“Iran on Sunday warned the United States to accept its proposal for ending the war and opening the Strait of Hormuz or risk renewed fighting. ‘Our 2-day proposal stands: meet the requirements, including end to war on all fronts, and you will see results. Or choose war, and see our alert and battle-hardened Warriors rain down hell,’ Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said in a social media statement. … Specifics of the proposal have not been entirely made public, but Araghchi said it would see the United States first meet several conditions on the first day of its implementation, including lifting sanctions, reducing its military presence in the region and unfreezing Iranian assets, while Tehran would, on the second day, reopen shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz.” (11/09/26)
“France has accused Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of being behind cyber-attacks that raised the temperatures of supermarket fridges and freezers. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said the attack was ‘unprecedented in both its scale and its level of aggression’, adding those who were responsible would be hit with sanctions ‘at the European level’. Iran is yet to respond to Barrot’s allegations. The cyber-attack last month saw fridges and freezers in hundreds of supermarkets across France heated up, which spoilt fresh and frozen food estimated to be worth millions of euros. Then last week, dozens of supermarkets across several other European countries were also impacted by a cyber-attack that targeted fridges and freezers. It is not known if the instances are linked.” (11/09/26)
“Members of the city’s Democratic Socialists of America think their roster is too white — and are considering an ‘anti-oppression’ task force to recruit minorities and actual working-class New Yorkers. The New York City chapter of the uber-liberal group will consider a resolution stuffed with politically correct messaging at its convention on Saturday that would create ‘a Task Force to Promote Equitable Organizing Culture’ and force its leaders to get diversity training. ‘NYC-DSA aims to build the power of the socialist movement by growing our base among the multiracial, multigendered working class of our city’, the proposed resolution said. ‘DSA has historically faced well-documented challenges recruiting and retaining people of color, and NYC-DSA’s racial makeup does not reflect the racial diversity of our city’, the proposal added, also referring to the proposed group as an ‘anti-oppression’ task force.” (11/09/26)
“U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday said he was ‘only kidding’ when he suggested UFC CEO Dana White could become his next White House press secretary, after a social media post a day earlier stirred speculation about recruiting his feisty ally and signalled a combative approach to dealing with Democrats as they prepare to take control of Congress. Trump said White, a prominent supporter, ‘loves the idea’ of taking the job but insisted he had not been serious about the prospect, describing the suggestion as ‘just a little fun.'” (11/08/26)
“Top diplomats from the Group of Seven industrialized democracies gathered in Paris on Monday with clear differences on global crises and questions about how U.S. President Donald Trump will approach foreign policy after his Republican Party’s heavy losses in the midterm elections. Whether on the Russia-Ukraine war, Iran or the International Criminal Court, the sides appeared far apart as two days of talks got underway, although all agreed on the need to end the conflicts as quickly as possible. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio faced questions about whether the Trump administration will shift its positions on those issues and others like energy security and artificial intelligence that dominated discussions among foreign ministers from the U.S., U.K., Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan.” (11/09/26)
“Bangladesh’s ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has requested a new passport and identity card to allow her to return from self-imposed exile in India. The request is the clearest sign that Hasina, who has been living in India for two years, plans to make good on her promise that she would return to Bangladesh in December. Hasina told the Reuters news agency that she intended to surrender before a court in Bangladesh, and her aides said on Monday the date would be announced once various formalities were completed. Bangladesh’s war crimes court sentenced Hasina to death in absentia last November for ordering a deadly crackdown on student protests that swept the country in 2024. … Last week, Junior Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir said Bangladesh wants Hasina returned under an extradition treaty with India. New Delhi has declined to hand her over.” (11/09/26)
THANK YOU to subscribing contributors ACS and ERW, and to long-time supporter KL — the $110.50 they sent us over the weekend brings our annual fundraiser total (as of 5am) to $1,262!
As a fundraiser goes on, it sometimes feels like every day is “find a new hook to reel them in” day. Which can be annoying, I know, but until we hit $5,503 ($2,751.50 from all but one of our readers, and “matching funds” from supporter GL), I have to keep it up. Today’s hook:
Tomorrow is my 60th birthday (or would be if I still admitted to HAVING birthdays). In “celebration,” I hope to raise at least $60 more for RRND/FND by then. If the occasion moves you to donate $60, or any part thereof, to our fundraiser, I’ll be duly grateful.
“China will suspend an additional 24% tariff on [Chinese buyers of] US goods for another two months, formalizing a decision by the two countries’ leaders to prolong their trade truce until next January. The move will take effect at 1:01 p.m. Beijing time on Tuesday, with a 10% blanket tariff retained on [Chinese buyers of] US imports, the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council said in a statement. China will also extend its suspension of special fees on American ships docking at its ports until Jan. 10, the Transport Ministry said in a separate statement on Monday.” (11/09/26)
“Donald Trump conceded he had been ‘too tough’ on immigration and offered to work with Democrats on an amnesty deal for migrants in a sign that he could temper his deportation campaign in the wake of Republicans’ midterm rout. The president said in a TV interview aired on Sunday that some voters had been turned off by the severity of his administration’s approach to immigration. … Asked if he thought some kind of ‘legal status’ deal with Democrats was possible, Trump told CBS that was ‘something that’s actually doable’. He added that he would be willing to work with legislators such as Texas senator-elect James Talarico to achieve reform. The interview was filmed on Friday morning, shortly before Trump announced he was appointing immigration hardliner Stephen Miller as his chief of staff.” (11/08/26)
“On Saturday, at least two tankers were attacked in the Strait of Hormuz, including one that caught fire. The first vessel was transiting about eight nautical miles off the coast of Khasab, on Oman’s Musandam Peninsula, when it caught fire. Unverified videos purporting to show the blaze have circulated on social media, and appear to show a vigorous cargo fire burning amidships. The crewmembers were evacuated, and no injuries have been reported. Video footage shows at least two firefighting tugs on scene and working to combat the blaze.” (11/08/26)
