Based on its pilot episode, The Lowdown is The Big Lebowski if real criminals were involved, instead of just a bunch of weirdos and doofuses.
Day: September 24, 2025
US state department spokesperson says officials unable to shop ‘while Iranian people endure poverty’
Iranian officials at the UN summit this week won’t be able to shop in New York after the US government barred them from purchasing everything from bulk household goods to expensive watches.
The restrictions on the visiting Iranians were described by a state department spokesman as “maximum pressure.”
Serbia plans to sign a new three-year contract with Moscow in October 2025 for the supply of 2.5 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually, a move that deepens its reliance on Russian energy despite European Union efforts to reduce dependence on Russian hydrocarbons. The deal, reported on September 23 by Mi-Ukraina, underscores tensions between Belgrade’s EU membership ambitions and its energy policies.
Gas imports overshadow diversification claims
While Serbia highlights diversification through an agreement with Azerbaijan to import 2.5 million cubic meters of gas daily, this volume remains marginal compared to the 9.5 million cubic meters per day expected from Russia. The country’s limited storage infrastructure—780 million cubic meters domestically and an additional 200 million cubic meters accessible from Hungary—leaves it vulnerable to supply shocks. Analysts warn that such reliance on Moscow undermines Europe’s collective push to secure stable and independent energy flows.
Russian grip on Serbian energy sector
Serbia’s energy dependence extends beyond gas. The national oil company NIS remains majority-controlled by Russia’s Gazprom and Gazprom Neft, which are subject to EU sanctions. Instead of severing ties, the company has lobbied to ease restrictions, further entrenching Moscow’s leverage over Belgrade. This dual dependency positions Russia to exert influence not only over Serbia but also across the wider Balkan region.
EU unity tested as sanctions tighten
The agreement comes just days after the European Commission unveiled its 19th sanctions package on September 19, targeting Russian liquefied natural gas imports, capping oil prices at $47.6 per barrel, and imposing restrictions on shadow fleet tankers. President Donald Trump has tied U.S. sanctions against Moscow to demands that Europe cut off Russian oil entirely. Yet Serbia’s alignment with Russian energy supplies highlights a significant breach in the EU’s sanctions framework, raising fears of a “Trojan horse” within Europe’s energy system.
Strategic risks for Europe
European leaders argue that any country maintaining long-term energy contracts with Moscow complicates the bloc’s efforts to build a unified energy policy. Belgrade’s approach could embolden other EU candidates or member states with pro-Russian leanings to follow suit, potentially destabilizing supply security across the continent. For Brussels, the Serbian case illustrates the broader challenge of ensuring that enlargement policy and energy security move in the same direction.
Lawmakers and activists call for action after AP reveals US tech role in China’s surveillance state [deltaMinutes] mins ago Now
Social media users adored the dog’s unusual routine, describing her as an “icon” and “the prettiest princess.”
Show at Milan fashion week saw use of adjustable elastics and pull-tapes to unexpectedly sophisticated effect
At Fendi, where Silvia Venturini Fendi is leading the house founded by her grandparents through its centenary year, family is as much part of the sales pitch as the Baguette bag. “I have been thinking about childrenswear, because I have a big family, and my daughter is pregnant with twins,” she said backstage. Two grandsons made a cameo appearance on the catwalk earlier this year while her 18-year-old granddaughter is her “fiercest critic”, the 64-year-old creative director says. (“When she calls after my show, I tremble.”)
This season, Fendi adapted the adjustable elastics that feature in clothes made for growing bodies, making a feature of elegant grosgrain pull-tapes to add gentle definition at the hem of the jacket or the waist of a dress. The result was unexpectedly sophisticated. The casting, featuring men and women of all ages and sizes, was a triumphant showcase for how beautifully the shapes worked on different bodies.
If you’re planning to attend the 45th Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, think about pregaming.
The Toronto Blue Jays skipper suggested that a perceived bad call could have affected the outcome of Tuesday night’s game.
The boost from declining mortgage rates could be limited by a weakening labor market.
Maps released by the Australian Climate Service show just how bad things will get for heatwaves, drought and coastal flooding
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Australia’s national climate risk assessment report, released last week, revealed a horrifying future if urgent action to address global heating was not taken.
The report looked at 10 “priority hazards” – such as bushfires, flooding and extreme heat – and the risks they presented across Australia’s way of life (you can read about the key takeaways from the report here).