Israel says Gaza troop pullback depends on genuine Hamas disarmament
A senior Israeli official has said troops will not withdraw from their current positions in Gaza without what was described as the "genuine disarmament" of Hamas. The statement came as Hamas said it would hand over heavy weapons only if Israel ends "all forms of aggression" and pulls its forces out of the territory. The latest exchange deepens a dispute over the sequencing of a US-brokered ceasefire plan that is meant to move into its second phase.Donald Trump said the Board of Peace had reached an agreement for the "complete disarmament" of Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza. He... [Continue Reading]
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US and Israel reportedly plan major strike on Iran energy infrastructure as weekend timing looms
Multiple reports say the United States and Israel are preparing a major bombing campaign against Iran's energy infrastructure, with the operation potentially taking place over the weekend. The reported plan would be aimed at energy targets in Iran and could be completed before Monday's financial markets open. According to the supplied material, Israel has been warned and is coordinating with the United States.The reports say President Donald Trump has not yet given final authorisation for the strikes. They also say he has recently threatened Iranian nuclear sites and bridges, while on Friday he said a bombing was possible but that... [Continue Reading]
Hamas Agrees to Disarm Under Trump-Backed Gaza Deal as Israel Withholds Formal Approval
Hamas said on Friday that it had agreed to a deal that includes handing over its weapons to a Palestinian governing committee and allowing the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip. The announcement marks a new stage in the long-stalled second phase of the Gaza ceasefire plan brokered by United States President Donald Trump. Israel has not yet formally accepted the terms, leaving the arrangement politically contested and operationally uncertain.Trump said he had an understanding with Israel and described the agreement as a major breakthrough, even as he acknowledged that the process could still face setbacks. He... [Continue Reading]
Hamas disarmament deal faces skepticism in Gaza as ceasefire doubts persist
Palestinians in Gaza have expressed doubt that Hamas's pledge to disarm will bring a lasting change on the ground, even as the agreement is presented as part of the next phase of the ceasefire process. The latest comments come after Donald Trump said Hamas had agreed to "completely disarm", while Hamas said its commitment depends on Israel withdrawing from Gaza and ending its strikes. The gap between those positions has left many residents uncertain that the deal will alter daily life in the enclave.Local residents quoted in the report said they welcomed any agreement that is genuine and actually implemented,... [Continue Reading]
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DR Congo Ebola outbreak becomes world's second largest on record
The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has reached 3,532 confirmed cases and 1,556 deaths, according to the country's Ministry of Communication and Media. Officials say the epidemic has now become the world's second largest on record and the fastest spreading Ebola outbreak they have seen. The figures were released on Friday and show the scale of the crisis continuing to grow in the eastern part of the country.The ministry data put the case fatality rate at 44.1%, with 807 patients still in isolation or hospital and 626 people recorded as recovered. The outbreak has surpassed the... [Continue Reading]
Day News Recap: US Iran conflict widens as Gaza talks stall and wildfires, floods and unrest spread
The biggest escalation came in the US Iran confrontation, with strikes and interceptions continuing, Pakistan saying talks between Tehran and Washington were still under way, and Iran claiming a drone strike on US military assets at Kuwait's Ahmad Al-Jaber airbase. The conflict is also driving up US missile interceptor spending, while the Senate advanced a Russia sanctions bill that could hit India and China with tariffs for buying Russian oil. π π π πRegional tensions widened further around the Gulf and Red Sea. Yemen's Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi threatened Saudi Arabia with what he called full escalation, just hours before... [Continue Reading]
Greek wildfires force sea evacuations as blazes continue across the country
Hundreds of people in central Greece are being evacuated by sea after a coastal town became hemmed in by one of several wildfires burning across the country. Around 500 people, mostly tourists, were left stranded after a fire broke out near Agios Vasileios in Viotia on Friday morning and spread rapidly in strong winds. Emergency workers are still trying to move those remaining in the town safely, while another fire has also broken out further along the coast.More than 200 people have already been evacuated and another 100 are due to be taken by boat from Agios Vasileios, according to... [Continue Reading]
Breakfast News Recap: Middle East tensions widen as Gaza deal, NATO alert and market gains dominate
US Iran tensions escalated further as strikes and interceptions continued, with Pakistan saying talks between Tehran and Washington were still ongoing even as the conflict widened and disruption around the Strait of Hormuz deepened. The United States is also spending heavily on missile interceptors and other munitions, underlining the rising cost of the confrontation. π πIn Gaza, Hamas said it had agreed to a deal to disarm in return for the gradual withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Strip, and separately accepted a framework for its remaining heavy weapons to be inventoried and stored under Palestinian supervision. The moves point... [Continue Reading]
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Hamas accepts framework to disarm in Gaza under Palestinian supervision
Hamas has accepted a framework that would see its remaining heavy weapons in Gaza inventoried and stored under Palestinian supervision, according to people involved in the talks. The move is being described as a potential breakthrough in the Trump-backed peace initiative for Gaza. It follows months of difficult negotiations and comes after Hamas completed leadership elections that elevated Gaza-based leader Khalil al-Hayya.A senior Hamas official on the movement's negotiating team said the talks were long and extremely difficult. He said Hamas had insisted on the wording of "inventorying and storing weapons" under Palestinian oversight rather than handing them over to... [Continue Reading]
Japan earthquake death toll rises to 34 as aftershock fears continue in Kumamoto
The death toll from the magnitude 7.1 earthquake in southwestern Japan has risen to 34, according to the Kumamoto prefecture government. Officials also said six people were seriously injured after the quake struck near the city of Uki on Tuesday. The tremor knocked out power to about 40,000 homes, halted rail services and triggered tsunami warnings across parts of Kyushu.Authorities said nearly half of the deaths were linked to two separate incidents: structural damage at a Nippon Paper Industries paper mill and a possible gas explosion at an Aeon store. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has urged residents to remain vigilant... [Continue Reading]
Australian police uniforms and badges sold on Chinese e-commerce sites raise impersonation concerns
Australian police uniforms, caps, badges and insignias have been found for sale on Chinese online retail sites, with some listings appearing close to the real items worn by officers in several states. The products identified include gear linked to Western Australia, Victoria, South Australia and Queensland police, as well as Australian Border Force clothing. The findings have raised concerns about the potential for impersonation and misuse.The items were identified on three retailers on a major Chinese e-commerce platform and on one independent Chinese website. According to the material reviewed, the sellers described the goods as real police items rather than... [Continue Reading]
Severe floods hit north Odisha as more than seven lakh people are affected
Heavy rainfall has triggered severe flooding across several districts in north Odisha, with officials saying more than seven lakh people have been affected. The worst-hit areas include Bhadrak, Balasore and Jajpur, where the administration is working to manage evacuations and relief. Authorities say the situation remains under close watch as river levels stay high.Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said nearly two lakh people are being evacuated from affected areas. He said water levels are receding in some districts, but most rivers are still flowing above the danger mark. The state government has said the situation is under control,... [Continue Reading]
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Todd Blanche nomination delayed again as Senate Republicans seek IRS settlement clarity
The US Senate Judiciary Committee has postponed its planned vote on Todd Blanche's nomination to become attorney general, after Republican senators raised fresh concerns about his ties to Donald Trump and a disputed settlement involving the Internal Revenue Service. A committee spokesperson said late on Wednesday that the vote would be delayed as work continued to secure enough support for Blanche. The move leaves the nomination stalled and extends a confirmation fight that has become a test of support inside Trump's own party.The latest delay came after Republican Senators John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina pressed... [Continue Reading]
Gironde wildfires intensify as record EU fire weather drives blazes across the Mediterranean
Firefighters in France's Gironde region are continuing to work around the edge of a major wildfire near Bordeaux after a quieter night, as record-severe fire weather fuels blazes across the Mediterranean. Regional authorities said the fire remained under control, but active hotspots were still being tackled and temperatures were expected to be more favourable on Thursday than during Wednesday's 38C heat and strong winds. The blaze has already burned 91,000 hectares in France, according to European Forest Fire Information Service figures, making it the country's worst fire year on record with one month of summer still to go.The same data... [Continue Reading]
Parents of Australian facing possible death penalty in Syria question confession
The family of an Australian man detained in Syria has publicly questioned the case against him, saying they have seen no documents explaining the charges and have had no direct access to him. Patrick Stevenson, 20, from the Gold Coast, has been held for nearly seven months in north-western Syria after being accused of the shooting murder of another Australian, Abdullah Glen Charles Burgess. Syrian authorities say the case could carry the death penalty, while his parents say they are frustrated by the lack of progress from Australian officials.Angela Bell, Mr Stevenson's mother, said she was disappointed with her dealings... [Continue Reading]
Wildfire near Dunwich Heath forces evacuations close to Sizewell B
A major incident has been declared after a wildfire broke out at Dunwich Heath on the Suffolk coast. Homes have been evacuated, and a holiday park has also been cleared as firefighters worked through the night to contain the blaze. The fire is burning in large heathland close to the coast and has prompted warnings for people to avoid the area.Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service said its crews have focused on protecting properties including Coastguard Cottages, Mount Pleasant Farm and Cliff House Holiday Park. The fire broke out shortly after 5.30pm on Wednesday and spread towards St James' Church. Officials... [Continue Reading]
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Breakfast News Recap: Ukraine hit by fresh Russian strikes as Middle East tensions and market stress deepen
Russian missile and drone strikes hit cities across Ukraine overnight, killing at least eight people and wounding more than a dozen, with officials warning the toll could rise as rescue work continues. Kyiv and Lviv were among the targets, and Poland scrambled jets as the scale of the attack became clear. π πThe conflict in the Middle East widened further after the United States launched fresh strikes on Iran, following a renewed wave of attacks across the region. Separate reporting said a US attack on Iran's Qeshm island killed three people, including a two year old child, while Iraq condemned... [Continue Reading]
Japan earthquake and mall explosion in Kumamoto as rescue effort continues
Emergency crews in southern Japan are continuing rescue operations after a magnitude 7.1 earthquake was followed by an explosion at Kumamoto's Aeon mall. The blast ripped through the shopping centre after thousands of shoppers and staff had been evacuated, leaving debris scattered across the parking area and exposing steel beams inside the building. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said it was a "race against time" to reach people still trapped in the mall and others affected by the quake.Authorities said first responders pulled eight people from the partially collapsed site early on Wednesday, including three who were dead. Aeon said... [Continue Reading]
Iran expected to receive Chinese air-defence missiles in coming weeks
Iran is expected to receive up to 400 portable anti-air missiles from China in the coming weeks, according to people familiar with the deal. The reported shipment is intended to strengthen Tehran's short-range air defences after months of conflict with the United States and Israel. The agreement is said to involve an intermediary company based in Hong Kong, with the equipment expected to move via Pakistan.The contract is reported to be worth between $60 million and $70 million, making it one of the largest known purchases aimed at rebuilding Iran's short-range air-defence capability since the conflict began. The systems mentioned... [Continue Reading]
Bank of England expected to hold rates at 3.75% for fifth meeting
The Bank of England is expected to keep interest rates unchanged at 3.75% when policymakers announce their latest decision at 12:00 BST. That would mark a fifth consecutive hold and leave the benchmark rate at its lowest level since February 2023. The decision comes as the Monetary Policy Committee continues to weigh inflation that remains above target against a global outlook that remains uncertain.The committee meets eight times a year and its decisions affect borrowing costs for mortgages and loans, as well as returns for savers. The current expectation is for no change, with few analysts predicting any short-term move... [Continue Reading]
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Norwegian Teen Convicted in UK Murder Plot Linked to Iran-Used Crime Group
A 19-year-old Norwegian man has been convicted in the United Kingdom of conspiracy to murder after prosecutors said he was recruited by a Swedish organised crime group linked to Iran. Johannes Natland was found guilty after a retrial at the Old Bailey in London, following an earlier jury that could not reach a verdict on the murder conspiracy charge. The case centres on an alleged plot to kill an unidentified target in Britain, with the intended victim never publicly identified.Natland was arrested in March last year in a hotel room in Huddersfield, in northern England, where police said they found... [Continue Reading]
Syria hunts suspects in March coastal attacks and dismantles Islamic State cells in Aleppo
Syrian authorities are carrying out a security operation that has two linked strands: the pursuit of suspects tied to March coastal attacks and the dismantling of Islamic State cells in Aleppo. The development points to an active internal counterterrorism effort in different parts of the country. It also suggests that the authorities are dealing with both older violence and a continuing militant threat at the same time.The confirmed details available indicate that the operation was reported on 29 July 2026. Authorities are said to be hunting down suspects connected to attacks on the coast in March, while also breaking up... [Continue Reading]
Breakfast News Recap: Japan quake death toll rises as Middle East tensions flare and markets turn risk off
Japanβs Kumamoto prefecture is dealing with the aftermath of a powerful earthquake that has killed at least 13 people, with rescuers still searching for those trapped in a collapsed shopping mall and other damaged buildings. Officials said the quake was followed by an aftershock and an explosion at the mall, adding to the scale of the emergency. πIn the Middle East, the United States and Saudi Arabia carried out strikes in Iraq against Iran backed groups after Washington said it intercepted an Iranian missile barrage aimed at US personnel. Iranβs Revolutionary Guard also said it fired ballistic missiles at a... [Continue Reading]
India condemns attacks on vessels in Strait of Hormuz as casualties reported
India has expressed deep concern over renewed violence in West Asia and condemned recent attacks on maritime vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking at a United Nations Security Council open debate on the Middle East, India's Permanent Representative, Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, called for immediate de-escalation of tensions. He said the resumption of attacks after a brief pause was deeply concerning and urged the restoration of unimpeded navigation and trade through international waterways.Harish said India strongly condemned attacks on several vessels, including GFS Galaxy, MT Al Bahiyah and MT Mombasa, which were struck during transit through the Strait of Hormuz... [Continue Reading]
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Turkiye and Iraq announce new energy cooperation tied to Kirkuk oilfield stake
Turkiye and Iraq have announced a new energy cooperation framework that includes a Turkish stake in the Kirkuk oilfield and a possible increase in Iraqi oil supplies to Turkiye. The announcement was made in Ankara during a joint news conference between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi. It comes as the long-running Iraq-Turkiye crude oil agreement expired on 27 July.Erdogan said state-owned Turkish Petroleum will acquire a 15% stake in BP Energy Company of Kirkuk Limited under a separate share-transfer agreement. He also said al-Zaidi had offered to supply Turkiye with up to 1 million... [Continue Reading]
Peru's Fujimori takes office promising military-led crackdown on crime
Peru's new president, Keiko Fujimori, has been inaugurated in Lima and pledged to deploy the armed forces to areas hit by crime, drug trafficking and illegal mining. In her address to Congress, she said the military would temporarily lead security operations during states of emergency until those territories could be returned to civilian control. The ceremony took place as Peru faces what she described as a severe security challenge, with gang violence, extortion and illegal mining spreading across the country.Fujimori took office on Tuesday after winning June's runoff by fewer than 50,000 votes. She is the country's ninth president in... [Continue Reading]
Trump voices frustration with Netanyahu before White House talks over Iran strategy
US President Donald Trump publicly expressed frustration with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu before the two men held talks at the White House in Washington. The immediate dispute centred on how to handle Iran, including reported concerns over the Pickaxe Mountain nuclear site. Trump also met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Washington on the same day, as world leaders gathered for a memorial service.Trump said in a television interview that Netanyahu appeared to be trying to keep the United States involved in the war with Iran by raising the issue of the site. He said he had heard that Netanyahu... [Continue Reading]
Iraqi PM visits Turkiye for talks on oil pipeline, water and security
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi is in Turkiye with a senior delegation for talks focused on strategic cooperation, security, water and the economy. It is his first visit to the neighbouring country since taking office in May. The trip comes as Baghdad seeks to secure its energy interests and manage wider bilateral issues with Ankara.Government spokesman Haider al-Aboudi said the discussions would cover strategic cooperation alongside security, water and economic matters. A source from Iraq's Ministry of Oil said a technical delegation had arrived in Ankara late last week to try to finalise a one-year extension of the existing oil-export... [Continue Reading]
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Netanyahu heads to White House as Iran war meeting carries political risk
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to meet US President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday, in what would be their seventh meeting during Trump's second term. The talks come amid the ongoing US-Israel war with Iran and are the first in-person encounter between the two leaders since the conflict began. The visit also carries added political weight because Netanyahu is travelling to Washington for the funeral of US Senator Lindsey Graham later the same day.The meeting is taking place against a backdrop of growing unease in the United States over the war. The supplied material says... [Continue Reading]
Red Sea blockade worsens Asia's energy crisis as oil supplies come under pressure
Governments across Asia are scrambling to secure oil supplies after Yemen's Houthis launched a blockade of Saudi Arabian shipping through the Bab al-Mandab strait. The move has added fresh pressure to an already strained regional energy market, with the Red Sea now facing another major disruption to maritime trade. The chokepoint sits at the southern entrance to the Red Sea and is a key route for oil moving from the Gulf toward Asia.The reported blockade comes as Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia remain heavily dependent on Middle East oil, with some countries relying on the region for... [Continue Reading]
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Victorian premier Jacinta Allan resigns ahead of leadership challenge by Ben Carroll
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has resigned from the top job after a turbulent 48 hours inside Labor, clearing the way for her deputy, Ben Carroll, to seek the leadership. The move comes four months before Victoria's state election and follows mounting pressure from MPs who had concluded she no longer had the support of the caucus. Allan said Carroll would have her "unqualified support", a statement that appears to leave him well placed to become leader without a contested ballot.The resignation follows a period of worsening internal tension over the government's polling and Allan's personal approval ratings. According to the... [Continue Reading]
Israel approves limited Gaza force deployment in Rafah test zone as Netanyahu heads to Washington
Israel's security cabinet has approved a highly constrained pilot deployment of an International Stabilization Force in a narrow area of Rafah, according to the supplied reporting. The move is described as a test zone in southern Gaza and a limited step within a broader peace framework that has stalled. The force is linked to Donald Trump's 20-point plan and is expected to operate in full coordination with the Israeli military.The reported deployment would involve about 200 personnel from countries including Morocco and Uganda, rather than the larger contingent previously discussed. Israeli media cited in the supplied material said the original... [Continue Reading]
Khamenei deepens pressure on US-Iran talks with pro-Hezbollah message
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei has sharpened his public support for Hezbollah, saying Tehran sees the defence of the group's fighters as a strategic mandate. In a post on X, he said there was "no path forward except jihad and resistance" and tied any agreement to end Iran's war with the United States to a complete end to what he called Israeli aggression against Lebanon. He also praised Hezbollah fighters for their patience and sacrifice and described them as an unmovable force on the front line against Israel.Khamenei's remarks were made in response to a letter of allegiance from... [Continue Reading]
Why Mali's northern conflict has entered a dangerous new phase
A new alliance between a separatist movement and an al-Qaeda affiliate has altered the conflict in northern Mali and complicated efforts to end the war. The joint offensive launched on 25 April 2026 by the Azawad Liberation Front and Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin has stretched across Kidal, Anefis, Tilemsi, Gao and Sevare. It has also posed one of the most serious challenges to the Malian army in years, as well as to Russia's Africa Corps, which replaced the Wagner Group in Mali.Since the offensive began, the fighting has included simultaneous assaults, ambushes, drone strikes and attacks on military convoys. All... [Continue Reading]
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Senator Whitehouse calls Netanyahu a 'walking provocation' amid criticism of US Iran policy
Democratic US Senator Sheldon Whitehouse has sharply criticised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, describing him as a "walking provocation" for Americans. In comments on a current affairs programme, Whitehouse said the United States was turning into one of the world's "worst-behaved countries" in the eyes of other governments. He linked that perception to what he called a "wholesale violation" of President Donald Trump's campaign promise to avoid unnecessary wars.Whitehouse said the war involving the United States and Israel against Iran had been "managed just spectacularly incompetently and dishonestly". He argued that people who voted for Trump were now seeing a... [Continue Reading]
Slievenamon wildfire in County Tipperary reduced significantly as crews tackle hotspots
A wildfire on Slievenamon in County Tipperary has reduced significantly, but firefighters are still working to extinguish isolated hotspots across the mountain. Tipperary County Council said crews remain on site with support from the Air Corps as they monitor conditions in the wider area. Officials said smoke levels are noticeably lower than earlier in the week, although some smoke may still be visible at times depending on wind direction and fire activity.The council said the multi-agency response remains in place as teams continue to review conditions and prioritise the safety of crews, local residents, landowners and the wider community. Acting... [Continue Reading]
Twenty firefighters taken to hospital after Essex industrial fire and fertiliser-store explosion
Twenty firefighters were taken to hospital after a blaze at Highlands Farm near Rettendon in Essex spread to a fertiliser store and triggered a major explosion. The fire service declared a major incident on Friday as more than 100 firefighters tackled the rapidly developing fire at the industrial site on Southend Road, between East Hanningfield and Rettendon. Three fire engines and two fire service cars were destroyed in the blaze.Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said the fire was reported at about 16:50 BST on Friday and that crews were confronted by a large and quickly developing incident. Speaking on... [Continue Reading]
At least 35 killed in bus collision on Syria's Deir ez-Zor-Damascus road
At least 35 people have been killed and 30 others injured after two buses collided on Syria's Deir ez-Zor-Damascus road, according to official and state media reports. The crash happened on Saturday between Al-Sukhnah and Palmyra, on a highway that links eastern Syria with the capital. The road is described as a crucial route and one with poor safety standards.The Ministry of Interior said one of the buses was carrying members of the Internal Security Forces, while the other was transporting civilians. Ambulances were dispatched to the scene, and helicopters were also sent to medically evacuate the injured to Homs... [Continue Reading]
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Pakistan faces deadly monsoon flooding as India rejects Chenab river allegations
Pakistan is dealing with deadly monsoon flooding and landslides after days of intense rain across several regions. At least 37 people have died in rain-related incidents, according to the supplied report, while homes, crops, livestock and roads have been damaged. The flooding has affected Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab.India has rejected allegations that it is deliberately causing flooding in Pakistan by releasing water upstream. A spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs said the recent rise in flows in the Chenab river was a direct result of intense monsoon rainfall over Jammu and adjoining catchment areas during... [Continue Reading]
Is the Italian Prime Minister the Visionary Leader Europe Needs? An Analysis of Executive Decisiveness, National Security, and the Contrast in European Integration Policies
A Continent in Institutional Deadlock While the rest of Europe remains entangled in a web of bureaucratic deadlock and human rights litigation, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has quietly established herself as a leader operating far ahead of her continental peers. For years, European leaders have debated how to handle radicalism and unchecked migration, often waiting for institutional consensus that arrives too late. Meloni, conversely, has demonstrated a willingness to prioritize state security over political correctness, offering a blueprint for a continent facing asymmetric threats. The Contrast in European Legislative Approvals The contrast between Italyβs swift, executive decisiveness and the... [Continue Reading]
Fear the Shia, Arm the Sunnis: The Uncomfortable Numbers Behind Americaβs War Narrative
βWhen 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.β 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]
GAS, GOD, AND GUNS: The Secret Agenda Behind the Washington Talks and the Death of the Maritime Border
The mahogany tables of the U.S. State Department are hosting a ghost today. As official delegations from Israel and Lebanon convene for a third round of high-stakes negotiations this Friday, May 8, 2026, the air in Washington is thick with the scent of a "peace" that looks increasingly like a strategic ambush. While the world watches the diplomatic theatre, the reality on the ground in Southern Lebanon tells a story of a predatory recalibration. Prime Minister Netanyahu isnβt just looking for a ceasefire; he is aiming to hit three birds with one single, devastating stone: the annexation of land, the... [Continue Reading]
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The Glass Elevator to Nowhere: A World Trapped in a Chocolate Factory
As a journalist in my mid-fifties, I thought my skin had thickened to the point of being impenetrable. I have covered the rise and fall of regimes, the grinding gears of the Cold War's leftovers, and the digital revolutions that promised to unite us. I thought I had seen every trick in the political playbook. Then came Donald Trumpβs 2026 foreign policy, and I realized I was not watching a statesman; I was watching a child play with a chemistry set he does not understand. The Willy Wonka of the West: Rule by Whim Walking into a press briefing lately... [Continue Reading]
Lessons learned from Dubai β¦ 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, youβre fooling yourself: thatβs like expecting the lion not to eat you because you didnβt eat it. It applies to humans and... [Continue Reading]
The Proving Ground, When βDecentβ Reporting Meets High-Tech Warfare
For two decades I have watched wars unfold not only on battlefields, but on screens. Todayβs incident over Kuwait, involving the downing of a U.S. F-15 Strike Eagle, is not just another headline in the Iran conflict. It may be a signal that something larger is unfolding behind the noise. Iranian state outlets rapidly circulated imagery of an ejected pilot. Washington responded cautiously. But beneath the spectacle lies a deeper question, whose technology was truly being tested? The Gulf as a live-fire laboratory For years, China has refined export-ready variants of its air defense systems, particularly the HQ-9 family and... [Continue Reading]



