Iran condemns new US sanctions threat as sovereignty violation amid standoff
Iran has condemned a new United States sanctions threat as an attack on the sovereignty of other states, after Washington signalled a tougher economic campaign against Tehran. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said on X that the move amounted to an "assertion of extraterritorial sovereignty" and warned it would erode the foundations of the UN-based international system. He said no state can force foreign banks, companies or airports to stop doing business with Iran.The latest exchange follows comments by President Donald Trump, who said on Wednesday that he was launching the "most crushing economic operation" yet against Iran. He warned... [Continue Reading]
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Iran and US trade hostile rhetoric as new sanctions briefing nears
Oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz have virtually halted as the United States and Iran continue to trade hostile rhetoric ahead of a Monday announcement of new US economic sanctions. The latest exchange comes as US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent prepares to outline what Washington has described as the toughest sanctions in history. Iran has responded by accusing the US of asserting extraterritorial sovereignty over independent states.The immediate impact is being felt in maritime traffic, with ship-tracking data showing only four commodity vessels sailed through the strait on Thursday, none of them large crude carriers or liquefied natural gas... [Continue Reading]
Breakfast News Recap: Ukraine under fresh attack as US tariffs hit Canada and Middle East tensions rise
Ukraine faced another deadly wave of Russian attacks, with the death toll from a drone strike on a shopping centre in Kryvyi Rih rising to 16 and 130 people injured, while separate strikes killed at least two more people and caused fires and injuries in Kyiv and Zaporizhzhia. ๐ ๐European pressure on Moscow is also intensifying, with the EU threatening tougher sanctions after the Kryvyi Rih strike, and Ukraine separately imposing sanctions on the producers and distributors of the Russian animated series Masha and the Bear, which Kyiv says is linked to national security concerns. ๐ ๐In the Middle East,... [Continue Reading]
Nigeria and the Sahel security divide deepens after Burkina Faso detains air force crew
A diplomatic dispute between Nigeria and the Sahelian states of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger has added pressure to efforts to address shared cross-border security threats. The latest flashpoint came in December 2025, when Burkina Faso detained 11 Nigerian Air Force personnel after their C-130 transport aircraft made an emergency landing in Bobo-Dioulasso. The aircraft was travelling to Portugal for scheduled maintenance when the incident occurred.Burkina Faso said the plane had entered its airspace without the required authorisation. Nigerian officials said the landing was caused by a technical problem, and the Nigerian Air Force said the crew had followed safety... [Continue Reading]
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Russian strikes kill at least two in Ukraine as attacks continue for a second day
Russian strikes on Ukraine have killed at least two people and caused fresh fires and injuries in Kyiv and Zaporizhzhia, local authorities said. The latest attacks came a day after a deadly bombardment that hit several parts of the country. Officials said the new strikes again showed the pressure on Ukraine's air defences and emergency services.In Kyiv, the city military administration said a warehouse fire broke out in the Darnytskyi district after an alert for a ballistic missile. It said preliminary information indicated one person had died and several others had been injured. In Zaporizhzhia, regional military administration head Ivan... [Continue Reading]
Russian drone strike on Kryvyi Rih shopping centre kills 16 as EU threatens tougher sanctions
Ukrainian officials say the death toll from a Russian drone strike on a shopping centre in the central city of Kryvyi Rih has risen to 16, with 130 people injured. The attack hit the city's largest shopping complex in two waves on Friday, according to local and national officials. A second drone reportedly struck about half an hour after the first, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy saying it appeared to be targeting emergency responders.The head of the Dnipropetrovsk regional military administration, Oleksandr Ganzha, said the latest death toll had risen from earlier figures. Ukrainian emergency services initially reported 15 dead and... [Continue Reading]
Iran says war should end from a position of strength as talks remain stalled
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said the months-long war with the United States should end now, arguing that Tehran is acting from a position of strength and dignity. His remarks came as Omani and Iranian foreign ministers held a phone call about conditions for resuming dialogue and developments affecting navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. The comments add to an already tense standoff in which diplomacy remains stalled and shipping disruption continues in the strategic waterway.Pezeshkian made the remarks in a meeting with doctors on Friday, saying it was better to end the war now because Iran was in a... [Continue Reading]
UN Security Council straw poll puts Guyana's Rodrigues Birkett ahead in race for next secretary-general
The United Nations Security Council has held a second informal straw poll in the race to choose the next secretary-general, with Guyana's Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett emerging as the leading candidate. The vote took place on Friday as the council continued its search for consensus ahead of Antonio Guterres' departure at the end of December. The poll is non-binding, but it is one of the main steps used to narrow the field before a formal recommendation is sent to the General Assembly.According to the results circulated after the vote, Rodrigues Birkett received eight votes to encourage, three to discourage and four... [Continue Reading]
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Turkey seeks Interpol red notices for Netanyahu over Gaza flotilla case
Turkey has asked for Interpol red notices for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and another suspect in connection with the May interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla, in a further legal step that deepens the dispute between Ankara and Jerusalem. Turkish Justice Minister Akin Gurlek said arrest warrants had already been issued on 14 July, and that the justice ministry had now requested the interior ministry to pursue international circulation of the case. The allegations include genocide, crimes against humanity and torture.Gurlek said the case concerns Israel's interception of flotilla activists in international waters, when about 50 vessels left Turkey... [Continue Reading]
Two Palestinians killed in separate West Bank shootings as violence continues
The Palestinian Health Ministry said a 17-year-old Palestinian boy was shot dead in Sa'ir, north of Hebron, in one of two separate fatal shootings in the occupied West Bank on Friday. In a second incident, the Palestinian General Authority for Civil Affairs said 58-year-old Fathi Khazem was killed during an Israeli raid in Jenin. The two deaths were reported hours apart and involved different locations, different circumstances and different Israeli actors.In Sa'ir, the ministry identified the teenager as Karim Sanad Raja Shalaldeh. It said Israeli settlers shot him dead and wounded an elderly man after Palestinians allegedly threw rocks in... [Continue Reading]
UK, Canada and Australia condemn Israel over Gaza aid convoy killings decision
Britain, Canada and Australia have sharply criticised Israel after it declined to open a criminal investigation into the April 2024 strike on a World Central Kitchen convoy in Gaza that killed seven humanitarian workers. The three governments described the decision as shameful and said the victims and their families deserved justice and accountability. Their joint intervention adds fresh diplomatic pressure over one of the most closely watched aid-worker killings of the Gaza war.The dispute centres on the 1 April 2024 attack, when the Israel Defense Forces fired on the convoy as it was delivering food to civilians in Gaza. The... [Continue Reading]
Iran warns Bulgaria and southeastern Europe over support for US operations
Iran has warned Bulgaria that countries supporting US military operations against Tehran could become legitimate targets, according to a report published on Friday. The warning is linked to Bulgaria's Bezmer Air Base, which was approved in July for use in refuelling US military aircraft. The development has raised concern that the dispute could extend beyond the Middle East and into southeastern Europe.Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reportedly delivered the warning in a conversation with his Bulgarian counterpart. He said any country aiding what Tehran described as US "aggression" against Iran would be treated as a legitimate target for retaliation. The... [Continue Reading]
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DR Congo Ebola outbreak worsens as UN warns of faster spread and attacks on health workers
The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is spreading faster and wider, with the United Nations saying the death toll has now passed 2,500. The warning comes as the epidemic continues to intensify in the east of the country, where access is difficult and health services remain under strain. The UN said the outbreak is moving exponentially and that the current response is struggling to keep pace.Julien Harneis, the UN's senior Ebola coordinator, said the outbreak has become more difficult to contain because of conflict, weak infrastructure and a lack of government control in affected areas. He... [Continue Reading]
US Treasury redesignates Hezbollah as Iranian proxy and sanctions funding network
The United States Treasury has changed Hezbollah's designation to that of an Iranian proxy and imposed sanctions on an alleged funding network linked to the group. The announcement was made on Thursday and marks a further step in Washington's economic pressure campaign against Iran and its allies. The Treasury said the move reflects what it described as Hezbollah's service to the Iranian regime under the command of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, particularly its Quds Force.According to the Treasury statement, the new restrictions target 10 people accused of being part of a network that transfers cash to Hezbollah. Washington said... [Continue Reading]
Croatia arrests Nord Stream suspect as extradition fight looms
German prosecutors say Croatian authorities have arrested a second Ukrainian suspect linked to the 2022 Nord Stream pipeline explosions, deepening a cross-border investigation into one of Europe's most consequential sabotage cases. The man, identified by prosecutors as Vladimir Z, was detained in the Croatian coastal city of Pula on Wednesday under a European arrest warrant. He is understood to be the same Ukrainian diver Volodymyr Zhuravlev named in media reports, and German authorities say he is now expected to face extradition proceedings.According to the supporting material, Zhuravlev was arrested while he was on the set of a Hollywood film under... [Continue Reading]
Australia charges man over alleged transfer of Ukraine military information to Russian-linked contacts
Australian police have charged a 27-year-old dual Russian-Australian citizen with foreign interference, alleging he tried to pass information about Ukrainian military activities to people he believed were linked to Russian intelligence. The case was announced in Brisbane on Friday and centres on claims that the man gathered material while serving with Ukraine's armed forces before attempting to share it with contacts connected to Russia. Authorities say the alleged conduct created a risk to the safety and security of Ukrainian military personnel.Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett said the investigation, known as Operation Woodcreeper, began in June this year. Police allege... [Continue Reading]
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International condemnation grows over Israel's E1 West Bank settlement plan
Multiple governments and the United Nations have condemned Israel's opening of construction tenders for more than 1,200 housing units in the E1 settlement project in the occupied West Bank. The latest criticism came after a joint statement from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Canada and Norway described the plan as unacceptable. The move has intensified diplomatic pressure on Israel over a project long seen as one of the most sensitive in the occupied territory.The European and Canadian statement warned that the plan would undermine the territorial contiguity of the Palestinian territories and said it could carry legal... [Continue Reading]
Hong Kong Tiananmen vigil activists convicted as sentencing awaits
Lee Cheuk-yan and Chow Hang-tung have been found guilty in Hong Kong of inciting subversion in a case tied to annual vigils for the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown. The verdict was delivered under the city's 2020 national security law, which has become the legal basis for some of the most closely watched political prosecutions in Hong Kong. Sentencing will take place later, and the two defendants face a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.The pair were leaders of the now-defunct Hong Kong Alliance, which organised the city's annual Victoria Park vigils. A third defendant, former lawmaker Albert Ho, pleaded... [Continue Reading]
US says it thwarted alleged ISIS-linked plot against New York State Capitol as charges filed
US authorities say they arrested Jessica Bowie, 35, of Albany, after alleging she planned an attack on the New York State Capitol and sought to obtain explosives. The Department of Justice said Bowie was charged with providing material support to a designated foreign terrorist organisation, identified in the filings as ISIS. Investigators said the alleged plot was stopped before she was able to act.According to the complaint, Bowie had been communicating with an FBI informant through encrypted apps and allegedly said she wanted help making a bomb. Prosecutors say she identified the state capitol as her target and wrote that... [Continue Reading]
ICC faces further US sanctions amid condemnation from UN and EU
The United States has imposed additional sanctions on the International Criminal Court, deepening a dispute that has already drawn condemnation from the United Nations and the European Union. The move adds to pressure on the Hague-based tribunal and comes after the court issued a warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over alleged war crimes in Gaza. The latest action has renewed debate over the ability of the court to operate independently when confronted by a major power.According to the supplied material, the sanctions were announced on 20 August 2026 and were described as part of a broader Washington campaign... [Continue Reading]
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Romania destroys explosive sea drone near Neptun Deep gas project as tensions rise
Romania said its air force destroyed a marine drone carrying explosives a few hundred metres from the Neptun Deep gas project in the Black Sea. The drone was first spotted by a commercial ship near the offshore platform at around 6.30am local time, prompting a military response. Two Romanian F-16 aircraft were sent to the area and the drone was destroyed.The Romanian defence minister said the decision was taken to protect the lives of several hundred people working on the platform and to secure critical infrastructure. He also said he had received confirmation from Ukraine that the drone did not... [Continue Reading]
Belgium's largest wildfire in a century brought fully under control after seven days
Belgium's largest wildfire in a century has now been brought fully under control after seven days of firefighting in the High Fens nature reserve. Officials said the blaze should no longer spread, although crews remain on site to deal with flare-ups and hot spots. The fire burned through about 3,000 hectares of peatland, pine trees and hiking trails in the eastern border region.The local governor's office said the fire was under control in its entirety, while warning that weather changes or other unforeseen factors could still affect the situation. Around 350 firefighters and other emergency personnel remain deployed, supported by... [Continue Reading]
Myanmar military chief makes first foreign trip to Bangkok in diplomatic push
Myanmar's military chief has met Thailand's top general in Bangkok in what is being described as his first international trip since taking the role. The meeting took place as Myanmar's post-coup leadership seeks to broaden contacts after years of isolation. It also comes amid continuing conflict inside Myanmar and renewed efforts by neighbouring states to manage shared security concerns.Thai military chief Ukris Boontanondha met Ye Win Oo at a Bangkok hotel on Thursday, according to the information provided by Bangkok. The talks focused on cooperation along the countries' 2,400km border, as well as efforts to address the illicit drug trade... [Continue Reading]
Lebanon extradites ex-Assad general to Syria for trial over alleged war crimes
Lebanon has transferred a former Syrian general to Syrian custody, in what is being described as the first extradition of its kind since Bashar al-Assad's government fell. Maj Gen Adel Issa, 67, is accused of crimes linked to the Syrian civil war, including intentional homicide, torture leading to death and crimes of aggression. The handover adds a new stage to Syria's post-Assad pursuit of former security and military officials who fled across the border after the regime change in December 2024.Issa was detained in Lebanon on 8 August after visiting the Syrian embassy in Beirut to complete paperwork, according to... [Continue Reading]
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Myanmar's Rohingya crisis deepens amid Arakan Army takeover in Rakhine State
A new investigation says Myanmar's civil war is driving fresh abuses against the Rohingya minority in Rakhine State, where the Arakan Army now controls much of the area. The report says Rohingya families have been caught between the Myanmar military and rebel forces, with allegations of forced conscription, targeted attacks and killings. It also says the violence is unfolding in a region that is largely inaccessible to outside observers.The material says more than 150,000 Rohingya have been driven from their homes since the civil war escalated after the 2021 coup, adding to a displacement crisis that began with the military... [Continue Reading]
Evergrande founder Xu Jiayin sentenced to life in prison as fraud fine rises
A Chinese court has sentenced Evergrande founder Xu Jiayin to life in prison and imposed a larger financial penalty on the company in one of the most significant legal outcomes yet from China's property crisis. The Shenzhen Intermediate People's Court in Guangdong province said Xu was convicted of crimes including large-scale financial fraud, with political rights revoked for life and all personal property confiscated. The ruling also fined Evergrande Group and its real estate arm a combined 15.82 billion yuan, or about $2.4 billion.According to the court, the offences took place between 2016 and 2021, when Evergrande and Xu were... [Continue Reading]
North Korea says Trump's scale-back of joint military exercises with South Korea 'changes nothing'
North Korea has said that Donald Trump's decision to scale back joint military exercises with South Korea "changes nothing," in a fresh reaction to the long-running dispute over drills on the Korean Peninsula. The statement was reported on 20 August 2026 and follows an earlier response from Kim Yo-jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, who said she had "no interest" in the move. The latest comment suggests Pyongyang is continuing to downplay any diplomatic significance in the adjustment.The supplied material does not give details on the size of the reduction, the timing of the exercises, or whether... [Continue Reading]
US national debt tops $40 trillion as borrowing costs stay elevated
US gross national debt has passed $40 trillion for the first time, according to Treasury Department data, marking a new milestone in the country's long-running fiscal expansion. The total stood at $40.05 trillion at the close of business on Tuesday, the figures showed. The move comes as borrowing costs remain elevated and investors continue to watch the scale of federal deficits.The Treasury data put the increase ahead of an earlier Congressional Budget Office forecast that overall borrowing would reach $39.4 trillion by the end of fiscal year 2026. The row links the rise to higher borrowing, interest costs and tariff-related... [Continue Reading]
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Trump orders South Korea-US drills cut to five days amid Iran dispute
US and South Korean forces have agreed to cut their annual joint military exercise from 11 days to five after President Donald Trump ordered the Pentagon to substantially reduce the drills. The change came as the exercise was already under way, and it has intensified concern in Seoul about the reliability of US security guarantees. South Korean officials were caught off guard by the announcement, which Trump made on social media just hours before the drills were due to begin.Trump said the exercises sent an "inappropriate and hostile" signal to North Korea and linked his decision to what he described... [Continue Reading]
Trump says he will meet Kim Jong Un later this year amid North Korea nuclear claims
US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he plans to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un later this year, adding a new diplomatic dimension to a week already marked by a sharp reduction in joint US-South Korea military drills. He made the remarks while speaking to reporters at the White House and said it was important to "get along" with Kim. Trump also repeated an unusually specific claim that North Korea has 57 "very powerful" nuclear weapons.The comments came as concern grew among US allies over Washington's approach to the Korean peninsula. Trump did not give details on... [Continue Reading]
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Russians pull billions from banks for a second day amid fears over savings
Russian citizens are continuing to withdraw cash from banks amid fears that savings could be frozen or restricted, according to central bank data cited in the supplied material. The latest figures point to a sustained confidence shock in the banking system rather than a one-day reaction. The pressure is centred on Russia and is being linked to rumours circulating online about possible limits on deposits or withdrawals.During the first two weeks of August, cash in circulation rose by 286.4 billion roubles, or about ยฃ2.5 billion. The highest daily outflow cited was 56.8 billion roubles on 12 August, while the previous... [Continue Reading]
US envoy warns Israeli strike on Syrian airbase could have triggered direct confrontation with Turkish forces
The United States envoy has warned that an Israeli strike on a Syrian airbase could have triggered a direct confrontation involving Turkish forces. The attack on the base has been widely condemned, adding to concern over military activity in north-west Syria. The latest comments sharpen the focus on the risk of miscalculation in an area where several outside powers remain active.The warning follows reports that the airbase was hit by eight airstrikes, with damage reported to the runway and storage facilities. The site is in Idlib province, close to the Turkish border, and earlier reporting said no casualties were immediately... [Continue Reading]
Israeli strikes hit Gaza City for a second day as death toll rises
Verified video from Gaza City shows the aftermath of Israeli strikes on Tuesday and Wednesday, with injured people including women and children seen at the scene. The Hamas-run health ministry said multiple Palestinians were killed in the attacks, while the Israeli military said it was targeting Hamas commanders. The strikes took place in Gaza City, the largest city in the Palestinian territory, and form part of a fresh burst of violence over less than 24 hours.The military said it had taken measures to reduce harm to civilians before carrying out the strikes, including the use of aerial surveillance and precise... [Continue Reading]
Iran parliament advances foreign infiltration bill amid wartime tensions
Iran's hardline-dominated parliament has approved the broad outlines of a bill aimed at countering what it describes as foreign infiltration, in a move that would tighten controls on contact with universities, embassies and foreign media. The proposal was approved during a remote parliamentary session on Sunday, according to the supplied report, and is being presented by supporters as a national-security measure. It comes as Iranian authorities remain focused on wartime security concerns and the possibility of further military escalation.The draft would require citizens and entities to seek authorisation before contacting universities and embassies or speaking to foreign media. A previously... [Continue Reading]
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Israel opens criminal probes into killings of Hind Rajab and Palestinian medics
The Israeli military has said it will open criminal investigations into two high-profile incidents in Gaza: the killing of five-year-old Hind Rajab and members of her family, and the killing of 15 Palestinian medics. The announcement follows a review of 150 incidents involving Israeli troops in Gaza, with decisions reached in five cases. It marks a further step in a process of military scrutiny that has drawn close international attention because both cases involved civilians and emergency responders.The military statement did not give details on who will be investigated or when the probes will begin. It also did not address... [Continue Reading]
Ukraine's ousted defence minister calls for wartime elections as protests grow in Kyiv
Mykhailo Fedorov has deepened his break with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy by publicly calling for wartime elections in Ukraine. In a nine-minute video released on YouTube, the former defence minister said democracy could not be "held hostage by Russia" and urged a "legal, safe and realistic mechanism" to renew the country's full democratic process during a long war. He also accused the government of a "systemic crisis of governance" and said corruption inside the defence ministry was harming the war effort.The intervention comes as protests in Kyiv have continued to build around his dismissal. Demonstrators have gathered for more than a... [Continue Reading]
UAE halts trade and financial dealings with Iran after missile escalation
The United Arab Emirates has halted all trade, commercial exchange and financial transactions with Iran until further notice after reporting a missile incident it says reached Emirati territorial waters. The move marks a further deterioration in relations between the two neighbours and comes amid a wider regional escalation. Abu Dhabi said the missiles were later described as having been directed at shipping.Afra Al Hameli, director of the Strategic Communications Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the decision was taken in light of regional escalations. She said the UAE remained committed to safeguarding the integrity of the international financial... [Continue Reading]
Palestinian factions explore broad alliance ahead of November 28 elections
Hamas and several other Palestinian factions are holding talks on a possible broad electoral alliance ahead of legislative elections scheduled for 28 November. The discussions come as campaigning is due to begin on 6 November, with the vote set to be the first Palestinian legislative election since January 2006. The political manoeuvring is taking place against the backdrop of the war in Gaza, rising violence in the occupied West Bank and restrictions in occupied East Jerusalem.Husam Badran, Hamas's national relations official, said the movement has recently held bilateral and collective meetings with a range of groups. Those groups include Palestinian... [Continue Reading]
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Ukraine anti-corruption probe adds pressure on Zelenskyy ahead of parliament vote
Ukraine's anti-corruption agencies have opened an investigation into unnamed lawmakers and presidential advisers, intensifying political pressure on President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The move came just hours before parliament was due to vote on a new defence minister. It also landed amid renewed debate over wartime elections and the direction of Ukraine's leadership during Russia's full-scale invasion.The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office gave no further details about the probe. According to the report, the announcement came shortly before lawmakers were expected to consider Yevhen Khmara as the next defence minister. That vote follows the dismissal of... [Continue Reading]
Trump pauses 50% Canada tariffs for three days as trade deal nears
The United States has paused planned 50% tariffs on Canadian goods for three days after the two countries said they had reached an agreement in principle, pending final documents. The move came just hours before the duties were due to take effect, avoiding an immediate escalation in a dispute that had been building for weeks. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said substantial progress had been made, while also stressing that more work remained.Trump said in a social media post that the pause was based on the fact that Canada and the United States, subject to the finalisation of documents, had... [Continue Reading]
US lawmakers seek probe into USS Abraham Lincoln conditions amid extended deployment
US lawmakers are pressing the Pentagon and the Navy for answers over reported conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, after the aircraft carrier spent more than 260 days at sea without a port call. The new push comes as Democrats in Congress say the vessel's record-long deployment points to wider concerns about military readiness and planning. The ship departed from San Diego in November and has since been involved in operations tied to the war with Iran.On Tuesday, Representative Pat Ryan published a letter signed by 22 members of Congress and addressed to acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao. In the... [Continue Reading]
US and Israel form Gaza working groups as reconstruction is tied to disarmament
Two joint working groups have been formed by Washington and Israel after talks involving US envoy Jared Kushner, officials from the Board of Peace and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. One group will focus on disarmament and demilitarisation in Gaza, while the other will deal with humanitarian issues such as sanitation, clean water and health. The move is part of an effort to advance the next phase of Donald Trump's Gaza peace plan.Kushner said reconstruction in Gaza will not be allowed until demilitarisation is complete, according to the supplied material. The talks also involved Board of Peace head Nickolay Mladenov,... [Continue Reading]
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Russian missiles kill 10 in Pechenihy as civilian toll rises in Kharkiv region
A Russian missile strike killed 10 people and injured at least 18 in the village of Pechenihy in Ukraine's Kharkiv region, according to Ukrainian officials. Two missiles hit the centre of the village on Tuesday morning, striking a busy intersection near a post office and shops. Local authorities said a post office, a cafe and five other stores were destroyed in the attack.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the strike hit a location surrounded by residential buildings and vowed that Kyiv would respond. The regional governor said at least 18 people were injured, while video from the scene showed burnt-out cars,... [Continue Reading]
Qatar repatriates Iranian pilot's remains amid dispute over missing aircrew
Qatar said an Iranian delegation travelled to Doha and collected the remains of one of the pilots linked to the March shootdown, while continuing to reject Tehran's claim that three others are being held in the country. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al Ansari said the body was repatriated and that a funeral had taken place. He also said Qatar had invited Iran to send a technical team to review the search-and-rescue operation, but that Tehran had not responded.Al Ansari described Iran's allegations as false and illogical, and said Qatar remained open to a technical review. He said there was no... [Continue Reading]
Damascus court sentences Wassim al-Assad to death as transitional justice cases widen
A court in Damascus has sentenced Wassim al-Assad to death for crimes including premeditated murder and torture, in a ruling announced on Tuesday. The case concerns a former figure from the Assad family circle and adds another major judgment to Syria's post-regime legal process. It comes as the country's transitional authorities continue to pursue accountability for abuses linked to the 14-year war.According to the supplied material, the court also linked the case to militia crimes and Captagon trafficking. Judge Fakhr al-Din al-Aryan said the conviction covered crimes against humanity and war crimes, placing the ruling among the most serious categories... [Continue Reading]
Russia and Japan trade protests over Kuril Islands remarks
Russia has summoned Japan's ambassador to Moscow over comments by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi that Moscow described as "anti-Russian" after President Vladimir Putin visited one of the disputed Kuril Islands. The move came after Japan had already summoned Russia's ambassador in protest at the visit, which Tokyo said was "grave" and "absolutely unacceptable". The exchange has renewed attention on a territorial dispute that has shaped relations between the two countries for decades.Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Takaichi's remarks had "crossed the line of decency" and criticised what he called Tokyo's "militaristic line". Japan's ambassador left a meeting at Russia's... [Continue Reading]
Russian state banker removed after warning war costs are rising
Andrey Klepach has been removed as chief economist at Russia's state development bank VEB after remarks in which he warned that the war in Ukraine was damaging the Russian economy. Russian media reported the dismissal, and the bank later said a successor would soon be appointed. Klepach also confirmed to Reuters that he had been dismissed.According to the supplied report, Klepach made the comments at a financial forum in May, but they were only reported publicly last week. In the speech, later published on the website of the Nikitsky Club, he said Russia was falling behind rivals and losing technological... [Continue Reading]
Iran threatens fresh offensive as US ceasefire talks stall
A senior Iranian official has said Tehran will shift to a fully offensive military posture as efforts to secure a permanent end to the war with the United States stall. The warning comes amid renewed tension over the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway that remains central to the wider dispute. Washington has ruled out extending a temporary ceasefire agreement, leaving the diplomatic track under fresh strain.The official said Iranian entities should be prepared to escalate tensions in the strait and the wider region, and added that Tehran would carry out a timely and precise military attack if diplomacy failed.... [Continue Reading]
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Ben-Gvir defends killing 30 to 40 people a night in Gaza amid election campaign
Israel's national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, has defended killing 30 to 40 people a night in Gaza, according to remarks reported from an interview published on Sunday. The comments were made in a conversation with Rom Braslavski, a former Israeli captive held by Hamas, and were later circulated by Palestinian outlets. Ben-Gvir was criticising what he described as a reduction in Israeli attacks on the territory when he made the statement.The minister is part of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition and is one of the most prominent figures on Israel's far right. He does not command the armed forces and... [Continue Reading]
Indonesia quake death toll rises to 68 as aftershocks hamper rescue efforts
Rescue teams in eastern Indonesia are continuing to search collapsed buildings after a magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck Flores island in East Nusa Tenggara province, with the death toll now at least 68. More than 200 people have been injured, and thousands of residents remain displaced as aid deliveries continue to reach communities cut off by the quake. The hardest-hit areas include Flores, where many people have spent days waiting for help and searching for relatives.An official at Indonesia's disaster mitigation agency confirmed late on Monday that the death toll had risen from 54 to 68, while nearly 1,600 aftershocks have... [Continue Reading]
Kushner to meet Netanyahu after more than two hours of Hamas talks in Cairo
Jared Kushner is due to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv after holding more than two hours of talks with a Hamas delegation in Cairo. The meeting is part of a renewed US push to advance a 15-point Gaza roadmap that Washington says is being backed by the Board of Peace. The diplomatic effort comes as the second phase of the ceasefire framework remains contested and the main parties continue to disagree over how it should be carried out.According to the supplied material, Kushner was joined in Cairo by Board of Peace Director-General Nickolay Mladenov and former... [Continue Reading]
Deadly earthquake on Indonesia's Flores island as aid shortages deepen
Authorities on Indonesia's Flores island say aid shortages are worsening after a magnitude-7.7 earthquake killed at least 53 people and displaced about 5,000 residents. Survivors in several parts of the island are sleeping outdoors as aftershocks continue, while landslides and blocked roads are slowing the delivery of food, water and medical supplies. The quake struck shortly before 06:00 on Saturday at a shallow depth of 15km, increasing the damage across affected communities.Early assessments from Indonesia's National Disaster Management Agency say more than 1,000 houses have been damaged, along with dozens of health facilities, schools and government offices. In Manggarai Regency,... [Continue Reading]
Belgium wildfire in High Fens spreads toward Germany as evacuations continue
Firefighters in Belgium are still working to contain a major wildfire in the High Fens nature reserve, where thick smoke has covered the area near the German border. The blaze has scorched around 30 square kilometres, or more than 3,000 hectares, and officials say shifting winds have pushed it eastwards. Around 600 residents have been evacuated from nearby communities as crews try to stop the fire spreading further.The response includes tankers, fire engines, water-bombing aircraft and helicopters, with international support helping Belgian crews in difficult terrain. Footage from the area shows firefighters spraying water on burning and smouldering ground and... [Continue Reading]
Hurricane Lala weakens but flooding and outages persist in Hawaii
Hurricane Lala weakened to a tropical storm after passing south of Hawaii, but dangerous flooding, strong winds and power outages continued to affect the islands on Sunday. The Big Island remained the main focus of concern as pounding surf, heavy rain and gusty squalls continued to lash coastal and inland areas. Tropical storm warnings also stayed in place for several other islands as the system moved west.Governor Josh Green said more than 60,000 households were without power and that three hospitals had switched to generator power. He also said at least one person died in a car accident in the... [Continue Reading]
Taliban marks five years in power in Kabul with rally and calls for recognition
Thousands of Taliban supporters gathered in central Kabul on Saturday as the group marked five years since its return to power. The event took place outside a compound housing key ministries, where convoys of cars and pick-up trucks carrying Taliban banners moved through the streets before the main gathering. Heavily armed fighters were stationed around the area while senior officials addressed the crowd.Officials used the anniversary to praise what they described as the "victory of the Islamic Emirate" and to argue that the Taliban had restored security and national sovereignty. They pointed to the absence of large-scale fighting since foreign... [Continue Reading]
Iran disputes Qatar over missing pilots as remains of one airman are found
An Iranian military official has called on Qatar to allow an Iranian team into the country to investigate the fate of pilots Tehran says were captured by Qatari forces. The request comes after Qatar said its search and rescue teams found the remains of one pilot following an Iranian aircraft violation of Qatari airspace in March. The latest exchange deepens a dispute that has already become both a diplomatic and humanitarian issue.Mohammad Baqerzadeh, commander of the Committee for the Search for Missing Persons of Iran's Armed Forces General Staff, said an Iranian Air Force expert and fact-finding team had been... [Continue Reading]
New South Wales gun buyback to begin on November 2 after Bondi Beach attack
New South Wales will begin a gun buyback scheme on 2 November, becoming the first Australian state to offer cash for eligible firearms in response to the Bondi Beach attack. The programme will cover handguns, shotguns and rifles in its first phase, with payments of up to A$1,000 for some weapons. A second phase is due to start early next year and will cover higher-value firearms.The scheme is being jointly funded by New South Wales and the federal government. NSW Premier Chris Minns said the aim was to have guns handed in, compensated for and safely destroyed. Prime Minister Anthony... [Continue Reading]
Fear the Shia, Arm the Sunnis: The Uncomfortable Numbers Behind Americaโs War Narrative
โWhen 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.โ 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]





