Merz rebuffs Trump over Cuba
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said there was no basis for a U.S. military intervention in Cuba, rejecting recent threats from former President Donald Trump.
With posts by 🎓Patrick Dunleavy, 🎓Rafael Rojas, 🎓James A. Benn.
Israel apologises, probes soldier vandalism
An Israeli soldier vandalized a statue of Jesus in the Lebanese village of Debel, prompting Israeli officials to apologize while the military opened an investigation and Netanyahu promised severe measures.
With replies by 🎓Juan Cole +15 more scholars.
Iran seals Hormuz; shipping halts
Iran said the Strait of Hormuz remained closed as a U.S. blockade continued, halting most shipping and stoking oil-price rises, though some vessels still transited.
With replies by 🎓Judith Beyer, 🎓Ben Saul, 🎓Scott Lucas +18 more scholars.
Vance visits Islamabad, Iran unconfirmed
U.S. Vice President J. D. Vance traveled to Islamabad today for new negotiations over Iran after reports said Tehran would participate, though Iran's participation remained unconfirmed.
With replies by 🎓Alex Callinicos, 🎓Ian Bremmer +8 more scholars.
US war spending diverted aid
United Nations humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher said on Monday that U.S. spending on the war with Iran could have funded lifesaving aid for about 87 million people.
With replies by 🎓Ben Saul, 🎓Zalmay Khalilzad, 🎓Rebecca Solnit +7 more scholars.
Iran closes Strait of Hormuz
Iranian authorities closed the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping, analysts said, seeking to use control of the waterway as leverage for reconstruction.
With replies by 🎓Ben Saul, 🎓James M. Acton, 🎓Scott Lucas +16 more scholars.
Markets wobble on Iran peace
Global markets moved as investors eyed possible U.S.–Iran peace talks, with oil-price volatility producing mixed stock reactions and concerns over energy and geopolitical risks.
With replies by 🎓Hakan Yilmazkuday, 🎓Amir Attaran, 🎓Mohamed A. El‐Erian +9 more scholars.
Vance leads talks, Iran refuses
U.S. Vice‑President J.D. Vance traveled to Islamabad to lead a delegation for talks with Iran as the ceasefire neared expiry, while Tehran said it would not negotiate under threats.
With replies by 🎓Ben Saul, 🎓Alex Callinicos, 🎓Zalmay Khalilzad +26 more scholars.
Kash Patel sues The Atlantic
FBI Director Kash Patel sued The Atlantic for $250 million in U.S. court, alleging the article portrayed him as a problem drinker with unexplained absences.
With replies by 🎓Craig Calhoun, 🎓Brendan Nyhan, 🎓Seth Masket +13 more scholars.
Vatican warning spurs Trump clash
Pope Leo XIV warned against a war with Iran from the Vatican, prompting Donald Trump to lash out and escalate a public clash over U.S. foreign policy.
With replies by 🎓Patrick Dunleavy, 🎓Ryan Goodman, 🎓Alex Callinicos +15 more scholars.
Trump board plans Gaza logistics
Members of Donald Trump's "Board of Peace" held talks with Emirati port operator DP World about managing Gaza supply chains and reconstruction logistics, the Financial Times reported.
With posts by 🎓Juan Cole, 🎓Vali Nasr, 🎓Joas Wagemakers +3 more scholars.
Spain seeks Israel agreement suspension
Spain asked EU governments to suspend the EU–Israel Association Agreement, and EU officials said they would explore a possible partial suspension, although prospects for full suspension remained low.
With replies by 🎓Steve Peers, 🎓Ben Saul +5 more scholars.
7.7 quake hits northern Japan
Japanese authorities said a magnitude-7.7 earthquake struck northern Japan on Monday, injuring at least six and triggering tsunami alerts, and warned a larger quake remained possible.
With posts by 🎓Daniel P. Aldrich, 🎓Andrew Scott, 🎓Zalmay Khalilzad.
Iranian ship seized, shipping disrupted
U.S. forces seized the Iranian-flagged cargo ship Touska in the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, while Iran's small fast-boat tactics and port closures disrupted regional shipping.
With replies by 🎓Judith Beyer, 🎓Ben Saul, 🎓Anna Nagurney +17 more scholars.
Trump blocks Hormuz, threatens commerce
President Trump’s erratic diplomacy left the Strait of Hormuz blocked, critics said, imperiling global trade and dashing hopes for a diplomatic reopening.
With replies by 🎓Anna Nagurney, 🎓James M. Acton, 🎓Scott Lucas +13 more scholars.
Europe to lose AI share
BCG Henderson Institute warned Europe risked falling behind in artificial intelligence, projecting a shrinking share of the global economy by 2050 and suggesting stricter regulation.
With replies by 🎓Pedro Domingos, 🎓Richard Baldwin, 🎓Mor Naaman +23 more scholars.
European electric car sales surge
European electric vehicle sales surged in March as rising fuel prices pushed consumers toward battery-powered cars, reflecting a marked shift away from fossil-fuel vehicles across markets.
With replies by 🎓Robbie M. Andrew, 🎓Georg Weizsäcker +6 more scholars.
Japan Lifts Arms Export Ban
Japan lifted its ban on exporting lethal weapons, reversing its postwar pacifist policy and aiming to bolster its domestic defense industry.
With replies by 🎓Alicia Garcı́a-Herrero, 🎓Césari Laurent, 🎓Frank Kühn.
Japan faces tsunami warnings, evacuations
A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck about 100 kilometres off Japan's northeast coast Monday morning, and authorities issued tsunami warnings and urged residents to evacuate.
With replies by 🎓Max Wyss, 🎓Daniel P. Aldrich, 🎓Zalmay Khalilzad +2 more scholars.
Labor secretary resigns amid probe
Lori Chavez-DeRemer resigned as U.S. labor secretary amid an internal investigation into alleged misconduct, becoming the third Cabinet member to leave President Trump’s administration in weeks.
With replies by 🎓Anders Aslund, 🎓Gerald Friedman +3 more scholars.
Apple appoints John Ternus CEO
Apple said Tim Cook would step down as chief executive and become executive chair, handing the CEO role to hardware head John Ternus effective Sept. 1.
With posts by 🎓Jacob Montgomery, 🎓Timothy D. McBride, 🎓David Darmofal.
Borrowing costs squeeze credit funds
Private credit funds came under strain as borrowing costs rose, prompting bond investors and banks to demand higher premiums for new loans, though analysts said panic may be overblown.
With posts by 🎓Gita Gopinath, 🎓Lars P. Feld, 🎓Paul Davies +1 more scholars.
Cuban blackouts make families choose
Cuba experienced severe fuel and electricity shortages, leaving much of the island without power, disrupting healthcare and forcing parents of chronically ill children to choose medicine or food.
With posts by 🎓Rafael Rojas, 🎓Ignácio Ramonet, 🎓James A. Benn.
Mainland Europe embraces electric cars
Electric car sales in mainland Europe surged 51% in March as rising petrol and diesel prices linked to the Iran war pushed consumers toward EVs, aiding Chinese brands' expansion.
With replies by 🎓Georg Weizsäcker, 🎓Aaron Sojourner +9 more scholars.
Israel, Lebanon meet despite strikes
Israel and Lebanon were scheduled to hold direct talks in Washington on Thursday, U.S. State Department officials confirmed, amid reports of continued Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon despite a ceasefire.
With replies by 🎓Mouin Rabbani +13 more scholars.
Europe moves to arrest Netanyahu
European moves to seek arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sparked tensions, as Netanyahu prepared new strikes and planned a meeting with Lebanese negotiators in Washington.
With posts by 🎓Matthew Søberg Shugart, 🎓Éric Verdeil +5 more scholars.
Cuban blackouts make families choose
Cuba experienced severe fuel and electricity shortages, leaving much of the island without power, disrupting healthcare and forcing parents of chronically ill children to choose medicine or food.
With posts by 🎓Rafael Rojas, 🎓Ignácio Ramonet, 🎓James A. Benn.
Israel strikes spark Gaza fighting
Israeli strikes hit the Gaza Strip, killing at least two people and reigniting clashes despite a fragile ceasefire, the Palestinian civil defense and other sources said.
With replies by 🎓Madawi Al‐Rasheed, 🎓Scott L. Greer, 🎓John Foot +10 more scholars.
Mideast war triggers oil surge
The International Energy Agency said the Middle East war triggered the largest monthly oil-price shock on record, pushing Brent above $95, stoking inflation and accelerating global renewable demand.
With replies by 🎓Alicia Garcı́a-Herrero +10 more scholars.