Minnesota man sentenced to life for killing Democratic lawmaker Melissa Hortman

• The UN has warned that escalating Middle East tensions are threatening vital regional trade routes, specifically the Strait of Hormuz. • The situation is exacerbated by ongoing American airstrikes on Iran and a diplomatic stalemate regarding the closure of the crucial energy waterway.

• The Middle East is entering a critical phase of energy reconstruction to repair damaged power systems and infrastructure. • Beyond engineering, the process involves strategic decisions regarding financing, equipment supply, software control, and long-term operational maintenance.

• Israel has launched air and ground assaults in Syria, viewing the current regime as a significant security threat. • Despite the United States easing sanctions and Arab states pledging financial aid, the country continues to face instability and minority tensions.

Airbus A350-1000ULR becomes the most watched plane on flight tracking websites as Qantas tests new aircraft for its Project Sunrise Qantas’s new ultra long-distance aircraft is set to land on Australian soil for the first time on Friday after a 19-hour test flight from France.The Airbus A350-1000ULR, designed for Qantas to complete some of the longest commercial flights in the world, set off on a nonstop journey from Airbus’ manufacturing facility Toulouse, France on Thursday, destined for Melbourne. Continue reading...

Sonam Wangchuk halted strike amid concerns about ‘possible violence’ in India as protest movement urges demonstrations across country on Friday over police brutalityIndian “cockroach” activist Sonam Wangchuk ended a 26-day hunger strike on Friday over an exam paper scandal that has spiralled into a wideranging youth-led protest against Narendra Modi’s government, with protesters continuing to call for the education minister to resign.Wangchuk said on social media that he ended the hunger strike in Delhi in the presence of two federal ministers at the urging of scores of members ⁠of parliament, and after “a long negotiation on various conditions and in view of possible violence in the country”. He did not elaborate on the talks but promised to lay out details in a video soon. Continue reading...

Australia’s trade minister, Don Farrell, says tariff regime is unjustified and inconsistent with free trade agreement with USFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastDonald Trump has hit Australian exports with new trade tariffs, claiming the country is not doing enough to combat forced labour, but the Albanese government has demanded he remove them immediately.The United States announced on Friday morning (AEST) that many Australian exports now attract a new 12.5% tariff as part of a broader regime affecting dozens of countries. Continue reading...

IRGC claims base in south-west England was used by US to launch bombing missions, making it ‘legitimate target’Middle East crisis live – latest updatesThe government has said the UK is “ready to defend itself” after Iran’s military warned that any bases being used by the US were “legitimate targets”.The UK has allowed the US to launch “defensive” operations from British bases hosting American planes since the start of its war on Iran but has refused to help in offensive operations. Continue reading...

Vote from advisory group – whose members include people linked to peptides industry – likely to embolden RFK JrA panel of federal health advisers on Thursday narrowly recommended easing access to several peptides popular with wellness influencers and celebrities, despite warnings from government scientists that the chemicals have not been shown to be safe or effective.In a series of votes, outside experts to the Food and Drug Administration advised the agency to drop current restrictions barring pharmacies from producing injectable peptides with names like BPC-157, TB-500 and KPV. Continue reading...

Elon Musk’s EV company lost a quarter of its value after revealing weak profits and high spending on AI and roboticsTesla’s stock fell about 13.5% on Thursday in one of the biggest single-day market losses in the company’s history.Elon Musk’s automaker has struggled throughout the year, losing about 27% of its market value as huge capital expenditures and weaker-than-expected profits worry investors. Continue reading...

Defense attorneys question LAPD criminalist on third day of hearing to decide whether singer will stand trialAttorneys for the singer D4vd scrutinized how law enforcement officials chose to test evidence found in his home during the third day of a hearing to determine whether he will stand trial for murder and child sexual abuse.Prosecutors say D4vd, born David Anthony Burke, fatally stabbed 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez last year to silence her from exposing the sexual nature of their relationship amid his rising profile in the music world. Continue reading...

Burnham says ‘no one in government loses when power is shared’ as he revives Brown-era national economic councilIt’s not just a No 10 in the north, it’s an engine for growth throughout the whole UK | Andy BurnhamRegional mayors are to be given a leading role in the UK’s economic policy, Andy Burnham has said, as he called the opening of No 10 North “the biggest rebalancing of power our country has seen”.The new prime minister has revived the national economic council [NEC], first set up by Gordon Brown to put the government on a war footing during the 2008 financial crash, arguing that economic growth requires the same level of urgency, focus and collective action. Continue reading...

Republican Blake Miguez is weighing what district to run in after state redrew map following supreme court decisionA congressional candidate from Louisiana who was the subject of a police report accusing him of rape – which he denies – says he is hoping to again “earn” Donald Trump’s endorsement as he considers precisely where to run amid redistricting.The candidate, Blake Miguez, is weighing running in one of two districts, neither of which he lives in but which he is allowed to run. He has been mulling that choice after the supreme court’s landmark decision in Callais v Louisiana prompted the state to swiftly redraw its US House districts – and after he had secured the president’s backing under the previous congressional map. Continue reading...