Heavy rains cause flooding in nearly 300 cities in the State of Bahia, Brazil

Bahia is facing a critical situation with intense rainfall in nearly 300 cities. The precipitation, which reached 100 millimeters daily in some areas, caused flooding and displacement, particularly in the regions of Pojuca and Salvador. The National Institute of Meteorology issued a red alert, but indicated a possible decrease in rainfall in the coming days.

How Germany became Israel's enabler-in-chief

Friedrich Merz says Iran deserves being the target of war because it hasn't bent the knee to sanctions. Say what you will about Germany's current 'elites', but they are consistent: Once they don't give a damn about international law, elementary fairness, rudimentary human decency, and, last but not least, basic logic, they really won't quit before their country's reputation is ruined as it has not been since 1945. Hyperbole, you think? Can it really be that bad, you wonder? Leave it to Chancellor Friedrich Merz and company to achieve what seems almost impossible. For almost two-and-a-half years, not one but two German governments have been, in effect, complicit in Israel's continuing Gaza genocide. Under former Chancellor Olaf Scholz from the centrist Social-Democrats - otherwise remembered for gutless evasion when US ex-president Joe Biden announced, in essence, that he was going to blow up Nord Stream - as well as under the unusually dishonest Merz from the centrist...

America's 'Israel First' war: The global inferno sparked by Washington's unconstitutional ambush on Iran

In the days before the first bombs fell on Tehran, Washington and its media surrogates pushed a soothing story about quiet back‑channel talks in Oman and Geneva and the possibility of one more nuclear understanding if Iran became more "realistic." In Tehran, officials and ordinary people alike recognised the pattern from earlier rounds of deception, when supposed mediation had provided diplomatic fog for Israeli covert strikes and US escalation rather than any real path to peace. On the ground, the signals all pointed to war. The United States had assembled the largest concentration of firepower around Iran in decades, including B‑2 bombers, carrier groups, advanced fighter squadrons and drones, while layering new air and missile defences over US bases in Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Jordan, and quietly compiling an extensive and unprecedented target bank. Inside the Trump White House, the Israeli government did not need to lobby from the outside, because real‑estate...

The European Commission is coming for your free speech. Musk's X is in the way

Last week, Elon Musk's X launched a landmark legal challenge against a $140 million fine issued by the European Commission last December under the Digital Services Act, an EU censorship law. The case was filed at the General Court of the EU, which hears high-stakes challenges to EU regulatory and enforcement actions. The commission claims the fine, the first to be issued under the DSA, was for alleged transparency and procedural breaches, all of which X denies. But the real reason the company was targeted is clear: X is a free speech platform, and Elon Musk refuses to implement online censorship in the EU and around the world. This case, which ADF International is proud to support, concretizes the severe threat to free speech posed by the DSA. The EU law, which came into force in 2024, requires "very large online platforms," like X, Meta, and Google (platforms with more than 45 million users per month), which operate or are accessible in the EU, to remove so-called "illegal...

JPMorgan chief says Trump debanking lawsuit 'has no merit', then hypocritically rails against banking practices

JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon said Monday that Donald Trump's $5 billion lawsuit over the closure of his accounts "has no merit," but added, "They have the right to be angry. I'd be angry, too." Trump claims JPMorgan and other banks shut his accounts for political reasons, according to CNBC. Dimon said banks are often "forced" to debank clients due to legal and regulatory pressures tied to reputational risk. "We debank people because it causes legal, regulatory risk for us," he said, noting it's easier for banks to avoid that risk. Trump sued JPMorgan and Dimon in January, part of a broader legal campaign that also includes claims against Capital One, media outlets, and the IRS. JPMorgan has acknowledged closing dozens of Trump-related accounts after the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack. "But I agree with them," Dimon said during an interview in Miami. "Like, why is a bank allowed to do that?"

BEST OF THE WEB: Operation Epic Disaster: The arrests that prove the US-Israel war Was built on coercion, not precision

Read this sentence carefully. Read it like your understanding of the war depends on it... because it does. "In Qatar and Saudi Arabia, authorities arrested Mossad agents planning on committing bombings in those countries." Tucker Carlson spoke those words on March 2, 2026. While the United States and Israel were still basking in the afterglow of "Operation Epic Fury", still selling the world the story of a surgical precision campaign that had eliminated Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a single night of dazzling tactical brilliance, their own intelligence operatives were apparently sitting in handcuffs in Riyadh and Doha — caught red-handed, planning to blow up the very Arab capitals that host America's largest military bases in the region. Not Tehran's agents. Not IRGC proxies. But rather, Israeli intelligence agents from the Mossad, who reportedly have been arrested by America's own allies for plotting to bomb them.

Planned Israeli strike led US to launch Iran war, Marco Rubio reveals

Planned Israeli action against Iran that would have seen retaliation against American forces prompted the United States to launch its weekend strikes against Tehran, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Monday evening. He told reporters: "We knew that there was going to be an Israeli action, we knew that they would precipitate an attack against American forces, and we knew that if we didn't preemptively go after them before they launched those attacks, we would suffer higher casualties."

Not so 'Mission Accomplished'?

The Iran intervention could well turn into an open-ended misadventure. In the wake of the 1991 Gulf War victory, then-President George H.W. Bush rode on a wave of public opinion that would not carry him to reelection. Celebrating the recent victory in Kuwait, he uttered one of the most famous remarks of his administration: "It's a proud day for America. And, by God, we've kicked the Vietnam syndrome once and for all." American wariness over war stemmed from the quagmire that was Vietnam, along with its domestic protest movements and political instability. Today, we more often talk about Iraq Syndrome: an ill (it seems to some policymakers) where Americans are resistant to long-term foreign engagements and the underlying narratives that push the country toward them. But, by God, we've kicked the Iraq Syndrome once and for all in the wake of the Trump administration's strikes on Iran last summer and seizure of Nicholas Maduro in January. According to the Edmund Burke Foundation VP...

Negotiation to Detonation

Last Friday the mediator of the U.S. and Iranian nuclear negotiations in Oman, that country's foreign minister Badr Albusaidi, pulled the rug out from President Trump's deceptive pretense threatening war with Iran. Why? Because it had refused his demands to give up what he claimed was its own atom bomb. The Omani foreign minister explained on CBS's Face the Nation that the Iranian team had agreed not to accumulate enriched uranium and offered: "Full and comprehensive verification by the IAEA - a breakthrough that has never been achieved any time before. And I think if we can capture that and build on it, I think a deal is within our reach" to achieve "agreement that Iran will never, ever have a nuclear material that will create a bomb. This is, I think, a big achievement." Pointing out that this breakthrough "has been missed a lot by the media," he emphasized that by calling for "zero stockpiling" went far beyond what had been negotiated during President Obama's administration,...

Wars and rumors of wars: Trump and Netanyahu open the gates of hell

So now the die is cast and the United States has joined Israel in an unprovoked attack on a non-threatening Iran to destroy its military capabilities and to bring about regime change. This is a major mis-step that could easily turn out very badly as it is a pointless war of choice that could easily escalate to neighboring states and become nuclear if a reckless Israel decides it needs to "defend" itself against an Iranian response. US Navy vessels might also find themselves vulnerable to Iranian missiles. As the attack took place, President Donald Trump announced the latest bit of nation destroying from his Florida home away from the White House, which he is also wrecking as part of a lavish and characteristically tasteless ballroom "reconstruction." By way of his Truth Social Platform, he declared early Saturday morning: "We are going to destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground. It will be totally — again — obliterated. We're going to annihilate their...

Pakistan and Afghanistan are at war. Here's the full story behind the clash

A complex mix of history, insurgents, and regional tensions explains the sudden outbreak of fighting. On February 27, Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif declared that his country had entered a state of "open war" with Afghanistan. Pakistani Minister of Information Attaullah Tarar reported strikes on Kabul and Kandahar, which Afghan authorities have confirmed. Asif claimed that the Taliban has "gathered terrorists from around the world in Afghanistan" and is "exporting terrorism." He also accused the Taliban of ties with India, with which Pakistan had entered into an armed conflict last May. Mosharraf Zaidi, the spokesman for Pakistan's prime minister, described the military actions as a response to "unprovoked Afghan attacks." According to him, the strike by Pakistani forces killed 133 Taliban fighters, and another 200 were wounded; 27 Afghan posts were destroyed and nine captured. In turn, Afghan forces reported the death of 55 Pakistani soldiers and the capture of 19 posts....

World's largest acidic geyser wakes up in Yellowstone from six-year slumber

The world's largest acidic geyser is putting on a show again, erupting for the first time in six years after a quiet hiatus, officials at Yellowstone National Park say. The Echinus Geyser - located in the park's famous Norris Geyser Basin - had been in slumber since 2020, and it's unknown whether the eruptions will continue into the summer. Researchers say geysers can sometimes become active for a month or two before falling dormant again. "Geysers are always turning on and off. That's Yellowstone being Yellowstone!", the US Geological Survey wrote on X.

Damascus steel was an ancient super-metal: Why did it vanish?

Scientists are uncovering the mystery of this legendary sword metal. When Crusaders and pilgrims returned to Europe in the Middle Ages, they spoke of the fearsome weapons wielded by their Muslim adversaries — especially their swords. Over time, Europeans named the mysterious metal from which these blades were forged: Damascus steel, after the ancient Syrian city. Damascus steel swords, it was said, were sharper and harder, yet lighter and swifter, than the heavy Crusader blades. For centuries, the secret of their construction remained a mystery.

Snow has fallen on the island of Madeira

Several access roads to the mountains of Madeira are temporarily closed due to snowfall in the higher areas of the island, the Regional Government reported. According to the Regional Secretariat for Equipment and Infrastructure, the access roads to Poiso, Pico do Areeiro, Meia Serra, Estanquinhos - Bica da Cana, Malhadinha - Paúl da Serra, Pico das Pedras - Achada do Teixeira are closed. "The interruption of road traffic is due to adverse weather conditions, which compromise the safety of traffic," indicated the Madeiran government, adding that these roads will remain closed "until the necessary conditions to guarantee the safety of people and property are restored." This department of the Madeiran executive appeals for compliance with the authorities' signage and instructions. The Madeira archipelago is being affected by the Regina depression, which is expected to affect the weather until the morning of 4 March.

BEST OF THE WEB: Spain refuses to provide military support for US attack on Iran

Washington has withdrawn its tanker planes from the Morón air base in Seville after being denied permission to use it in Operation Epic Fury Spain is refusing to support the U.S. and Israeli military operation against Iran and has distanced itself from the position adopted by France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, which have shown themselves willing to undertake "proportionate defensive action" in response to Tehran's attacks on the Persian Gulf countries and Cyprus. "Each country makes its own foreign policy decisions. Spain has a very clear position: Europe's voice must be one of balance and moderation at this time, working towards de-escalation and a return to the negotiating table," Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares said on Monday. "A logic of violence, as we are seeing, only leads to a spiral of violence, and unilateral military actions outside the United Nations Charter, outside any collective action, have no clear objective. Europe must defend international law,...

Record snowfall in Japan causes serious agricultural damage in Tohoku Region

This winter's record snowfall that has hit the Tohoku region and Niigata Prefecture has caused serious agricultural damage such as breaking branches on fruit trees and causing vinyl greenhouses to collapse. Because many farm roads remain buried in snow, confirming the extent of the damage done so far will take a long time, and it could be worse than in typical years. "I can only sigh because more branches have been broken than last year," a farmer said in mid-February while carefully digging up branches buried in the snow in an apple orchard in Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture. In January, the city saw a record snowfall of 148 centimeters. Last winter, broken branches on apple trees alone caused more than ¥20 billion in damage in the prefecture. The yield from his 5-hectare farm dropped by nearly 10 tonnes, down over 10% from typical years. Branches have been broken over a wide area this year, and he said, "I'm afraid this year's yield will be lower than last year's."

U.S. Suffers Worst Day of Air Losses in Decades as Iran Conflict Spirals

The Iran conflict is escalating, with the Trump administration desperate to keep a straight face on things as American casualties and losses begin mounting. Today's major shock came when not one, not two, but an unprecedented three American F-15E fighter jets were mysteriously shot down over Kuwait. Note the official US military report admits that Iranian aircraft had been engaging them at a time when "air superiority" was allegedly long established: But not everyone is convinced these were "friendly fire" incidents. Iran announced it had downed the craft, which is at least plausible given that Kuwait is positioned well within reach of long-range S-300s. There are even logical speculations that Iran had received the latest Geran drone tech from Russia which attaches air-to-air missiles onto the Gerans and Shaheds, allowing them to shoot down pursuing craft as Russia has now verifiably demonstrated against a number of Ukrainian aerial assets. It's impossible to know for sure, but...

Man killed in bear attack in Karnataka, India

A 45-year-old man was killed in a suspected bear attack while grazing goats near Halasagara in Gudekote hobli of Kudligi taluk on Monday afternoon. The deceased has been identified as G. Obayya, a resident of Halasagara village. According to police, Obayya had taken his goats to graze in the outskirts of the village when the wild bear allegedly attacked him. The animal reportedly mauled him severely, inflicting deep injuries to his head, hands, legs and other parts of the body. He died on the spot due to the grievous injuries, officials said. Obayya is survived by his wife and two daughters. Police suspect that the attack occurred around 1 pm. However, the incident came to light only later in the evening when local residents noticed the body and alerted the Gudekote range forest officer as well as the police.

Barron reveals devastating diagnosis: Debilitating hereditary bone spurs

WHITE HOUSE DOCTORS have shared the devastating news that Barron Trump has Early Onset Hereditary Bone Spurs Syndrome which would tragically prevent him from serving in any military conflict in the event of a military draft being reintroduced, WWN can confirm. The news of Barron's EOHBSS, which is characterised by flaring up at times of active wars, was first shared by the president's son in a WhatsApp group with college friends who luckily don't suffer from the condition due to not being a blood relative to the US president or anyone serving in his cabinet. "The good news is we caught it early, Barron will look to an outsider with no medical expertise like someone who doesn't have an excuse not to be drafted if and when the need should arise, but he most definitely is crippled beyond belief, in that way only bone spurs can cripple you; by leaving him with no issues and perfectly able to walk," confirmed White House physician Dr. Sean Barbabella. The news has utterly devastated his...

The Purim War Against Iran

The US, UK, France and Germany are flattered to call themselves "the West", but it is more realistic to call them the Jewish-State-in-progress, or "Epsteinia". We have just learned that President Trump had already made up his mind to go to war against Iran weeks ago, and that the pretence of diplomacy carried out by two Jewish real estate dealers (Witkoff and Kushner) on his behalf was little more than a nothingburger to keep Iran busy until the Chosen moment. So what exactly was the purpose behind Trump's diplomatic pause before commencing hostilities? There is a reason; quite shameful, but true. Trump and his superior, Bibi Netanyahu, were guided by Kabbalah magic. They agreed to carry out this historic attack on a particularly auspicious date in the Jewish calendar, called Remembrance Shabbat, the last Saturday before the feast of Purim. The facts are overwhelmingly clear: International Jewry decreed the attack day and the US military jumped like obedient dogs to a Jewish...