India: opposition party lambasts Modi after Trump raises tariffs
India’s opposition Congress party has criticised Narendra Modi after renewed US warnings linking higher tariffs on Indian exports to continued purchases of Russian oil. Jairam Ramesh argued that a personality-driven foreign policy has…
Equatorial Guinea: US payment to accept deportees sharply criticised
The US government has made a $7.5 million payment to the government of Equatorial Guinea as it seeks agreements to deport migrants to third countries, prompting sharp criticism from a top Democratic senator.…
Responses to Trump’s criticisms of ‘weak, decaying’ Europe
Donald Trump has intensified his criticism of Europe, portraying the continent as weak’, ‘decaying’, and threatened by immigration. Using inflammatory language, he echoed ‘great replacement’ conspiracy themes, claiming that European countries risk becoming…
‘War against drugs’: USA confirms double strike on a suspect vessel
US military strikes on alleged Venezuelan drug boats are facing intense criticism after reports that a ‘double tap’ attack on 2 September killed survivors clinging to a burning vessel. The White House confirmed…
Sri Lanka: cyclone tragedy exposes government failures
The authorities are under intense scrutiny for their handling of Cyclone Ditwah, which has affected more than 1.46 million people across all 25 districts and caused the nation’s worst flooding in two decades.…
Budget: differing views about how to rescue the economy
Kemi Badenoch has warned that the country risks bankruptcy if Labour raises taxes without reducing welfare spending. She accused Rachel Reeves of planning a ‘stealth tax bombshell’ in the upcoming Budget to fund…
Nigeria: Trump’s military threats over ‘Christian genocide’
Donald Trump’s threats to cut aid and launch military strikes against Nigeria over alleged ‘Christian genocide’, while resonating with US evangelicals, might misrepresent and oversimplify the country’s complex crisis. Nigeria’s conflicts, spanning insurgency,…
Indonesia: president defends free meals programme despite food poisoning cases
Indonesia’s president, Prabowo Subianto, has defended his ambitious free meals programme after thousands of cases of food poisoning raised public concern. Launched in January, the initiative provides meals for children and pregnant women;…
Haiti: UN votes to create a ‘gang suppression force’
The UN Security Council has voted to expand its international mission in Haiti, transforming it into a ‘gang suppression force’ tasked with restoring order in the country. The resolution raises the force’s personnel…
Rayner admits underpaying tax on Hove flat, but PM backs her
Deputy prime minister Angela Rayner has admitted underpaying stamp duty on her £800,000 flat in Hove, blaming reliance on flawed legal advice. The property purchase in May was part-funded by selling her stake…
