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Colombia's Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism announced on Friday that it will increase tariffs on Ecuadorian goods to 100 percent, up from 30 percent. This move is a direct response to Ecuador's decision to impose a 100 percent tariff on Colombian imports a day earlier.The trade dispute between the two South American countries has been escalating, with Ecuador citing a trade deficit and accusing Colombia of not doing enough to combat drug trafficking. However, Colombia has denied these accusations, pointing to its military operations aimed at intercepting illicit drugs, including a significant seizure last November.The diplomatic tensions have also been fueled by disagreements between the two countries' leaders. Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa has clashed with Colombia's President Gustavo Petro over issues including the imprisonment of former Ecuadorian Vice President Jorge Glas, whom Petro has called a political prisoner.Colombian Trade Minister Diana Morales stated that her country had exhausted all diplomatic efforts to resolve the issue with Ecuador. She emphasized that the decision to increase tariffs was made to protect Colombian businesses and communities.

Bayern Munich crushed hosts St Pauli 5-0 in the Bundesliga, setting an all-time season scoring record while extending their lead at the top to 12 points with five games left to play. The Bavarian club now has 76 points, with second-placed Borussia Dortmund stuck on 64 after their 1-0 home loss to Bayer Leverkusen.A ninth-minute header from Jamal Musiala put the visitors equal with the record of 101 goals in one season, set by Bayern in the 1971-72 campaign. But they added two more in quick succession, with Leon Goretzka in the 53rd and Michael Olise a minute later, to beat the previous best mark and make sure of the three points.In Spain, Barcelona took a major step towards the La Liga title with a 4-1 victory over their city rivals Espanyol, moving nine points clear of Real Madrid. Ferran Torres struck twice, assisted by Lamine Yamal both times, in the first half as the hosts dominated possession.In Italy, Milan suffered a shock 3-0 loss at home to Udinese, jeering off the field after their third defeat in four matches. The Rossoneri are not only nine points below the league leaders, Inter, but just six points above Roma, in sixth, in the fight for the four Champions League qualifying places.

The US State Department has taken a significant step in its ongoing efforts to crack down on individuals with ties to the Iranian regime, revoking the green cards of three Iranian nationals. This move comes as part of a broader strategy to prevent foreign nationals with connections to anti-American terrorist regimes from residing in the United States. The individuals affected include Seyed Eissa Hashemi, whose mother was a key figure in the 1979 Iran hostage crisis, known as 'Screaming Mary' for her role as a leading propagandist for the violent Islamists. The State Department also revoked the green card statuses of Hashemi's wife and son. According to the department, Hashemi entered the US in 2014 on a visa and was granted lawful permanent resident status in 2016 through the diversity immigrant visa program, which the Trump administration has since ended. The arrests and green card terminations are part of a series of actions against those the State Department deems to have ties to the current or former government of Iran. This is particularly significant given the ongoing tensions between the US, Israel, and Iran, with Washington DC and Tehran recently reaching a two-week ceasefire agreement. The US has been waging war against Iran since late February, and these actions are seen as part of the US efforts to counter Iranian influence. Recent actions also include the arrest of Hamideh Soleimani Afshar, the niece of Qasem Soleimani, an Iranian military general assassinated by the US in 2020, and her daughter. The State Department has also revoked the green card status of Fatemeh Ardeshir-Larijani, the daughter of former Iranian national security council secretary Ali Larijani, and her husband. The situation remains complex, with US Vice-President JD Vance dispatched to Islamabad to broker peace talks, though Iranian leadership has stated they will not participate until Israel agrees to stop bombing Lebanon. The international community remains watchful as diplomatic efforts continue to navigate the intricate landscape of US-Iran relations.

NASA’s Artemis II crew has safely returned to Earth after completing the agency’s first crewed lunar flyby, marking a historic step in America’s deep‑space ambitions. The spacecraft performed a controlled splashdown in the Pacific Ocean, where recovery teams quickly secured the capsule and its three astronauts. The mission, which launched earlier this year, executed a high‑speed pass around the Moon, achieving a record‑breaking distance for a crewed vehicle and validating key navigation and life‑support systems for future lunar landings. Video released by NASA captures the dramatic moment of re‑entry, the capsule’s parachutes inflating, and the splashdown splash that signaled the mission’s successful conclusion. Officials praised the crew’s performance and the flawless execution of the recovery operation. While the splashdown itself is a technical triumph, the broader significance lies in the mission’s role as a stepping stone toward the upcoming Artemis III landing, which aims to put astronauts on the lunar surface for the first time since 1972. Analysts note that Artemis II’s success strengthens the United States’ leadership in space exploration and could accelerate international partnerships and commercial investment in lunar infrastructure.

The recent return of the Artemis II mission to Earth has been hailed as a major achievement for NASA, marking the first crewed mission to the moon in over 50 years. The mission, which included astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen, broke a distance record and demonstrated the capability to sustain human life beyond lower-Earth orbit.However, the celebration has been overshadowed by proposed budget cuts to NASA, with Donald Trump announcing a 23% reduction in funding, including a 46% cut for space science initiatives. Critics argue that these cuts, described as 'extinction-level', would severely impact NASA's ability to achieve its ambitious goals in deep space exploration.NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman defended the budget proposal, stating that the levels are sufficient to meet mission priorities. However, Casey Dreier of the Planetary Society expressed concerns, highlighting the contradiction between the budget proposal and previous statements by NASA leadership.The Artemis program faces significant challenges ahead, including the development of a permanent lunar base. Despite these concerns, NASA is already looking ahead to Artemis III, scheduled for next year, which will test human lunar landing systems.Artemis II has been hailed as a crucial step in the US space program, providing a significant advantage in the new space race with China. The mission's success has brought renewed attention to the importance of continued investment in space exploration and the need for a stable and supportive budget.

McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski recently found himself at the center of online ridicule after a viral video showed him taking a humorously small bite of the company's new Big Arch burger. In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Kempczinski attributed his awkward eating style to his mother's etiquette guidance, stating, 'I blame it all on my mom because she told me, 'Don't talk with your mouth full.''Kempczinski's attempt to defend himself only fueled further criticism, as he demonstrated his eating style by taking a bite of a McDonald's chicken nugget. The video was met with familiar reactions, with many users expressing discomfort and mocking his eating style.The incident highlights the challenges business leaders face in trying to seem relatable on social media. Despite the backlash, McDonald's stock has seen a 3% increase over the previous year, suggesting that the company's performance remains unaffected by the CEO's viral missteps.Kempczinski, who joined McDonald's in 2015, became CEO in 2019. His previous roles include stints as a PepsiCo vice-president and Kraft International president. The incident has sparked debate about the role of CEOs in social media and the importance of etiquette training in a digital age.

Real Madrid's chances of winning La Liga have taken a hit after they were held to a 1-1 draw by mid-table Girona. Federico Valverde put Real ahead in the 51st minute, but Girona levelled in the 62nd minute through Thomas Lemar.The draw extends Girona's winless run to three games in all competitions and gives leaders Barcelona the chance to stretch their advantage at the top. Barca have 76 points, six ahead of second-placed Real, who have now played a game more. The Catalan side visit Espanyol on Saturday and can move nine clear with seven matches left.Real began the night under pressure, having slipped to a loss at Mallorca last weekend to trail Barca by seven points. Coach Alvaro Arbeloa opted for a full-strength side despite Wednesday's Champions League quarterfinal second leg at Bayern Munich looming.The contest finally flickered into life after halftime, with Real pushing for a winner but Girona holding their shape with discipline to frustrate the crowd. The final whistle was greeted with unease around the Bernabeu, as Real's stuttering form leaves the title race tilting ever more firmly towards their old rivals Barca.

Prince Harry, the youngest son of King Charles III, is facing a defamation lawsuit from Sentebale, the charity he co-founded with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho in honor of Princess Diana. The charity claims that Harry and Mark Dyer, a former trustee, orchestrated a media campaign that caused operational disruption and reputational harm to the organization.The dispute began in 2023 over a new fundraising strategy, leading to Harry and Prince Seeiso stepping down as patrons in March 2025. Sophie Chandauka, the charity's chair, accused Harry of bullying and harassment, but a UK Charity Commission inquiry found no evidence of bullying. The commission did criticize the parties for allowing the internal dispute to become public.Harry's spokesperson has categorically rejected the libel claim, calling it offensive and damaging. The lawsuit, filed in the High Court of England and Wales, seeks the court's intervention, protection, and restitution for the harm caused to Sentebale, its leadership, and strategic partners.

The UK's role in the Middle East has significantly diminished, rendering its diplomatic efforts less impactful. Keir Starmer's initiatives are unlikely to change this reality. The region no longer looks to Britain for leadership or guidance.Historically, the UK has been a key player in Middle Eastern affairs, but shifting global power dynamics have eroded its influence. Today, other nations have emerged as more significant players in the region.The article suggests that the UK's relevance in the Middle East is now limited, and its attempts to reassert its influence are likely to be met with indifference. This new reality poses a challenge for UK policymakers, including Keir Starmer, who must navigate a region where British opinions and actions carry little weight.