supply sources. What does the US and EU trade deal mean? Are we now dependent on the US more…
Cliff Notes – Protest against Israeli cruise ship sparks debate in Greece Greek Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis condemned protests against Israeli tourists in Syros, affirming that antisemitism has no place in Greece and highlighting the country’s hospitality. The protests, sparked by a ship carrying Israeli tourists, featured demonstrators opposing Israel’s actions in Gaza, which led to heated debates among locals regarding racism and support for Palestine or Israel. Current opinion polls indicate a significant shift…
Cliff Notes – Tunisians call for the fall of authoritarian regime Hundreds of protesters marched in Tunis, denouncing President Kais Saied’s authoritarian leadership, chanting slogans for regime change. The demonstration marked four years since Saied’s controversial power grab, with demands for the release of political prisoners amid claims of an oppressive atmosphere. Tunisians call for the fall of authoritarian regime Hundreds of Tunisians marched through the capital on Friday to denounce President Kais Saied’s increasingly…
Cliff Notes – Bus crash in Peru kills at least 15 and injuring at least 30 A bus travelling from Lima to La Merced crashed in Palca, resulting in 15 fatalities and around 30 injuries, with the vehicle overturning into a ravine. Authorities are in the process of identifying the deceased, while local media have reported the bus was carrying over 60 passengers at the time of the accident. Fatal bus crashes are common in…
UN to hold emergency meeting – Cambodia and Thailand conflict intensifies Ongoing clashes between Thailand and Cambodia have resulted in fatalities, with the Thai Interior Ministry reporting 14 deaths and over 100,000 residents displaced. The conflict, driven by a long-standing border dispute centred around the Emerald Triangle, escalated with both sides accusing each other of aggression and heavy artillery use. The international community has expressed concerns, with calls for restraint from the US, France, and…
Cliff Notes – Amid Gaza’s forced scarcities, Palestinians fight to survive. The ongoing Israeli bombardment and rampant scarcity have left many families in Gaza, like Raed al-Athamna’s, struggling to find basic food supplies. According to international aid organisations, hunger levels have escalated dramatically, with a third of Gaza’s population going without food for several days. Access to medical care is critically hampered, compounding the humanitarian crisis as malnutrition-related deaths soar among vulnerable populations, including children.…
Cliff Notes – Columbia to pay $221 million in deal with Trump Columbia University will pay $221 million to settle federal investigations, including $200 million over three years for anti-semitism inquiries and $21 million to the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The agreement allows Columbia to maintain authority over academic decisions, while reinstating most federal grants that were halted earlier this year. The settlement follows disciplinary actions against students involved in pro-Palestinian protests, amid pressure…
Cliff Notes – New law curtails anti-corruption bodies’ powers. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a law limiting the powers of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO), provoking widespread protests across several cities. The law allows the Prosecutor General to access NABU cases and issue instructions, undermining the independence of these anti-corruption bodies and raising concerns about political influence. Criticism has emerged from various political factions, including EU officials, highlighting…
Cliff Notes – President Trump accuses Obama of ‘treason,’ without providing evidence President Trump has accused former President Obama of “treason” regarding the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election, citing unverified claims. Obama’s office responded, labelling the accusations as “bizarre” and a feeble distraction, while emphasising their commitment to not dignify misinformation. A 2017 intelligence assessment confirmed Russian interference in the election but found no evidence that it altered the outcome, contradicting Trump’s…
Cliff Notes – Trump announces Japan trade deal with 15% tariff on imports US President Donald Trump announced a new trade deal with Japan, reducing a previously threatened 25% tariff on imports to 15%. Trump claimed Japan would invest $550 billion in the US and open its markets to American autos and rice, anticipating job creation. Trump announces Japan trade deal with 15% tariff on imports US President Donald Trump said he had reached a…
Cliff Notes – Tributes Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath frontman, dead at 76 Ozzy Osbourne, renowned frontman of Black Sabbath, passed away at the age of 76, with his family confirming he was surrounded by loved ones at the time of his death. Tributes poured in from music icons, including Elton John and Gene Simmons, who expressed their admiration and grief over the loss of the “Godfather of Heavy Metal.” Osbourne, who revealed his Parkinson’s diagnosis…
Cliff Notes – White House cuts WSJ from Scotland trip over Epstein story The White House excluded The Wall Street Journal from the press pool accompanying President Trump to Scotland due to allegations of “fake and defamatory conduct” linked to a report about a birthday letter to Jeffrey Epstein. Trump’s lawsuit against the WSJ seeks $10 billion in damages, claiming the publication has caused significant financial and reputational harm through its allegations. This incident marks…
Cliff Notes – Ex-officer sentenced to prison over Breonna Taylor raid A former Kentucky police officer was sentenced to 33 months for violating Breonna Taylor’s rights during a deadly raid in March 2020, which used a controversial no-knock warrant. Taylor’s family welcomed the sentence but expressed disappointment that it did not reflect the full severity of her death; they noted it was more than what the Department of Justice had sought. The judge expressed concern…
Cliff Notes – Japan’s Ishiba vows to stay on after election defeat Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s coalition lost its majority in the upper house, securing only 46 of the 125 contested seats amid rising public discontent. Despite the electoral setback, Ishiba pledges to remain in office to navigate critical trade negotiations with the United States, emphasising the importance of these talks. The anti-immigration Sanseito party emerged as a significant force, gaining traction particularly among…
Cliff Notes – Police arrest suspect in honour killing video A suspect has been arrested in Pakistan after a viral video depicted a man and woman being shot for marrying against familial wishes, highlighting the issue of “honour killings.” The killings were reportedly ordered by a local tribe council in Balochistan, where similar cases are common to restore family reputation and social standing. Despite some legal reforms, around 1,000 women are killed annually in Pakistan…
Cliff Notes – Trump sues Wall Street Journal, Murdoch over Epstein report Donald Trump has filed a $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal and others over a report about a suggestive letter he allegedly wrote to Jeffrey Epstein in 2003. The article detailed Trump’s letter, which reportedly included a provocative sketch and birthday wishes for Epstein, raising questions about Trump’s past associations with Epstein. Amid ongoing scrutiny, the US Justice Department is…
Cliff Notes – Earthquake strikes off Alaska, triggering tsunami advisory A 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Alaska at 12:37 PM local time, with its epicentre located 54 miles south of Sand Point. Initially, a tsunami warning was issued but was later downgraded and ultimately withdrawn, with only a minor tsunami recorded at Sand Point. A 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Alaska on Wednesday, the US Geological Survey said. The earthquake took…
Cliff Notes – International Court of Justice (ICJ) latest The ICJ is the principal judicial organ of the UN, tasked with settling disputes between states and providing advisory opinions on legal matters referred by the UN. Jurisdiction of the ICJ requires either a declaration of submission from involved parties or consent to bring disputes before the court; rulings are legally binding but lack enforcement mechanisms. The court contributes significantly to the development and interpretation of…
Cliff Notes – Trump revokes funds for California’s high-speed rail project US President Donald Trump has announced the withdrawal of $4 billion in federal funding for California’s high-speed rail, branding it an unnecessary “scam” and a waste of taxpayer money. California officials have condemned the move as unlawful, asserting the state will explore all legal options to contest the funding cancellation. Despite the setback, California High-Speed Rail Authority claims the project is advancing, with 171…
Cliff Notes: ICJ upholds Kosovo war crimes conviction for Pjeter Shala Pjeter Shala’s sentence was reduced from 18 to 13 years by the Kosovo Specialist Chambers tribunal, which upheld his conviction for war crimes committed during the 1998-99 Kosovo uprising. The tribunal noted that the original sentencing was disproportionate compared to similar cases, and Shala’s lack of commanding role in some charges was considered. Judges described Shala’s acts of torture as “of particular cruelty,” with…
Cliff Notes – Trump urges MAGA supporters to forget about Epstein files. Trump defended his administration and attempted to quell frustration among MAGA supporters over the withholding of Epstein case files by the Justice Department and FBI. He suggested that energy should be redirected towards investigating the 2020 election claims, rather than focusing on Epstein, who he claims is of little interest. Trump’s handling of the Epstein files is a betrayal for QAnon as it…
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