Iran says Hormuz ships will face fees after 60-day period
Iran has said ships crossing the Strait of Hormuz will be charged a fee after a 60-day period linked to a newly signed memorandum of understanding, directly contradicting Donald Trump's claim that the route would remain toll-free. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, described in the supplied material as Iran's lead negotiator, said the strait would not return to "pre-war conditions" and that Iran has the right to sovereignty over the waterway. The comments add a fresh point of tension to an already fragile arrangement over one of the world's most important maritime chokepoints.The supplied material says the 14-point MoU was digitally signed... [Continue Reading]
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Brazil-US tensions deepen as Lula warns Trump over election interference
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has warned Donald Trump not to interfere in Brazil's October presidential election, sharpening a dispute that has already spread from trade to the courts. The warning came after Trump renewed criticism of Brazil's judicial actions against Lula's political opponents. It also followed fresh US pressure in the form of proposed tariffs and the designation of two Brazilian drug-trafficking groups as foreign terrorist organisations.Lula's comments add a direct presidential-level warning to an already strained relationship between Brasília and Washington. He has objected to US sanctions on Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, which the... [Continue Reading]
Russia strikes Kyiv with ballistic missiles as Ukraine air alerts widen
Russia launched ballistic missiles at Kyiv early on 18 June, prompting local authorities to tell residents to take shelter as air-raid alerts spread across most of Ukraine. Officials in the capital said explosions were heard in the city, while the head of Kyiv's military administration warned that the capital was under attack and urged people to remain in safe places until the alert ended. The strike came hours after President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke with US President Donald Trump and European leaders.Authorities in the northeastern city of Sumy also reported a separate drone attack that killed one person, adding to the... [Continue Reading]
Modi and Trump discuss Hormuz security, seafarer safety and trade at G7
US President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi used their meeting on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, eastern France, to discuss maritime security, seafarer safety and trade ties. Modi raised concerns about the Strait of Hormuz and the safety of Indian seafarers, while Trump said the two countries were closer than ever and that a trade deal was near. The exchange came during a period of strain in bilateral ties and added a public security dimension to the leaders' talks.Trump told reporters that the United States would help India if it were attacked, and said... [Continue Reading]
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Russian warship warning shots near UK-flagged yacht in Channel as Starmer calls incident reckless
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has described as "reckless" the firing of warning shots by a Russian frigate near a UK-flagged civilian yacht in the English Channel. The incident took place on Tuesday about 20 nautical miles south of the Isle of Wight, outside UK territorial waters, according to statements from the British and Russian defence ministries. Starmer said the episode was "deeply concerning" but did not amount to anything more sinister, while stressing that Russia remains aggressive across Europe.The Russian Ministry of Defence said the frigate Admiral Grigorovich fired warning shots after its crew spotted the yacht Bright Future... [Continue Reading]
G7 summit in Evian turns to AI and social media security on final day
On the final day of the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, leaders are set to focus on the security risks posed by artificial intelligence and social media. The discussions come as the three-day meeting draws to a close, with French President Emmanuel Macron due to host US President Donald Trump for dinner at the Palace of Versailles after the summit. Final statements are also expected on the Middle East and Ukraine, adding to an already crowded agenda.The technology session is expected to bring together senior figures from the AI sector, including Sam Altman of OpenAI, Dario Amodei of Anthropic and Arthur... [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]
Nigerian army rescues widow of retired general after Katsina kidnapping
Nigeria's military says it has rescued Amina Abubakar, the widow of a retired general who died in captivity after the couple were abducted in Katsina state. The army said Mrs Abubakar was recovered during a rescue operation in the north-western state after being held by kidnappers since the end of last month. It said she was shot during the operation before the abductors fled as troops advanced.The military said Mrs Abubakar is now being treated in a military hospital. In a statement, the director of defence information, Samaila Uba, said the rescue followed intensified search-and-rescue efforts. He said troops made... [Continue Reading]
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US B-52 crash at Edwards Air Force Base as eight aboard are confirmed dead
Officials at Edwards Air Force Base in California have now confirmed that all eight people aboard a US Air Force B-52 bomber were killed when the aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff. The crash happened at about 11:20am local time on Monday during a routine test mission, and the aircraft burst into flames as it hit the ground. Military officials said the scene was heavily charred, with very little left of the bomber visible after the fire.Colonel James Hayes, the deputy commander for the 412 Test Wing at Edwards, said the military had reviewed footage of the accident and concluded there... [Continue Reading]
Magnitude 6.7 earthquake strikes near Palu in central Sulawesi, Indonesia
A magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck part of Sulawesi in central Indonesia on Tuesday, causing damage in and around the city of Palu. The tremor sent residents into open areas and prompted hospitals to evacuate patients outside as a precaution. Images from the area showed damaged buildings, including partially collapsed roofs, broken walls and debris in the streets.The quake was centred about 43 kilometres east-southeast of Palu, according to the information provided by the US Geological Survey, and occurred at a depth of about 10 kilometres. Indonesia's National Disaster Management Agency said it was still gathering information on damage, possible casualties... [Continue Reading]
At least 31 killed as overcrowded bus plunges into ravine in northern Ethiopia
At least 31 people have been killed and dozens more injured after an overcrowded bus crashed in northern Ethiopia, police have confirmed. The vehicle was travelling towards Addis Ababa when it veered off a mountainous road and fell into a ravine in the Amhara region. The crash happened early on Monday on the Harego road, a zigzagging route surrounded by forest near the town of Dessie.Police said the bus plunged about 100 metres into the ravine after leaving the road. Images shared on social media showed a badly damaged vehicle broken apart beside a hillside, though the full scale of... [Continue Reading]
Three-year-old Palestinian boy killed by Israeli fire in central Gaza
A three-year-old Palestinian boy has been killed by gunfire in central Gaza, according to his family, in an incident that also left his father wounded. The family said Rayan Abu al-Ajeen was being carried by his father when both were shot in the Wadi al-Salqa area of Deir al-Balah governorate on Sunday afternoon. His body was later taken to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital on Monday.The family said Bahaa, the boy's father, was shot in the leg and remains in hospital. Jaber Abu al-Ajeen, the child's grandfather, said he heard gunfire while at home next to the family farm and later learned... [Continue Reading]
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Attacks on education up 40% worldwide, study says
Attacks on education around the world rose by 40% in 2024 and 2025, according to a new study that recorded more than 8,556 incidents across 83 countries. The report says at least 10,600 students and staff were killed, injured, abducted, arrested or otherwise harmed during the period. It identifies Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Haiti, Palestine and Ukraine among the places with the highest numbers of reported attacks.The study was published on Monday by the Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack, a group that tracks violence affecting schools, universities, pupils and staff. It says Ukraine experienced... [Continue Reading]
11 skydivers and pilot killed in Missouri plane crash near Butler Memorial Airport
Eleven skydivers and a pilot have been killed after a plane crashed shortly after takeoff in the US state of Missouri. Officials said the aircraft, leased by a skydiving company, went down near Butler Memorial Airport in Bates County on Sunday morning. The crash happened about 200 yards from the airport after the plane failed to gain altitude and made a sharp left turn.A Bates County Emergency Management spokesperson said the aircraft took off at about 11:20 local time. The Federal Aviation Administration said the plane was a Pacific Aerospace P750 and confirmed it crashed while departing the airport. The... [Continue Reading]
India protests US strikes on ships in Gulf as death toll of Indian mariners deepens row
India and the United States have sharpened their diplomatic dispute over US missile strikes on commercial ships in the Gulf region after three Indian seafarers were killed in an attack on 10 June. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said he had spoken to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and reiterated India's "strong protest" over what he described as lethal actions against commercial shipping. The exchange comes as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump head to the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, where a possible meeting could add another layer to the talks.The Indian side said the Ministry of... [Continue Reading]
US strikes on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz kill Indian sailors as toll rises
Three tankers have been struck by the US military in and around the Strait of Hormuz over the past week, with the latest confirmed deaths involving three Indian sailors aboard MT Settebello. The vessel was hit on Wednesday by what US Central Command described as precision munitions fired into its engine room, after it allegedly failed to comply with directions linked to the blockade of Iranian ports. The ship was Palau-flagged and had a majority Indian crew on board.The new details confirm the names of the three men killed: deck cadet Aditya Sharma from Himachal Pradesh, engine fitter Shivanand Chaurasiya... [Continue Reading]
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Trump's name removed from Kennedy Center after court ruling
Workers have removed Donald Trump's name from the Kennedy Center in Washington after a federal judge ruled the venue cannot be renamed without an act of Congress. The work began around 1.20am local time and was completed in about 30 minutes, with letters taken down from the building's facade after scaffolding and tarps were put in place. The removal came less than six months after the name was added to the performing arts centre.The action followed a court-ordered deadline that the Department of Justice said it would miss, asking for a 12-hour extension because thunderstorms could create safety risks for... [Continue Reading]
Indian Air Force AN-32 crashes at Jorhat air station in Assam
An Indian Air Force AN-32 transport aircraft has crashed at the Jorhat Air Force station in Assam, according to initial official confirmation. The accident happened while the aircraft was attempting to land at the airfield on Saturday. It is a developing incident, and details on the condition of those on board have not yet been confirmed.A defence spokesperson confirmed that the aircraft was involved in an accident in Jorhat district. The available information says the plane was trying to land when the crash occurred, but the circumstances remain unclear. Official clarification and investigation details are still awaited.The AN-32 is a... [Continue Reading]
Trump rejects reported Iran ceasefire terms amid attack on Indian-linked ships near Strait of Hormuz
US President Donald Trump has publicly rejected reported ceasefire terms linked to Iran, saying leaked details "bear no relation to the truth" and were not what had been agreed in writing. In the same remarks, he condemned what he described as a drone attack on Indian-linked commercial vessels near the Strait of Hormuz. The comments add to a fast-moving dispute that now combines diplomacy, maritime security and the safety of Indian seafarers.Trump said on social media that the terms Iran had leaked to the media were false and "totally" different from the agreement he said had been reached. He also... [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 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]
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]




