Trump orders South Korea drills scaled back as lawmakers warn of deterrence risk
US President Donald Trump has ordered the Pentagon to scale back the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises with South Korea, prompting criticism from lawmakers who said the move could weaken deterrence on the Korean Peninsula. The drills were due to run from 17 to 27 August and are one of the most visible parts of the US-South Korea security partnership. Trump said the decision was a courtesy to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and repeated his view that he has a very good relationship with him.The exercise is expected to involve about 18,000 South Korean troops, with scenarios including missile... [Continue Reading]
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Syria probes death of former White Helmets rescuer in police custody
Syria has opened an investigation after Mohammed Gamira, a former White Helmets rescuer, died following detention at a police station in Latakia province. Family members and local reports say he was held over a financial dispute and later died in hospital after his condition worsened. The case has triggered public anger and calls for protests in Latakia, with nationwide demonstrations also planned.The Latakia Internal Security Command said it had launched a probe into the events that took place while Gamira was held at the Haffeh police station. The Ministry of Interior's Security Command said the inquiry would examine the circumstances... [Continue Reading]
US and Israel agree on American general to verify Hamas disarmament before Gaza withdrawal
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US envoy Jared Kushner have agreed that an American general would oversee the verification of Hamas disarmament before any Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, according to an Israeli official. The understanding was reached on Monday in Jerusalem, as Washington tries to revive its Gaza peace plan amid continuing tensions with Netanyahu. Israel says there will be no redeployment or reconstruction in the Gaza Strip until Hamas gives up its weapons.A senior Israeli official said the two sides agreed that no redeployment or reconstruction would take place before Hamas is disarmed throughout Gaza. The official added... [Continue Reading]
Likud holds primaries ahead of Israel's general election
Israel's governing Likud Party is holding primaries to choose its candidate list for the country's upcoming general election. The vote is taking place on Monday and is being described as one of the most heated and unruly events in Israeli politics. It comes as the party prepares for a legislative contest that is expected to be highly consequential for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and for Likud itself.The primaries will determine the order of candidates on Likud's list for the 120-member Knesset, Israel's parliament. Under the country's proportional representation system, parties submit ranked lists and seats are allocated according to their... [Continue Reading]
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Day News Recap: Deadly crises span Congo, Indonesia and Gaza as markets split on risk appetite
The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has become the deadliest in the country’s history, with government data putting deaths at 2,325 as the crisis continues to spread its toll. 🔗Indonesia is also facing a major disaster after a magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck Flores island, killing at least 68 people, displacing about 5,000 residents and leaving aid shortages and aftershocks to hamper rescue work. 🔗In the Middle East, the Gaza war and wider regional tensions remained in focus as Jared Kushner prepared to meet Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv after more than two hours of talks with... [Continue Reading]
Putin signs law restricting consular services for Russians abroad in political cases
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed new legislation that restricts consular services for Russian citizens living abroad who have been sentenced in absentia in political cases. The measure affects people convicted of offences such as violating the foreign agent law or discrediting the Russian army, according to the supplied material. It is part of a broader tightening of pressure on Russians who oppose the war in Ukraine from outside the country.The law means affected citizens may be unable to renew Russian passports or receive other essential consular services. The supplied material says the measure could affect thousands of Russian citizens,... [Continue Reading]
Russia jails anti-war politician Lev Shlosberg as Yabloko loses election appeal
Russia has sentenced prominent anti-war politician Lev Shlosberg to 11 years and one month in a penal colony, in a case that his party says is part of a wider effort to silence dissent. A court in the north-western city of Pskov found the 63-year-old guilty of charges including discrediting the armed forces and spreading false information about them. Shlosberg, who is deputy head of the liberal Yabloko party, rejected the verdict and said the trial was intended to punish him for his political and civic position.The ruling came just minutes before Russia's Supreme Court rejected Yabloko's appeal against a... [Continue Reading]
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]
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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]
Mali court jails broadcaster Ras Bath and influencer for seven years after junta criticism
A court in Mali has sentenced broadcaster Mohamed Youssouf Bathily, widely known as Ras Bath, and influencer Rokia Doumbia to seven years in prison after convicting them of criminal conspiracy and discrediting the state. The ruling was delivered in Bamako on Monday, according to the supplied report, and follows criticism they made of the military authorities. Both defendants had been in custody for years before the verdict.The case centres on a 2023 programme about the economic difficulties facing ordinary Malians. The trial opened on 10 August at the criminal chamber of the Bamako Court of Appeal, and the court also... [Continue Reading]
Aoun receives delegation urging renewal of UNIFIL mandate in Lebanon
President Joseph Aoun on Monday received MP Melhem Khalaf, who headed a parliamentary delegation seeking renewal of the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). The meeting centered on maintaining the force's presence in southern Lebanon. After the meeting, Khalaf said UNIFIL is needed to prevent any vacuum in the south. He said the force's role includes verifying the Israeli withdrawal, preserving security and stability, and supporting the Lebanese Army in extending state sovereignty. Khalaf said the petition submitted on the issue carries the signatures of 86 MPs. He added that 20 lawmakers from different political affiliations... [Continue Reading]
Iranian parliament advances bill restricting contact with US and Israeli media
Iran's parliament has approved in principle a bill that would punish Iranians who give interviews to media outlets in the United States or Israel, in a further tightening of controls on foreign contact and information flows. The measure was passed on Sunday, 16 August, and still needs further review before it can become law. It also seeks to restrict unauthorised contact with foreign embassies, organisations and institutions, both inside and outside Iran.Under the draft legislation, anyone who speaks to a foreign outlet without permission could face prison terms of six months to two years. The bill also says any contact... [Continue Reading]
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Top Zambian opposition figures arrested after election amid insurrection claims
Security forces in Zambia have arrested 11 people, including senior opposition figures, after a raid in the capital, Lusaka, the government said. The arrests came as counting from Thursday's presidential election was still under way, adding a security dimension to an already contested vote. Among those named by officials was Brian Mundubile, the leading opposition candidate, who was found at the scene of the operation, according to the country's top civil servant.Patrick Kangwa said the people detained were linked to what he described as military plans involving foreign nationals and illegal military training camps. He said officers seized weapons, ammunition... [Continue Reading]
DR Congo Ebola outbreak becomes deadliest in country history as deaths rise to 2,325
The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has now become the deadliest in the country's history, according to the latest government data. Officials said the death toll has risen to 2,325, overtaking the 2,299 deaths recorded in the 2018-2020 outbreak. Confirmed infections have also increased to 4,945, including 101 new cases detected in the previous 24 hours.The figures were released as senior international officials warned that the outbreak is moving faster than the response. Tom Fletcher, the United Nations humanitarian chief, said the outbreak is the fastest growing on record and called for "speed, scale, and solidarity"... [Continue Reading]
US admiral visits USS Abraham Lincoln amid reported crew mental health and supply concerns
A senior US military commander has visited the USS Abraham Lincoln after reports of mental health and supply problems aboard the aircraft carrier. Admiral Brad Cooper, the commander of US Central Command, described the crew as "awe-inspiring" during the visit. The ship has reportedly been at sea for more than 250 days without a port call, making the deployment unusually long.Cooper said in a statement shared on social media that the Lincoln has among the lowest number of mental health-related cases of the US Navy's 11 active aircraft carriers. He added that long periods at sea are "uniquely challenging and... [Continue Reading]
Day News Recap: Deadly disasters and conflict flare across multiple regions as Ukraine war escalates
Russia said at least seven people were killed in what it called the largest Ukrainian drone attack of 2026, with 822 drones launched, while President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russian forces used North Korean missiles and warned that up to 50,000 North Korean troops could reinforce Moscow's war effort. 🔗 🔗Ukraine also reported fresh Russian strikes on Kyiv, where six people were injured at a market, and elsewhere in the country, while a separate report said British made drones were used to strike targets inside mainland Russia for the first time. 🔗 🔗In the Middle East, Israeli air strikes in southern... [Continue Reading]
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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]
Israel orders plan to transfer West Bank civilian law enforcement to police amid annexation warnings
Israel's defence minister has ordered the military to prepare a plan to transfer civilian law enforcement in the occupied West Bank to the Israeli police. The move was announced on Friday and is being presented by officials as a change in how civilian matters are handled in the territory. It comes after criticism of the army's response to Israeli settlers who besieged a Palestinian home in the village of Qusra.Defence Minister Israel Katz said the army's role is to combat Palestinian terrorism and not to pursue what he described as "hilltop youth". The Defence Ministry said the police would establish... [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]
Trump pushes Senate to end twice-yearly clock changes, signals renewed domestic legislative pressure
President Donald Trump made multiple posts on Truth Social in the last hour: - "The Senate must vote on the NO MORE CHANGING THE CLOCKS ACT as soon as possible. More sun later in the day is better (including for fighting crime!), but, even more importantly, NO MORE RIDICULOUSLY CHANGING CLOCKS AND WATCHES TWICE YEARLY, with all of the disruption and chaos it causes. FINALLY, GET IT DONE!!!" - "State Representative Kim Kendall is a Strong Champion for the Great People of Florida's 18th State House District! A Highly Respected Air Traffic Controller and Small Business Owner, prior to becoming... [Continue Reading]
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US Democrats approve revised 2028 presidential primary calendar with South Carolina first
The Democratic National Committee has approved a revised 2028 presidential primary calendar that puts South Carolina first in the party's nominating process. The decision was taken at a meeting in Austin, Texas, and marks a significant change in how Democrats will choose their next presidential nominee. Under the new schedule, Nevada will go second, followed by New Hampshire, with New Mexico, Michigan and Virginia also included in the early sequence.South Carolina's Democratic primary is scheduled for January 22, 2028, while Nevada is set for February 1 and New Hampshire for February 8. The party's vote formalises a shift that began... [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]
Canadian petition to expel US ambassador Pete Hoekstra passes 171,000 signatures
A petition before Canada's House of Commons calling for the expulsion of United States Ambassador Pete Hoekstra has passed 171,000 signatures and is set to be discussed by Parliament. The petition asks Canadian lawmakers to declare Hoekstra persona non grata and seek his removal as ambassador to Canada. It comes amid renewed friction between Ottawa and Washington over tariff policy and public remarks by the envoy.The signature total is far above the 500 needed for a petition to be considered by the House of Commons. The petition was authorised by Green Party leader Elizabeth May after being put forward by... [Continue Reading]
USS George Washington departs Vietnam as Middle East carrier rotation nears
The USS George Washington has begun leaving Da Nang, Vietnam, in a move that is expected to send the aircraft carrier toward the Middle East. The ship is widely reported to be the vessel likely to relieve the USS Abraham Lincoln, although the Pentagon has not confirmed that transfer. The departure comes as the Lincoln remains deployed in the region amid the war involving Iran.The movement was reported on Saturday and follows days of scrutiny over conditions aboard the Lincoln. The carrier has been at sea for more than 266 days without a port stop, which the supplied material describes... [Continue Reading]
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Breakfast News Recap: Hormuz tensions flare as Lebanon, Indonesia and Afghanistan crises deepen
Donald Trump has escalated tensions with Iran by saying he would soon declare the Strait of Hormuz part of United States territory, a claim Tehran rejected as shipping concerns over the strategic waterway remained unresolved. Iran said it had not yet decided whether to restart talks with Washington, while also working separately with Oman on a temporary shipping route. 🔗 🔗In the Middle East, Lebanese state media said an Israeli airstrike on a home near Ansar in southern Lebanon killed seven people and wounded three, as fresh attacks continued in the south. Separately, Lebanon's prime minister is pressing for a... [Continue Reading]
Netanyahu makes inflammatory nuclear remark about the UK in podcast interview
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has drawn criticism after describing the United Kingdom as the "first Islamic republic to obtain a nuclear weapon" during a podcast interview. The remark was made in a conversation on an army radio podcast, according to the supplied report, and was presented with a smile. It has added a new flashpoint to already strained political relations involving Israel, Britain and Iran.In the interview, Netanyahu also referred to the UK as the "Islamic Republic of Great Britain" and linked his comment to a line he said someone had once used about nuclear weapons. He said: "We... [Continue Reading]
Countries deepen contacts with Taliban as Afghanistan isolation eases
The Taliban in Afghanistan are stepping up efforts to end their international isolation as several regional and international actors expand contacts with the group. The renewed engagement comes despite continuing concerns over human rights, including restrictions on women's education and employment, and pressure on journalists, activists and minorities. The development reflects a broader shift in how some governments are dealing with the authorities in Kabul, nearly five years after the Taliban returned to power in 2021.According to the supplied report, India, Qatar, China, Iran and several Central Asian states have recently welcomed Taliban officials or opened new channels of communication.... [Continue Reading]
Taiwan passes delayed $93bn defence budget, retains drone funding
Taiwan's parliament has approved the government's annual budget after a record 266-day delay, preserving funding for a drone programme that is central to the island's defence planning. The vote came late on Friday in the opposition-controlled legislature, ending a deadlock that had forced the administration to rely on a provisional budget mechanism. The approved package totals $93bn and was passed after lawmakers missed the legal deadline.The drone funding survived after the main opposition Kuomintang dropped an earlier proposal to cut it by 70 percent. The party said it had concluded there was no wasteful overlap between the development and procurement... [Continue Reading]
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Trump frames White House complex suit as a national security threat and defends classified facility
President Donald Trump made multiple posts on Truth Social in the last hour: - "RT @realDonaldTrumpThese are the TREASONISTS that brought the suit against the Military. They revealed Top Military Secrets! "The National Trust for Historic Preservation" is a beautiful name, but even their name is fake because when they add the words "in the United States" to the National Trust for Historic Preservation, it makes it sound like a Governmental Agency, which it is not. In fact, the United States refused to continue funding it in 2005 because they strongly disagreed with their mission and objectives. They stop many... [Continue Reading]
US backs Japanese sovereignty over disputed islands after Putin visit
The United States has backed Japan's sovereignty claim over the disputed islands at the centre of a long-running territorial row with Russia, according to the supplied report. The statement comes shortly after Vladimir Putin's visit to the islands, which Japan has already condemned as unacceptable. The development adds a new diplomatic layer to an issue that has repeatedly complicated relations between Tokyo and Moscow.The islands are known in Japan as the Northern Territories and in Russia as the Southern Kurils. They were seized by the Soviet Union in the closing stages of the Second World War, and the dispute has... [Continue Reading]
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Deadly Russian air raid on Kramatorsk leaves 1 dead and 17 wounded
Emergency crews worked through the night in Kramatorsk after a Russian air raid hit the city with eight FAB-250 guided aerial bombs, local authorities said. One person was killed and 17 others were wounded in the strike, which caused fires and heavy damage in several parts of the city. The attack also left an apartment building badly damaged and prompted rescue work under rubble.Officials said sections of a ten-storey apartment block collapsed from the first to the sixth floors. Several private homes and a garage caught fire, while cars were damaged near the impact areas. Rescuers were filmed pulling a... [Continue Reading]
Trump administration asks Supreme Court to let White House ballroom work continue
The Trump administration has asked the US Supreme Court to allow construction to continue on a $400 million White House ballroom after a federal appeals court ruled the project lacked the necessary approval from Congress. The request seeks to keep the appeals court ruling on hold while the administration prepares a full appeal. The case centres on work at the White House complex in Washington, where the East Wing has already been torn down and a large ballroom project has begun.In its filing, the Justice Department repeated Donald Trump's argument that the ballroom is a security necessity. Lawyers cited what... [Continue Reading]
Lebanese Americans file US lawsuit over war damage in Lebanon
Dozens of Lebanese Americans have filed a class action civil lawsuit in a US federal court in Michigan, accusing the US government and several defence contractors of helping enable Israel's conduct in Lebanon. The case was filed on Tuesday in the US District Court in Michigan and names Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Lockheed Martin, Boeing and Caterpillar as defendants. The plaintiffs say their property in Lebanon was damaged during the war and argue that US military support should have been halted under the Leahy Law.The lawsuit was brought by the Michigan-based Arab American Civil Rights League and 16 individual... [Continue Reading]
France and Iran trade accusations after international statement on executions
France and Iran have entered a public diplomatic row after Paris helped lead a multinational statement condemning executions in Iran. The exchange unfolded after the joint declaration was published on Wednesday and quickly moved onto social media, where senior officials from both countries traded accusations. France said it had played a prominent role in the initiative, while Tehran responded by accusing Paris of hypocrisy and double standards.French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot criticised Iran in a post on X, saying the authorities were continuing what he described as bloodshed through an increasing number of executions. The French foreign ministry said the... [Continue Reading]
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Israeli military rubble removal in Gaza accused of erasing evidence of war crimes
Human rights groups say the Israeli military is carrying out a large-scale operation to remove, crush and transport rubble from across the Gaza Strip, including debris from cemeteries and places where human remains are known to have been found. The work is being described by monitors as part of a systematic reshaping of the territory's urban landscape. The allegations come as the war in Gaza continues to produce an exceptionally high death toll and widespread destruction.According to a report cited by rights monitors, about 68 million tonnes of rubble are believed to remain across Gaza. The same material says at... [Continue Reading]
UK defends seizure of Russian shadow fleet tanker after Putin threat
The UK government has defended the seizure of a Russian shadow fleet oil tanker in the English Channel after President Vladimir Putin threatened to respond in kind to Western action against Russian vessels. The tanker, the MT Smyrtos, was intercepted and boarded by Royal Marine Commandos before being taken to anchor off Weymouth. The operation was described as the first of its kind and was linked to sanctions enforcement against vessels accused of helping move Russian oil.According to the confirmed account, the vessel was seized in June and the captain, Ajay Pant, has been charged with breaching Russian sanctions. He... [Continue Reading]
New Zealand spy agency says Chinese state-linked observatory sought satellite-tracking site
New Zealand's security agency says it disrupted an attempt by a Chinese state-linked observatory to install satellite-tracking infrastructure in the country. The case is set out in the agency's annual security threat assessment, which says the proposed equipment could have collected intelligence of military value. The agency did not identify the New Zealand company involved or say exactly how the plans were stopped.The New Zealand Security Intelligence Service said Purple Mountain Observatory, an organisation based in China with close ties to the government in Beijing, had sought to install ground-based space infrastructure through a local company. It said the company... [Continue Reading]
Calls grow to sanction Russian officials accused of taking Ukrainian children from occupied areas
Calls are growing for the UK to sanction two Russian officials accused of helping remove Ukrainian children from occupied territory and subjecting them to political indoctrination. The allegations centre on Marina Peschanskaya and Anton Demidov, who are described in the supplied material as playing key roles in the transfer and ideological shaping of children from seized areas of Ukraine. The issue has resurfaced through a new exhibition in central London highlighting alleged crimes linked to figures associated with the Kremlin.According to the material, Peschanskaya is the head of the children's rights watchdog in Sevastopol, in occupied Crimea, and has spoken... [Continue Reading]
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David McBride released on parole in Canberra after serving 27 months
David McBride, the former army lawyer jailed for stealing and leaking secret defence documents about the Afghanistan war, has been released from prison in Canberra on parole. He left custody on Thursday after serving his full non-parole period of 27 months, according to the supplied material. The release follows approval from Attorney-General Michelle Rowland.McBride was sentenced in May 2024 to a maximum of five years and eight months in prison after pleading guilty to three charges. Those charges included stealing Commonwealth information and passing it to journalists at the public broadcaster. The case centred on documents he collected over an... [Continue Reading]
Hegseth warns ICC over US boat strikes as Colombia joins anti-cartel coalition
United States Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has warned that the International Criminal Court could investigate US military actions in Latin America, including strikes on alleged drug-smuggling boats in the Caribbean. He made the remarks in Panama while defending the campaign and urging regional partners to reject the court's jurisdiction. He also said Colombia has joined the Shield of the Americas coalition, bringing the group to 19 members.Hegseth said the Trump administration's effort to target cartels is part of an "all of government" push to disable the international tribunal. He argued there is no legitimate basis for what he called the... [Continue Reading]
Australia advances news bargaining law to force tech platforms to pay publishers
Australia is set to move ahead with a new news bargaining incentive bill after Labor and the Coalition agreed on amendments that would require major digital platforms to make more deals with publishers. The legislation is designed to make companies such as Facebook and TikTok contribute to media outlets for the value they derive from news on their services. It is expected to be introduced into parliament on Wednesday.Under the revised plan, tech companies would have to strike at least eight deals with news publishers, up from the previous minimum of six. The scheme would also limit how much of... [Continue Reading]
Trump says pro-Israel lobbying groups have lost influence in Washington
United States President Donald Trump has said pro-Israel lobbying groups no longer hold the same sway in Washington and on Capitol Hill as they did two decades ago. He made the remarks in a pre-taped interview that aired on Tuesday on the conservative network Real America's Voice. Trump linked the change to shifting attitudes in Congress and among American voters.In the interview, Trump said that if one looks back 20 or 25 years, pro-Israel groups had "the most powerful lobby in Washington." He added that the situation now is different, saying he had never seen anything like the change in... [Continue Reading]
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Iranian Quds Force chief visits Baghdad for talks on disarming armed groups
An Iraqi source has said the head of Iran's Quds Force, Esmail Qaani, made an unannounced visit to Baghdad earlier this week for talks on the Iraqi government's plan to disarm armed groups. The source said Qaani held behind-the-scenes meetings with Iraqi political and security leaders, as well as commanders of Shia paramilitaries, on Monday. The discussions reportedly focused on bringing weapons under state control as Baghdad moves toward a September 30 deadline.According to the source, the Iranian message delivered through Qaani was that there should be no handover of faction weapons at the present time. The source said Tehran... [Continue Reading]
Lebanon abolishes death penalty as parliament backs historic reform
Lebanon's parliament has approved a law abolishing capital punishment, confirming a major change to the country's criminal justice system. The vote took place on Tuesday in the 128-member assembly, and the new penalty replaces death sentences with life imprisonment with aggravated hard labour. The reform makes Lebanon the first country in the Middle East to formally end the death penalty.The move gives legal force to a long-standing pause in executions. Lebanon has observed an unofficial moratorium since January 2004, but courts have continued to issue death sentences, and 85 people were still facing such sentences at the end of 2025,... [Continue Reading]
Germany approves draft law to expand spy agency powers after recent attacks
Germany's government has approved a draft law that would lift many of the postwar restraints on the country's intelligence agencies. The move comes after two recent security incidents that have intensified pressure on ministers to show they can respond more effectively to modern threats. The bill still needs parliamentary approval before it can take effect.Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said the changes would turn the intelligence services into "genuine secret services" and give them the operational capabilities needed to confront modern state terrorism and extremist groups. He said Germany should be able to operate on an equal footing with partner services... [Continue Reading]
Wisconsin Democratic governor primary narrowly won by David Crowley
Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley has narrowly won Wisconsin's Democratic gubernatorial primary, edging out state lawmaker Francesca Hong in a race that remained too close to call until late counting. With 94% of votes counted on Wednesday morning, Crowley held 39.9% of the vote compared with Hong's 39.5%, leaving the margin at less than one percentage point. The result sets up a November general election contest against Republican US Representative Tom Tiffany.The primary was held on Tuesday and became one of the tightest contests in Wisconsin's Democratic field. Crowley was endorsed by Governor Tony Evers, while Hong campaigned as a... [Continue Reading]
Russia frees ailing ex-US Marine Robert Gilman as he returns to the United States
Russia has freed former US Marine Robert Gilman, who had been detained since 2022, and he has now returned to the United States for medical care. The release was described by US officials as being on humanitarian grounds after discussions involving President Vladimir Putin and US special envoy Steve Witkoff. Gilman arrived at Dulles airport near Washington on a State Department plane before continuing on to a rehabilitation centre in San Antonio, Texas.US officials said Mr Putin approved a pardon for Gilman and that Russia did not seek any concessions in return. Mr Witkoff said Gilman could now return to... [Continue Reading]
Bondi Beach shooting hero's assault charges dropped by police in Sydney
A man hailed as a hero for disarming one of the Bondi Beach shooters has had assault charges against him dropped by police in Sydney. Ahmed al Ahmed appeared outside a local court on Wednesday after prosecutors withdrew domestic violence common assault, stalking and intimidation charges linked to an alleged incident with his father in March. The case had been brought in June, and Ahmed had denied the allegations.The withdrawal came after it was agreed that Ahmed would abide by an apprehended domestic violence order for 12 months, limiting his contact with his father. Defence lawyer Mohamed Sakr said in... [Continue Reading]
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US rights groups file new legal challenge to sanctions campaign against ICC
Four US-based human rights groups have filed a new lawsuit in the United States challenging the Trump administration's sanctions campaign against the International Criminal Court. The case was filed on Tuesday and argues that the measures go beyond presidential authority and interfere with constitutionally protected rights. It is the latest legal challenge to a policy that has drawn criticism from rights advocates and international law experts.The plaintiffs are the American Friends Service Committee, the Centre for Constitutional Rights, Human Rights Watch and the Open Society Institute. They say the sanctions against the court and organisations that cooperate with it force... [Continue Reading]
Brazil Supreme Court to hear cases that could weaken Amazon protections
Brazil's Supreme Court is due to hear several cases on Wednesday that could reshape legal protections for the Amazon rainforest and affect Indigenous land rights. The hearings come after lawmakers overrode several environmental vetoes issued by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. They also follow a separate round of motions the court began reviewing on Friday linked to a 2025 ruling that rejected the so-called time limit thesis on Indigenous land claims.The cases place some of Brazil's most consequential environmental disputes before the country's top court. One issue concerns the future of the soya moratorium, an agreement that barred major... [Continue Reading]
Hungary parliament elects Andras Baka as new president
Hungary's parliament has confirmed Andras Baka as the country's next president in a secret ballot, marking another significant change under the new political leadership in Budapest. The National Assembly voted on Tuesday to approve the former Supreme Court chief, who was nominated by the Tisza party. He is due to take office on August 19.Lawmakers backed Baka by 140 votes to six, with no abstentions, according to the parliamentary result. Fidesz, the party that dominated Hungarian politics until its defeat in April, boycotted the vote. Tisza lawmakers said Baka's experience would be an important asset as they lay the foundations... [Continue Reading]
Coalition backs One Nation bill to bar Australians with terrorist links from returning home
The Coalition has signalled support for a One Nation migration bill that would seek to prevent Australian citizens with links to overseas terrorist groups from returning home. The move lifts Pauline Hanson's policy proposal into the centre of a national security debate in Canberra. It also creates an unusual alignment between the opposition and One Nation ahead of the bill's introduction to the Senate on Wednesday.Opposition leader Angus Taylor and Nationals leader Matt Canavan both indicated they would back the legislation, despite previously vowing to fight Hanson's right-wing party. Senior Coalition figures, including shadow foreign minister Ted O'Brien and shadow... [Continue Reading]
Turkiye approves conditional pardon bill for thousands of PKK fighters
Turkish lawmakers have approved legislation offering a conditional pardon for thousands of people linked to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party, in what officials and lawmakers described as the first legislative step toward ending a conflict that has lasted for decades. The bill passed on Monday and is intended to allow some fighters who lay down their weapons to return to civilian life. It does not amount to a total amnesty.The vote was 468 in favour, 88 against and six abstentions. The legislation suspends prosecutions and prison sentences for some offences for between five and 10 years, according to the text... [Continue Reading]
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]
Is the Italian Prime Minister the Visionary Leader Europe Needs? An Analysis of Executive Decisiveness, National Security, and the Contrast in European Integration Policies
A Continent in Institutional Deadlock While the rest of Europe remains entangled in a web of bureaucratic deadlock and human rights litigation, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has quietly established herself as a leader operating far ahead of her continental peers. For years, European leaders have debated how to handle radicalism and unchecked migration, often waiting for institutional consensus that arrives too late. Meloni, conversely, has demonstrated a willingness to prioritize state security over political correctness, offering a blueprint for a continent facing asymmetric threats. The Contrast in European Legislative Approvals The contrast between Italy’s swift, executive decisiveness and the... [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]
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]
There Is Good in Every Bad
Power, Greed, Oil, and the Theater of Modern Geopolitics The Business Model of Power Donald Trump does not govern like a traditional politician. He governs like a negotiator who believes every geopolitical crisis is leverage, every war threat is a bargaining chip, and every market panic is an opportunity. When markets tremble, someone profits. The question is, who? Global markets react instantly to political tension. Gold rises when conflict looms. Oil spikes when instability threatens production. Stock markets collapse on fear, then rebound on reassurance. Volatility is not chaos, it is opportunity. Historically, gold has surged during major geopolitical crises,... [Continue Reading]




