‘Little to no warning’ for US troops killed in attack on sleeping quarters
Attacks on US bases in the Middle East
Since the start of Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza, US bases in Iraq and Syria have been attacked around 150 times, according to US officials.
The map below shows which bases have been more frequent targets since 18 October.
Summary
- The US has vowed a “very consequential response” to a drone attack on a base in Jordan that killed three American troops, with President Joe Biden blaming Iran-backed militants
- American troops were still in their sleeping quarters when the drone struck with little to no warning, the BBC’s US partner CBS reports
- The drone arrived at the same time as a returning US drone – and as a result elements of the defence system were turned off, an official says
Secret EU plan ‘to sabotage Hungarian economy’ revealed as anger mounts at Orbán
Brussels’ fury grows over Budapest’s ‘policy of blackmail’ in continuing to hold up £50bn support package
Officials in Brussels have reportedly drawn up a secret plan to sabotage Hungary’s economy if Viktor Orbán decides this week to again block a €50bn support package for Ukraine.
The plan, reported by the Financial Times, reflects the fury mounting across European capitals at what one diplomat called the “policy of blackmail” being pursued by the Hungarian prime minister, who leads the bloc’s most pro-Russia state.
The FT said the strategy involved targeting Hungary’s economy, weakening its currency and reducing investor confidence.
China’s real estate giant Evergrande ordered to liquidate
China’s real estate giant Evergrande was ordered on Monday to liquidate, after it failed to present creditors a viable restructuring plan for its debts.
Judge Linda Chan at a Hong Kong court said it was appropriate for the court to order the company to wind up its business given a “lack of progress on the part of the company putting forward a viable restructuring proposal” as well as Evergrande’s insolvency.
Fergus Saurin, a lawyer representing an ad hoc group of creditors, said he was not surprised by the ruling.
French farmers block motorways around Paris in stand-off with government
Protesting French farmers began blocking several motorways around Paris on Monday to press their demands for better working conditions, higher pay and less environmental regulation in an intensifying stand-off with the government.
For days, nationwide protests have flared in Europe’s largest agriculture producer, with farmers angered in part by red tape and environmental policies they say are hurting their bottom lines and rendering them unable to compete with less stringent neighbours.
Across France, farmers have used tractors and trucks to block roads and jam traffic. They plan to step up their pressure campaign by establishing eight chokepoints along the major arteries to Paris on Monday afternoon.
“We need answers,” said Karine Duc, a farmer in the southwestern Lot-et-Garonne department as she joined a convoy of tractors heading for Paris.
Hayashi won’t budge on U.S. base relocation in Okinawa visit
THE ASAHI SHIMBUN
January 29, 2024 at 18:32 JST
The government will proceed with land reclamation work for a U.S. military base project in Okinawa Prefecture despite the prefectural governor’s demands to suspend it, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said.
In a 15-minute meeting with Hayashi on Jan. 28, Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki reiterated his opposition to U.S. Marine Corp Air Station Futenma in Ginowan, Okinawa Prefecture, being relocated to Henoko Point in Nago, also in the prefecture.
“We ask the government to seriously take to heart the will of the people of Okinawa who oppose the project, halt the landfill work and open dialogue with Okinawa Prefecture to resolve the issue,” Tamaki told Hayashi at the prefectural government office.
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