PHILIPPINES
China parks ‘monster ship’
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) yesterday said that the China Coast Guard’s largest vessel has anchored in Manila’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the South China Sea. The 165m “monster ship” entered Manila’s 200 nautical mile (370km) EEZ on Tuesday last week, PCG spokesperson Jay Tarriela told a news forum. The PCG warned the Chinese vessel that it was in the EEZ and asked about its intentions, he said. “It’s an intimidation on the part of the China Coast Guard,” Tarriela said. “We’re not going to pull out and we’re not going to be intimidated.” China’s embassy in Manila and the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Chinese ship, which has also deployed a small boat, was anchored 732m away from the PCG’s vessel, Tarriela said.
STANDING HEAD
Moulin Rouge windmill back
Paris’ famed Moulin Rouge cabaret on Friday got its red windmill back during a special ceremony that featured can-can dancing on the plaza outside. The windmill’s huge sails inexplicably collapsed after a show earlier this year at the iconic venue. Part of the cabaret’s illuminated sign also crashed to the ground as a result of what its director called a technical problem. No one was hurt, and the mayor of Paris’ 18th district said the structure was not in danger. The Moulin Rouge scrambled to repair the damage before the Olympic torch relay passes through the area July 15, expected to draw big crowds. The windmill was first illuminated on Oct. 6, 1889 at the opening of the Moulin Rouge. Moulin Rouge management says its performers represent 18 nationalities and it receives 600,000 spectators a year.
UNITED KINGDOM
Starmer axes Rwanda plan
Newly elected Prime Minister Keir Starmer has killed off a deportation plan that would see migrants who arrived illegally sent to Rwanda on his first day on the job, the Telegraph reported on Friday, citing Labour Party sources, calling the plan “effectively dead.” Starmer had earlier promised to scrap the Conservative Party’s policy of sending asylum seekers to Rwanda, but with migration a key electoral issue, he is under pressure himself to find a way to stop tens of thousands of people arriving across the Channel from France on small boats.
UNITED STATES
Trump shuns Project 2025
Former president Donald Trump on Friday tried to distance himself from a conservative group’s sweeping plans for the next Republican presidency, days after its leader said a second American Revolution was under way that would “remain bloodless if the left allows it to be.” The Republican presidential candidate renounced any connection with Project 2025, a plan Democrats have been attacking to highlight what they say is Trump’s extreme policy agenda for a second term should he beat US President Joe Biden in the Nov. 5 election. Many people involved in the project lead by the Heritage Foundation, the country’s top conservative think tank, worked in the Trump White House and would likely help fill out his administration if he wins in November. However, Trump said on his Truth Social platform he had nothing to do with the plan. “I know nothing about Project 2025. I have no idea who is behind it,” he wrote. “I disagree with some of the things they’re saying,” he said, adding that some of their assertions were “absolutely ridiculous and abysmal.”
FRAUD ALLEGED: The leader of an opposition alliance made allegations of electoral irregularities and called for a protest in Tirana as European leaders are to meet Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama’s Socialist Party scored a large victory in parliamentary elections, securing him his fourth term, official results showed late on Tuesday. The Socialist Party won 52.1 percent of the vote on Sunday compared with 34.2 percent for an alliance of opposition parties led by his main rival Sali Berisha, according to results released by the Albanian Central Election Commission. Diaspora votes have yet to be counted, but according to initial results, Rama was also leading there. According to projections, the Socialist Party could have more lawmakers than in 2021 elections. At the time, it won 74 seats in the
A Croatian town has come up with a novel solution to solve the issue of working parents when there are no public childcare spaces available: pay grandparents to do it. Samobor, near the capital, Zagreb, has become the first in the country to run a “Grandmother-Grandfather Service,” which pays 360 euros (US$400) a month per child. The scheme allows grandparents to top up their pension, but the authorities also hope it will boost family ties and tackle social isolation as the population ages. “The benefits are multiple,” Samobor Mayor Petra Skrobot told reporters. “Pensions are rather low and for parents it is sometimes
CONTROVERSY: During the performance of Israel’s entrant Yuval Raphael’s song ‘New Day Will Rise,’ loud whistles were heard and two people tried to get on stage Austria’s JJ yesterday won the Eurovision Song Contest, with his operatic song Wasted Love triumphing at the world’s biggest live music television event. After votes from national juries around Europe and viewers from across the continent and beyond, JJ gave Austria its first victory since bearded drag performer Conchita Wurst’s 2014 triumph. After the nail-biting drama as the votes were revealed running into yesterday morning, Austria finished with 436 points, ahead of Israel — whose participation drew protests — on 357 and Estonia on 356. “Thank you to you, Europe, for making my dreams come true,” 24-year-old countertenor JJ, whose
CANCER: Jose Mujica earned the moniker ‘world’s poorest president’ for giving away much of his salary and living a simple life on his farm, with his wife and dog Tributes poured in on Tuesday from across Latin America following the death of former Uruguayan president Jose “Pepe” Mujica, an ex-guerrilla fighter revered by the left for his humility and progressive politics. He was 89. Mujica, who spent a dozen years behind bars for revolutionary activity, lost his battle against cancer after announcing in January that the disease had spread and he would stop treatment. “With deep sorrow, we announce the passing of our comrade Pepe Mujica. President, activist, guide and leader. We will miss you greatly, old friend,” Uruguayan President Yamandu Orsi wrote on X. “Pepe, eternal,” a cyclist shouted out minutes later,
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