RAF Fairford counterterror probe continues after police find petrol but no explosives
British counterterrorism police have said they found petrol but no explosives in three suspect vehicles near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, as their investigation into an alleged bomb plot continues. The site is a US-operated air base that has been used by American bombers, including during this year's war with Iran. Police said the vehicles remained under examination on Tuesday, with a cordon still in place around the scene.The latest update follows the arrest of five British men in their 20s from London on Sunday, local time, after a local resident raised the alarm about suspicious activity. They were detained on... [Continue Reading]
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Ethiopia warns of regional spillover as it accuses Eritrea, Sudan and Egypt
Ethiopia has accused Eritrea, Sudan and Egypt of backing armed opposition groups as renewed fighting continues in the country's north. The warning comes amid fears that the conflict could spread beyond Ethiopia's borders and draw in regional powers. The accusations were made by Ethiopian army chief Birhanu Jula over the weekend, according to the supplied report.Birhanu said Eritrea was acting as a go-between linking external powers, including Sudan and Egypt, with armed groups inside Ethiopia. Eritrea, Sudan and Egypt have all rejected the allegations. Egypt said its foreign policy is based on respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity and non-interference, while... [Continue Reading]
Trump rejects AI safety cooperation with China after Xi summit
Donald Trump has rejected calls for the United States to work with China on artificial intelligence governance, saying such cooperation would help Chinese firms catch up. He made the comments in Washington while speaking at an event to launch an AI-powered government website, shortly before hosting a lunch with AI industry leaders at the White House. The remarks came after he said he had discussed AI with Chinese President Xi Jinping during their summit last week.Trump said he did not want to do much on the issue with Beijing, arguing that a joint approach would give China access to knowledge... [Continue Reading]
Day News Recap: Myanmar strike kills dozens as Middle East tensions and Europe sanctions widen
An airstrike near a market in Myanmar's Rakhine state has killed at least 49 people, according to the Arakan Army and a senior rescue official, in one of the deadliest recent attacks in the conflict zone. đź”—In the Middle East, Iran said it is still waiting for a formal US response to its proposal on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, while Qatar warned that the Iran war is putting an unbearable strain on the global economy as mediation efforts continue in New York. đź”— đź”—Tehran is also facing pressure at home, with residents stocking up on food and medicine amid... [Continue Reading]
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Russian Tu-95 bomber crashes in Amur region during training flight, killing six crew members
A Russian military Tu-95 bomber crashed in the far eastern Amur region on Tuesday during a training flight, killing six crew members and injuring one other person. The aircraft went down in an uninhabited area, according to the Russian defence ministry. Officials said the plane was not carrying ammunition at the time of the crash.The ministry said the injured crew member was evacuated to a medical facility. It added that preliminary assessments point to a technical malfunction as the likely cause. Authorities have opened a criminal case, and an investigative commission from Russia's Aerospace Forces has been sent to the... [Continue Reading]
Middle East crude exports rise to seven-month high as Qatar LNG disruptions continue
Middle East crude oil exports rose in September to their highest monthly level since the Iran war began seven months ago. Preliminary data from Kpler put regional exports at 16.3 million barrels a day, even as the conflict continued to disrupt shipping and energy flows across the Gulf. The increase was driven in large part by Saudi Arabia, while some Qatar-linked liquefied natural gas tankers also resumed crossings of the Strait of Hormuz after no visible crossings were recorded in August.The regional export figure was still about 3.2 million barrels a day below the 19.5 million recorded in February. Saudi... [Continue Reading]
FIFA Accuses UEFA of Misinformation Campaign in Dispute Over Infantino's Fourth-Term Bid
FIFA has accused UEFA of running a misinformation campaign and trying to influence the race for its presidency, as Gianni Infantino seeks a fourth term. The dispute centres on a shelved proposal involving commercial rights linked to the World Cup and has now moved into a legal fight in the United States. FIFA asked a court in Florida to reject UEFA's request for discovery in the case.According to the filing, UEFA last month sought permission from a US federal court to obtain testimony and documents for use in a planned criminal complaint in Switzerland against Infantino. That complaint relates to... [Continue Reading]
Russia strikes Kyiv targets and Black Sea vessels overnight as pressure campaign widens
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia launched a wave of overnight strikes across Ukraine, hitting targets in Kyiv and two foreign-flagged vessels in the Black Sea region near Odesa. He said the attacks also damaged energy facilities, substations, civilian businesses and residential buildings. The capital and 10 other regions came under attack overnight, according to the supplied material.Russia's defence ministry said it struck two military cargo vessels in the Black Sea and two data centres in Kyiv overnight. The reported maritime strikes add a new dimension to the latest wave of attacks, which had already included damage in the capital... [Continue Reading]
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Sabotage halts gas flow on Syria pipeline near Deir ez-Zor
A fire broke out on Monday evening after an explosion on a gas pipeline between the Al-Shoula area and Deir ez-Zor in eastern Syria, halting gas flow to power stations. Syrian authorities said the blast was caused by sabotage. The incident affected a pipeline linked to the Al-Jabsah plant, one of the country's main gas processing facilities.The official news agency quoted a Syrian Petroleum Company official as saying the fire stopped gas flow from the Al-Jabsah plant to power stations. Authorities did not immediately say who was responsible. The report said the explosion involved a sectional valve on the pipeline,... [Continue Reading]
Putin signs decree adding 15,500 troops to Russian army
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree increasing the authorised size of the Russian armed forces by 15,500 personnel. The order is the fourth expansion decree issued this year and raises the official strength of the army to 2,441,630 units, including 1,550,500 military personnel. The move comes as Russia's war in Ukraine continues and battlefield conditions remain fluid.The decree follows earlier orders in March, June and July, bringing the combined increase since March to 47,860 soldiers. The president did not give a public explanation for the decision. The timing is notable because it comes amid reports of rising losses... [Continue Reading]
Breakfast News Recap: Myanmar strike toll climbs as Ukraine, Nepal and Iran tensions deepen
At least 49 people have been killed in an airstrike near a market in Myanmar's Rakhine state, according to the Arakan Army and a senior rescue official, in one of the deadliest recent attacks reported from the conflict zone. đź”—In Ukraine, Russian drone and missile strikes hit Kyiv and Dnipro on 28 September, killing at least seven people and wounding more than 80, while a separate rescue effort is under way to extract teenage boys from Russian controlled territory. đź”— đź”—Nepal is also dealing with a severe weather emergency after storms triggered fresh landslides, flooding and an avalanche, leaving at... [Continue Reading]
Myanmar airstrike kills at least 49 near market in Rakhine state
The death toll from an airstrike near a market in Myanmar's Rakhine state has risen to at least 49, according to the Arakan Army and a senior rescue official. The attack took place in Kyauktaw township, in territory controlled by the armed group, and injured 58 others. The strike hit a busy civilian area around noon local time, according to the accounts provided.The Arakan Army said a fighter jet dropped two bombs near the local market, killing vendors, shoppers and pedestrians. Wai Hun Aung, a senior rescue official in Rakhine, confirmed the casualties and said the market was the region's... [Continue Reading]
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EU sanctions ten Russian officials over Yabloko election exclusion
The Council adopted today restrictive measures against ten individuals for supporting the repression of democratic opposition and seriously undermining democracy and the rule of law in Russia. Yabloko was the only political party that openly opposed Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. Today's listings also include the judge that sentenced Lev Shlosberg, an opposition politician from the Yabloko political party, to 11 years and one month of imprisonment for discrediting the Russian army and "fake news" regarding Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, as well as the state prosecutor that requested such stern sentence. Lastly, the Council listed the judges... [Continue Reading]
EU Council strengthens Space Threat Response Architecture
Today, the Council adopted a decision strengthening the EU Space Threat Response Architecture (STRA). This is a mechanism designed to respond to increased irresponsible and hostile behaviour in the space domain which has the potential to undermine the safety and security of the EU, its member states and citizens, as well as international security and stability. The new STRA will not only allow the EU to counter a wide variety of threats linked to the operation of the EU Space Programme or of the EU Secure Connectivity Programme - but also threats to the security of one or more member... [Continue Reading]
Italian court convicts three Egyptian security officials in Giulio Regeni kidnapping case
An Italian court has convicted three Egyptian security officials in absentia over the kidnapping of Giulio Regeni, the Italian student whose death in Egypt in 2016 triggered years of diplomatic tension. The men were each sentenced to 10 years in prison for aggravated kidnapping, while a fourth defendant was acquitted. The ruling was delivered on Monday in Rome and marks a major new step in a case that has remained unresolved for a decade.Regeni, a postgraduate student at the University of Cambridge, disappeared in Cairo in January 2016 while researching union activity among street vendors. His body was later found... [Continue Reading]
Trump backs possible US diesel export ban as fuel prices surge
US President Donald Trump has said he would back a ban on diesel producers selling overseas, as fuel prices remain near record highs and governments assess the possible fallout. The proposal comes amid tight global supplies and concern that any restriction on exports from the United States could ripple through transport and food supply chains. Diesel is a key fuel for freight trucks, farm machinery and cargo trains, making it especially sensitive for both consumers and businesses.Average US diesel prices are hovering around $6.45 per gallon, according to the American Automobile Association, with some reports putting the figure above $6.50.... [Continue Reading]
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North Korea opens first road bridge to Russia as China link nears completion
North Korea has opened its first road bridge to Russia, with trucks already using the crossing to move cargo between the two countries. The bridge spans the Tumen River and is about 1 kilometre long, according to the supplied report. A second bridge linking North Korea and China is also nearing completion, adding to a small but strategically significant expansion of cross-border infrastructure.The Russia bridge was opened on 7 September, and Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin described it as a "powerful impetus" for trade, economic, scientific, technological and cultural cooperation. He also called the relationship between Moscow and Pyongyang "unprecedented".... [Continue Reading]
Iran protests US aviation sanctions as Najaf-Iran flights resume
Iran has filed a formal complaint with the International Civil Aviation Organization over US aviation sanctions, while Iraqi Airways has resumed commercial flights between Najaf and Iranian airports. The developments came on Monday after Najaf and three other Iraqi airports temporarily suspended flights because of fears that aviation services linked to Tehran could trigger secondary sanctions. The resumption restores at least one regional route that had been disrupted by the sanctions pressure.According to Iran's civil aviation authorities, the complaint was lodged earlier in the day and coordinated with the foreign ministry. The head of Iran's Civil Aviation Organisation, Abuzar Shiroudi,... [Continue Reading]
Ukraine rescue team races to extract teenage boys from occupied territory
A Ukrainian rescue team is working against the clock to move a group of teenage boys out of Russian-controlled territory, with one extraction described as due to take place the following day. The operation is being coordinated from Kyiv by Kateryna Fedosenko, who works with the non-governmental organisation Save Ukraine. The boys are being taken across Ukraine toward the Belarusian border crossing as part of an effort to get them out of areas where they could face pressure to accept Russian control.Fedosenko said four boys were expected to be moved the next day, and one of them, 17-year-old Bogdan, had... [Continue Reading]
DRC politician beaten to death after Ebola radio appearance in Butembo
A senior figure in the Democratic Republic of the Congo's ruling party has been beaten to death in Butembo after appearing on a radio programme about Ebola prevention, according to a party statement. Marie-Celestin Karondwa, who served as acting president of the Union for Democracy and Social Progress federal executive committee in the city, was attacked on Sunday after speaking publicly about measures to limit the spread of the disease. The party said the attackers also stole his belongings and set his house on fire.The UDPS federation in Butembo said Karondwa later died from his injuries. It said he had... [Continue Reading]
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UK signals tougher sanctions and trade measures over Gaza and West Bank
The United Kingdom has said it will take a tougher stance on Israel's actions in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, with Foreign Minister Ed Miliband pledging new sanctions and restrictions linked to illegal settlements. He made the announcement at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, where he said the government would "match words with action" in response to the situation in the Palestinian territories. Miliband described the Israeli government's actions as "a stain on the conscience of the world" and said the ruling party had reset its approach under Prime Minister Andy Burnham.Miliband said the planned measures would target... [Continue Reading]
European heat pump sales rise as energy prices and tax cuts shift demand
Sales of residential heat pumps rose across Europe in the first half of the year, according to industry data, as higher oil and gas prices and lower electricity taxes in some countries changed the economics of home heating. The European Heat Pump Association said 1.16 million units were sold across 12 European countries, up from 1.05 million in the same period in 2025. The figures point to a broader shift in consumer demand at a time when governments are trying to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.The association linked the increase to the fallout from the Iran war, which disrupted oil... [Continue Reading]
Ben-Gvir joins hundreds of Israelis at Al-Aqsa compound as holiday restrictions tighten
Hundreds of Israelis entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem on Monday under police protection, with National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir among those taking part. The incursion took place on the third day of the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, a period that has repeatedly seen heightened restrictions and tensions around the site. Streets and intersections around the Old City were closed as the visit unfolded, according to the Jerusalem governorate.The governorate said about 900 people entered the compound in the morning, and reported that some danced in circles and sang inside the courtyards. Ben-Gvir said: "We are the... [Continue Reading]
Iraq seeks oil export alternatives as Strait of Hormuz blockade cuts revenues
Iraq is looking for alternative ways to export oil after the continued blockade of the Strait of Hormuz cut off most of its sea-based trade. The disruption has hit a key source of state income and left Baghdad facing a widening financial squeeze. Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi raised the issue in a speech to the United Nations General Assembly on Friday.According to the supplied report, Iraq says it has been unable to export about 90% of its oil via the Gulf. Officials say the country has lost about $60bn in oil revenues since the war between the United States and... [Continue Reading]
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Noontime News Recap: Floods, drone strikes and oil shock dominate a grim global noon brief
At least 62 people have been killed in Uttar Pradesh after days of heavy rain and flooding in northern India, with officials saying the waters have affected several districts as the rain begins to ease. đź”—Ukraine faced another deadly night of Russian drone attacks, with strikes on Kyiv and Odesa contributing to a nationwide toll of at least 14 dead and 57 injured, according to officials. đź”—In Britain, counter terror police are continuing their investigation after five men were arrested near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire following reports of three suspicious incidents around the base. đź”—Oil markets were jolted after Donald... [Continue Reading]
UK diesel prices hit record high amid Middle East war spillover
Diesel prices in the United Kingdom have reached an all-time high of 199.18p per litre, according to the motoring organisation RAC. Petrol prices are also continuing to rise, with a litre now costing 174.13p. The increase comes as the war in the Middle East continues to disrupt oil production and transport across the region.RAC said the latest diesel figure puts prices in "uncharted territory" and is a reminder of how exposed the UK is to events far beyond its borders. The organisation said the conflict has severely disrupted the production and transportation of wholesale oil over the past seven months.... [Continue Reading]
Breakfast News Recap: Ukraine under renewed attack as Europe probes suspected Russian hybrid strike
Russian strikes have killed and injured civilians across Ukraine as attacks intensified, with the latest reported hit on Kharkiv and damage also reported in other regions, underlining the widening pressure on the country’s air defences and civilian areas. 🔗In Germany, authorities say explosive laden drones were used in a suspected Russian hybrid attack at Leipzig Airport, where a Ukrainian Antonov aircraft was struck after refuelling, prompting a police investigation into the incident. 🔗In the Middle East, fighting has intensified on the front line near Taiz in south western Yemen, where BBC reporting says Saudi backed pro government forces are trying... [Continue Reading]
At least 28 killed in separate mass shootings in South Africa
Twenty-eight people have now been confirmed dead in two separate mass shootings hours apart in South Africa, according to police. The attacks took place in the Johannesburg area on Saturday evening and near Cape Town in the early hours of Sunday, leaving 25 others injured. No arrests had been made by Sunday morning, and investigators said the motives remained unconfirmed.In the Johannesburg attack, eight gunmen stormed a bar close to the city and opened fire on customers outside before continuing the assault inside. Police said 18 people were killed there and 14 more were injured, while the attackers also torched... [Continue Reading]
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Tokyo and Asia-Pacific Close Higher as Nikkei Surges, Gold Slumps and Oil Firms
Executive summary: Tokyo and broader Asia-Pacific trading ended with a clear risk-on split, Japanese and Korean equities rallied sharply while Hong Kong and Australian shares slipped. The Nikkei 225 jumped +2.7%, the Kospi rose +2.9%, and the Nikkei 225 ETF tracked the move higher. In commodities, gold and silver sold off hard, while WTI crude extended gains. FX moves were modest, with USD/JPY little changed and USD/CNY edging higher. [Continue Reading]
Venezuelan opposition rallies for Maria Corina Machado's return and elections
Hundreds of supporters of Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado have rallied in Caracas and several state capitals to demand her safe return and the holding of presidential elections. The demonstrations took place on Sunday, with activists riding motorcycles through the capital's main avenues and waving Venezuelan flags. Similar gatherings were reported in Valencia, Maracaibo and Merida.Participants wore sky blue shirts, the colour associated with Machado's Vente Venezuela party. One activist in Caracas, Flavio Valentini, told the crowd that the movement was not about parties or politics, but about the people. Another party figure, Anthony Romero, said the transition process... [Continue Reading]
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Northern Ireland Drumcree parade blocked by protesters in Portadown
Hundreds of protesters blocked a road in Portadown, County Armagh, on Sunday, preventing a contentious Orange Order parade from going ahead. The Drumcree procession had been due to proceed for the first time in 30 years after late legal challenges, but the route remained blocked as police vehicles stood nearby. The scene drew in senior political figures and revived one of Northern Ireland's most sensitive parade disputes.Northern Ireland's First Minister Michelle O'Neill joined the protesters, while Orange Order members and Democratic Unionist Party politicians gathered about a mile away waiting for the road to clear. The supplied report says most... [Continue Reading]
Powerful nor'easter floods US Northeast as outages rise and storm lingers
The nor'easter continued to flood low-lying areas in New Jersey and New York City on Sunday, while strong winds and heavy rain left tens of thousands of homes without power across the Northeast. Tidal surges swamped coastal neighbourhoods in New Jersey, and streets in Howard Beach in Queens were inundated as the slow-moving storm pressed on into a second day. The weather system was expected to linger through Sunday, with impacts extending into New England.Officials and weather forecasters said the storm had already produced more than 10cm, or 4 inches, of rain in some parts of New Jersey since Friday.... [Continue Reading]
Israel revokes Dutch diplomats' status as settlement goods ban takes effect
Israel has said it will revoke the diplomatic accreditation of Dutch officials based in the occupied West Bank after the Netherlands began enforcing a ban on goods from Israeli settlements. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said the officials have seven days to surrender their Israeli-issued diplomatic papers. After that period, he said, the diplomatic privileges and immunities granted to them by Israel will expire.The move follows the Dutch government's decision to start enforcing restrictions from September 22 on goods imported from Israeli settlements in the West Bank, east Jerusalem and the Golan Heights. According to the supplied material, the Dutch measures... [Continue Reading]
Giant pandas arrive in Atlanta under new 10-year US-China agreement
Two giant pandas have arrived in Atlanta, Georgia, after a 16-hour charter flight from southwestern China, marking the latest step in a new agreement between Zoo Atlanta and the China Wildlife Conservation Association. The pandas, Ping Ping and Fu Shuang, landed shortly before 7:00am local time after departing Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport early on Sunday. The arrival places Atlanta among three zoos in the United States that now house giant pandas.The transfer was finalised in April, but the timing of the arrival was only confirmed publicly this week. According to the supplied report, the pandas were announced as part of... [Continue Reading]
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US-led Board of Peace excludes UNRWA from Gaza reconstruction role amid stalled ceasefire terms
The US-led Board of Peace has said the UN agency for Palestinian refugees will have no role in Gaza, sharpening a dispute over who will help manage aid and reconstruction in the territory. The board said it would work only with partners it considers reliable and able to meet the needs of Gaza's population. The decision comes as the board advances a multibillion-dollar reconstruction blueprint and key ceasefire terms remain unresolved.The plan was unveiled on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly and includes 66 projects, with $2.4bn proposed for work intended to begin Gaza's recovery. According to the... [Continue Reading]
Germany debates blocking AfD from sensitive intelligence after Saxony-Anhalt election win
Germany is facing a new political-security dispute after the far-right Alternative for Germany, or AfD, won a regional election in Saxony-Anhalt and is trying to form a coalition government. The prospect of the party entering office has raised questions over whether it could gain access to classified intelligence gathered by German agencies. The debate has also drawn in allies, after reports that French domestic intelligence signalled it may withhold sensitive information if the AfD governs in the eastern state.The concern centres on Saxony-Anhalt, one of Germany's 16 states, which has broad powers under the country's federal system. According to the... [Continue Reading]
Ireland sees higher energy, fuel and mortgage costs after Iran war escalation
Irish consumers are paying more for fuel, energy and mortgage repayments after the escalation of the war involving Iran, according to a report published on Sunday. The article says the latest conflict in the Middle East has continued for nearly seven months and is still feeding through to household costs in Ireland. It links the increases to the period after the United States began launching strikes on Iran at the end of February.The report says diesel and petrol prices in Ireland were around €1.70 a litre at the end of February, before the escalation intensified. It says diesel is now... [Continue Reading]
Venezuela frees 39 political prisoners after second round of post-Maduro talks
Venezuela has released 39 political dissidents following a second round of negotiations between the interim government and the opposition. The releases took place between Friday and Saturday and were reported from several prisons across the country. The development comes amid a broader post-Maduro transition and continued pressure over remaining detentions.Human rights group Justicia, Encuentro y Perdon said the freed detainees included eight women accused of "narco-terrorism" in 2021 and six people accused of working with the United States in a 2020 attempt to overthrow former President Nicolas Maduro. The group said it would remain vigilant and continue to demand full... [Continue Reading]
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Iraq seeks US exemption as Iranian flight suspensions spread
Iraq is in direct talks with Washington after four of its airports suspended flights to and from Iran, deepening a regional aviation dispute triggered by new United States sanctions on Iranian airlines. The airports affected are Baghdad, Najaf, Erbil and Sulaimaniyah, according to the supplied report. Iraqi officials are now seeking an exemption that would allow some services to resume.The prime minister's office said on Saturday that any US exemption for Baghdad would be used to restore flights on humanitarian grounds, including medical treatment, education, religious visits and civilian interests. The office said the government was working to de-escalate regional... [Continue Reading]
Six dead as Athens Plaka apartment block explosion remains under investigation
Emergency teams in Athens have recovered the bodies of six people after an explosion caused a two-storey apartment block in the historic Plaka district to collapse in seconds. The blast happened early on Friday in one of the Greek capital's most visited areas, close to the Acropolis, and left the building in rubble. Authorities are still trying to determine what caused the explosion.The victims included four American tourists, according to the supplied report, as well as a British man and his Greek wife, both in their late 70s, who lived in a flat on the upper floor. The city's vice-mayor,... [Continue Reading]
Russian Aeroflot plane remains stranded at Geneva airport after sanctions ban flights
A Russian passenger plane has remained parked at Geneva airport since the start of the full-scale war in Ukraine, after sanctions prevented it from leaving Switzerland. The Aeroflot Airbus A321, registered VP-BOE and named after Russian soprano Galina Vishnevskaya, landed in Geneva on 27 February 2022. It has stayed there ever since, becoming one of the more visible examples of how aviation sanctions have affected Russian carriers.The aircraft was due to return to Russia, but the following day Switzerland joined European countries in banning Russian aircraft from landing or taking off from its airports. That decision left the plane stranded... [Continue Reading]
Israel election committee votes to bar Arab parties and candidates ahead of October 27 vote
Israel's Central Elections Committee has voted to disqualify the country's two main Arab-majority political lists from next month's parliamentary election. The decision affects the Joint List and Ra'am, and also bars two individual candidates, Ofer Cassif and Sami Abu Shehadeh, pending review by the Supreme Court. The move could leave Palestinian citizens of Israel without their principal representatives in the Knesset if it is upheld.The committee's vote came on 26 September, ahead of the 27 October election. The Joint List is an alliance of Hadash, Balad and Ta'al, while Ra'am, also known as the United Arab List, is running separately.... [Continue Reading]
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Saudi coalition intercepts Houthi drones and missiles aimed at Riyadh and Khamis Mushait
Saudi Arabia's coalition said on Saturday that it intercepted two drones launched towards the Riyadh area and two ballistic missiles targeting Khamis Mushait in southwestern Saudi Arabia. The announcement came as the coalition said it was monitoring and tracking missile and drone threats directed at the kingdom. The incident adds to a series of cross-border attacks linked to the Yemen conflict.Coalition spokesman Turki Al-Maliki said air defences shot down the drones and missiles before they reached their targets. The supporting material does not say whether any damage or casualties were caused. It also does not give details on the launch... [Continue Reading]
Gaza families shelter in damaged buildings at risk of collapse
Families in Gaza City are living inside damaged buildings that local rescue teams say could collapse, as repeated displacement leaves many with nowhere safer to go. One family is sheltering in a partially collapsed apartment near Palestine Square, where a tent has been pitched beneath a roof broken open by concrete and exposed steel. The case highlights the wider housing crisis across Gaza after years of war and severe damage to homes and infrastructure.The family's situation became more urgent after the Palestinian Red Crescent and Civil Defence visited last week and warned them to leave the building. The apartment belongs... [Continue Reading]
India election commission legitimacy under scrutiny amid internal divisions
India's election commission is facing fresh scrutiny after reporting said internal disagreements emerged over changes to the voter database. The allegations have intensified a wider political dispute over whether the country's electoral system remains impartial and credible. The issue is now being discussed not only as an administrative matter, but as a test of confidence in one of India's most important democratic institutions.According to the reporting, the chief election commissioner repeatedly overruled concerns raised by the two other commissioners about the integrity of ongoing voter-roll changes. The claims were published after an investigation based on internal documents and interviews, and... [Continue Reading]
Pakistan warns Houthi attack on Mecca or Medina would cross red line as Saudi, Turkish and Pakistani chiefs meet
Pakistan's prime minister has said any Houthi threat to Mecca or Medina would cross a red line, as military chiefs from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye met in Riyadh to discuss closer defence coordination. Shehbaz Sharif made the remarks in an address to the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where he condemned recent Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia. He said an attack on the Muslim holy cities would be a line that "must never be crossed".Sharif described the attacks as "deplorable" and said the group's alleged targeting of Mecca had "outraged Muslims across the globe". The Houthis, who... [Continue Reading]
US Army reviews support units for possible Cuba-related operation, report says
The United States Army is reportedly making preparatory checks for a possible operation involving Cuba, according to a report that cites an internal Army message and US officials familiar with the planning. The document reviewed by the report asks whether the Army Reserve could provide support units within a 90- to 120-day window. No deployment order has been issued, and the message does not explicitly name Cuba.The request reportedly covers six types of units that could be placed under the authority of US Southern Command. Those include logistics, transport, maintenance, fuel and supply units, as well as an engineer battalion,... [Continue Reading]
Trump and Xi end Washington summit with limited progress and tariff truce extension
President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping have ended a Washington summit with no major breakthroughs, but with an agreement to extend a tariff truce for two months. The talks concluded after a three-day state visit marked by formal ceremonies, a state banquet and a final stop at the National Archives. The visit also included tea at the White House and a series of public appearances designed to project momentum in the relationship.The clearest confirmed outcome was the tariff pause, which both sides said would continue for two more months. Trump and Xi also said they would meet again... [Continue Reading]
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US appeals court upholds Pentagon blacklisting of Anthropic
A United States appeals court has upheld the Defense Department's decision to exclude Anthropic from its supply chain. The ruling keeps in place a procurement restriction imposed after the company refused to remove safeguards from its Claude model. The dispute centres on whether those safeguards should remain in place for uses involving fully autonomous weapons and mass domestic surveillance.According to the confirmed record, the conflict began in February when Anthropic declined a Pentagon demand to strip out restrictions on Claude. The supply-chain risk designation followed in March and led to the cancellation of military contracts. It also barred other Defense... [Continue Reading]
Hawaii warns of catastrophic flash flooding as Hurricane Nolo nears Big Island
Authorities in Hawaii have warned of catastrophic and life-threatening flash flooding on the Big Island as Hurricane Nolo moves close to the island. The alert comes as the storm strengthens and tracks near one of the state's most populated islands. Officials say the main risks now include extreme rainfall, mudslides and dangerous flooding in steep terrain.The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has issued an alert for possible catastrophic and life-threatening flash flooding this weekend. The National Hurricane Center said Nolo could bring as much as three feet of rain, with maximum sustained winds of up to 80 mph. The... [Continue Reading]
Hurricane Polo barrels toward Baja California as powerful east Pacific storm
Hurricane Polo is moving toward Mexico's Baja California region as a powerful east Pacific storm, with forecasters warning of damaging winds, torrential rain and dangerous seas. The hurricane was described as the second-most intense on record in the east Pacific after a pressure reading of 892 millibars was recorded on 22 September. It is expected to turn west-north-west before taking a more north-westerly track on Saturday.The storm has maximum sustained winds of around 150 mph, with stronger gusts in the most intense parts of the system. Hurricane-force winds extend about 40 miles from the centre, while tropical-storm-force winds reach as... [Continue Reading]
Italy bans burqas in schools and sets 30% cap on non-Italian speakers
Italy's cabinet has adopted a decree-law that bans burqas and niqabs in schools and introduces a 30% cap on non-Italian speakers in classrooms from next year. The measure takes immediate effect under Italy's decree-law system, but it still needs parliamentary ratification within 60 days. It comes as migration and integration remain central political issues ahead of the 2027 general election.Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced the move after outlining the proposed changes at a gathering of the youth wing of her nationalist conservative Brothers of Italy party. Under the new rules, breaches can be fined up to 1,000 euros. President Sergio... [Continue Reading]
US Navy confirms eight suicide attempts during USS Abraham Lincoln deployment as new details emerge
Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao has confirmed that eight sailors attempted suicide while deployed with the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group during its extended time at sea. The disclosure was made in a letter to Senator Kirsten Gillibrand after she asked about conditions aboard the ship and its supporting vessels. The carrier group had spent a record-setting uninterrupted period at sea before docking in Thailand for a rest stop.The new information adds to earlier concerns about crew welfare on the deployment, which had already drawn attention because of reports of stress, poor mental health and shortages of basic supplies... [Continue Reading]
Fire burns through night at Catterick Garrison barracks accommodation block
Firefighters are expected to work through the night after a blaze broke out at a barracks accommodation block in Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire. The fire was still burning late on Thursday, with emergency crews remaining at the scene. The incident is taking place at one of the United Kingdom's largest military garrisons, where accommodation blocks house soldiers and, in some cases, their families.North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said multiple crews were deployed, along with an appliance from County Durham and Darlington. In a statement, the service said the incident was expected to continue throughout the night. No cause for... [Continue Reading]
Costa Rica fires foreign minister after unapproved Trump-backed security summit meeting
Costa Rica has dismissed Foreign Minister Manuel Tovar after he attended a regional security summit in New York without informing President Laura Fernandez. The meeting was linked to the Trump-backed Shield of the Americas coalition and took place on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. The government said the omission prevented Fernandez from attending and caused serious harm to Costa Rica's interests.Fernandez said she should have represented the country at the gathering, which focused on drug trafficking and organised crime across the region. According to the government, Tovar attended without prior notice or approval. The summit brought together... [Continue Reading]
Xi Jinping's Washington visit marked by ceremony and limited progress so far
Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Washington has so far been defined by ceremony, warm language and few visible signs of progress on major disputes. He was welcomed with a red carpet and a military flyover at a military air base on Wednesday before an honour-guard arrival at the White House on Thursday morning. The public tone has been notably cordial, even as the two sides continue to face significant differences on security, technology and trade-related issues.In remarks before the formal meetings, Xi announced that China would send pandas and launch a new student exchange programme. He said the two... [Continue Reading]
Iranian-American group sues Trump over war in Washington, DC
An Iranian-American advocacy group has filed a lawsuit in Washington, DC, seeking to halt US military action against Iran. The complaint was lodged on Thursday by the National Iranian American Council and names President Donald Trump as the defendant. It argues that the war is harming Iranian Americans and their relatives, and that it is being carried out without proper constitutional war-powers checks.The filing says the conflict has been going on for more than six months and alleges that it will continue indefinitely unless a court intervenes. According to the complaint, the war is causing imminent threats to the lives,... [Continue Reading]
NATO says it is ready for Russian hybrid attacks amid rising concern in Europe
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has said the alliance is ready for Russian cyberattacks and other forms of hybrid warfare, as European concern grows over Moscow's tactics. He said NATO has response options in place and urged member states to provide more support for Ukraine. His comments came amid warnings from Danish intelligence that Russia is likely to step up hybrid attacks against Western targets.Rutte said Russia is doing more in the cyber domain and that NATO is prepared to respond. He linked stronger support for Ukraine with sending a signal to Moscow after any hybrid incident or attack. The... [Continue Reading]
Rubio warns Iraq risks fragmentation unless armed groups come under state control after UNGA meeting
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has warned that Iraq could face fragmentation unless armed factions are brought under state control. He made the remarks in New York on Wednesday after meeting Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. Rubio said Washington had no doubt about al-Zaidi's commitment to disarming armed groups, but described the task as a major and difficult challenge.Rubio said at least three armed groups had disarmed and joined the national government, while at least one remained far less cooperative. He argued that bringing all weapons under state control would... [Continue Reading]
EU sanctions Russian commentator Xenia Fedorova after France expulsion
The European Union has imposed sanctions on Russian commentator Xenia Fedorova, according to a notice published in the bloc's Official Journal. The move follows her expulsion from France in August over allegations that she was spreading pro-Russian narratives. Fedorova is a former senior executive of RT France and has been described by the EU as active in the dissemination of pro-Russian narratives in France and across the bloc in the context of Russia's war against Ukraine.The sanctions were published on Thursday, making Fedorova subject to European restrictive measures. France had already barred her from entering the country after a court... [Continue Reading]
Hurricane Polo remains powerful off Mexico as Tropical Storm Nolo prompts Hawaii watch
Hurricane Polo is continuing to bring heavy rain and strong surf to Mexico's Pacific coast, while Tropical Storm Nolo is prompting preparations in Hawaii. The US National Hurricane Center said Polo was about 130 miles south-southwest of Zihuatanejo early on Thursday, moving northwest at 7 mph before a later turn west-northwest and then northwest again over the weekend. Forecasters said the storm was expected to keep Category 5 strength as it tracks along the coast over the next few days.The main concern in Mexico is not a direct landfall but the rainfall and coastal impacts associated with the storm's outer... [Continue Reading]
Oil and fuel markets under pressure as key energy routes strain
Pressure on major energy shipping routes is testing the resilience of the global oil market, with disruption stretching from the Strait of Hormuz to the Red Sea and the Black Sea. The strain is affecting the movement of crude and fuel at a time when markets are already tight. Shuttle tankers are helping keep oil flowing through Hormuz, but at a much higher cost.The wider result is a market shock that is feeding through to transport and fuel prices. The immediate concern is not a complete halt in supply, but the rising cost and complexity of moving energy. The supplied... [Continue Reading]
Venezuela's Delcy Rodriguez thanks Trump at UN after years of confrontation
Venezuela's interim President Delcy Rodriguez used her address at the United Nations General Assembly in New York to thank United States President Donald Trump for resuming diplomatic relations and cooperation with Venezuela. The remarks marked a sharp contrast with her speech at the same forum in 2019, when she accused Washington of economic warfare and regime-change efforts. The shift in tone came as Venezuela remains at the centre of a wider political dispute involving its leadership and relations with the United States.According to the supplied material, Rodriguez spoke at the UN stage in New York on Tuesday and later appeared... [Continue Reading]
Pakistan blocks roads and deploys barriers ahead of PTI march for Imran Khan
Pakistan has closed major highways into Islamabad and erected container barriers ahead of a planned protest by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party demanding the release of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan. The measures were in place on Thursday as authorities prepared for a march scheduled for Sunday, September 27. Police and local reports said the operation was aimed at limiting access to the capital before the demonstration.According to a police notification, the motorway linking Islamabad with Peshawar was closed to all traffic until further notice. Other routes shut included the highway toward Dera Ismail Khan, the Hazara motorway and the... [Continue Reading]
Netanyahu takes UN stage with Israel's election politics in focus
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is due to address the United Nations General Assembly in New York later on Thursday, in a speech that is being watched closely both abroad and at home. The appearance comes as criticism of Israel at the UN intensifies and as Netanyahu seeks to present himself as the country's main voice on the international stage. It is his 15th address to the assembly, underscoring how often he has used the forum as a political platform.The speech is taking place at a sensitive moment in Israeli politics, with polls showing declining support for Netanyahu and his... [Continue Reading]
Poland warns residents to prepare evacuation backpacks after Russian helicopter incursion
Poland has urged residents to be ready for emergencies after a Russian Mi-8 helicopter crossed into its airspace from the Kaliningrad region, in an incident that also prompted NATO fighter jets to scramble. The aircraft was reported to have flown over Polish territory for about 42 seconds, with officials saying it came from the heavily militarised exclave near the town of Braniewo. Polish authorities described the episode as a fresh test of air defences and a reminder that civilians should have basic supplies ready in case of disruption.Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski said he already keeps an... [Continue Reading]
US reportedly withholds Sudan army chief's UN visa amid ceasefire pressure
The United States is reportedly withholding a visa for Sudanese army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan ahead of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The reported move comes as Washington seeks to press him to accept a 90-day ceasefire proposal in Sudan's civil war. Sudanese activists and journalists have criticised the reports, describing them as political pressure.According to the supplied reports, the visa issue emerged on Tuesday and was still being discussed on Wednesday, with al-Burhan scheduled to address the General Assembly on Thursday. The reports say the visa was made contingent on his acceptance of a three-month truce... [Continue Reading]
Argentina escalates Falklands claim at UN as Milei threatens legal and economic action
Argentina's President Javier Milei has intensified his country's sovereignty dispute with the United Kingdom over the Falkland Islands during a speech to the United Nations General Assembly in New York. He described the claim as a "national cause" and said Argentina would "take matters into our own hands" through legal and economic action. The islands are known in Argentina as the Malvinas, and Milei made the issue a central part of his address on Wednesday.Milei said the United Nations had chosen "to look the other way" on the dispute, and he framed Argentina's response as a "peaceful, practical and effective... [Continue Reading]
Die Linke's Elif Eralp on verge of becoming Berlin mayor after city-state election win
Die Linke candidate Elif Eralp is on the verge of becoming Berlin's next mayor after her party came first in the city-state election last weekend. The result puts the far-left party in position to lead coalition talks in the German capital for the first time, marking a potential shift in the city's political balance. If confirmed, Eralp would become Berlin's first leader of Turkish origin.According to the supplied report, Die Linke won more than a quarter of the vote, with about 26% in the election. That put it ahead of the Social Democrats, the Greens and the Christian Democratic Union,... [Continue Reading]
Ukraine and Russia intensify long-range drone war over occupied Luhansk
Ukraine and Russia are intensifying a long-range drone war that is increasingly shaping the conflict far from the front line. A report from eastern Ukraine describes Ukrainian Fire Point FP-2 drones being prepared for a mission into occupied Luhansk, more than 200 miles away. The account also says Russia has rapidly upgraded its own drone arsenal, including a jet-powered shift that has changed the scale and pace of attacks.The Ukrainian unit involved is the 413 Raid drone regiment, a specialist formation created two years ago and operating FP-2 attack drones since last autumn, according to one of its commanders. The... [Continue Reading]
Turkey agrees to gradual handover of Bashiqa base to Iraq amid wider security deal
Turkey and Iraq have agreed to a gradual transfer of the Bashiqa military base to Baghdad, according to a statement from the Iraqi prime minister's office. The announcement followed a meeting in New York between Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. The two sides also said they would deepen security cooperation and expand bilateral trade and investment.The statement said the agreement also covered steps to fully establish state authority in Sinjar and end the presence of foreign armed elements there. It referred to the Kurdistan Workers'... [Continue Reading]
Israel moves to bar main Arab lists from October election
Israel's Central Elections Committee has voted to bar the country's two main Arab electoral lists from next month's election, in a move that could leave Palestinian citizens of Israel without major Knesset representation options if upheld. The decision affects the United Arab List, known as Ra'am, and the Joint List, an alliance of Arab-led parties. The committee also voted separately to disqualify Hadash lawmaker Ofer Cassif and Balad leader Sami Abu Shehadeh.The election is scheduled for October 27, and the bans are not yet final. Decisions against individual candidates require approval from the Supreme Court, while the lists themselves can... [Continue Reading]
Venezuela interim president promises elections in UN address
Venezuela's interim president, Delcy Rodriguez, has told the United Nations General Assembly that the country will hold elections as part of a transition to what she described as full democracy. She did not give a date for the vote. In her speech, she said the government had begun talks with opposition groups and was preparing national institutions for the electoral process.Rodriguez said the transition would be an orderly, institutional and verifiable process. She said all political forces would be allowed to take part, and added that the aim was to build a country that is freer, more prosperous and more... [Continue Reading]
US and Iran resume backchannel diplomacy at UN amid war and threats
Iran and the United States have resumed contacts through mediators on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, as the war between the two countries continues. The renewed messaging comes alongside sharply contrasting public speeches from President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. The talks are taking place in a highly charged setting, with both sides using the UN stage to press their case.According to the supplied material, Iran has exchanged messages with US officials via Qatari mediators, although it has not confirmed Trump's claim that the two sides held a direct meeting at the... [Continue Reading]
FBI investigates breach of jobs portal as ShinyHunters claims employee data theft
The FBI says it is actively investigating a breach affecting its jobs portal after a hacking group claimed to have stolen sensitive personal data linked to thousands of current and former employees. The agency said the point of entry has not yet been determined, including whether the compromise involved a third-party provider or the FBI's own systems. It said it is working closely with outside providers that support the fbijobs.gov portal to reduce any risk.The group, which identified itself as ShinyHunters, said it had obtained data on a large number of FBI staff and was holding the material hostage. According... [Continue Reading]
Australia warns China and the US the Indo-Pacific is not their 'chessboard' as Albanese deepens Ukraine support
In a major foreign policy speech in New York, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is set to say the post-1945 world order is no longer fit for purpose. He will also warn China and the United States that the Indo-Pacific is not a chessboard for global superpowers. The remarks come as he has launched Australia's campaign for a two-year term on the United Nations Security Council.The speech follows Albanese's meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, where the two leaders signed a decade-long security agreement. Australia also announced an additional $60 million in support for Ukraine, adding to its existing assistance... [Continue Reading]
Board of Peace unveils $2.45bn Gaza reconstruction plan amid funding gap
The US-backed Board of Peace has announced a $2.45 billion Gaza recovery plan at a meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The six-month programme covers 66 projects and is aimed at housing, diesel generation, waste removal and other urgent needs. It is being presented as the first stage of a wider reconstruction effort in the war-damaged territory.Board members said the plan is intended to show commitment to recovery, but they also acknowledged that financing remains incomplete. The board said $18 billion has been pledged so far, while only $280 million has actually been... [Continue Reading]
UN General Assembly in New York faces fresh pressure as leaders clash over Gaza, Ukraine and Iran
World leaders gathering in New York for the 81st United Nations General Assembly are using the platform to press some of the most divisive conflicts in global politics. The latest speeches and analysis describe an institution under strain, with questions growing over funding, relevance and the ability of the Security Council to act. The debate is being shaped by wars in Gaza and Ukraine, tensions involving Iran, and wider concerns that major powers are increasingly acting outside the UN framework.One of the clearest examples came from Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who addressed the assembly for the fifth time since Russia's... [Continue Reading]
US senators seek sanctions over Israel's E1 West Bank settlement plan
A group of United States senators is preparing legislation to sanction people and organisations that support Israel's E1 settlement programme in the occupied West Bank. The bill is expected to be introduced on Wednesday and comes amid growing criticism in Congress of Israeli settlement expansion. The proposal focuses on a project that would link Ma'ale Adumim with occupied East Jerusalem.The lawmakers backing the measure include Chris Coons of Delaware, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Ron Wyden of Oregon and Ruben Gallego of Arizona. According to the supporting row, 10 Democrats were expected to co-sponsor the bill. Coons said in a statement... [Continue Reading]
Iran and US trade threats at the UN as backchannel talks continue
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian used his address to the United Nations General Assembly to reject US pressure and accuse Washington and Israel of attacking Iranian civilians and infrastructure. He said Iran would not accept being bullied, but he also left open the possibility of negotiations, saying Tehran was ready for dialogue and diplomacy without accepting the language of force. The speech came as the war between Iran and the United States and Israel entered a new diplomatic phase on the sidelines of the UN meeting in New York.Pezeshkian's remarks followed a threat from US President Donald Trump, who had told... [Continue Reading]
UK military has been jamming foreign satellites to defend itself, BBC told
The British military has been jamming or blocking satellites from other countries in order to defend itself from hostile threats, according to information provided to the BBC. The activity is understood to have been carried out by the RAF using a ground-based system for the past year. A defence source said the system had already been used to deter adversaries.The system is believed to be capable of preventing a hostile nation's satellites from tracking the movement of the UK's nuclear-armed submarines or other sensitive military operations, including those involving special forces. The disclosure comes as the UK unveils a new... [Continue Reading]
Syria's al-Sharaa warns Israeli attacks endanger post-war recovery amid UN speech
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has used his address to the United Nations General Assembly to warn that Israeli military activity is undermining Syria's fragile post-war recovery. He called for Israel to withdraw from internationally recognised Syrian territory and said the occupied Golan Heights would remain Syrian territory. The remarks came as Damascus seeks to present itself as moving from conflict toward reconstruction.Al-Sharaa said there had been 500 air strikes, more than 1,200 incursions and 300 detentions in Syria by Israel, and accused it of trying to impose a fait accompli. He said the attacks were damaging peace and security and... [Continue Reading]
Tommy Robinson reportedly detained by counter-terror police at airport
Far-right activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, known as Tommy Robinson, has reportedly been detained at an airport by counter-terrorism police. The report emerged from a post on his X account, which said he had been detained again. The airport where the detention took place has not been identified.The post said: "Tommy has been detained again, at an airport by Counter Terrorism Police." It also claimed that "they will never stop trying to destroy this man." In a separate earlier post, Robinson said he was willing to fight the "establishment" rather than Russia. No official statement from counter-terrorism police was included in the... [Continue Reading]
Azerbaijan pardons French national as EU sanctions row widens
Azerbaijan has pardoned French national Martin Ryan and ordered his release from prison, after he was convicted earlier this year on spying charges that he and France denied. The decision was signed by President Ilham Aliyev and came as part of a wider pardon covering 20 people. It follows hours after the European Union agreed to lift sanctions on two Russian billionaires, a move that has drawn criticism from Ukraine.Ryan had been serving a ten-year sentence in Baku, according to the supplied report. The timing has intensified attention on the overlap between detainee cases and sanctions diplomacy, even though the... [Continue Reading]
US and Iran hold productive shuttle talks at UN as diplomatic opening emerges
US and Iranian officials have held mediated shuttle talks in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, marking the first such contacts between the two sides in months. The discussions were described by President Donald Trump as productive, with both sides signalling that there may be room for further engagement. The talks took place in the same diplomatic setting where tensions over the war in the Middle East, sanctions and regional security have dominated the agenda.According to officials and public remarks, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner communicated through... [Continue Reading]
South Sudan dissolves transitional government as election security tightens in Juba
South Sudan's President Salva Kiir has dissolved the transitional government, parliament and national and state administrations as the country moves closer to its first national election since independence. The decision was taken under an amended law signed on Monday, and it comes three months before the vote scheduled for 22 December. Heavy security was reported in the capital, Juba, ahead of the announcement, with soldiers blocking access to government ministries and patrolling parts of the city.Under the new arrangement, Kiir removed the country's five vice-presidents and reappointed some ministers and governors in caretaker roles. A senior government official said staff... [Continue Reading]
OpenAI to give Ukraine free access to cyber defence tools
OpenAI will provide Ukraine with free access to its Daybreak cyber defence system to help protect civilian infrastructure from cyber-attacks. The company said the tools are intended to support the defence of hospitals, power plants and other essential services. The move comes as Ukraine continues to face sustained cyber pressure alongside the wider war.According to Ukraine's Computer Emergency Response Team, known as CERT-UA, the country recorded nearly 6,000 cyber attacks in 2025. OpenAI said Daybreak can quickly identify weaknesses in digital systems and help develop fixes, while Ukraine will also receive access to the GPT 5.6 Sol model. George Osborne,... [Continue Reading]
Airtel Money targets London IPO that could value business at up to $9bn
Airtel Money has announced plans for a London flotation that could make it one of the biggest listings in the city in years. The mobile money arm of Airtel Africa is seeking to raise about $800m through an initial public offering and is targeting a valuation of $8bn to $9bn. The company said it wants to list separately from its parent, which is already on the FTSE 100.The business operates across 13 sub-Saharan African countries and says it has 53 million monthly active users. Its services are delivered through branches and kiosks that allow customers to load money on to... [Continue Reading]
ErdoÄźan calls for UN Security Council veto power to be abolished at General Assembly
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip ErdoÄźan has called for the United Nations Security Council's veto power to be abolished, using the opening days of the UN General Assembly in New York to press for a major overhaul of the world body. In a published opinion piece, he argued that the current structure of the Council no longer fits today's crises and should be replaced with a system without permanent seats. Under his proposal, members would be elected by the General Assembly for fixed terms.ErdoÄźan said reform should begin with ending the veto privilege held by the five permanent members of the... [Continue Reading]
Sydney underworld figure Iziah Utai survives attempted attack in Marbella
A Sydney underworld figure on the run overseas has reportedly survived an attempted attack at a property in Marbella, Spain. Sources said Iziah Utai, described as a senior member of the self-styled Coconut Cartel, was targeted this week in what investigators believe may have been a botched home invasion by armed men. The incident is understood to have taken place in the popular tourist city on Spain's southern coast.Police are now investigating the reported attack. According to the supplied report, law enforcement has been told that armed hit men tried to break into the property where Utai was staying. The... [Continue Reading]
US and Iran hold first talks since June ceasefire unravelled amid Trump threat
Iran's foreign minister has met US envoy Steve Witkoff at the United Nations in the first reported talks between the two sides since the June ceasefire unravelled. The discussions were arranged by Qatar, according to the supplied material, and no breakthrough has been reported. The meeting came on the same day Donald Trump said he could "annihilate" Iran if the conflict is not resolved.Witkoff said a round of discussions had been completed that he hoped would prove "constructive and promising". Iran repeated its demand for the United States to end what it called its "acts of aggression". The talks took... [Continue Reading]
EU extends Russia sanctions for 36 months as Fridman and Usmanov are delisted
The European Union has agreed to extend its sanctions regime on Russia for 36 months while removing Russian billionaires Mikhail Fridman and Alisher Usmanov from the blacklist. The compromise was reached after days of disagreement among member states and came as a deadline approached for renewing the measures linked to Russia's war in Ukraine. Ireland, which holds the EU's rotating presidency, said the decision would keep the wider sanctions framework in place until 22 September 2029.Diplomats said Latvia dropped its veto after sustained opposition to the exemptions, allowing the deal to go through. The agreement keeps sanctions on about 3,000... [Continue Reading]
Trump and Andy Burnham meet for first time in New York on sidelines of UN General Assembly
Donald Trump and Andy Burnham met for the first time in New York on Tuesday, holding talks on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. The encounter was followed by brief public remarks and questions from reporters, with both men striking a positive tone about the exchange. Trump said he believed Burnham would be a "great prime minister" and described him as having "a lot of assets on his side." Burnham, in turn, thanked the president and said the pair had established a "good connection." The meeting covered Ukraine, the Falkland Islands and trade, according to Burnham.Trump said the... [Continue Reading]
US Justice Department asks Supreme Court to reverse Badar Khan Suri release
The US Justice Department has asked the Supreme Court to overturn a lower-court order that released Georgetown University scholar Badar Khan Suri. The filing revives a legal fight over how far federal courts can go in reviewing immigration detention cases. It also keeps in focus claims that Suri was targeted because of his pro-Palestinian speech and activism.According to the court filing made on Monday, the administration wants the justices to decide whether federal immigration law barred the district judge from ordering Suri's release. Suri, an Indian citizen and postdoctoral fellow, was arrested by masked Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers outside... [Continue Reading]
Papua New Guinea police raid Port Moresby property in alleged trafficking and online scam case
Police in Papua New Guinea have raided a property in Port Moresby and said they found 39 Indonesian nationals who were allegedly being held against their will. Investigators said the men and women were discovered in a three-bedroom house in the capital on Tuesday morning. Police also said the group was being forced to operate an online scam from inside the property.According to police, the alleged victims had been recruited through social media and had been in Papua New Guinea for about a month. A police spokesperson said early inquiries suggested they were locked inside the house and were not... [Continue Reading]
THE GROWTH ILLUSION: HOW GDP TRICKERY MASKED THE DEATH OF THE MIDDLE CLASS
We are fed a daily diet of triumphant economic headlines. The S&P 500 hits record highs, corporate earnings smash forecasts, and central bankers beam at GDP charts pointing up and to the right. Politicians line up to remind us how much "wealthier" we are compared to our parents or grandparents. On paper, they are right. The average worker makes vastly more dollars today than at any point in human history. But step outside the spreadsheet and into the street, and the math fails the reality test. If we are so undeniably prosperous, why does buying a modest home feel like... [Continue Reading]
Dubai Property Market Faces Litmus Test as Nakheel Waterfront Investors Await Final Judicial Verdict
Hundreds of international and local investors who purchased land plots in Nakheel’s massive "Waterfront" project nearly two decades ago are holding their breath. Following the official cancellation of the project by the Dubai Land Department and its integration under Dubai Holding, a special judicial committee appointed by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has been tasked with resolving the liquidation and settling investor claims. ​Because the decisions of this specialized committee are legally binding and final, with no avenue for appeal, the upcoming rulings are being viewed as a critical turning point for the regulatory reputation of Dubai's... [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]
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 Great Uncoupling: Abu Dhabi’s Sovereign Gambit
The UAE’s decision to cut ties with OPEC is far more than a mere adjustment of energy policy, for it functions as a political telegram written in barrels and sent directly to the heart of the global order. For nearly six decades, Abu Dhabi operated within the rigid architecture of producer discipline, where it accepted the rituals of quotas, the formality of communiqués, and the heavy burden of collective restraint. It played the long game of oil diplomacy with a patient hand, balancing its own massive national ambitions against the gravity of cartel discipline and the delicate logic of Gulf... [Continue Reading]
The Mirage of the Umbrella: The Shifting Sands of the U.S.-Israel-GCC Alliance
As I sat in a recent debate at the historic Carlton Club in London, listening to Faisal Abbas, the Editor-in-Chief of Arab News, I felt a tangible shift in the room, not because a new fact had been revealed, but because an old illusion had finally lost its last breath. The old-world order has not merely changed, it has evaporated, leaving the Gulf to realize it is no longer watching a distant fire from the safety of marble towers and air-conditioned ministries, but is instead standing directly inside the smoke. The GCC today is caught in a lethal crossfire between... [Continue Reading]
The Glass Elevator to Nowhere: A World Trapped in a Chocolate Factory
As a journalist in my mid-fifties, I thought my skin had thickened to the point of being impenetrable. I have covered the rise and fall of regimes, the grinding gears of the Cold War's leftovers, and the digital revolutions that promised to unite us. I thought I had seen every trick in the political playbook. Then came Donald Trump’s 2026 foreign policy, and I realized I was not watching a statesman; I was watching a child play with a chemistry set he does not understand. The Willy Wonka of the West: Rule by Whim Walking into a press briefing lately... [Continue Reading]
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]
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]
The role of community policing in nurturing acceptance
In a highly polarized world and a highly volatile situation, many wars are perturbing the lives of many, forcing governments to take real measures to protect their citizens. Away from the geopolitical analysis and speculation, I would like to highlight one of many important aspects related to war preparation, which is the protocol of living in community shelters, historically comparable to the use of air raid shelters during major conflicts. During the war in Lebanon in the mid-eighties, I published an article about this protocol, and it seems very relevant to these days. 1- This is not your house: A... [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]


