Your one-stop destination for all the top international stories of the day.
More Sanctions Coming For Iran After Attack On Israel
Iran’s first direct attack on Israel will see more sanctions from the US and its allies. That’s the indication Washington and other allies have given Tel Aviv in an attempt to prevent any further escalation in the region. Israel still hasn’t revealed how it plans to respond to the weekend missile and drone strike from Tehran. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said all options are on the table to dismantle Iran’s ‘terrorist financing’. EU’s foreign policy chief Borell Josef also said some states have asked for sanctions against Iran to be expanded. Israel’s foreign minister Israel Katz said he was writing to 32 nations to impose sanctions on Iran’s missile program.
Pablo Escobar’s Name Cannot Be Registered As A Trademark, Rules EU Court
The name of notorious Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar, cannot be registered as a trademark, ruled an EU court. The European Court of Justice ruled against a plea made by Escobar’s brother. In rejecting his brother’s attempt to trademark the drug lord’s name, the court upheld the decision of the EU’s intellectual property office that had refused a trademark application by Escobar Inc. in 2022. The company was formed by Pablo Escobar’s brother Roberto, who has done jail time for being part of his brother’s criminal organisation. Pablo Escobar led one of the world’s most powerful criminal organisations, the Medellin cartel. In 1987, Forbes estimated that Escobar was worth more than $3 billion, a fortune largely made from trafficking cocaine. He was killed by security forces in 1993.
Dubai Floods: When The Desert States Went Under Water
Dubai got more rainfall in one day than it gets in a year and the impact of that heavy rainfall was felt all across the United Arab Emirates. From flight disruptions to Dubai airport operations taking a massive hit, with one casualty reported from Ras al Khaimah. High-end luxury cars were left stranded on flooded roads. Malls also reported flooding in some places water rained down from the ceiling of high-end malls. The government issued advisories after which schools stayed shut and most offices saw employees working from home. As per a Blomberg report, active cloud seeding operations contributed to the worst flooding UAE has seen.
US Flies Aircraft Over Taiwan Strait, China Scrambles Fighters After It
Hours after a call between US and Chinese defence chiefs, the first such call in more than a year, the US flew a navy patrol aircraft in the contentious Taiwan Strait. The US Navy’s 7th fleet has said the aircraft flew in international airspace. China disputes that as it considers Taiwan to be a part of its territory. In a statement, the US said, “The aircraft’s transit of the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the United States’ commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.” China’s military described the flight as ‘public hype’, saying it had sent fighters to monitor and warn the US plane.
Croatia Elections: It’s A Fight Between Prime Minister And President
Croatia is voting to choose its next Prime Minister. Battling it out are Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic who’s seeking a re-election and President Zoran Milanovic. While Plenkovic is considered a conservative leader, Milanovic is believed to be pro-Russia. The polls come after a bitter campaign where Milanovic accused Plenkovic of heading a corrupt government, while Plenkovic launched into Milanovic over his leanings toward the Kremlin. The outcome of these elections will also be closely followed in Ukraine since Milanovic has opposed further aid to Kyiv.
