Jason and the Arthropods

In November 2022, three men from Nigeria secretly hid on the rudder of the Maltese-flagged oil and chemical tanker Alithini II in an attempt to reach Europe. The men departed from Lagos and endured an extremely dangerous 11-day journey across the Atlantic Ocean while sitting on the rudder blade just above the waterline. When the ship arrived in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, on 28 November 2022, Spanish maritime rescue teams discovered the three men still perched on the rudder and brought them safely to shore. One of the survivors later described the experience as incredibly harsh, saying the long journey left them severely exhausted and weak. Authorities initially returned two of the men to the vessel with plans to deport them back to Nigeria, but the situation later changed after the men requested asylum.

President Donald Trump has reportedly expressed growing frustration over the length of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, telling senior military advisers that he is “getting tired” of the prolonged war with Iran. Despite recent Pentagon statements that U.S. forces have been “unleashed” to carry out operations against Iranian targets, the President is said to be questioning why a decisive outcome has not yet been achieved. The situation has become increasingly complex as the conflict spreads across the region. Reports indicate that U.S. and allied strikes have targeted key Iranian infrastructure, while Iran has responded with missile attacks against regional targets and energy facilities, raising fears of wider escalation. At the same time, global markets are reacting sharply. Concerns over disruptions to energy supplies — particularly around the Strait of Hormuz — have triggered major volatility in oil prices and heightened fears of a broader economic crisis. International leaders are now calling for restraint as diplomatic pressure grows to prevent further escalation. Analysts warn that the gap between expectations of a quick resolution and the reality of a prolonged regional conflict could shape global politics and energy markets in the months ahead. #WorldNews #MiddleEast #Geopolitics #GlobalEconomy #USPolitics

Simmons’ comments come amid a growing clash after actor Ben Stiller criticised the White House after a political video used a clip from his 2008 comedy Tropic Thunder, saying he never gave permission for it to be used and didn’t want to be part of what he called a “propaganda machine.” The KISS rocker delivered a blunt message during a recent interview, saying actors, comedians and entertainers should “shut the f-ck up” about politics and stick to their craft instead of lecturing the public. “People in America work hard for their living,” Simmons said, arguing that many voters are tired of being told what to think by wealthy celebrities who live in mansions and drive luxury cars. He even singled out several other Hollywood figures while making his point, including Mark Ruffalo and Kylie Jenner, sarcastically asking why the public should care about their political opinions.

In some parts of Haiti, people have been known to eat “mud cookies” made from a mixture of yellow clay, salt, and oil. These clay discs drew global attention during the 2008 food crisis, when extreme poverty forced many families to rely on them as a last resort. Although they provide almost no real nutritional value, the cookies are sometimes eaten to reduce hunger pains and create a temporary feeling of fullness when no other food is available. For many observers, mud cookies have become a stark symbol of global inequality and the harsh reality faced by communities struggling to access basic food.