Pakistan says 29 militants killed as strikes hit Afghan border provinces
Pakistan said it killed 29 militants in a combined air and ground operation along the border with Afghanistan, after launching strikes into three Afghan provinces on Sunday. Taliban officials, meanwhile, said the attacks killed or wounded at least 100 people and condemned what they called a cowardly act. The BBC has not independently verified either casualty figure.According to Pakistan's information minister, Attaullah Tarar, the operation targeted militant hideouts in Paktia, Paktika and Kunar provinces and was carried out in response to recent attacks inside Pakistan. Afghan Taliban officials said the strikes hit civilian homes, with casualties concentrated in Mandikhel, a... [Continue Reading]
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Israel strikes southern Lebanon as framework deal faces first test
Israeli forces have carried out fresh strikes in southern Lebanon, including the destruction of what Israeli officials described as an extensive tunnel near the village of Majdal Zoun. Lebanese state media also reported additional strikes in the south, including in the city of Nabatieh, as smoke was seen rising near the coastal city of Tyre. The latest attacks came despite a new trilateral framework agreement signed on Friday under US sponsorship, which was intended to open the way to peace and Hezbollah disarmament.In a joint statement, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the tunnel stretched... [Continue Reading]
US and Iran agree to stand down after exchange of strikes near Hormuz
The United States and Iran have agreed to stand down for now after several days of fire exchanges near the Strait of Hormuz, according to the supplied material. A US official said shipping lanes have been reopened to free movement, signalling an effort to prevent further disruption to one of the world's most sensitive maritime corridors. The reported pause comes after a weekend of drone and missile fire that raised the risk of a wider confrontation in the Gulf.The material says Iranian drone and missile attacks late on Saturday did not hit their intended targets, while Tehran said it had... [Continue Reading]
Three firefighters killed as Snyder Fire spreads along Colorado-Utah border
Three firefighters have been killed and two others injured after a fast-moving wildfire overran their position along the Colorado-Utah border. The incident took place in Mesa County, Colorado, during a burnover, a situation in which flames move rapidly and cut off escape routes. The fire cluster later merged into the Snyder Fire, which has been spreading across the region.The US Interior Department confirmed the deaths and said the crew members were part of an interagency response involving the US Wildland Fire Service and the US Forest Service. Their names have not been released, pending notification of their families. According to... [Continue Reading]
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Indian Army to roll out first Integrated Battle Groups next month near China-facing corps
The Indian Army is set to establish and operationalise its first Integrated Battle Groups next month, in a significant restructuring of its force posture along the China-facing frontier. The new units are to be carved out of the Panagarh-based XVII Corps, also known as the mountain strike corps, which is positioned for operations in mountainous terrain. According to the supplied report, the rollout has been advanced to July 1 from an earlier plan that had pointed to September.The first phase is expected to create four Integrated Battle Groups and one fire support group under the XVII Corps. Each of the... [Continue Reading]
UK to scrap destroyer replacement in favour of hybrid drone-capable warships
The UK Ministry of Defence plans to abandon work on a new destroyer replacement and instead build at least six hybrid warships designed to deploy drones. The vessels are intended to operate across the air, surface and undersea domains, marking a significant shift in naval procurement. The change is set to form part of the country's long-delayed defence investment plan.The ministry said the new ships would be better suited to the pace and nature of modern warfare than a small number of large, expensive vessels. Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis said the equipment would be designed and built for the increasing... [Continue Reading]
Putin acknowledges fuel shortages after Ukrainian strikes on Russian infrastructure
Russian President Vladimir Putin has acknowledged that the country is facing a fuel shortage after repeated Ukrainian strikes on infrastructure during the war. In remarks published by the Kremlin on Sunday, he said the attacks were creating problems, although he described the shortage as not critical. The comments came as authorities in Russia-annexed Crimea declared an emergency over fuel shortages and power cuts linked to attacks on logistics chains and oil facilities.Putin said there was "a certain shortage" of fuel and that the main task was to strengthen air defences and secure supplies, particularly to Crimea. He also told members... [Continue Reading]
Israeli strikes kill Palestinians in Gaza as attacks on tents continue
Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip killed at least four Palestinians on Sunday, including a 13-year-old girl, in separate strikes in the north and south of the enclave. The incidents included a drone strike west of Beit Lahiya and a missile strike on a tent sheltering displaced people in Khan Younis. Medical staff also reported receiving the body of one unidentified man after the southern attack.Palestinian news agency Wafa said an Israeli drone struck the al-Salatin area, west of Beit Lahiya in northern Gaza, killing at least two people and wounding at least one more. In southern Gaza, Israeli warplanes... [Continue Reading]
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Eleven killed as skydiving plane crashes in Tomblaine, eastern France
Local officials in eastern France said a skydiving aircraft crashed in Tomblaine on Sunday, killing all 11 people on board. The victims included five instructors, five students and the pilot, according to the prefect of Meurthe-et-Moselle. The crash happened near the Nancy-Essey aerodrome, close to residential streets and roads on the edge of Nancy.Authorities said the cause was not immediately clear and that a technical investigation had been opened. A French deputy public prosecutor said investigators were treating the case as a technical matter at this stage. Local officials also said the aircraft, a Pilatus registered in Germany, had been... [Continue Reading]
Lebanon-Israel framework agreement sparks protests in Beirut as dispute over withdrawal deepens
Protests broke out in Beirut after Lebanon and Israel signed a United States-brokered framework agreement on Friday, with demonstrators criticising the deal for not requiring an Israeli withdrawal from occupied areas. The immediate street reaction underscored how contested the arrangement remains in Lebanon, where many see the question of territory and sovereignty as central to any lasting settlement. The protests also reflected anger among people affected by months of fighting and displacement in the south and in Beirut's southern suburbs.The supplied material says the agreement followed months of direct negotiations and was signed after a period of intense conflict between... [Continue Reading]
Ukraine says drone strikes hit two Russian oil refineries as fire breaks out in Krasnodar region
Ukraine said its long-range drone strikes hit two oil refineries in Russia overnight, while Russian regional officials reported a fire at a major refinery in the southern Krasnodar region and at least one death there. The reported blaze broke out at the Slavyansk-na-Kubani refinery after debris from downed drones fell on the site, according to local authorities. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the strikes were part of what he called "long-range sanctions" against Russian energy infrastructure.Governor Veniamin Kondratyev said debris from intercepted drones sparked the fire at the refinery in Slavyansk-na-Kubani, a town east of occupied Crimea. Local authorities said... [Continue Reading]
Day News Recap: US Iran strikes deepen crisis as Europe heatwave and global shocks mount
The biggest escalation came in the Gulf, where the United States and Iran exchanged fresh strikes around the Strait of Hormuz after a ship was hit near the waterway, raising fears for shipping and the fragile ceasefire. US Central Command said it struck 10 Iranian military targets, while President Donald Trump warned Washington could act again if Tehran breaches the truce. 🔗 🔗 🔗Trump also said the United States had struck Iranian missile and drone storage sites again and repeated that Iran must never get nuclear weapons, signalling that the confrontation could widen further. The UN maritime agency said it... [Continue Reading]
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US and Iran trade fresh strikes after ship hit near Strait of Hormuz
The United States and Iran have exchanged fresh strikes after a ship trying to transit the Strait of Hormuz was hit by a projectile, deepening a confrontation over navigation in one of the world's most sensitive shipping corridors. The latest escalation has centred on accusations that each side violated the June 17 memorandum of understanding, including Article 5, which calls for safe passage for commercial vessels through the waterway. The exchange has raised new doubts about whether the fragile agreement can hold.According to the supplied material, the latest round began on Friday when the vessel was struck while attempting to... [Continue Reading]
Breakfast News Recap: US and Iran strikes deepen Gulf tensions as Europe swelters and Lebanon deal frays
The United States has widened its campaign against Iranian targets, saying it struck 10 military sites and then hit missile and drone storage locations again, as a fragile ceasefire around the Strait of Hormuz came under renewed strain. President Donald Trump warned Iran must never get nuclear weapons and said the US could act again if Tehran breaches the ceasefire. 🔗 🔗 🔗Gulf states moved to protect shipping and civilians as the crisis spread. Bahrain and Kuwait raised alerts, while the UN maritime agency said it had evacuated about 2,500 stranded seafarers from the Persian Gulf before suspending its rescue... [Continue Reading]
Trump warns Iran must never get nuclear weapons after U.S. strikes on Iranian sites
President Donald Trump made multiple posts on Truth Social in the last hour: - "Based on a very quick and boring briefing concerning the Magot Hagerman book about me, it is mostly made up, Fake News, largely fiction, as have been most of the things she has written about me for so many years. She is a third rate writer and intellect, who has made a first rate income because of your favorite President, ME. She was wrong about me on the Elections, although she knew I was going to win, BIG! She was wrong about me on the Russia,... [Continue Reading]
Trump warns US may act if Iran breaches ceasefire amid Strait of Hormuz tensions
President Donald Trump has warned that the United States military could act again if Iran fails to comply with the ceasefire, as tensions around the Strait of Hormuz remain high. The warning comes amid reports of tanker attacks over two days that have further strained the fragile truce. The strategic waterway, through which a large share of global energy shipments passes, has again become a focal point of confrontation.According to the supplied report, Trump said the US could "complete the job" if Iran breaches the ceasefire. The same report said American aircraft struck Iranian missile and drone storage locations, as... [Continue Reading]
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Magnitude 6.1 earthquake hits off Japan's Iwate coast, no tsunami warning issued
A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck off the northeastern coast of Japan near Iwate Prefecture early on Sunday morning, shaking parts of the region and nearby prefectures. The quake hit at 7:25 am local time at a depth of about 40 km, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. No tsunami warning was issued, and there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties.The tremor was felt in Aomori Prefecture and other nearby areas, extending the impact beyond the immediate offshore epicentre. Officials said the earthquake occurred off the coast of Iwate Prefecture, which lies on Japan's Pacific side and is regularly... [Continue Reading]
Trump says US struck Iran again, warns of possible military escalation
President Donald Trump made multiple posts on Truth Social in the last hour: - "United States aircraft just struck Iranian missile and drone storage locations, and coastal radar sites, for violating the Cease Fire Agreement, AGAIN! It is very possible that they will never learn! There may come a point when we are no longer able to be reasonable, and will be forced to militarily complete the job that we very successfully started. If that happens, the Islamic Republic of Iran will no longer exist!" - "MAGA Warrior Mike Mazzei is running for Governor in Oklahoma, where I was the... [Continue Reading]
President Trump says RT @realDonaldTrumpNumerous European Countries have been discussing the imminent implementation o...
President Donald Trump made multiple posts on Truth Social in the last hour: - "MAGA Warrior Mike Mazzei is running for Governor in Oklahoma, where I was the ONLY President to win ALL 77 Counties in three straight Elections. Additionally, I won more votes than any Candidate in the State's History! I LOVE Oklahoma, and Mike has my COMPLETE and TOTAL Endorsement for Governor! Meanwhile, his Runoff Election Opponent, Gentner Drummond, is a FAKE Republican. The Drummonds donated to SLEEPY Joe Biden, and the totally corrupt Lincoln Project, at levels that are shameful, Frankly, that makes him a Radical Left... [Continue Reading]
Day News Recap: Iran Gulf strikes deepen tensions as Ukraine, Venezuela and trade rows add pressure
Iran and the United States traded fresh strikes and accusations across the Gulf, with reports of attacks on US linked targets, retaliation against Iranian sites and new incidents involving Bahrain and shipping, raising fears that the fragile ceasefire is under renewed strain. 🔗 🔗 🔗 🔗 🔗The Strait of Hormuz remained a flashpoint after a Singapore flagged cargo ship was reported attacked and a Panama flagged oil tanker was struck by an unidentified projectile, although the crew was said to be safe. The incidents added to concern over one of the world's most important energy routes. 🔗 🔗In Gaza, Israeli... [Continue Reading]
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Explosion and gunfire reported near Rangers offices in Karachi
An explosion and gunfire were reported on Saturday near a gate leading to the offices of Pakistan's Rangers in Karachi. The incident was reported in the city's commercial centre, with local sources saying the blast happened close to a paramilitary facility. Reports also said clashes were underway at the scene as security forces moved in.Special units, including the Rapid Response Force and police commandos, were dispatched to the area, according to local media cited in the supplied material. Police and paramilitary personnel cordoned off the location after the blast. The road near the site is said to be close to... [Continue Reading]
Fresh attacks on shipping and US retaliation raise Strait of Hormuz risk
The Strait of Hormuz has seen a new rise in tension after reports of an attack on a Singapore-flagged cargo ship and subsequent US retaliation against Iranian military sites. The developments come only days after Washington and Tehran agreed to end months of fighting and reopen the waterway, which carries a large share of global energy shipments. Maritime security officials and shipping companies are now warning that the gap between the ceasefire on paper and conditions at sea remains wide.According to the supplied report, the vessel Ever Lovely was struck by what US officials described as an Iranian drone shortly... [Continue Reading]
Noontime News Recap: Gulf tensions flare as Russia strikes Ukraine and Trump threatens EU tariffs
Iran and the United States traded fresh accusations and military strikes in the Gulf, raising alarm that a fragile ceasefire is coming under renewed strain as tensions escalate again. 🔗Security incidents were also reported in Bahrain and Iraq, adding to the sense of widening instability across the Gulf and northern Iraq as the confrontation between Tehran and Washington deepens. 🔗In Ukraine, Russian overnight strikes killed at least two people and injured more than 20 across several regions, according to Ukrainian officials, in another reminder that the war remains highly active despite repeated international calls for restraint. 🔗China reported a deadly... [Continue Reading]
Pilot dies after small plane crashes into Beijing high-rise, injuring 13
Chinese authorities have confirmed that the pilot of a small aircraft died after the plane crashed into Beijing's CITIC Tower, with 13 people injured on the ground. The crash happened at 5.55pm local time on Thursday in Chaoyang District, according to a statement shared by local authorities. The aircraft was described as a single-engine, two-seat light plane, and officials said the cause is still under investigation.The first official account said the pilot was the only person on board. It also said the injured were hurt at the scene, without giving details on the severity of their injuries. Witnesses reported debris... [Continue Reading]
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The Ghosn Paradox The Imperial Savior, His Cinematic Escape, and the Desperate Call to Salvage a Crumbling Nissan
The Man Who Defied Corporate Gravity Few corporate sagas in modern history possess the cinematic drama, geopolitical friction, and sheer psychological tension as the rise and fall of Carlos Ghosn. Once lauded as the ultimate transnational executive, a multi-lingual titan capable of bridging disparate business cultures, Ghosn became the absolute center of a global firestorm. His story cuts through the pristine facade of global corporate governance to reveal a messy underbelly of nationalism, legal vulnerability, and strategic failure. Rebuilding an Empire from the Ashes of Bankruptcy The mythos of Carlos Ghosn began in 1999. Nissan, one of Japan's proudest manufacturing... [Continue Reading]
Breakfast News Recap: Iran tensions flare as Venezuela reels from quakes and UK rescue teams deploy
US President Donald Trump has accused Iran of a “foolish violation” of the ceasefire after a cargo ship was struck in the Strait of Hormuz, and Washington released footage of strikes on Iranian missile and drone storage sites and coastal radar positions after the attack on a Singapore flagged vessel. 🔗 🔗In the Middle East, Israel and Lebanon signed a framework agreement in Washington that is meant to guide further negotiations, while Israeli prosecutors charged six settlers over an attack on Deir Dibwan and a mosque in the occupied West Bank. 🔗 🔗 Tens of thousands also gathered in Beirut’s... [Continue Reading]
Utah declares emergency and restricts fireworks as wildfire danger intensifies ahead of July 4
Utah has declared a state of emergency and temporarily restricted fireworks ahead of the July 4 holiday as wildfire conditions worsen across the state. The measures come as the Cottonwood fire continues to spread in southern Utah and other fires burn in several counties. Officials have also urged residents in parts of Juab County to prepare to evacuate if needed.The National Weather Service issued a red flag warning on Friday, describing it as the first Particularly Dangerous Situation Red Flag Warning in the history of its Salt Lake City office. The agency said an exceptionally rare and dangerous fire weather... [Continue Reading]
UK Sends 68-Person Search Team to Venezuela After Twin Earthquakes Kill Nearly 1,000
British specialist search and rescue teams have been deployed to Venezuela after two powerful earthquakes struck the country seconds apart on Wednesday. The death toll from the disaster has risen to nearly 1,000, while tens of thousands of people have been displaced. The operation comes as international aid efforts intensify in the worst-hit areas.A Royal Air Force aircraft carrying 68 personnel and equipment, including sniffer dogs and drones, departed from Brize Norton airbase on Friday evening. The deployment is coordinated by Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, with support from the Royal Air Force. The British government has also announced £2m... [Continue Reading]
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Israeli prosecutors charge six settlers over West Bank mosque attack
Israeli prosecutors have filed indictments against six settlers over an attack on the village of Deir Dibwan and a mosque in the occupied West Bank. Police said the charges relate to acts committed on June 14, when masked settlers entered the village carrying flammable substances, tear gas and a knife. The case adds a formal legal response to an incident that has drawn attention because it involved both property damage and an attack on a place of worship.According to police, the six indictments cover terrorism, arson, sabotage and violent rioting carried out for what they described as a nationalist motive.... [Continue Reading]
John Bolton pleads guilty in US classified-documents case
Former US national security adviser John Bolton has pleaded guilty in a federal court case over the illegal retention of classified information. The plea was entered on Friday in Washington, where Bolton admitted a single charge linked to diary entries and notes compiled for a book. He had previously been indicted on 18 counts and had initially pleaded not guilty.According to the court account, the material Bolton kept included diary entries containing national defence information, some of it classified at the top secret level. After the judge read the allegations, Bolton said the accusations were accurate and told the court,... [Continue Reading]
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Strait of Hormuz evacuation paused after cargo vessel struck near Oman
The International Maritime Organization has paused its planned evacuation of sailors from the Strait of Hormuz after a cargo vessel was struck by an unknown projectile near Oman. The incident took place about 7.5 nautical miles, or 14 kilometres, southeast of Dahit, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre. No casualties were reported, but the strike has again disrupted efforts to move mariners out of the waterway.The IMO said several crews had already been evacuated before the operation was suspended, but Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said the agency needed "necessary safety guarantees" before continuing. The evacuation plan had been... [Continue Reading]
Ukraine: Zaporizhzhia ablaze after Russian missile and drone attack leaves at least nine hurt
Zaporizhzhia was hit by a Russian missile and drone attack that set off fires and damaged civilian property in the city, according to regional authorities. The strike took place in the late morning after air raid alerts had been active for more than two hours. Emergency crews were still working at the scene as firefighters battled the blaze and paramedics treated the injured.Officials said the attack involved at least two ballistic missiles and several attack drones. Regional authorities said the strikes hit a civilian neighbourhood in the city centre, with damage reported to warehouses, homes, commercial buildings and parked vehicles.... [Continue Reading]
IAEA chief presses for strict verification of Iran nuclear programme amid ceasefire talks
Rafael Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, has called for a very strong verification system and full access to monitor Iran's nuclear programme. He said certainty would require inspectors to be able to verify matters "everywhere" as soon as practicable, rather than relying on assurances about intent. His comments come as the United States and Iran continue talks linked to a preliminary ceasefire arrangement and a wider peace process.Grossi said the key objective of the preliminary agreement is to ensure Iran cannot develop nuclear weapons, while stressing that the agency does not judge intentions. He also said... [Continue Reading]
War on Iran drives profits for energy, defence and banking sectors
Defence contractors, energy companies and investment banks have seen profits rise as the war involving Iran continues to unsettle global markets. The conflict has disrupted trade flows, pushed up energy prices and created sharp swings in commodity and financial markets. A memorandum of understanding is in place for a 60-day ceasefire and further negotiations, but the economic effects are already visible across several sectors.The supplied material says the war began after strikes on Iran by the United States and Israel, and that nearly four months later talks are under way in Switzerland. Those talks are focused on Iran's nuclear programme,... [Continue Reading]
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Kenya arrests more than 350 during anniversary protests over deadly anti-tax rallies
Kenyan police dispersed protesters in Nairobi and detained others in several parts of the country as people marked the second anniversary of deadly anti-government rallies. Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen said 355 people were arrested on Thursday, while officers used roadblocks and water-cannon trucks in the capital. The protests were held in memory of demonstrators killed during anti-tax unrest two years ago.Murkomen described those detained as criminals and said the security measures were intended to contain the demonstrations. He also apologised for the disruption caused by barricades and other restrictions, saying they had been effective in securing the city and other... [Continue Reading]
Trump faces GOP backlash as Senate blocks war-powers curb and White House seeks $87.6bn for Iran war costs
The White House is seeking $87.6 billion in additional funding tied largely to the war with Iran, while Congress has again signalled resistance to the administration's handling of the conflict. The request comes as Senate Republicans narrowly blocked a war powers resolution that would have limited President Donald Trump's authority to continue military operations against Iran. It also follows a tense closed-door meeting in which Trump confronted Republican lawmakers over the interim Iran agreement and the political fallout from the war.The funding request is linked to Operation Epic Fury, the administration's name for the Iran war, and is intended to... [Continue Reading]
Oil prices fall further as Strait of Hormuz traffic resumes after US-Iran deal
Oil prices have fallen further as vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz continues to recover after a US-Iran memorandum of understanding signed on 17 June. Brent crude briefly dropped below $72.48 a barrel, returning to the level seen before the conflict began, before edging back up to $73.23. The move reflects a sharp easing in market fears over disruption to one of the world's most important energy shipping routes.The latest data cited by maritime intelligence firm Kpler suggests 284 vessels have crossed the strait since 18 June, the day after the deal was signed. That is still below the... [Continue Reading]
Iran threatens Israel after troop withdrawal dispute deepens in south Lebanon
Iran has threatened Israel after Israeli officials said troops would not withdraw from southern Lebanon, even if the United States demanded it. The warning came on Thursday and followed a day of sharp exchanges over the future of the ceasefire that has been in place for about a week. The dispute centres on whether Israel will leave the south as part of the wider understanding linked to the truce with Hezbollah.Esmaeil Qaani, the head of the Quds Force, said in a statement carried by state media that Israel would face consequences if it continued on its current path. A day... [Continue Reading]
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Kenyan protesters return to Nairobi streets on Gen Z uprising anniversary
Marchers returned to the streets of Nairobi on 25 June to mark the second anniversary of the Gen Z uprising, with demonstrators carrying Kenyan flags and calling for justice for victims of police violence. Authorities deployed large numbers of officers and set up roadblocks around the capital, including near parliament, as businesses remained closed in parts of the city. The anniversary has again become a focal point for youth activism and demands for government accountability.The protests are tied to the June 2024 anti-tax unrest, when thousands of young people stormed parliament in Nairobi amid anger over rising living costs and... [Continue Reading]
Venezuela earthquake death toll rises as rescue teams search collapsed buildings
Two powerful earthquakes struck western Venezuela on Wednesday, leaving at least 32 people dead and about 700 injured, according to the supplied reports. The tremors, measured at magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, hit within about a minute of each other and were followed by around 20 aftershocks. They caused building collapses, airport damage and widespread disruption, with the effects also felt in northern Brazil.Acting President Delcy Rodriguez declared a state of emergency and ordered schools and non-essential services to be suspended so rescue work could take priority. More than 500 emergency teams were reported to be working through the rubble on... [Continue Reading]
Trump asks Congress for urgent Iran-linked funding as Senate curbs new strikes
The Trump administration has asked Congress for about $67.15 billion in urgent funding linked to Iran, adding a new budget fight to the wider dispute over the war. The request was sent on Wednesday, a day after the Senate approved a resolution aimed at blocking any new attacks on Iran without congressional approval. Trump criticised the Senate move, sharpening the clash between the White House and lawmakers over who controls military escalation.According to the request, $21 billion would go to the Pentagon for munitions, industrial base support and other capabilities described by the administration as critical. The funding is part... [Continue Reading]
US-Iran talks intensify as Rubio rejects Hormuz tolls and Senate backs war powers measure
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said Iran will not be allowed to charge tolls or fees on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz under any final agreement with Washington. His comments sharpen one of the main disputes in the negotiations, which are taking place alongside a 60-day diplomatic process launched after a preliminary agreement in Switzerland. Iran has meanwhile said planned transit fees through the waterway will be suspended for 60 days while talks continue.The latest developments come as the US Senate passed a war powers measure pressing President Donald Trump either to halt the war in Iran... [Continue Reading]
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Child killed in Israeli drone strike in al-Mawasi as Gaza attacks continue despite ceasefire
A 12-year-old child was killed in al-Mawasi, west of Khan Younis in southern Gaza, during an Israeli drone strike on Wednesday, according to health officials at Nasser Medical Complex. Several other Palestinians were wounded in the same attack, officials said. The strike hit an area that had been described by Israel as a safe zone, according to reporting from Gaza City.Health officials said the child was killed in a tent in al-Mawasi and identified him as Ahmed. At least seven Palestinians were injured in the same strike, according to the account relayed by medical staff. The attack came as Israeli... [Continue Reading]
ASIO says Iranian spy orchestrated Bondi firebombing in annual threat assessment
Australia's domestic intelligence chief has said an Australian citizen working as a senior intelligence officer for Iran orchestrated a firebombing in Bondi. Mike Burgess also said a former Australian resident in Iraq directed an attack on a Melbourne synagogue. The remarks were made in ASIO's annual threat assessment, which set out what Burgess described as a worsening security environment.Burgess said the incidents were linked to two attacks on Australia's Jewish community and to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. He said the Bondi attack was part of a broader pattern of threats facing the country, including foreign regimes targeting citizens and... [Continue Reading]
Trump reportedly lashed out at Netanyahu over Gaza ceasefire talks, new book says
US President Donald Trump allegedly lashed out at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a heated phone call in September 2025, according to a new book by two New York Times reporters. The account says Trump pressed Netanyahu to accept a US-backed Gaza ceasefire framework and used unusually blunt language while the two leaders were discussing the war. The reported exchange took place as Trump was promoting a 20-point plan aimed at ending the Gaza conflict and rebuilding the territory.The book says Trump told Netanyahu that the war had gone on for too long and warned him not to back... [Continue Reading]
Strait of Hormuz tanker backlog grows as barnacles slow post-ceasefire reopening
The Strait of Hormuz is facing a new shipping problem after the ceasefire that ended the Iran-Israel-US war was expected to restore traffic quickly. Instead, hundreds of tankers remain anchored in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, leaving one of the world's most important oil chokepoints only partly reopened. The immediate obstacle is no longer only security, but also marine growth on ships that have been idle for months.According to Saudi Aramco chief executive Amin Nasser, more than 600 tankers were stuck inside the Persian Gulf as of mid-May 2026, with another 240 waiting outside the strait. The... [Continue Reading]
UN maritime agency begins evacuation plan for more than 11,000 sailors stranded in the Gulf
The United Nations maritime agency has begun putting into effect a plan to evacuate more than 11,000 sailors stranded in the Gulf after the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. The operation is intended to allow hundreds of ships to move through the waterway in phases, after weeks of disruption to one of the world's most important shipping routes. The agency said it has started contacting vessels as part of the process.The International Maritime Organization said it had secured the safety guarantees needed for the operation and had verified conditions for safe navigation. Its secretary-general, Arsenio Dominguez, said the large-scale... [Continue Reading]
UN begins phased evacuation of 11,000 stranded sailors in Strait of Hormuz
The United Nations' International Maritime Organization has begun evacuating more than 11,000 sailors stranded in the Strait of Hormuz after the waterway was effectively closed during the US-Israel war on Iran. The operation is being carried out in phases and is centred on one of the world's most sensitive shipping corridors. Shipping traffic has started to resume, but officials say the process remains controlled because of the risks involved.IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said the evacuation is taking place in close cooperation with Iran, Oman, other coastal states in the region, the United States and the maritime industry. He said safety... [Continue Reading]
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Israeli troops kill two in southern Lebanon as ceasefire comes under strain
Hezbollah has denounced the shooting in southern Lebanon as a blatant violation of the truce, after Israeli fire killed two people near Nabatieh al-Fawqa on Tuesday. The incident took place in the al-Deir area, where local reports said people were standing near a bulldozer clearing a road. It is the first reported fatal shooting attributed to Israeli fire in Lebanon since the latest ceasefire appeared to take hold at the weekend.The Lebanese health ministry said two men were killed, and the state-run National News Agency identified them as Mohammed Amhaz and Sajed al-Hajj Ali. It said they were with a... [Continue Reading]
Gaza ceasefire talks stall in Egypt over disarmament demands and tunnel maps
Ceasefire talks on Gaza held in Egypt are facing a serious obstacle over the future of weapons held by Palestinian factions. The immediate dispute centres on demands for Hamas to hand over tunnel maps, surrender arms and account for privately held weapons in the enclave. The negotiations are taking place as mediators try to advance a U.S.-backed ceasefire framework agreed in October 2025.According to people involved in the Cairo discussions, the most difficult issue is Clause 8 of the ceasefire plan, which sets out how disarmament would work and how military infrastructure in post-war Gaza would be managed. Nickolay Mladenov,... [Continue Reading]
Thousands of lightning strikes bring flooding, fires and travel disruption to southern England
Thousands of lightning strikes lit up the sky across southern England overnight, bringing flash flooding, travel disruption and multiple fire responses. The storms moved in from the south west on Monday evening and spread towards the south east during the night. People across the region reported being woken in the early hours by loud thunder and repeated flashes of lightning.Met Office data suggests there were about 29,000 lightning strikes in a 24-hour period. London Fire Brigade said it responded to 400 calls overnight, including two house fires in London that were believed to have been caused by lightning strikes. A... [Continue Reading]
Iran says technical talks with US in Switzerland conclude successfully
Iran says technical talks with the United States and mediators in Switzerland have concluded successfully, opening the way for the next phase of negotiations linked to ending the more than 100-day war. The discussions were described by Iranian officials as focused on how a framework agreement would be carried out in practice. The talks were held after a high-level committee meeting on Sunday to monitor implementation of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi, who led Iran's technical team, said the four-party talks ended with agreement on arrangements for future negotiations, including working groups and implementation mechanisms. He... [Continue Reading]
Trump says military action against Iran remains on the table over nuclear issue
US President Donald Trump has said military action against Iran remains possible if Tehran does not honour its commitments, while arguing that preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon is more important than the risk of a global economic downturn. He made the remarks at the Oval Office on Monday, directly addressing questions about whether renewed strikes could trigger wider economic damage. Trump said a nuclear-armed Iran would pose a greater threat than any fallout from conflict.Asked whether he was willing to risk a worldwide recession by striking Iran again if a deal collapses, Trump said: "Nuclear weapon supersedes depression."... [Continue Reading]
Qatar gas plant blast leaves 13 dead, including 12 Indians, as investigation continues at Ras Laffan
Qatar has confirmed that 13 people were killed and 66 injured in an explosion at a gas processing facility in Ras Laffan Industrial City on Sunday night. The Indian Embassy in Doha said 12 of the dead were Indian nationals, while Qatari officials said the incident was caused by a technical malfunction during operations. Authorities said the injured are stable and receiving medical treatment.Energy Minister Saad bin Sherida Al Kaabi said the blast was an accident and not sabotage or hostile in nature. He said none of the injured were in life-threatening condition, and the fire caused by the explosion... [Continue Reading]
Hungary PM launches sweeping reform drive to dismantle Orban-era power network
Hungary's Prime Minister Peter Magyar has announced a wide-ranging reform drive aimed at dismantling what he described as the political and economic network built under former leader Viktor Orban. In a speech to parliament on Monday, Magyar unveiled a package he called Operation Cleansing Fire, with plans that include a new constitution, a new anti-corruption office, institutional purges and the removal of the president. The announcement marks one of the most ambitious political resets in Hungary since Magyar took office in April.The proposed measures are tied to a broader effort to unlock 16.4 billion euros in frozen European Union funds,... [Continue Reading]
UN warns Palestinian children are left increasingly unprotected as NGOs are pushed out of Gaza and the West Bank
The United Nations has warned that Palestinian children are becoming increasingly unprotected as humanitarian and rights groups are forced to scale back operations in Gaza and the West Bank. The warning comes amid what the UN describes as growing pressure on civil society organisations working in the Palestinian territories. The committee said the absence of these groups leaves children more vulnerable at a time of continuing conflict and restrictions.In a statement issued through the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child said many organisations have been labelled as... [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]
The Unspoken Stats: Who is Raping Europe?
Answering this question requires a direct look at the empirical data so, below is the comprehensive, data-verified draft for my article, formatted to analyse the relationship between immigration demographics and police-recorded sexual offense figures across Europe. Data vs. Perception: An Asymmetric Analysis of Migration and Sexual Offence Statistics in Europe While my primary field of research is rooted in macro-geopolitics, the responsibilities of independent journalism often demand transitioning from international balance-of-power metrics to domestic social realities. A recent high-profile criminal incident in England involving the gang rape of a 17-year-old girl by four Afghani nationals where one of them is... [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]
Lessons learned from Dubai … or not?
It might be early to assess the impact of war on Dubai, the self-declared crisis proof planet, but some lessons can be drawn from its magic well, right now. First and foremost, I remember a saying about fairness: No, not the boomerang, and that what goes around comes around (the dark tales related to Lebanon and Gaza), but about a simple rule of thumb. If you expect the world to be fair with you because you are fair, you’re fooling yourself: that’s like expecting the lion not to eat you because you didn’t eat it. It applies to humans and... [Continue Reading]
When Deterrence Becomes Reality
Yesterday the war crossed a line! For years the Sejjil ballistic missile existed mostly as a symbol. A weapon paraded in military videos, discussed in defense briefings, whispered about in strategic circles as one of Iran’s most serious capabilities. A weapon that analysts described as deterrence, not something meant to be used. But on March 15, 2026, that line disappeared. Iran reportedly launched the Sejjil (also known as Ashoura) as part of what Tehran called the 54th wave of Operation True Promise 4, a massive strike package that also included the Fattah hypersonic missile and the Qadr ballistic missile system.... [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]
The Proving Ground, When “Decent” Reporting Meets High-Tech Warfare
For two decades I have watched wars unfold not only on battlefields, but on screens. Today’s incident over Kuwait, involving the downing of a U.S. F-15 Strike Eagle, is not just another headline in the Iran conflict. It may be a signal that something larger is unfolding behind the noise. Iranian state outlets rapidly circulated imagery of an ejected pilot. Washington responded cautiously. But beneath the spectacle lies a deeper question, whose technology was truly being tested? The Gulf as a live-fire laboratory For years, China has refined export-ready variants of its air defense systems, particularly the HQ-9 family and... [Continue Reading]
WAR CRIMES OR HUMANITY ON LIFE SUPPORT?
The Thin, Bloody Line Between Justice and Jungle Rule IS KILLING WITHOUT MERCY NOW LEGAL? By Anthony Sterling In September 2025, the United States military launched what became known as Operation Southern Spear, a lethal campaign targeting suspected drug smuggling vessels in international waters. The stated objective was to combat narco trafficking networks operating beyond territorial jurisdiction. The ethical shock came on 2 September 2025, when a double strike in the Caribbean left survivors clinging to wreckage for nearly an hour. Drone footage reportedly showed two individuals waving from debris after the first impact. Instead of rescue, three additional munitions... [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]





