Russia economy under strain as deficit widens and strikes deepen
Russia's economy is showing fresh signs of strain as a widening budget deficit and deeper Ukrainian strikes test its resilience. A new report says growth is expected to slow to its weakest pace since 2022, even though Moscow has so far withstood years of Western sanctions and war spending. The picture is complicated by a separate windfall from higher global energy prices linked to the war in the Middle East, which has lifted Russian oil revenue.The report says the budget deficit is widening and that Ukrainian strikes are reaching deeper into the economy. It also says Russia still has more... [Continue Reading]
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Colombia declares three days of mourning as earthquake death toll rises
Colombia has declared three days of national mourning after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake killed more than 200 people and injured 2,595, according to the latest supplied reporting. The government said flags would be lowered to half-staff at official buildings and Colombian embassies abroad in honour of the dead. Rescue crews are still searching damaged neighbourhoods as the disaster enters its third day.The quake struck on Monday and is described in the supplied material as the strongest to hit Colombia in a century. More than 100 aftershocks had been recorded by Tuesday afternoon, adding to the difficulty of search operations in... [Continue Reading]
Iran keeps Strait of Hormuz closed as security chief links reopening to US demands
Mohsen Rezaei, Iran's newly appointed security chief, has reiterated that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the United States ends what Tehran calls the war and blockade, releases frozen Iranian assets and agrees to a region-wide ceasefire. He made the comments after meeting China's ambassador to Tehran, in a fresh sign that Iran is tying the maritime dispute to wider diplomatic and military demands. The statement keeps pressure on one of the world's most sensitive shipping routes, where commercial traffic remains disrupted.Rezaei said any arrangement with Oman over the strait is separate from Washington, suggesting Tehran is still... [Continue Reading]
Strait of Hormuz transit falls to one-week low as Trump repeats control claim
Transit through the Strait of Hormuz fell to a one-week low on Tuesday, with only eight vessels crossing the waterway, according to the supplied material. The drop comes as talks aimed at easing the wider conflict remain stalled and shipping continues to face heightened risk. The strait is one of the world's most important maritime chokepoints, so even a short-term fall in traffic has immediate implications for energy flows and freight movement.The new figures compare with roughly 130 to 140 vessels before the war, underscoring how sharply traffic has been reduced. The supplied rows also say the latest count was... [Continue Reading]
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Wall Street Opens Mixed as Oil, Metals and Energy Surge, Tech Advances and Bitcoin Slips
Executive summary: U.S. markets opened with a split tone, as energy and commodities led the session while major equity benchmarks were mixed. WTI crude jumped +6.0%, U.S. energy stocks rose +6.0%, and gold climbed +3.1%, while the Dow fell -0.9% and Bitcoin dropped -1.5%. The Nasdaq, S&P 500 and Russell 2000 were modestly higher, helped by gains in tech and AI-chip shares. [Continue Reading]
Iran Says It Will Soon Join BRICS-Backed New Development Bank
Iran is set to become a member of the New Development Bank, the financial institution created by the BRICS group, according to the head of the country's central bank. The announcement was made ahead of a meeting of BRICS finance ministers in India, where Iran is taking part in the bloc's first gathering of finance ministers and central bank governors. The development adds a new financial dimension to Iran's growing engagement with BRICS at a time of continued sanctions pressure.The central bank chief, Abdolnaser Hemmati, said in remarks carried by state media that Iran would "soon become a member" of... [Continue Reading]
Iranian Quds Force chief visits Baghdad for talks on disarming armed groups
An Iraqi source has said the head of Iran's Quds Force, Esmail Qaani, made an unannounced visit to Baghdad earlier this week for talks on the Iraqi government's plan to disarm armed groups. The source said Qaani held behind-the-scenes meetings with Iraqi political and security leaders, as well as commanders of Shia paramilitaries, on Monday. The discussions reportedly focused on bringing weapons under state control as Baghdad moves toward a September 30 deadline.According to the source, the Iranian message delivered through Qaani was that there should be no handover of faction weapons at the present time. The source said Tehran... [Continue Reading]
Israeli settlers besiege Palestinian families in West Bank village of Qusra
Israeli settlers have been besieging two Palestinian families in their homes in the occupied West Bank village of Qusra since Sunday, according to the supplied report. The families say they have been left increasingly isolated as access to their properties has been blocked. The incident is taking place near Nablus and has drawn urgent appeals from rights groups.The Abu Ridi and Hassan families have said their water and power supplies were cut off and that food stocks were running low. Palestinian security camera footage reportedly shows settlers tearing down a wall outside the Abu Ridi family home on Sunday evening... [Continue Reading]
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Putin warns of tit-for-tat seizures of European vessels amid sanctions dispute
Russia's President Vladimir Putin has threatened to seize European vessels if European states move ahead with plans to take ships carrying Russian cargo. He said Russia would respond "wherever we deem it necessary and appropriate" if such measures are carried out. The warning was delivered on Wednesday while he was aboard a Russian cruiser off the Pacific island of Sakhalin, where the navy was holding a drill.Putin said "relevant instructions" had already been given to the Ministry of Defence and the Pacific Fleet. He framed the possible response as retaliation for what he described as attempts to restrict the movement... [Continue Reading]
Lebanon abolishes death penalty as parliament backs historic reform
Lebanon's parliament has approved a law abolishing capital punishment, confirming a major change to the country's criminal justice system. The vote took place on Tuesday in the 128-member assembly, and the new penalty replaces death sentences with life imprisonment with aggravated hard labour. The reform makes Lebanon the first country in the Middle East to formally end the death penalty.The move gives legal force to a long-standing pause in executions. Lebanon has observed an unofficial moratorium since January 2004, but courts have continued to issue death sentences, and 85 people were still facing such sentences at the end of 2025,... [Continue Reading]
Russia intensifies strikes on Ukraine petrol stations and logistics routes near Izyum
A petrol station near Izyum in eastern Ukraine has been destroyed in a fresh strike, in what local reporting describes as part of a wider Russian campaign against fuel and logistics infrastructure. The attack came as residents and workers in the area were already operating under repeated air raid alerts. The report says the pattern has become increasingly common along routes feeding the front line.According to the account, Russia has hit more than 200 petrol stations across Ukraine since July, with most of the damage concentrated in the east and northeast. The station near Izyum was struck after staff had... [Continue Reading]
Breakfast News Recap: Middle East shipping crisis deepens as Colombia quake toll climbs and North Korea fires missile
Rescue teams in Colombia are still searching for survivors after a 7.6 magnitude earthquake killed 216 people, with the death toll continuing to rise as emergency crews work through the wreckage. 🔗In the Middle East, oil prices climbed again as renewed attacks on shipping sharpened fears over the Strait of Hormuz and other vital maritime routes. Iran's top security official said the strait will stay closed unless the United States meets Tehran's conditions, while the US military said it disabled a Panama flagged ship near an Iranian port after repeated warnings were ignored. 🔗 🔗 🔗The maritime violence widened further... [Continue Reading]
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Europe opens mixed as energy and metals surge, DAX leads gains while FTSE slips
Executive summary: European markets opened with a split tone, as the DAX and Euro Stoxx 50 advanced while the FTSE 100 edged lower. The biggest moves were in commodities, with Brent crude, gold, silver and natural gas all posting sharp gains, a backdrop that points to renewed inflation pressure and a stronger defensive bid. FX was also active, with USD/JPY higher and the pound firmer against the dollar. [Continue Reading]
Russia frees ailing ex-US Marine Robert Gilman as he returns to the United States
Russia has freed former US Marine Robert Gilman, who had been detained since 2022, and he has now returned to the United States for medical care. The release was described by US officials as being on humanitarian grounds after discussions involving President Vladimir Putin and US special envoy Steve Witkoff. Gilman arrived at Dulles airport near Washington on a State Department plane before continuing on to a rehabilitation centre in San Antonio, Texas.US officials said Mr Putin approved a pardon for Gilman and that Russia did not seek any concessions in return. Mr Witkoff said Gilman could now return to... [Continue Reading]
Ukraine says it has sent new proposals to the United States on ending war with Russia
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Kyiv has handed the United States new proposals aimed at ending the war with Russia. He made the announcement in a nightly video address on Tuesday, saying the plan had been conveyed to the American side. The statement comes as both Ukraine and Russia have suggested that US negotiators may soon visit their countries.Zelenskyy said Washington could help strengthen Ukraine's defences, especially its air defences, while increasing pressure on Moscow to prepare for an end to the war rather than prolonging it. He did not disclose the contents of the proposals. The war began in... [Continue Reading]
Cook Islands election shaped by diplomatic rift with New Zealand and ties with Beijing
Voters in the Cook Islands are heading to a high-stakes general election that has been shaped by disputes over foreign policy, deep-sea mining and the country's relationship with New Zealand. Prime Minister Mark Brown has said last year's diplomatic rift with Wellington could influence how people vote. The election is taking place in a small Pacific nation of about 17,000 people that has recently drawn wider international attention.Brown said the fallout from the row with New Zealand "does have bearings" on voters, adding that people are "quite mindful and aware of what happens in the geopolitical space". He argued that... [Continue Reading]
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Tokyo Opens Higher as Oil, Gold and Dollar Jolt Asia-Pacific Risk Appetite
Executive summary: Tokyo and broader Asia-Pacific trading opened with a mixed tone, led by gains in Japanese equities and a sharp jump in energy and precious metals. The Nikkei 225 rose +1.0%, while the Nikkei 225 ETF added +1.1%. In contrast, Korea’s Kospi fell -3.8% and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng slipped -0.8%. WTI crude surged +8.0%, gold climbed +4.4%, and USD/JPY moved higher to 159.23, underscoring a session shaped by commodity shocks, currency pressure and regional risk rotation. [Continue Reading]
UNESCO warns Afghan girls remain barred from secondary education as numbers rise
UNESCO has said about 2.4 million girls in Afghanistan are currently barred from secondary school, renewing pressure on the Taliban administration over its restrictions on female education. The agency said the figure has risen by 200,000 since last year and could reach four million by 2030 if the policy is not reversed. Afghanistan remains the only country in the world where girls and women are prevented from attending secondary schools and universities.The latest warning was issued on Tuesday and comes as the Taliban continues to enforce a ban first imposed in March 2022 on girls' secondary education. Women were later... [Continue Reading]
Brazil Supreme Court to hear cases that could weaken Amazon protections
Brazil's Supreme Court is due to hear several cases on Wednesday that could reshape legal protections for the Amazon rainforest and affect Indigenous land rights. The hearings come after lawmakers overrode several environmental vetoes issued by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. They also follow a separate round of motions the court began reviewing on Friday linked to a 2025 ruling that rejected the so-called time limit thesis on Indigenous land claims.The cases place some of Brazil's most consequential environmental disputes before the country's top court. One issue concerns the future of the soya moratorium, an agreement that barred major... [Continue Reading]
Europe closes mixed as energy and precious metals surge, FTSE 100 slips on stronger oil and firmer FX moves
Executive summary: European markets ended the session mixed, with the Euro Stoxx 50, DAX and CAC 40 posting gains while the FTSE 100 finished lower. The biggest moves came in commodities, where Brent crude jumped sharply, gold and silver extended strong advances, and natural gas also rose. FX was comparatively calmer, with the euro and sterling edging higher against the dollar, while USD/JPY climbed. The pattern points to a market still reacting to geopolitical and inflation-sensitive inputs, with energy strength supporting some sectors and pressuring others. [Continue Reading]
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Coalition backs One Nation bill to bar Australians with terrorist links from returning home
The Coalition has signalled support for a One Nation migration bill that would seek to prevent Australian citizens with links to overseas terrorist groups from returning home. The move lifts Pauline Hanson's policy proposal into the centre of a national security debate in Canberra. It also creates an unusual alignment between the opposition and One Nation ahead of the bill's introduction to the Senate on Wednesday.Opposition leader Angus Taylor and Nationals leader Matt Canavan both indicated they would back the legislation, despite previously vowing to fight Hanson's right-wing party. Senior Coalition figures, including shadow foreign minister Ted O'Brien and shadow... [Continue Reading]
Po River drought threatens farms and water supplies in northern Italy
The Po River is running exceptionally low across northern Italy, raising concerns for farms, navigation and municipal water supplies. In several stretches, the river has narrowed to a shallow channel, with exposed gravel banks and muddy water visible near the Ticino confluence and around Pavia. The situation is also affecting Turin, where crews have been clearing invasive aquatic plants from the river near the city centre.The Po River Basin Authority says flows are well below seasonal averages, with levels at some monitoring stations approaching or exceeding records set during the severe drought of 2022. Tanker deliveries are already reaching more... [Continue Reading]
Wall Street Opens Mixed as Energy, Metals and Oil Surge While Tech and Crypto Slip
Executive summary: U.S. markets opened with a split tone, as the S&P 500 and Dow Jones edged higher while the Nasdaq Composite and Russell 2000 slipped. The clearest move was in commodities, where WTI crude, natural gas, gold and silver all posted outsized gains, lifting energy shares and signaling a stronger inflation and geopolitics backdrop. Tech, chips and crypto were softer, while banks and defense stocks held modest gains. [Continue Reading]
Drone attack triggers major fire at Libya's Zawiya refinery as attacks continue
Firefighters and emergency crews are still battling a major blaze at Libya's Zawiya refinery after a drone strike hit a fuel tank at the country's largest operating oil facility. The plant is west of Tripoli, and the fire followed a series of attacks on the same site over two days. The National Oil Corporation said the latest strike hit a tank containing about 4.5 million litres of fuel, causing it to collapse and ignite a large fire.The corporation said this was the third such incident in two days, after earlier drone strikes on a naphtha reservoir and a water desalination... [Continue Reading]
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DR Congo Ebola outbreak passes 2,000 deaths as response remains under strain
The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has now passed 2,000 deaths, with health authorities reporting 2,011 fatalities and 4,381 confirmed cases. The latest figures show the outbreak remains active across the country's eastern and northeastern provinces, where the virus first emerged in Ituri before spreading to North Kivu and other areas. Officials say the outbreak is still moving through regions where state presence and health infrastructure are limited.Health Minister Samuel Roger Kamba said the outbreak has not yet reached its peak and that authorities expect to bring the spread under control within the next three months.... [Continue Reading]
Iraq's Kurdish region says more than 1,000 missile and drone attacks have hit it since war began
Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdish region says it has been hit more than 1,000 times by missiles and drones since the regional war began in February. The Kurdistan Regional Government says the attacks have damaged infrastructure, caused casualties and disrupted daily life across the region. Officials say the impact has been felt most sharply in trade, energy and investment.Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Masrour Barzani said the region has "paid a heavy price" in the conflict. He said the attacks came directly from Iran or from inside Iraq by militias, and described them as unjustifiable. The government also said trade across the... [Continue Reading]
Australia's central bank holds cash rate at 4.35% and flags possible hike
Australia's central bank held its cash rate steady at 4.35 percent after its August policy meeting on Tuesday, matching expectations in Sydney. The Reserve Bank of Australia said the economy was slowing in the face of tighter financial conditions. The board warned that it might have to hike rates again if needed. It said it would do what was necessary to bring inflation back into its 2 percent to 3 percent target band. The Reserve Bank said that could include increasing the cash rate target further if upside risks materialise. The statement gave no change to the current rate but... [Continue Reading]
Tokyo Opens Higher as Oil and Gold Surge, Nikkei Jumps on Risk Repricing
Executive summary: Tokyo and broader Asia-Pacific trading opened with a sharp risk reprice, led by a powerful rally in energy and precious metals. The Nikkei 225 and Nikkei 225 ETF both climbed strongly, while the ASX 200 advanced and the Kospi lagged. WTI crude, gold and silver all posted outsized gains, while USD/JPY moved higher and ether fell. The move points to a market still reacting to inflation, supply and policy uncertainty, with commodity strength feeding into sector rotation across equities. [Continue Reading]
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Trump Media launches premium Truth Social API as market-moving access concerns grow
Trump Media & Technology Group has launched a premium data service for Truth Social that can deliver selected posts, including those from Donald Trump, within milliseconds to paying subscribers. The move has drawn attention because Trump's posts have repeatedly been able to move markets, particularly when they touch on tariffs, sanctions, military action or energy policy. The service is being marketed to investors and trading firms that want faster access to those messages than the general public.According to the supplied material, the premium Truth Social API was introduced earlier this month. The company says subscribers can receive posts from selected... [Continue Reading]
UK MoD says no breach after Chinese-made component found in Royal Navy drones
The Ministry of Defence says there is no evidence of a data or systems breach after a Chinese-made component was found in new Royal Navy sea drones during a routine cyber vulnerability assessment. The issue involved K3 Scout surveillance drones, whose cameras were found to have sent a heartbeat communication, or squark, to a Chinese IP address. The MoD said its testing did not find any sign that data or systems had been accessed, compromised or transmitted externally.The assessment was carried out on drones bought by the Royal Navy for surveillance work, and the supplier, Kraken, said it had been... [Continue Reading]
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Netanyahu rejects US-led Gaza peace plan as Trump defends ties
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally rejected a 15-point Gaza peace plan drafted by the US-led Board of Peace, sharpening a public dispute with Washington over the next stage of the conflict. The plan links an Israeli military pullback to the disarmament of Hamas and the creation of a new Palestinian governing body. On Monday, United States President Donald Trump said his relationship with Netanyahu remained "very good" despite the disagreement.Netanyahu said on Sunday that the Israeli army would not withdraw until Hamas was "genuinely disarmed" and vowed that Israel would continue to counter threats against its forces and... [Continue Reading]
Trump signs order to limit childhood vaccines and split MMR shots
President Donald Trump has signed an order calling for fewer childhood vaccines and recommending that the mumps, measles and rubella, or MMR, vaccine be split into separate shots. The announcement was made in the Oval Office on Monday and marks a new federal push on childhood immunisation policy. The order says the administration is recognising what it calls gold standard childhood vaccine recommendations for 11 core vaccinations.Trump said children received only a small fraction of the vaccines required today decades ago and argued that people were healthier then. He also linked the change to autism, repeating a claim that has... [Continue Reading]
British Columbia wildfire as evacuations top 12,000 and one woman dies
The Bald Range Fire in British Columbia's Okanagan region has continued to spread rapidly, forcing more than 12,000 residents to evacuate. The blaze started on Friday and grew in a matter of hours to about 53 square miles, or 136 square kilometres, according to officials. It remains out of control as authorities assess the damage left behind in communities around Okanagan Lake.Police said an 80-year-old woman died while trying to flee the wildfire on Sunday. Officials in British Columbia are still trying to determine how many homes have been lost, and the full scale of structural damage has not yet... [Continue Reading]
Trump says Iran should pay for damage and deaths across Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and Gaza
President Donald Trump made multiple posts on Truth Social in the last hour: - "Also, with respect to the Iran negotiations, Iran should be responsible for the damages and death caused to the people of Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and Gaza!" - "I see that Representatives of the Islamic Republic of Iran are asking for compensation for the damage done to them during the last five month Military Conflict (started because, THEY WILL NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON), even though it was never mentioned in any of our negotiations or meetings! But it is an interesting idea because now I am... [Continue Reading]
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Sudan army chief holds unannounced talks on national dialogue
Sudan's army chief, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has held unannounced consultations with political and civil society figures in Khartoum on steps towards a national dialogue conference. The discussions were aimed at creating conditions for a broader Sudanese political process, according to political sources familiar with the talks. They come as the war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces continues, more than three years after it began in April 2023.The reported proposals include dropping charges that could carry the death penalty against opposition leaders and forming a preparatory committee for the planned conference. Those involved in the consultations... [Continue Reading]
Europe closes higher as oil and precious metals surge, DAX leads regional gains
Executive summary: European equities finished broadly higher, with the DAX leading major benchmarks and commodity-linked assets driving the day’s biggest moves. Brent crude jumped sharply, gold and silver extended strong gains, and the euro and pound firmed against the dollar, while ether slipped. The move set points to a market still balancing growth optimism, inflation sensitivity, and renewed attention on energy costs. [Continue Reading]
Typhoon Dolphin forces more than one million evacuations as it weakens inland in eastern China
Typhoon Dolphin has forced more than one million people to evacuate across eastern China as it continues to bring heavy rain, flooding risk and transport disruption to the region. The storm made landfall in Yuhuan, Zhejiang province, at about 5:30pm local time on Sunday before weakening as it moved inland. It has still left Shanghai and surrounding provinces dealing with waterlogged streets, flight cancellations and warnings of landslides.China's meteorological authorities said Dolphin came ashore with winds of up to 150 kilometres per hour, making it the strongest storm to make landfall in the country this year. About 40 percent of... [Continue Reading]
Wall Street Opens Higher as Tech, Chips and Commodities Lead a Broad Risk-On Move
Executive summary: U.S. markets opened sharply higher, led by AI and chip stocks, with the Nasdaq Composite, S&P 500 and Russell 2000 all advancing. The strongest moves came in SOXX, XLK and crude oil, while gold also extended its rally. The opening tone points to a broad risk-on session, with investors rotating into growth, energy and defensive hedges at the same time. [Continue Reading]
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Counter-terror inquiry reopened into incendiary device at Nigel Farage's home
Counter-terror police in London have reopened an inquiry into an incident at Nigel Farage's home in April 2025, after a new line of inquiry was identified. The case involves what Farage described as a lit incendiary device being pushed through his letterbox at his London property. Police have also referred themselves to the police watchdog over how the original investigation was handled.Farage said at a press conference on Monday that the incident was directly linked to the murder of Ann Widdecombe, although he said he could not say more at this stage. He also said counter-terrorism officers had made mistakes,... [Continue Reading]
European markets open firmer as oil and precious metals surge, DAX leads gains
Executive summary: European equities opened higher, led by the DAX, while Brent crude and precious metals posted outsized gains that are likely to shape the session’s tone. The move points to a market balancing stronger commodity inflation signals against a still-supportive risk backdrop for stocks and currencies. [Continue Reading]
Western Europe heat wave breaks June-July temperature record as wildfire risk rises
Western Europe has recorded a new June-July average temperature high as persistent heat waves continue to affect the region. Copernicus said the average temperature for the two-month period reached 21.62C, surpassing the previous record set in 2022. The latest figures come as the summer heat has already been linked to drought, wildfires and new national temperature records across the region.The climate monitoring service said the record was overturned by the hot spells that have been affecting Western Europe since May. It said the intense heat has contributed to a protracted drought and thousands of anticipated heat-related deaths. The same report... [Continue Reading]
Hong Kong records hottest day ever as Typhoon Dolphin drives extreme heat
Hong Kong has recorded its highest official temperature since records began in 1884, after Typhoon Dolphin pushed warm air over the city. The Hong Kong Observatory said the temperature at its headquarters reached 36.9C on Sunday, setting a new city record. The heat came as the storm moved towards eastern China and continued to affect weather conditions in the region.The observatory said the previous Hong Kong record was 36.6C, set on 22 August 2017 before Typhoon Hato. It also said temperatures in other parts of the city were higher than the official reading, with a station in Sheung Shui in... [Continue Reading]
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Ireland orders detention of alleged cartel boss Daniel Kinahan after extradition from Dubai
An Irish court has charged Daniel Kinahan with directing an organised crime group and ordered him held in custody after his extradition from Dubai. The 49-year-old appeared before the Special Criminal Court in Dublin on Sunday and was remanded until a hearing scheduled for 5 October. The case marks a significant step in a long-running international investigation into the Kinahan organised crime group.According to the supplied report, Kinahan was arrested in Dubai in April after Ireland issued an international arrest warrant. He was then extradited to Ireland on a government aircraft, a move described as reflecting a change in judicial... [Continue Reading]
South African special forces members charged over murder of detective Frans Mathipa
Seven members of South Africa's special forces and one military police officer have been charged with murdering senior detective Lt Col Frans Mathipa, according to documents shared in the case. Mathipa was shot dead in August 2023 while driving home on a motorway outside Pretoria, after spending months trying to obtain information linked to an investigation he was working on. The men deny the charges, and no trial date has yet been set.The case has drawn fresh attention because of new material said to come from secret police and court records. Those documents reportedly show that the vehicle which followed... [Continue Reading]
Iran reacts cautiously as Mecca defence pact expands to include Turkiye
Iran has responded cautiously to a new mutual defence pact signed in Mecca by Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkiye, with officials stressing Muslim unity and a reduced reliance on the United States. The agreement says an armed attack on one of the three countries will be treated as an attack on all, raising questions about how the arrangement could affect regional security. Iranian officials have not described the pact as an immediate threat, but the development has drawn attention in Tehran because of its possible longer-term implications.Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Friday that when Muslims stand together, they... [Continue Reading]
British Columbia wildfires force about 22,000 people to flee as federal aid is approved
British Columbia is facing a fast-moving wildfire emergency that has forced about 22,000 people to leave their homes, with evacuations widening across the province. The fires have spread across multiple communities, including Summerland and Peachland, as firefighters struggle to contain several fronts at once. Officials say the situation has developed rapidly, with one major blaze expanding to more than 100 square kilometres within hours.The BC Wildfire Service said 102 wildfires were burning across the province on Sunday, and nearly half were classified as out of control. Of those fires, 78 started in the past week, underscoring how quickly the situation... [Continue Reading]
Pentagon presses US weapons makers to speed output amid stockpile concerns
The Pentagon has asked the US defence industry to accelerate weapons production as officials seek to replenish diminished munitions stocks. The request comes amid concerns that recent fighting with Iran has further reduced inventories of advanced missile interceptors. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the department is focused on boosting munitions acquisitions at what he called the pace the threat demands.Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg wrote to industry leaders on Wednesday and gave them 21 days to submit plans for faster delivery schedules or higher production of critical capabilities. In the memo, he said years-long development cycles are not acceptable and... [Continue Reading]
Israel advances 'Green Rafah' infrastructure plan in southern Gaza
Israel has quietly approved infrastructure work in a designated area of eastern Rafah in southern Gaza, according to Israeli media reports cited in the supplied material. The project, described as "Green Rafah," is being presented as a pilot for temporary housing and new administrative arrangements in an area close to the Israeli-imposed Yellow Line buffer zone. Analysts quoted in the source say the plan could further fragment Gaza and deepen displacement pressures.The reported approval was said to have come on Sunday, with the Israeli prime minister's office describing the initiative as an Emirati-backed pilot project intended to create temporary housing... [Continue Reading]
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Indonesia closes Mount Bromo national park as wildfire expands in East Java
Indonesian authorities have closed access to Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park in East Java after a fast-moving wildfire spread across land near Mount Bromo. The closure was announced on Saturday and will remain in place until further notice. The park sits near an active volcano and is a major tourist destination, making the disruption significant for visitors and local operations.Officials said the blaze began on Monday and had grown to about 176 hectares by Sunday, up from roughly 60 hectares on Thursday. The park chief, Rudijanta Tjahja Nugraha, said the closure was intended to protect visitors, staff and people in... [Continue Reading]
Israel moves to expropriate land around Sebastia archaeological site in occupied West Bank
Israeli authorities are taking possession of about 450 acres of land around the ancient site of Sebastia in the occupied West Bank, according to local landowners and officials cited in the report. The move is being presented as part of a plan to protect and develop the area as a major new national park. It has triggered anger among Palestinian families who say the land has been cultivated for generations and that access is now being restricted.One landowner, Abu Mudif, said he received notification that his property was included in the tranche being expropriated. He said the loss went beyond... [Continue Reading]
Ukraine warns of winter power crisis as Russian strikes kill four in Kyiv region
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that the country could enter winter with virtually no working thermal power plants after overnight Russian strikes killed four people in the Kyiv region, including a three-year-old child. He made the remarks during a visit to Belgrade, where he said the latest attacks and shelling of frontline communities had killed 13 people in the previous 24 hours. The comments came as Ukraine continued to report damage from intensified long-range strikes on its energy system and civilian areas.Zelensky said Russian missiles were being used to make life unbearable for Ukrainians and again called for stronger... [Continue Reading]
Lebanese soldiers wounded as Israeli troops allegedly enter Zawtar al-Gharbiyah
Three Lebanese soldiers were wounded in southern Lebanon while they were dealing with unexploded ordnance in the village of Zawtar al-Gharbiyah, according to the Lebanese army. The injuries came after residents and the village mayor said Israeli troops entered the village overnight and built an earth barrier near the village square. The incident adds a new layer to an already fragile border situation in the south.Mayor Abed Ezzeddine said residents were surprised to see the barrier, which he placed about 100 metres from the village square. The Lebanese state-run National News Agency reported that an Israeli force advanced into the... [Continue Reading]
Yemen government forces counterattack Houthis after renewed shelling of Marib
Yemeni government forces have launched attacks on Houthi positions across multiple front lines after renewed shelling of Marib city, in a sharp escalation that has raised fears of a broader conflict. A military spokesman said the operation targeted Houthi "capabilities and forces" along "multiple axes and along the line of contact". Officials said the counterattack was intended to protect civilians after fresh strikes on the government-held city.Deputy Information Minister Mohammed Gezan said the Houthis had resumed shelling civilian neighbourhoods in Marib with missiles and drones. The renewed attacks followed earlier Houthi missile and drone strikes on Hadramout and Marib provinces... [Continue Reading]
Lebanon detains former Syrian general in Beirut and weighs transfer to Damascus
Lebanese authorities have detained a former Syrian army general in Beirut and are considering whether to hand him over to Syria, according to judicial and security sources. The case involves Major-General Adel Issa, who once served under ousted President Bashar al-Assad. Officials say the detention took place on Friday after Issa visited the Syrian embassy in Beirut for paperwork.According to the sources, embassy staff recognised that Issa was wanted in Syria and alerted Lebanon's prosecutor's office. Investigators from the Central Criminal Investigation Department then detained him and took him to a facility at the Beirut Palace of Justice. Under questioning,... [Continue Reading]
Todd Blanche confirmed as US attorney general after narrow Senate vote
The US Senate has narrowly confirmed Todd Blanche as attorney general, ending a contentious confirmation fight over his independence and ties to President Donald Trump. The Republican-led chamber approved him by a 50-49 vote, with Republican Senators Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska opposing the nomination. Blanche had already been serving as acting attorney general since April, but the confirmation gives him a firmer mandate to lead the Department of Justice.The decisive vote came from Senator Bill Cassidy, who said he believed Blanche was the best option the president would put forward. Washington had been waiting for... [Continue Reading]
US Senate passes Russia energy sanctions bill as House vote is delayed
The US Senate has passed a tougher sanctions package aimed at Russia's energy revenues, adding fresh pressure on a central source of funding for Moscow's war effort in Ukraine. The bill passed by 86 votes to 11 and now moves to the House of Representatives, where a vote is not expected until at least early September because of the congressional summer recess. The legislation is framed as a way to increase economic pressure on Russia while also targeting the maritime networks used to evade existing embargoes.The measure, called the Lindsey Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, would impose... [Continue Reading]
ICC urges Chad and Venezuela to reverse withdrawal plans amid wave of departures
The body overseeing the International Criminal Court has called on Chad and Venezuela to abandon plans to leave the tribunal, warning that the moves could weaken the global fight against impunity. In a statement issued from The Hague on Friday, the Assembly of States Parties said it had noted both decisions with concern. It urged the two countries to remain committed members and to raise grievances through dialogue inside the assembly rather than by withdrawing.The appeal comes as the court faces what the statement described as its most serious wave of departures since it was founded in 2002. Five countries... [Continue Reading]
Trump renews effort to remove Fed governor Lisa Cook amid mortgage-fraud allegations
The White House has revived efforts to remove Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, sending her a letter that says the president is considering dismissing her from office. The move comes as Donald Trump continues to press for faster interest-rate cuts, despite inflation remaining a concern. It also reopens a direct challenge to the independence of the US central bank.According to the letter, Cook was given three weeks to respond to unproven allegations that she committed mortgage fraud. The letter was signed by White House Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino and warned that the alleged offence could carry a prison... [Continue Reading]
Misleading party name approved ahead of Victorian election after registration dispute
A dispute over party registration has emerged ahead of Victoria's November state election after the Victorian Electoral Commission approved a party called "Free Palestine" and rejected an application for "Free Palestine Party". The commission said the newer name was too similar to the existing registration and could not be accepted under state law. The case has raised concerns about whether voters could be confused by the names on the ballot.Electoral Commissioner Sven Bluemmel said the commission was legally required to register a party once it met the criteria set out in law. He said the rules did not allow him... [Continue Reading]
Strike action at Port Hedland threatens BHP iron ore shipments this weekend
Industrial action at Port Hedland, Australia's largest bulk export port, is set to disrupt BHP ship loading this weekend. Members of three unions are due to begin a 24-hour ship loading ban today, followed by a further 24-hour general stoppage tomorrow. The dispute centres on pay and conditions at BHP's iron ore port operations in Western Australia's Pilbara region.Industry bodies say the stoppage could cost BHP about $100 million in revenue and reduce royalty income for the West Australian government by more than $7 million. The action follows months of tension between the miner and unionised workers, with employees previously... [Continue Reading]
US-backed diplomacy on Libya power-sharing gains momentum
A new diplomatic push aimed at unifying Libya's rival eastern and western authorities is gathering momentum, according to the supplied reporting. The effort centres on a power-sharing deal that would bring the country's competing political camps into a single framework. Turkiye is also said to be involved in efforts to bring the parties together.Libya has been divided since 2014, with rival governments in the east and west and two separate seats of government. The country has also had two prime ministers, reflecting the depth of the political split. The reporting says a number of international diplomatic initiatives have failed over... [Continue Reading]
Houthi attacks kill at least 10 in Yemen's Marib as fighting intensifies
Houthi attacks in Yemen's Marib province have killed at least 10 people, including eight members of government forces and two civilians, according to officials and a military source cited in the supplied material. The strikes hit the oil-rich province on Friday and were reported to have affected both military positions and civilian areas. The violence marks a further escalation in a region that has been relatively stable under a truce that began in 2022.A Yemeni military source said 12 others were wounded in the attacks on government forces, while the health minister for the Saudi-backed government said shelling struck residential... [Continue Reading]
DR Congo Ebola outbreak tops 4,000 as WHO urges vaccine trial
World Health Organization vaccine experts have recommended a full-scale human trial of the licensed Ebola vaccine Ervebo to assess whether it could offer cross-protection against the Bundibugyo strain spreading in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The recommendation comes as government data show the outbreak has surpassed 4,000 confirmed cases and 1,850 deaths since it was declared in mid-May. The outbreak has spread across 53 health zones in five provinces, with Ituri remaining the epicentre.The latest Ministry of Health situation report cited 4,053 confirmed Bundibugyo cases and 1,850 deaths. According to the supplied material, 87% of cases are in Ituri... [Continue Reading]
World Food Programme moves to renew Palantir contract amid leaked audit privacy concerns
The United Nations World Food Programme is finalising a five-year renewal of its contract with US data software firm Palantir, despite privacy concerns raised in a leaked internal audit from 2025. The audit, seen by journalists, points to unease inside the agency about allowing the company to process data used in one of the world's largest humanitarian supply chains. The development has renewed scrutiny of how aid agencies handle sensitive beneficiary information.The World Food Programme, based in Rome, manages the SCOPE system, which contains biometric and other information on millions of aid beneficiaries. Palantir developed the Digital Operations and Transformation... [Continue Reading]
US July payrolls unexpectedly fall, raising questions over Fed policy path
The US economy unexpectedly shed jobs in July, according to the latest employment report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Nonfarm payrolls fell by 23,000 last month, while June figures were revised to show a 20,000 increase. The unemployment rate also eased to 4.1% from 4.2%, even as the labour force participation rate declined further.The report came in well below expectations. Economists had forecast payroll growth of 80,000, after June had previously been reported as a gain of 57,000. The latest revision and July decline point to a softer labour market than markets had anticipated.The data also reinforced the view... [Continue Reading]
Armenia to try Catholicos Karekin II and six clerics in church feud escalation
Armenia is due to begin a trial on Friday involving Catholicos Karekin II, the head of the Armenian Apostolic Church, and six other clerics. The case will be heard at the Armavir Regional Court in Vagharshapat, a city often described as the spiritual centre of Armenia. Prosecutors say the seven defendants failed to comply with a civil court order linked to the reinstatement of a defrocked bishop.The defendants are accused of not reinstating Bishop Gevorg Saroyan after he was defrocked in January. The Church said at the time that Saroyan had abused his authority and neglected his duties. If convicted,... [Continue Reading]
Iran and Oman agree shipping-route coordinates as Trump says war may end soon
Iranian officials are reviewing a preliminary bill that would bar US, Israeli and other "hostile" vessels from transiting the Strait of Hormuz, according to reports cited by a parliamentary source. The development comes as Iran and Oman said they had agreed on coordinates for shipping routes through the strait, a waterway that remains central to global energy and maritime security. The latest comments also follow remarks by Donald Trump that he believes the war with Iran is nearing an end and that he is involved in negotiations.The reported bill is being examined by an Iranian parliamentary committee, while Iran's Fars... [Continue Reading]
Greek authorities charge three over wildfire near Athens
Greek authorities have placed a town mayor, a contractor and a wind farm owner in pre-trial detention after charging them with arson over a wildfire that burned large areas near Athens last week. Investigators believe the blaze began on 31 July with a spark from power cables at a wind farm near Agios Vasileios, a seaside village at the foot of a mountain northwest of the capital. The fire spread rapidly in strong winds and reached areas about 40km from Athens.The mayor, Giannis Apostolou, leads the small town of Stylida and owns an electrical installation company linked to the wind... [Continue Reading]
Trump threatens leakers as reports of US munitions shortages deepen amid Iran war
President Donald Trump has escalated his public response to reports that US munitions stocks may be under strain during the war with Iran. In a post on his Truth Social platform, he said the United States has a vast supply of munitions and threatened jail terms for people he described as leakers. He also said large amounts were being manufactured and shipped as needed, rejecting the suggestion that the military was running short.The latest reporting said Trump asked Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth about the issue at a cabinet meeting at Camp David last Friday, with the Washington Post citing two... [Continue Reading]
South Korea recovers 15 suspected North Korean landmines after monsoon floods near border
South Korean authorities have recovered 15 suspected North Korean landmines along coastal areas in Gwanghwa County after heavy monsoon rains and torrential flooding. Officials said the mines were found between 23 July and 3 August and were believed to have been washed over from the inter-Korean border. The discovery has renewed concern about explosive hazards in border regions exposed to severe weather.Choi Young-ran, who heads civil defence for Gwanghwa County, said the landmines were discovered along coastal areas and were likely carried by floodwaters during the monsoon season. County officials said in late July that residents should be alert to... [Continue Reading]
Australia's $2 billion PFAS lawsuit against 3M advances in Federal Court
Australia's Commonwealth has begun its $2 billion lawsuit against 3M in the Federal Court in Melbourne, with a judge describing the case as daunting. The claim concerns alleged PFAS contamination at 28 defence bases across the country, where firefighting foam containing the chemicals was used. The government is seeking to recover the cost of investigating, managing and remediating soil and water contamination.At the first case management hearing on Friday, the two sides agreed the matter was large and complex. The court heard that a 1,600-page statement of claim has been filed, setting out allegations linked to the legacy use of... [Continue Reading]
North Korea fires ballistic missile as Kim Yo-jong threatens Japan
North Korea launched a ballistic missile on Thursday toward the sea off the east coast of the Korean Peninsula, according to the supplied report, in a move that came after Kim Yo-jong issued fresh threats against Japan. The launch was detected from the Wonsan area and tracked toward the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan. It adds to already elevated tensions between Pyongyang, Tokyo, Seoul and Washington.The report says Kim Yo-jong warned two days earlier that North Korea could make "new military choices" and accused Japan of trying to conceal an ambition to become a military power.... [Continue Reading]
Sea drones and explosive-laden robots could help clear Strait of Hormuz mines
Preparations are under way for a possible mine-clearing operation in the Strait of Hormuz, with uncrewed surface vehicles, underwater drones, explosive-laden robots and helicopter-mounted lasers among the tools being discussed. The waterway is one of the world's most important shipping routes, and any reopening effort would begin with removing or neutralising sea mines. The report says the challenge would fall first to the US military and its allies if a deal is reached to reopen the passage.The Strait of Hormuz has long been treated as a strategic chokepoint because of the volume of energy shipments that pass through it. The... [Continue Reading]
UK Conservatives pledge to ban foreign nationals from new social housing tenancies in England
The Conservatives have announced a proposal to end new social housing tenancies for foreign nationals in England if they win the next general election. The party also said some current tenants would be required to leave, in a move it says would free up homes for British families. The announcement comes amid a wider political argument over immigration and housing in the UK.Under the plan, new tenancies would be restricted to UK nationals and people with EU settled status. The party said current tenants who are foreign nationals would be affected in some cases, including single people who are not... [Continue Reading]
Victorian court user data leaked to dark web forum, police investigate
Personal information from online hearings in regional Victorian courts has been posted on a dark web forum, prompting a police investigation. Court Services Victoria has confirmed the breach involved participants in online hearings in the Magistrates' Court and Children's Court divisions. The material is understood to include sensitive details from hearings in Bendigo and other regional centres across Victoria.The leaked data is reported to span hearings from 2022 to 2026 and includes names, email addresses and job titles. Court Services Victoria said the dump also contained publicly available information such as case names and courtrooms. According to the supplied reporting,... [Continue Reading]
Argentina will not retaliate after Brazil downgrades diplomatic ties over Milei remarks
Argentina says it will not take diplomatic retaliation after Brazil downgraded relations in response to President Javier Milei's latest public attacks on President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno said Buenos Aires would not answer with its own measures after Brasilia said it would handle the relationship through a charge d'affaires rather than a full ambassador. The move marks the lowest point in ties between the neighbouring countries since Milei took office in 2023.Brazil's decision followed Milei's television interview on Sunday, in which he again called Lula "a thief", "corrupt" and an "ex-convict". Lula spent 580 days... [Continue Reading]
Eight Arab and Muslim countries condemn Israeli violations in Gaza
Eight Arab and Muslim countries have issued a joint statement condemning what they described as ongoing Israeli violations in the Gaza Strip. The foreign ministers of the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia and Egypt said the targeting of hospitals, ambulances and medical personnel was unacceptable. They also called for the immediate and unhindered delivery of medical supplies and aid across Gaza.The statement, published on Thursday, said attacks on healthcare facilities and medical infrastructure, as well as strikes on civilian areas and the killing of Palestinians including women and children, amounted to a grave breach of... [Continue Reading]
Netanyahu signals possible unilateral action as Iran war drags on
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has suggested that Israel may act alone as the war with Iran continues, even as Washington and Tehran appear close to an interim deal on the Strait of Hormuz. The remarks came during a state ceremony in West Jerusalem and were framed by Netanyahu as a matter of Israel's security. The comments add to signs of strain in the US-Israeli campaign against Iran and raise fresh questions about the next phase of the conflict.Netanyahu said he was determined to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and described the United States as Israel's greatest ally.... [Continue Reading]
US Senate committee votes to hold Anthony Fauci in contempt over Covid-19 testimony
A Republican-led US Senate committee has voted to hold Dr Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress after he refused to answer questions about his handling of the Covid-19 pandemic. The vote was approved by the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, following a hearing last week in which Dr Fauci invoked the Fifth Amendment more than 100 times. The referral was pushed by Republican chair Rand Paul of Kentucky, who has long been one of Fauci's most prominent critics.Dr Fauci, 85, retired in 2022 after leading the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases for 38 years. He became the... [Continue Reading]
Fighting returns to Ethiopia's Tigray as accountability efforts unravel
Amnesty International says fighting has returned to Tigray in northern Ethiopia, with clashes erupting in early August between Tigrayan forces and the Ethiopian National Defence Force. The renewed violence comes less than four years after the November 2022 Cessation of Hostilities Agreement that was meant to end one of Africa's deadliest conflicts. Amnesty says the return to fighting is a stark reminder that the region has not recovered from the devastation of the earlier war.The organisation says impunity for past abuses has left civilians vulnerable. It argues that accountability efforts after the ceasefire steadily unravelled, with international investigative mandates allowed... [Continue Reading]
Israel defence minister and military chief clash publicly over West Bank detention dispute
Israel's defence minister and the military chief have publicly disagreed over the handling of a detention case in the occupied West Bank, in a rare and visible breakdown in civil-military relations during wartime. The dispute centres on Major-General Avi Bluth, who commands Israeli forces in the West Bank, after criticism from Defence Minister Israel Katz. Katz then announced on live television that Bluth would be replaced, but Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir later said the general would remain in post.The sequence of events was confirmed in commentary published on 6 August and described as part of a wider pattern of... [Continue Reading]
US-Iran negotiations remain stalled as Vance says agreement will take time
US Vice President J.D. Vance has said any agreement with Iran will take time, as Washington continues to face frustration over efforts to end the war and address nuclear issues. In an interview on Thursday, Vance described Iranians as "extraordinarily difficult" and said the diplomatic process was being slowed by what he called the fragmented nature of Iran's system.His comments add to signs that the talks remain unsettled despite pressure for progress. Vance said the United States is frustrated with the pace of negotiations and that any deal, particularly one involving Iran's nuclear programme, would be a lengthy process. He... [Continue Reading]
US tightens curbs on foreign-made robots and tech linked to China rivalry
The United States has moved to tighten restrictions on foreign-made humanoid robots and certain power inverters, in a step framed by officials as a national security measure. The move comes amid a wider technology rivalry with China that spans artificial intelligence, chips and industrial supply chains. It also reflects growing concern in Washington about dependence on overseas manufacturing in sectors seen as strategically important.According to the supplied material, the US has banned imports of foreign-made humanoid robots. It has also blocked power inverters used in data centres and solar energy systems. The measures were presented as part of a broader... [Continue Reading]
Sheikh Hasina vows to return to Bangladesh amid extradition pressure and death sentence row
Sheikh Hasina has renewed her pledge to return to Bangladesh, saying she is prepared to face arrest, prison or even death if she goes back. Speaking by audio from New Delhi at an event marking the second anniversary of the end of her 15-year rule, the former prime minister said fear would not determine her duty to her supporters. Her remarks come as Bangladesh continues to press India for her extradition and as anger over her case remains visible on the streets of Dhaka.Hasina, 78, said she knew she might be detained and sent to prison, but insisted she could... [Continue Reading]
Australia moves to block gas-only data centres amid state pushback
Australia's federal government says it will stop data centre proposals that rely entirely on gas, in a move that has drawn criticism from the Northern Territory and Queensland. Federal Energy Minister Chris Bowen said such projects would not meet minimum national standards and would not be allowed to proceed. The dispute centres on how new data centres should be powered as demand grows for digital infrastructure.Bowen said the proposed rules would require renewable energy use and a national renewable energy offset policy for data centres. Speaking at the National Press Club, he said a project that used only gas would... [Continue Reading]
Israel says two reserve soldiers killed in combat in southern Lebanon
The Israeli military said two reserve soldiers were killed during combat in southern Lebanon on Thursday, as fighting with Hezbollah continued in the border area. The deaths were reported amid ongoing military activity in a region that has remained a focal point of the conflict. The latest fatalities add to the pressure on efforts to contain the violence along the Lebanon-Israel frontier.According to the supplied material, the soldiers were killed while Israel was fighting the Iran-backed armed group Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. No further details were given in the row about the circumstances of the combat, the unit they served... [Continue Reading]
Guatemala says Fuego eruption has ended as evacuees begin returning home
Guatemalan authorities said the eruption of Fuego volcano has ended after about 50 hours of activity, allowing more than 1,700 evacuated residents to return home. The announcement came on Wednesday after the volcano, one of Central America's most active, had been sending lava and ash into the air since Monday. Officials said the crater, about 35 kilometres from Guatemala City, was no longer showing the same level of activity.The country's Institute of Volcanology said the eruption had officially ended and urged continued caution because ash remained in the area and renewed activity could not be ruled out. Conred emergency services... [Continue Reading]
US State Department plans closure of five consulates across four regions
The US State Department has notified Congress that it plans to close five consulates and missions in Grenada, Japan, Indonesia, Cameroon and Canada. The move would affect posts in St George's, Nagoya, Medan, Douala and Winnipeg, spanning the Caribbean, Asia, Africa and North America. The planned closures have prompted criticism that they could leave a diplomatic vacuum in places where China already has a presence.According to the notice sent to congressional committees, the closures are being justified on cost grounds. They come after a reassessment of US bilateral relationships with a range of countries since Donald Trump returned to the... [Continue Reading]
Malaysia pauses Rohingya repatriation plan amid safety concerns
Malaysia has said it will not return 5,000 Rohingya refugees to Myanmar if their lives would be at risk, as the government continues to review a repatriation plan announced last week. Government spokesman Fahmi Fadzil said on Wednesday that the foreign and home ministries were still assessing the proposal before any decision is made. The announcement comes amid renewed scrutiny of the safety of Rohingya refugees and the conditions they could face if sent back.Fadzil said Malaysia would only proceed after determining whether the refugees would face persecution or threats to their lives on return. He said the government was... [Continue Reading]
Dubai Property Market Faces Litmus Test as Nakheel Waterfront Investors Await Final Judicial Verdict
Hundreds of international and local investors who purchased land plots in Nakheel’s massive "Waterfront" project nearly two decades ago are holding their breath. Following the official cancellation of the project by the Dubai Land Department and its integration under Dubai Holding, a special judicial committee appointed by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has been tasked with resolving the liquidation and settling investor claims. Because the decisions of this specialized committee are legally binding and final, with no avenue for appeal, the upcoming rulings are being viewed as a critical turning point for the regulatory reputation of Dubai's... [Continue Reading]
Fear the Shia, Arm the Sunnis: The Uncomfortable Numbers Behind America’s War Narrative
“When fear is managed carefully enough, a nation can be taught to look away from the blood on the floor and stare instead at the shadow on the wall.” A friend of mine, whose name I will not reveal because he asked me not to, sat across from me over dinner and placed a question on the table that would not leave me alone. He was born into a Muslim Shia background, and for the angle of this article, that detail matters, not because I wish to reduce a man to a sect, but because sect has become one of... [Continue Reading]
The Great Uncoupling: Abu Dhabi’s Sovereign Gambit
The UAE’s decision to cut ties with OPEC is far more than a mere adjustment of energy policy, for it functions as a political telegram written in barrels and sent directly to the heart of the global order. For nearly six decades, Abu Dhabi operated within the rigid architecture of producer discipline, where it accepted the rituals of quotas, the formality of communiqués, and the heavy burden of collective restraint. It played the long game of oil diplomacy with a patient hand, balancing its own massive national ambitions against the gravity of cartel discipline and the delicate logic of Gulf... [Continue Reading]
Lessons learned from Dubai … or not?
It might be early to assess the impact of war on Dubai, the self-declared crisis proof planet, but some lessons can be drawn from its magic well, right now. First and foremost, I remember a saying about fairness: No, not the boomerang, and that what goes around comes around (the dark tales related to Lebanon and Gaza), but about a simple rule of thumb. If you expect the world to be fair with you because you are fair, you’re fooling yourself: that’s like expecting the lion not to eat you because you didn’t eat it. It applies to humans and... [Continue Reading]
The Madness of Power, From Balfour to the Edge of World War Three
A Voice in the Wilderness of War: Who Still Dares to Speak Truth While Empires March There are moments in history when the world suddenly accelerates toward disaster, moments when anyone who has studied history can feel the temperature rising even before the explosions reach their peak. The current escalation in the Middle East is one of those moments. According to the facts we now see unfolding, the United States and Israel made the unilateral decision to attack Iran without the approval of the United Nations, without a global coalition mandate, and without the support of most of the international... [Continue Reading]
Shadows of Fire: The Long Arc of Iran–United States Tensions
A Region on Edge: The Latest Escalation In recent months, tensions between Iran and the United States have intensified once again, fueled by disputes over regional security, nuclear development, maritime incidents in the Persian Gulf, and the broader strategic balance in the Middle East. Officials in Washington have expressed renewed concern over Iran’s uranium enrichment levels, while leaders in Tehran have accused the United States of economic warfare through sanctions and diplomatic isolation. The fragile equilibrium that followed earlier rounds of indirect negotiations appears increasingly strained, with both sides engaging in sharp rhetoric at the United Nations, reinforcing military postures... [Continue Reading]





