Vladimir Putin has used Russia's Victory Day parade in Moscow to defend the war in Ukraine and accuse Nato of backing what he called an aggressive force.He made the remarks in Red Square during the annual ceremony marking the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany.Putin said Russian forces were carrying out the goals of the "special military operation" and described them as confronting an enemy "armed and supported by the whole bloc of Nato".He also called Ukraine an "aggressive force".The parade was scaled back, with no armoured vehicles or ballistic missiles on display for the first time in years.Military personnel... [Continue Reading]
Twelve Democratic senators have written to the head of US Central Command, raising concerns about the possible US military role in Israel's use of evacuation zones in Lebanon.The letter says mass displacement orders may breach international law.The lawmakers addressed the letter to Brad Cooper, who leads CENTCOM.They said the practice of declaring evacuation zones has been used to permanently displace people and destroy homes and towns.The senators said such zones do not remove the legal responsibility to determine whether people or civilian facilities are legitimate military targets.Signatories include Peter Welch, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Chris Van Hollen and Chris Coons.The... [Continue Reading]
A three-judge appeals panel in Washington has heard arguments in a lawsuit seeking to stop the Pentagon from disciplining Senator Mark Kelly over a video warning about illegal military orders.The case centres on whether the Pentagon can move ahead with punishment linked to the video, which has become the focus of the legal challenge.The hearing took place before the Washington panel on Thursday.The dispute has drawn attention because it involves a sitting senator and the military's disciplinary process.The lawsuit is aimed at preventing any action by the Pentagon while the case is being considered.The hearing matters because it tests the... [Continue Reading]
Russia held a reduced Victory Day parade in Moscow on Saturday, with President Vladimir Putin using his speech to frame the war in Ukraine as a "just" war and accuse NATO of supporting Kyiv.The event took place in Red Square and, for the first time in nearly two decades, was held without tanks, missiles or other heavy equipment.A traditional flyover of combat aircraft remained part of the display.Russian officials said the format had been changed because of the "current operational situation" and the threat of Ukrainian attacks.Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said additional security measures had been put in place.The parade... [Continue Reading]
A group of Senate Democrats has asked Federal Communications Commission chair Brendan Carr to rescind an order requiring ABC to apply early to renew eight television station licences.The letter says the move amounts to an abuse of power and raises First Amendment concerns.The licences were not due for renewal until between 2028 and 2031, but the FCC has told ABC to file renewal requests by the end of May.Carr has said the decision is linked to an ongoing investigation into diversity, equity and inclusion efforts at Disney, ABC's parent company.The senators said the commission cannot act as a censor over... [Continue Reading]
China's foreign minister Wang Yi has met a five-member US Senate delegation in Beijing and called for the two countries to work as partners rather than adversaries.He said Washington should view China objectively, respect its core interests and manage differences properly.Wang made the remarks during talks with the delegation led by Republican Senator Steve Daines of Montana.He said Beijing and Washington should seek "harmony without uniformity" and work to stabilise and improve bilateral relations.The visit comes just days before a rescheduled trip to Beijing by Donald Trump, adding to the diplomatic significance of the meeting.Daines is described as a close... [Continue Reading]
The Trump administration has unveiled a new counterterrorism strategy that accuses Europe of fostering terrorism through mass migration and expands the US focus to include domestic ideological groups and drug cartels.The strategy was released on Wednesday and says Europe is an "incubator" for terrorism.It also names what it calls "violent left-wing extremists" and "radically pro-transgender" groups among the domestic threats it wants to target.The document places drug cartels in the Americas at the centre of counterterrorism efforts.It says US counterterrorism work will prioritise the rapid identification and neutralisation of violent secular political groups described as anti-American, anarchist and radically pro-transgender.The... [Continue Reading]
A group of 30 Democratic lawmakers has urged the US State Department to break with longstanding silence over Israel's nuclear capabilities.The letter, sent to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, says the issue has become more urgent amid the US-Israel war on Iran.The lawmakers asked what nuclear weapon capabilities Israel has, including details on warheads and launchers.They also sought information on the Negev Nuclear Research Center in Dimona, which has long been believed to be central to Israel's nuclear programme.In the letter, dated May 4, the members of Congress said they needed fuller information on the nuclear balance in the Middle... [Continue Reading]
FBI agents searched the office of Virginia state senator Louise Lucas on 6 May, according to two people familiar with the case.The search was linked to a Biden-era investigation into possible corruption and bribery involving marijuana businesses.The office belongs to a Democratic lawmaker, and the action was described as part of an older probe rather than a new case.No further details were provided in the supplied material about what agents were seeking or whether anything was seized.The search is significant because it brings a long-running federal investigation into the office of an elected state senator.It also suggests the inquiry remains... [Continue Reading]
A trial has opened in New York over allegations that a Manhattan Chinatown office functioned as an unauthorised Chinese police station.The defendant, Lu Jianwang, has pleaded not guilty.Court filings say the case centres on a fourth-floor room in Manhattan's Chinatown that prosecutors allege was used to monitor and harass overseas Chinese.Lu, 64, is accused of acting as an unauthorised agent of China, conspiracy to act as a foreign agent and obstruction of justice.The proceedings are being heard in the US Eastern District Court of New York.Lu's lawyers have said the site was simply a community centre, setting up a dispute... [Continue Reading]
The United States has announced it will withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany, prompting fresh attention on Washington's military role in Europe and the wider response to the Iran war.The Pentagon said on Friday that the troops would be removed from Germany, where more than 36,000 US personnel are currently stationed.Donald Trump said the following day that he would go "a lot further" than the initial drawdown.The move comes as NATO and European leaders assess how to adapt to a possible reduction in the US commitment to the continent's security.Mark Rutte, the NATO chief, said Europeans had "gotten the message" and... [Continue Reading]
Two US service members remain missing in south-western Morocco after taking part in the African Lion 2026 military exercise, according to the US Africa Command.The pair were reported missing on Saturday near the Cap Draa Training Area, close to the city of Tan Tan.A search and rescue operation involving ground, air and maritime resources is under way.US, Moroccan and other participating forces are involved in the effort, and officials said the incident remains under investigation.The command said on Sunday that the search is ongoing and that its focus is on the service members and their families.The case matters because African... [Continue Reading]
Two senior US Republican lawmakers have criticised the Pentagon's decision to cut 5,000 US troops stationed in Germany, saying the move could undermine deterrence and send the wrong signal to Russia.Roger Wicker and Mike Rogers, who chair the Senate and House armed services committees respectively, said the troops should be moved further east rather than withdrawn from Europe.Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said the decision followed a thorough review and took account of theatre requirements and conditions on the ground.NATO said it was seeking clarification from Washington.The dispute matters because Germany hosts more than 36,000 active-duty US troops and remains a... [Continue Reading]
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]
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]
Navigating the Perils of Information in a Global Age In today’s world, where information flows ceaselessly and unchecked, the stakes for migrants have never been higher. Critical thinking is not just a skill, it’s a lifeline. The ability to sift fact from fiction, especially in matters as consequential as migration, is essential for individuals, communities, and the institutions that serve them. The migration landscape is uniquely vulnerable to the hazards of mis-, dis-, and mal-information, collectively known as MDM. The consequences of inaccurate or misleading information can ripple far beyond the individual, affecting entire communities and the systems that govern... [Continue Reading]