| | | | | | | Hello. Today we have more analysis on the tensions in the Middle East, where strikes between various nations paint an increasingly complex picture. I’m also bringing you the latest from Texas, where a US government report documented a cascade of failures in the police response to the Uvalde school shooting. Further down this email, you’ll find an uplifting story from Nigeria, and a less delightful video from Australia. |
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| | | | | | Questions Answered | | Pakistan strikes set out ‘red lines’ with Iran | | | | Pakistan said its strikes had hit "terrorist hideouts" in Iran's south-eastern Sistan-Baluchestan province. Credit: Reuters |
| | Iran summoned Pakistan's chargé d'affaires to "request an explanation" after nine people were killed by Pakistani missile strikes. This was an unprecedented exchange between two neighbouring countries whose relationship is usually friendly. | | | | Lyse Doucet, chief international correspondent |
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| | Why did Pakistan strike Iran? | | Pakistan knew it had to retaliate, and be seen to be doing do, when Iran attacked targets inside its territory. Stunned by a “brotherly” neighbour’s violation of its sovereignty, it swiftly decided to respond in kind, proving it was able and ready to strike. Pakistan also knows its region, fractured by many fault lines, was watching. That includes long standing regional rival India, as well as Afghanistan. Both neighbours have also long traded accusations with Pakistan of giving safe haven to hostile forces. This seems to be about setting “red lines” with Iran, and other friendly and not-so-friendly countries who could possibly contemplate similar action. | | Were there domestic concerns for Pakistan? | | National prestige was also in the mix. This unprecedented, and unexpected, tit-for-tat comes at a time when Pakistan’s military and intelligence establishment, which has long played a defining role in foreign as well as domestic policy, has been under significant pressure at home. And long delayed elections are just weeks away. | | What can we expect now? | | There’s been a spike in tension, a recalling of ambassadors. It will take time to repair this damage, ease this distrust. But both sides seem to believe that is the best way forward. | | | | | | |
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| AT THE SCENE | Lagos, Nigeria | | Between rocks and a hard ice | | | | Nigeria will become the first African curling team to participate at the Winter Youth Olympics. Credit: Nigeria Curling Federation | | Nigerian teenage curlers nicknamed the Broomzillas will be competing in Gangwon, South Korea, at the Winter Youth Olympics. But their dream of icy competition was almost swept away by a lack of funding. | | | | Emmanuel Akindubuwa and Isaiah Akinremi, BBC Sport Africa |
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| Participating in the curling competitions in Gangwon, which begin on Saturday, will be a far cry from the facilities the team are used to in Nigeria. With no ice rink to practise on, they train on a carpet surface in an apartment in Lagos. "We started in 2018 but our regret is no-one is supporting us," coach Imonite Kennedy told BBC Sport Africa. "Despite not having a natural ice environment, we make do with floor curling yet no support has come from the government to help our ambitions."
"Our parents and coaches have worked hard to help us fulfil our dreams to fly Nigeria's flag at the Olympics," said 15-year-old team member Oluwanimifise Wale-Adeogun. He got into curling after watching it on TV, having heard about the sport from her mother. "It's a very competitive but friendly sport, anyone can do it, whether you are as young as me or as old as my grandfather," she said. |
| | | | • | Sliding for history: Nigerian bobsledder Simidele Adeagbo is preparing for the 2026 Olympics, hoping to become the first African medalist in the history of winter games. Here’s her story. |
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| | The big picture | | Code breaker | | | | Colossus was fitted with 2,500 valves and stands at more than 2m (6ft 7in) tall. Credit: Crown copyright |
| | GCHQ, the UK’s signal intelligence agency, has released never-before-seen images of Colossus, a secret code-breaking computer credited with helping the Allies win World War Two. Its existence was only revealed in the 2000s. Our technology reporter Shiona McCallum has more on the capabilities of what many consider to be the first digital computer. | | | | |
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| | | For your downtime | | Taste of royalty | | A decadent dessert honouring Frederik X has been described as a “very masculine cake”. | | |
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| | And finally... | | Do you want to watch Australian fire ants building rafts to navigate flood waters? It's fine if you don't. You really do not have to watch it. But you might be interested in footage of hundreds of these invasive, potentially lethal insects moving through currents, powered by sheer will and antsy craftiness in Queensland, where authorities suggest "fire ant densities are increasing". You've been warned. Here's the video. |
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| | | | | | | | Tech Decoded Newsletter | | Decode the biggest developments in global technology with a twice-weekly email. | | |
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– Jules
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