Global Pulse

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  • Man Utd beat Liverpool to secure Champions League place

    Man Utd beat Liverpool to secure Champions League place

    One of English football’s most heated rivalries delivered a chaotic, unforgettable encounter at Old Trafford on Sunday, as Kobbie Mainoo’s 75th-minute finish handed Manchester United a dramatic 3-2 victory over Liverpool and locked in United’s spot in next season’s UEFA Champions League.

    The hosts got off to a blistering start, netting twice inside the opening 15 minutes to put Liverpool on the back foot. Brazilian forward Matheus Cunha opened the scoring in the 10th minute, his driven effort from the edge of the box deflecting off Alexis MacAllister and leaving Liverpool’s third-choice goalkeeper Freddie Woodman with no chance to save. Just four minutes later, Slovenian striker Benjamin Sesko bundled the ball over the line after Bruno Fernandes nodded a cross back across the six-yard box, doubling United’s lead. Fernandes nearly put the game out of sight before halftime, but he blazed a cross from Bryan Mbeumo just inches wide of the target.

    While United dominated the first half, Liverpool showed clear signs of their threat going into the break, with Cody Gakpo curling a chance just wide after cutting through United’s midfield. The tide shifted dramatically just after halftime, when two unforced United errors handed Liverpool the chance to level. Sesko was replaced by Ivorian winger Amad Diallo at the break, and Diallo gifted Liverpool their first goal just minutes in, playing a loose pass that Hungarian midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai pounced on. Szoboszlai ran unopposed from inside his own half before slotting calmly into the bottom corner to cut United’s lead to 2-1.

    Liverpool’s equalizer came shortly after, another self-inflicted mistake from United. Goalkeeper Senne Lammens played a loose pass that was intercepted by MacAllister, who quickly fed Szoboszlai. The Hungarian squared the ball to Gakpo for a simple tap-in, leveling the score at 2-2 just 18 minutes into the second half.

    With both sides throwing caution to the wind in search of a winning goal, it was United who found the decisive breakthrough. A sloppy clearance from MacAllister fell perfectly into the path of the onrushing Mainoo, who steered a cool finish past Woodman from the edge of the box to restore United’s lead.

    The result leaves United third in the table, six points clear of Liverpool and guaranteed a top-four finish that ends a two-year absence from the Champions League. This win also marks United’s first league double over Liverpool since the 2015-16 season, completing a staggering turnaround from 12 months ago, when Liverpool won their 20th top-flight title, finishing 14 places and 42 points ahead of United.

    For interim manager Michael Carrick, who took charge of the club in January, the result cements his case to be appointed permanent manager for next season. Carrick has already claimed statement wins over Arsenal, Manchester City, and Chelsea in his short tenure, and securing Champions League football – his primary stated goal – brings in significant revenue that makes his position hard to ignore.

    The result is also a personal triumph for Mainoo, who signed a new five-year contract with the club earlier this week after being overlooked by previous managerial candidate Ruben Amorim. The young England midfielder has been at the heart of United’s resurgence under Carrick, and his match-winning finish was the perfect celebration of his new deal.

    Liverpool, who went into the match depleted by injuries to key starting forwards Mohamed Salah, Hugo Ekitike, and Alexander Isak, suffered their 11th league defeat of the season. Despite the loss, Arne Slot’s side remain well positioned to claim a Champions League spot of their own, needing just three points from their final three remaining matches to secure qualification.

  • Second unexploded shell found at illegal French rave: minister

    Second unexploded shell found at illegal French rave: minister

    A massive unauthorized rave that drew tens of thousands of partygoers to a former French military firing range has sparked public safety outrage after officials confirmed a second unexploded World War II-era shell was discovered at the site, just one day after the first dangerous ordnance prompted an emergency bomb disposal response.

    The unsanctioned gathering, commonly called a “free party” by organizers, launched Friday on the 10,000-hectare decommissioned firing range located near the central French town of Bourges, roughly 120 miles south of Paris. The rave was coordinated via encrypted messaging platforms, allowing crowds to converge quickly before authorities could block access, with conflicting estimates of attendance: organizers claim up to 40,000 people traveled to the site from France and nearby neighboring countries, while French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez pegs the total number at 17,000.

    Local authorities had explicitly warned the crowd that holding a dance event on the former military site was an extreme safety risk, as the ground still holds unaccounted-for unexploded ordnance dating back to World War II. Despite repeated warnings, partygoers entered the site anyway. On Saturday evening, bomb disposal squads were called to the location after the first unexploded shell was unearthed near a main road cutting through the party grounds.

    After conducting an aerial inspection of the site via helicopter Sunday, Nunez confirmed to reporters that a second unexploded shell had been located and that disposal experts were working to neutralize the new threat. “When the prefect warned that this was dangerous land, it was not a joke,” the minister emphasized.

    In a surprising twist, organizers have openly acknowledged they deliberately selected this specific firing range—located in Nunez’s own hometown—to stage the protest against a pending national bill that would dramatically increase criminal penalties for people who organize and participate in unauthorized free parties.

    Organizers have claimed the event has proceeded without major disruptions or safety incidents, but Nunez refuted this account. He told reporters that 12 attendees have already been transported to local hospitals, multiple for drug-related complications, and five participants have been taken into police custody. Authorities have so far issued more than 600 fines for trespassing on military land and participating in an illegal gathering.

    Once a little-known underground tradition, illegal raves have become a growing issue for French law enforcement. Nunez reported that officials recorded 337 unauthorized music events across the country in 2025. Most of these gatherings draw around 300 attendees, but roughly four percent attract crowds of more than 1,000, creating major public safety and logistics challenges for local communities.

    The gathering has already hardened the government’s commitment to passing stricter penalties for illegal rave organizers and participants. Back in April, France’s lower parliamentary house approved a draft bill that would impose up to six months of prison time for anyone directly or indirectly involved in organizing or facilitating unauthorised raves. The legislation’s broad definition of organizing extends even to sharing logistical information about planned events online. Nunez argued that current penalties are far too lenient, classifying violations as minor offenses that do little to deter organizers.

    By early Sunday afternoon, an AFP journalist on the ground observed that many performance stages had been cleared out and a large portion of attendees had begun departing the site. The incident has reignited national debate over balancing personal recreation freedoms with public safety, and is expected to speed up passage of the stricter rave regulation legislation.

  • ‘Top shelf”: Joey Walsh produces a moment of magic as Manly fall just short against the Panthers

    ‘Top shelf”: Joey Walsh produces a moment of magic as Manly fall just short against the Panthers

    Manly Sea Eagles supporters left Brookvale Oval without the fairy-tale victory they had hoped for on matchday, but the performance of rookie playmaker Joey Walsh in his first ever NRL starting appearance gave the club plenty of reason to feel optimistic about what lies ahead. The 19-year-old prodigy delivered a moment of individual brilliance that drew high praise from NRL legend Cooper Cronk, even as Manly’s four-game winning streak came to an end at the hands of competition leaders Penrith Panthers.

    Walsh earned his first start following an injury to veteran halfback Jamal Fogarty, stepping into the pressure-cooker of a top-of-the-table clash against the back-to-back premiership favourites. While he made one costly error – a missed tackle on Blaize Talagi that directly led to a Panthers try – his overall display was remarkably polished for a young player making his debut. His standout play came just four minutes into the second half, when he caught the ball while charging into the Penrith defensive line, faked left to send the Panthers’ backline scrambling the wrong way, and fired a perfectly weighted flat pass to a charging Haumole Olakau’atu. Olakau’atu broke through the gap and offloaded to Ethan Bullemor to score, a sequence of play that left commentators stunned. NRL legend turned commentator Cronk labelled the play “top shelf ball-playing from Walsh”, praising the young playmaker for the subtle deceptive skill that defined Cronk’s own decorated career alongside edge forwards.

    The game remained a tight contest through the final minutes, with Manly holding a late lead before Penrith hit back. With just 60 seconds left on the clock, Walsh had the chance to lock the scores and force golden point with a two-point field goal, but his attempt fell just short, robbing Manly of a dream last-minute draw and Walsh of the Hollywood ending fans had dreamed of. Even with the loss, Manly pushed the premiership favourites to the brink, only letting the game slip during a 10-minute patch of poor form that saw the Sea Eagles commit multiple uncharacteristic errors while holding a one-man advantage through a sin binning.

    For Penrith, the result keeps them perched at the top of the NRL ladder after nine rounds, though it was far from the comfortable win the side has come to expect against lower-ranked opponents. The Panthers’ usual sharp edge shifting play was off on the night, but their veteran superstar forwards stepped up when it mattered. Winger Brian To’o put in a monster performance, running for 207 metres and crossing for a try, while fullback Dylan Edwards delivered a match-winning play with a pinpoint pass to Izack Tago that secured the four points for Penrith. The Panthers will next travel to Canberra to face the Raiders, but could be without playmaker Jack Cogger, who was sin-binned for a high tackle on Tolu Koula and faces a potential suspension. The match also included controversial bunker drama that left Penrith captain Nathan Cleary furious. Manly winger Lehi Hopoate scored a corner try to give the Sea Eagles a 16-12 lead, a try Cleary insisted should have been disallowed not for a suspected forward pass, but because Clayton Faulalo had illegally blocked Cleary from being able to make the tackle. Even Cronk said in commentary that the play was “100 per cent not a try”, but on-field referees ruled the contact did not impact the play outcome, and the NRL Bunker upheld the decision to award the try.

  • Under full moon, Shakira thrills 2 million fans on Rio’s Copacabana beach

    Under full moon, Shakira thrills 2 million fans on Rio’s Copacabana beach

    Beneath a glowing full moon on Brazil’s iconic Copacabana beach, global Latin pop icon Shakira delivered a career-defining performance Saturday that drew an estimated crowd of 2 million adoring fans, cementing her status as one of the most popular live acts in modern music.

    The 49-year-old Colombian superstar finally took the stage just after 11 p.m. local time, more than an hour behind schedule, emerging in a costume emblazoned with Brazil’s national green and yellow. The grand entrance was preceded by a dramatic aerial display: hundreds of drones flying overhead formed the shape of a she-wolf, a nod to Shakira’s widely used public nickname. Addressing the massive gathering in Portuguese, Shakira expressed her deep affection for the South American nation, saying, “Brazil, I love you! It’s magical to think that here we are, millions of souls together, ready to sing, dance, be moved and remind the world what really matters.”

    Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Cavaliere later confirmed the historic attendance figure in a post on X, citing official data from the city’s tourism authority, writing simply, “Two million people. The she-wolf made history in Rio.” Copacabana beach has emerged as a premier destination for massive open-air pop concerts in recent years, with Madonna drawing 1.6 million attendees in 2024 and Lady Gaga attracting a crowd of 2.1 million just 12 months prior. Shakira’s performance matched the scale of the venue, held on a sprawling 1,345-square-meter stage built outside the legendary Copacabana Hotel. The setlist featured the singer’s decades-long catalog of global hits, including fan favorites “Hips Don’t Lie,” “La Bicicleta,” “La Tortura” and “Estoy Aquí.” The show also included 10 rapid outfit changes, a collaborative funk performance with Brazilian pop star Anitta, and special guest appearances from two of Brazil’s most revered pop music legends, Caetano Veloso and Maria Bethânia.

    With over 90 million records sold worldwide, four Grammy Awards, 15 Latin Grammys, and a cross-generational catalog of chart-topping tracks that includes global anthems “Waka Waka” and “Whenever, Wherever,” Shakira has long held a uniquely devoted fanbase in Brazil, where she has toured repeatedly throughout her career. For many in the crowd Saturday, the concert was the culmination of years of fandom. Twenty-six-year-old designer Joao Pedro Yellin, who wore a custom coat made from fabric scraps stitched together from Latin American flags, told Agence France-Presse, “I’m very inspired by her, she’s a Latin woman at the top.” Longtime fan Graciele Vaz, 43, traveled four hours from the coastal resort town of Paraty and camped overnight on the beach ahead of the show to secure a good spot. “She loves Brazil so much and the love she has for us is the love we have for her,” Vaz said, showing off a large she-wolf tattoo on her back. “I’ve been a Shakira fan for more than 20 years.”

    Saturday’s concert marks the opening stop of Shakira’s 2025 “Women No Longer Cry” world tour, which already has secured a Guinness World Record for the highest-grossing tour ever by a Latin artist.

    The city of Rio de Janeiro had spent days preparing for the massive event, with promotional posters covering public spaces across the city. Local vendors capitalized on the crowds, selling everything from cold beer and traditional caipirinha cocktails to branded t-shirts and novelty items including small vials marketed as “Shakira’s tears,” a playful reference to the tour’s name. Security arrangements were extensive, with nearly 8,000 law enforcement officers deployed across the beach area, supported by surveillance drones, facial recognition cameras, and 18 entry screening points equipped with metal detectors. The heightened security came one year after police foiled a planned bomb attack targeting Lady Gaga’s 2024 Copacabana concert, carried out by a group that spread hate speech targeting the LGBTQ+ community. Many devoted fans went even further, camping outside the luxury Copacabana Palace hotel where Shakira was staying in hopes of catching a quick glimpse of the star at a window.

    Beyond the entertainment value, city economic officials project the massive concert will inject more than $160 million into Rio’s local economy, supported by a surge in tourism activity. Brazilian national tourism data shows airline bookings to Rio for the week of the concert were up 80% compared to the same period in 2024, highlighting the massive draw of Shakira’s opening show.

  • Australia sets its sights on Yorkshire’s young professionals

    Australia sets its sights on Yorkshire’s young professionals

    For generations, British people have been drawn to Australia by the promise of warmer weather, a more relaxed lifestyle, and greater professional opportunities. That long-running trend has hit a new milestone in 2024: new data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows 39,580 people migrated to Australia from the UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man this year, marking the highest annual number of arrivals from the region in a decade. An additional 10,660 migrants also arrived from Ireland, putting the upward trajectory of UK and Irish migration to Australia beyond doubt.

    Now, one of Australia’s less populated regions is leaning into this growing interest, launching a targeted outreach campaign across the UK and Ireland to lure young skilled workers to its borders. Australia’s Northern Territory, a vast, sparsely populated region famous for its rugged outback landscapes, unique wildlife and untouched coastal areas, is facing a critical workforce shortage, with officials estimating the region will need an additional 30,000 workers over the next five years to support growing industries spanning construction, healthcare, education, hospitality, business and technology. To fill these gaps, territory officials have been hosting pop-up information sessions across UK and Irish cities, including Leeds, Liverpool, Belfast and Cork, to introduce young professionals to the opportunities available in the region that are often overshadowed by more popular migration destinations like Sydney, Melbourne and Perth.

    On a recent midweek evening in Leeds, dozens of young professionals traded post-work drinks at city center beer gardens for a chance to learn more about making the move to the outback. Among them was 24-year-old medical sales worker Chloe Rhodes, who has dreamed of moving to Australia since she was a teenager. “Here I’m happy, I’m alright, but I just want to strive for more,” Rhodes explained. “It’s the whole idea of the slower-paced lifestyle – and I grew up by the beach, so I like to be by the beach a lot.” Like many aspiring migrants, Rhodes faces hurdles to making the move: her current role is not included on Australia’s skilled occupation list for working visas, but she is hopeful her position at a global company will allow for an internal transfer, a process she says is already underway.

    For 26-year-old Caitlin Murphy, who already spent two years living in Western Australia, the Northern Territory has emerged as a top candidate for a permanent move with her partner. Murphy, originally from Scotland, is drawn to the territory’s laid-back pace of life, and is counting on her partner’s IT career to qualify them for a permanent visa. Her own background in law, however, will likely make it harder to transfer her professional qualifications, a challenge she says she is prepared to navigate.

    Geoff Totham, a Northern Territory government workforce development officer who has been leading the information sessions, says turnout for this year’s events has already been busier than the territory’s 2024 tour of the UK. He notes that most attendees know very little about the Northern Territory compared to better-known Australian states, but the region offers unique advantages that more populous states cannot match. “The more we market into this place, hopefully more people will realise that there are opportunities in the territory and, of course, that’s going to help us solve our workforce issues,” Totham said.

    For UK migrants who have already made the leap, the reality of life in Australia brings both rewards and unforeseen hurdles. Ben Cartwright, who left Leeds for Sydney 18 months ago, says he initially underestimated how hard it would be to break into his field of media and communications, even with prior UK experience. On a working holiday visa that limited him to six months with any single employer, Cartwright spent months working odd jobs to get by before landing a role as a magazine editor. Today, he says the effort has paid off: he earns more than double the salary he made for the same work in the UK. Adam Laver, a 27-year-old former BBC journalist who left Bradford for Adelaide at the end of 2024, says he loves his new coastal lifestyle, which includes an affordable home within walking distance of the beach. But he has struggled to find steady work outside of seasonal hospitality roles, which dry up during the cooler months. Laver now plans to move to Vietnam next month to teach English, and advises future migrants to save more and plan for transportation barriers that can limit job opportunities in less urbanized areas. Despite the challenges, the growing turnout for migration information sessions suggests that the draw of Australia’s lifestyle and opportunity remains as strong as ever for young British professionals.

  • ‘You’re going to have to give up football’: Inside Cody Ramsey’s remarkable return to the NRL

    ‘You’re going to have to give up football’: Inside Cody Ramsey’s remarkable return to the NRL

    It has been 1337 days of relentless struggle, unthinkable physical pain, and endless doubt for Australian rugby league winger Cody Ramsey. On Saturday night, the 26-year-old turned the impossible into reality, stepping back onto an NRL pitch for the first time since his career was declared over by medical experts, in what is already being hailed as the most inspirational rugby league story of the year.

    Ramsey’s world collapsed in 2022, during his promising third season with the St. George Illawarra Dragons. The rising young talent was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that affects roughly one in every 100 people globally. The condition ravaged his large intestine, leaving the entire organ irreparably damaged. In the seven weeks following his diagnosis, Ramsey dropped 28 kilograms, plummeting to just 62 kilograms as the disease drained his strength and threatened his life.

    To save his life, Ramsey underwent emergency surgery to remove his entire large bowel, leaving him with a temporary stoma and external collection bag for six months. He later went through a second, equally grueling reversal procedure to reconnect his small intestine to his remaining bowel stump, forcing him to reintroduce every food he had ever eaten to his altered digestive system from scratch.

    In the immediate aftermath of his diagnosis, Ramsey’s first surgeon delivered a crushing verdict: his professional rugby league career was over. But sitting on his hospital bed alongside his father, Ramsey refused to accept that outcome. “He doesn’t know what it takes to be an NRL player, but I do,” he told his dad that day, a mantra that would carry him through three and a half years of hardship.

    The road to recovery was far from smooth. After his reversal surgery, Ramsey endured daily agony, needing to use the bathroom up to 40 times a day, and at one point begged medical staff to put him in a coma to escape the pain. His wound split open at one stage, and even the simplest daily tasks felt insurmountable. But a single, brutal 4-kilometer run from his home to his father’s house along the Appin Highway changed everything. Weighing just 62 kilograms, carrying his phone to call for emergency help if his body gave out, Ramsey pushed through the agony and finished the run. In that moment, he proved to himself he could make it back to the top.

    “It’s all in your head,” Ramsey explained after his comeback. “If you tick these little boxes off in your head, then you can do it. I spent a whole year thinking I’d have an accident every time I ran. But then one training session I didn’t, then a week, then a month, and then I got to the game and I was fine. The doubt is all in your head.”

    Ramsey missed the entire 2023 and 2024 NRL seasons, working his way back through reserve grade before earning a spot with the Sydney Roosters ahead of the 2025 campaign. He was not originally slated to take the field against the Brisbane Broncos on Saturday, but an early syndesmosis injury to winger Mark Nawaqanitawase opened the door, giving Ramsey his long-awaited chance. By full time, the emotion of the moment overwhelmed him, as he broke down in tears reuniting with family and friends who had supported him through every step of his journey.

    When asked if his return felt like a second debut, Ramsey said the moment meant far more than his first NRL appearance. “The people around me and everyone at the club know what I’ve been through, so it’s definitely way better than the debut for sure.”

    Roosters captain James Tedesco said the entire club has been inspired by Ramsey’s attitude and resilience. “He’s been an 18th man for us since the start of the year, and just hearing his story and the journey he’s been on, all of us are just so happy to see him get back on the field,” Tedesco said. “He’s been a breath of fresh air coming into the club. His energy, his great personality – he’s just amazing to have around. He’s been ready to play since round one, and to see him out there back in first grade was a special moment for all of us.”

    With Nawaqanitawase expected to be sidelined for six to eight weeks, Ramsey is set to earn more opportunities in the top flight, capping one of the most remarkable comeback stories in Australian sporting history.

  • Man charged with murder and sexual assault of 5-year-old Australian girl

    Man charged with murder and sexual assault of 5-year-old Australian girl

    A devastating tragedy has unfolded in central Australia, where the death of a 5-year-old Indigenous girl has led to murder charges and widespread civil unrest in the Northern Territory (NT). For cultural reasons, the child is only publicly identified as Kumanjayi Little Baby, and a content warning has been issued for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers noting the mention of a deceased person.

    Kumanjayi went missing last Saturday night, after being put to bed at an Aboriginal town camp on the outskirts of Alice Springs shortly before midnight. A multi-day large-scale search operation by NT Police concluded on Thursday, when officers located the child’s body. Jefferson Lewis, a 47-year-old local man, was taken into custody that same day, after being assaulted by community members in Alice Springs prior to his arrest. On Saturday evening, police formally charged Lewis with one count of murder and two counts of sexual assault. He is set to make his first court appearance in Darwin on Tuesday.

    In the aftermath of Lewis’s arrest and injury, the suspect was transported to Alice Springs Hospital for medical treatment. That facility quickly became the site of violent civil unrest, as dozens of protesters gathered outside the hospital on Thursday night demanding traditional justice for Kumanjayi. Leaked and officially released police footage shows demonstrators throwing projectiles at officers, attacking police vehicles, and setting at least one police van on fire. Responding officers deployed tear gas to disperse the crowd.

    The unrest spilled beyond the hospital grounds: additional footage captured crowds swarming a nearby petrol station, looting goods from retail shelves before fleeing the scene. Northern Territory Police Commissioner Martin Dole publicly condemned the violence in a press briefing Sunday morning, when he formally announced the charges against Lewis. Dole emphasized that the unrest could not be framed as a legitimate expression of grief over Kumanjayi’s death, calling the actions “criminal behaviour, plain and simple.” He described the riots as both “disgusting” and “abhorrent.”

    To ensure the suspect’s safety and maintain order, police transferred Lewis more than 1,500 kilometers north to Darwin, the Northern Territory’s capital. As of Monday, five people have been arrested on charges linked to the riots. NT Police estimate that the widespread property damage and looting caused more than A$180,000 in total losses, equal to roughly $130,000 USD or £95,000 GBP.

    Australian national broadcaster ABC reported that many protesters yelled calls for “payback”, a term referring to traditional punishment under Indigenous customary law in Central Australia, typically administered by elder groups to restore harmony between affected communities and families. Many demonstrators accused police of improperly protecting Lewis from traditional consequences.

    Opening his statement Sunday, Commissioner Dole acknowledged the profound pain caused by the child’s killing. “This remains a deeply distressing matter and our thoughts are firmly with Kumanjayi’s family, loved ones and the wider community that have been deeply impacted by these events,” he said. Dole called on all community members to allow the formal judicial process to move forward without further unrest.

  • NATO, top Republicans question US troop withdrawal from Germany

    NATO, top Republicans question US troop withdrawal from Germany

    A new wave of transatlantic tension has emerged after U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the withdrawal of approximately 5,000 American military personnel from Germany, a move that has drawn pushback from NATO leadership and top congressional Republicans alike. The decision unfolds against a backdrop of growing friction between the second Trump administration and European capitals, rooted in disagreements over the ongoing Middle East conflict, trade policy, and burden-sharing for regional collective defense.

    The Pentagon’s withdrawal order, announced Friday by spokesman Sean Parnell, is projected to wrap up over a six to 12-month timeline. As of the end of 2025, the U.S. maintained 36,436 active-duty troops stationed in Germany — by far the largest American force footprint in any European NATO member, dwarfing the 12,662 troops in Italy and 3,814 in Spain. The withdrawal marks the first major step forward on a threat Trump has wielded against European allies across both of his presidential terms, centered on his demand that European nations take ownership of their own defense rather than relying on U.S. security guarantees.

    In a statement posted to X Saturday, NATO confirmed it was collaborating with U.S. officials to parse the details of the new force posture adjustment. NATO spokeswoman Allison Hart framed the shift as a reminder of the urgency for European allies to ramp up their defense investment and carry a larger share of responsibility for shared transatlantic security. German officials have struck a measured tone in response, with Defense Minister Boris Pistorius noting that a drawdown of U.S. troops from Germany and broader Europe was an anticipated development. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul added that Berlin has been preparing for the reduction and is holding structured, trust-based discussions on the change across all NATO bodies. He did, however, draw a clear line around large strategic American installations, noting that critical hubs like Ramstein Air Base — which serves as a linchpin for both U.S. and NATO operations across the region — are not on the table for any changes, as they serve an irreplaceable role for both sides.

    The decision has already faced skepticism from senior Republican lawmakers who oversee U.S. military policy. In a joint public statement released Saturday, Senate Armed Services Committee Chair Roger Wicker and House Armed Services Committee Chair Mike Rogers warned that pulling thousands of troops from Germany sends a dangerous, misaligned signal to Russian President Vladimir Putin at a moment of heightened global security tension. The pair acknowledged that Germany has already followed Trump’s calls to increase defense spending, and has granted U.S. aircraft access to German bases and airspace for operations tied to the ongoing Iran conflict. Still, they argued that even with increased European investment, it will take years for allies to convert that spending into the conventional military capability needed to take full ownership of deterrence on the continent.

    The troop drawdown comes on the heels of a public verbal clash between Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who earlier this week claimed Iran was “humiliating” Washington at the negotiating table over the conflict in the Middle East. It also coincides with a separate escalation in transatlantic trade tensions: Trump announced this week that tariffs on EU-produced cars and trucks will rise from 15% to 25% starting next week, arguing the bloc has failed to honor the terms of a trade agreement reached between the two sides last summer. Analysts view the dual moves as a clear sign of the Trump administration’s willingness to use economic and military leverage to force European allies to align with its foreign policy priorities, particularly in the Middle East.

    Trump has made no secret of his willingness to extend troop cuts beyond Germany to other European NATO allies that have refused to back U.S. policy in the Iran conflict. Speaking to reporters Thursday, he confirmed he is considering pulling U.S. troops from both Italy and Spain, citing their lack of support for Washington’s efforts in the region. “Italy has not been of any help to us and Spain has been horrible, absolutely horrible,” Trump told reporters. “Yeah, probably, I probably will. Why shouldn’t I?” He added that the drawdown is in part targeted at allies that have refused to contribute to a U.S.-backed peacekeeping force for the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy waterway that Tehran has effectively closed in recent months. The continuing rift over the Middle East war has already deepened divides between Washington and many European capitals, and the troop withdrawal is expected to accelerate negotiations over the future of the NATO alliance’s force posture across the continent.

  • US airlines step up as Spirit winds down

    US airlines step up as Spirit winds down

    On a chaotic Saturday for U.S. air travel, discount carrier Spirit Airlines — recognizable by its iconic bright yellow aircraft — formally halted all global operations with immediate effect after last-ditch negotiations between creditors, company leadership, and the Trump White House collapsed. The sudden shutdown left thousands of passengers stranded overnight and nearly 7,500 employees facing sudden unemployment, prompting rival major carriers to launch emergency response efforts to accommodate displaced travelers and recruit out-of-work aviation staff.

    Founded in 1964 and repositioned as one of America’s first low-cost carriers in 1992, Spirit had been teetering on the edge of collapse for nearly two years. The company first filed for bankruptcy protection in November 2024, followed by a second bankruptcy filing in August 2025 after its financial position failed to stabilize. By late February 2026, Spirit announced a tentative debt restructuring agreement that it hoped would allow it to exit bankruptcy by early summer. That progress unraveled days later, when the Strait of Hormuz was closed following U.S.-Israeli military strikes on Iran, sending global jet fuel prices soaring and erasing any remaining path to solvency.

    In an official statement announcing the wind-down, Spirit leaders framed the shutdown as an unavoidable outcome: “The recent material increase in oil prices and other pressures on the business have significantly impacted Spirit’s financial outlook. With no additional funding available to the company, Spirit had no choice but to begin this wind-down.” The carrier has pledged full refunds to all passengers holding tickets for canceled flights, a promise echoed by U.S. transportation officials.

    In the wake of the shutdown, major U.S. carriers including American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and JetBlue Airways moved quickly to absorb stranded passengers. The airlines introduced deeply discounted “rescue fares” for travelers who woke Saturday to find their itineraries canceled, and announced adjustments to flight schedules — adding extra frequencies and deploying larger aircraft on routes where Spirit previously held a large market share. Beyond assisting passengers, multiple carriers also moved quickly to hire Spirit’s out-of-work ground crew, flight attendants, pilots, and maintenance staff, who were suddenly left without jobs.

    The shutdown has already sparked political finger-pointing over what led to the carrier’s collapse. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy defended the Trump administration’s handling of the crisis during a Saturday press briefing at Newark Liberty International Airport, arguing that the White House pushed aggressively to keep the carrier afloat. “The president was like a dog on a bone trying to figure out a way to keep Spirit afloat,” Duffy said. He pinned ultimate blame on creditors, who rejected the government’s proposed bailout terms, and noted that “we oftentimes don’t have a half a billion dollars laying around in a spare account that we can put into a bailout of an airline.” Duffy also blamed the prior Biden administration for blocking a proposed merger between Spirit and JetBlue in March 2024, a decision he argued set the stage for the carrier’s ultimate demise.

    Unions representing Spirit’s 7,500 employees condemned the failed rescue talks, warning that the brunt of the collapse would fall on frontline workers rather than corporate leadership. “The pain of this decision will not be felt in boardrooms. It will be felt by pilots, flight attendants, mechanics, dispatchers, and ground crews, and by the families and communities that depend on them,” a statement from the Air Line Pilots Association read.

    For many passengers, the sudden shutdown upended long-planned travel. Sixty-year-old Florida resident Ramon, who only gave his first name to AFP, had been scheduled to travel to Honduras this week to visit family. He and his son Kevin had seen reports of Spirit’s financial troubles in recent days, but declined an early refund offer because replacement tickets on other carriers were prohibitively expensive, and there was no clear indication the carrier would collapse immediately. “I was trying to go today on another airline, but it was like $1,000 a ticket,” Ramon said. The family now plans to wait for their Spirit refund before rebooking travel for early June.

    Industry analysts say the collapse of Spirit will have lasting impacts on U.S. air travel prices. Bradley Akubuiro, a crisis management expert at Bully Pulpit International, noted that while the post-strike spike in fuel prices delivered the final blow to the struggling carrier, Spirit was already in an unsustainable position long before the energy market shock. “The more lasting consequence is that one of the strongest sources of low-fare pressure in the US market is gone,” Akubuiro told AFP.

  • Arsenal hit stride to go six points clear, West Ham loss offers Spurs hope

    Arsenal hit stride to go six points clear, West Ham loss offers Spurs hope

    The 2024-25 Premier League title race took a dramatic turn this weekend, as Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side rediscovered their best form to open a six-point gap at the top of the table, while results at the bottom of the division threw Tottenham Hotspur a critical lifeline in their fight to avoid relegation.

    Arsenal, who have looked fatigued and nervous in recent weeks as they chased their first top-flight title in 22 years — blowing a substantial earlier lead over defending champions Manchester City — got a huge boost from the return of star winger Bukayo Saka, who made his first start in six weeks ahead of their decisive Champions League semi-final second leg against Atletico Madrid. The Gunners turned in a dominant 3-0 home victory over Fulham, silencing growing concerns about their ability to sustain a title push through a congested fixture list.

    Summer signing Viktor Gyokeres, who joined Arsenal in a £64 million ($87 million) move from Sporting Lisbon this season, also silenced his recent critics with a two-goal performance, taking his league tally for the campaign to 21. The Swede struck first after just nine minutes, tapping in a perfectly placed cross from Saka to calm early nerves around the Emirates Stadium. Riccardo Calafiori had a second goal ruled out by VAR for a marginal offside, but the home side doubled their lead before half time when Gyokeres turned provider, playing Saka through to blast a shot past former Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno at the near post. Gyokeres grabbed his second just before the break, rising highest to power a header from Leandro Trossard’s cross into the net, stretching Arsenal’s goal difference advantage to four over Manchester City — a margin that could prove decisive in the final title race standings, given City hold two games in hand over the leaders.

    With the three points secured, Arteta was able to rotate his squad ahead of next week’s Champions League second leg, which is tied at 1-1, bringing Saka off at half time and resting key starters including Gyokeres, Declan Rice and Eberechi Eze in the closing stages. The result leaves Fulham’s hopes of qualifying for European competition next season heavily dented, with the Cottagers remaining in 10th place in the table after the defeat.

    In the day’s other key fixtures, Brentford boosted their own hopes of a top-six finish — which could yet deliver Champions League qualification — with a convincing 3-0 home win over West Ham United, a result that gives Tottenham Hotspur fresh hope of escaping relegation. Tottenham remain in the relegation zone, two points adrift of safety, but can climb out of the bottom three with a win against Aston Villa on Sunday, after West Ham suffered just their third defeat in 11 league outings.

    Brentford opened the scoring after an own goal from West Ham defender Konstantinos Mavropanos, who was denied a quick equaliser minutes later when his powerful header was ruled out for offside by VAR. The Bees extended their lead early in the second half when Dango Ouattara won a penalty, with top scorer Igor Thiago converting coolly to notch his 22nd league goal of the season. Mikkel Damsgaard added a late third to round off the win, leaving West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo admitting his side faces a quick reaction to turn their form around ahead of next weekend’s trip to face Arsenal.

    Elsewhere, Newcastle United ended a five-game losing streak to ease their own relegation fears with a 3-1 win over Brighton & Hove Albion. Goals from William Osula and Dan Burn inside the opening 24 minutes put Eddie Howe’s side in control, and despite a consolation goal from Brighton’s Jack Hinshelwood, Harvey Barnes sealed the win in stoppage time. The result lifts Newcastle up to 13th in the table, taking them clear of the relegation fight, while the defeat leaves Brighton’s European hopes hanging in the balance — the Seagulls started the weekend in sixth place but could end it outside the top half of the table. Howe praised his side’s resilience through their poor run, saying the three points was a just reward for their togetherness during a difficult period.

    In the final game of the weekend’s early fixtures, Sunderland’s European qualification hopes were dented by a 1-1 draw away to bottom-of-the-table Wolverhampton Wanderers. Sunderland played most of the match with 10 men after defender Dan Ballard was sent off in the first half for pulling an opposition player’s hair.