Elon Musk warned by European Commission official: 'There are red lines'

Story by Aislinn Murphy

An official with the European Commission reacted early Friday to Twitter's recent suspension of some journalists, appearing to suggest that Twitter CEO Elon Musk or the company could face sanctions. Reports of Twitter suspending the accounts of some journalists arose Thursday. The suspended accounts include those of CNN correspondent Donie O’Sullivan, New York Times technology reporter Ryan Mac, Washington Post reporter Drew Harwell, The Intercept reporter Micah Lee and others, Fox News reported.

"News about arbitrary suspension of journalists on Twitter is worrying," European Commission Vice-President for Values and Transparency Věra Jourová tweeted Friday morning. "EU’s Digital Services Act requires respect of media freedom and fundamental rights. This is reinforced under our #MediaFreedomAct. @elonmusk should be aware of that. There are red lines. And sanctions, soon."

Biden’s Meeting With Macron Comes Amid Rising Trans-Atlantic Tensions

The president’s “Made in America” plan has drawn accusations of protectionism from Europe as the United States tries to keep its Western allies aligned against Russia.

By Alan Rappeport, Ana Swanson and Jim Tankersley

WASHINGTON — At a meeting with Treasury Secretary Janet L. Yellen in Bali, Indonesia, last month, French finance minister Bruno Le Maire raised objections about the Biden administration’s plan to bolster America’s clean energy industry through subsidies and other preferential treatment for U.S. automakers that make electric vehicles. Mr. Le Maire made clear that France, a key U.S. ally, viewed the policy as a protectionist move that would benefit the United States at the expense of his nation’s economy and its car industry. He was not alone in his concerns.

President Biden’s “Made in America” plan has fueled anger across Europe at a critical moment, as the United States tries to keep its Western allies aligned against Russia’s war in Ukraine. Allies who are critical to supporting Mr. Biden in that fight are increasingly accusing the United States of undercutting them at the expense of domestic priorities.

Officials said bracing for Gaza rocket fire after top Islamic Jihad terrorist killed

Terror group says it will respond to death of PIJ operative along with al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades member, and ‘massacre’ in Jenin; Hamas also threatens action

By TOI staff

Security officials are concerned that terror groups in the Gaza Strip could launch rockets at Israel after two senior terrorists were killed in overnight clashes in the West Bank, including a top Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) field commander, Hebrew media reported Thursday. The two fighters were killed in heavy clashes with Israeli troops that broke out during a predawn arrest raid near the northern West Bank’s Jenin refugee camp. Palestinian media reported that as many as 20 other people were wounded. Both PIJ and the Hamas terror group that rules the Gaza Strip threatened to hit back over the deaths.

China eases virus controls amid effort to head off protests

By JOE McDONALD

BEIJING (AP) — More Chinese cities eased anti-virus restrictions and police patrolled their streets Thursday as the government tried to defuse public anger over some of the world’s most stringent COVID measures and head off more protests. Following weekend demonstrations at which some crowds made the politically explosive demand that leader Xi Jinping resign, the streets of major cities have been quiet in the face of a crackdown that has been largely out of sight.

Guangzhou in the south, Shijiazhuang in the north, Chengdu in the southwest and other major cities announced they were easing testing requirements and controls on movement. In some areas, markets and bus service reopened. A newspaper reported Beijing, the capital, has begun allowing some people with the virus to isolate at home, avoiding crowded quarantine centers that have prompted complaints. The government didn’t immediately respond to a request for confirmation.

Police In China Cracking Down On ‘Zero-Covid’ Protests

Cyril Ramaphosa’s presidency under threat after panel finds he ‘abused position’

South African leader faces pressure to step down over $500,000 stuffed inside sofa at his game farm

Joseph Cotterill in Johannesburg

Cyril Ramaphosa was under mounting pressure to resign as South Africa’s president after a parliamentary report concluded that he abused his office in the fallout from the theft of more than $500,000 in cash that was stuffed inside a sofa on his private game farm. Ramaphosa would not be “rushed” into a decision and was keeping all options open, his spokesperson said on Thursday evening, as delays to a planned address to the nation and a series of consultations within the ruling African National Congress indicated his presidency was on the line.

Spain boosts security as prime minister and US embassy targeted amid series of letter bombs

By Al Goodman, Eve Brennan and Pau Mosquera, CNN

Madrid CNN — Spain said Thursday it was boosting security measures after a series of letter bombs was discovered in the country, including one that was sent to Spain’s prime minister last week and another to the US embassy. The sixth and latest bomb was detected Thursday afternoon and sent to the US embassy in Madrid. It was intercepted at around 12.30 p.m. local time at the security post of the embassy, a police source told CNN. The envelope was detonated in a controlled environment, according to two US officials. No one was injured in the process, the officials said.

“We are grateful to Spanish law enforcement for their assistance with this matter,” Jamie Martin, a spokeswoman for the US Embassy in Madrid, told CNN. Security was increased at the embassy after suspicious packages were sent to other embassies Wednesday, a US official said. A US State Department spokesperson said it “will continue to evaluate the security situation and provide updates as appropriate. The US Embassy in Madrid remains open for American Citizen Services. We thank Spanish law enforcement for their assistance.”