Pakistan warns Houthi attack on Mecca or Medina would cross red line as Saudi, Turkish and Pakistani chiefs meet
Pakistan's prime minister has said any Houthi threat to Mecca or Medina would cross a red line, as military chiefs from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye met in Riyadh to discuss closer defence coordination. Shehbaz Sharif made the remarks in an address to the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where he condemned recent Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia. He said an attack on the Muslim holy cities would be a line that "must never be crossed".Sharif described the attacks as "deplorable" and said the group's alleged targeting of Mecca had "outraged Muslims across the globe". The Houthis, who... [Continue Reading]
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Yemen president calls for mobilisation against Houthis after Riyadh attack
Yemen's Riyadh-based President Rashid al-Alimi has called on Yemenis to mobilise and join the armed forces as the country's war with the Houthis intensifies. In a speech on Friday, he also offered a general amnesty to Houthi rebels who defect to the government side. The appeal comes after the Iran-backed group stepped up attacks on government forces and Saudi-linked targets.Alimi, who heads the Presidential Leadership Council and serves as supreme commander of the Yemeni armed forces, said he wanted people to rally around the country's armed and security forces. The row says the Houthis have seized swaths of Yemen's Red... [Continue Reading]
Iraqi airports halt Iranian flights as US sanctions pressure widens
Four Iraqi airports have suspended all flights to and from Iran after the United States announced new aviation sanctions targeting companies that do business with Iranian airlines. The airports affected are Baghdad, Najaf, Erbil and Sulaimaniyah, according to the supplied report. The move adds to a widening regional disruption in air travel linked to the sanctions campaign.The suspension was reported on Friday and was confirmed at Najaf International Airport, where the airport director said all flights between Iran and Najaf had been halted following a directive from the prime minister's office to the governor of Najaf. Iraqi state media said... [Continue Reading]
Ukraine says Russia widened attacks to hit data centres and internet providers
Ukraine says Russian strikes have widened to include data centres and internet providers, after a drone hit a business centre in Kyiv and damaged a data centre. Ukrainian officials said four people were killed in the attack, while a separate strike killed a 14-year-old boy. The latest damage has also affected internet access and public information systems in parts of the country.President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia was expanding what he described as an escalation campaign against ordinary life, including American and other businesses, data centres and internet providers. He said the aim was to cause maximum disruption for civilians, affecting... [Continue Reading]
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Iran offers seven-day Hormuz reopening roadmap amid UN talks
Iran has put forward a new proposal to Washington that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days and restart talks on its nuclear programme if the United States accepts a set of conditions. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi outlined the plan at a private gathering on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, according to reporting based on participants at the meeting. The proposal was delivered through intermediaries and is being discussed as indirect diplomacy continues during the UN gathering.Under the reported framework, the strait would be open by the end of the seventh day... [Continue Reading]
Israeli shelling continues in southern Lebanon as PM demands withdrawal at UN
Lebanon's prime minister has called for the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon and for the ceasefire to be fully enforced, as shelling, demolitions and an air strike were reported on the ground. Nawaf Salam made the appeal in a speech to the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Friday. His remarks came as fresh explosions and fires were reported in several areas of southern Lebanon.According to the supplied report, a large explosion was heard near Taybeh and Deir Siryan, while an Israeli air strike hit a valley between Froun and Ghandourieh and triggered a large... [Continue Reading]
Day News Recap: UN tensions flare as Russia, Gaza and US China diplomacy dominate a crowded global day
Russia intensified its assault on Ukraine with a large overnight drone and missile barrage on Kyiv and Odesa, killing a teenage boy in the capital and leaving another person dead in the south, as the death toll rose and damage spread across both cities. đź”—At the same time, Washington said it was working to arrange a new round of trilateral talks to revive ceasefire efforts, while Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Donald Trump had made a final decision to grant Ukraine a licence to produce Patriot missiles. đź”— đź”—The war and wider Middle East tensions also dominated the United Nations General Assembly... [Continue Reading]
Pope Leo warns UN risks becoming a 'charade' during Paris visit
Pope Leo has warned that the United Nations and other multilateral bodies are in crisis, using a speech in Paris to question whether international dialogue is still serving the common good. Speaking at the headquarters of UNESCO, the UN culture and education agency, he said diplomacy risked becoming a "charade" rather than a path to peace. He also raised concerns about artificial intelligence and the possibility of "losing our humanity".The pontiff made the remarks during a weekend visit to France, while the UN General Assembly was taking place in New York. He said that those in power sometimes invoke the... [Continue Reading]
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Trump says talks with Xi were very productive as AI and tech transfer talks continue
US President Donald Trump has said his talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping were "very productive" as Washington and Beijing continue discussions on artificial intelligence and technology transfer licensing. The comments came after Xi's state visit to Washington, which included a state dinner on Thursday night. Trump said on social media that "tremendous things will be happening," but did not provide details of any agreement.The latest remarks add to a series of high-level exchanges between the two governments this week. Trump said the meeting was productive for both countries and highlighted AI as a central issue, while US Trade Representative... [Continue Reading]
US moves to revive Russia-Ukraine ceasefire talks as fighting continues
The United States is working to arrange a new round of trilateral talks aimed at reviving ceasefire efforts in the Russia-Ukraine war. Kyiv and Moscow have both confirmed plans to relaunch the discussions on Friday, with the United Arab Emirates being considered as a possible venue. The development comes as fighting continues across Ukraine, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy saying eight regions have come under attack since the start of the day.Zelenskyy said the American side had proposed a technical meeting in a three-way format and that Ukraine was waiting for a proposal from Washington on the date. He also said... [Continue Reading]
Israel envoy taunts Iranian diplomat at UN General Assembly amid Netanyahu speech
A separate confrontation unfolded inside the United Nations General Assembly hall in New York when Israel's ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, approached an Iranian diplomat and offered him a Starlink box. The exchange was filmed and later posted online by Danon, turning a brief face-to-face encounter into a public political provocation. The Iranian diplomat did not respond and kept his face turned away during the approach.The incident took place after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had already addressed the assembly, and the video appears to have been recorded while another speaker was at the podium. Danon also told the... [Continue Reading]
Taiwan rebukes Xi after Trump meeting over Taiwan remarks
Taiwan has sharply rebuked Chinese President Xi Jinping after his meeting with US President Donald Trump in Washington, saying Beijing was distorting the facts about the island. In a statement on Friday, Taipei said China was the party disturbing peace and stability in the region. The response came one day after Xi and Trump held a bilateral meeting at the White House.Taiwan's government said Xi's comments reflected China's consistent approach to presenting its position unilaterally. It reiterated that Taiwan's sovereignty and future belong only to its people. Taipei also said it continues to rely on the United States and other... [Continue Reading]
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Breakfast News Recap: Netanyahu walkout, Gaza warnings and Saudi missile alerts dominate UN day
Dozens of delegates walked out as Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the United Nations General Assembly in New York, turning his speech into a fresh display of diplomatic protest over Gaza and Iran. He attacked critics of Israel and several Western allies, deepening the row around the war. 🔗 🔗Mahmoud Abbas also used his prerecorded address to warn that Israeli policies threaten the very existence of Palestinians, while UNCTAD said Gaza faces the world’s worst economic crisis and would need $71.5 billion to recover. The UN debate was further sharpened by the UK warning Iran against hostile activity on British soil and... [Continue Reading]
Netanyahu delivers defiant UN speech amid protests and walkouts in New York
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu used his address to the United Nations General Assembly in New York to mount a forceful defence of Israel's conduct in Gaza and its campaign against Iran. The speech came as planned protests took place outside the venue and dozens of delegates walked out of the hall as he approached the podium. Netanyahu, who is preparing for Israel's legislative elections in October, turned the appearance into a broad attack on critics at home and abroad.During the speech, Netanyahu accused opponents of Israel's war in Gaza of moral failure and criticised media outlets and international partners.... [Continue Reading]
Pakistan-Afghanistan border fighting escalates as cross-border fire continues
Pakistani security sources said several Afghan Taliban members were killed in an intermittent exchange of fire in the Gulistan area on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border on Friday, as fighting continued after a fresh round of air and drone strikes. The latest violence follows Pakistani attacks on sites in Afghanistan that Islamabad said were linked to drone infrastructure and militant hideouts. There has been no official confirmation from either government on the reported deaths in Gulistan.The Afghan government said on Thursday that it would deliver an appropriate response to the Pakistani strikes, which it said hit 10 locations in Afghanistan, including Kandahar,... [Continue Reading]
UK warns Iran over hostile activity on British soil at UN meeting
The United Kingdom has warned Iran that it will not tolerate intimidation, threats or hostile activity on British soil, in a face-to-face meeting between Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in New York. The talks took place on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, where the two ministers also discussed the war in the Middle East and the detention of a British couple in Iran. The warning adds to a period of strained relations between London and Tehran, with British officials linking the issue to alleged Iranian involvement in threats and attacks in the UK.According... [Continue Reading]
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Albanese warns of breakdown in global rules in UN speech on AI and climate
Australia's prime minister has used a speech to the United Nations General Assembly in New York to warn that the international rules-based system is under severe strain. Anthony Albanese said climate change and artificial intelligence were among the most urgent issues requiring global cooperation. He also used the address to support Australia's bid for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council.Mr Albanese told delegates that the multilateral system had come under immense pressure and that the order based on agreed rules and institutions faced major disruption. He said Australia supported the rules and institutions that underpin open trade and... [Continue Reading]
Costa Rica fires foreign minister after unapproved Trump-backed security summit meeting
Costa Rica has dismissed Foreign Minister Manuel Tovar after he attended a regional security summit in New York without informing President Laura Fernandez. The meeting was linked to the Trump-backed Shield of the Americas coalition and took place on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. The government said the omission prevented Fernandez from attending and caused serious harm to Costa Rica's interests.Fernandez said she should have represented the country at the gathering, which focused on drug trafficking and organised crime across the region. According to the government, Tovar attended without prior notice or approval. The summit brought together... [Continue Reading]
Trump hosts Xi Jinping at the White House as state dinner follows talks on AI and security
US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump have hosted a welcome ceremony at the White House for visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan. The visit then moved into formal talks covering artificial intelligence, Iran, Ukraine, the Middle East and the Korean Peninsula. Later in the day, Mr Xi was expected to join Mr Trump for a state dinner at the White House, with technology and business leaders also on the guest list.The new details add clearer scope to a meeting already framed as a major diplomatic moment between Washington and Beijing. The supplied material... [Continue Reading]
Netanyahu speech at UN prompts walkout as Gaza and Iran dispute deepens
Dozens of delegates walked out as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the United Nations General Assembly in New York, turning the session into a sharp diplomatic confrontation. Netanyahu defended Israel's military campaigns in Gaza, Iran and elsewhere in the Middle East and rejected accusations that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. He told the chamber that Israel would continue fighting and urged remaining critics to leave the hall.The speech came hours after Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas delivered a recorded address by video link after being denied a US entry visa. Abbas accused Israel of illegal settlement expansion in the... [Continue Reading]
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Abbas tells UN Israeli policies threaten Palestinian existence amid Gaza war
Mahmoud Abbas has warned the United Nations General Assembly that Israeli policies threaten the "very life and existence" of Palestinians. In prerecorded remarks from his office in Ramallah, the Palestinian Authority president said Palestinians were living through one of the "most dangerous periods" in their history. His address was broadcast after the United States denied visas to a Palestinian delegation for the second year in a row.Abbas said the situation in Gaza involved "killing, destruction, starvation" and attempts at displacement, which he described as creating an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe. He said Israeli forces were erasing Palestinian lives in Gaza and... [Continue Reading]
Day News Recap: UN tensions rise as Ukraine, Gaza and regional conflicts dominate a crowded global day
World leaders at the United Nations General Assembly in New York traded warnings over Gaza, Ukraine and Iran, with the forum becoming a stage for competing claims, threats and diplomatic manoeuvres. The US and Iran resumed backchannel contacts through mediators, while Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian rejected US pressure and accused Washington and Israel of aggression. đź”— đź”—On the Gaza issue, Benjamin Netanyahu is due to address the UN as scrutiny intensifies over Israel's war and occupation, while Mahmoud Abbas delivered a recorded speech after the US denied him a visa. The US backed Board of Peace also unveiled a $2.45... [Continue Reading]
Netanyahu heads to UN amid tensions with critics in New York
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to use his address to the United Nations General Assembly in New York to attack both critics and allies, according to the supplied report. The speech comes as he faces a difficult re-election campaign at home and renewed political pressure over Israel's war in Gaza. The row around his visit has also drawn in New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who has become one of his most visible local critics.The report says Netanyahu is likely to raise the case of Israeli ambassador to Washington Yechiel Leiter, whose son was badly injured in an alleged... [Continue Reading]
Mahmoud Abbas addresses UN General Assembly by video after US visa denial
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas delivered a recorded address to the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday after the United States denied visas to him and his delegation. He was not present in the chamber, and his speech was instead transmitted to delegates. Abbas used the appearance to criticise the visa decision and to accuse Israel of deepening the fragmentation of Palestinian territory.Abbas said the denial of entry amounted to a breach of the obligations of the United States as host country for the General Assembly. He argued that Palestinians and their leadership should not be punished for demanding an... [Continue Reading]
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EU sanctions Russian commentator Xenia Fedorova after France expulsion
The European Union has imposed sanctions on Russian commentator Xenia Fedorova, according to a notice published in the bloc's Official Journal. The move follows her expulsion from France in August over allegations that she was spreading pro-Russian narratives. Fedorova is a former senior executive of RT France and has been described by the EU as active in the dissemination of pro-Russian narratives in France and across the bloc in the context of Russia's war against Ukraine.The sanctions were published on Thursday, making Fedorova subject to European restrictive measures. France had already barred her from entering the country after a court... [Continue Reading]
Switzerland to host OSCE conference in Zug on cyber de-escalation
Switzerland will host an international OSCE conference in Zug on 29 and 30 September on the theme "Deeskalation im Cyberraum: Mediation und präventive Diplomatie." The meeting will examine how to prevent cyber incidents from escalating into international crises and conflicts, or from intensifying existing tensions. The conference is being organised as the final thematic event under Switzerland's chairmanship of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe. It comes ahead of the OSCE Ministerial Council meeting, scheduled for 3 and 4 December 2026 in Lugano. Federal Councillor Martin Pfister, head of the Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport, will... [Continue Reading]
Israeli soldier seriously wounded in West Bank checkpoint incident as Netanyahu visits family
The son of Israel's ambassador to the United States was seriously wounded in a vehicle-ramming incident near a checkpoint by Beit Horon in the occupied West Bank, according to Israeli and Palestinian officials. The wounded man, identified as Neria Leiter, was described by his father as fighting for his life after the attack on Wednesday. Israeli forces shot and killed the suspected driver as he tried to flee, and more troops were deployed in the area soon after.The Palestinian Health Ministry identified the dead man as Mahmoud Suleiman. Israeli forces said the vehicle moved toward a checkpoint in the afternoon... [Continue Reading]
Noontime News Recap: Pakistan strikes Afghanistan as UN diplomacy, regional tensions and security alerts mount
Pakistan said it carried out air strikes on 10 sites in Afghanistan early on Thursday, saying the action was retaliation for drone attacks on a border post, while Afghan officials reported civilian deaths. The strikes sharply escalated already tense cross border relations. đź”—In Pakistan, authorities also blocked major highways into Islamabad and set up container barriers ahead of a planned Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf march demanding the release of Imran Khan, underlining the political pressure facing the government. đź”—At the United Nations in New York, Venezuela's Delcy Rodriguez used her General Assembly speech to thank Donald Trump after years of... [Continue Reading]
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Venezuela's Delcy Rodriguez thanks Trump at UN after years of confrontation
Venezuela's interim President Delcy Rodriguez used her address at the United Nations General Assembly in New York to thank United States President Donald Trump for resuming diplomatic relations and cooperation with Venezuela. The remarks marked a sharp contrast with her speech at the same forum in 2019, when she accused Washington of economic warfare and regime-change efforts. The shift in tone came as Venezuela remains at the centre of a wider political dispute involving its leadership and relations with the United States.According to the supplied material, Rodriguez spoke at the UN stage in New York on Tuesday and later appeared... [Continue Reading]
Netanyahu takes UN stage with Israel's election politics in focus
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is due to address the United Nations General Assembly in New York later on Thursday, in a speech that is being watched closely both abroad and at home. The appearance comes as criticism of Israel at the UN intensifies and as Netanyahu seeks to present himself as the country's main voice on the international stage. It is his 15th address to the assembly, underscoring how often he has used the forum as a political platform.The speech is taking place at a sensitive moment in Israeli politics, with polls showing declining support for Netanyahu and his... [Continue Reading]
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Poland warns residents to prepare evacuation backpacks after Russian helicopter incursion
Poland has urged residents to be ready for emergencies after a Russian Mi-8 helicopter crossed into its airspace from the Kaliningrad region, in an incident that also prompted NATO fighter jets to scramble. The aircraft was reported to have flown over Polish territory for about 42 seconds, with officials saying it came from the heavily militarised exclave near the town of Braniewo. Polish authorities described the episode as a fresh test of air defences and a reminder that civilians should have basic supplies ready in case of disruption.Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski said he already keeps an... [Continue Reading]
Breakfast News Recap: UN tensions deepen as Russia strikes Kyiv and leaders clash over Gaza, Ukraine and Iran
Russia launched fresh ballistic missile strikes on Kyiv early on Wednesday, killing two people and injuring six, in another attack that damaged buildings across the capital and underlined the continuing pressure on Ukraine as leaders gathered at the United Nations in New York. đź”—Volodymyr Zelenskyy used his UN address to urge sustained economic pressure on Moscow, saying Russia is using fighters from 47 countries in the war, while Ukraine and Russia also intensified their long range drone war over occupied Luhansk far from the front line. đź”— đź”— đź”—The UN General Assembly has become a focal point for the wider... [Continue Reading]
US reportedly withholds Sudan army chief's UN visa amid ceasefire pressure
The United States is reportedly withholding a visa for Sudanese army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan ahead of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The reported move comes as Washington seeks to press him to accept a 90-day ceasefire proposal in Sudan's civil war. Sudanese activists and journalists have criticised the reports, describing them as political pressure.According to the supplied reports, the visa issue emerged on Tuesday and was still being discussed on Wednesday, with al-Burhan scheduled to address the General Assembly on Thursday. The reports say the visa was made contingent on his acceptance of a three-month truce... [Continue Reading]
Argentina escalates Falklands claim at UN as Milei threatens legal and economic action
Argentina's President Javier Milei has intensified his country's sovereignty dispute with the United Kingdom over the Falkland Islands during a speech to the United Nations General Assembly in New York. He described the claim as a "national cause" and said Argentina would "take matters into our own hands" through legal and economic action. The islands are known in Argentina as the Malvinas, and Milei made the issue a central part of his address on Wednesday.Milei said the United Nations had chosen "to look the other way" on the dispute, and he framed Argentina's response as a "peaceful, practical and effective... [Continue Reading]
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Netanyahu and Abbas set for UN speeches as Gaza scrutiny intensifies
Benjamin Netanyahu is set to address the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday as international scrutiny of Israel's war in Gaza and its occupation of Palestinian territory intensifies at the annual debate in New York. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is also due to speak, but by video after being denied a US visa. The two appearances place the Gaza conflict and the wider Palestinian issue at the centre of the third day of the assembly.The timing adds to the diplomatic pressure surrounding the session, which has already seen criticism of Israel from other world leaders. The supplied material says... [Continue Reading]
US and Iran resume backchannel diplomacy at UN amid war and threats
Iran and the United States have resumed contacts through mediators on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, as the war between the two countries continues. The renewed messaging comes alongside sharply contrasting public speeches from President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. The talks are taking place in a highly charged setting, with both sides using the UN stage to press their case.According to the supplied material, Iran has exchanged messages with US officials via Qatari mediators, although it has not confirmed Trump's claim that the two sides held a direct meeting at the... [Continue Reading]
UN General Assembly in New York faces fresh pressure as leaders clash over Gaza, Ukraine and Iran
World leaders gathering in New York for the 81st United Nations General Assembly are using the platform to press some of the most divisive conflicts in global politics. The latest speeches and analysis describe an institution under strain, with questions growing over funding, relevance and the ability of the Security Council to act. The debate is being shaped by wars in Gaza and Ukraine, tensions involving Iran, and wider concerns that major powers are increasingly acting outside the UN framework.One of the clearest examples came from Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who addressed the assembly for the fifth time since Russia's... [Continue Reading]
Zelenskyy uses UN speech to press for sustained pressure on Russia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy used his address to the United Nations General Assembly in New York to call for sustained economic pressure on Russia and to argue that Moscow's war effort must be constrained. He said the conflict had been driven by Russian President Vladimir Putin and warned that the fighting could intensify in the months ahead. Zelenskyy also said Ukrainians were preparing for a harsh winter.In his remarks, Zelenskyy said Russia had lost 248,000 soldiers over the past eight months in Ukraine and had captured a little more than 1,000 square kilometres of territory this year. He said the... [Continue Reading]
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US, Denmark and Greenland security deal deepens Arctic shift as Trump claims permanent control
The United States, Denmark and Greenland have reached a security deal that Washington says gives it permanent control over the island's security, while authority remains with Denmark. The agreement follows months of tension over Greenland's strategic role in the Arctic and repeated threats by US President Donald Trump to seize the island by force if he could not acquire it. The arrangement is being presented as a way to reduce the dispute while formalising a new security framework.According to the supplied material, Greenlanders have protections written into the agreement and NATO will remain involved. The deal is described as trilateral,... [Continue Reading]
Iran and US trade threats at the UN as backchannel talks continue
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian used his address to the United Nations General Assembly to reject US pressure and accuse Washington and Israel of attacking Iranian civilians and infrastructure. He said Iran would not accept being bullied, but he also left open the possibility of negotiations, saying Tehran was ready for dialogue and diplomacy without accepting the language of force. The speech came as the war between Iran and the United States and Israel entered a new diplomatic phase on the sidelines of the UN meeting in New York.Pezeshkian's remarks followed a threat from US President Donald Trump, who had told... [Continue Reading]
Syria's al-Sharaa warns Israeli attacks endanger post-war recovery amid UN speech
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has used his address to the United Nations General Assembly to warn that Israeli military activity is undermining Syria's fragile post-war recovery. He called for Israel to withdraw from internationally recognised Syrian territory and said the occupied Golan Heights would remain Syrian territory. The remarks came as Damascus seeks to present itself as moving from conflict toward reconstruction.Al-Sharaa said there had been 500 air strikes, more than 1,200 incursions and 300 detentions in Syria by Israel, and accused it of trying to impose a fait accompli. He said the attacks were damaging peace and security and... [Continue Reading]
Day News Recap: UN diplomacy intensifies as Iran, Gaza and Xi talks dominate a crowded global agenda
Iran dominated the United Nations General Assembly as President Masoud Pezeshkian addressed the world body, defended Tehran and pushed back against accusations over the war fallout, while Donald Trump escalated his rhetoric and said he faced a big decision on whether to strike Iran. đź”— đź”—Diplomacy continued in parallel, with Iran's foreign minister meeting US envoy Steve Witkoff in the first reported talks between the two sides since the June ceasefire unravelled, and later shuttle talks in New York described as productive and a possible opening. đź”— đź”—The wider UN week also brought warnings about the risks of artificial intelligence,... [Continue Reading]
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Security Council debates Ukraine war as UN experts cite over 1,000 sexual violence cases
Today, the Security Council once again debates a path to peace , though any resolution still runs up against the veto of Russia, one of its own permanent members, whose objections have repeatedly stalled any consensus. As world leaders take the floor, the gap between diplomatic process and battlefield reality appears to be stark. Today, the Security Council once again debates a path to peace , though any resolution still runs up against the veto of Russia, one of its own permanent members, whose objections have repeatedly stalled any consensus. As world leaders take the floor, the gap between diplomatic... [Continue Reading]
Azerbaijan pardons French national as EU sanctions row widens
Azerbaijan has pardoned French national Martin Ryan and ordered his release from prison, after he was convicted earlier this year on spying charges that he and France denied. The decision was signed by President Ilham Aliyev and came as part of a wider pardon covering 20 people. It follows hours after the European Union agreed to lift sanctions on two Russian billionaires, a move that has drawn criticism from Ukraine.Ryan had been serving a ten-year sentence in Baku, according to the supplied report. The timing has intensified attention on the overlap between detainee cases and sanctions diplomacy, even though the... [Continue Reading]
US and Iran hold productive shuttle talks at UN as diplomatic opening emerges
US and Iranian officials have held mediated shuttle talks in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, marking the first such contacts between the two sides in months. The discussions were described by President Donald Trump as productive, with both sides signalling that there may be room for further engagement. The talks took place in the same diplomatic setting where tensions over the war in the Middle East, sanctions and regional security have dominated the agenda.According to officials and public remarks, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner communicated through... [Continue Reading]
UK reviews Chagos Islands handover deal after Trump criticism
Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said Britain will go back to the drawing board on its agreement to return the Chagos Islands to Mauritius after renewed criticism from US President Donald Trump. Streeting said the government would not, at this stage, make the annual payments tied to the leaseback arrangement for the Diego Garcia military base. The comments came after Trump called the deal "terrible" during his first meeting with Prime Minister Andy Burnham on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.Streeting said Trump's objections were not new, but that the president's latest remarks made clear his... [Continue Reading]
Qatar emir urges Gulf diplomacy and collective security at UN amid Iran war
Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has used his address to the United Nations General Assembly in New York to press for a diplomatic response to the regional crisis linked to the Iran war. The Qatari emir said the Gulf was going through one of the most dangerous phases in its recent history and warned that vital facilities could be attacked and important waterways closed if tensions continue to escalate. He said the crisis could still be resolved through diplomacy and that Qatar was doing everything in its power to help address it.The emir called for a regional system of... [Continue Reading]
Netanyahu condemns Macron's UN remarks on the West Bank as 'grotesque absurdity'
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sharply criticised French President Emmanuel Macron after comments made during a speech to the United Nations General Assembly about Israel's actions in the occupied West Bank. The dispute centres on Macron's remarks in French, in which he said there were daily violations in the West Bank and questioned the role of Hamas there. Netanyahu responded by calling the comments a "grotesque absurdity".A French diplomatic source said Macron's words had been misinterpreted. The source said the intended meaning of the French phrase was that Hamas had never governed the West Bank, rather than that the... [Continue Reading]
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Noontime News Recap: UN week opens with Iran, Ukraine and AI crises, as UK and Morocco face domestic tests
World leaders gathering at the United Nations in New York are confronting two fast moving crises at once, the fallout from the Iran war and the risks posed by artificial intelligence, with the Security Council due to hear an emergency AI briefing during the week. đź”—Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian is due to address the General Assembly on Wednesday in his first speech to the world body, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will also speak as Kyiv presses its case for an energy ceasefire and seeks wider support. đź”— đź”—Turkey's President Recep Tayyip ErdoÄźan used the opening days of the General... [Continue Reading]
Belgium and Rwanda restore diplomatic ties after Qatar-hosted talks
Belgium and Rwanda have restored diplomatic relations after an 18-month rupture, in a development that Qatar says was helped by talks it hosted in Doha. The two countries said in a joint statement on Tuesday that they were resuming ties after expelling each other's diplomats over the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. The move marks a notable thaw in a dispute that had widened beyond the Great Lakes region and into Europe.Qatari foreign ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari said the first talks between the two sides took place in June 2025 in Doha and helped create the conditions... [Continue Reading]
ErdoÄźan calls for UN Security Council veto power to be abolished at General Assembly
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip ErdoÄźan has called for the United Nations Security Council's veto power to be abolished, using the opening days of the UN General Assembly in New York to press for a major overhaul of the world body. In a published opinion piece, he argued that the current structure of the Council no longer fits today's crises and should be replaced with a system without permanent seats. Under his proposal, members would be elected by the General Assembly for fixed terms.ErdoÄźan said reform should begin with ending the veto privilege held by the five permanent members of the... [Continue Reading]
UN Security Council to hear emergency AI briefing as Iran war dominates UN week
World leaders gathering at the United Nations are set to confront two fast-moving crises at once: the risks posed by artificial intelligence and the continuing war involving the United States, Israel and Iran. An emergency briefing on AI is due before the 15-member Security Council, while Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is arriving in New York to address the General Assembly. The timing places technology governance and Middle East security at the centre of the same diplomatic week.The AI session will feature Sam Altman of OpenAI, Dario Amodei of Anthropic and Clement Delangue of Hugging Face, according to the supplied report.... [Continue Reading]
US and Iran hold first talks since June ceasefire unravelled amid Trump threat
Iran's foreign minister has met US envoy Steve Witkoff at the United Nations in the first reported talks between the two sides since the June ceasefire unravelled. The discussions were arranged by Qatar, according to the supplied material, and no breakthrough has been reported. The meeting came on the same day Donald Trump said he could "annihilate" Iran if the conflict is not resolved.Witkoff said a round of discussions had been completed that he hoped would prove "constructive and promising". Iran repeated its demand for the United States to end what it called its "acts of aggression". The talks took... [Continue Reading]
Canada pledges aid for Palestinians and signals trade restrictions over West Bank settlements at UNGA
Canada has announced C$100 million in new assistance for Palestinians and said it is considering trade restrictions on goods produced in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. The announcement came on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where several Western leaders have used their speeches to press for action on Gaza and the wider conflict. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said the funding is intended to help preserve the possibility of a two-state solution.Carney said 80% of the money will go to direct humanitarian aid, while the remaining 20% will support peace and security,... [Continue Reading]
Trump and Burnham meet at UN as Chagos deal comes under scrutiny
US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Andy Burnham held their first face-to-face meeting at the United Nations General Assembly in New York City, according to the supplied report. The encounter has drawn attention because it comes soon after Burnham took office and because the two leaders publicly disagreed over the Chagos Islands deal. Several front pages described the meeting as a significant early test of the new British leader's approach to Washington.The report says Trump told the papers he could "do business" with Burnham, while also criticising the Chagos agreement as "terrible" and "ridiculous". It adds that Burnham reversed... [Continue Reading]
EU extends Russia sanctions for 36 months as Fridman and Usmanov are delisted
The European Union has agreed to extend its sanctions regime on Russia for 36 months while removing Russian billionaires Mikhail Fridman and Alisher Usmanov from the blacklist. The compromise was reached after days of disagreement among member states and came as a deadline approached for renewing the measures linked to Russia's war in Ukraine. Ireland, which holds the EU's rotating presidency, said the decision would keep the wider sanctions framework in place until 22 September 2029.Diplomats said Latvia dropped its veto after sustained opposition to the exemptions, allowing the deal to go through. The agreement keeps sanctions on about 3,000... [Continue Reading]
Trump and Andy Burnham meet for first time in New York on sidelines of UN General Assembly
Donald Trump and Andy Burnham met for the first time in New York on Tuesday, holding talks on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. The encounter was followed by brief public remarks and questions from reporters, with both men striking a positive tone about the exchange. Trump said he believed Burnham would be a "great prime minister" and described him as having "a lot of assets on his side." Burnham, in turn, thanked the president and said the pair had established a "good connection." The meeting covered Ukraine, the Falkland Islands and trade, according to Burnham.Trump said the... [Continue Reading]
Iran delegation heads to UNGA to press grievances over war with the United States
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi are in New York for the United Nations General Assembly, where Tehran says it will press its grievances over the war with the United States and look for diplomatic openings. Pezeshkian departed Tehran on Tuesday morning local time and is scheduled to address the 193-member assembly on Wednesday. The delegation is expected to remain in New York for five days before returning to Tehran on Saturday.Before leaving, Pezeshkian said the issues raised at the UN would include what he described as the plight of the Iranian people, the crimes committed against... [Continue Reading]
Israeli minister and settlers enter Al-Aqsa compound amid holiday tensions
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem under heavy police protection, while hundreds of settlers also entered the site for religious rituals during the Jewish holiday period. The developments came as tensions remained high around one of the most sensitive religious locations in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The reporting also says Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu toured excavation tunnels beneath the Al-Aqsa compound and the Old City during the same holiday period.According to the supplied material, about 570 settlers entered the compound to perform rituals, with more than 450 entering the following morning,... [Continue Reading]
British couple detained in Iran still lacking regular family contact, family says
A British couple detained in Iran for more than 20 months have still not had regular contact restored with their family, according to relatives who say earlier assurances have not been followed through. Lindsay and Craig Foreman, who are from East Sussex, were sentenced to 10 years in prison on espionage charges they deny. Their family says the lack of consistent calls remains a serious concern after months of uncertainty.The family says the couple were promised renewed contact after ending hunger strikes earlier this year, but regular calls have not resumed. The hunger strikes lasted 93 days and 84 days... [Continue Reading]
Iran and Pakistan hold talks in Tehran as US tensions rise
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has held talks in Tehran with Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi as regional diplomacy continues amid rising tensions with the United States. The meeting came as Pakistan and Qatar seek to revive diplomatic efforts around the crisis, with Tehran warning that the situation could intensify further. Naqvi's visit was his sixth to the Iranian capital since the war between the United States and Israel on Iran began in February.The talks took place a day after Tehran said it had received intelligence that the United States was planning new attacks on Iran. Pezeshkian said he hoped for... [Continue Reading]
G7 warns Houthis to stop strikes on Saudi Arabia after attack on Riyadh
G7 leaders have called on Yemen's Houthi movement to stop attacks on Saudi Arabia and civilian shipping, after a renewed escalation that included a strike on Riyadh and reported Saudi strikes on Yemen's Mokha port. In a statement, the leaders urged the Houthis to immediately end military actions and threats against commercial vessels and to return to the political process in good faith. The appeal also came with a call for Iran to end its arming of and support for the group.The statement was issued by the leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United... [Continue Reading]
North Korea says Kim Jong-un oversaw test of new weapon after recent missile launches
North Korea says leader Kim Jong-un oversaw the test of a new-type weapon system, in a move state media described as evidence of the country's advancing military technology. The announcement came days after South Korea and Japan said Pyongyang had launched two short-range ballistic missiles into waters off its east coast. The sequence of events adds to regional concern over North Korea's missile activity and its repeated assertions about the permanence of its nuclear status.According to the official report, the missile bureau successfully tested the new weapon on Sunday in the presence of Kim Jong-un. The report did not specify... [Continue Reading]
Trump seeks Belarus potash deal amid Canada trade dispute
US President Donald Trump said Washington is working on a "massive" deal to buy potash from Belarus, signalling a possible shift in supply away from Canada as his administration intensifies a trade dispute with its northern neighbour. He said the price would be "substantially less" than what the United States is currently paying to Canada, describing the move as good news for American farmers and ranchers. The comments were made on his social media account and did not include any deal terms or a timeline.The announcement comes as Washington continues a quiet thaw with Minsk under Trump's second administration. Last... [Continue Reading]
UN says US strikes on alleged drug boats may amount to crimes against humanity as death toll rises
A United Nations human rights expert has said US attacks on suspected drug-trafficking boats in the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean may violate international law and could plausibly amount to crimes against humanity. The assessment focuses on a campaign of strikes carried out outside US territorial waters and comes amid continuing questions over the legal basis for the operation. The report says the strikes have killed at least 223 people in 68 attacks since September 2025.The report, published by Ben Saul, the UN special rapporteur on human rights and counterterrorism, says the US struck 68 vessels in international waters... [Continue Reading]
UK to support Saudi jets as Houthi attacks intensify and Mokha strike kills at least six
The United Kingdom has agreed to provide limited defensive air-to-air refuelling for Saudi jets after a request from Riyadh, as the conflict involving Yemen's Houthis and Saudi Arabia intensifies. British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the Royal Air Force would support Saudi aircraft on defensive missions only, and that the arrangement would be time-limited and kept under review. The move comes as the Houthis continue missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia and as fighting in Yemen has widened along the Red Sea coast.Burnham said the decision was taken after advice from the defence secretary and foreign secretary, and that... [Continue Reading]
Trial opens in Baghdad for six French Islamic State suspects
A trial has opened in Baghdad for six French nationals accused of belonging to Islamic State, with the next hearing set for 5 October. The men are being tried in Iraq after being transferred from Syria last year, and prosecutors say they could face the death penalty if convicted of crimes against Iraq and the Iraqi people. Their lawyers are seeking their return to France, arguing that the case is moving too quickly and does not allow enough time to prepare a defence.The six are part of a larger group of 47 French nationals moved from Syria to Iraq last... [Continue Reading]
Trump approval falls to record low amid Iran war and cost-of-living backlash
United States President Donald Trump's approval rating has fallen to 32%, the lowest point of his political career, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll. The survey links the decline to growing dissatisfaction over the cost of living and the impact of the Iran war. It also shows weakening support among Republicans, a notable shift for a president who returned to the White House in January 2025 on promises to curb inflation and end foreign wars.The four-day poll closed on Sunday and found that 73% of Republicans approved of Trump's job performance, down from 82% in a Reuters/Ipsos poll a week... [Continue Reading]
Russia's United Russia wins record Duma supermajority as Kyiv drone strike hits Moscow
Russia's ruling United Russia party has secured a record supermajority in the State Duma, according to preliminary results from the country's tightly controlled parliamentary vote. Central Election Commission chief Ella Pamfilova said the party won 355 of the 450 seats, surpassing its previous high of 343 seats in 2016. The result gives the Kremlin-backed party more than the 301 seats needed to change the constitution.The three-day election excluded parties critical of the Kremlin or the war in Ukraine, and voting also took place in occupied parts of Ukraine, including Crimea and the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions. Pamfilova said... [Continue Reading]
China expels two senior military officers as anti-corruption purge deepens
China has expelled two senior military officers from the ruling Communist Party in a further escalation of a long-running anti-corruption drive inside the armed forces. The move affects Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli, both of whom held senior roles in the Central Military Commission, the body at the centre of China's defence command structure. State media said the pair were accused of corruption, political disloyalty and serious misconduct.According to the official account, the two men "seriously violated political discipline and political rules, formed cliques and factions, and were disloyal and dishonest to the party". Investigations into them were announced in... [Continue Reading]
Russia's ruling party wins record Duma majority as war veterans enter parliament
United Russia says 49 veterans of the war against Ukraine have won seats in Russia's new State Duma, as the ruling party secured a record 355 of the 450 seats in the lower house. The figures were released after the first parliamentary election held since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The result leaves the legislature even more closely aligned with the Kremlin than before.The party's general secretary, Vladimir Yakushev, initially said 86 participants in what Moscow calls its "special military operation" would be elected, before later correcting the number to 49. United Russia's tally gives it a larger... [Continue Reading]
Putin wins landslide in Russian parliamentary election amid renewed Nato concerns
Vladimir Putin's United Russia party has won a landslide in Russia's parliamentary election, according to results reported with almost all ballots counted. The outcome has intensified concerns among critics that the vote was tightly controlled and could be used to justify a harder line on Ukraine and Nato. The election result comes as countries bordering war-torn Ukraine remain on alert after repeated incidents near the Nato frontier.United Russia won almost 58% of the vote, a much stronger showing than five years ago, and secured an overwhelming majority in the State Duma. The Communist Party came second with about 14%, while... [Continue Reading]
Iran's Guards warn of new targets and weapons if US attacks again
The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps has warned that it would strike new targets and deploy new weapons if the United States launches further attacks on Iran. In a statement reported on Monday, a spokesman for the force said there would be significant changes in Iran's defence and counteroffensive if the conflict escalates again. He added that the Guards were prepared for a prolonged war.The spokesman said Iran would introduce weapons with new capabilities and that its targets would not necessarily be the same as before. He also said Tehran had new targets that had not yet been attacked. The comments... [Continue Reading]
Macron and Carney deepen France-Canada ties amid Trump tensions
French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney have pledged closer cooperation after meeting in Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, a French territory off Canada's Atlantic coast. The talks brought the archipelago into the centre of a wider diplomatic message about sovereignty, trade and strategic autonomy. The visit was the first by a French president to the territory since 2014 and the first by a Canadian prime minister.The two leaders said they wanted to strengthen ties across space, climate, energy and trade, while also addressing what they described as rising geopolitical tensions and pressure on democratic values. Carney said the... [Continue Reading]
North Korea fires two short-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea, prompting protest
North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles from the Wonsan area into the East Sea on Sunday, according to South Korean and Japanese authorities. The launches came in two waves, with the first detected at about 3pm local time and the second at around 5:50pm. Japan said it lodged a stern protest over the tests, while South Korea said it was tracking the launches with the United States and Japan.South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said the first missile travelled about 450 kilometres, while the second flew more than 600 kilometres. The military said the exact specifications of the second... [Continue Reading]
North Korea may send another wave of troops to fight for Russia, report says
North Korea may be preparing to send a new wave of troops to support Russia's war against Ukraine, according to a report published on Sunday. The report says the possible deployment would mark a renewed and larger role for North Korean forces after earlier involvement in fighting linked to Russia's Kursk region. It also says the issue has returned to the centre of debate after comments from Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelensky.Zelensky said in August that up to 50,000 North Korean troops could be deployed to Russia, revising an earlier estimate of 30,000. The report says this would be a significant... [Continue Reading]
Australia's Albanese urges US and China to strike AI deal ahead of UN talks
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called on the United States and China to reach an agreement on artificial intelligence governance, saying humans must remain in control of the technology. He made the remarks while visiting Apple's headquarters in Cupertino, California, on his way to New York. Albanese said he would raise the issue of global AI rules with like-minded leaders at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly.He described AI as a global phenomenon and said there was a need for discussion about the framework for its rollout because the technology is moving quickly. Albanese said he accepts there are... [Continue Reading]
Germany blames Russia for drone attack at Leipzig/Halle airport amid hybrid-war tensions
Germany has directly blamed Russia for a drone attack at Leipzig/Halle airport, escalating tensions between Berlin and Moscow over what German officials describe as hybrid warfare in Europe. The incident is being linked by German authorities to a broader pattern of pressure tactics that combine military and non-military methods without open conflict. The airport, which has been involved in logistics support for Kyiv, has now become part of a wider security dispute stretching beyond Ukraine.German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said the sending of a drone carrying explosives followed a "well-established pattern of Russian hybrid operations in Europe". The row comes... [Continue Reading]
Trump administration seeks approval for $2.8 billion bomb transfer to Israel
The Trump administration is seeking to move ahead with a major arms package for Israel worth $2.8 billion, according to reports cited in the supplied material. The proposed transfer would include 40,000 heavy bombs, making it one of the largest such deliveries discussed between the two countries. The plan has not been announced publicly, but it has already drawn attention because of the scale of the munitions involved and the timing of the request.The package is said to include 20,000 Mark 84 bombs and 20,000 BLU-117 bombs. Both are described as weighing about one short ton, or roughly 907 kilograms,... [Continue Reading]
Trump signs Russia sanctions package into law as pressure on energy revenues intensifies
US President Donald Trump has signed a sweeping sanctions package into law targeting Russian officials, banks and a shadow tanker fleet used to move energy exports. The measure is intended to increase pressure on Moscow over its war in Ukraine and to reduce the revenues that support Russia's military effort. It was signed on Friday, according to the supplied material, after clearing Congress with large bipartisan majorities.The legislation had been in development for more than a year and was described as a legacy effort linked to the late Senator Lindsey Graham, who co-led the push with Senator Richard Blumenthal. It... [Continue Reading]
THE BATTLE FOR ALI AL-TAHER: HOW A SOUTHERN LEBANON AMBUSH SHATTERED TRUMP’S WASHINGTON AGREEMENT
A catastrophic military escalation in Southern Lebanon has successfully disrupted the highest levels of global diplomacy. Just days after the signing of the United States and Iran Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), an armoured battlefield clash on the strategic heights of Ali al-Taher has effectively frozen implementation talks scheduled to begin today in Switzerland. The crisis provides an alarming look at how kinetic actions on the ground can instantly sabotage geopolitical blueprints designed in Washington. The Official Statement from Hezbollah Following the midnight clashes, the media wing of Hezbollah issued a formal, comprehensive statement outlining their strategic justification and rejecting accusations... [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]
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 isn’t just looking for a ceasefire; he is aiming to hit three birds with one single, devastating stone: the annexation of land, the... [Continue Reading]
The Mirage of the Umbrella: The Shifting Sands of the U.S.-Israel-GCC Alliance
As I sat in a recent debate at the historic Carlton Club in London, listening to Faisal Abbas, the Editor-in-Chief of Arab News, I felt a tangible shift in the room, not because a new fact had been revealed, but because an old illusion had finally lost its last breath. The old-world order has not merely changed, it has evaporated, leaving the Gulf to realize it is no longer watching a distant fire from the safety of marble towers and air-conditioned ministries, but is instead standing directly inside the smoke. The GCC today is caught in a lethal crossfire between... [Continue Reading]
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 Trump’s 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]
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]




