| | | | 1. Iran Blames Israel After Attack on Nuclear Facility Iran’s foreign minister today vowed revenge against Israel, blaming it for an attack on Iranian nuclear facilities, heightening tensions during continuing talks to end U.S. sanctions on Tehran. Mohammad Javad Zarif added that the facilities would be rebuilt, and talks with world powers wouldn’t be derailed by the incident. Talks started last week and are to resume in Vienna on Wednesday. While Israel has not accepted responsibility, local media have reported that Mossad was behind the attack. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet today with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who is visiting the country. Sources: Al Jazeera, CNN |
| 2. Protests in Minneapolis After Police Shoot Black Driver Hundreds of people protested in Minneapolis on Sunday night after police shot and killed an African American man during a traffic stop. The Minnesota National Guard was called in after police clashed with demonstrators: Tensions are already high as the city holds the Derek Chauvin trial. Authorities say 20-year-old Daunte Wright was stopped on a traffic violation and found to have an outstanding warrant. He got back into his car when police tried to arrest him, and was shot. Chauvin’s trial, for the killing of George Floyd, continues today with the prosecution set to call its final witnesses. Sources: Washington Post, USAToday |
| 3. Children Being Coerced to Join Northern Ireland Riots Adults must stop encouraging children to take part in the latest outbreak of violence in Northern Ireland, the country’s children’s commissioner has said. Those as young as 12 have taken part in the past week of riots, which also saw several teenagers arrested. The clashes, spurred by Brexit, have raised concerns over the stability of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement that ended “the Troubles.” The anniversary of the peace deal took place over the weekend, while rioting eased after the death of Prince Philip. Contacts between Dublin, Belfast and London are expected to continue this week. Sources: Sky, The Guardian, Vox, The Irish Times |
| 4. Despite Record Fine, Alibaba Shares Up in Asia The Chinese e-commerce giant’s shares have rallied, despite being fined $2.75 billion and forced to introduce measures to limit its market dominance. Shares rose 9 percent in Hong Kong Monday, as Executive Vice Chairman Joe Tsai told reporters the company was confident of Beijing's overall support, despite being leveled with the fine on Saturday. Alibaba has been under the scrutiny of the Communist Party since founder Jack Ma criticized the regulatory system last year, and China opened an anti-monopoly probe into the company. “We are pleased that we are able to put this matter behind us,” Tsai said. Sources: Reuters, CNBC |
| 5. Also Important … The Virginia police officer who pepper-sprayed a Black and Latino Army officer during a traffic stop has been fired. With most votes counted in Ecuador’s presidential election, former banker Guillermo Lasso looks likely to be the country’s new leader, marking a break with the leftist politics of the past decade. And Prince Harry has arrived back in the U.K. for his grandfather’s funeral, while his pregnant wife Meghan has remained in the U.S. on the advice of her doctor. Coronavirus Update: Beer gardens reopen in Britain today after being shuttered for four months, a welcome relief for businesses and thirsty Brits. Tens of thousands of Indians have gathered in Uttarakhand state to bathe in the Ganges, as the country overtook Brazil today with the second-highest number of cases in the world. |
| | | America’s COVID-19 vaccination program is progressing rapidly and states are reopening. But could new variants undermine those gains? Katty Kay and Carlos Watson are joined by Cynthia Finch, who is fighting vaccine inequity, and Dr. Michael Osterholm, a leading epidemiologist. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, the iHeart Radio app or OZY. |
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| | | | 1. Vanuatu Tribes in Mourning for Their ‘God’ Prince Philip A tribe in the Pacific island nation of Vanuatu is in mourning after the death last week of Britain’s Prince Philip, who they revered as a god. The Prince Philip Movement has existed for 50 years in two villages, and is believed to have a few hundred followers. In 1974 the prince visited the area with Queen Elizabeth II, and reportedly took part in local ceremonies. According to anthropologists, Philip is seen as the reembodiment of a powerful mountain spirit, and for the next few weeks the villagers will conduct rites for the Duke, whose funeral is set for Saturday. Sources: BBC, Reuters |
| 2. Cambodia Slams ‘Vice’ for Edited Khmer Rouge Photos Phnom Penh has condemned Vice magazine after it ran digitally altered photos of Khmer Rouge prisoners. In Friday’s article, black and white photos of Cambodians who died at the notorious Tuol Sleng prison were colorized, apparently “to humanize” the victims. They were also given smiles, which prompted the Ministry of Culture to call for Vice to remove the story, saying it “manipulated” history. Some 1.7 million Cambodians died during the ultra-Marxist regime. Today, the article has been removed from the site, with the magazine saying it regretted “the error.” Sources: Al Jazeera, Phnom Penh Post |
| 3. Ingenuity’s First Mars Flight Delayed After Hiccup NASA has delayed the first flight of its Mars helicopter until Wednesday after issues with a high-speed blade test. The drone was supposed to make its inaugural flight yesterday, after being dropped on the red planet recently. The four-pound helicopter, named Ingenuity, will fly for about 40 seconds when it does launch, with earthlings able to watch a livestream of the momentous event — the first guided flight on another planet. Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates announced it was sending the first female Arab astronaut, Nora Al Matrooshi, to train with NASA. Sources: Space.com, EarthSky, Khaleej Times |
| 4. ‘Nomadland’ Leads BAFTAs as Prince William Sits Them Out Nomadland’s Chloé Zhao last night became the second woman to win best director at the BAFTAs, Britain’s version of the Oscars. The film scooped the lion’s share of the prizes at the virtual ceremony, taking best picture, with best actress going to its star, Frances McDormand. Anthony Hopkins won best actor for The Father, while Daniel Kaluuya got the best supporting actor BAFTA for his role in Judas and the Black Messiah. Prince William, who serves as president of the BAFTAs, canceled his participation this year after the death of his grandfather, Prince Philip, who previously held the role. Sources: Deadline, Harper’s Bazaar, Sky Which film deserves the Oscar for best picture this year? Tell us in the PDB poll or on Twitter. |
| 5. ‘Matsu-mania’ for Japan’s First US Masters Winner Hideki Matsuyama is the first Japanese winner of the U.S. Masters following a 1-over 73 one-shot win over American Will Zalatoris on Sunday, at Georgia’s Augusta National. The 29-year-old, with a devoted following at home, is the 25th ranked player in the world. It’s a boost for Japan ahead of the July Olympics, following an 85-year wait for a major men’s golf winner, after the country sent its first player to the Masters in 1936. Golf champion Tiger Woods, who is recovering after a car accident, congratulated Matsuyama, tweeting his win would “impact the entire golf world.” Sources: ESPN, SuperSport |
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