- Ukraine is challenging Russia's claim to exclusive rights over the Kerch Strait, which connects the Sea of Azov to the main body of the Black Sea, at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague. They are also calling for the demolition of the 19 km long bridge linking Crimea to Russia, saying that the bridge was deliberately built too low for large ships to enter the Sea of Azov. The Russians, of course, are trying to claim that the court has no jurisdiction over the issue.
- Israel bombed large areas of Lebanon on Monday, ostensibly targeting Hezbollah operatives. At least 356 people (including 24 children) were killed and over 1,200 wounded. They also shut down Al Jazeera's bureau in the West Bank.
- The election in the German state of Brandenburg has given the Social Democrats a slim plurality over AfD; a new party called the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (named after its leader) might have a key role in forming a government. The party's position is a bit unusual for these times; they appear to be leftwing and interventionist on economic issues but socially and culturally conservative, populist, Euroskeptic, Russophile, and opposed to green politics.
- There are finally hints of the start of an exodus from the Sunbelt, as uncomfortably hot weather and unaffordable home insurance makes living there look less than attractive. Once it gets under way, of course, a lot of people will be left holding worthless properties.
- A proposal to introduce congestion pricing (as seen in many of the world's great cities such as London, Milan, and Singapore) to New York City has run afoul of the state government. The governor, Kathy Hochul, was initially on board with the idea, but has indefinitely paused the idea, apparently fearing the wrath of suburban voters. The reversal seems not to have helped Hochul politically, though.
- The chair of the Winnipeg School Division is urging schools not to fundraise to get things faster than they would from school division funding, fearing (not without some justification) that this will essentially allow parents in more affluent areas to essentially cut in line and get infrastructure upgrades faster than those in less well off parts. The response on Reddit to this, however, has been largely negative.
- The US is considering going further than the 100% tariffs that they have imposed on Chinese EVs, with the administration considering a complete ban on imports of all Chinese vehicles as well as vehicles that use certain Chinese-made parts. The supposed justification is national security, though I wouldn't be surprised if the real reason has something to do with winning over Michigan voters.
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