First Thing: Israel launches huge strikes against south Beirut after mass evacuation order
Residents of Lebanese capital fled in panic before assaults on claimed Hezbollah targets, while Tehran continues to launch retaliatory attacks. Plus, why is Pedro Sánchez the only European leader to take on Trump?Don’t already get First Thing in your inbox? Sign up hereGood morning.Israel has launched intense strikes against the southern suburbs of Beirut just hours after its military ordered the entire population of the area – more than 500,000 people – to evacuate immediately.What else is happening with the war? The US granted Indian refiners a 30-day waiver to buy Russian oil after the US-Israel war on Iran sparked... [Continue Reading]
Listen: Does Spanish PM Sánchez have real EU backing in his standoff with Trump?
A transatlantic rift is opening. Spain’s prime minister Pedro Sánchez has condemned the US-Israeli attacks on Iran and blocked American access to Spanish bases , directly challenging Donald Trump. The question now: how far can Spain go in defying Washington? [Continue Reading]
The European leader defying Trump and his attacks on Iran
Spain’s Pedro Sanchez has once again emerged as Europe’s most consistently vocal critic of US President Donald Trump, drawing his ire for refusing to allow the American military to stage operations for its attacks on Iran from Spanish military bases. Trump lashed out at the Spanish prime minister on Tuesday, saying he would “cut off all trade with Spain” in retaliation for the affront. The spat intensified the next day when Spain’s foreign minister contradicted a claim by the White House press... [Continue Reading]
A lone battle: Why is Pedro Sánchez the only European leader to take on Trump?
As the Spanish PM decries the war in Iran, other politicians are unable – or unwilling – to speak against the US presidentOn Wednesday morning, Pedro Sánchez delivered a 10-minute televised address with the rather bland title: “An institutional declaration by the prime minister to assess recent international events.”The speech’s words, however, were anything but beige. Hours after Donald Trump had threatened to cut off trade with Spain over its government’s refusal to allow two jointly operated bases in Andalucía to be used to strike Iran, Sánchez set out his thinking. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez condemns U.S. military action in Iran following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has publicly condemned the U.S.-led military action in Iran, marking a significant divergence from the response of several other European leaders. His critique follows the U.S. attack that reportedly resulted in the death of Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, sparking fears of escalating conflict in the Middle East. Sánchez's comments, made during a press conference, underscore his refusal to acquiesce to U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats of trade retaliation, which have become a hallmark of the current U.S. administration's foreign policy. This stance highlights Spain's position as a vocal critic of unilateral military engagements, where... [Continue Reading]
US and Israel Intensify Airstrikes Against Iran Amid Ongoing Military Offensive
In a significant escalation of military hostilities in the Middle East, the United States and Israel have intensified their airstrikes against Iran, marking the fifth day of a deadly offensive. Bombing campaigns targeting government, military, and civilian infrastructure in Tehran have raised alarms across the region, exacerbating geopolitical tensions and drawing ire from global leaders. The strikes reportedly focus on nuclear-related facilities, further escalating the already fraught relationship between Tehran and both Washington and Tel Aviv. The Iranian response has been equally aggressive, with reports indicating that Iran has launched hundreds of missiles and drones aimed at various Persian Gulf... [Continue Reading]
Ten protesters killed and 34 injured in Karachi as security forces clash with demonstrators near US consulate gates
Recent protests in Karachi, Pakistan, escalated dramatically as security forces opened fire on demonstrators attempting to storm the gates of the US consulate. The violent altercation resulted in the deaths of ten protesters, while 34 others sustained injuries, according to Sukhdew Assardas Hamnani, a spokesman for the Sindh government. The protests were reportedly sparked by widespread anger over the ongoing conflict involving Iran, invoking solidarity among demonstrators in various cities, including Karachi and other parts of Pakistan and India. The incident occurred when a large crowd gathered outside the US consulate in Karachi's upscale district of Clifton. Eyewitness accounts suggest... [Continue Reading]
