Video posted online shows a CN freight train crew halted midjourney near Armstrong, Ont., on July 13 as wildfires burn outside. CN Rail says it has temporarily suspended operations in the area and relocated employees. Ontario Provincial Police say dozens of wildfires in the region have resulted in mandatory evacuations in at least six communities so far.

Ukraine’s Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has been dismissed and is expected to be replaced by Ihor Klymenko.

Mykhailo Fedorov was a reformer who is credited with successes like directing money to purchase of medium and long range drones that are now being used very effectively, audits uncovering billions of dollars worth of overspending, moving some procurement to open tender, gamification of drone warfare with more points allotted to outcomes Ukraine prefers to incentivize (ex. killing enemy soldiers) and successfully lobbying Musk to shut down Starlink for Russia. However, he has had conflicts with the heads of the military such as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi; critics say that without a military background he is not qualified to plan a war, and that he is just good at attaching his name to pre-existing efforts that turned out well.

According to Iran’s state news agency IRNA, the IRGC said in a statement that the region’s energy exports would be “either for everyone or for no one”.

Analysts told Reuters that Iran was signalling it could rely on its Houthi allies in Yemen to close the Bab al-Mandab Strait, the strategic waterway leading to the Red Sea. Such a move could open a new front against Washington and threaten two of the world’s most important energy shipping routes.

The Bab al-Mandab Strait links the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and is a key route for Saudi oil exports and a significant share of global maritime trade.

For more information, either visit the article directly or view the post with quotes in crimes_of_ice:

https://lemmy.4d2.org/post/4370746

cross-posted from: https://scribe.disroot.org/post/10141006

Former Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó has announced that he will resign his parliamentary seat and take up an international position at Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD.

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Szijjártó’s new role at BYD is notable given his long-standing support for Chinese investment and cooperation while serving as foreign minister. He repeatedly argued that closer economic ties between Hungary and China represented an opportunity rather than a threat.

When the European Union considered introducing tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, Szijjártó criticised the move, arguing that Europe should pursue cooperation with China instead of confrontation.

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The BYD factory being built in Szeged, Hungary, is facing scrutiny after reports of EU labour laws being violated among the Chinese migrant workforce.

Two workers have died at BYD's Hungary plant, raising concerns over work safety.

...

Archived

cross-posted from: https://sh.itjust.works/post/63449612

An Israeli news report documents worsening anti-Christian hostility in Jerusalem and the West Bank. Clergy and residents report daily spitting, verbal abuse, and vandalism against churches and symbols. A soldier was recently filmed smashing a Jesus statue in Lebanon. Christians say they feel unsafe, with many considering emigration. The article notes declining US evangelical support for Israel due to these incidents. Authorities issue condemnations but critics say enforcement is lacking.

archive : https://ghostarchive.org/archive/ozk8Z

cross-posted from: https://scribe.disroot.org/post/10140135

On 1 July China’s Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress (中华人民共和国民族团结进步促进法) entered into force. Adopted in March, the law has since drawn criticism from China analysts, Western governments, and human rights organizations.

The legislation expands the scope of Chinese jurisdiction beyond its territory, making it a potentially powerful instrument of transnational repression. It targets not only ethnic groups Beijing perceives as threats under its broad national security framework, but also foreign citizens. Taiwan’s National Security Bureau has already warned its citizens against traveling to China, citing risks linked to the law’s vague provisions.

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The law also functions as a tool of broader sinicization in regions Beijing considers politically sensitive. Article 21 extends these requirements to Hong Kong and Macao, while also addressing Taiwan by promoting cross-strait exchanges and strengthening a shared sense of identity, belonging, and cultural inheritance. The same article emphasizes strengthening ties with overseas Chinese communities, encouraging them to promote Chinese culture and support China’s national objectives. This reflects a broader United Front approach, in which diaspora communities are not only cultural bridges but also political actors encouraged to align with Beijing’s narratives and interests.

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The extraterritorial reach of the law has raised concerns in the European Union and the United States, particularly regarding its potential application to foreign citizens. Taiwan’s National Security Bureau Director Tsai Ming-yen (蔡明彥) warned citizens against traveling to China, noting that the law vaguely defines offenses such as “undermining ethnic unity” and that under its provisions, Chinese authorities may investigate individuals, including foreign nationals, seize property, and inspect electronic devices.

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Why does it matter?

This legislation represents a significant expansion of China’s transnational repression toolkit. By combining vague legal definitions with extraterritorial jurisdiction, it creates legal uncertainty not only for Chinese diaspora communities, but also for foreign nationals engaging with China-related issues.

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Archived

NEW DELHI, July 15 (Reuters) - India and Britain's trade pact took effect on Wednesday, cutting tariffs on thousands ‌of goods and expanding market access for services firms and professionals in both countries. The India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement gives Indian exporters duty-free access to most British tariff lines, benefiting sectors such as textiles, leather, footwear, marine products, gems and jewellery, and processed foods.

• India-UK trade pact takes effect on Wednesday
• Deal cuts tariffs, expands services and mobility access
• Indian textiles, marine goods, leather and jewellery to gain
• UK sees openings in autos, services and procurement

cross-posted from: https://feddit.online/c/[email protected]/p/1830144/uk-plans-midnight-social-media-curfew-for-16-and-17-year-olds

cross-posted from: https://feddit.online/c/[email protected]/p/1830143/uk-plans-midnight-social-media-curfew-for-16-and-17-year-olds

cross-posted from: https://piefed.world/c/%D8%A5%D8%B3%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%85/p/1262928/saudi-arabia-reassures-lgbtq-visitors-ahead-of-2034-world-cup

Saudi Arabia is attempting to reassure LGBTQ+ visitors ahead of hosting the 2034 World Cup, even though homosexuality remains criminalised.

cross-posted from: https://scribe.disroot.org/post/10133168

Plump, juicy and fragrant, Taiwanese mangoes have long been a top draw for foodies, but traditionally those wanting to experience them have generally had to travel ​to the island.

Starting this year, however, the yellow and orange-coloured fruit will make its ‌way to Europe, shipping first to France and Britain.

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Europe normally imports its mangoes from countries such as India and Pakistan, but David Chen, CEO of fruit export company Natural House Taiwan, said Taiwan's mangoes can easily win ​on flavour, which helps overcome their premium price.

Exporting mangoes "has really become extremely, extremely expensive," ​he told Reuters at a fruit packing facility in the central city of ⁠Taichung. "It turned out that even though the price was so high this year, people still ​bought them."

Taiwan may be better known for its dominance in making the advanced semiconductors used in applications ​as varied as smartphones and AI, but arguably it was agriculture that first made the island famous.

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Shipments [from Taiwan to the EU] had to ​comply with EU ⁠rules regarding, for instance, pesticide residue.

"In terms of fruit selection, and also in terms of field management, the EU is stricter than for the domestic ​market," [one Taiwanese supplier] said.

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The [Taiwanese] government has encouraged fruit farmers to expand export markets ​given political ⁠friction with China, which views the democratically governed island as its own territory.

President Lai Ching-te last month said China had "weaponised" fruit through import bans, which have targeted pineapples, custard apples and wax apples, as well as ⁠mangoes. ​China said such bans are for phytosanitary reasons.

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Washington is demanding Spain extradite jailed pro-Palestine activist and donor Fergie Chambers to the US based on “dubious” money laundering allegations, The Grayzone reported on 13 July, citing details from the sealed indictment.

Chambers – an heir to the multi-billion-dollar Cox media empire before cutting ties to the family – was arrested by Spanish police on Friday while traveling with his family on the island of Ibiza.

Spanish authorities ordered his arrest following a request from the US Department of Justice.

A communist and convert to Islam from New York, Chambers is known for funding left-wing causes with the $250-million fortune he inherited.

He has also been a strong advocate for Gaza since the start of Israel’s genocide of Palestinians, donating $1 million to causes related to Palestine. Ghassan Abu Sittah, a prominent British-Palestinian surgeon from Gaza, has described Chambers’ humanitarian support for children in the strip as “vital.”

By taking over planning jurisdiction, unilaterally modifying religious sites, and erecting new checkpoints, Israel is accelerating its annexation of the Old City.