Abelardo de la Espriella, a flamboyant US-backed lawyer, narrowly won Colombia's presidential runoff with 49.66% of the vote. His victory signals a hard-right shift, promising an "iron fist" against drug-running groups and improved relations with Washington.
Abelardo de la Espriella, a US-backed lawyer, narrowly won Colombia's presidential runoff with 49.65% of the vote. He promised to fight drug-running guerrilla groups. His rival, Ivan Cepeda, is challenging the results.
Abdullah Ibrahim, born Adolph Johannes Brand in Cape Town, defined South African jazz over a six-decade career. From his early work with the Jazz Epistles to his later solo and ensemble recordings, his music evolved from bebop influences to deeply personal and politically resonant compositions like 'Mannenberg,' an unofficial civil rights anthem.
Ruth O'Grady alleges she was coerced into having sex with over 100 strangers via the Fabswingers website over 18 months, facilitated by her ex-husband. She is now traumatised and speaking out as a warning to others.
A reflection on David Hockney's career, highlighting his evolution from iconic 1960s-70s works to his later iPad paintings of nature, and his enduring impact on the art world.
Donald Trump claims a peace deal with Iran will be signed soon, Labor strategizes against One Nation, and the World Cup kicks off with Australia's Socceroos in action.
South Korea's trade balance with China has swung into a significant surplus, driven by a surge in memory chip exports. This marks a rare bright spot among East Asian economies facing pressure from China's rising competitiveness.
NSW Blues recover from 20-0 deficit to beat Queensland 22-20 in State of Origin I, with Nathan Cleary scoring a try and kicking three goals, including the winner with a minute left.
Galaxy Corporation has opened the world's first robot theme park in Seoul, featuring child-sized humanoid robots performing K-pop dances. The park aims to blend entertainment and technology, with plans for robot concerts, fashion shows, and global tours.
Thirteen Years After His T20I Debut, The 36-Year-Old Is Still Adapting, Still Succeeding In A Format Increasingly Hostile To Bowlers
Mathys Tel’s stupid penalty concession underlines being Spursy is just who Spurs are to leave them still within sight of West HamYou’re 1-0 up with 20 minutes to go. You’re about to win your first home league game in 156 days. You’re well on top and playing your best football in 18 months. If you can just see it through you’ll be four points clear of the relegation zone with two games to go, crisis all but averted. And then your left winger attempts an overhead in the corner of your own box and kicks an opposing centre-back in the head nearly eight feet off the ground. It may have been the highest altitude penalty awarded in the Premier League this season; it was certainly the stupidest. Never underestimate the Spursiness of this Spurs.The gap to West Ham is two points. Spurs must go to Chelsea four days after the FA Cup final then face Everton at home. West Ham have Newcastle away and Leeds at home. But perhaps the most important aspect is the sense that the momentum has shifted. The pendulum that had seemingly been swinging decisively towards Tottenham has slowed; it could easily swing back again. Continue reading...
The US president will be counting on China to influence Iran and help him out of his latest mess. But the price may be high – including for TaiwanLike an out-of-control wrecking ball, swinging wildly back and forth, Donald Trump smashes up the international order without much thought for the consequences. Lacking coherent strategies, workable plans or consistent aims, he power-trips erratically from one fragile region, tense warzone and complex geopolitical situation to another, leaving misery, confusion and rubble in his wake. Typically, he claims a bogus victory, demands that others repair the damage and pick up the tab, then looks around for something new to break.The president will bulldoze into another international minefield this week – the fraught standoff between China and Taiwan – when he travels to Beijing for a two-day summit with President Xi Jinping. After a string of humiliating policy implosions over Ukraine, Gaza, Nato, Greenland, and now Iran and Lebanon, needy Trump craves a diplomatic success to flaunt at home. But his hopes of vote-winning trade pacts are overshadowed by his latest war of choice. He needs Xi’s promise not to arm Iran if all-out fighting resumes – and Xi’s help keeping the strait of Hormuz open as part of a mooted framework peace deal. Continue reading...
Chancellor Rachel Reeves is fighting on multiple fronts against critics of her economic stewardship as the Middle East conflict threatens to derail the UK economic recovery she says was underway. Reeves has labelled Trump's war on Iran 'folly' and attacked Conservative opponents, while her team insists the economy was improving before the latest shock. Official data showing 0.5% growth in February and borrowing down £20bn support her case, but oil prices at $100/barrel and potential interest rate rises could wipe out much of her fiscal headroom. An Iran Board meets twice weekly at the Treasury to discuss emergency measures.
