Elton John’s Charity Hits Sour Note with Russia, Labeled “Undesirable”
Russia's Office of the Prosecutor General has declared the Elton John AIDS Foundation an "undesirable" organisation, citing its alleged cooperation with international institutions that promote an economic blockade of Russia. The foundation, founded by British singer Elton John in 1992, is accused of promoting non-traditional sexual relations and Western family models, and may face a ban on its activities in Russia, with potential prosecution for those who cooperate with it. Read the full story here
Hungary Announces Shock Exit from International Criminal Court Amid Tensions
Hungary has announced its withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC) as Israeli leader, Benjamin Netanyahu, visits the country. The move is seen as a significant shift in Hungary's foreign policy. The Hungarian government has stated that it will terminate its membership in the ICC, citing concerns over the court's jurisdiction and authority. Read the full story here
US Spares Russia and North Korea from Latest Tariff Crackdown: Here’s Why
The White House has implemented tariffs on nearly all goods imported into the U.S., with rates starting at 10%. Countries already under existing sanctions, such as Cuba, Belarus, North Korea, and Russia, are exempt due to high tariffs they already face, while Ukraine will be subject to a 10% tariff on its goods. Read the full story here
Nation Horrified to Discover Trump’s Tariff Plan Written by Same AI That Does My Homework for Me
I mean, who needs human intelligence when you have ChatGPT, right? It's not like the President of the United States should be making informed decisions based on, I don't know, actual data and expertise. Nope, let's just let a language model do the heavy lifting. And, apparently, that's exactly what's happening, because tariffs are being created using the same formula that ChatGPT leads users to. But, wait, it gets better - people are actually surprised…
US Spares Russia and Belarus from New Tariffs, Citing Current Sanctions
The US has excluded Russia from its "Liberation Day" tariff list due to existing sanctions that preclude meaningful trade, according to White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt. The US imposed a baseline 10% duty on all countries, including Ukraine, with higher rates for major trade partners like the EU, but excluded Russia and Belarus due to existing economic sanctions. Read the full story here
Air Canada Takes to the Skies with Eutelsat’s In-Flight WiFi, Challenging Starlink’s Dominance
Eutelsat, a European satellite operator, has begun providing onboard wifi for passenger and business planes, competing with Elon Musk's Starlink constellation. Eutelsat is delivering broadband connectivity to Air Canada aircraft and corporate jets, with over 1,000 aircraft scheduled for installation, as it positions itself as an alternative to Starlink amid concerns over Musk's involvement. Read the full story here
Cook Islands Seek Sovereignty Shift in Revised NZ Agreement
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown will only re-work constitutional ties with New Zealand if the new agreement recognizes his country's increased independence. The dispute between the two nations stems from Cook Islands' agreements with China, which New Zealand claims breach long-standing constitutional agreements from 1965, 1973, and 2001, and the Cook Islands' push to introduce its own passport. Read the full story here
Beijing Strikes Back: Trade Tensions Soar as China Fights Fire with Fire Against US Tariffs
The US has imposed a 54% tariff on all Chinese imports, prompting China to vow countermeasures to protect its interests. The move is expected to escalate the trade war between the two nations and impact global trade, with businesses scrambling to adjust to the new tariff rates and potential supply chain disruptions. Read the full story here
MAGA Melts Down as Mike Pence Commits Ultimate Sin: Basic Math
The Great Tariff Tantrum: A Satirical Take And so, the MAGAverse has lost its collective mind, again. But, can you blame them? I mean, who wouldn't be outraged when former Vice President Mike Pence blasts President Donald Trump's tariffs as the “largest peacetime tax in U.S. history.” I mean, it's not like Trump has a history of, you know, making things up as he goes along or anything (wink, wink). But, seriously, Pence's criticism of…
Washington Imposes Moratorium on US Officials’ Intimate Ties with Chinese Nationals
The U.S. government has prohibited American personnel in China from engaging in romantic or sexual relationships with Chinese citizens, according to sources with direct knowledge of the matter. This blanket ban applies to U.S. government personnel, family members, and contractors with security clearances, and is a response to concerns about Chinese intelligence gathering efforts, with exemptions only for pre-existing relationships. Read the full story here