Kyiv protests erupt after Zelenskyy sacks defence minister in reshuffle
Hundreds of people gathered in central Kyiv on Thursday after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed defence minister Fedorov as part of a wider government reshuffle. Protesters marched through the streets carrying banners reading "The army is the priority" and chanting "Shame". The demonstration came as parliament also accepted Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko's resignation and approved Serhii Koretskyi, the former head of energy firm Naftogaz, as her successor.The dismissal has added a public dimension to a political reset that was already under way in Kyiv. Fedorov, who had been in the post for six months, was seen by supporters as a moderniser... [Continue Reading]
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Hormuz MoU's ambiguity fuels renewed escalation as US blockades Iranian ports
A new analysis of the June memorandum on the Strait of Hormuz says the agreement's promise of "safe passage" left unresolved who would govern the waterway and on what terms. That ambiguity, the supplied material argues, has helped create the conditions for the latest escalation, with the United States once again blockading Iranian ports and both sides trading strikes on bases and military assets across the Gulf. The same material says President Donald Trump has also floated a 20% levy on shipping for security in the strait.The article says Article 5 of the memorandum committed the parties to "safe passage... [Continue Reading]
Noontime News Recap: US strikes near Tehran as Ukraine unrest grows and Europe advances on enlargement
The US said it carried out another wave of strikes on Iranian military targets, including sites closer to Tehran than in earlier attacks, as tensions with Tehran deepened and a tanker was disabled in the Strait of Hormuz. 🔗Hostility in Iran was also on display in central Tehran, where a billboard showed Donald Trump in a coffin with the words, we kill Trump, underscoring the sharp rise in anti US rhetoric. 🔗In the Middle East, Israel told Washington it intends to keep troops in designated security zones in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza, a sign it is not ready to pull... [Continue Reading]
Kyiv hit again as Russian missile strike kills at least two
Russian ballistic missiles struck multiple areas of Kyiv overnight into Thursday, killing at least two people and injuring five others, including a child, according to Ukraine's State Emergency Service. The attack hit the Sviatoshynskyi and Darnytskyi districts of the capital and triggered large fires at a warehouse and an administrative building. Emergency crews were still working at the scene as firefighters battled the blaze and search teams checked damaged structures for survivors.Officials said falling debris also damaged nearby properties, adding to the disruption across the affected districts. The strike came just hours after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen... [Continue Reading]
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Toronto hit by wildfire smoke as air quality drops to worst in the world
Toronto is facing severe wildfire smoke conditions, with authorities warning that the smoky air is unlikely to ease before Friday. The city recorded the world's worst air quality as the haze drifted in from fires burning in northwestern Ontario. The situation has added a public-health strain to a heat alert already affecting the city.Authorities cancelled outdoor children's programmes and opened cooling centres in response to the conditions. Environment Canada said the smoke was not expected to improve before Friday, while temperatures reached 33C, close to the record for 15 July. Howard Shapiro, Toronto's Associate Medical Officer of Health, said exposure... [Continue Reading]
Report says AI systems can be tricked into extremist bomb-making guidance
A report released this month says artificial intelligence systems can be manipulated into providing coaching on bomb-making and weapons, raising fresh concerns about extremist misuse. The findings come as a Queensland teenager faces extremism charges linked to the alleged use of AI to create mass-shooting scenarios. The report describes the issue as a major national security concern and argues that conversational AI can be used in ways that go beyond ordinary web searches.The United Nations-supported group Tech Against Terrorism tested 27 AI models with prompts that could be used for terrorism, including step-by-step requests for explosive devices and 3D-printed firearms.... [Continue Reading]
Russian ballistic missiles strike Kyiv, with drone attacks reported in Kharkiv
Explosions were reported in Kyiv shortly after midnight local time after Ukraine's air force warned of several incoming ballistic missiles. An AFP journalist described bright flashes over the capital followed by a series of detonations. At the same time, Kharkiv, the main city in northeast Ukraine, was reported to have been hit by combat drones.Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said a warehouse was hit and that missile debris fell on non-residential buildings. The reports did not immediately give details of casualties or the full extent of the damage. The strikes came a few hours after European Commission President Ursula von der... [Continue Reading]
Trump to deliver primetime White House address on elections and voting machines
United States President Donald Trump is due to deliver a rare primetime address from the White House on Thursday night, with the speech expected to focus on elections, including the 2020 presidential contest and alleged vulnerabilities in voting machines. The announcement was made on Tuesday, and Trump has described the planned remarks as "really big news" without giving a full explanation of what he intends to say. Major US television networks are expected to carry the address live, alongside a White House livestream.Trump told reporters in the Oval Office that the speech would be about elections and "a couple of... [Continue Reading]
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DR Congo Ebola outbreak tops 2,000 cases as health workers strike in Ituri
The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has passed 2,000 confirmed cases as health workers in the northeastern province of Ituri begin strike action over unpaid wages and poor working conditions. The latest figures cited on Wednesday put the outbreak at 2,011 confirmed cases and 754 deaths. The disruption is centred on Bunia General Hospital and follows earlier walkouts at other facilities in the same province.Healthcare workers at Bunia General Hospital blocked the entrance to the hospital as they protested, saying they had not been paid since the outbreak began despite working in difficult conditions. In Rwampara,... [Continue Reading]
UK updates resilience plans and warns public to prepare for possible food and water shortages
The UK government has updated its national resilience plans and is preparing a public awareness campaign later this year to encourage households to take steps for possible food and water shortages. The move is linked to risks from severe weather and cyber attacks, according to the supplied material. It comes as officials say the public should make "small but important steps" to prepare for disruption.Cabinet Office Minister Darren Jones said the government regularly assesses the risks the country could face and plans for what may come. He pointed to record temperatures in May and June as an example of the... [Continue Reading]
Australia warns of active Russian-linked hackers targeting critical industries
Australia's signals intelligence agency has issued a fresh warning that Russian-linked hackers are actively targeting critical industries across the country. The alert covers sectors including defence, communications, energy and financial services, with state and local government agencies also identified as vulnerable. The warning says the attackers are exploiting poorly secured network devices and outdated software to gain access to information.The Australian Signals Directorate said the hackers are using simple methods such as targeting poorly protected routers and guessing default passwords. It said the activity is linked to actors operating on behalf of Russia's Federal Security Service, and that the campaign... [Continue Reading]
Japan says it must counter foreign espionage more rigorously after Russia report
Japan has said it recognises a growing need to counter foreign intelligence activity after a report alleged that Russia had used the country as a hub for espionage and procurement of dual-use technology. Chief government spokesperson Minoru Kihara said Tokyo must address the issue with "even greater rigour" as concerns grow over threats to national security. The comments came after an investigation said Russia had taken advantage of Japan's technology sector and what it described as weak espionage laws.Kihara said the government sees a rising need to respond to foreign intelligence activity, including the acquisition of critical information. He declined... [Continue Reading]
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Ukraine and allies launch anti-ballistic missile coalition in Paris
Ukraine and nine European countries have announced a new coalition to develop a shared anti-ballistic missile capability, in a move unveiled during talks in Paris. The announcement came as leaders gathered for a Coalition of the Willing summit focused on support for Ukraine and pressure on Russia to end the war. The plan is intended to strengthen Europe's ability to respond to ballistic missile threats, which the countries involved described as growing.The coalition includes Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine and the United Kingdom. In a joint statement, the leaders said they wanted to build an... [Continue Reading]
Bangkok bar fire kills at least 27 as investigators examine electrical fault
Thailand's prime minister said 27 bodies were recovered after a fire tore through the Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao bar in northern Bangkok, in one of the country's deadliest fires in recent history. The blaze broke out shortly before midnight on Sunday and spread rapidly through the venue, where people were trying to escape through thick smoke. Officials said the fire was brought under control about half an hour later.The city's medical department said 73 people were injured, including 25 who were critically hurt, while 32 had been treated and sent home. Witnesses described smoke coming from an electrical circuit... [Continue Reading]
Unusually warm rivers force pressure on French nuclear output
Persistent heat and below-average rainfall across western and central Europe are putting pressure on rivers used to cool reactors in France. The conditions have warmed waterways and lowered river levels, creating operational constraints for nuclear plants that depend on river water for cooling. EDF has already temporarily shut down one reactor at the Golfech nuclear power station after the Garonne River approached its environmental discharge threshold.The situation is linked to a prolonged weather pattern that brought above-average temperatures, prolonged sunshine and suppressed rainfall through June and the first half of July. According to the supplied material, the same conditions have... [Continue Reading]
Russian spy network in Japan tied to technology smuggling for war effort
Russian intelligence officers have turned Japan into an important base for buying or stealing battlefield technology and moving it into Russia, according to officials cited in the supplied material. The operation is linked to the GRU's 20th Directorate, a secretive military intelligence unit whose role has not been publicly disclosed. Officials say the network has taken advantage of Japan's weak espionage laws and its large high-tech industrial base.The report says the shift accelerated after Western governments expelled hundreds of Russian spies following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Since then, dozens of those officers are said to have... [Continue Reading]
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Bangladesh floods and landslides kill at least 50 as millions remain stranded
At least 50 people have been confirmed dead after flooding and landslides swept across Bangladesh following days of torrential monsoon rain. The disaster has left millions of people stranded, with food shortages reported in some of the worst-hit areas. The south-eastern city of Chattogram and surrounding districts have been among the hardest hit.The disaster management ministry said flooding across seven districts had disrupted daily life, isolated thousands of families and stranded 267,918 households. The affected districts are Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Bandarban, Rangamati, Khagrachhari, Moulvibazar and Habiganj. Officials said power outages, damaged roads and broken communication links were slowing rescue and... [Continue Reading]
Ukraine's Zelenskyy announces cabinet reshuffle and plans to replace Prime Minister Svyrydenko
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced a cabinet reshuffle and proposed replacing Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko. The move is part of what he described as a change in political strategy, with a stronger focus on foreign policy and security goals. Zelenskyy also said there would be changes in the leadership of some law enforcement agencies.In a lengthy post on social media, Zelenskyy said each priority foreign policy direction would be overseen by a specific person with substantial experience. He said the aim was to deliver on agreements reached at leaders' level and meet the expectations of the Ukrainian people. Zelenskyy... [Continue Reading]
Spain wildfire near Almeria as rescue teams find badly burned British couple amid ongoing containment efforts
Emergency crews in southern Spain have rescued a British couple from a ravine after they were caught in the wildfire that has devastated Almeria province. The pair were found badly burned and semi-conscious near the village of Bedar in the early hours of Friday, according to local accounts of the operation. They were taken to hospital and are now in intensive care.The couple were discovered by Civil Guard officers searching for survivors in the worst-hit area, after hearing cries for help and climbing down a hillside to reach them. One rescuer said the team followed the sound and kept searching... [Continue Reading]
Russian glide bomb strike hits Sumy near coffee shop as death toll rises
CCTV footage from a coffee shop in the northeastern Ukrainian city of Sumy shows people crouching on the floor as explosions are heard nearby, before customers run inside for cover. The video captures three angles from the scene, including views from outside the shop and from inside. The strike hit the city on Saturday and left five people dead, including a 13-year-old girl, according to Mayor Artem Kobzar.Officials said at least 30 people were injured when glide bombs struck the city. The footage shows people taking shelter near the counter as the blasts are heard, underlining how quickly the attack... [Continue Reading]
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China and North Korea mark 65 years of treaty as alliance remains strategically important
China and North Korea are marking the 65th anniversary of their Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance, a pact that still defines one of Asia's most closely watched relationships. The anniversary comes as North Korean Premier Pak Thae Song makes a three-day visit to Beijing to commemorate the treaty. The visit highlights that, despite decades of strain and change, the alliance remains active and politically significant.The treaty was signed in Beijing on 11 July 1961 by then Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai and North Korean leader Kim Il Sung. It includes a mutual defence clause committing either side to assist... [Continue Reading]
Trump removes final members of US Election Assistance Commission ahead of midterms
President Donald Trump has removed the last remaining members of the US Election Assistance Commission, leaving the federal election body without sitting commissioners months before November's midterm elections. The White House confirmed the move on Friday, after two Democratic appointees were fired by email and the lone remaining Republican commissioner resigned. The commission is now vacant at a time when Trump is pressing for broader changes to voting rules.The Election Assistance Commission, often referred to as the EAC, is a bipartisan federal body created by Congress in 2002 to support state and local election officials. Its responsibilities include issuing non-binding... [Continue Reading]
EU charges Meta over addictive Instagram and Facebook features
The European Commission has issued preliminary findings saying Meta Platforms may have breached EU tech rules through features on Instagram and Facebook that encourage compulsive use. Regulators said the case centres on autoplay, infinite scroll and recommendation systems that can keep users engaged for longer periods. The findings follow a two-year investigation under the European Union's Digital Services Act.The Commission said Meta had not adequately assessed the risks posed by highly personalised recommendations, autoplay and infinite scroll. It also said reels and stories on Facebook and Instagram could contribute to excessive or compulsive use. According to the regulator, time-management tools... [Continue Reading]
Ukraine and US still finalising technical terms for Patriot missile production
Trump said at the NATO summit in Turkiye that Ukraine would be given the right to make Patriot missile systems, but he gave no timetable for when production could begin. He told Volodymyr Zelenskyy that the United States would show Ukraine how to do it, while also saying Washington would keep its own stockpile. Ukraine said it will try to master domestic production as soon as possible, but the immediate practical steps remain unclear.The announcement comes as Ukraine's stock of US-made Patriot interceptors has been depleted by frequent Russian strikes, making the air-defence system one of Kyiv's most urgent military... [Continue Reading]
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UN warns aid cuts have cut off support for one million women and girls
The United Nations has warned that at least one million women and girls have lost access to critical support because of sharp cuts to foreign aid spending since January 2025. In a new report, UN Women said the reduction in funding is accelerating the collapse of women-led organisations in crisis settings. The agency said the cuts are coming as humanitarian needs continue to rise across multiple conflict-affected countries.UN Women said its findings were based on responses from 855 women-led and women's rights organisations operating in 52 crisis-affected countries. It said 84% of the groups surveyed reported higher demand for their... [Continue Reading]
China completes first controlled recovery of orbital-class rocket booster
China has reported its first successful controlled recovery of an orbital-class rocket booster after a Long March 10B launch in southern China. The booster returned vertically and was recovered on an offshore platform, according to state broadcaster CCTV. The test is being presented as a step toward reusable rockets and a sign of progress in a field long dominated by US companies.The Long March 10B lifted off from the Hainan commercial space launch site on Friday. About six minutes after the booster separated from the upper stage, it came back down in a controlled descent and was retrieved at sea.... [Continue Reading]
North Korea vows to strengthen nuclear force and expand intelligence role amid military modernisation push
North Korea has said it will strengthen its nuclear force in both quality and quantity and expand the role of its military intelligence agency, according to state media. The announcement followed an enlarged meeting of the ruling Workers' Party Central Military Commission on Thursday. It also came alongside plans to accelerate the building of modern naval bases and upgrade combat systems.At the meeting, Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un said only a strong military could guarantee what he described as true peace, according to the report. The commission discussed broadening the functions and missions of the General Reconnaissance and Intelligence Bureau,... [Continue Reading]
SK hynix launches huge US listing amid AI boom
South Korean chip maker SK hynix has set pricing for a major US listing, aiming to raise $26.5bn as demand for artificial intelligence infrastructure continues to drive investor interest in semiconductor companies. The offering is expected to be one of the largest stock sales ever completed on US markets. The company plans to list American depositary shares on Nasdaq later on Friday.SK hynix said the deal involves 177.9 million depositary shares, with each ADS representing one-tenth of a regular share, priced at $149.00 per ADS. The listing has been more than seven times oversubscribed, according to US media reports cited... [Continue Reading]
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China expands anti-sanctions toolkit, raising risks for foreign firms
China has expanded its ability to respond to foreign sanctions and export controls with a series of new and draft measures that could affect multinational companies operating across Chinese, US and European rules. Since March, Beijing has passed two regulations that broaden its powers to retaliate against foreign entities it says threaten supply-chain security or apply sanctions with improper extraterritorial reach. A third draft law would go further by allowing prosecutors to bring cases against foreign organisations and individuals whose actions are said to harm China's national interests or social public interest.The latest measures were described as part of a... [Continue Reading]
Explosions reported in Iran near Bushehr and Konarak as US military denies involvement
Iranian media reported loud explosions in several locations in southern Iran late on Thursday, including areas around Bushehr, Choghadak and the coastal city of Konarak. The reports came amid continuing exchanges between Iran, the United States and Israel, with officials in Washington denying any recent US strikes. Local officials in Bushehr said one blast in the city was caused by air defence systems, while another strike hit a military headquarters on the outskirts of the city.According to the supplied report, the United States Central Command said the US military had not carried out any strikes in Iran in the past... [Continue Reading]
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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 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]
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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]
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]
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Navigating the Perils of Information in a Global Age
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]




