World News

Bolivia is stepping up efforts to tap the world’s biggest lithium deposits, readying deals with new investors to build processing plants despite low prices and growing opposition from lawmakers and citizen groups.

US President Donald Trump told world business leaders on Thursday to manufacture in the United States or face tariffs, in his first major speech to global leaders since returning to the White House this week. ... “Come make your product in America and we will give you among the lowest taxes of any nation on earth,” Trump said today, speaking remotely to the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland.

“But if you don’t make your product in America, which is your prerogative, then very simply you will have to pay a tariff,” he added.

A Hong Kong tourist has been killed in Japan after being hit by a train while reportedly taking photographs standing on the line.

The woman was standing on railway tracks to take photos of the sea before being hit by a train in Otaru city in Hokkaido on Thursday, Xinhua news agency said, citing Japanese media.

A man who taped a sinister note to a Chinese ex-official’s door in New Jersey was sentenced Wednesday to 16 months in prison. He was convicted of participating in what U.S. authorities called a Beijing-driven pressure campaign targeting expatriates.

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump’s executive order on birthright citizenship has jolted the Indian immigrants.....

Taliban justice officials in Afghanistan said Thursday that 12 people, including two women, had been publicly flogged this week after being tried and charged with adultery, sodomy, eloping, and having “illicit relations.”

At least two Palestinians have been killed by Israeli tank fire in the Tal as-Sultan neighbourhood, west of Rafah in southern Gaza, the enclave’s Civil Defence officials tell Al Jazeera.

The Israeli military said it was looking into the report of the attack, the Reuters news agency said on Thursday.

The attack comes after Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire that took effect on Sunday.

Summary

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez claimed tech billionaires are using social media to undermine democracy by exploiting algorithms to spread disinformation and manipulate society for personal agendas.

He criticized platforms for fostering division, undermining democratic processes, and concentrating power among elites.

Sánchez proposed EU regulations, including requiring digital identification for social media users and holding platform owners accountable under the Digital Services Act.

He also condemned Elon Musk and Peter Thiel for promoting reactionary and anti-democratic ideas, urging Europe to counter the "tech caste."

Summary

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum criticized Donald Trump's executive order renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America."

Sheinbaum stated that while Trump can refer to the American part of the body of water as the Gulf of America, the rest of the world will continue to refer to it as the Gulf of Mexico.

Trump signed the order on Jan. 20, 2025, following his inaugural promise, citing the Gulf's importance to the U.S. economy. Sheinbaum emphasized Mexico’s stance on territorial integrity.

This follows Trump’s recent controversial foreign policy ideas, including proposing Canada as a U.S. state, acquiring Greenland, and considering military action to reclaim the Panama Canal.

Summary

Danish politician Anders Vistisen harshly rejected Donald Trump’s proposal to make Greenland part of the U.S., calling it "an unacceptable attack on national sovereignty" and using profane language in the European Parliament.

Trump has claimed Greenland is essential for U.S. national security and hinted at using force or economic pressure.

Greenland’s Prime Minister and Denmark’s Prime Minister reaffirmed Greenland’s autonomy and dismissed the idea.

Trump’s renewed interest in Greenland echoes similar comments from his first term in 2019.

cross-posted from: https://lemm.ee/post/53430358

THE ENFORCEMENT DIRECTORATE Thursday said two Delhi-based “cyber criminals” siphoned off more than ₹49 billion (£460.28m) abroad by “misusing” special economic zone (SEZ) facilities......

A woman, who was blamed by French courts for her divorce because she no longer had sex with her husband, has won an appeal in Europe's top human rights court, the court said on Thursday, reigniting a debate in France over women's rights.
...
[Lawyer, Lilia Mhissen] "This decision marks the abolition of the marital duty and the archaic, canonical vision of the family," she said in a statement. "Courts will finally stop interpreting French law through the lens of canon law and imposing on women the obligation to have sexual relations within marriage."

Summary

Elon Musk’s Nazi salute during a speech was projected onto Tesla’s Berlin factory by two left-wing activist groups, Led By Donkeys and the Center for Political Beauty.

The groups, known for their creative stunts, aimed to expose political hypocrisy and address issues like fascism and historical accountability.

Musk dismissed the controversy, urging people not to overanalyze his actions.

Summary

Donald Trump signed an executive order withdrawing the U.S. from the OECD global corporate tax deal, which set a 15% minimum tax rate on multinationals.

This move threatens Ireland, which relies heavily on corporate tax revenue from U.S. firms.

Trump also plans to retaliate against countries imposing "extraterritorial" taxes on U.S. businesses.

EU officials, including Ireland, expressed concern but emphasized their commitment to the tax reforms.

The decision risks escalating U.S.-EU tensions, with fears of trade tariffs and broader economic fallout.

Summary

Japan faces a growing crisis as elderly women increasingly commit minor crimes to secure imprisonment, where they find stability, companionship, meals, and healthcare.

Between 2003 and 2022, the number of female prisoners aged 65+ quadrupled. Many, like 81-year-old Akiyo, cite poverty, loneliness, and abandonment as reasons for resorting to crime.

Over 80% of elderly female inmates are jailed for theft.

Japan’s government is introducing programs to support elderly reintegration and reduce repeat offenses, but gaps in caregiving, housing, and healthcare make prison a refuge for many.

Summary

Solar power surpassed coal as a source of electricity in the European Union in 2024, driven by strong growth and the EU’s commitment to renewable energy.

Solar energy has become the EU’s fastest-growing power source, contributing 11% to its supply.

Overall, the share of renewables rose to 47%, up from 34% in 2019. Only 10% of the bloc's power was generated with coal.

This shift, coupled with a decline in fossil fuel dependency, highlights Europe’s leadership in clean power amid global climate concerns.