Middle East braces for chaos as Iran and West square up – POLITICO

Press play to listen to this article Voiced by artificial intelligence. Western warplanes and guided missiles roared through the skies over Yemen in the early hours of Friday in a dramatic response to the worsening crisis engulfing the region, where the U.S. and its allies are facing a direct confrontation with Iranian-backed militants. The strikes … Read more

China lifts ban on Belgian pork – POLITICO

BEIJING — China has lifted its ban on imports of Belgian pig products, five years after an outbreak of African swine flu slashed the sector’s access to the crucial Asian market. The news was announced on Friday morning by China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and General Administration of Customs, which said in a joint statement that … Read more

Israeli strikes kill 7 civilians in West Bank, 2 journalists in Gaza – POLITICO

An Israeli drone attack in Jenin City in the occupied West Bank killed at least seven civilians in the early hours of Sunday, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. The attack followed a raid by the Israeli army in Jenin City and a refugee camp, Al Jazeera reported. A border police officer also was killed … Read more

Poland reaches deal with farmers to call off blockade of Ukraine border crossing – POLITICO

Polish farmers ended a blockade of a Poland-Ukraine border crossing after reaching an agreement with Warsaw that met their demands, defusing a dispute that had become an early test of the new government of Prime Minister Donald Tusk. Newly appointed Polish Agriculture Minister Czesław Siekierski signed the deal with Polish farmers blockading the Medyka-Shehyni border … Read more

Polish farmers resume blockade of border crossing with Ukraine – POLITICO

WARSAW — Polish farmers restarted a blockade of a Poland-Ukraine border crossing on Thursday, accusing the new Polish government of failing to guarantee it will meet their demands for financial help. The farmers rejoined truckers at the Medyka-Shehyni crossing — hauliers are also blocking other crossings complaining about competition from Ukrainian rivals — turning the … Read more

‘Seething’ Putin hammers Ukraine with massive missile and drone attacks – POLITICO

Russia battered Kyiv and Kharkiv with missiles and drones overnight, killing at least four people and injuring 92 more, after President Vladimir Putin said he was “seething” and would “intensify attacks” on Ukraine. Moscow hit the capital with a combination of Iranian-made Shahed drones and “waves” of missiles for almost six hours, according to the … Read more

Biden’s foreign policy headache in 2024 – POLITICO

Press play to listen to this article Voiced by artificial intelligence. Ivo Daalder, former U.S. ambassador to NATO, is CEO of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and host of the weekly podcast “World Review with Ivo Daalder.” United States President Joe Biden starts 2024 in circumstances that any incumbent would envy. The economy is … Read more

Russia launches New Year’s Eve strikes against Ukraine – POLITICO

Russia fired off a fresh barrage of strikes at Ukraine on New Year’s Eve, launching nearly 100 Shahed loitering munitions against cities across the country. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said their air defense forces had shot down 87 of the Iranian-made drones. The latest holiday launch came on the heels … Read more

Bulgaria, Romania get official green light for partial entry into Schengen – POLITICO

EU member countries reached agreement Saturday on removing air and maritime internal border controls with Bulgaria and Romania, but the two countries’ full entry into the bloc’s passport-free Schengen zone remains subject to further discussions. Controls at sea and air borders with Romania and Bulgaria will be lifted as of March 31, the Council of … Read more

What is home in the age of exile? – POLITICO

Press play to listen to this article Voiced by artificial intelligence. Tatyana Margolin is co-founder of STROIKA, with a mission to reverse the tide of rising authoritarianism by building, resourcing and connecting resistance movements around the globe. One can reliably gauge the latest geopolitical upheaval by who is sleeping on the red pullout couch in … Read more