Author | Lightnews

How Elon Musk's third party threat could disrupt US politics – DW – 07/01/2025

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Matthew Ward Agius @wardagius.bsky.social · Jul 3

"Third parties" never really go anywhere in the US and Musk's plan to primary lawmakers seems a more sensible attack plan, but there are ways a challenger party could work says @bernardtamas.bsky.social

Elon Musk wants to shake up the two-party system in the US after clashing with Donald Trump — but history hasn't been kind to third parties.

Canada axes digital tax to ease Trump trade tensions – DW – 06/30/2025

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Matthew Ward Agius @wardagius.bsky.social · Jul 3

Could the US turn its sights to other digital taxes amid Canada's DST wind down?
www.dw.com/en/canada-us...

Canada has withdrawn a tax that could have reaped billions in revenue to bring Donald Trump back to the table. It raises the possibility that other taxes targeting big tech could be in the US presiden...

Nearly 20% of cancer drugs defective in 4 African nations – DW – 06/29/2025

Matthew Ward Agius @wardagius.bsky.social · Jun 30

In Africa, 1 in 6 cancer drugs may be defective. "A few of them [manufacturers] really have a suspiciously high number of failing samples" one independent observer told DW.

www.dw.com/en/nearly-20...

Across Africa, cancer medications have been found to be substandard or counterfeit. That means people are being given medicine that may not work, or that could even cause them harm.

'Miracle' HIV drug lenacapavir approved amid US budget cuts – DW – 06/24/2025

Matthew Ward Agius @wardagius.bsky.social · Jun 25

Challenging times in the fight against HIV, even amid the approval of the remarkable lenacapavir as a PrEP drug.
@avac.org ED Mitchell Warren wonders whether the moment will be squandered due to cuts in the US health budget www.dw.com/en/miracle-h...

The US has approved lenacapavir for HIV prevention. However, experts worry that cuts to the health budget will "squander" the drug's chance of reducing infections.

Secret leprosy infected the Americas before European arrival – DW – 06/04/2025

Matthew Ward Agius @wardagius.bsky.social · Jun 5

A species of leprosy/Hansen's disease causing bacteria, identified for the first time in 2008, was probably spreading in the Americas for thousands of years www.dw.com/en/secret-le...

European colonizers were thought to have brought leprosy to the Americas, but a new study reveals it existed there for thousands of years and was spread by a recently discovered bacteria species.

How does Switzerland predict landslides? – DW – 05/30/2025

Matthew Ward Agius @wardagius.bsky.social · Jun 2

The Swiss are very, very good at identifying landslide potential. Amid a warming climate, the rest of the world needs to catch up

www.dw.com/en/before-th...

Switzerland is a success story in predicting landslides — but more must be done to help the rest of the world prepare for these deadly, unpredictable disasters.

Visa application pause 'will be felt in every corner' of US – DW – 05/28/2025

Matthew Ward Agius @wardagius.bsky.social · May 28

Even if US pause on international student visa applications was lifted tomorrow, the action to delay new interviews for social media vetting is "tremendously damaging" to America's global rep for higher ed, says @mclem.org.

Even a short-term pause on new student visa interview appointments could have major economic consequences and leave many uncertain about pursuing studies or careers in the United States.

Gaza aid group, mired in controversy, begins operating – DW – 05/27/2025

Matthew Ward Agius @wardagius.bsky.social · May 27

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation may be operating, but thousands of aid vehicles remain blocked from Gaza amid an aid plan tantamount to ethnic cleaning, observers say www.dw.com/en/gaza-aid-...

A new aid organization, endorsed by Israel, has lost its executive director before operations even began. Questions remain on its ability to effectively deliver humanitarian assistance to Gazans.

Amid calls for arms embargo, who supplies Israel's weapons? – DW – 05/26/2025

Matthew Ward Agius @wardagius.bsky.social · May 27

Comment via @sipri.org @catherinegegout.bsky.social

Matthew Ward Agius @wardagius.bsky.social · May 27

Countries like Spain are calling for arms embargoes on Israel unlikely to have substantial impact with US and Germany committed to supply.

Spain has called for an arms embargo on Israel, as violence in Gaza escalates. But real pressure would require action from three major weapons exporters.

Pandemic preparedness: First Pandemic Treaty adopted – DW – 05/20/2025

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Matthew Ward Agius @wardagius.bsky.social · May 20

Historic pandemic agreement from @who.int at 78th World Health Assembly but enforcement potential remains unclear.

www.dw.com/en/pandemic-...

It’s only the second time the World Health Assembly has adopted a health treaty, but key details of this Pandemic Agreement remain unclear. An analysis.

Foul play? Hardball? Questions abound on Trump tariff U-turn – DW – 04/11/2025

Matthew Ward Agius @wardagius.bsky.social · Apr 11

Foul play or hard ball?
www.dw.com/en/foul-play...

A 90-day pause on global tariffs has Donald Trump's opponents crying foul and claiming market manipulation, while others have evoked "The Art of the Deal." What's next for the US president's economic ...

@sarahwolff.bsky.social @epc-official.bsky.social

Matthew Ward Agius @wardagius.bsky.social · Apr 10

Matthew Ward Agius @wardagius.bsky.social · Apr 10

Reports suggest Germany's asylum seeker numbers are down, but that doesn't mean the world is a safer place... www.dw.com/en/asylum-ap...

Why are asylum applications in Germany and EU down? – DW – 04/10/2025

New statistics reportedly show post-COVID lows in asylum applications to Germany. But does the data provide a complete picture of displacement abroad?

Trump’s tariffs: Why won’t countries buy US meat products? – DW – 04/09/2025

Matthew Ward Agius @wardagius.bsky.social · Apr 9

The US has long beefed with key trading partners over restrictions on American cattle and poultry products.

The reasons why US producers fall fowl of places like Australia, Argentina, the EU and UK are varied, but could be addressed with changes to agri practices.

www.dw.com/en/trumps-ta...

Several countries don’t import US chicken rinsed in chlorine chicken or beef products containing growth hormones. The Trump administration has used the bans to justify higher trade tariffs. Is US meat...

Could France's Macron be the new leader of Europe? – DW – 04/07/2025

Matthew Ward Agius @wardagius.bsky.social · Apr 9

Comments from @gesineweber.bsky.social @gmfus.bsky.social, Jacob Ross at @dgap.org

Matthew Ward Agius @wardagius.bsky.social · Apr 9

"Europe has become very French over the last five years"
www.dw.com/en/france-em...

French President Emmanuel Macron is Europe's "point man," and in the absence of a formal German government, he is driving France's vision of Europe amid war to its east and incoming tariffs across the...

Climate change making heart disease worse among Australians – DW – 03/25/2025

Matthew Ward Agius @wardagius.bsky.social · Mar 26

Climate change poised to double heart disease in Australia, and the trend is likely applicable everywhere else says Euro cardiologist. @escardio.bsky.social journal editor.

www.dw.com/en/climate-c...

Climate change will affect human health as well as the environment. An Australian study shows millions will be at greater risk of heart trouble as temperatures rise.

Matthew Ward Agius @wardagius.bsky.social · Mar 12

For US amb to Poland and @atlanticcouncil.bsky.social fellow Daniel Fried says Ukraine ceasefire deal is a good outcome considering Oval Office setback.

@wgreaves.bsky.social @maltehumpert.bsky.social

Matthew Ward Agius @wardagius.bsky.social · Mar 12

US-Russia meeting on Ukraine: What is at stake? – DW – 03/12/2025

Matthew Ward Agius @wardagius.bsky.social · Mar 12

As reports of a Witkoff meeting in Russia emerge, what's at stake for Europe? @news.dw.com www.dw.com/en/us-russia...

The planned meeting between the US and Russian leaders to discuss the war in Ukraine signals a sea change in US foreign policy that will have a profound global impact.

What's driving the changing face of Arctic geopolitics? – DW – 03/12/2025

Matthew Ward Agius @wardagius.bsky.social · Mar 12

Are the Arctic's relatively peaceful days -- once described as "Arctic exceptionalism" -- soon to be a thing of the past? @news.dw.com
www.dw.com/en/whats-dri...

Rarely in the news, the Arctic has returned to the spotlight following the return of Donald Trump as US president. But who owns this polar region, and why is it so important to Arctic nations?

Is there a shared psychology behind car attacks in Germany? – DW – 03/04/2025

Matthew Ward Agius @wardagius.bsky.social · Mar 4

Three fatal public attacks where a car was weaponized have happened in Germany these past three months. None appear to share motivations, save to harm innocent people using an auto.
Rather than looking to a shared psychology, the perpetrators may share something else.

www.dw.com/en/is-there-...

Another car ramming attack has struck a German town but with no clear motive. Is there a way of understanding why these attacks keep happening?

Mannheim attack: 'It's daily news now, here in Germany' – DW – 03/04/2025

Matthew Ward Agius @wardagius.bsky.social · Mar 4

Though authorities have ruled out political motives behind Monday's tragedy here in Mannheim, locals are saddened, shocked and resigned to another public attack.

"It's daily news now, here in Germany."

www.dw.com/en/mannheim-...

Locals express dismay at another public attack after two people were killed and around a dozen were injured in a car attack in Mannheim on Monday.