Fly Zapper

Iran just stated they have no plans for the next round of talks

🇮🇷 Iran's military just flatly denied CENTCOM's claim that two U.S. vessels transited the Strait CENTCOM says they went through. Iran says they didn't and couldn't without permission. “The initiative for the passage and movement of any vessel is in the hands of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran.” Source: Al Jazeera

Why Elon Musk is RIGHT to fight South Africa’s racist rules blocking Starlink? Imagine this: Long ago, South Africa had very unfair laws called apartheid. They treated Black people badly and kept them from good jobs and money. When those bad laws ended, the country made new rules (called B-BBEE) to help Black people get a fair share of business. The idea was good – like a big helping hand. But now? For companies like Starlink to sell fast internet, they MUST give away 30% of their business to Black partners. Just because of skin color. Elon Musk was born in South Africa. He left as a teen to chase big dreams. Today, his company SpaceX wants to bring Starlink – super fast satellite internet – to South Africa. But the rules say no unless they give up part of the company. Elon said it right: “Starlink is not allowed because I’m not Black.” SpaceX promised to spend about $30 million (that’s 500 million rand!) to give FREE high-speed internet to 5,000 rural schools. That helps over 2.4 MILLION kids every year learn better, get jobs later, and have a brighter future. Real help for the people who need it most! Starlink already works in about 24 other African countries. Villages there now have internet for school, doctors, and business. South Africa’s villages are missing out because of these racist rules. Elon isn’t asking for special favors. He just wants fair play so Starlink can connect everyone fast. Internet = education, jobs, hope. Why hold back millions of kids over rules that pick by race and color?

Prof. John Mearsheimer: It is widely recognized that it is the Israelis who led us into this disastrous war. It’s the Israelis who are preventing us from getting a ceasefire. The American public’s views on Israel are undergoing a sea change. This situation only gets worse with the passage of time.” When a country loses a war, everybody goes back to the causes. When you win, you celebrate. When you lose, you ask: How did this happen? When it’s a disastrous loss like this, people demand answers. The evidence is clear — it was the Israelis who led him by the nose into this disaster. U.S.–Israeli relations are going to be badly damaged.

Over the last week, Israel has been involved in diplomatic spats with Spain, France, Italy, South Korea, Pakistan and Türkei. This seems unsustainable but will only get worse. Global public opinion has largely turned against Israel, and democratic governments eventually have to take into account the views of their populations.