<img alt="Preview" align="left" style="margin-right: 10px;" src="https://mf.b37mrtl.ru/files/2025.05/thumbnail/6821ef70203027579067d40d.jpg" /> The Algerian government has accused France of bypassing diplomatic protocol in assigning personnel to Algiers <a href="https://www.rt.com/africa/617420-algeria-orders-french-embassy-staff-expulsion/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=RSS">Read Full Article at RT.com</a>

This escalation reflects strained relations between Algeria and France, potentially affecting bilateral ties and regional diplomacy in North Africa. Such disputes could signal broader geopolitical tensions or shifts in post-colonial power dynamics.

The Algerian government has accused France of bypassing diplomatic protocol in assigning personnel to Algiers 
Read Full Article at RT.com

Algeria has ordered the expulsion of French embassy staff, accusing France of violating diplomatic protocols in assigning personnel to Algiers.  

African state orders expulsion of French embassy staff – media

The French study of 15,000 people shows men emit 26% more pollution due to eating red meat and driving moreCars and meat are major factors driving a gender gap in greenhouse gas emissions, new research suggests.Men emit 26% more planet-heating pollution than women from transport and food, according to a preprint study of 15,000 people in France. The gap shrinks to 18% after controlling for socioeconomic factors such as income and education. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/may/14/car-use-and-meat-consumption-drive-emissions-gender-gap-research-suggests">Continue reading...</a>

The French study of 15,000 people shows men emit 26% more pollution due to eating red meat and driving more
Cars and meat are major factors driving a gender gap in greenhouse gas emissions, new research suggests.
Men emit 26% more planet-heating pollution than women from transport and food, according to a preprint study of 15,000 people in France. The gap shrinks to 18% after controlling for socioeconomic factors such as income and education.
 Continue reading...

A French study of 15,000 people found that men emit 26% more greenhouse gases than women, primarily due to higher car use and red meat consumption. The gap narrows to 18% when accounting for socioeconomic factors like income and education.  

Car use and meat consumption drive emissions gender gap, research suggests

Brussels-based Euroclear holds most of Russia’s frozen assets, but some say confiscation could be ‘an act of war’The boxy glass and steel tower at a traffic-clogged junction on King Albert II Boulevard hardly stands out among the other buildings in the business district of north Brussels, the Belgian capital’s answer to Manhattan or La Défense in Paris.But unlike its neighbours, the institution housed in this bland postmodern building opposite a branch of Domino’s Pizza is caught up in a geopolitical maelstrom. It is Euroclear, a little-known body that houses most of the Russian state’s frozen assets and now finds itself in the middle of a debate about international justice. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/may/14/calls-for-russias-frozen-assets-held-in-belgium-to-be-used-in-rebuilding-ukraine">Continue reading...</a>

** The debate over repurposing frozen Russian assets highlights the broader struggle to hold Russia financially accountable for its invasion of Ukraine while navigating potential escalation risks. If implemented, this move could set a precedent for using seized state assets in post-war recovery but may also provoke retaliatory measures from Moscow.

Brussels-based Euroclear holds most of Russia’s frozen assets, but some say confiscation could be ‘an act of war’
The boxy glass and steel tower at a traffic-clogged junction on King Albert II Boulevard hardly stands out among the other buildings in the business district of north Brussels, the Belgian capital’s answer to Manhattan or La Défense in Paris.
But unlike its neighbours, the institution housed in this bland postmodern building opposite a branch of Domino’s Pizza is caught up in a geopolitical maelstrom. It is Euroclear, a little-known body that houses most of the Russian state’s frozen assets and now finds itself in the middle of a debate about international justice.
 Continue reading...

** Belgium's Euroclear holds the majority of Russia’s frozen assets, and there are growing calls to use these funds to help rebuild Ukraine. However, some warn that confiscating these assets could be seen as an act of war, raising legal and geopolitical risks.  

Calls for Russia’s frozen assets held in Belgium to be used in rebuilding Ukraine

Two reports published today catalogue ‘gruesome yet avoidable accidents’ on construction sites despite the Gulf kingdom’s claims that work-related deaths have fallenThousands of migrant workers are likely to die in Saudi Arabia as a result of a building boom fuelled by the 2034 World Cup and other major construction projects, human rights groups have warned.The Gulf kingdom has seen a surge in demand for cheap migrant labour, with a <a href="https://gulfmigration.grc.net/saudi-arabia-employed-population-by-nationality-saudi-non-saudi-and-sex-q1-2017-q3-2024/">significant increase in foreign workers</a> since 2021, as it starts preparations for hosting the World Cup and drives forward projects including the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/apr/10/the-line-saudi-arabia-scaling-back-plans-105-mile-long-desert-megacity-crown-prince">futurist megacity Neom</a>. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2025/may/14/pressure-grows-on-fifa-as-reports-warn-of-serious-risk-to-workers-amid-saudi-world-cup-building-boom">Continue reading...</a>

** The news underscores ongoing concerns about worker exploitation in global mega-events, raising ethical questions about FIFA’s oversight and Saudi Arabia’s human rights record as it prepares to host the World Cup. This reflects broader debates about accountability in international sporting events and migrant labor conditions in the Gulf.

Two reports published today catalogue ‘gruesome yet avoidable accidents’ on construction sites despite the Gulf kingdom’s claims that work-related deaths have fallen
Thousands of migrant workers are likely to die in Saudi Arabia as a result of a building boom fuelled by the 2034 World Cup and other major construction projects, human rights groups have warned.
The Gulf kingdom has seen a surge in demand for cheap migrant labour, with a significant increase in foreign workers since 2021, as it starts preparations for hosting the World Cup and drives forward projects including the futurist megacity Neom.
 Continue reading...

** Reports highlight dangerous working conditions and preventable accidents on Saudi construction sites linked to the 2034 World Cup and other projects, with human rights groups warning of thousands of migrant worker deaths despite Saudi claims of improved safety.  

Pressure grows on Fifa as reports warn of serious risk to workers amid Saudi World Cup building boom

Its European allies must commit to the long-haul – but they, as much as Zelenskyy, will reap the rewardsMy train rolled into Kyiv last week as Russian ballistic missiles and drones hit the city, killing a mother and her son. I had last been in Ukraine <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/apr/22/west-israel-ukraine-russia-air-defence-systems">just over a year earlier</a>. Back then, in April 2024, the mood was dark. Frustrated by delays in western military aid, people had a palpable fear of escalating Russian territorial gains, perhaps even a collapse of Ukraine’s frontline. Today, the international context is even more fraught. The Biden administration was frustratingly slow and scared, but few doubted that the US wanted to prevent Russia from prevailing. The same cannot be said of Donald Trump, whose ideological affinity with Vladimir Putin has thrown Europe, starting with Ukraine, off balance.But despite the Trump administration’s betrayals, I found the mood in Kyiv more confident than a year previously. After more than three years of war, Ukrainians are tired, but they are not exhausted. The soldiers, civil society representatives, parliamentarians and government officials I met seemed ever-more determined to stand tall and defend their country.Nathalie Tocci is a Guardian Europe columnist <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/may/14/ukraine-newfound-confidence-europe-russia-usa">Continue reading...</a>

The article highlights Ukraine's resilience and shifting morale amid the war, emphasizing the strategic importance of sustained Western support. It underscores broader geopolitical stakes, suggesting that Europe's commitment could shape regional stability and future relations with Russia.

Its European allies must commit to the long-haul – but they, as much as Zelenskyy, will reap the rewards
My train rolled into Kyiv last week as Russian ballistic missiles and drones hit the city, killing a mother and her son. I had last been in Ukraine just over a year earlier. Back then, in April 2024, the mood was dark. Frustrated by delays in western military aid, people had a palpable fear of escalating Russian territorial gains, perhaps even a collapse of Ukraine’s frontline. Today, the international context is even more fraught. The Biden administration was frustratingly slow and scared, but few doubted that the US wanted to prevent Russia from prevailing. The same cannot be said of Donald Trump, whose ideological affinity with Vladimir Putin has thrown Europe, starting with Ukraine, off balance.
But despite the Trump administration’s betrayals, I found the mood in Kyiv more confident than a year previously. After more than three years of war, Ukrainians are tired, but they are not exhausted. The soldiers, civil society representatives, parliamentarians and government officials I met seemed ever-more determined to stand tall and defend their country.
Nathalie Tocci is a Guardian Europe columnist
 Continue reading...

Despite ongoing Russian attacks, Ukraine has gained newfound confidence compared to its darker mood in early 2024, when delays in Western aid fueled fears of territorial losses. European allies must commit to long-term support, which will benefit both Ukraine and themselves.  

The good news from Kyiv: with or without a ceasefire, Ukraine has a newfound confidence | Nathalie Tocci

Declassified documents reveal secret support by intelligence agencies without oversight by elected politiciansA secret coalition of western intelligence agencies supplied Israel with crucial information that allowed the Mossad to track and kill Palestinians suspected of involvement in terrorist attacks in western Europe in the early 1970s, newly declassified documents have revealed.The support was offered without any oversight by parliaments or elected politicians, and, if not actually illegal, would have caused a public scandal. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/may/14/western-countries-gave-mossad-information-used-to-track-and-killi-palestinian-terrorists-in-1970s">Continue reading...</a>

** This revelation highlights historical covert collaboration between Western and Israeli intelligence, underscoring ethical and legal dilemmas in counterterrorism operations. It also raises questions about accountability and transparency in intelligence-sharing practices, particularly when bypassing democratic oversight. The news may fuel debates on the balance between security and human rights in counterterrorism efforts.

Declassified documents reveal secret support by intelligence agencies without oversight by elected politicians
A secret coalition of western intelligence agencies supplied Israel with crucial information that allowed the Mossad to track and kill Palestinians suspected of involvement in terrorist attacks in western Europe in the early 1970s, newly declassified documents have revealed.
The support was offered without any oversight by parliaments or elected politicians, and, if not actually illegal, would have caused a public scandal.
 Continue reading...

** Declassified documents show that Western intelligence agencies secretly provided Israel's Mossad with information in the 1970s to track and kill Palestinians suspected of terrorism in Europe, bypassing political oversight and raising legal concerns.  

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African state orders expulsion of French embassy staff – media

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