Seamus Kearney

Minnesota Somalis fearful but defiant after Trump insults, ICE surge “I don't even feel myself because I'm scared everywhere I go. Am I a target? I don't even know. That's very sad,” said Ifrah Farah, a U.S. citizen from Somalia.

'We're not trash' Minnesota Somalis fearful but defiant after Trump insults - www.reuters.com/world/us/wer...

Donald Trump awarded inaugural FIFA Peace Prize by Gianni Infantino FIFA never announced nominees for the new award and has not said how or by whom the winner was chosen.

“The timing of the announcement, the opacity of the process & criteria and Infantino’s strong relationship with Trump led many to assume the award was created essentially as a consolation prize for Trump after he was passed over for the Nobel Peace Prize.”… www.nytimes.com/athletic/685...

Trump administration says Europe risks 'civilisational erasure', drawing outcry Europe faces "civilisational erasure" and may one day lose its status as a reliable U.S. ally, the Trump administration said in a major strategy document, drawing an outcry from Europeans who compared...

EU diplomat to me tonight, referencing a horror movie: “The threatening call is actually coming from inside your house!!!” www.reuters.com/business/fin...

Trump has adopted racist conspiracy theories in his extraordinary attack on Europe Trump’s new blueprint for international policy is racist and claims that Europe faces ‘civilization erasure’ in a boost to far right and conspiracy theorists, says world affairs editor Sam Kiley

The Independent: “Trump’s new blueprint for international policy is racist and claims that Europe faces ‘civilization erasure’ in a boost to far right and conspiracy theorists, says world affairs editor Sam Kiley”
… www.independent.co.uk/news/world/e...

‘Cultivate resistance’: policy paper lays bare Trump support for Europe’s far right Text signed by president seems to echo ‘great replacement’ theory, saying Europe faces ‘civilisational erasure’

“Billed as ‘a roadmap to ensure America remains the greatest and most successful nation in human history and the home of freedom on earth’, the US National Security Strategy makes explicit Washington’s support for Europe’s nationalist far-right parties.”
… www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

German parliament backs controversial military service law amid Russian threat Germany's parliament approved a controversial new military service law on Friday that aims to boost Bundeswehr numbers and meet NATO targets as tensions with Russia spur calls for stronger defence cap...

German parliament backs controversial military service law amid Russian threat… www.reuters.com/business/aer...

Elon Musk’s X fined €120m by EU in first clash under new digital laws Ruling could put European Commission on collision course with billionaire, and possibly Donald Trump

Elon Musk’s X fined €120m by EU in first clash under new digital laws… www.theguardian.com/technology/2...

Israel cleared to stay in Eurovision; Spain, Ireland and others quit in protest Israel was cleared on Thursday to enter the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest by the organiser, prompting Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland and Slovenia to withdraw over theGaza war and plunging the competit...

Israel cleared to stay in Eurovision song contest; Spain, Ireland and others quit in protest… www.reuters.com/business/med...

Trump 'garbage' rhetoric about Somalis draws cheers from administration, silence from Republicans and alarm from critics Donald Trump's racial comments are growing increasingly bold, normalized and permissible, his critics say, as his allies and supporters no longer consider them out of bounds.

Trump’s racist 'garbage' rhetoric about Somalis draws cheers from administration, silence from Republicans and alarm from critics
… www.reuters.com/world/us/tru...

New York Times Sues Pentagon Over First Amendment Rights

New York Times sues the Pentagon… www.nytimes.com/2025/12/04/b...

One of NZ’s largest backlashes against govt education policy change. 66% of schools (still counting) declare they remain committed to historic principles to protect/boost Māori language/culture. Massive pushback against law change removing obligation on schools to “give effect” to Waitangi Treaty.

White House says admiral approved second strike on boat from Venezuela, defends attack as lawful The White House said on Monday that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth authorized an admiral to conduct multiple strikes on a vessel from Venezuela allegedly carrying illegal narcotics in September.

Just what a Trump-tired America doesn’t need: a new armed conflict with Venezuela… www.reuters.com/world/americ...

Band of brothers: how the war crushed a cohort of young Ukrainians Reuters followed the fortunes of a group of raw recruits who enlisted in the spring as part of Ukraine’s drive to refresh its depleted ranks. None of them are still fighting.

Moving testimony from the frontline in Ukraine… www.reuters.com/investigatio...

In Announcing Pardon of Drug Trafficker While Threatening Venezuela, Trump Displays Contradictions

“In Announcing Pardon of Drug Trafficker While Threatening Venezuela, Trump Displays Contradictions. President Trump’s statements on social media less than 24 hours apart showed the dissonance in his campaign against drug trafficking.” www.nytimes.com/2025/11/29/u...

Andriy Yermak: How Zelensky's right-hand man fell from power A widening corruption scandal forced Ukraine's second most powerful person, Andriy Yermak, to resign.

“Zelensky had successfully grappled with corruption scandals in the past, but in July a chain of events began that has shaken the current government to its core, weakening him politically and costing him his right-hand man.”
bbc.com/news/article...

Advocate rejects MPs claims schools were pressured to reaffirm commitment to Te Tiriti The Education Minister says "very unfair" pressure has been put on schools.

Growing pushback by NZ schools. Almost 1500 out of 2500 reaffirm commitment to adhere to historic principles to bolster Māori language/culture. This even though govt changed law so no longer obligatory. Was it expecting schools would drop Māoridom-positive programmes? www.rnz.co.nz/news/te-manu...

The Guardian view on Ukraine peace talks: Putin is taking Trump for another ride on the Kremlin carousel | Editorial Editorial: Russia’s president is only interested in a deal on Moscow’s terms. Equipping Kyiv with the resources to fight on is the quickest route to a just settlement

“Russia’s president is only interested in a deal on Moscow’s terms. Equipping Kyiv with the resources to fight on is the quickest route to a just settlement”… www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Ukraine's top peace negotiator quits after raid by anti-graft police President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's powerful chief of staff Andriy Yermak, a close ally who has headed Ukraine's negotiation team at fraught U.S.-backed peace talks, quit on Friday, hours after anti-corru...

Ukraine's top peace negotiator quits after raid by anti-graft police - www.reuters.com/world/europe...

Hegseth order on first Caribbean boat strike, officials say: Kill them all Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a verbal order to kill all crew members in the Sept. 2 strike on a suspected drug boat. Navy SEALs fired a second missile.

Int. human rights lawyer tells me: there’ll be many court cases in future; people in positions of power & foot soldiers (even masked) will be held accountable for current violations of int. law & human decency. Won’t be defence to say “just following orders”… www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...

Trump vows to freeze migration from ‘Third World Countries’ after D.C. attack U.S. President Donald Trump said his administration will "permanently pause" migration from all "Third World Countries", following the death of a National Guard member in an attack near the White Hous...

Third world countries? Permanently pause? Heads scratch around the world… www.reuters.com/world/trump-...

Video shows Israeli forces shooting Palestinians dead moments after surrender Far-right minister defends killing of two men who appeared to have given themselves up, saying ‘terrorists must die’

Video shows Israeli forces shooting Palestinians dead moments after surrender. Far-right minister defends killing of two men who appeared to have given themselves up, saying ‘terrorists must die’… www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...

NZ govt’s contested removal of obligation for schools to adhere to principles aimed at protecting Māori language & culture seems to have backfired. More than half of schools say regardless of the law change, they will continue to “give effect” to Treaty of Waitangi.
www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360...

France's Macron unveils voluntary military service amid 'accelerating threats' President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday announced the creation of a new voluntary youth military service to begin by mid-2026, which would help France respond to "accelerating threats" on the global sta...

France’s Macron to bring back military service... but it will be voluntary. www.reuters.com/business/aer...

Trump Says South Africa Is Not Invited to G20 Summit in U.S. in 2026

“South Africa is a sovereign constitutional democratic country and doesn’t appreciate insults from another country about its worth in participating in global platforms. South Africa will continue to participate as a full, active and constructive member of the G20.” www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/w...

US deal must punish Russia war crimes, says Ukraine’s Nobel peace prize winner Oleksandra Matviichuk warns any amnesty could encourage authoritarian leaders to attack their neighbours

“It would ruin int. law & UN Charter [which urges against attacks on neighbours] to create a precedent that would encourage other authoritarian leaders, that you can invade a country, kill people, erase their identity, and you’ll be rewarded with new territories.” www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...

‘Traitor’: US representatives call for Trump envoy Witkoff to be fired after leaked Kremlin call Republicans and Democrats warn Witkoff ‘cannot be trusted’ after reportedly advising officials on peace plan

“Handful of US representatives have reacted furiously to a leaked recording in which special envoy to Ukraine reportedly coached Moscow on how to handle Trump, but most have so far remained mute on revelation that American officials were advising a US adversary.” www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

“Trump promised retribution. He delivered.” www.reuters.com/investigatio...

At least 13 dead after fire engulfs residential tower blocks in Hong Kong Several people reportedly trapped inside burning towers as firefighters tackle huge blaze in Tai Po district

Sadly, the death toll looks likely to increase in Hong Kong… www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...

Woman With Ties To Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt’s Family In ICE Custody Bruna Caroline Ferreira, who was brought to the U.S. as a child and is the mother of Leavitt’s nephew, was arrested near Boston earlier this month and taken into ICE custody.

ICE comes knocking on door of family of Trump’s bombastic press secretary…
www.forbes.com/sites/siladi...

Sarkozy appeal rejected by France's highest court… latest legal blow in what is now a string of cases. www.reuters.com/world/france...